South West governors seek FG’s help on Apapa port gridlock

Oyo  State Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo (left); his counterparts, Idiat Oluranti Adebule (Lagos); Otunba Grace Titi-Laoye Tomori (Oyo); Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Osun State Governor-elect, Gboyega Oyetola and Secretary to the State Government of Ekiti, Abiodun Oyebanji, during the Western Nigeria Governor Forum at the Government House, Osogbo …yesterday.

• Buhari restates commitment to transport, power infrastructure
The Southwest Governors’ Forum has expressed concern on economic and security challenges posed by gridlock in the Apapa port and urged the Federal Government to create alternative routes.The forum said the planned alternative routes linking Tin Can Island through Tomoro Island to Ibafo in Ogun State should be revived urgently. In the interim, it suggested that government should enhance the capacity of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to evacuate goods from the port to alternative terminals.

In a statement at the end of its meeting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, yesterday, the forum reiterated its commitment to regional integration as a key to sustainable development in western Nigeria.The statement, read by the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government Biodun Oyebamibi (who represented Governor Kayode Fayemi), urged the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) commission to initiate processes to tackle decline in critical sectors in the region.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu were absent from the meeting and were not represented.Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode, was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Idiat Adebule. The Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, was also represented by his deputy, Moses Adeyemo.

The forum said the recent report by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on out-of-school children in Nigeria should be addressed properly. It urged the Odu’a Investment Group to champion food security in the region. The forum also asked the DAWN commission to engage institutions and development partners in accessing soil features in the region to boost agriculture.

“A realistic balance between governance, competing local interests and profitability must be of utmost consideration in factoring Odu’a Investment Group’s presence in states. Regional integration as a model for sustainable development is in the enlightened interest of Western Nigeria and the people should eschew divisive elements and actions,” the forum said.

The host, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola urged the forum to show greater commitment to regional integration. He said this was key to creating a formidable front to enhance development.He re-echoed calls for restructuring of the country and urged member states to remove barriers to quick development. His deputy, Titi Laoye Tomori, urged the forum to use agriculture as a means to engaging youths and women in the region.

President Muhammadu Buhari meanwhile restated his administration’s commitment to developing the country’s transport and power infrastructure. He spoke when he received members of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) led by their president, Oladapo Fafowora. Buhari, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, told the retired ambassadors that Nigerians will never forget the “lost opportunity between 1999 and 2015,” when the nation had huge resources at its disposal.

He said: “There is no part of the country I haven’t been to, having attempted to be president four times. I know the condition of our roads. The rails were literally killed. There was no power despite the admittance by some previous leadership that they spent $16 billion on the sector.

“Today, we are getting our priorities right and we believe that of the three fundamental issues we campaigned on – security, the economy and fighting corruption – we have remained very relevant and Nigerians believe we have achieved something.”Buhari also used the occasion to appreciate the People’s Republic of China for financing some of the rail and power projects in the country through concessionary loans.

“I will do my best to see that where there are possibilities of making a quick improvement on infrastructure, we will do it,” he said.The president took note of some concerns raised by the retired ambassadors including an appeal for the adjustment of their pension entitlements, retention of diplomatic passport for retired career ambassadors, allocation of land for ARCAN headquarters in Abuja and adequate funding of the foreign affairs ministry.

Source:

https://guardian.ng/news/south-west-governors-seek-fgs-help-on-apapa-port-gridlock/

Wenger close to AC Milan move

Former Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, is close to finalising a deal to take over at AC Milan, France Football reports.

It is believed that Wenger has been negotiating with the Serie A side for some weeks and talks have almost reached a conclusion.

If the deal pulls through, the Frenchman will replace Gennaro Gattuso as the club’s manager.

Wenger will also have additional responsibilities in the inner workings of the club, alongside sporting director Leonardo.

Last month, Wenger claimed he will return to management in the New Year.

Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/05/wenger-close-ac-milan-move/

Why APC senators refused to remove Saraki as senate president — Shehu Sani

Abuja—The senator  representing Kaduna Central who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Shehu Sani, has revealed why his colleagues in the ruling APC backed out of a plot to remove the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Sani, who is now a stalwart of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) after he lost out in getting the senatorial ticket of the APC, said the senators were unable to remove Mr Saraki because it was “constitutionally impossible.”

The vocal lawmaker, who spoke with reporters in Abuja also said the ruling party did not have the number of lawmakers required (two-third majority) to carry out its plan.

Shehu Sanni

Following the defection of the senate president from the ruling party to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC leadership and some of its senators called for his resignation or removal.

Saraki’s defection to the opposition was to seek the presidential ticket of the party which he eventually lost.

Breaking: Senate passes Electoral Act amendment bill

The APC chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, was particularly vociferous in his threat to ensure Mr Saraki was removed if he did not resign.

Saraki, however, vowed to remain in office, saying he enjoys the support of majority of the senators.

The senators of the APC eventually dropped plans to remove Saraki when the house finally resumed from a 10-week recess as nothing was said or done about it.

Mr Sani explained why the plan failed.

“It is technically impossible to remove Saraki because the APC does not have two thirds majority in the National Assembly. Secondly, Saraki has been able to carry everybody along and provide a leadership to the extent that he is able to accommodate those who are critical of him.”

“I can tell that APC backed out from plot to remove Saraki because they don’t have the number to do that and it is impossible to do that through constitutional means,” he said.

Sani, who is now seeking re-election on the platform of PRP, said the opposition party, PDP, “where Mr Saraki now belongs to is more united than the ruling APC senators in the National Assembly.”

“The opposition are more united and more formidable in their resolve to keep the senate president than the ruling party in their plot to remove the senate president.

