HelenIdo

EIGHT days after the last operation by kidnappers on the Lagos-Ibadan highway, during which a driver was killed and four passengers abducted at Onigari axis, the bandits struck again on Saturday and ended up kidnapping three victims at Ishara-Remo axis in Ogun State jurisdiction.  Nigerian Tribune learnt that the bandits, about 10 in number, emerged from a bush along the road dressed in military uniform and started shooting sporadically as usual, directing the shots at vehicles and their occupants.  While some were able to escape, including a Nollywood actress, Bimpe Akintunde, who wrote a report on her Instagram page, a source told the Nigerian Tribune that a man was caught by the kidnappers but miraculously, he managed to escape from their grips later.  Meanwhile, staff members of a company who went to attend a ceremony and were returning home were not so lucky as one of the three vehicles conveying them broke down and the other two vehicles waited for the one that broke down.  It was learnt that while repairs were being carried out on the faulty one, the kidnappers suddenly emerged from a nearby bush and abducted three of the occupants of the vehicles.  When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun State command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the abduction of three persons.  He, however, said that the command had started working on it, with the anti-kidnapping unit, vigilantes and hunters, combing the bush to get the perpetrators and rescue the victims. By Oluwatoyin Malik Source;https://tribuneonlineng.com/again-kidnappers-strike-on-lagos-ibadan-highway-abduct-three/

More than 72 hours after the Federal Government announced the lifting of the ban on Twitter, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is yet to tweet. Several media aides of the President have resumed using the platform since the ban was lifted last Thursday, except the President himself and the Vice President. In the early hours of January 13, 2021, the regime officially lifted the seven-month ban on Twitter. According to a statement signed by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency and Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement, Kashifu Abdullahi, hours earlier, the U.S. company had agreed to meet all the conditions set by the government. It read in part, “The Federal Government of Nigeria directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12 am tonight, January 13, 2022. “The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami.” The Microblogging platform was suspended in Nigeria on June 5, 2021, two days after it deleted a tweet by the President. Telecommunication companies had blocked access to Twitter after receiving a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission to that effect. The Federal Government also accused Twitter of double standards and amplifying the voice of secessionists in the country. In a statement at the time, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, cited “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.” Since June, the Federal Government and Twitter representatives have been negotiating over several vital issues, including Twitter’s registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and opening a physical office in Nigeria. Two months earlier, on April 12, 2021, Twitter announced that it was opening its first African office in Ghana. The Company said its decision is based on Ghana’s AfCFTA negotiations, internet access, online and offline free speech policy. “As a champion for democracy, Ghana is a supporter of free speech, online freedom, and the Open Internet, of which Twitter is also an advocate. “Furthermore, Ghana’s recent appointment to host The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area aligns with our overarching goal to establish a presence in the region that will support our efforts to improve and tailor our service across Africa,” it said. On October 1, 2021, in his Independence day speech, Buhari said that he had directed the ban of Twitter’s operations in the country be lifted, but only if certain conditions outlined by his regime were met. The President said the Federal Government made the decision after Twitter reached out to the government to resolve the impasse. When the government finally lifted the ban last Thursday, several media aides of the President resumed using the platform, except the President and the Vice President, who only retweeted updates about Saturday’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day from other government handles. Meanwhile, some Nigerians Tweeps threw barbs at the first tweet by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. Shehu had tweeted that Nigeria gained “immeasurably” from the shutdown of Twitter when his tweets came under fire. He said, “Welcome back—Let me join fellow countrymen and women in welcoming the resolution of the impasse between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Twitter Inc., leading to the laying of a ‘foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities.’ “I join the leaders of government in appreciating all Nigerians, “especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse,” and as the government statement clearly says, the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable. “We hope that this is appreciated by all. The nation comes first. Once again, welcome back!” Reacting, Nigerians asked Garba Shehu to state the gains of Twitter suspension. One of them, Chuks Uzoelue @uzoeluesamuel, said “We never stopped using Twitter. We should be welcoming you back.” Abraham Ajibade @abram_superkey said, “Correction: The battle wasn’t between Twitter and FG but FG versus the young citizen. History will not forget this. You will be remembered for destroying the bridge through which you got power.” @OdeyemiOladapo1 said, “So you think we do not know that you guys lifted the Twitter ban because of the 2023 general elections? Twitter will never stoop so low to let you guys that have zero impact outside the shores of this nation tell them what to do.” The Vice Presidential Spokesperson, Laolu Akande, Tweeted, “Great to be back!” He was greeted with “Just tell Buhari not to tweet”— Lilposh of London @Lilposh5. Francis oke @Doctorfrank2 said, “We are extremely happy to see you here again; Twitter is finally back.” Dat_Afikpo boi @sparoswagg said, “See them. They have unbanned themselves. We are dey wait for una. People of Koo app”. By Stephen Angbulu Source;https://punchng.com/over-72-hours-after-lifting-twitter-ban-no-tweet-from-buhari-osinbajo-yet/

