Friday, August 21, 2020 Edition

Friday, August 21, 2020/Muharram 2, 1442 AH

Vol. 34 No. 081

2306 Days after

N150

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

1.9m women lose access What I’ll do if I win Troops kill several bandits, to abortion services or lose Edo guber, rescue kidnapped victims in Zamfara, Katsina during pandemic

by Ize-Iyamu pAGE 4

pAGE 7

pAGE 6

Again, 11 killed in Southern Kaduna attacks

>>PG25

Governors to meet resident doctors over planned strike To engage FG over suspended UBE, health care funds

>>page 5

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu; Sardauna of Katsina, Sen. Ibrahim Ida; Executive Chairman of Henkel Ltd., Alhaji Baba Abubakar (middle) and others, during the 3-day Fidau Prayers for the Late Chairman of the Board of Directors, Peoples Media Limited (PML), Malam Wada A. Maida, at Maitama District, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

CAN rejects CAMA act, urges Buhari to return it to NASS >>PAGE 2

NNPC challenges NASS to prove 48million barrels of crude missing >>page 5

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

News CONTENTS News

2-10, 14

Editorial

11

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Health Business

18 19-20

Feature

21

World News

22

Africa News

23

World News

24

CAN rejects CAMA Act, urges Buhari to return it to NASS T

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

he leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has, outrightly, rejected the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 that was recently assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The law, CAN maintained, is unacceptable, ungodly, reprehensible and an ill-wind that blows no one any good.

The association, in a statement yesterday by the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to its President, Pastor Bayo Oladeji described the CAMA Act 2020 as a time bomb waiting to explode.

The Association called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently return the law to the National Assembly for immediate amendment.

It cautioned that Nigeria should not be compared with any other nation when it comes to the

relationship between the religious institutions and the government.

According to the CAN’s statement, “The satanic section of the controversial and ungodly law is Section 839 (1) and (2) which empowers the Commission to suspend trustees of an association (in this case, the church) and appoint the interim managers to manage the affairs of the association for some given reasons.

“While we are not against the government fighting corruption wherever it may be found, yet we completely reject the idea of bringing the Church, which is technically grouped among the NGOs, under control of the government.

“The Church cannot be controlled by the government because of its spiritual responsibilities and obligations.

This is why we are calling on the Federal government to stop the implementation of the obnoxious and ungodly law until the religious

institutions are exempted from it.

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently return the law to the National Assembly for immediate amendment.

“Nigeria should not be compared with any other nation when it comes to the relationship between the religious institutions and the government.

“In Nigeria, people’s religions are tied to their humanity and of course, their life.

“How can the government sack the trustee of a church which it contributed no dime to establish?

“How can a secular and political minister be the final authority on the affairs and management of another institution which is not political?

“For example, how can a nonChristian head of Government Ministry be the one to determine the running of the church? It is an invitation to trouble that the government does not have power to

manage.

“Let the government face the business of providing infrastructure for the people. Let them focus on better health provision, food, education, adequate security employment, etc.

“The government should not be a busy body in a matter that does not belong to it. The government does not have the technical expertise to run the church of God because of its spiritual nature.

“If the government is bent on imposing a law on us, which the entire Church in Nigeria is against, then, they have declared war on Christianity and the agenda to destroy the Church which we have spoken against before now is coming to the open more clearly.

“If you cannot give us good amenities of life, we would not allow you to take away our liberty to worship our Maker”, the Association said.

Tinubu commiserates with Buhari over death of NAN board chairman Page 14

Environment 25 Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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L R: Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education And services Tetfund, Hon. Fatu Mohammed; Representative of the Speaker,Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Chairman of the committee, Hon. Aminu Suleiman Goro, during a Public Hearing on a Bill for an Act to Provided on Establishment of Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State and for related matters, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Welder stabs carpenter to death in Kogi From: Lokoja

T

Ahmad

Ibrahim,

ragedy struck at a popular drinking spot by Amusement Park, in Lokoja metropolis, as a welder, Murtala Dare, at the late hours of Sunday night, killed one carpenter and father of two, Lukman Kabiru.

Dare was said to have allegedly stabbed Lukman on the neck,

where the deceased died on the spot.

According to an eye witness account, the ugly incident occured at about 11:00 pm, when Dare reportedly wanted to fight a call girl for taking a customer behind a building, close to his shop for short service.

The intervention by Lukman, who was serving as peacemaker, to stop Dare from being violent,

angered Dare, who allegedly broke a bottle and stabbed Lukman Kabiru.

Dare and Lukman as neighbours, owned shop opposite the notorious drinking spot where call girls used the back for short time. Dare is allegedly said to be collecting fee for the use of the open space for short time.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State spokesman of the

police command, William Ayah disclosed that Dare was arrested in his hideout at the back of Total Filling Station, in Lokoja metropolis.

According to the PPRO, investigation into the matter is on, even as he dispelled the rumour making the rounds, that the suspect had been killed by angry mob.

Page 3

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

News

Edo, Ondo polls: INEC warns against constitutional crisis By Osaigbovo Benin

T

Iguobaro,

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked Stakeholders in the forthcoming Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States to embrace peace in order to avert constitutional breach in the elections which had been slated for September 19th and October 10th 2020 respectively.

The Commission cautioned political parties and their candidates to eschew the use of inflammatory languages designed to inflame passions or incite violence, adding that there is no alternative to peace INEC national Commissioner and Chairman information and voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye disclosed this while declaring open a workshop for journalists on electoral processes and procedures in Benin, Edo State Capital.

He said that the Commission is also working effortlessly with the different security agencies to ensure blood spilling free polls in both Edo and Ondo states as well as fifteen other bey elections across the Country.

“There is no alternative to the peaceful conduct of these elections as the alternative will leave the people of the two states with a constitutional logjam that may be difficult to resolve.

Political parties must eschew violence.

“On our part, we are determined and resolved to proceed with the conduct of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections and all the outstanding bye-elections. In doing so, the Commission will not compromise the safety and welfare of its staff, ad-hoc staff as well as the voters.

We will work closely with the security agencies to arrest threats and degrade acts of violence”.

Okoye explained that the commissioner has also introduced fresh innovations geared towards deepening the use of technology in the electoral process as well as guaranteeing transparency in the electoral process during the COVID-19 pandemic He maintained that INEC will continue to partner the media to ensure transparency in electoral processes.

Earlier, the Edo resident electoral commissioner Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem said the workshop was timely especially during the period of COVID 19 pandemic.

Villa video: Secondus wants visa restriction imposed on Gambari, Oshiomhole, others

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has called on the international community to impose visa restriction on anybody found culpable in the purported planned clampdown on members of the opposition parties ahead of the Edo state governorship election slated for September 19, this year.

Secondus’ call came barely 48 hours after the party similarly called on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the conversation between his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in a leaked video that went viral few days ago.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, it will.be recalled, had on Tuesday said that the former APC national chairman was heard in the eight seconds video emphatically urging the Chief of Staff to the President on the need to clampdown on certain unnamed Nigerians to achieve

....Warns against shifting Edo poll political suppression and submission ahead of the Edo election.

He said Oshiomhole was heard saying “arrest, deal with and the whole thing will change”, while Gambari responded saying “ we will go beyond.....”.

Prince Secondus, in an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja, yesterday said both Gambari and Oshiohmole abused public office by using Aso Rock villa to “undermine democracy”.

He pointed out that the party is deeply saddened that under the watch of an elected President, Muhammadu Buhari who is a huge beneficiary of democracy, the nation’s highest seat of power is being used for the hatching of plans to undermine democracy.

The PDP National Chairman further said that the Chief of staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari is such a strategic staff that when he is involved in any underhand thing, the President cannot free himself from it.

This development, he said, is not only shameful but very unfortunate that the nation’s seat of power, housing a democratically elected President, has to be used to plan how to inflict harm on democracy.

Secondus thus demanded heavy sanctions against persons found culpable in the ugly incidence referred to as a national embarrasment.

The National Chairman of the PDP said, “We wish to also draw the attention of the international community to this gross abuse of planning to undermine Democratic process by critical staff who should defend it.

“We demand appropriate sanction of the individuals involved in this anti -democratic act, they should be given visa restrictions to any democratic countries.

“The PDP is therefore calling on the National Assembly to call for the tape of the video and examine

thoroughly its content with a view to acting appropriately.

“The constitution and the Electoral Act is clear on this type of blatant undermining of democracy by clamping down on the opposition”, he said.

Secondus equally alleged that there are several efforts by APC leaders to arm-twist the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to shift the election adding, “all these anti -democratic moves are all aimed at creating a constitutional logjam to disrupt the election because they know they cannot win”.

The PDP, Secondus warned, will remain vehemently opposed to any postponement of Edo and Ondo states governorship elections. September 19 and October 10 should be sacrosanct.

The party therefore called on both the INEC and the judiciary to stand firm in defence of democracy and not yield to the manipulative tendencies of APC and its governments.

R-L: President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola on Thursday during Day 2 of a Public Hearing on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework And Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), which held at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Edo/Ondo guber: Sensitive materials will be delivered timely, INEC assures

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured that all the sensitive materials required for the conduct of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections will be delivered ahead of time.

The Commission disclosed that it has already deployed all the non-sensitive materials required for the conduct of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. An INEC national commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education committee, Barrister Festus Okoye stated these during a sensitization forum for media practitioners in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The Commission further said that the

training of all categories of adhoc staff is in full gear.

While observing that the two elections are being conducted in difficult circumstances, Okoye advised that all political parties and the critical stakeholders in the electoral process must see the conduct of the elections as a national project that must be executed in strict compliance with all the safety .

According to Okoye, “the Commission has deployed all the non-sensitive materials required for the conduct of the Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections.

“The training of all categories of ad-hoc staff is in full gear and all the sensitive materials required for the conduct of the election will be delivered ahead of time.

“As we have pointed

out, the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections are end of tenure elections with strict and immovable constitutional and legal timelines.

“All stakeholders must therefore conduct their activities in a manner that does not jeopardize the due and constitutional conduct of the elections.

“As we have pointed out, the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections are end of tenure elections with strict and immovable constitutional and legal timelines.

“All stakeholders must therefore conduct their activities in a manner that does not jeopardize the due and constitutional conduct of the elections.

“Both elections are also being conducted in difficult circumstances. Political Parties and all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process must see the conduct of these elections as a national project that must be executed in strict compliance with all the safety protocols.

“There is no alternative to the peaceful conduct of these elections as the alternative will leave the people of the two states with a constitutional logjam that may be difficult to resolve.

“Political parties must eschew violence. Political Parties and their candidates must eschew the use of intemperate, inflammatory and base language designed to inflame passions or incite violence.

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Obituary

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un!

Mallam Wada A. Maida, 1950-2020

On behalf of the Board, Shareholders and Staff of the Peoples Media Limited, we wish to announce the death of our Chairman, Board of Directors Mallam Wada A. Maida, oon, FNGE which occurred on Monday 17th August, 2020.

