NIGERIA: PDP Chieftain Faults Buhari On Nnamdi Kanu, State Police

Muhammadu Buhari

BY ADEJOKE ADELEYE

PM NEWS

A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi has said the position of President Muhammadu Buhari on the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, as he espoused during his interview on television on Thursday showed that he has not gotten over the shock of civil war.

The President had in the interview said he will not interfere in the ongoing treason trial of the IPOB leader or accede to request to release him from detention.

But Sowunmi said the tone of the President Kanu and IPOB was certainly not re-conciliatory nor reflective of the need to heal and unite the country.

In the same vein, Sowunmi said the President’s opposition to establishment of state police was not well thought out.

The PDP Chieftain noted that with the increasing population of the country, the attendant security challenges will naturally demand a multilayered policing framework and therefore Buhari’s decline to sign state police is not progressive.

“It is clear that the needed level of reflections has not gone into the opposition to state police by Mr President, the truth of the matter is that the multifaceted security challenges we have all over the country makes it imperative for the Fact and all leaders of goodwill to rethink this state police issue.

“If President Buhari is unwilling, he will find out with time, that he can only delay it, for an idea whose time has come cannot be killed.

“The population of the country is increasing, the attendant security challenges will naturally demand a multilayered policing framework. To obstinately say no is certainly not progressive.”

“On the Igbo issues generally and the Nnamdi Kalu specifically, it is most unfortunate that it seems the president has not gotten over the civil war after all these years, the tone is certainly not re-conciliatory nor reflective of the need to heal and unite the country.

“No one is interested in a crisis nor is a nation that is not harmonious with itself the best legacy for the president’s generation to bequeath to Nigeria,” Sowunmi said.

A-List Igbo Leaders Say Final Farewell To Adanma Okpara

BY IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

 

UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE (PM NEWS) Adanma died on Aug. 22 at the age of 99 and was buried in her country home in Umuegwu-Okpuala, Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Many dignitaries attended the burial ceremony.

Governor Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu was the chief host. His deputy Use Oko Chukwu, the Speaker Chinedum Orji, the Senate minority leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe also attended.

Others are the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, former PDP National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu, and former Senate President, Sen. Adolphus Wabara.

Dr Uche Ogah, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development and Sen. Theodore Orji (Abia Central-PDP), Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, the former governor of old Enugu State also came to bid Adanma farewell.

At the funeral service held at Williams Memorial Grammar School, Afugiri, the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN), Dr Samuel Uche, expressed delight that the Adanma lived a life worthy of emulation.

He said she lived a life full of humility, decency and sacrifices, with which she touched the lives of people that encountered.

Uche said that the event was a time for the living to ruminate over the transient ephemeral nature of life.

“Late Dr and Mrs Okpara were neither extravagant nor ostentatious. Mrs Okpara was virtuous and prayerful and did not want her husband to acquire stolen wealth.

“I encourage today’s leaders and their spouses to emulate the Okparas as well as understand that what matters is the good name you leave behind; not the wealth,” he said.

Gov. Ikpeazu said that the funeral was a moment of sober reflection on the glorious era of late Dr Michael Okpara as Premier of the former Eastern Nigeria, as his achievements were a great challenge to leaders.

Ikpeazu said that the deceased did not fail to teach humility and service to the people she came in contact with.

“So let us use today’s event to raise our feelings of brotherhood, reawaken our strength, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit as a people,” he said.

Dr Uche Ogah, described the deceased as “one of our best”, who supported her late husband to bring Eastern Nigeria to limelight.

He stated that the deceased and her husband lived exemplary lives which ought to be emulated by all.

Sen. Theodore Orji (Abia Central-PDP), said that the lifestyle of the deceased showed that she was a peaceful person and this reflected in her marriage and family.

Orji prayed God to give the family and the people of Abia the fortitude to bear the loss.

Nwodo described the deceased as a woman of virtue, who upheld the principles of discipline.

Nwodo said that the deceased was a worthy companion to her husband and urged families to learn from their relationship.

In a funeral oration, the First daughter of Adanma, Mrs Chinyere Eccles-James, said their mother was a great source of inspiration to many.

Eccles-James said that their mother lived a life of continuous goodwill and service to God and humanity.

NIGERIA: No Record Of How Obasanjo, Jonathan Spend $5bn

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

ABUJA (PM NEWS)--The Federal Government has told the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that it has no records of the exact amount of public funds stolen by a former military head of state, Sani Abacha and no records of the spending of about $5 billion recovered loot for the period between 1999 and 2015.

Three presidents ruled Nigeria between 1999 and 2015. They are Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

The government’s response followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information (FoI) requests sent to Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, requesting: “information on the exact amount of public funds stolen by Abacha, and details of spending of about $5 billion recovered loot since the return of democracy in 1999.”

According to SERAP, only Mr Malami has sent a reply to its FoI requests. In the reply dated 26 February 2020 but which SERAP said it received 9 March 2020, Mr Malami said: “We have searched our records and the information on the exact amount of public funds stolen by Abacha and how recovered loot was spent from 1999–2015 is not held by the Ministry.”

Mr Malami also said: “However, a total of $322 million was recovered from Switzerland in January 2018 and the funds were used for Social Investment Project. Also, $308 million was recovered from the Island of Jersey in collaboration with the USA. While awaiting the transfer of the money to Nigeria, it has been designated for the following projects: Lagos—Ibadan Expressway; Abuja—Kano Expressway, and Second Niger Bridge.”