“So, I can tell you that removing Saraki through constitutional means is very much impossible because the APC is not united to do that. The APC is not having the number to do that and the APC does not have the kind of support it needed to be able to carry out

Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/why-apc-senators-refused-to-remove-saraki-as-senate-president-shehu-sani/

Herdsmen say ‘All lands belong to Buhari,’ attack, rape, chase Delta women from farms

By Perez Brisibe

EWU—WOMEN of flood-ravaged Ewu-Urhobo community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, have cried out  that suspected herdsmen attack, rape and chase them away from their farmlands.

Herdsmen on rampage

Mashomi lauds Okowa for payment of LG workers’ salaries

The women alleged that the armed herdsmen often claimed that all lands in the country belonged to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The women, who laid siege to the Ewu-Edjokota Road, penultimate Monday, as early as 6.00 am, alleged that the armed herdsmen, who take turns to defile them and maim those that refuse to yield to their lustful desires, feed their herds with their farm produce.

President Buhari, WAEC and PDP’s toxic air – Garba Shehu

Besides attacking them in the farms, they further alleged that  the herdsmen usually laid ambush and robbed traders going to local markets of their goods and flee into the bush.

Herdsmen grazing their cows in my farm attacked me — Atigogo

Recounting her ordeal to Vanguard, Madam Felicia Atigogo stated that she was attacked at her farm by two herdsmen when she tried to stop them from grazing their herds on her cassava farm.

“Owing to the flood that ravaged our community, I acquired another plot of land on lease only for the farm to be invaded by herds that were shepherd into the farm by these herdsmen.

“When I accosted them and tried to stop them from grazing their herd on my cassava, they brought out daggers and machetes and attacked me. I was lucky to have fled away.”

What triggered protest

One of the ladies in the community was not as lucky as Madam Atigogo as she died from wounds inflicted on her by herdsmen, who attacked her in her farm and tried to rape her.

A villager simply identified as Mama Ufuoma told NDV that her death sparked the latest protest.

“She was at her farm with one of her children weeding unknown to them that a group of herdsmen were within the vicinity. The herdsmen immediately pounced on her and tried to rape her.

“While trying to resist them amidst screams, they attacked her with their machetes leaving deep cuts on her and fled into the bush when people came to the scene. She was rushed to the hospital after losing a lot of blood, but died at the hospital,” she said.

They impudently claim Buhari owns all lands

– Woman leader

Woman leader of the community, Mrs. Queen Dieseruvwe, stated that the herdsmen now operate with effrontery, telling them that “all lands in Nigeria, including our communal lands belong to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“They also claim that we have no rights to prevent them from grazing on our farms because President Muhammadu Buhari owns all the land in Nigeria, hence we cannot claim ownership of the land.

“They uproot our cassava, feed it to their herds and when you try to resist them, they attack you with machete and maim you if you are lucky as some others, or even shoot you.

“So, this is the reason we have barricaded the road as all efforts to reach the governor, police and other security agencies to evict these evil herdsmen from our community have been  futile,” she explained.

…accuse Delta govt of neglect

Dieseruvwe also accused the Delta State government of allegedly neglecting the community, especially when their farmlands were destroyed by flood, saying, “This is not about politics of PDP or APC as we are here for the benefit of our community and we won’t leave until these herdsmen are ejected from our farms.”

“We have a government, but we do not feel its impact. How will representatives of the government feel if their wives, sisters and daughters are raped by herdsmen?

“Our farmlands and crops were destroyed as a result of the increase in water level, now we decided to get new locations in the upland only for us to be attacked by these herdsmen, who have been a big problem to us for the past 15 years.

Vehicular movement grounded

Findings by NDV showed that all forms of vehicular movement on the Ewu-Edjokota Road, the only access route linking over 14 communities in Ughelli North and Ughelli South local government areas were grounded as a result of the protest.

The women erected a barricade across the road with woods and set bonfire on both sides of the road, making it impossible to go around the blockade, while three canopies were assembled on the road, where they sat and danced to music blaring from a Disc Jockey.

Commuters were forced to abort their journey at the spot and trek long distance after maneuvering the blockade to the other side of the road where they board commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada to continue their trip.

…resist LGA chairmen, Army’s efforts to clear barricade

Efforts by the Ughelli South local council Chairman, Dr. Richard Kofi, his Ughelli North counterpart, Godwin Adode, the Ovie of Ogor kingdom, HRM Okiemute Igere I, and military operatives from the 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor to dismantle the barricade were fruitless, as the women insisted the only condition to evacuate the road was immediate eviction of all herdsmen from the area.

We’re doing everything to fish out perpetrators—Muslim community

Condemning the attacks on the women, leader of the Muslim community in Ughelli South, Imam Muhammad Okotie, said: “The Muslim community condemns these attacks and we are doing everything to ensure that these bad herdsmen are brought to book. We are also trying to make sure that Muslims in the area leave in harmony with the locals.”

Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/herdsmen-say-all-lands-belong-to-buhari-attack-rape-chase-delta-women-from-farms/

Never give up. keep trying until you get there

Amazon Rakes In $2.9Bn Profit

Amazon reported Thursday that its profit in the recently-ended quarter rocketed to $2.9 billion in a ten-fold increase from the same period last year.

Net sales at the e-commerce colossus climbed to $56.6 billion in the third quarter, a 29 per cent increase from the $43.7 in sales reported in the third quarter in 2017.

AFP

Source:

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/10/25/amazon-rakes-in-2-9bn-profit/

CIA Chief Briefs Trump On Khashoggi Probe After Turkey Trip

CIA Chief Gina Haspel                                                                   Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP

The head of the CIA on Thursday briefed US President Donald Trump on the latest developments in the investigation of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi after a fact-finding mission to Turkey, officials said.