We pray that Allah (SWT) grants him Al-jannatul Firdus, and give his family the strenght to bear the loss, Amin.

Signed: Mallam Bilya Bala Director Peoples Media Limited

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, august 21, 2020

News

NNPC challenges NASS to prove 48million barrels of crude oil is missing

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has challenged the National Assembly to prove its allegation of missing 48mbp of crude oil.

It described the allegation as “unfounded and total falsehood” requesting the Lawmakers the cause a forensic audit the ascertain the veracity or otherwise of its allegation.

It also declared that contrary to the widely held belief in the public, its annual budget was approved by the National Assembly.

This declarations were made by the Group Managing Director (GMD), of NNPC, Mele Kyari.

The Senate had alleged missing barrels of crude oil and accused the Corporation of unapproved yearly budget during an interactive session officials of NNPC with the Senate Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning on projected revenues estimated in the 2021 - 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Frame work and Fiscal Strategy Paper ( FSP).

Chairman of the joint Committee, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola ( APC Lagos West), had in taking up the oil Corporation over the alleged missing barrels of oil , demanded for proven evidence and not verbal denial as did by NNPC through media advertorials .

But, the NNPC GMD, represented by the Chief Finance Officer , Umar Ajiya, the NNPC GMD, said there was no evidence in knocking off the claim than the fact that there were no records of ships that sailed out of the Nigerian waters with such contrabands and clearance from the Nigerian Navy and Directorate of Petroleum and Resources ( DPR).

He said: “No ship leaves the country without clearance from the appropriate unit of the Nigerian Navy and there is no way any ship with such alleged stolen crude could escape from the Nigeria shore.

“As far as the NNPC is concerned , no barrel of crude oil is missing as falsely alleged and very ready to be investigated over it inform of commissioning of a forensic audit by the National Assembly at its own cost.”

He also told the Lawmakers that the yearly budget of the Corporation was scrutinised and approved by them through consideration and passage of MTEF and FSP which contains revenue projections of the agency along with those of the other ones “Proposals such as our revenue projections , cost of operations are well stated in all MTEF/FSP documents made available to National Assembly for consideration and approval , the basis upon which the Nation’s budget is passed and signed into law ,meaning that it is you ( National Assembly) , that approves our yearly budget.”

According to him, the current GMD of NNPC is a change agent and the corporation under him , has nothing to hide.

He explained further that the $21per barrel production cost the corporation is incurring on each barrel of crude oil , will soon be reduced to $13 per barrel in drastically minimizing production cost .

On the $40 per barrel projected as oil price benchmark for the N12.6trillion 2021 budget ,the NNPC CFO said the projection was arrived at, based on available variables .“ Nobody can determine what oil price will be tomorrow , which informs pessimistic thinking as far as such a parameter is concerned.”

PAGE 5

Governors to meet Resident Doctors over planned strike

...To engage FG over suspended UBE, health care funds

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

G

overnors of the 36 States of the Federation have resolved to engage the federal government on the suspension of State counterpart funds required for accessing the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

Similarly, the States have decided to engage the officials of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in order to forestall their intention to embark on an industrial action.

These were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 15th teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, held on Wednesday and signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

The NGF communiqué equally revealed that data from COVID-19 tests conducted in the country show that 20 local government areas in the country account for 50 percent of the COVID-19 cases recorded.

The Governors, in their communiqué made available to Journalists yesterday, disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education to

facilitate access to unrealized funds from the UBE Fund.

The UBE Fund was suspended based on the recommendations of the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

According to the NGF communiqué, “The Forum will continue to engage with the federal government on the suspension of State counterpart funds required for accessing the UBE Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund based on the recommendations of the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo”.

The Governors’ Forum said that it is also awaiting an advisory from the Attorney General of the Federation on the call for a waiver on counterpart funds from States in the light of the impact of the COVID-19 on State finances.

According to the NGF’s communiqué, “29 States have received funding from the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) project to strengthen their public health response to COVID-19.

“Testing remains the number one priority for the government. 32 States in the country now have molecular laboratories while investments are being directed to the remaining 4 States.

“Data from COVID-19 tests conducted in the country show that 20 local government areas in the country account for 50 percent of the COVID-19 cases recorded.

“In the light of this, all State governments will be required to scale up risk communications campaigns in these areas through State and local structures”, they said.

The governors equally resolved to scale up the implementation of the Risk Communications Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy developed by the Presidential Task on COVID-19.

It expressed the firm belief that strategy will provide necessary impetus on communicating with the public so that communities can curtail the spread of COVID-19 in a sustainable approach.

The State governments, the communiqué said, will also be able to Identify and engage with all the relevant multisectoral partners as the success of this strategy.

The State Commissioners of information are to head this exercise nationwide.

L-R: Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari confers with the Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar as National Security Adviser to President Maj-Gen Babagana Mongunoi Rtd chats with SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha during a Virtual Meeting of Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government on the Socio-Political Situation in Mali held at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

ASUU, Stakeholders expresse mixed reactions over establishment of federal university

By Christiana Ekpa

M

ixed reactions trailed among stakeholders at a public hearing on Thursday in Abuja over a bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of federal university of technology, Asaba in Delta State and a bill for an Act to provide for establishment of federal college of education, Keana in Nasarawa State.

While the bill for the establishment of federal college of education, Keana in Nasarawa State sponsored by Nalaraba Abubakar was welcome without condemnation, reverse was the case for the other bill from the minority leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu.

Sponsor of the bill, Elumelu while at hearing explained that the establishment of federal university of technology will be the first in the South South region.

He stressed the need to re-enact the law governing the federal college of technology in Asaba into federal university of technology to enable the broadening of knowledge of students in the region.

Corroborating Elumelu’s point, Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa explained that

the establishment of the university will boost access to education thereby reducing crime in the region.

Governor Okowa who was represented by the secretary of the state, Chiedu Ebie further explained that to enable the coordination of the establishment of various technical colleges in the state there is the need for the establishment of the federal university of technology in Asaba.

Also in support of the establishment of the university is the National Universities Commission(NUC).

The Director of Public Affairs, NUC, Ibrahim Yakasai said the commission is excited for the establishment of the university considering the unavailability of universities in the country to admit students who could not gain admission.

But on the contrary, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) represented by its Abuja zonal coordinator, Prof.

Theophilus Lagi kicked stressing that the proliferation of universities in the country should be discouraged rather already existing universities should be strengthened.

According to Prof. Lagi, it is tantamount

to reduce the establishment of universities as constituency project. ASUU strongly oppose the establishment of this university.

However, President of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Comrade Samson Ugwuoke represented by the association National Financial Secretary, Mohammed Aliyu argued that the management of tertiary institutions in the country is the challenge bedeviling the country.

His words:”we are not saying we don’t want the establishment of more universities but managing them is the problem”.

Supporting SSANU, President of College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Nuhu Ogirima worried that the apathy of teaching is affecting tertiary education and it is encouraging brain drain.

Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by Chief Whip of the House, Mohammed Monguno while declaring opened the hearing explained that the bill will enable potential students to gain admission to pursue their desired careers.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

PAGE 6

News Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation hosts presentation on challenges of education From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation is set to organise an online public presentation of a research work on the status of Education in Northern Nigeria,its challenges and way forward.

The Managing Director / Chief Executive Offcer of the Foundation Engr Abubakar Gambo Umar stated this in a statement made available to media in kaduna yesterday.

The statement added that the research was commissioned by the Foundation in 2019 and conducted by a team of researchers and highly accomplished experts in the field of education, led by the former Minister of Education Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai OON. “The research work was concluded following in-depth and extensive field work and application of appropriate comprehensive tools and analyses on the current state of education in northern Nigeria.

Upon completion, the two volume report was validated by experts and stakeholders in the education sector.

“The Foundation is therefore set to present to the general public the final output of the research work on Thursday 27th August 2020 by 11AM during which the lead researcher, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai OON, will present the report.

“State Governors, Minister of Education, Members of National and States Assemblies, Commissioners of Education, heads of institutions and education parastatals, policy makers and implimenters in the sector have been invited to participate.

“Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation is fulfilling one of its mandates of improving quality and access to affordable education to citizens in Northern Nigeria.

“Since inception, the Foundation has invested heavily towards the improvement of education by carrying out the following interventions: organising an education peer review in 2011, providing undergraduate science and technology scholarship programme from 2012 to date, organising teacher quality training across the 19 northern states and FCT in 2016, sponsoring ICT training in 2016, and commissioning this very research work on the status of education in northern Nigeria, its challenges and way forward.

NAHCON Chair seeks support for Hajj Training Institute, Savings Scheme

By Maryam Garba Hassan

C

hairman Hajj Commission of Nigeria, ÑAHCON Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has sought the support for the success of the proposed Hajj Training Institute (HTI) and Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS).

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Commission’s Head, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the Chairman made the call when he visited the Kaduna State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board Wednesday, 19th August 2020.

The statement said the

chairman described the visit as an expression of gratitude to Kaduna state board for hosting the commission’s contingent despite the short notice.

He said the visit was part of the Commission’s mobilization drive towards creating awareness on the two initiatives.

He recognized state boards as crucial to the success of both initiatives.

He said state boards will benefit immensely from the two schemes which are directly in contact with pilgrims and staff for whom training and retraining on Hajj administration and

participation is essential.

The statement further said the Chairman expressed optimism that the Hajj Savings Scheme will be a game changer in the Hajj industry and one that all stake holders must collectively promote.

He said the Hajj Training Institute aims at professionalising and standardisising Hajj operation in Nigeria, open up employment opportunities and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s economy.

Responding to the NAHCON Chairman’s remarks, Acting Overseer of the state’s pilgrims’

welfare board, Hajiya Hannatu Zailani, thanked the leadership of NAHCON for the visit and pledged the board’s readiness to support NAHCON whenever the need arises because of the Commission’s laudable initiatives.

She described the two schemes as eliciting enthusiasm and said they are eagerly awaiting their commencement.

She further informed the gathering that out of the 2,383 pilgrims that registered for 2020 Hajj in the state, only172 had requested for a refund, the statement added.

Gombe state Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau ( 2nd Left) presenting relief materials to one of the victims of recent flood disaster in Nafada Local Government area. Looking on are: Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Mela Nunghe ( L) and Emir of Nafada, Alhaji Muhammad Dadum Hamza, during the ceremony yesterday in Gombe State.

Expert says Inadequate knowledge bane of malnutrition From: Femi Oyelola, kaduna

A

development specialist and Author of the book ‘Authentic Everyday Recipes for Smart Children’Jayne Whyte has said malnutrition exists in Nigeria communities and households due to inadequate knowledge on adequate nutrient filled meals for every member of the family.

She stated this in a statement made available to media in kaduna North West yesterday.