Dissatisfied with Mr Malami’s reply, SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The failure to provide information on the exact amount stolen by Abacha and on spending of recovered loot for the period between 1999 and 2015 implicitly amounts to a refusal by the government. The government also failed to provide sufficient details on the spending and planned spending of the $630 million it said it recovered since 2018.”

In the statement dated 15 March, 2020, SERAP said: “in the circumstances and given that Mrs Zainab Ahmed has failed and/or refused to response to our FoI request, we are finalising the papers for legal actions under the FoI Act to compel the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to fully and effectively comply with our requests.”

Mr Malami’s reply with reference number MJ/FOI/REQ/035/11/34, was signed on his behalf by Hamza Adeyinka Omolara, Principal Counsel at the Ministry of Justice.

It would be recalled that SERAP’s FoI requests expressed: “concerns that substantial part of the estimated $5 billion returned Abacha loot since 1999 may have been diverted, re-stolen or mismanaged, and in any case remain unaccounted for.”


The FoI requests dated 14 February 2020, read in part: “the Federal Government should disclose details of projects executed with the Abacha loot and their locations, details of companies and contractors involved in the execution of any such projects, details of all the agreements on the loot, the roles played by the World Bank and other actors, as well as the implementation status of all projects since 1999.

“Publishing the details of projects on which Abacha loot has been spent would allow the public to know the specific projects carried and the areas of the country in which the projects have been implemented as well as the officials that may be responsible for any alleged diversion or mismanagement of the loot.

“According to our information, a special panel set up on 23 July 1998 by the former head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar to probe the late military dictator General Sani Abacha stated that he stole over $5 billion between 1993 and 1998 when he was in power. Much of the stolen public funds have been returned to Nigeria.

“The report by the panel shows that the government recovered some $635 million, £75 million, DM 30 million and N9 billion as well as several vehicles and properties in Abuja, Lagos and Kano together with 40% interests in West African Refinery in Sierra Leone. Other assets were recovered from the Abacha family and associates.

“Furthermore, former president Olusegun Obasanjo administration also reportedly recovered over $2 billion of Abacha loot. Mr Obasanjo would seem to confirm this fact when he stated in the second volume of his book titled My Watch that: ‘by the time I left office in May 2007, over $2 billion and £100 million had been recovered from the Abacha family abroad, and N10 billion in cash and properties locally.

“Similarly, former president Goodluck Jonathan administration reportedly recovered $226.3 million and €7.5 Million from Liechtenstein. Some £22.5 million was also recovered from the Island of Jersey while $322 million and £5.5 million from the Abacha loot were reportedly returned to the government.

“The government of president Muhammadu Buhari has also recovered several millions of dollars of Abacha loot since assuming office in May 2015, including $321 million from Switzerland, and $300 million from the US and Jersey.”

SOURCE: PM NEWS

How Russia Helped Nigeria Defeat Biafra During Civil War – Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari shake hands with Russia's Vladimir Putin at the Russian-African Summit in Sochi, Russia, Thursday, October 24, 2019'

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how Russia helped Nigeria defeat the Biafra warlords during the nation’s civil war between 1967 and 1970.

Buhari spoke in his speech at the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia on Thursday.

Buhari said Nigeria’s relationship with Russia began in 1960 with the old Soviet Union, saying that Russia helped Nigeria with military assistance during the civil war against the Biafran forces.

“Nigeria’s relations with Russia just like the rest of Africa, began during the Soviet era when diplomatic relations were first established in 1960. That relationship covered areas such as education, healthcare, solid minerals development and military assistance, especially during Nigeria’s civil war.

“More recently, our partnership has extended to the oil and gas sector as well as military and technical assistance in support of our fight against Boko Haram insurgency. At this point, I would once again like to thank His Excellency, President Putin for his support, especially in the area of security.

“It is my hope that through this forum, Russia and Africa will revitalize their time-tested relationship by exploring new opportunities for the collective benefit of our peoples,” he said.

Buhari said since the collapse of the USSR in 1991, relations between Russia and African nations had lagged a historical levels, saying that the former Soviet Union had been a key partner of Africa, while recalling the strong support received from the former Soviet Union in Africa’s anti-colonial struggles, stressing that Africa would continue to remember this, and many other significant gestures of solidarity and support that shaped history as a continent.

He added that in an increasingly changing world driven by trade, technology and innovation, the time had come to inject new energy and pragmatism in Africa-Russia relations for the mutual benefit of both Africa and Russia, emphasising that this mutually beneficial relationship must go beyond trade and business.

“Our re-energised partnership must also address challenges such as counter-terrorism, poverty eradication, human and drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, climate change and migration to mention some of the many contemporary challenges facing our peoples.

“Our continent is rich in human and natural but is lagging behind in capital and technology. This is why we see increased conflict, migration and instability that is also impacting many nations outside Africa. On our part, we in Africa have continued to view Regional Integration as a key development priority. Our integration is one that seeks to address our infrastructure deficit, conflicts and terrorism, climate change, human trafficking and of vitality, trade.

“Our integration process also takes into account our diversity as a continent and our unique challenges at the national and sub-national levels. This is why progress has been slow but steady. With a population of over 1.2 billion people, for us in Africa, getting our socio-economic integration right presents enormous opportunities as we stand to promote robust, equitable and inclusive growth that will minimize conflict and enhance economic development.