CIA Director Gina Haspel delivered her report to Trump at the White House with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also present, State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said.

Haspel shared her “findings and discussions from her trip to Turkey,” said Palladino, who declined to discuss the substance of her presentation.

The CIA chief held talks Tuesday in Turkey as global outrage mounted over the killing of Saudi palace critic Khashoggi inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul, where he went to complete paperwork for his upcoming marriage.

Pro-government Turkish media said that intelligence officers showed Haspel video images and audio tapes of Khashoggi’s killing gathered from the consulate.

The United States has a long-standing alliance with Saudi Arabia but on Tuesday slapped visa restrictions on 21 Saudis suspected of involvement in the killing.

Palladino said that the United States was still waiting for a more detailed probe by the Saudis.

“We want this as soon as possible. The longer the investigation takes, the more concerned we become about its impact and its efficacy. And the longer it takes, the longer there are questions about this tragedy that remain unanswered,” he said.

Saudi Arabia said Thursday for the first time that the murder appeared to be premeditated, but based its information on Turkey.

The kingdom initially said that Khashoggi walked out freely from its consulate and then said he died in a fistfight, abrupt changes in a narrative about what Trump has called “one of the worst cover-ups” in history.

AFP

Source:

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/10/25/cia-chief-briefs-trump-on-khashoggi-probe-after-turkey-trip/

FBI Opens Up On Explosive Bombs Sent To Obama, Clinton & Other Top Leaders In America

Former US President Barack Obama

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has begun analysis of suspicious packages containing pipe bombs mailed to former U.S. President Barack Obama, former First Lady Hillary Clinton, and a host of other political leaders in the U.S.

The suspicious packages received at multiple locations in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas and Florida are being sent for analysis at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.

The series of explosive devices were also mailed to current and former political leaders as well as the CNN’s New York bureau, including Democratic Representative Maxine Waters and former Attorney-General Eric Holder.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said: “This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI.

“We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages.

“We ask anyone who may have information to contact the FBI. Do not hesitate to call; no piece of information is too small to help us in this investigation.”

The bureau, which depicted the packages in a photograph, said they were similar in appearance, and contained potentially destructive devices.

FBI said the packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior.

The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps, the bureau said.

“All packages had a return address of “DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ” [sic] in Florida,” FBI said.

It said the package addressed to Holder did not reach its intended destination, but was rerouted to the return address in Florida.

“The FBI will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners at the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as our state and local law enforcement partners, to identify and arrest the person or people responsible for sending these packages.

“It is possible that additional packages were mailed to other locations. The FBI advises the public to remain vigilant and not touch, move or handle any suspicious or unknown packages.

“If you have information about these packages, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.

“If you observe any suspicious activity that requires an immediate response, please call 911 or contact your local law enforcement,” the bureau said.

Meanwhile, reactions and condemnations have continued to trail the mailing of pipe bombs.

President Donald Trump had tweeted: “The safety of the American People is my highest priority. I have just concluded a briefing with the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Secret Service…”

Earlier, while condemning the incident, Trump said “acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America”.

Trump said: “The full weight of our government is being deployed to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice.

“This egregious conduct is abhorrent to everything we hold dear and sacred as Americans. We will spare no resources or expense in this effort”.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders later said in a statement: “We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures”.

First Lady Melania Trump also condemned the incident saying “we cannot tolerate those cowardly attacks and I strongly condemn all who choose violence”.

In her reaction, Mrs Clinton said: “We are fine, thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service who intercepted the package addressed to us long before it made its way to our home.

“It is a troubling time isn’t it? And it’s a time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together”.

CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the president’s and White House’s comments.

Zucker said: “There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media.

“The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that”.

In a joint statement, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the president’s remarks on Wednesday fell short.

“We all take an oath to support and defend the constitution and protect the American people, and that is our first responsibility.

“However, President Trump’s words ring hollow until he reverses his statements that condone acts of violence,” they said.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also said the incident was “clearly an act of terrorism”.

(NAN)

Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/109148/fbi-opens-up-on-explosive-bombs-sent-to-obama-clin.html

Guardiola Speaks On Coaching Another English Premier League Club After Man City

 

Pep Guardiola

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola says it will be impossible for him to ever coach another club in England and says he is now a Mancunian for life.

Guardiola, who led Manchester City to the English Premier League title last season with a record points tally of 100, signed a contract extension with the champions earlier this year.

It will take him to the end of the 2020-2021 campaign.

One of the most successful managers in world football, Guardiola has been known to keep his coaching stints brief, spending four years at FC Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich.

However, even if he ended his stay at Manchester City after five years in 2021, he said he could not envisage one day managing an English Premier League rival.

“I will be Mancunian for (the) rest of my life. I will (always) be a Manchester City fan. It will not be possible to train another club in England like Manchester City,” Guardiola said in an interview.

“I feel beloved by the people here… I want to make a better club, to make them believe we are strong enough to do better things.”

The 47-year-old won 14 trophies as FC Barcelona coach and seven while at Bayern, but said a less intrusive media landscape made it easier to settle as a manager in England.

“I understand why in England you can stay at a club for 20 years in one place,” Guardiola, who also claimed the English League Cup for Manchester City last season, added.

“Here, during the week, I don’t see the journalists and, for example, we had maybe some problems in the locker room, sometimes we have to be tough with players - but nothing goes out. Just a few times.

“In FC Barcelona or in Bayern Munich everything that happened, the next time (day) it is in… the media. So, here you are more comfortable.”

The former FC Barcelona player has won almost every major honour available to him as a manager.

However, one of the prizes he still wishes to claim, is hearing Elton John sing live.

“I’ve never been to a concert of his, it is a huge dream. I met him at Watford when we played there last season and it was a huge pleasure,” Guardiola said.