Scores of residents of Damari community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have fled their homes after dozens of terrorists riding on motorcycles invaded the community on Sunday morning. The armed men were said to be in pursuit of members of a group loyal to a notorious warlord, Malam Abba, Daily Trust reports. According to the report, Abba in 2020 was confirmed to be a member of the terrorist group, Boko Haram by the Kaduna State Police Command. A resident, who already fled the area, Ibrahim Hassan, recounted that the bandits stormed the area around 10:00am on Sunday, adding that many began to flee on hearing sounds of gunshots. Meanwhile, there was a deadly clash on Friday between bandits and the lieutenants of Abba in which several terrorists were killed. A source from the community said it was suspected that the bandits, who attacked Damari, were on a vengeance mission and deliberately attacked Damari because the town was under the protection of Abba. Some weeks ago, bandits abducted scores of travellers along Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Highway after attacking their convoy. Also, the bandits attacked vehicles numbering about 20 which were led by a police escort. By SaharaReporters, New York Sourec;http://saharareporters.com/2022/01/16/residents-kaduna-community-flee-homes-after-terrorists-invasion

Popular club owner, Obi Iyiegbu popularly known as Obi Cubana, has said that it is repulsive to link him with the illegal narcotics business. Last week, the businessman was a guest at the Lagos office of the NDLEA over allegations of suspicious payments made into his account by three convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India. In an interview with OAP DaddyFreeze, Cubana said it is repulsive for the agency to link with drugs. Narrating his experience with the agency, the club owner said “I was in detention for four days and three nights. I did not feel bad because I knew the agency would do a thorough job and if I am cleared, I’d be let go There was no witch-hunting. Nobody was after me. But to link me to drugs, it is repulsive. I have never felt so low. To me, it’s repulsive. This is something that my children could be victims of. I was never accused. I was never linked to anything but they said somebody paid money into my account, and I believe that the agency in question is a very responsible one. “I know that at the end of the day, they would make their findings public,” he added. By Linda Ikeji Source;https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2022/1/linking-me-with-drugs-is-repulsive-obi-cubana-2.html

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has ordered the immediate reopening of all filling stations and cattle markets earlier closed as a result of cattle rustling and banditry in the state. However, the governor urged the two emirate councils in the state to admonish district and village heads of the affected areas to be vigilant and ensure that no act of connivance by Sarakunan Fawa and others is allowed. In a statement by Secretary to the State Government, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, the government warned that it would not hesitate to re-enact the closure where a resurgence of any dubious activity was noticed. Recall that in August 2021, Masari had ordered the closure of the markets. Regarding the closure of Kankara-Sheme Road to commercial vehicles, motorists were advised to go through Funtua. The order said, “Only private non-commercial vehicles are to ply the road and lorries, trucks carrying firewood from the bush are totally banned. “Suspension of sale of all animals at the markets of the following local government areas: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Malumfashi, Charanchi, Mal’adua, Kafur, Faskari, Sabuwa, Baure, Dutsinma and Kaita. “Ban on transportation of cattle trucks from Katsina State to any other state in Nigeria. “Total ban on carrying three persons on motorcycles and more than three passengers on a tricycle. “Total ban on the sale of second-hand motorcycles at the Charanchi Market. “Re-enforcement of the ban on the operation of commercial tricycles and motorcycles from 10.00 p.m to 6.00 a.m in the state capital and 6.00 p.m to 6.00 a.m in the frontline local government areas. “Re-enforcement of the total ban on the sale of petrol in jerry cans at filling stations. “Only two designated filling stations are allowed to sell fuel of not more than N5,000.00 to motorists in Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, Dandume, Musawa, Matazu, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Danja and Kafur local government areas. “Identified essential workers (health personnel, security personnel and journalists) could use tricycles and motorcycles beyond the banned periods.” By SaharaReporters, New York Source;http://saharareporters.com/2022/01/16/banditry-katsina-government-reopens-filling-stations-cattle-markets-troubled-areas-five