According to her Malnutrition is widespread in the country, although the scale and scope varies between regions and across urban-rural divide and

manifests as undernutrition, over nutrition and micro nutrients deficiencies.

She stressed that ending malnutrition is essential for economic and human development.

“For instance, childhood stunting, an overarching measure of longterm malnutrition has lifelong consequences not just for health, but also for human capital and economic development, prosperity, and equity.

“Stunting in early childhood reduces schooling attainment, decreases adult productivity and wages, and makes children less likely to escape poverty as adults.

“The book ‘Authentic

Everyday Recipes for Smart Children’ reveals how to make the very best meals for children from 6 months to 6 years. From traditional Nigerian cereals and purees to fun-finger foods, fruits mixes/ juices and soups.

“This compilation of more than 40 recipes is an essential mother’s reference guide to introducing complementary foods to her young one.

“The choice of what to cook, the quantity and the time to cook is made easy with recipes grouped by types. Basic ingredients are provided for every recipe, along with cook’s tips and variations to encourage experimentation and improve basic skills.

“There is no doubt that that

this book will further help in the preservation and promotion of the Nigerian food culture and ultimately raise a generation of healthier and smarter children. “ The author, Jayne Whyte is a development specialist, a certified Infant and Young Child Feeding Counsellor, blogger and social entrepreneur.

“She is leading a campaign that focuses on addressing poor nutrition outcomes in Africa by empowering mothers and caregivers to provide nutritious foods for the family, identifying foods with high nutrient value, educate and communicate local nutritious foods so that caregivers and adolescents can make informed choices.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Wada Maida, doyen of journalism, by NMF

T

he Northern Media Forum (NMF) has expressed sadness over the death of Malam Wada Maida, coming shortly after the death of Ismaila Isa Funtua, himself a pillar of the profession globally and locally.

A statement yesterday by Mr Dan Agbese, Chairman of the NMF said Wada Maida was an accomplished and thorough-bred professional who symbolised decency and ethical journalism, and lived by those tenets.

“A former Editor-in-Chief of News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) and was Chairmanof of the agency and Peoples Daily at the time of his death, Wada Maida was indeed an icon, who once served as Chief Press Secretary to President Muhammadu Buhari, when he was Military Head of State.

“He never wavered from the straight and narrow path that ethical journalism is all about.

“He worked and lived the Media, having been part of the founding of Daily Trust and served on the board of International Press Institute(IPI) and at one time the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He was also an active member of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria(NPAN).

“For us at the NMF, Wada Maida’s excellence shone brightly, as a founding member and one of its intellectual think-tank,” Agbese said.

We remember him as one of a few working quietly to uplift the media industry in the service of the society and the country at large.

“We therefore implore his family to take solace in his good works and footprints.

“The NMF also wishes to condole his immediate and the entire media family he left behind.

“I also wish to condole all the members of the NMF and urge all of us to bear the loss with fortitude.

“May Allah admit him in aljannat firdaus,” te NMF statement said.

News

What I’ll do if I win or lose Edo guber, by Ize-Iyamu Asks Obaseki to account for N6bn stadium renovation funds

By our correspondent

T

he governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu yesterday said he was confident of winning the September 19 governorship election in the state, but that he will not resort to violence even if he loses.

He also discredited the N6billion spent on the renovation of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital, by his opponent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and current Governor of the state, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

Ize-Iyamu spoke in Abuja while interacting with newsmen after outlining his vision for Edo state as a governorship candidate, and presenting his programme of action branded ‘The Simple Agenda.’

He said his main purpose of seeking Edo governorship

is to serve and deliver good governance, adding that it is not good for any aspiring leader to become desperate which can create the impression that he has a suspicious motive.

He said he will be magnanimous in victory, but that even if he loses, the worst he could do is to go to court to follow the due process of law. Resorting to violence should be the last thing any aspiring leader should do, he said.

He accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, campaign of instigating violence and turning round to blame it on the APC, when in actual fact their thugs were behind it.

“They sponsor violence and put it on the doorstep of the APC and unfortunately our security agencies do not follow up vigorously,” he said.

Ize-Iyamu also faulted the N6billion he said Governor Obaseki wasted in renovating the

Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin without any commensurate improvement in the sitting arrangement and the structure of the stadium.

This, he said, is contrary to the governor’s promise of building a mini stadium in each of the 18 local government areas in Edo state which the N6 billion can conveniently fund.

He said he will form a government that will be accountable to the people and deliver good governance in line with the manifesto of the APC and his own ‘Simple Agenda.’

“We are going to create a lot of jobs and our people have seen the genuineness in us and they believe us and we remain committed to get the best for our state,” he said.

He stressed the need to invest in infrastructure, build good hospitals and properly fund education and to attract businesses and investments to Edo state, adding that a

situation whereby subventions for institutions created by previous government in the state are frustrated is wicked as is the case with the current administration.

Government should be a continuum, he said.

He promised to attract businesses to Edo state by means of the Private, Public Partnership for inclusive development which he said is key to his campaign agenda.

He said he wants to replace Obaseki because he has not done well in the last four years as Edo state governor, considering the huge resources at his disposal and cited the deteriorating security in the state as a case in point. “We believe security is not cheap, and we must invest in it which Obaseki is not doing,” he said. He added that state governments should complement the efforts of the federal government on security matters.

Gombe state Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau ( 2nd Left) presenting relief materials to one of the victims of recent flood disaster in Nafada Local Government area. Looking on are: Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Mela Nunghe ( L) and Emir of Nafada, Alhaji Muhammad Dadum Hamza, during the ceremony yesterday in Gombe State.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

FG puts NIGCOMSAT sale on hold -Pantami

By Egena Sunday Ode

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he Federal Government has suspended the planned privatization of Nigeria.

Communication Satellite Company Limited (NiGCOMSAT), Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ibrahim Pantami, announced Thursday.

The Minister spoke at a press conference in Abuja to mark his one year in office.

He said he personally detested the idea of privatization because of the security implications

involved, noting that the platform had been giving enormous support to the security agencies.

Pantami also said his ministry will hand over no less than 70 percent broadband internet penetration of the country at the end of President Mohammadu Buhari’s second term in 2023.

According to him, the ministry under his leadership had already added about 10 percent to the 3.8 percent it met on ground one year ago, bringing the current total broadband penetration in the country to 4.8 percent.

Chief among his achievements

enumerated at the press conference was the resolution of the perennial crisis of right of way between telecom service providers and state governors.

He said he was able to bring the cost of linear meter down to N4500 as against the about N16000 or more that governors were charging the service providers, just after a two hour meeting with the states chief executives.

The Minister also announced that the Federal Government had waived the right of way in its own jurisdictions to the telecom

companies till December 2022 as palliatives to cushion the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Stating that the achievements of the ministry were a direct fulfillment of the three cardinal electioneering promises of President Buhari, Pantami noted that the ills of corruption and insecurity as well as the need to grow the nation’s economy had been largely addressed by the ministry using ICT as a platform.

He emphasised the need for Nigerian youths to deemphasis the zeal for paper certificates but shift attention to skills

acquisition, adding that the world no longer reckoned with degrees.

The minister had earlier performed a virtual commissioning ceremony of about 12 projects located in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

He said at the brief ceremony that the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic had its positive effects as it had helped the ministry to save the money that would have gone into sending staff to different locations for mere projects commissioning.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

PAGE 8

News

Stop using reagents to ripen fruits, don urges farmers

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university lecturer, Dr Dan Agboola, has advised farmers and other produce stakeholders against using reagents to ripen fruits and vegetables to avoid health complications.

Agboola, a Microbiology lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), gave this advice as a guest to the Ojo Farmers Weekly Workshop in Lagos.

The workshop, organised in conjunction with Alpha Feed Ltd., was held to keep farmers abreast of innovations in modern agricultural practice.

Agboola pointed out that eating vegetables and fruits which were artificially ripened was the cause of many illnesses among Nigerians.

“The reagent chemical contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus, which are hazardous to the human body.

“Many farmers are in a hurry to harvest, and as such, they end up spraying the produce with calcium carbide ignorantly to ripen them faster.

“Anytime you buy ripe plantain, banana, mangoes and others in the market, there are chances you are buying the ones ripened with calcium carbide,” he said.

Agboola, therefore, advised farmers to be patient and allow their produce to mature and ripe naturally before harvest.

“All produce have maturity period and farmers know this very well.

“There is no short-cut with nature.’’

He said the use of insecticides popularly called “Sniper” and other harmful chemicals as ingredients for pest control was hazardous too.

“Such a practice should be discarded. It can cause pollution or food poisoning,” the university lecturer said.

The microbiologist also advised farmers and produce sellers to seek professional advice on better methods of applying insecticides and pesticides in order not to endanger people’s lives.

He said Nigerians should be wary of such unnaturally prepared food items to avoid health problems such as cancer and other diseases.

Also, Mr Kayode Alao, one of the farmers at the event, spoke on the objectives of the weekly forum, saying it would help many farmers to improve their productivity.

Alao said no farmer would like to have a product which people would eat and become sick.

“This session has really opened our eyes to things we are doing ignorantly.

“It has exposed us to better markets for our products, especially the corporate markets,’’ he said.

Court sets free two suspected killers of Flying Officer Arotile From: From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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kaduna state Magistrate Court 1 has set free Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji,two of the three suspected killers of the Nigeria’s first female fighter helicopter, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

The Chief Magistrate Benjamin Hassan discharged 2nd and 3rd suspects yesterday, based on the Police investigation, which did not find them wanting and the legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecution Bayero Dari, that they have no case to answer.

According to the legal advice

from the Director of Public Prosecution, read in the open court, there is no premeditation in the death of the Flying Officer Arotile, but there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 1st suspect, Nehemiah Adejor for culpable homicide not punishable with death.

Meanwhile, the first suspect, Nehemiah Adejor, who drove the car that killed the Air Force Officer, is now to be charged for culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy in the State High Court, but not to be punished with death.

Recall that, the Nigeria Air Force Officer and its first female combat helicopter Pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile was

knocked down and killed by a vehicle driven by his secondary school mate, Nehemiah Adejor on the 14th July, 2020. 2nd and 3rd suspects, Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji were passengers in the said vehicle.

The legal advice was read that, “on the 14 day of July, 2020’ the suspect all male of Auta Alkali Farin Gida, Mando Kaduna inside a Kia Sorento with Registration.

No AZ 478 MKA Kaduna being driven by the 1st suspect sited the deceased (NAF/4512F Flying officer Tolulope Arotile) at NAF Base Kawo, Kaduna, whom they identified as their school mate at Air force Secondary school, Kaduna.

“The 1st suspect, full of enthusiasm, recklessly reversed the car in order to meet the deceased and in the process ran over her consequent upon which the deceased lay unconsciously on the ground. The deceased was rushed to NAFX64 Base Hospitàl-for- medical attention but was later pronounced dead by the medical Doctors at the Hospital.