“Today, these aspirations are captured in the Agenda 2063 of the African Union. We are confident that with strong partners like Russia, our goal of having a peaceful and prosperous continent is achievable. Nigeria is the largest economy and most populous country in Africa. Today, our population is almost over 200 million people. It is expected to grow to approximately 400 million by 2050. This will make Nigeria the third most populous nation in the world behind China and India.

“Our economy is heavily dependent for its foreign exchange on oil. With the result that our high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is not as a result of domestic sector productivity. In the circumstances, although we still remain an oil dependent nation, our government in the last four years has focused on diversifying our economy by supporting key job creating sectors such as agriculture, mining and ICT,” he stated.

To achieve this, Buhari explained that the nation invested aggressively in infrastructure development and introduced policies and programmes that enhanced ease of doing business, reduce corruption in the public sector and enforce the rule of law.

“It is this inclusive economic diversification agenda that we want to forge a new Nigeria-Russia cooperation. Already, we are seeing progress in areas of power generation, solid minerals development and rail transportation and I hope this will be expanded to Agriculture, Manufacturing and other means of Transportation.

“We already have over 200 Nigerian university students in Russia benefitting from Russian Government scholarships which have been on-going since 1960. Earlier this year, Nigeria signed a Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) with Russia which will expand the human capital development support we are already receiving,” he said.

....................PM NEWS

Border Closure: Ghana Traders’ Union Calls For Boycott Of Nigerian Products

Image via PM News

As Nigeria’s land border closure bites West African countries, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has called for a total boycott of all Nigerian products imported by Ghana.

The move, the traders union believes, will force the Nigerian government to open up its land borders for foreign goods. Nigeria partially shut its borders since August.


According to Ghanaweb.com, Greater Accra Regional Secretary of GUTA, David Kwadwo Amoateng on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Friday said the Nigerian government has not been fair to foreign traders.

In return, he expects the Ghana government to prevent Nigerian traders from bringing goods into Ghana, but that plea has fallen on deaf ears.

“Either somebody’s bread has been buttered or we are cowards. Government is not being fair to us,” he fumed.

Mr Amoateng cited how Dangote cement had taken over the market while local ones from GHACEM are suffering.

“Let’s boycott Nigerian products as payback to their government’s action. How can we be slaves in our own country?” he said.

Mr Amoateng argued that the issue, if not checked, could hamper the Continental Free Trade Area.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has appealed to Ghanaian traders to remain calm as it works with the Nigerian authorities to ease its ban on the exportation of Non-traditional products.

SOURCE: PM NEWS

Trending: 23 Nigerians Waiting For Saudi Hangmen (Full List)

BY PM NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010

Trending right now in Nigeria is the list of 23 Nigerians said to be on death row in Saudi Arabia over drug-related offences. They were arrested between 2016 and 2017 at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, and Prince Muhammad Bin Abdu-Aziz International Airport, Madinah.

The list was first published in April after the execution of Nigerian widow, Kudirat Afolabi, who had brought into Saudi Arabia, a prohibited drug.

The list, comprising mainly Yoruba and some few Hausa/Fulani people, all muslims, was exhumed on Sunday by some Twitterati to show that crime is not limited to a particular ethnic group in Nigeria.

The list #23Nigerians was the number one trending topic on Nigerian Twitter, supplanting #Igboyahooboys, which emerged after the FBI released on Thursday the list of almost 80 Nigerians, indicted for wire fraud, romance scams and Business email compromise crimes. Later another hashtag, #yorubadrugdealers emerged.

Commenters on Sunday bemoaned how the Nigerians, from the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups, are destroying the national reputation, internationally.

Some commenters even wondered why Nigerians would risk taking drugs to Saudi Arabia, when they knew the consequences, if caught.

The Saudi Arabian Government said back in April that the 23 suspects concealed the narcotic substance in their rectum, an act the Saudi Government says contravenes its narcotic and psychotropic substances rules.

The offence is punishable by death. Back in April then, Saheed Sobade, another Nigerian was also awaiting execution.

“It is well-known for all those interested in travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that the penalty for drug trafficking is the death sentence and the said sentence is applied on all persons convicted without any exceptions, as long as the evidence is established against them, and this is conveyed to every person prior to his trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia said in April, after Nigerians criticised the killing of Afolabi.

See the full list of Nigerians arrested for drug trafficking:

Adeniyi Adebayo Zikri, Tunde Ibrahim, Jimoh Idhola Lawal, Lolo Babatunde, Sulaiman Babatunde, Idris Adewuumi Adepoju, Abdul Raimi Awela Ajibola, Yusuf Makeen Ajiboye, Adam Idrid Abubakar, Saka Zakaria, Biola Lawal, Isa Abubakar Adam, Ibrahim Chiroma, Hafis Amosu, Aliu Muhammad, Funmilayo Omoyemi Bishi, Mistura Yekini, Amina Ajoke Alobi, Kuburat Ibrahim, Alaja Olufunke Alalaoe Abdulquadir, Fawsat Balagun Alabi, Aisha Muhammad Amira, Adebayo Zakariya,

The Saudis have not said whether the trial of the 23 suspects have been concluded and whether they will all face the death penalty. Their last word on the matter was published in April.

Ekweremadu: The Stones Awaiting Other Leaders

Ike Ekweremadu. Image via PM News

BY FREDERICK NWABUFO

There is pain. There is anger. And there is collective rage in the land. Nigerians are empty of options and are seeking avenues for a purge; for catharsis. The season of retribution may be upon us sooner than we imagine.