Alawyer, Okparaolu Chioma Chris, has sued the Nigerian Government over the black soot epidemic in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, and its devastating effects on the health and wellbeing of residents of the state. Chris in a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, is asking the court to compel the Nigerian Government to pay N500million as damages for gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights. The suit also wants a court to mandate the government to take “bold and reasonable steps to stop or minimise to the barest minimum the emission of black soot in Rivers State and to begin the process of cleaning the air space and environment of the state”. In the court documents obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, the applicant is praying the court for the following reliefs, “A declaration that the applicant and indeed other indigenes of Rivers State, Nigerians and all human beings living and resident in Port Harcourt and in Rivers State and its environs are entitled to the best attainable state of physical and mental health and a general satisfactory environment favourable to their development as guaranteed by Articles 16 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ratification and enforcement) Act laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004. “A declaration that the act of the respondents in neglecting several pleas and petitions form the government of Rivers State and her citizens, alike to urgently intervene, stop and remedy the hazardous atmospheric condition of Port Harcourt and other neighbouring areas and local governments of Rivers State affected by the dangerous airborne particulate commonly known as black soot amounts to a gross violation of the applicant’s right and indeed that of other indigenes of Rivers State, Nigerians and all human beings living and resident in Port Harcourt and its environs to enjoy physical and mental health. “An order of this honourable court mandating to pay to the applicant sum of N500million only as damages for gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights as guaranteed under Articles 16 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ratification and enforcement) Act laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004. “An order of this honourable court directing the respondent to immediately take bold and reasonable steps to stop or minimise to the barest minimum the emission of black soot in Rivers State and to begin the process of cleaning the air space and environment of Rivers State. And for such order to orders that this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.” In the affidavit in support of the application, the applicant explained that, “Sometime in the month of April 2016, many Nigerians including myself living in Port Harcourt, began noticing the presence of an airborne particulate now commonly called “black soot” within the city of Port Harcourt and its environs. “Black soot then was visible on white clothes spread outside and on the body of cars parked outside and it even increasingly began to affect the paint especially white colour used in the painting of houses in Port Harcourt. “When the emission of the black spot continued unabated, and began to be seen in peoples’ living homes and that of myself, I and other residents of Port Harcourt began raising the alarm to both the government of Rivers State and the respondents on the dangerous effects of black soot. “It has been widely reported that top government functionaries, politicians and general persons of influence have started using the M95 nose mask that filters the air. This mask is very expensive and it is far from my reach and those of ordinary Rivers people and Nigerians living and doing business in Rivers State.” By SaharaReporters, New York Source;http://saharareporters.com/2022/01/15/port-harcourt-resident-drags-nigerian-government-court-over-black-soot-epidemic-demands

Education in Kano State is falling apart, especially the public schools. Despite the programmes to stop pupils from dropping out of school, the problem is worsening. A 2015 report by EduCaleb noted that the number of drop-out pupils in Kano State reached four hundred thousand. However, in recent reports, the state has recorded nearly a million dropouts. To prevent dropout and improve learning, the state government introduced a free and compulsory education scheme in November 2020. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor, signed the bill but little has been done to upgrade the schools which are mostly in bad shape. The law empowers the state to sponsor all children from primary to secondary school for free and compulsory education, requiring the state to provide uniforms, reading materials, conducive teaching classrooms, and free feeding to the students. According to the law, any principal or teacher found collecting any amount either from parents or students would pay N20,000 as a penalty or spend one month in jail. Also, parents, who refuse to send their children to school will be charged, either one-month imprisonment or to pay a N20,000 penalty. But public schools have remained neglected since the law was passed. Findings by the reporter show that many students drop out of school due to dilapidated classrooms, lack of qualified teachers, and overcrowded classrooms. For example, the Unguwar Dagachi Primary School has only three blocks of classrooms which are now highly dilapidated with broken walls, floors, and ceilings. Ashafa Gambo Beli who is an education advocate in Beli in Rogo Local Government Area wrote that "Dagachi primary school has been in dilapidation for about 5 years. This school particularly is under the scheme of the free and compulsory educational scheme. Students of this school have mostly dropped out of school as they focused more on hawking chilies because their classroom is not good enough for learning." A former student of Government Senior Secondary School Gwale pointed out that the poor implementation of free education has affected the quality of education in the state. "Before the introduction of the free and compulsory education scheme, students usually paid 700 naira per term which was used for the management of the school and also paid teachers some tokens which were mostly voluntary,” the ex-student who did not want to be mentioned by name said. "The introduction of free and compulsory education has ruined the education system because the government warned the principals of all schools from collecting money. However, teachers became scarce in schools as principals couldn't raise money to pay teachers and maintain schools," he added. But current students still pay fees in some of the public schools. Students are responsible for buying chalks, brooms, blackboards and also contribute money for cement to seal crack walls in the school," said a current student. "We sit on the floor and learn, which is so uncomfortable for us, '' the student continued. “Whenever we complain, the school management responds with 'we are tired of complaining to the government’. I don't think the Kano state government is ever ready to fix education despite the huge budget for education." A principal of one of the public schools who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, "The recent renovation that took place was politically motivated because some schools who are most in need of the renovation were not chosen but renovated the ones they felt to repaint and pocket the rest of money. We need to restore the dignity of education in the state because we keep having the highest number of exams failure, school dropouts, and dilapidated structures." Another principal from another public school Kano said, "The free and compulsory education is a scam and politically inclined to their interest. Before the introduction of the scheme, students pay services of 700 naira which 500 is used for educational support charges while 200 naira is for the PTA levy. When the government discovered it couldn't keep to its promise after a session, they later said the PTA agreed on the amount of 200 naira should be collected from pupils." "The collection of the 200 nairas started the last session, during the 2020 session when the free and compulsory scheme was introduced the government was giving upkeep allowances which we used to buy chalks, boards, and other teaching materials. The upkeep allowance is given after 3 months depending on the headcount of the students in the school. Suddenly the upkeep allowance stopped. From 200 naira collected from students, we buy chalks, first aid boxes, hospital bills, and also the heads of the PTA will be waiting for their percentage." Concerned principals in the state said it is worrisome that the government officials who implemented free and compulsory education still extort money from public schools. “If a principal is managing a well-populated school, they expect the management to issue them brown envelopes even if they will come 100 times in a day,” a principal said. “They extort from the public schools which are supposed to be free and compulsory,” a principal lamented. In a review of the state’s Education Strategic Plan of 2018 to 2027 final draft published in October 2017, the state government vowed to put all efforts to bring an end to the failing of public schools education in Kano state by 2027. However, progress is still hard to achieve as none of the goals stated in the document has fully been achieved. This report was produced in partnership with Civic Media Lab School Report, an initiative to improve accountability and transparency in local education delivery, with support from the MacArthur Foundation. By SaharaReporters, New York Source;http://saharareporters.com/2022/01/15/how-free-and-compulsory-education-worsens-learning-outcomes-kano-state