“The suspects were arrested and taken to 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for toxicology test and results were all negative. They were later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Kaduna on the 24th day of July, 2020 for further discreet investigation.

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero (R) and his host, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, during the former’s courtesy visit to Daura in Katsina state on Wednesday

Chairman of Ansar-ud-Deen Society harps on peaceful coexistence From: Femi Oyelola, kaduna

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hairman of Ansar-udDeen Society of Nigeria Kaduna branch, Alhaji Liadi Olapade has urged Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to ensure good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence and love with other people to address the insecurity ravaging parts of the country.

Alhaji Olapade, who doubles as the Chairman of Muslim Council

of Nigeria (MCON) Kaduna branch, also tasked leaders and other Nigerians against hate speeches, rumour mongering, and blackmailing which usually create bad blood, grievances and often lead to crisis.

Addressing the Muslim ummah on the new Islamic year, Hijrah 1442, Olapade said, “everybody should ensure peaceful coexistence, love and good neighbourliness with his

neighbours and people around them. We should our best to make the society better.

“We should all desist from spreading rumour, blackmailing people and spreading hate speeches to ensure that we have a peaceful society devoid of rancour and grievances.

“We thank Allah for preserving us until today because the past six months or one year is like no other one, anyone who survive till

now should thank God. We should keep praying and rededicate ourselves to the religion. We should know that nothing comes except from Allah He brought this period and He would bring a better period.

“We should pray hard and work hard obey and follow the instructions of our leaders.

Muslim faithful and other Nigerians should work hard and contribute.

Gov. Bello charges for peaceful coexistence From Yakubu Minna

G

Mustapha,

overnor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has congratulated the Muslim faithful in the State, as the Ummah joined their counterparts around the world to mark the beginning of New Islamic Calendar 1442 AH. The Governor expressed gratitude to Almighty God for

allowing them witness and celebrate the auspicious day of Muharam, wishing the citizens of the State and Nigerians at large New Islamic Calendar full of peace, happiness and prosperity.

The Governor in a new year message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs Mary Noel Berje enjoined the Muslim Ummah in the State to remain prayerful and conduct their affairs in accordance

with the teachings of the Quran and Hadith Governor Bello expressed optimism that the challenges confronting the State in particular and the country as a whole would soon be over as government is doing everything possible within the ambit of the law to address them . “ There is the need for a collective effort in nation building

that is hinged on patriotism, Peace ,growth and development as well as continued corporate existence of the country.”

Governor Bello of Niger State and Chairman North Central Governors Forum also Urged Muslim faithful to use the boundless blessings attached to the beginning of the New Islamic Calendar to pray for the State and the country at large .

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Detained lawyer gets bail after six months in DSS custody

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

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he Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, granted bail to a legal practitioner and social critic, Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna, after six months in detention by the Department of State Service (DSS).

The court granted him bail following the motion on notice argued by his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, who informed the court that his client had been held unlawfully by the DSS since March 24, 2020.

He contended that the offence of the detained critic was his alleged criticism of certain policies of President Muhammadu Buhari and his conclusion that citizens may revolt due to alleged harsh living conditions unless the federal government provides remedy.

Ozekhome, while pleading that the detained lawyer be admitted to liberal bail conditions said that the fundamental rights of the detainee had been brutally breached with the six months detention.

He urged the court to invoke constitutional provisions which presume the applicant innocent until proven otherwise, so as to allow him go on bail.

Responding, the lawyer to the federal government, Mr Isah Abubakar, opposed the bail on the grounds that the applicant will escape justice in view of the gravity of his alleged offence.

In his ruling, Justice Taiwo, agreed with Ozekhome that the law presumed the applicant innocent until found guilty by a competent court and that the fundamental rights of the applicant to freedom of liberty had been breached with his detention for more than the period prescribed by law.

The judge therefore admitted him to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

Among others, the sureties must provide evidence of tax payment and one of them must have property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with verifiable documents.

He however ordered that the applicant be remanded in prison custody pending the time he will perfect his bail.

Page 9

News

Join me to free Edo from destructive people, Obaseki begs ‘restored monarch’

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he Candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) for the September 19, 2020 Governorship election in Edo State, governor Godwin Obaseki on Thursday implored Zaiki Aselm Aidonojie II, the traditional ruler of Uromi in the State to join him free the State from the onslaught of a few destructive people wanting to cause mayhem in the State.

He made the appeal when he led members of PDP Campaign Council to the palace of traditional ruler on Thursday in Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of the State.

Governor Obaseki did not give details of the individuals.

“Finally, we want to solicit your support to join me to free Edo State for m the grip of a few individuals.

They are destructive people”, he said.

Aidonojie, was deposed by the former Governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole at the twilight of his administration in November 2016, but, was restored back to his position after one year.

The Governor said, “I just want to assure you that you are on the throne because God ordained you to be on the throne. And by his grace you will serve your people till old age”.

He described Uromi as the heartbeat of politics in Edo Central Senatorial district and promised to bequit 30-year development plan to the locality during his second term in office.

He also promised to revive the Uromi Cassavita cottage industry, develop a sustainable rural water and power programmes in the

area and pay much attention to Education in his second term as well as complete the ongoing construction work at Uromi mini stadium.

“We will restart the Cassavita industry with or without the Investor”, according to him.

Obaseki who recalled how his successor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, frowned at him when he restoring the traditional ruler of Uromi, Zaiki Aselm Aidonejie II a few years ago.

Earlier in a remark, the traditional ruler of Uromi, Zaiki Aselm Aidonojie, endorsed the Goveenor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu.

He showered encomium on the Governor for restoring back to the throne of his forebears and for attracting 12 major projects including Uromi school

of Agriculture and Uromi water project to the area within four years of his administration.

He however drew the attention of the Candidate of PDP to construct Uromi-Amedokhian road and revitalise the Uromi Cassavita industry as well as the general hospital in Uromi which he said has been moribund.

The traditional ruler also decorated the Governor with his deputy and the Speaker of the State house of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye.

“Your excellency, so, we have no reason not to say thank you to you your excellency.

“This is the only way we can show appreciation to you is through our Permanent Voter cards (PVC’s).

“I believe you your excellency that God will always win”, he said.

Hajiya Amina Wada-Maida (R), widow of the Board Chairman of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Wada Maida, being consoled by NAN management team, during the 3-day Fidau Prayer for the deceased, at Maitama District, yesterday in Abuja

Fashola charges VCs on use of data to aid national devt

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has charged the Vice Chancellors in Nigeria Universities to channel the data in their confines to guide government, the business community and the citizenry on national development. Fashola gave the charge while granting audience to the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, who paid him a courtesy visit today in his office.

The Minister said, “The world is chasing data, collating data, this data is sitting in our Universities, almost every lecturer ask students to write one research paper or the other.

We can use this data in a useful form, to inform our government, to inform businessmen, to inform the society”. He added that for instance such information could be used in the analysis of a local government with a view to yielding positive results.

This was contained in statement signed by Boade Akinola,Director Press and Public Relations.

Fashola stated that the Ministry of Works and Housing had intervened in the building of roads in 44 tertiary institutions in the country under this administration but lamented that when people criticize government on the state of roads no University

came to inform the public on those interventions.

The Minister who described the University as an investment into the future urged the Vice Chancellors to be discreet in the award of honourary degrees which he described as very important building blocks that should be given to only deserving people and not for those whose achievement is just the occupation of a political office.

He said this would encourage the youth to work harder while charging honourary degree holders to bring their impact to bear in the development of the universities.

Fashola also advised them to bring Professors together to write an acceptable version of the

Nigerian history that will be taught in schools like it was done in some other climes.

Speaking earlier, Secretary General of the Association and leader of the delegation, Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu informed the Minister that the Association which was established in1962 is a platform for sharing ideas and engaging Nigerians on issues that affect the Nigerian universities.

He added that the organization which had the universities of Ibadan, Lagos, Ife, Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria at inception now has 174 universities.

Professor Ochefu who praised the Minister for his commitment to road construction and

maintenance, expressed gratitude to him for the intervention of his Ministry in the building of internal road in 44 tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

He informed Fashola that they were in the Ministry to seek his cooperation in their plan to produce a compendium on the forthcoming celebration of the 60th anniversary of their association in Nigeria, and his support to tackle the problems facing Nigerian universities.

Professor Ochefu said that the group decided to seek partnership with the Minister to share experience in view of the pivotal role he played in the development ofLagos State university when he was the Governor of Lagos State.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

PAGE 10

News

Niger Gov condoles Lebanese Govt, FERMA over loss of Staff From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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he Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello has commiserated with the Lebanese Government, Nigerian Army and FERMA, over the loss of their staff and personnel to the activities of criminal elements in the state last week Monday.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje yesterday in Minna.

The Governor expressed his deepest condolences and pain over the abducted, injured and killed workers including a foreigner.

The Governor said he is saddened over the continuous loss of lives to society’s undesirable elements at a time the government is doing everything to address the problem of infrastructural decay in most parts of the state.

According to him, “It is more grieving, when workers, who are dutifully carrying out their legitimate duty of maintaining roads have to suffer this fatality.

“We are at work presently and fast-tracking other measures, which we cannot disclose for now, to check the dubious activities of these criminals portraying the state in bad light both at home and internationally.”

“Our condolences are with the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army and FERMA over the loss, especially to the families of the deceased who have lost their bread winners. Our resolve is that these heroes will not die in vain.

“It is more worrisome that most of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are young people, who are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow.

“He however called for a holistic approach to dealing with the high rate of crimes through strong family system.”

Governor Bello revealed that his government will intensify its collaboration with the relevant security agencies and President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the issue of insecurity is permanently laid to rest.

Benue Commissioner laments neglect of govt College From: Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

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enue State Commissioner for Education Prof. Dennis Ityavyar has decried the level of infrastructural decay at Government College, Makurdi despite producing influential personalities in the country.

Prof. Ityavyar who said this at the Commissioning of a borehole constructed by Dr. Bitrus Chagwa of Set 94, noted that the school has produced former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam(now Senator representing Benue

North East Senatorial District), former Governor of Plateau State Joshua Dariye, erstwhile Governor of Nassarawa State Tanko Almakura(now a Senator), current Deputy Governor of Benue State Engr. Benson Abounu and former Speaker of the State Assembly David Iorhemba.

He said with these calibre of individuals and several others in the public and private sectors, the school should rank amongst the best in the country,lamenting over the neglect by the alumnus.

Prof.

Ityavyar observed the dilapidation of facilities

at the College particularly encroachment on its land, stating that government has committed a lot of resources in renovating the sxhool, adding that it is a continuous process.

“Government is interested in the school and renovation is a continuous process. There is need to always give facilities at the College face-lift. Land encroachment is common in all schools in the State. We are going to send surveyors to all schools to ensure that their perimeter is secured.

“I commend Dr. Chagwa and

set 94 for the project and urge the old boys to do more by initiating projects for their alma Mata. There should be healthy competition amongst the sets. They should set goals every year for the growth of the school”, Ityavyar said.