The physical abuse of former deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu at an Igbo forum by some young men in Germany, though condemnable, betokens the onset of nemesis.

In a video recording in circulation, while the lawmaker was being assaulted, his abusers could be heard saying: “What have you done? People are dying.’’ This is the question most Nigerians have been asking their leaders helplessly.

Ekweremadu may be a victim of constrained anger – if one is to go by the confessions of his assaulters in the video. He may not be the worst of his ilk. But situating his antecedents and the expectations of most people from the southeast, he, perhaps, set himself up for criticisms. He has been a senator since 2003. And he has been deputy-senate president for eight years. But the question is, in what way has his exalted position being of benefit to the area or the region he represents? What development has he influenced to the section?

Inland ports are an essential transportation need of the southeast, a bill to establish them has often been ignored at the senate, where Ekweremadu was the second most powerful man. Even in the 16 years of the PDP, a party the southeast bent obsequiously for, bills to have these facilities and other projects sited in the region were not considered.

I have often wondered aloud, ‘’what exactly did the PDP do for the southeast in 16 years besides empowering a few people in the neighbourhood of power?’’

However, a statement by the media office of Ekweremadu says the attack was orchestrated by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This is plausible, but does it obviate the kindler of the outburst? Though, the lawmaker had run the gauntlet in certain cases, there is an assumption that he did not and has not taken up the responsibility providence surrendered into his hands.

The citizens’ rage is not spared for any party. Some lawmakers in the APC cannot go to their constituencies without heavy security escort. The situation is progressively-degenerative; citizens are angrier now than before, seeking outlets for quick release.

Nigerians are peeved. And the parlous state of things is breeding more children of anger. Some months ago, a seething mob hauled stones at some (APC) lawmakers who visited their constituencies in Katsina. They escaped, but not unscathed.

The citizens’ rage is not spared for any party. Some lawmakers in the APC cannot go to their constituencies without heavy security escort. The situation is progressively-degenerative; citizens are angrier now than before, seeking outlets for quick release.

But I must concede that Nigerians are still too tranquilised for a mass action against the factors of their suffering.

That ‘’uprising’’ happened in Germany because the country is a ‘’liberte’’ society; not where ‘’uprisers’’ will be neutralised with live bullets. Ekweremadu went to a country where Nigerians live untamed.

Nevertheless, violence is not an instrument of change, but of destruction; it should not be found in the quarters of civilised people. Violence is not only physical. Corruption is violence. Stealing is violence. Nepotism is violence. Incompetence is a form of violence.

Leaders quench this fire.

SOURCE: PM NEWS

9 Nigerians Among 44 Migrants Bombed In Libya

Migrants in Libya. Image via PM News.

PM NEWS
Nine Nigerians were among the 44 migrants killed in an airstrike on a detention centre in Tajoura, Tripoli on Tuesday night.

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Executive Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said some of those killed had been profiled to leave Libya in the coming days.

International Organisation for Migration(IOM) said that more than 180 others staying in the same detention centre were registered to return to their home countries through the UN agency’s voluntary migrant return programme, which helps arrange their documents and transport.

In a statement on Thursday, Dabiri-Erewa condoled with families of the nine Nigerians.

She said it was regrettable that migrants survived a treacherous journey only to be killed in someone else’s war in Libya.

“It is disheartening that nine Nigerians have been identified as victims in the unfortunate incident.

”Nigerians, who were due to be airlifted back to Nigeria, were cut down in their prime,” she said.

The NIDCOM boss reiterated her call for Nigerians, especially the youths, to shun movement into hostile countries.

According to her, if they must travel, they should do so legally with a legitimate mission to those countries.

Dabiri-Erewa prayed for the repose of the souls of all the people, who died in the airstrike and sent condolence messages to the families of the victims.

She noted that more than 13.000 migrants had been brought home so far, from Libya, and expressed appreciation to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), NEMA and other international agencies involved in the evacuation of the migrants.

She, however, called on the UN to hasten up in the protection of other detention centres from such attacks.

IOM has moved around 40,000 migrants out of Libya through the same program me.
The airstrike on the Tajoura centre where at least 600 people were being held, came less than two months after another airstrike landed less than 100 meters from the centre, injuring two people.

Group Decries High Cost Of Justice In Nigeria

LAGOS (PM NEWS/NAN) -- Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons (JIDOP), on Sunday, said many Nigerians lacked access to justice, due to high cost of litigation and slow judicial processes.

Mr Lawman Nzenwa, Convener of JIDOP, said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the official unveiling of the group’s logo in Lagos.

“Our justice system has failed Nigerians. It is expensive and time consuming and people are beginning to lose faith in it.

“So, we are now advocating for emphasis on Alternative Dispute Resolution.

“I am talking about mediation and arbitration, where people can still come up and air their grievances.

“Both parties will be able sit together to find an amicable resolution to the issue.

“The way it is now, what we get is judgment not justice because of the delay in the process.”

Nzenwa said JIDOP was established to assist ordinary Nigerians, who had no access to justice and were being oppressed by wealthy individuals and institutions.

He noted that some persons had been in detention for years awaiting trial, stressing that the group would be looking into such cases and others that would give hope to the downtrodden.

Nzenwa also urged the Federal Government to obey the rule of law, by releasing people in detention who had been granted bail by the courts.