(Reuters/NAN)

Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/109183/guardiola-speaks-on-coaching-another-english-premi.html

Okorocha attacks own APC, reveals how party is sending ‘bad signal to the world’

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has berated the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu for describing governors on the party’s platform as bad losers.

Onilu, while reacting to the controversies that trailed APC primary elections in the state had reportedly lambasted the party’s governors, saying they are bad losers.

Reacting, however, Okorocha stressed that Onilu’s remark had sent out a very bad signal to the world.

In a statement signed by Sam Onwuemeodo, his Chief Press Secretary, the governor stated that the Onilu’s decision to launch a verbal attack on governors who have made APC thick right from the outset was not the proper thing to do.

The statement reads, “We have read in the media certain statements credited to the Acting National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, in which he described some governors of the Party’s extraction as bad losers with regard to the Party’s Primaries. He named Governor Okorocha as one of such bad losers, and never exercised caution in talking about the situations in the affected states.

‘As the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mallam Onilu would have first and foremost appreciated the fact that both the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the governors are all partners in progress with regard to the fate of the Party. They are all major stakeholders who can at times disagree to agree. So, in handling issues concerning the National Chairman and the Governors, the Acting National Publicity Secretary would have struck a balance to avoid giving outsiders the impression that there is an on-going war between the Chairman and the Governors.

‘Again, castigating governors who have made the party thick right from the outset was not the proper thing to do. Someone else could do that but obviously not the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party. Even one member is important to the party talk more sitting governors. By his approach, Mallam Onilu had sent out a very bad signal to the world.

‘The National Chairman himself had cancelled all that emanated from the Ahmed Gulak led 12-member Committee and then set up another 7-member Committee led by Brigadier-General Ibrahim Agbagbiaka to Conduct the Party’s Primaries in Imo. The Committee Conducted a very transparent governorship primary that saw Uche Nwosu emerging as the winner.

‘The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party led by Comrade Oshiomhole equally set up an Appeal Panel headed by the Former Governor of Edo State Professor Oserheimen Osunbor. Some of the aggrieved Guber Aspirants in the State came up with their petitions. At the end of the day, the Prof. Osunbor Appeal Panel affirmed that Uche Nwosu is the authentic governorship Candidate of the party, having convincingly won the primary.

‘Chief Hope Uzodinma went to Court over a primary he knew that never took place. The Court refused to grant him any order as requested but rather invited APC, INEC, etal, to come and explain why Uzodinma should not be granted the reliefs he had asked for.

‘However, Uche Nwosu had earlier been granted orders by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory presided over by Hon. Justice V.A. Ashi restraining the Party, INEC and others, from accepting any other name as the governorship candidate of APC for Imo State except that of Uche Nwosu and also restrained them from substituting the name of Uche Nwosu. In other words, it is only Uche Nwosu who has valid Court Orders in favour of his Candidature, coupled with the report of the Prof. Osunbor Appeal Panel. But Chief Hope Uzodinma does not have any of these leverages.

‘So, in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the APC, Uche Nwosu is the Governorship Candidate of APC for Imo State and for the 2019 election. It does not matter the sentiments that could be held by any other interested party. Truth must be told and held.

‘In the case of the National Assembly, the only worry by APC members in the State is the automatic tickets given to a Senator and three House of Representatives aspirants who claimed to have joined the party in Abuja few months ago. And these people given these automatic tickets know that they can never win election in Imo with the tickets of APC without the support of Governor Okorocha.

‘We are also aware of all the claims and Counter-claims in Abuja by some Abuja based Politicians from the State. We are yet to know how anybody can win election in Imo on the platform of APC without Okorocha’s support. We won’t go further here. The inscription on one vehicle in Owerri is “time will tell”.

‘So, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party should take up the issues we have raised here and prove us wrong. Then we take off from there. The National Chairman and the governors should be encouraged to work together in the overall interest of the Party, because by 2019 the issue will be election and APC victory and not who said what and who didn’t say what.’

Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/10/25/okorocha-attacks-apc-reveals-party-sending-bad-signal-world/

Senator Shehu Sani advises Ekeremadu about dumping PDP for APC

Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central, has warned the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, not to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sani, who recently left the APC for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), urged Ekweremadu to remain with the main opposition party.

“Bro Ike, stay where you are jeje. I just dey commot. If you no hear, you go see,” he wrote on his verified Twitter page.

DAILY POST reported that Ekweremadu, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South East, denied speculations making the rounds that he was on the verge of dumping the party.

Ekweremadu, who reacted in a Facebook post, said he was still a member of the main opposition party.

Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/10/25/senator-shehu-sani-advises-ekeremadu-dumping-pdp-apc/

49-year-old Man Hides Cocaine Inside Sandals During Trip To Saudi Arabia

 

File Photo

A 49-year-old man, Hassan Mohammed Taiwo, who allegedly hid 1.3 kilogrammes of cocaine inside a pair of sandals, during a trip to Saudi Arabia, was on Wednesday, arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, by the men of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The accused according to the NDLEA lawyer, Mr. J. I. Igunbor, was arrested on May 20, 2018, at about 10. 25 a.m., at the screening 11 wing ‘G’ of the Murtala International Airport, Lagos, during an outward clearance of passengers from Egypt Airways, via Cairo, Egypt.

Igumbor told the court that the operatives of NDLEA discovered the banned drugs in a pair of sandal wore by the accused screening of passengers outwardly.

He was charged before the court for unlawful possession of the hard drugs and attempted to export same with lawful authority.

The offences according to the prosecutor are contrary to and punishable under sections11(b) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Lagos of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Igumbor, asked the court for a date for review the fact of the matter and subsequence sentence of the accused.