Makurdi Old Boys Association Set 94 Governor Paul Tion regretted over the encroachment of the school land, noting that over 90 percent of the school farm have been taken over by individuals, noting too, erection of illegal structures, infrastructural decay and vandalized amenities like computers.

President Muhammadu Buhari during a Virtual Meeting of Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government on the SocioPolitical Situation in Mali held at the Council Chambers, State House Abuja.

PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

Niger Gov condoles Lebanese Govt, FERMA over loss of Staff From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello has commiserated with the Lebanese Government, Nigerian Army and FERMA, over the loss of their staff and personnel to the activities of criminal elements in the state last week Monday.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje yesterday in Minna.

The Governor expressed

his deepest condolences and pain over the abducted, injured and killed workers including a foreigner.

The Governor said he is saddened over the continuous loss of lives to society’s undesirable elements at a time the government is doing everything to address the problem of infrastructural decay in most parts of the state.

According to him, “It is more grieving, when workers, who are dutifully carrying out their legitimate duty of maintaining roads have to suffer this fatality.

“We are at work presently and fast-tracking other measures, which we cannot disclose for now, to check the dubious activities of these criminals portraying the state in bad light both at home and internationally.”

“Our condolences are with the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army and FERMA over the loss, especially to the families of the deceased who have lost their bread winners. Our resolve is that these heroes will not die in vain.

“It is more worrisome that most of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are young people, who are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow.

“He however called for a holistic approach to dealing with the high rate of crimes through strong family system.”

Governor Bello revealed that his government will intensify its collaboration with the relevant security agencies and President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the issue of insecurity is permanently laid to rest.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

Buhari’s answer for Northeast governors

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he Northeast Governors Forum, the latest addition to the league of regional state governors, held its second meeting in the year on August 9 in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

During the meeting they ‘elected’ the host governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum as the forum’s chairman for two years. The following day, Aug. 10, the governors were in Abuja to hold a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking with journalists afterwards, Zulum said the meeting with Buhari was “with a view to highlighting the key challenges in the region, especially issues of security, decaying infrastructure especially rock projects; oil exploration in the region, issues of enhancing river basin development in the region among others. That is the main reason why we met Mr President.”

most importantly, there is war in the region and I think that is why we are here. So I think the government is taking a bold step with a view to ensuring speedy resolution of some of the gray areas that we have in the region.”

Buhari’s response was the same one he gave during a virtual meeting he had earlier with the Nigerian Governors Forum. He told them his government was expecting to take delivery of military weapons and aircraft from Jordan, China and the United States to reinvigorate its anti-terror war.

He, however, urged Nigerians to be patient and not to expect a dramatic change in the ongoing efforts to combat insurgency because fighters and pilots to operate the new weapons and aircraft must first be trained. A forthright answer there from the president.

Nothing dramatic was to be expected about this 11-year asymmetric war.

“

He said he and his colleagues told “Mr. President that there is a need for the federal government to address the causes of the insurgency, which are not limited to endemic poverty, hunger, among others

He said he and his colleagues told “Mr. President that there is a need for the federal government to address the causes of the insurgency, which are not limited to endemic poverty, hunger, among others. One of the root causes is that of lack of access to farmlands; people need to go back to their farmlands; people need to be resettled in their original homes so that they can restart their means of livelihood. This is one of the reasons the insurgents are recruiting more into the sect and, therefore, an enabling environment should be created for people to go about their normal duties. This will, no doubt, reduce the gravity of the insurgency.” They also recommended that the “police be empowered with the “state of the art equipment, armoured personnel carriers and so on with a view to bridging the manpower gap that we are having in the Nigerian military.”

Commenting on a recent Boko Haram attack on his motorcade, Zulum said “We’ve had a series of consultations after the attack and I think security is not only about the federal government; there is a need for the federal, state, and the local governments to come together with a view to proffering solutions that will end this crisis in the region. But

OUR MISSION

As for the Northeast governor’s meeting, one thing stood out. Two of the three states that, together with Borno, formed the epicentre of the insurgency, did not consider it important to be represented by their governors. Taraba and Yobe instead sent their deputy governors, implying Boko Haram is no longer the number one security challenge it was two years ago.

They are right. As it is, all the attacks that the sect had carried out in recent times had been concentrated in Borno. But here is the contradiction.

The absent governors hurried along to the meeting with President Buhari in Abuja. Who would like to miss a photo opp with Mr. President and a mention by the world press!

Whatever, the message for the governors is for them to do their part and leave the federal government to handle the bigger security concern.

For example, as Zulum rightly said, the states should be able to fight their poverty problem with their resources and not run to the centre for a solution.

What have their governors been elected to office to do? Haba!

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Chairman “To be the market Malam Wada Maida, place of ideas and Oon, Fnge the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the Chief Operating Officer Editor, Daily truth, maintaining the Hameed M. Bello, PhD highest professional and ethical standards while Manager, administration delivering value to Hassan Hammanyaji our stakeholders”

OUR VISION

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

Letter to the Editor

CBN’s Intervention In Covid-19

By Rasheed Hassan

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fter the COVID-19 pandemic spread to Nigeria, the private sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) rose to the occasion. Led by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, this coalition has been able to pool together, as at the time of going to press, N27.1 billion to be used to support the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Government, and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the fight against the pandemic. The funds are also expected to help alleviate some of the economic hardships resulting from the pandemic.

Before the involvement of the private sector, Emefiele, had roused the apex bank to put forward its initiative on how to confront the pandemic and reduce its negative impact on the Nigerian economy. After thinking through the situation, he stated that while the country is genuinely worried about the devastating impact of the pandemic, it was important to acknowledge that Nigeria’s ability to restore the growth of her economy was and still is dependent on how the government and people address the public health crisis engendered by it.

He followed this accurate assessment of the whole scenario with the CBN’s launch of a N100 billion healthcare intervention fund.

The idea was to ensure that practitioners in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors are able to access finance at single digit rate through this fund. The stated objective is to improve the capacity of the nation’s health system to address emerging public health challenges.

The objectives of the CBN’s intervention are hinged on the need to reduce the tendency on the part of Nigerians to seek medical help abroad, a habit that had become a scourge on the nation’s effort to conserve foreign exchange.

Also, it is intended to provide long-term, low cost finances for healthcare infrastructure development that would lead to the evolvement of world class healthcare facilities in the country.

That the interest rate on this facility is within a single digit range of not less than five per cent and not more than nine per cent, is a clear indication that it will catalyze and improve access to affordable credit by indigenous pharmaceutical companies to expand their operations and comply with the World Health Organization’s Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO GMP).

Furthermore, it is the intendment of the apex bank to use the facility to support the provision of shared services through one-stop healthcare solution to enhance competition and reduce the cost of healthcare delivery in the country.

This will also encourage greater research and development in Nigeria of drugs and vaccines that would help prevent the spread of the virus. There is already a framework in progress under which grants and long term facilities will be provided to researchers, science institutions and biotechnology firms to develop the Nigerian Vaccine.

What is important is the CBN’s appreciation of the enormity of the problem at hand which has made it aware of the pertinence of involving other interest groups. Without being prodded, it understood that it may not be able to actualize the laudable objective on its own. That may have influenced its decision to bring on board private sector players under a coalition against the pandemic.

Though inspired by it, the apex bank ceded the operation of the coalition to the private sector which, based on a recent media outing, is deploying the fund so far realized and which is believed to be worth well over N27 billion to stated causes.

As proved by what is already on ground, the resources put together by the coalition is actually being deployed to mobilizing even

further private sector thought leadership which aims at raising public awareness and buy-in for COVID-19 prevention while at the same time providing direct support to strengthen the healthcare sector’s capacity to respond to the crisis.

In the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), there is emerging evidence that the private sector, driven by the CBN, has been able to procure needed Isolation centres, medical equipment and is in the process of providing close to 4,000 hospital beds across the country which will serve as a significant boost towards the efforts at containing the spread of COVID-19.

Again, we commend the apex bank and corporate Nigeria for accepting that the era of government alone is gone for good. It is from this perspective that we worry about the sustainability of ongoing collaboration that has the potential to make the nation’s healthcare system internationally competitive.

The Managing Director and CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou,, Dangote Group’s representative in CACOVID, said that their activities are executed with ease because of the presence of the partners all over the country. These partners help to handle the logistics in those locations.

And just like the CBN governor had assured, Youssoufou stated that all of the coalition’s accounts are going to be audited

by KPMG and those accounts will be made public.

As the number of confirmed cases in the country continues to rise, the CACOVID has executed plans to increase the number of isolation facilities available to be used by the NCDC. The first phase of this is the completion of isolation centres in six states including the FCT, while the second phase is the creation and equipping of isolation centres in the remaining 30 states of the nations.

For the first phase, the construction of the isolation centre at Yaba in Lagos state is still ongoing, with a budget of N1 billion. A 66-bed capacity Isolation Centre fully refurbished and equipped by CACOVID, at the cost of N200 million, has been handed over to the Kano State Government.

Youssoufou explains that in all of these transactions, no cash is given but the CACOVID purchased the ventilators, PPEs, testing kits, and delivered and installed the equipment before handing over to the state government or the NCDC. The specialist hospital at Sobi, Ilorin in Kwara state has also been upgraded to a 100-bed facility and handed over to the state government. Similarly, the Rivers State Government received a fully equipped isolation centre in Port Harcourt, while Enugu State received some beds and equipment to boost its isolation facility.

Also, CACOVID partnered with ThisDay and Arise Media group and others to transform the ThisDay Dome in Abuja into a 360-bed isolation and treatment centre.

The CACOVID is also funding part of the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) and providing for logistics cost of ambulances and movement of patients.

To further assist the testing process, the group launched a screening tool which administers a 5-stage questionnaire for users to determine symptoms they might be experiencing, pre-existing health conditions, recent travel history, and exposure to confirmed cases or risk zones like healthcare facilities.

It is commendable that the CBN, after setting the CACOVID in motion, reverted to its role as a regulator. This will enable it to monitor and evaluate the operations of the coalition to ensure that its activities are in line with the principles and objectives of the coalition.

Hassan, a public affairs commentator, is based in Abuja

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Reflections on human reality

By Afeso Albert Akanbi

B

aba is a portly, jolly good middle-aged man with a protruding stomach that giggles any time he laughs, and a penchant for greeting and cracking jokes. In fact, his humorous jokes were one reason I like giving him a tip anytime I drive into the estate. It would be hard to imagine this healthy looking security man, one of many stationed at the entrance of our estate, so full of energy, to be capable of falling sick.

Been a busy bird myself, it took sometime before I noticed I had not seen baba in a while.

So, I made a note to ask about his well-being at the next opportunity. I wind down and asked after him from another security man who called out to him. As he emerged from the gate house, the figure that greeted me was a shadow of the lively man I once knew.