He said the continued detention of people, who had been granted bail by some courts was not good for the country’s image, adding that when prominent individuals were also being held in disobedience to the courts, it affected the people’s confidence in the judicial system.

Diaspora Voting: Lack Of Reliable Database Delaying Take-Off – Nigerian Consul-General

A DELEGATION FROM LEGACY INITIATIVE INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY DURING A VISIT TO NIGERIAN CONSULATE IN NEW YORK. IN THE MIDDLE ARE THE CONSUL-GENERAL, MR BEN OKOYEN (4TH RIGHT) AND MR IFEM ORJI (4TH LEFT), COORDINATOR OF LEGACY U.S. CHAPTER

NEW YORK (PM NEWS)--The Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Ben Okoyen, says lack of reliable database is one of the factors delaying the implementation of Diaspora Voting by Nigerians outside their homeland.

Okoyen, who said this when members of Legacy Initiative International Advocacy, U.S. chapter visited Nigeria House in New York, stressed the need for Nigerians overseas to be united so as to produce a reliable database.

The Nigerian envoy explained that the Nigerian Diaspora Commission was already in place, adding that getting the accurate database of Nigerians abroad was still a challenge.

“It is not as if it (Diaspora Voting) is something that cannot happen now, it is important how we organise ourselves.

“This pronouncement has been made, the commission is in place, but how Nigerians organise themselves is important.

“For example, if you ask people to come and register, they would not come. For us to even have the proper database of Nigerians living in the U.S. or elsewhere is difficult. So it has to do with us.

“As you are coming now, if you tell us this is the population of Nigerians, we will be very happy to forward this information back home.

“That is an area that we need to do some extra job. Every organisation should work toward registering Nigerians and see how to get a database that Federal Government can also rely on”.

He commended Nigerian organisations in the diaspora for their efforts to promote the good image of the country and their contributions to their homeland and host countries.

Okoyen pledged to partner with the organisation to enable the Consulate to better serve Nigerians.

He promised to reach out to Nigerians wherever they are in the 20 states under his jurisdiction in the U.S., to enlighten them about issues at the Consulate and opportunities provided by the Federal Government back home.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr Ifem Orji, said the principal focus of the organisation was to unite the leaders of the two principal faith groups in Nigeria – the Christians and the Muslims.

Orji said this was being achieved through constant interactive sessions, inter-faith prayers, and coordinated positions on burning national issues.

“The Direct Home Remittance (DHR) put at more than 27 billion dollars annually from the Nigerian Diaspora constitutes the second largest source of foreign exchange inflow into the national economy.

“Thus, Diaspora Nigerians deserve a voice in what happens at home and abroad that impact our collective humanity,” he said.

He pledged the association’s commitment to continue to foster peace and unity in Nigeria and among Nigerians all over the world.

Orji also pledged the association’s readiness to help the Consulate in creating a reliable database for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Boko Haram: 8 Killed, 2,940 Others Displaced In Borno

Boko Haram attack file photo via PM News

KONDUGA LOCAL GOVT. (PM NEWS NIGERIA)--The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Thursday confirmed the death of eight persons in a coordinated attack by Boko Haram insurgents at four communities in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

Alhaji Bashir Garga, NEMA’s Northeast Zonal Coordinator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that 2, 940 persons were also displaced in the attack.

Garga disclosed that the insurgents attacked the communities and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in the outskirts of Maiduguri on Wednesday night.

He listed the affected communities to include Kofa, Mallumti, Ngomari and Gozari as well as Dalori 2 IDPs camp.

Garga said that six persons were killed at Kofa village while two others were killed in the IDPs camp.

He said: “The attack occurred on Wednesday night at about 8:00 pm; Kofa, Mallumti, Ngomari and Gozari villages, which are close to Dalori IDPs camp, were affected.

“Many villagers fled to the Dalori IDPs camp for safety leading to the insurgents’ attack on the camp vicinity which claimed the lives of two displaced persons, making a total of eight deaths.

“The terrorists gained access to the area through a bush path behind the villages and came in four vehicles and motorcycles. They ransacked the market in front of the IDPs camp.

“Villagers who ran into the bush for safety have returned back to their homes while the Borno State Fire Service contained the inferno.

“About 490 households with estimated population of 2, 940 persons were displaced in the attack”.

Garga added that those who sustained injuries in the attack were treated at a clinic in the camp, while those with serious injuries were referred to hospitals in Maiduguri for treatment.

According to him, an assessment team was deployed to provide relief assistance to the affected persons.

The state deputy governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, who visited the scene of the attack, sympathized with victims and assured them of immediate interventions by the government to alleviate their sufferings.

Nigerian Army Admits Feeding Public With Lies

The three abducted Nigerian soldiers during the ambush (Via PM News)

NIGERIA (PM NEWS, JULY 30, 2017) -- The Nigerian Army has admitted feeding the public with bareface lies over the abduction of NNPC staff by a faction of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin on Tuesday, 25 July.

The Army had claimed in a statement on Wednesday through its spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Usman that all the abducted staff of NNPC had been rescued by soldiers during a search and rescue operation in the area. He added that only nine soldiers died during the ambush.

To counter the lies, the Abu Musab al-Barnawi led faction of Boko Haram released a video on Saturday showing some of the abducted NNPC staff begging the Federal Government to negotiate with the sect for their freedom.

Also, forty-eight corpses of persons killed by the terrorists during the ambush on Tuesday were brought to the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in the Borno State capital on Thursday.