Lawyer to the accused, Chief Lilian Omotunde, did not oppose the request of the prosecutor.

Upon the submissions of the parties, Justice (Professor) Chuka Obiozor, while adjourned the matter till November 22, for review of the facts of the case against the accused and possible judgment, ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody.

Count one of the charge reads: “that you, Hassan Mohammed Taiwo, Male, 49 years, on or about the 20th day of May, 2018 at about 10.25hours, during the outward clearance of passengers from Egypt Airways to Saudi Arabia; via Cairo, at the Screening 11 “G” Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did export 1.300 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a narcotic drug, concealed Inside sandal slippers belonging to you, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Lagos of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

And Count two reads: “That you, Hassan Mohammed Taiwo, Male, 49years, on or about the 20’” day of May, 2018 at about 1025hours, during the outward clearance of passengers from Egypt Airways to Saudi Arabia; via Cairo, at the Screening 11 ‘G’ Wing of MurtaIa Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction 0! this Honourable Court, was found In possession of 1.300 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a narcotic drug, concealed Inside sandal slippers belonging to you, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”.

Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/109141/49yearold-man-hides-cocaine-inside-sandals-during.html

‘Morata And Giroud All Season 3 Goals, Loftus Cheek In One Game: 3 goals’ – What Fans Are Saying About Chelsea’s Hatrick Hero Is A Must Read

Chelsea thrashed BATE Borisov three goals to one during their EUROPA league third group stage match at Stamford Bridge this evening to pull clear at the top of the group L table. All their goals were scored by loan returnee, Loftus Cheek.

Chelsea who were winning their first three group stage matches in a major European competition for the first time since 2010/11 needed only two minutes to open the scoring through Loftus before he added a second six minutes later. He then went on to complete his hatrick in the 79th minute.

With the hatrick today, the 22 years old England International has now equaled the combined tally of both Morata and Giroud for the season in view.

As a result of this, fans and football lovers have been on social media calling out these two first choice strikers

What fans are saying:

Loftus Cheek has outscored Willian goal stats for the whole season in one game. Willian has started TEN matches, this is Rubens SECOND start. One is a midfielder, the other supposedly an attacker. pic.twitter.com/ieauPwKG61

— DonkeysOut (@CarvalhoJTElite) October 25, 2018

Ruben Loftus-Cheek hat-trick. Tears in my eyes man pic.twitter.com/jUQOIDHlcL

— Mod (@CFCMod_) October 25, 2018

I don't want to get carried away because of his two goals or anything but Loftus-Cheek needs to become our new starting striker effective immediately.

Who's with me?

— Mod (@CFCMod_) October 25, 2018

 

Source:

http://www.informationng.com/2018/10/morata-and-giroud-all-aeason-3-goals-loftus-cheek-in-one-game-3-goals-what-fans-are-saying-about-chelseas-hatrick-hero-is-a-must-read.html

‘Atiku/Obi presidency would be best for Nigeria’

The choice of former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, as the running mate of the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has caused quite a stir in South-East geo-political zone, but in this interview with NIYI BELLO, Anambra State chairman of the party, Ndubuisi Nwobu, justifies the choice, describing it as the most reasonable.

What is your take on the choice of former governor Peter Obi as running mate to your party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar?
In fact, that action is the most reasonable decision by our party’s presidential candidate, His Excellency, former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar and the PDP national hierarchy. The South-East has been very supportive of the PDP family. You reward people for their efforts, you don’t reward them for their inability to do what is right.

So, the choice of Mr. Peter Obi by our party’s presidential candidate is a reward to the people of Anambra State and, indeed, the entire South-East for their support to the PDP. We all know that the arrowhead of PDP formation was the late former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, and he hailed from Anambra State. So, by this gesture of PDP presidential candidate in picking someone from

Anambra as his presidential running mate, PDP has deemed it fit to say ‘Thank you, Dr. Alex Ekwueme’. It Shows that PDP has really realised the major role he played in its formation and that his contributions helped in making it the largest political party in Africa.

Besides, Mr. Peter Obi has an excellent antecedent. He is very focused and a great manager of wealth. We all saw what he did when he was governor of Anambra State for eight years. Also, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is someone who is greatly endowed with what it takes to give good governance to Nigeria, so as to bring the country out of the current socio-economic and political quagmire APC government has thrown the country into, given the experiences he had gained when he was Vice-President of this country. Again, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is a great wealth creator. And Mr. Peter Obi has a deep insight into the economy of this country. So, I view Atiku/Obi presidency as the best thing that can happen to the people of this country at a time it is in a mess.

Do you think PDP would have an edge over other political parties in the state in next year’s elections?
We allowed internal democracy to prevail during our primaries. Other political parties, especially APGA and APC did the opposite. They allowed godfathers to hijack their primaries, and imposed candidates on their parties. Again, PDP had been in the affairs of this country until APC took over after the 2015 general elections. And our people have now tasted the two parties, and, they have seen the difference.

They have seen that APC is a party that promises, but denies its promises. But PDP keeps its promises; that PDP was able to keep this country together showed that leadership in this country can be done in a detribalized manner. PDP had shown that no matter whose ox is gored – whether the person is in your party or not, if he or she goes against the laws of this country he or she will be brought to face the law. PDP had shown that the economy of this country could be sustainable. And all these have been lost since APC took over the running of affairs of this country in 2015. And we have been telling Anambrarians in particular and Nigerians in general to give PDP a chance once more and you will find that all the current hydra-headed problems facing the country in all spheres of life will become a thing of the past.

APGA recorded overwhelming victory during the last gubernatorial poll. What gives you hope that PDP will alter the equation in the coming election?
The outcome of the last gubernatorial election in the state is not a good index for predicting the possible outcome of the coming general election in the state. Politics is local. What made APGA and its candidate, the incumbent governor, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, achieve that 21-over 21 victory in that governorship election had come and gone.