Suddenly, baba was an emaciated old man who had gone totally grey with his eye balls receding into their sockets, leaving his pale face an ugly skeleton mask. Baba had been sick.

That spectacle left me thinking the rest of the day about human puniness; about the fact that no man born of a woman is immune to illhealth and death. Not even our mega pastors who are fond of chorusing the over flogged empty line ‘you cannot be sick’ today, many of whom have doctors at just a dial away by the way, are insusceptible to this reality of human existence. For me, this is a saddening fact.

The Bible tells us that man was made from dust. Even though we now know that those who coined this line may have had as their source ancient Mesopotamian writings, almost every other religion known to man echoes this same idea about man’s feebleness.

That we are weak, vain, smoke, and can be alive and strong today and tomorrow disappear.

Christianity tells us that we fall sick, grow old and die because of the Original Sin of our first parent Adam and Eve. That it is through this that imperfection and all the other ills associated with it crept in on mankind. This however is not the crux of this article and I am not going to pretend to have answers to why we fall sick, grow old and die either. However, I believe that if there is anything that the reality of our frailty as humans should incite in us, it should be a deep reflection, on ourselves and on our duty to fellow man.

We are probably the first species on this planet to be aware of the inevitability of our own end. As if to prop this fact, recently Stephen Hawkins ‘set an expiry date’ on humanity. Despite what religious men tell us, I believe like the Neanderthal man, modern man would eventually vanish; with our religion, philosophy, achievements etc, we will disappear. Nigeria too will eventually expire.

Rather than feel depression in the face of this dingy reality, I think we should relax and while enjoying our brief moment under the sun, we should let this prospect of our frailty and ultimate demise serve as a constant reminder, especially to us as Nigerians, on how we should treat one another? Why treat your fellowman unjustly when you’re not promised tomorrow yourself?

Throughout history, countless men have risen and have set rules for living for the rest of mankind. The result is that we are today blessed with countless moral codes with varying degree of sophistication from which we can pick. These moral codes that seek to regulate human behaviour have been with us not only since the dawn of civilization but also among our pre-civilized hunter gatherers ancestors.

‘Inspired’ lawgivers who lay down these rules most times claimed God’s directive, without which I doubt if anyone would follow

them.

We should, without any religious compulsion, be able to decide on which moral codes to subscribe to. I don’t think we really need a church, mosque or shrine to tell us how to handle certain moral questions like for example, if hurt by a friend or helped by an enemy, should we reciprocate in kind? Even though people like Carl Sagan think this sort of question could be a tricky moral dilemma, I believe answering it should come to us easily if we should always listen to the voice within. In other words, we should naturally see kindness to each other as something that would make us and the rest of society better.

Although sometimes it might be difficult, and our responses to people’s behaviour may be mostly determined by their own attitude and our self-interest, ideally doing good should not be a thing we do out of compulsion or self-centeredness.

Among all the moral codes available to man, there are four which I believe are typically at play in our society today.

The Golden Rule for example urges us to ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. This rule is ascribed to Jesus Christ and almost everyone in this country today knows this rule almost by heart, yet none of us follows it. I am sure if we all adhere strictly to this rule, many of the man-made ills besetting our country today would be non-existent and our senators wouldn’t have the heart to take delivery of exotic cars running into billions of naira in the middle of a biting recession.

But it appears there is something in our very nature that is opposed to following this rule as Nigerians. Despite the fact that when asked in the 5th Century BC about paying evil with good Kung-Tzu answered; ‘then with what will you pay kindness’, he later admonished that both good and evil should be reciprocated with goodness. I wish despite

This carnage on our roads

By Oliver Ejike Uja

T

he Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in a release on February 20, 2018 stated that 2,489 people lost their lives in the 4th quarters of 2017 in road mishap across Nigeria. One hundred and eight of the victims are children. Similarly, there were 3,404 victims in 826 road accidents in which 456 died according to the Federal Road safety Corps (FRSC) report released on April 12 2018 and the agency also revealed that 215 people were killed on Lagos – Ogun road corridor alone between January and June 2018. Scores of people were burnt to death and 20 vehicles burnt when a fuel tanker burst into flame at the Otedola Bridge in Lagos on June 27, 2018. Any road user knows the dangers inherent in travelling in Nigeria roads. And the evidence is there along the roads in the number of vehicle wreckage. It is Sad. This is not just about number but about life cut in their prime, children orphaned, lives wrecked, pain and manpower lost.

Nigerians are very religious people and they hand over their problems to God, sit back and wait for miracles. They attribute any problem or unpleasant events to the devil hence at the commencement of a journey or opening for the days business devil must be ‘fired, bound and cast’ to ensure smooth business. However, one need to observe carefully what happens in many of our bus terminals or motor parks to understand the true nature of our religiosity. In most motor parks hawkers, shops and adjourning street are known to be outlets for sale and

consumption of alcohol and psychotropic substances. When the vehicle is set to depart for the journey, some of the drivers emerge from the joints direct into the driver’s seat.

A mobile preacher or pastor hanging around steps up to pray for smooth journey and to render devil and all ‘principalities and powers’ likely to cause misfortunes and accident powerless. The passengers choruses amen to every prayer point, some yelling and shaking in convulsing seizures. To them the age worn cliché “heaven help those who help themselves” makes no sense at all.

Whenever there is a serious road mishap, the man in the street is quick to blame bad road and the government but in reality human error is responsible for 70% of the carnage in our roads. Many drivers in Nigeria are like undertakers arranging and taking commuters to their final resting place where the commuters will rest in peace. The FRSC report indicates that human error is to blame for most ghastly accidents. It lists speed violation, tyre burst, dangerous driving, and wrongful overtaking as responsible for most accidents and bad road which is commonly and erroneously held responsible came in distant 9th on the list. Most accidents involve commercial vehicles contrary to the widely held believe that private vehicles and drivers are more prone to accident.

Accidents occur more in good roads and this can be attributed to some factors.

When the underage or teenage drivers who can hardly read or write, does not know traffic signs and rules; when many especially commercial vehicle drivers are so fetish and strongly believe that charms

and amulets by a native witch doctor makes drivers invincible and come out unhurt in the event of an accident; when lots of drivers feel that they drive better when under the influence of psychotropic substances; when the transporters motivation for profit subsumes safety considerations; we then have a recipe for the mayhem we often see on our roads. I was in one of the private transport companies’ bus terminal when a detachment of FRSC men came for a sensitisation campaign. It was a short powerful presentation by the team’s leader.

However, I think more effort should be put on monitoring and enforcement because some of these corporately dressed drivers turn a different breed once they hit the highways.

The team also told passengers that they have the right and power to challenge the driver where the passengers have safety concerns. The highly organised transport companies present fewer problems than the loosely organised transporters and vehicle owners which controls the larger chunk of the transport business. In all sincerity, which passenger in Mile 2, Ojuelegba, Jabi, Nyanya, or Upper Iweka walks to the driver or his men in their sleepy smoke beaten eyes where some are enjoying their morning ritual of monkey tail, ogogoro, shepe or awopa to challenge them about safety issues in their vehicles? For all the major agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safety, it is a daunting task and they have been doing their best but a change of tactic and strategy is required.

In addition to other existing traffic law in

what our religious men tell us, we can all just live by this rule.

The Silver Rule urges us to ‘do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you’. I believe this is the rule men like Ghandi and Luther (Jr) lived by, a rule Mandela tried to live by until he realized that the ruling class understood a different language.

The Brass Rule urges us to ‘do unto others as they do unto you’; the ‘an eye for an eye’ rule. I know for many of us our instinct would dictate a subscription to this rule, but if you ask me, this rule holds the potential of decimating society, of an endless continuation of the cycle of wrongs.

The Iron Rule urges us to ‘do unto others as you like, before they do it to you’. I believe this is the secret maxim of many a Nigerian powerful men and politicians today. They rationalize that, if they can get away with injustices and looting, and probably decimate the enemy before the enemy gets a chance to do same to them, why not do it. I believe in the long run, the attitude of these men who live by this rule-who are clearly in the majority- will destroy our country.

Moral codes seeking to regulate our lives will continue to evolve as man continues on this evolutionary trend until the day we finally vanish from earth. However, in approaching the issue of morals and how we should treat fellowman, I think we should always have the mindset that the good we do to others we do to ourselves, hence my one hundred subscription to the Golden Rule. It should always be about inner peace, with self and God, about the long term good of society and not necessarily because we are compelled to do good by some religion, or because we fear punishment in a hell or hope for some reward in a heaven…

God bless Nigeria…

Albert Afeso Akanbi is a Researcher, Writer and Humanitarian.

this regard, it is important to give commuters the legal right, power and backing to take up any transporter and their union when they present vehicle that is likely to endanger lives. This will save a lot of life and limbs because so empowered, road users will take their destiny in their hands. This makes the job of enforcement easier for the agencies.

More enlightenment and education should be taken to the stakeholders. Some actions suggest that some union in the sector are over – protective of their airing members by shielding, aiding and abetting them in breach of traffic rules and other criminality.

We have witnessed some drivers taking the laws into their hands by blocking high ways and causing untold hardship to road users because of some of their members who are at the wrong side of the law. Union members have unleashed violence on towns just because of the association’s internal matters.

Some of them act with impunity on the road.

Articulated lorry and truck drivers are the worst offenders. And for sanity on our roads, the law must always stand supreme.

Enforcement of relevant traffic rules and safety standard need to be stepped up because one need not be an auto engineer or vehicle safety expert to see that many vehicles on our road falls short of the required standard. But for now, road users will continue praying and going to thanksgiving whenever they reach their destinations safely.

Uja is a research officer and lives in Abuja

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Towards efficient power supply

By Modu Alkaleri

I

t is indeed intriguing to observe that the reality of a new electricity tariff, which came into effect in Nigeria last February has been accepted and is being complied with by virtually all electricity consumers in Nigeria yet political and labour leaders (who, no doubt, also comply) continue their vociferous vituperations in rejection of reality. Now even the Senate has joined the bandwagon of “undoing” a done deal.

So where were the distinguished legislators when the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) began the process of publishing the proposed changes on the Commission’s website and newspapers, conducting public hearings across the geopolitical zones and consulting with key public institutions with mandate to manage macroeconomic fundamentals of the economy, as required by law?

The Senate’s motion supposedly instructing the regulatory body NERC to stop implementing the tariff was unfortunately not motivated by a genuine interest in intervening meaningfully on an issue of weighty implications on the sustenance of the power sector. It reveals a worrying tendency, already displayed by trade unionists, for “populist” posturing to becloud consideration of national economic issues. The case for some adjustment in the electricity tariff structure became a foregone conclusion as soon as the privatization reform was implemented and private investors took over the distribution business. This was the only option to decades of decadent ownership

and management of the power sector during which, millions of generator-powered homes, offices and industries were at the mercy of a comatose NEPA/PHCN, which was reduced to an epileptic stand-by. There was no Senate resolution stopping the privatization.