President Muhammadu Buhari and other top government functionaries including Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, service chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps on Saturday laid wreaths in honour of Nigeria's fallen heroes. The ceremony, which is observed every January 15, usually holds at the National Arcade, opposite the Eagle Square, Abuja. The 2022 edition featured parade by the Nigerian Armed Forces. The event holds simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation. AFRDC is an annual event by the Ministry of Defence to honour fallen heroes, who laid their lives during the First and Second World Wars, Nigerian Civil War, peace support and various internal security operations in the country. By SaharaReporters, New York Source;http://saharareporters.com/2022/01/15/armed-forces-remembrance-day-buhari-osinbajo-lawan-others-honour-fallen-heroes

The Northern Elders’ Forum says the region will only vote for a competent president regardless of where he comes from in the 2023 presidential election in the country. The NEF noted that it won’t repeat the same mistake of voting for just any candidate as done to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), based on sentiment in 2015. The Forum described Buhari as a disappointment to not only the North but the entire country. The NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated this in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the meeting of northern leaders of thought and groups held at the Arewa House, Kaduna on Saturday. According to the NEF’s spokesman, a northerner and his southern counterpart have equal rights to vie for the nation’s exalted office in the 2023 presidential race. He, however, said that the north would vote for a competent president in 2023 whether from the north or south, adding that the region would go for a competent ‘Nigerian president’ only. Baba-Ahmed maintained that no northern presidential candidate should take the region for granted in the 2023 race, pointing out that that was how the region ended up with what he described as the “Buhari mistake”. He said the north was deceived into voting in Buhari believing that the country would be better off. He, however, lamented that the reverse was the case today as the north and the entire country was worst off than when Buhari took over in 2015. Baba-Ahmed, a former Independent National Electoral Commission’s Secretary, said “a northerner and a Southerner have equal rights to contest but Northerners should be very careful of who they vote for in 2023. “No northerner should take us for granted. That’s how we ended up with President Buhari. We don’t want to repeat the same mistake. If you must be a northerner who’s better than all the candidates; for us, that’s the bottom line. It’s not enough to be a northerner, you have to be the best. You have to be the best for the North and you have to be the best for the rest of Nigeria. “We are looking for a Nigerian President. If it comes from the North, fine but he must be voted for by Nigerians and he must be good and he must be better than all the others. That’s what we are looking for.” He scored the Buhari’s regime low in all aspects ranging from the worsening security, corruption to the sorry state of the nation’s economy and summed him up as a “disappointment.” By Godwin Isenyo Source;https://punchng.com/northerners-cant-afford-another-buhari-as-president-in-2023-nef/