I can bet you that the same thing will not apply in the forthcoming general elections. I can assure you Anambrarians are going to look at the various candidates who are contesting elections for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate and vote for the candidates and the party that can attract democracy dividends to them. And they know that anybody who gets to the National Assembly after the coming general elections under the banner of the APC, his or her voice will be lost. And when you are unable to speak, how can you be able to bring democracy dividend to your people.

And Anambrarians appreciate the fact that where they have a better opportunity now is in PDP. So, the are going to cast their votes for only PDP candidates for State Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate.
   
Again, let me remind you that one of the major factors that influenced the governorship election was the quest by the people of Anambra South Senatorial zone to produce the governor of the state as soon as possible. And because they had this fear that since our party candidate, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, might want to go for a second term since he will be serving his term if voted for and that he might want to go for a second term after completing first term, they decided to support APGA candidate, Obiano, because they knew that he cannot go for another term. So, the people of South Senatorial zone saw supporting APGA candidate as the fastest way for them to produce governor based on rotational considerations.

Source:

https://guardian.ng/politics/atiku-obi-presidency-would-be-best-for-nigeria/

APC crisis : Amosun, Okorocha defiant, insist on chosen successors

•Nobody can win in Imo without my support — Okorocha

•Akinlade’ll read Ogun’s next year budget as gov — Amosun
•Protests in Zamfara over INEC’s disqualification
•Oshiomhole’s associates move against plot to oust him

By Emmanuel Aziken, Henry Umoru, Omeiza Ajayi, Daud Olatunji & Chinonso AlozieGovernors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday, dismissed the tag of ‘bad losers’ put on them by the All Progressives Congress, APC, as they separately reiterated the determination to foist their chosen successors on the state, irrespective of the inclinations of the party leadership.

Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State,

Their assertions came as associates of the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, were yesterday, evolving strategies to frustrate moves by his antagonists to force a meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party to force a no-confidence vote on Oshiomhole.

In yet another daring challenge to Governor Amosun’s hegemony over the party in Ogun State, 276 councillors in the state, who form the base of the APC grassroots, defected from Amosun’s camp and pledged loyalty to Chief Dapo Abiodun, who was endorsed as the party’s candidate by the party leadership against the desire of Amosun.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, had in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, given a robust defence on the party’s position on issues pertaining to some of its aggrieved governors and party chieftains wherein he described them as bad losers.

Amosun adamant on Akinlade

In his reaction, yesterday, Amosun was unwavering, vowing that nobody will stop his choice of  preferred successor, Abdulkabir Akinlade, emerging as the next governor of the state in 2019.

Amosun spoke at a town hall meeting on the 2019 budget at the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

Amosun, who spoke in Yoruba, said the prayers of his opponents will not come to pass.

He described the ticket with Abiodun as a stolen mandate, saying the issue was like a thief that stole the king’s trumpet.

“Hon Akinlade will succeed me when I finish my tenure in May 2019, because, he is the only one who is capable of continuing from where I stopped in the infrastructural development of the state.

“We will win in every local government in the state, either Yewa, Ijebu, Abeokuta South, count them, we are ready for them, anywhere they go, we shall meet them there.

“They cannot choose for the people; the people know the right candidate and that is Hon. Akinlade.

“God has chosen Akinlade; he is the anointed candidate. He will read next year’s budget, and if I am invited, I will be here.

“It is a case of a thief who stole the king’s trumpet (Kakaki), where will he blow it?”

276 councillors desert Amosun

Meanwhile, the 276 councillors who gathered at Abiodun’s campaign office in Iperu Remo, said they agreed with the decision of the NWC on the emergence of Abiodun as the candidate.

Breaking: Ita Giwa returns to PDP, says APC home of confusion

They argued that as loyal party men, they would go with the party’s decision on the primaries held in the state.

Addressing journalists, representatives of the councillors, who were drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, further submitted that the NWC had made the right decision and they were ready to abide by it.

Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, Nurudeen Aka, Solarin Taofik, Somefun Olajuwon and Dapo Taiwo, begged Governor Amosun to support the NWC’s decision on Abiodun’s candidacy.

They nevertheless commended the governor for his contributions towards building the party in the state even as they urged him to lead the campaign of the candidates of the party to victory in 2019.

Solarin said: “We are here to declare support for the NWC on the governorship candidacy of Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State.

“We beg the governor to embrace and support Dapo Abiodun as APC governorship candidate in Ogun State. Governor Amosun is our leader in the party; he should continue his support to the party for its success in the polls in 2019.”

On his part, Aka said: “Whatever the party leaders say is what we are going to do, because the party is supreme.”

Nobody can win in Imo without my support — Okorocha

Governor Okorocha also spoke with the same force of defiance yesterday, insisting that no one can win an election in the state on the platform of the APC without his support.

Noting the various litigations among party members in the state, Okorocha deposed that his son-in-law was the only one with a valid court order backing his candidature.

He spoke through a press statement issued by his spokesman, Sam Onwuemeodo.

While faulting the language and approach of the new spokesman of the party, Governor Okorocha said: “However, Uche Nwosu had earlier been granted orders by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory presided over by Hon. Justice V.A. Ashi restraining the party, INEC, and others, from accepting any other name as the governorship candidate of APC for Imo State except that of Uche Nwosu and also restrained them from substituting the name of Uche Nwosu.

“In other words, it is only Uche Nwosu who has valid court orders in favour of his candidature, coupled with the report of the Prof. Osunbor Appeal Panel. But Chief Hope Uzodinma does not have any of these leverages.