The corpses brought include 18 soldiers, 15 Civilian JTF, five university staff and four NNPC drivers.

But in a rare show of remorse after the Boko Haram video hit the air waves, Brigadier-General Usman in another statement on Saturday said his initial statement that all the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) workers abducted in the ambush had been rescued was wrong.

He added that six members of the NNPC exploration team out of 12 that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive.

Usman revealed further that the death toll from the July 25 ambush of oil workers and staff members of the University of Maiduguri in Borno by Boko Haram has risen with the recovery of more bodies.

According to him, 21 more bodies of those on the team that was ambushed by the terrorists had been recovered with some persons still missing.

“So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of 5 soldiers, 11 Civilian JTF and 5 members of the exploration team,” Usman stated.

Describing the ambush as “as unfortunate and highly regrettable”, Usman said his initial statement that all the NNPC workers abducted in the ambush had been rescued was wrong.

According to him, the pursuit team also recovered two of army’s gun trucks and an additional Toyota Buffalo Gun truck from the insurgents.

“In addition, the team also made the following recoveries; four rocket-propelled grenade bombs, four rocket propelled grenade chargers, six AK-47 rifles, one anti-aircraft gun, on general purpose machine gun, one anti-aircraft gun barrel, one rocket-propelled grenade tube, four Dane guns, eight tyres and two Tyre Rims,” it added.

Other items recovered include one pumping machine, two tyre jacks, one super battery, five reflective jackets, three Toyota Hilux vans, four Jerry cans filled with PMS, one Motorola Radio, one Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty Jerry cans, two shovels and three food coolers.

The troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, 4 boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a Digger, two bows and 13 arrows, 2 LLG bombs, assorted drugs and assorted working tools.

Boko Haram insurgents had on July 25 ambushed troops, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, escorting some staff members of the NNPC as well as that of the University of Maiduguri who were carrying out oil exploration activities in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno state.

Ebonyi University Breaks Ranks With ASUU, Reopens For Lectures

The management of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, in eastern Nigeria on Monday ordered all the lecturers and students to return to classes immediately.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Registrar, Mr Sam Egwu, said academic activities would resume on all the campuses of the university on Tuesday 26 November, saying the authorities have the support of 80 per cent of the academic staff.

The academic staff, in compliance with the directive of the national union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, went on strike from 1 July. ASUU is still seeking an audience with President Goodluck Jonathan to reach a decision on whether to call off the strike.

The ESU statement said: “we have waited patiently for the Federal Government and ASUU to resolve the impasse (strike) to no avail. The management of Ebonyi State University has, therefore, resolved to commence academic activities on Tuesday.

“We, therefore, use this medium to inform all concerned that teaching and learning will begin fully on Tuesday, to enable us to cover what we have lost to the strike” , the statement said.

The decision to reopen the school was reached at a management meeting held on 20 November.
It said “80 per cent of the lecturers in attendance agreed that they should ignore ASUU’s nationwide strike and return to class.

“The lecturers are not happy that the strike is lingering and therefore gave their full support for the resumption of school on Tuesday”, the source said.

The source, however, said that Chairman of ASUU in the university did not attend the meeting.

The chairman, Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, in an interview with NAN, dissociated the branch of ASUU from the decision to resume studies.

“The strike is still in progress until we get directives from our national leadership”, he told NAN.
Idenyi said the leadership of ASUU in the university was ready for a showdown with the school’s management if it decided to punish lecturers who defied the return-to-duty order.

SOURCE: P M NEWS

Six Returnee Pilgrims With Boko Haram Ties Arrested

The 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of six pilgrims, who returned from Saudi Arabia, for allegedly being high ranking members of the Boko Haram sect.

Capt. Aliyu Danja, spokesman of the division, said this while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri. Danja said the suspects were arrested shortly after returning from the Hajj.

“I can confirm to you that six pilgrims were arrested at the Maiduguri International Airport on Monday shortly after their return from Saudi Arabia for allegedly being Boko Haram sect members.

“They were arrested for questioning by the authorities,” he said.

Danja said three of the suspects had, however, been released after being found to be innocent of the allegation.

“Three of the suspects have been released while the rest three are still being investigated,” he said.

Danja said that the division had also introduced “aggressive patrol” along the major highways in the state to curtail Boko Haram attacks on travellers.

“My commander does not joke with issues concerning Boko Haram threats. He has ordered for an aggressive patrol along major highways in the state to prevent attacks on innocent souls,” he said.

----PM News, October 23, 2013

Hezbollah-Linked Suspect [Tatal Ahmad Roda] Alleges Plot To Kill Saudi Envoy

A Lebanese suspect with alleged links to Hezbollah and on trial in Nigeria for terrorism offences told a court on Friday he was aware of a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Abuja.

The alleged plot, which had not previously been made public, came up during questioning of the defendant during the trial of him and two other Lebanese in high court in the Nigerian capital.

The defendant, Talal Ahmad Roda, alleged that another man who is at large was behind a plot to assassinate the ambassador. The man was identifed as Abdulhassan Tahir.

Asked by prosecutor Samuel Edege whether he was aware of the alleged plan, he said “yes” but did not know other details. Questioning then moved on to other subjects.

It was not clear whether anyone sought to put the alleged plot into action or which Saudi ambassador had been targeted for assassination since a name was not provided. The motive for the alleged plot was also not described.

An official at Saudi Arabia’s embassy who did not want his name used said it was unaware of the alleged plot.