The power sector privatization programme was positively preceded by the sensational success of the telecoms sector, which transformed our tormented telephony into a haven of mass multi-connectivity literally overnight with the GSM. The labour-instigated “protests” were drowned by ring-tones and lively chats. So it will be with the electricity sector. But the reality of a new business-oriented ownership and management cannot be wished away just as there can be no question of a return to NEPA! For the avoidance of doubt, Subsection 2(a) (b)(c of the Electric Power Sector Reforms (EPSR) Act 2005 categorically endorsed the commercial rights of the DisCos “to recover the full costs of the business activities, including a reasonable return on the capital

Opinion

invested in the business”. There was no Senate resolution against it.

Profit is what motivates private investors to put their money into a venture and also to manage it efficiently so that customer satisfaction will keep the business going smoothly. This is a universally accepted reality that cannot be protested or legislated out of existence. Moreover, the electricity distributors’ commercial interests have been curtailed by the regulatory functions of NERC, which specifically in the EPSR Act 2005 is charged with the power to establish the tariff payable by all classes of customers of the DisCos. By the time NERC approves a new tariff, other significant interests especially the national interest of the consumers had been taken care of. The Senate knows better.

The isolated confines of protest against the new tariff within the elitist circle of political and labour leaders, erupting only on pre-arranged outings, indicates a deliberate downplaying of the established

The power sector privatization programme was positively preceded by the sensational success of the telecoms sector, which transformed our tormented telephony into a haven of mass multi-connectivity literally overnight with the GSM. The labour-instigated “protests” were drowned by ring-tones and lively chats.

constitutional, legal and economic realities of the new electricity tariff. It will appear as if the Senate, whose leadership has a serious credibility crisis, is trying to latch on to the feeble protest by NLC and TUC to win public confidence for itself. The senators need no telling that under the principle of separation of powers, a fundamental ambit of rule of law in a democracy, one arm of government cannot give directive to an agency (NERC) under another arm of government, and the DisCos can only take directives from NERC. No wonder the Senate’s motion recorded no movement!

Labour leaders should be undergoing a reality check on the validity of their representation relying on strike threats even when the majority of people are not with them and strike action can only do more harm than good to the people who will be enveloped in darkness and to the economy which will grind to a halt. Unless there is an ulterior motive, labour leaders should have a more enlightened and constructive engagement with workers and the regulatory authorities in order to come up with more meaningful interventions. The majority of electricity consumers saw reason to embrace the new tariff from the series of interactive town hall meetings where the rationale for the adjustment, incentives for consumers and DisCos’ commitment to improved services through massive investments were introduced and discussed. Why should labour leaders wail more than the bereaved?

They should recall the GSM experience and LET THERE BE LIGHT. Modu Alkaleri writes from Bauchi.

On white liberalism, Kamala Harris, and the symbols of race and status

By Roger House

A

s Kamala Harris accepts the Democratic nomination for vice president, it has been painful to watch Black women politicians feign excitement.

They no doubt recognize that she is a complex symbol and standard-bearer for Black political accomplishment. Some may even view her as a throwback to an earlier time and image that Black women have challenged to affirm their own existence.

First, the Harris selection revisits an old stereotype of racial preference and social acceptance: fair skin, straight hair, a fluid racial background that overlooks the traditional Black experience, and an easy appeal to the inclusive sensibility of white liberals.

Second, the Democratic selection paints Black women leaders with more authentic experience in a corner. It forces them to embrace a historical first that undercuts their own natural beauty, culture, talents and hard-work to earn a place in history.

At the same time, it allows Harris to ride on the coattails of the civil rights achievements that she had nothing to do with. Foiled again!

The Black political class in Washington is blindsided by its lack of confidence and overdependence on white liberals. That means they are party to their own undoing.

In these racially divisive times, the VP choice sent a not-so-subtle message to the Black folk: it catered to an old social psychology of colorism and status in American culture – often defined as the “slave mentality” or the “colonial mind” in part.

In 1917, Edward B. Reuter, a University of Chicago sociology student who became a leading theorist in the field of race, explored issues of color and social status in the pioneer work, “The Superiority of the Mulatto.” The article in the American Journal of Sociology documented the advantages of the light-skin class in American society. Reuter studied a population descended from the unions of blacks and whites; in these times, however, the symbolism works for people with nontraditional racial backgrounds like Harris as well.

Surely, the political class of Black women was crushed when the Biden campaign bypassed numerous qualified figures representing authentic Black districts? These included the Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass, Florida Rep. Val Demings, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms, Stacey Abrams, the 2018 gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, and, to a lesser extent as it regards districts, the former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice.

Even more, these talented women politicians were put in the awful position of runner up contestants in the old Miss America pageant. They had to stand in the figurative public spotlight with tight smiles and applaud as media pundits crowned Harris as the “first African-American, first Asian-American, and first woman of color” vice presidential nominee.

Just as troubling have been the comments of pundits that Black girls now have a role model to emulate. Such casual statements, though well intentioned, ignore the reality of colorism and the struggle of some dark skinned girls to be confident in a white culture. Such angst has been explored in the documentary, “Dark Girls,” produced by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry in 2011.

The everyday Black folk, after enjoying the authentic biography of former first lady Michelle Obama, will have a difficult time embracing the story of Harris. Yes, her father was a Jamaican immigrant but the

Just as troubling have been the comments of pundits that Black girls now have a role model to emulate. Such casual statements, though well intentioned, ignore the reality of colorism and the struggle of some dark skinned girls to be confident in a white culture

mindset of colorism in that society has been well-documented. Marcus Garvey, a darkskinned Jamaican and Pan-African advocate, famously exposed its flawed emphasis on lightness. He called on people to “emancipate yourself from mental slavery” – a call taken up by the reggae singer Bob Marley in “Redemption Song,” a ballad about triumph over slavery.

Her father came to America to study and married another immigrant from India, also a former British colony with the problem of colorism. Its culture placed at the bottom rank of society the Dalit caste, a population known for its African heritage. As an adult, Harris chose to marry a white man who stays out of the political limelight and may surprise some Black supporters.

To be clear, the right to free association and love must be protected; however, the symbols of race and status do have force in society. And symbols that may be embraced by white liberals as inclusive can be stinging to the sensitivities of the Black folk. Which returns us to the question of Black political dependency on the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. How many times must they be kicked to the side before they understand the need to escape the dominance of one political party and to create an independent political power base in Georgia?

Roger House is an associate professor of American studies at Emerson College in Boston and the author of “Blue Smoke: The Recorded Journey of Big Bill Broonzy.” This commentary is reprinted courtesy of The Hill.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

NEWS

L-R: Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of Water Resources, Engr Sulaiman Adamu and Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin durin the visit of the FCTA delegation to the Ministry of Water Resources, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Military commissions 6 hand pump boreholes in Plateau communities

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A

s part Of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities, Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven on 12 August 2020 commissioned 6 hand pump boreholes at various communities in Plateau State.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja, while giving updates on the military operations in the country, Major General, John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, said the boreholes were commissioned at Mazat, a Fulani community in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, Mungi and Shimilang communities in Mangu LGA. “The other 3 boreholes were commissioned at 332 AR barracks (the location of FOB Shendam) and Kuka and Aningo villages in Shendam LGA of Plateau State.”

He added that the projects were part of Operation SAFE HAVEN CIMIC activities aimed at enhancing cordial relations with host communities in the state towards achieving total peace on the Plateau.

“Furthermore, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN also held stakeholders meeting with Fulani leaders at Gidan Ado, as well as Maiyanga, Hura, Zirishe and Dundu community leaders, all in Riyom LGA Plateau State.

“Similarly, meetings were held with JNI (Jama’atu Nasril Islam) and CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) leaders in Barkin Ladi LGA, and also with community leaders at Fadan Karshi village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.”

DEPOWA distributes COVID-19 palliatives to 300 widows of fallen heroes, physically challenged

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) has distributed COVID-19 palliative to 300 widows and orphans of fallen military heroes as well as physically challenged persons in Abuja.

The military in a statement issued yesterday by Major General, John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, said the gesture, which was second of its kind, was part of the Association’s usual efforts in providing succour to the teeming population of vulnerable and less privileged persons in the society during this era of coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking while flagging off the exercise, the Special Guest of Honour, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin commended the leadership of DEPOWA for supporting government’s efforts in the provision of relief items and other incentives to cushion the economic hardship faced by vulnerable and less privileged persons since the outbreak of COVID-19.

The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Defence CivilMilitary Corporation, Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak, assured members of DEPOWA of the Defence Headquarters’ continuous support towards ensuring that the Association actualizes it’s numerous social intervention and humanitarian

programmes towards empowering vulnerable women, widows, orphans and youth within Military and Police barracks.

According to the CDS, “ the Nigerian Armed Forces is much concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of the widows and orphans who are dependants of military personnel that died in the battle field”.

General Olonisakin urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they observe all the necessary COVID-19 protocols as stipulated by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control.

In her remarks, the President of DEPOWA, Dr (Mrs) Omobolanle Olonisakin, said the noble gesture was in line with the DEPOWA’s self-embarked obligations towards touching the lives of the vulnerable and the

needy in the society.

The DEPOWA President, who was represented by the Association’s Vice President, Mrs Abies Oghomwen, pledged to sustain the distribution of palliative throughout the period of the pandemic.

The items distributed to the widows, orphans and the physically challenged persons include; rice, beans, noddles, vegetable oil and customized hand-sanitizers, amongst others.

It would be recalled that a total of 2000 households within military and police barracks as well as staff of DEPOWA Schools, Skills Acquisition and Vocational Centres benefited from the first phase of DEPOWA’s COVID-19 palliative in Abuja during the lockdown.

Tinubu commiserates with Buhari over death of NAN board chairman

S

en.

Bola Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of Malam Wada Maida, Chairman Board of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Tinubu’s condolence is contained in a statement issued by his Media aide, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Thursday in Lagos.

Maida died on Monday in Abuja at the age of 70.

Until his death, he was the Chairman, Board of Directors of NAN and member of the Executive Board of International Press Institute.

The APC leader described the deceased as a statesman, patriot, journalism icon and accomplished media manager.

Tinubu urged all to be guided

by Maida’s fine attributes.

“What all of us must do to immortalise Maida’s name is to ensure that we are guided by those fine attributes.

“This include diligence, commitment, integrity and patriotism in our conduct and daily lives.

“He was an outstanding figure worthy of emulation by those who aspired to be journalists or otherwise work within the media space.

“His death is a loss to Nigeria and to those who believe in the unity of the country,’’ Tinubu stated.

He noted that as an ally and associate, Maida was Chief Press Secretary to President Buhari when he was the military Head of State, in the early 1980’s.

“His patriotism, commitment and competence were clearly on display when he worked in the early 1980s as Chief Press Secretary to Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he said Tinubu also extended his condolences to Gov. Aminu Masari of Kastina State and the people of the state for the loss of their

eminent son.