Declare me Ekiti governor, Kolapo tells tribunal

“So, in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the APC, Uche Nwosu is the governorship candidate of APC for Imo State and for the 2019 election. It does not matter the sentiments that could be held by any other interested party. Truth must be told and held.

“In the case of the National Assembly, the only worry by APC members in the State is the automatic tickets given to a Senator and three House of Representatives aspirants who claimed to have joined the party in Abuja a few months ago. And these people given these automatic tickets know that they can never win election in Imo with the tickets of APC without the support of Governor Okorocha.

“We are also aware of all the claims and counter-claims in Abuja by some Abuja-based politicians from the state. We are yet to know how anybody can win election in Imo on the platform of APC without Okorocha’s support. We won’t go further here. The inscription on one vehicle in Owerri is ‘time will tell.’

“So, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party should take up the issues we have raised here and prove us wrong. Then we take off from there. The National Chairman and the governors forum should be encouraged to work together in the overall interest of the party because by 2019 the issue will be election and APC victory and not who said what and who didn’t say what.”

Enugu primaries were rigged, says VON D-G

Speaking in the same light, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, also rebuffed claims of being a bad loser, saying the primaries were rigged. Affirming that election rigging was the highest form of corruption, he called for the investigation of the call logs of the panelists that were sent to Enugu State.

Osita, who contested for the APC, Enugu West Senate ticket, said the results released did not reflect what was on the ground or what was signed by the ward officials of the party in the senatorial district.

“I don’t know what is called a bad loser because the election was cash bidding. I challenge the authorities to go through the call logs of the panelists between October 1 and today, and also check the results that were generated at the ward levels and in my own case, in particular, the lady they allocated votes to did not win any of the five local government areas, the members of the party in the five local government areas are still alive.

“The ward officials who signed the results are still alive, we have the original result sheets, and they are ready to testify.

“It is not about being bad losers; it is about someone sitting down and allocating votes. Adams Oshiomhole allocated 30% of the panel chairmen to his surrogates from Edo State. Everybody who has participated in politics knows the power of a chairman.

“The highest corruption is when you manipulate election, election rigging is you changing the destiny of a people,” Okechukwu said.

Attacks,  counter-attacks

Stakeholders loyal to Oshiomhole were, last night, locked in a strategy meeting with a view to halting plans by some aggrieved stakeholders within the party to pass a vote of no confidence on the chairman.

It was gathered, last night, that the anti-Oshiomhole forces were now pushing to force a meeting of the National Executive Committee NEC of the party by early November to determine the fate of the chairman.

A former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Clement Ebri, who stepped down for Oshiomhole on the convention floor in the leadership contest last June, has reportedly emerged as a possible successor.

State chairmen of the party from the South-South were meeting, last night, at a secret location in Abuja to evolve measures to counter alleged threats to Oshiomhole’s seat. Party sources said the chairmen were being organized by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, however, denied knowledge of the meeting.

A NEC member, who pleaded anonymity, told journalists that unless Oshiomhole is removed, the party might be heading to a defeat in 2019.

“Majority of NEC members can call for a NEC meeting, that is what our constitution says. We can force him to call for a NEC meeting. The meeting is due because after the primaries NWC has to brief us (NEC) on the reports of the primaries across the country. The reports have to be reviewed, and we have demanded it through the National Secretary’s office.

“Normally, after the primary they were supposed to have called for a NEC meeting so that they will present the reports of the primaries to the NEC, because some of these decisions they have taken and said NWC has decided, there is nothing like that because NWC is not the highest organ of the party, it is the National Executive Committee (NEC) which has the president and the Vice President as members. NWC is just a policy-making body of the party.

“So, currently the NWC under Oshiomhole has breached the constitution, and I can tell you categorically that there is no leader in APC across the country that is happy with Oshiomhole. Take, for example; there is a rumour we are hearing that about 20 House of Representatives members are planning to defect to PDP because of Oshiomhole’s bad leadership. He was busy promising some of them automatic tickets without consulting the real stakeholders in the states.

Protests in Zamfara over INEC’s disqualification of APC

Meanwhile, protesters from the 14 local government areas, yesterday, stormed Gusau the Zamfara State capital to protest the disqualification of the state from state level and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The protesters, who were organised by the Forum of Local Government Chairmen, eventually descended on the state secretariat of the party where they demanded the removal of Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the party.

Oshiomhole, however, drew support from a section of the party in Zamfara State yesterday. Senator Kabiru Marafa, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, flayed the protests against Oshiomhole. He said the protesters were hirelings of Governor Abdulazziz Yari.

Gov Yari hired protesters — Sen. Marafa

In a statement, yesterday in Abuja, Marafa stressed that the protesters were mobilised by the State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari following his inability to bend the rules to impose candidates who are his cronies on the party in the state.

“The crux of the matter is that there was no election and there was no consensus in Zamfara. So, we are commending Comrade Oshiomhole and INEC for respecting the court order.”

Marafa added that millions of naira allegedly spent to organise the protest should have been channelled towards securing the release of 17 persons including two young girls kidnapped in Dauran, Jangebe, Magami and other locations in the state.

“The money spent on the protest should have been used to assist the security agencies in the state to rescue the abducted persons. The Governor has stopped  assisting security agencies  with funds in the state in the last five months.”

Marafa assured that majority of APC family members in Zamfara are solidly behind Oshiomhole and the leadership of the party.

Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/apc-crisis-amosun-okorocha-defiant-insist-on-chosen-successors/

Global outrage against Khashoggi and silence in Nigeria

(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 15, 2014, general manager of Alarab TV, Jamal Khashoggi, looks on during a press conference in the Bahraini capital Manama. – US President Donald Trump said October 11, 2018 he was not yet prepared to limit arms sales to Saudi Arabia over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance, but he faced mounting pressure from concerned American lawmakers. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest arms purchasers, with most of them coming from the United States.Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post, vanished more than a week ago during a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish government sources say he was murdered there, a claim Riyadh denies. (Photo by MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH / AFP)

While the killing of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi saddens hearts, the ways leaders of the world have reacted and audibly spoken against it warm hearts. Khashoggi was killed in a fight in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. It shows that these leaders place high premium on human lives; It shows they care about the cost and worth of any citizen on any soil. It reinforces confidence in many a man and infuses the despondent with a ray of hope.

One would wonder Khashoggi isn’t an American citizen, yet his death worried American President Trump. Trump was so concerned he said, “What had happened was “unacceptable” but added that Saudi Arabia was a “great ally”. U.S. President Donald Trump said the arrests were an important “first step”, and praised the kingdom for acting quickly. He said the official explanation was “credible”, despite many U.S. lawmakers expressing disbelief over the Saudi account. He stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia as a counterbalance to Iran in the Middle East, and pushed back against the need for sanctions against the country in light of the new information, talking about the effect of such a move on the U.S. economy. Earlier this week Trump had warned of “very severe” consequences if Saudi Arabic was proved to have killed the journalist.

Donald Trump was not a lone voice. U.S. congressmen condemned the killing, including a Republican highly critical of the Saudis, Senator Lindsey Graham, said they were sceptical about the report on the journalist’s death. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin has called for the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. to be expelled over the Khashoggi case. Speaking to NBC’s Meet the Press, minority whips said he did not accept the Saudi government’s story as credible and called on “civilised countries” across the globe to take action. “Here’s what we ought to do and we ought to do it tomorrow morning, we ought to formally expel the Saudi ambassador from the United States until there is the completion of a third party investigation into this kidnap, murder and god knows what followed. “Unless the Saudi kingdom understands that civilised countries around the world are going to reject this conduct and make sure that they pay a price for it, they will continue doing it.”

The UK Foreign Office described it as “a terrible act” and said the people behind the killing “must be held to account”. Turkey has vowed to reveal all of the details of the killing, according to a spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development party quoted by Anadolu news agency.

Australia, announced it is withdrawing from an investment summit in Saudi Arabia later this month – joining a growing boycott that includes the US, UK, Dutch and French finance ministers over the Khashoggi killing.Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has called for a “thorough investigation” to make sure “all relevant facts will be clear as soon as possible”.

The acknowledgement follows two weeks of denials that Saudi Arabia had any involvement in the disappearance of the prominent Saudi critic when he entered the consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to seek paperwork for his forthcoming marriage. The Saudi kingdom had come under increased pressure to explain Mr Khashoggi’s disappearance after Turkish officials said he had been deliberately killed inside the consulate, and his body dismembered.

A joint statement by Britain, France and Germany has said “nothing can justify” the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside Saudi Arabia’s Istanbul consulate, as the nations demand “credible facts” over the death. The three countries said they condemned the alleged murder “in the strongest possible terms.” The statement adds there is an “urgent need for clarification on exactly what happened” when Khashoggi entered the consulate on 2 October, 2018. UK, France and Germany ‘urgently’ therefore demand clarification of ‘exactly what happened’ in Khashoggi killing. The Scottish Government has scrapped plans to appoint an energy specialist to help boost exports to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.

Holyrood had announced proposals earlier this month to appoint five new in-market energy specialists in countries seen as having significant growth opportunities for energy supply chain exports from Scotland, including the Gulf Kingdom.“It cannot be business as usual with a regime that displays blatant contempt and disregard for international law and human rights. “The consistent inaction of your Government is utterly incompatible with our most basic values as a democracy. “We regard it as unacceptable that the UK Government not only remains silent, but actively enables this Saudi regime.”

There is a sharp and sad irony, however, between the Khashoggi case and the numberless killings of innocent citizens in Nigeria, my home country. In the former’s situation, a life is lost, yet cry against it was loud. In Nigeria, killings happen in torrents and thousands. With impurity too. Between January, 2018 and now, for instance, no fewer than a thousand persons have died in different parts of the country. Even at this time when the world is mourning and condemning the killing in Saudi Arabia, Agents of the State seems to have license to kill without repercussions.

Officers and men of Nigerian Police Force open fires on unarmed and innocent citizens with history showing that the Police can go to any length to protect their own from sanctions for such killings, for instance, nothing substantial has been done in the prosecution of the officer that killed Ms. Linda Angela Igwetu, the NYSC member that was killed in July this year. Last week, Anita Akapson, a UK returnee daughter of one time Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Senator’s was killed while sitting in her car.

Scores of lives are being wasted in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Killers, on daily basis, invade the communities, opening fire on some young men and women. Insurgents and herdsmen takes human lives at will with impunity.

It’s therefore rather unfortunate that the same world leaders who reacted almost instantly and audibly have pretended this far not see or feel. While it’s the business of a sovereign government to ensure security of lives and properties of its citizenry, while the needless and countless killings happening in Nigeria signal abysmal on the part of government and crass lack of capability on the President, it does not suffice for the world powers to feign indifference or to snub the most populous black nation of the world. Injustice and rights abuse anywhere in the world should worry leadership equally, irrespective of individual’s stomached economic or political sentiments.

As Nigeria’s testy season of killings last and her dark hour persists, I hope that world powers would find the strength, strength and voice to condemn the evil trend and reign in on Nigeria’s leadership to give primacy of place to human lives. And like Republican Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.) told Trump in the case of Saudi, if President Buhari doesn’t end the wanton loss of human lives in Nigeria, he would loose Nigerians’ respect and his place in the annals of Nigeria.

Source:

https://guardian.ng/opinion/global-outrage-against-khashoggi-and-silence-in-nigeria/