“We don’t have any information about this story,” the official said. “We just heard it from you.”

The three men on trial are accused of plotting attacks against Israeli and Western targets in Nigeria as well as having links to Lebanese Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah.

They were charged in June after authorities discovered a cache of arms at a business in Abuja and a private home in the northern city of Kano.

Nigeria is grappling with a deadly Islamist insurgency waged by Boko Haram, but there has been no suggestion of any ties between the Lebanese accused and the Nigerian extremist group.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is home to a sizeable Lebanese population, including in the mainly Muslim north.

-----PM NEWS NIGERIA

Extradition:Nigerian Terror Suspect [Lawal Babafemi] Gets Hearing Date

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of Federal High Court Abuja on Friday reserved 28 August for hearing in an application meant to extradite Lawal Babafemi to the U.S. on terrorism allegation.

The Federal Government has initiated extradition proceedings against the Nigerian, suspected to be a member of the terrorist organisation, al-Qaeda.

At the resumed session, Mr Muslim Hassan, Counsel to the Federal Government (applicant) announced the intention to move the application he claimed was filed on July 22.

However, the move was immediately interjected as S.O. Yahaya, Counsel to the respondent prayed the court to be given some time to study the application.

Yahaya said “my lord, the application has just been served us in the court hall this morning, so we need some quality time within which to study it with a view to responding appropriately.”

However, it was later discovered that the application was served the respondent on July 25 in the State Security Service (SSS) custody but given to the counsel on August 2.

Giving his ruling on the oral application filed by the counsel to Babafemi for adjournment, Justice Mohammed said “in the interest of justice, August 28 is reserved for hearing the application’’.

The attempt to extradite the 32 year old Babafemi, also described as “Abdullah” and “Ayatollah Mustapher” to the U.S. is because he is being wanted there for his alleged involvement in terrorism related activities.

The Federal Government in an application exhibited a four-count charge marked:13CR-109-JG, filed against the accused person before the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York.

The application further shows that a bench warrant was issued for Babafemi’s arrest by a U.S. magistrate.

He is charged with conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organisation, provision and attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, unlawful use of firearms and conspiracy to unlawfully use firearms.

The offences, on conviction, attract a minimum sentence of 10 years and maximum of life imprisonment.

Babafemi, was based in the U.S. but fled to Nigeria upon realising that he was to be arrested by men of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

He was arrested a year ago and is being held by the State Security Services (SSS) in Nigeria.

The application further reveals that U.S. authorities are of the view that Babafemi belongs to the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an affiliate of al-Qaeda.

The applicant said the accused person allegedly travelled to Yemen between January 2010 and August 2011 to train with the group.

They also alleged that Babafemi had been relating with its senior members, including the now deceased Anwar al-Aulaqi and Samir Khan.

Babafemi was said to have admitted, upon interrogation, that he was paid about 8,600 dollars by the AQAP to return to Nigeria and recruit some English speaking individuals to work in AQAP’s English language media organisation.

The group had claimed responsibility for series of terrorist activities, including the Dec. 25, 2009 bombing attempt in the U.S. by Nigeria’s Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

SOURCE: PM NEWS NIGERIA

Nigeria: 6776 applicants scramble for 200 jobs

To underscore the acute unemployment in Nigeria, no fewer than 6,776 job-seekers have been short-listed for 200 job positions at the Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State.

The information is contained in a statement signed by the institution’s Registrar, Dr Margaret Aashikpelokhai.

The job seekers whose screening started on April 2, are vying for only 200 vacancies.
About 1,326 of the job seekers applied for the position of Administrative Officer II while the posts of assistant lecturer, accountant II, assistant registrar, senior assistant registrar and chief lecturer account for the rest.

The screening is expected to end on April 10.

------- (NAN)

Principal in virginity test scandal suspended

The Ogun state Government in western Nigeria, on Wednesday waded into the reported case of a Principal, Mrs Olufunke Aladeojebi, who allegedly conducted virginity test on some female students.

After preliminary investigations by the state’s Ministry of Education, the State Government suspended Aladeojebi, the Principal of Ajuwon High School, Iju Ajuwon in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr Segun Odubela, told newsmen in Abeokuta that the ministry had interrogated the principal “to give her fair hearing.’’

Odubela added that a five-man panel made up of officials of the ministry and the state’s Teaching Service Commission was set up to further investigate the case and make appropriate recommendations on how to deal with the matter.

He said that the government was concerned about the welfare and interest of the students and would not tolerate any act that would compromise their fundamental rights or jeopardise their future.

“We equally believe in the need to maintain discipline in our schools and to follow due process in the handling of this particular case.

“We appeal to parents of the students involved to be patient and allow us to handle the case as dictated by the law of the land and service rules,” he said.

A Nigerian newspaper had reported that the principal, in conjunction with a nurse conducted a virginity test on the female students of the school. Out of the 300 students in SS1, only 38 of them passed the test.

The tests were carried out without the consent of parents.

PM NEWS NIGERIA

NIGERIA: Weak EFCC And End Endemic Corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seems to have lost steam and revelations by an insider that there is lack of political will to strengthen the commission is worrisome. At the first annual convention of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, on Wednesday, a Principal Detective Superintendent at EFCC, who represented Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman, disclosed that there is lack of government support for the commission at the moment. The EFCC insider in his personal opinion, disclosed that unlike when Nuhu Ribadu was the commission’s chairman and Olusegun Obasanjo was President, the current administration is not supporting them the same way.

As a result, the EFCC is seen by many Nigerians as ineffective, a toothless bulldog that cannot even bark or bite and even unwilling to bring corrupt people to justice. This revelation is highly disturbing.

Corruption is a cancer threatening the progress, unity and prosperity of Nigeria. When public funds are looted and sent to foreign countries or private bank accounts, schools are not built, roads are not constructed, hospitals are left to rot, the entire infrastructure is neglected and the majority of Nigerians are forced to live in squalor and hopelessness. Corruption is the reason few Nigerians live in abundance while the majority of people in our country are denied the basic things of life such as potable water, balanced diet, sound education and proper healthcare.

With abundant natural and human resources, lack of electricity or bad roads should not be experienced in Nigeria. Sadly, even countries not as blessed as Nigeria seem to be doing better than us. Nigerians now spend billions of naira to attend Ghanaian universities or travel for medical treatment in foreign lands. We believe that there is enough money to build the best African universities or hospitals in our country.

We cannot continue this way. The only way to fight corruption is to bring to justice those who have looted public funds.

Their punishment will serve as a deterrent to others who might be nursing similar plans.

The reason the United States of America is so advanced and developed is not because there are no corrupt people in America. It is because the institutions are strong and those who steal from the treasury are prosecuted and severely punished. But in our country, those who steal billions from the public coffers are hardly jailed.

Apart from former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, who was sentenced by a British court, no former governor in Nigeria is currently serving any jail sentence even though most governors were accused of enriching themselves through corrupt means. Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, even secured a court injunction not to be prosecuted even after he was accused of gargantuan corruption while in office. Where in the world is that allowed? Does it mean some people are above the law of the land? Does immunity cover him after he has left office? The injunction which has made the judiciary a laughing stock and perceived as a citadel of corruption must be reviewed so that he could face trial. The judge who granted that injunction should also be probed.

We must not wait until the entire country breaks up before we do what is right for ourselves and our children. President Goodluck Jonathan must support the EFCC financially and morally. He must allow the commission to operate independently.

Judges who give permanent court injunctions to corrupt politicians and lawyers who specialise in delaying cases so their corrupt clients will never be brought justice must understand that when everything collapses, it will consume everyone including them and their children.

Nigerians must also be willing to expose corrupt elements in the society. EFCC investigators are not magicians. They need to get facts to bring corrupt people to justice and they need the support of those who have those facts. It is only when we do this that Nigeria can begin to develop.

...............PM NEWS NIGERIA

NIGERIA: Poverty Forced Me To Sports

Chituru Nwoaozuzu, 32, was part of Team Nigeria’s contingent to the just concluded London 2012 Paralympic Games as a discuss thrower. In this interview with Bamidele Olowosagba, the Imo State-born disabled athlete talks on her past experiences and achievements, her dashed dream to win a medal at the Olympics, and how poverty forced her out of school.

How would you describe your first Paralympic Games experience?

Though I was unable to meet my medal target at the Games but in terms of experience, it was a good outing for me.

What would say was responsible for your medal-less outing in London despite your high rating before the Games?

Well, without trying to give excuse, the weather in London really affected my performance. This is because at the qualifiers we had in Dubai in June, I recorded above 37 meter throw. But in London, I could only muster enough strength to throw a distance of 33 meter to finish in 5th position. It was not because I did not train enough but it was the weather in London that affected my performance because that was my first time of being in Europe.

At the last All Africa Games, AAG, in Maputo, Mozambique, you represented Nigeria in the Powerlifting event, but in London you competed in Discuss. Why the sudden change of sports?

My decision to switch from the powerlifting event to Discuss was because of the monetary clash I had with my fiormer Nigerian coach when I came back from the African Games last year. It was a hard decision for me to make because powerlifting was a sport I love so much.It was an experience I would not want to talk about again becauese I have moved on.

Talking about your love for sports. How did you get involve in sports?
I
t was right from my secondary school days that I have been doing sport related activities but I never knew I would involved in it as a profession. But it was when I could not pay for my General Certificate Examination, GCE, after secondary school in year 2000 that I decided to concentrate in sports fully. In 2003, my parents and my brother wanted to stop me but I told them my love for sports is more than anything else.

What is your take on Team Nigeria’s 22nd position finish in London?

It was a fair result from our (athletes) perspective because we really wanted more gold medals at the Games, but with the responses we have been getting from Nigerians, we are happy we did not disappointed our country.

Do you think we would have performed better in terms of medal winning?

Definately we would have performed better than the 22nd position we finished on the medals table if some of our gold medal hopefuls in athletics and other events had performed to their pre championship rating. Like myself, I was rated very high before the games because of my performance at the qualifier in Dubai. But I finished 5th in discuss throw, which would have earned me at least a bronze medal if not for the fact that the 57 and 58 class was jammed at the games. Another reason we would won more medals was because some of athletes that were medals hopefuls were dropped despite the fact that they qualified for the Games.

How would you describe the reception accorded you so far since since you came back from the Games?

Well, it was nothing compared to what we were promised but we are still hopefully that when we get to Abuja to meet presiden Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday we would be well received. Like they say, better late than never!

What is your next target now that you have participated at the Paralympics even though you did not win a medal?

My next target now is to continue keeping myself fit for a place in the team for Internationa Paralympic Championship holding in France next year, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the All Africa Games in 2015.
............PM NEWS NIGERIA