The APC leader also commiserated with the media confraternity, the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Guild of Editors.

“I condole with the staff and management of Peoples’ Daily and Nigeria Union of Journalists, all of which he was a prized member.

“I mourn with Alhaji Maida’s family and pray that Munificent Allah comfort and grant them strength.

“May Almighty Allah forgive Alhaji Maida of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Firdaus. Amin.’’

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Edo: INEC warns against violence, threatens repercussions

By Lateef Ibrahim with agency report

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned those planning violence in the Edo 2020 governorship election to know that severe consequences will surely follow such action.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, gave the warning while declaring open a workshop for journalists on Edo 2020 governorship election processes and procedures.

He said it will be in the best interest of every stakeholder to be law-abiding, for a smooth, free, fair and credible electoral process.

According to him, “everyone involved in the process must see the conduct of this election as a national project that must be executed with strict compliance with safety protocols.

“The commission is fully prepared to conduct the Edo governorship election.

The governor and his deputy must vacate government house on the 11th day of November 2020 “Section 180 of our constitution provides for the president of the federal republic of Nigeria with the concurrent of the national assembly to postpone the election by a period of six weeks if the country is at war and the territory of Nigeria is involved.

“If the governor and his deputy are not there either through impeachment, death or resignation, the Speaker takes over for a period of three months which is not available in this instance.

“So, the only thing here, on section 305 of the Constitution which states that if there are challenges in any state, the governor can request the President to declare a state of emergency and make a declaration of how the state should be governed in line with the National Assembly.

“Also, if there is a second election which is as a result of inconclusive polls, again it must be within 21 days and should not exceed 13th October”.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Johnson Sinikiem, said with almost all eyes on the Edo governorship election, he believes the process will defend Nigeria democracy.

Also, the chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo state council, Roland Osakue, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Titus Akhigbe, urged newsmen to be apolitical in their reportage, no matter the situation before, during and after the election in September.

Taraba ALGON revokes citizens’ indigene certificates, residents kick

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Taraba State on Thursday said it has suspended all indigenes certificates issued in the past in the state.

Chairman of the association and the Executive Chairman of Ibi local government council, Bala Bako announced this at a press briefing in Jalingo.

Bako said the decision became necessary to check the proliferation of fake indigene certificates by

some misguided individuals.

“We have observed the proliferation and production of fake indigene certificates and consequently we have suspended all hitherto local government indigene certificates issued.

“We have approved the issuance of a new one wherein all applications or requests for such certificates must be routed through the ward or village heads to the Chairman for endorsement.

The association also said it has resolved to work closely with security operatives and traditional

rulers to tackle insecurity in the state.

This is even as it plans to set up sensitization committees at ward levels to create awareness on the coronavirus pandemic to check community spread.

But in a swift reaction, some residents of Taraba kicked against the planned suspension of indigenes certificates saying the policy would be counterproductive.

Auta Kefas said that the association was wrong in her decision, saying that most of the

indigene certificates issued since 1991 were duly signed by the council chairmen and revoking them will require a law or resolution of the House of Assembly.

On his part, Hon. Umar Sarkinbawa of Green Party of Nigeria said the policy has only exposed the emptiness of the state government.

According to him ALGON Taraba State as an association lacks the powers to issue such a directive, noting that no institution revokes her certificate in such a manner.

NSA Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (Rtd) (M) confers with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georffry Onyeama left and SSAP Malam Garba Shehu (right) during a Virtual Meeting of Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government on the Socio-Political Situation in Mali held at the Council Chambers, State House Abuja.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Aspirant picks APC form for Cross River North senatorial bye election

By Musa Adamu

O

ne of the aspirants for the Cross River North senatorial bye election, Harry Thomas Odey, yesterday picked the expression of interest and nomination forms at the All Progressive Congress (APC) Secretariat, to contest the seat.

Briefing journalists at the APC Secretariat after picking his forms, Thomas-Odey stated his candidacy will entrench the party as a party to beat in the state and indeed the South South region.

Thomas-Odey further stated that his cross appeal from all political parties across board puts him in advantage position to add value to the senatorial district, adding that the leadership of the Matthew Mbu in the State chapter of the party was a right step in the direction to peace.

He said “The truth of the matter is that Cross River is

made up of Cross Riverians and of different persuasion, one had associated with different models and people know me.

“People do not necessarily ascribe politics to the thing we do, rather they will ascribe to the yearning for development and that is really what the confidence is going into this race. We have cross appeal and people from the different sides of the divide know what our antecedents are, and people are out to deliberately vote for the one who is out to make a difference.

“I will also say yes, that I am a grass root person because I have a cross appeal which means that people from PDP and other parties know and associate with the kind of stuff we have done in the past and it is really that goodwill that has been engendered that is propelling this move to come and be of service.

“I can also say that based on

the experiences we have, we are going to make this relationship between the legislators and the citizens a model and reduce the aspect where citizens complain that they cannot reach their representative and bring a model that to a great extent, people are satisfied.

While commenting on the Caretaker committee, he said: “We are particularly pleased with the Interim National Caretaker Committee of the APC for deeming it fit and trying to build consensus not only in Cross River state but across the 6 geopolitical zones.

“Cross River was not very rancorous because as a people, we are one. we may appear disparate but we are one at the end of the day. We speak to ourselves and we are able to communicate.

Yes, there were factions but we are so pleased with the very deft appointment that Interim

National Working Committee has made in order to put the issue of divisions in the APC to rest. It is a good choice of most distinguished Matthew Mbu as the chairman of the state APC and we are confident that will will get the needed support required in order to be able to make a formidable party.

“We need a lot of work however, to be able to undo the PDP not only in this senatorial election but in the gubernatorial election in 2023. We believe that with the appointment of the new chairman, work can now start.”

On the mode of primary, Mr Odey said: “The NWC will check and prescribe what it considers as fit for the purpose. As for me and my partners in progress, whichever one they prescribe, we will go with it because they have the prerogative of what mode of primaries should be deployed.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

PAGE 16

POLITICS

President Muhammadu Buhari during a Virtual Meeting of Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government on the Socio-Political Situation in Mali held at the Council Chambers, State House Abuja.

PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

LG polls: Bauchi PDP to conduct primaries Saturday

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed that it would conduct primary elections for chairmanship and councillorship aspirants of the party in the 20 local governments across the state on Saturday, which comes ahead of the local governments elections in Bauchi State slated for 17th October.

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Yayanuwa Zainabari, made the disclosure in a press statement issued to journalists on Thursday.

He said aspirants who returned their forms and underwent screening by the party are eligible to per take in the primary elections.

He said the party has concluded preparations to conduct the polls in all the local government areas and the over 300 wards, promising that level playing ground would be provided to all contestants.

The party urged the aspirants to abide by the law and to avoid violence during the primaries so that the exercise could be successful.

“The party is well prepared to conduct the primaries. The election will be conducted in line with the party’s rules and regulations in order to ensure that peace and justice prevail during the elections. We pray Allah to choose the best candidates for the state,” the statement reads.

NNPC challenges NASS to prove 48million barrels of crude oil is missing

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has challenged the National Assembly to prove its allegation of missing 48mbp of crude oil.

It described the allegation as “unfounded and total falsehood” requesting the Lawmakers the cause a forensic audit the ascertain the veracity or otherwise of its allegation.

It also declared that contrary to the widely held belief in the public, its annual budget was approved by the National Assembly.

This declarations were made by the Group Managing Director (GMD), of NNPC, Mele Kyari.

The Senate had alleged missing barrels of crude oil and accused the Corporation of unapproved yearly budget during an interactive session officials of NNPC with the

Senate Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning on projected revenues estimated in the 2021 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

Chairman of the joint Committee, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC Lagos West), had in taking up the oil Corporation over the alleged missing barrels of oil, demanded for proven evidence and not verbal denial as did by NNPC through media advertorials.

But, the NNPC GMD, represented by the Chief Finance Officer, Umar Ajiya, the NNPC GMD, said there was no evidence in knocking off the claim than the fact that there were no records of ships that sailed out of the Nigerian waters with such contrabands and clearance from the Nigerian Navy and Directorate of Petroleum and Resources (DPR).

He said “No ship leaves the country without clearance from the appropriate unit of the Nigerian Navy and there is no way any ship with such alleged stolen crude could escape from the Nigeria shore .

“As far as the NNPC is concerned, no barrel of crude oil is missing as falsely alleged and very ready to be investigated over it inform of commissioning of a forensic audit by the National Assembly at its own cost.”

He also told the lawmakers that the yearly budget of the Corporation was scrutinised and approved by them through consideration and passage of MTEF and FSP which contains revenue projections of the agency along with those of the other ones.

“Proposals such as our revenue projections , cost of operations are well stated in all MTEF/FSP documents made available to National Assembly for consideration

and approval , the basis upon which the Nation’s budget is passed and signed into law ,meaning that it is you ( National Assembly) , that approves our yearly budget.”

According to him, the current GMD of NNPC is a change agent and the corporation under him, has nothing to hide.

He explained further that the $21per barrel production cost the corporation is incurring on each barrel of crude oil, will soon be reduced to $13 per barrel in drastically minimizing production cost.

On the $40 per barrel projected as oil price benchmark for the N12.6trillion 2021 budget ,the NNPC CFO said the projection was arrived at, based on available variables.

“Nobody can determine what oil price will be tomorrow , which informs pessimistic thinking as far as such a parameter is concerned.”

APC raises alarm over deteriorating security in Bauchi

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has raised the alarm over the deteriorating security in the state, urging the state government to address the menace in good time.

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Adamu Jallah in a press release issued to journalists on Thursday recalled that the governor’s brother was kidnapped in broad daylight some months

ago in the state capital and it took days before he was rescued from the hands of his captors.

Jallah also condemned the killing of a member of the State House of Assembly representing Dass Local Government who was a member of the APC and the abduction of his two wives and daughter by yet to be identified gunmen on August 14, 2020.

“Bauchi residents are frequently attacked in their

residences by a gang of 40 to 50 armed robbers who often launch house to house indiscriminate attacks.

“The attention of the government and general public is hereby drawn to this menace which is threatening our existence in Bauchi state.

“Our main concern is the failure of the state government to take proactive measures in tackling insecurity. Despite the recurrent attacks, the state government is yet to take

adequate measures in tackling insecurity”, he alleged.

The party, therefore, appealed to the federal government to come to the aid of the people of the state by applying necessary measures to safeguard their lives and property.

However, the state governor has ordered a thorough investigation after the assassination of the lawmaker with a view to unraveling the perpetrators.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Leaked video: PDP jittery over impending defeat in Ondo, Edo guber elections - APC

By Musa Adamu

T

he All Progressive Congress (APC) has said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not prepared for the forthcoming Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections, hence it has resorted to spinning tired conspiracies about a purported inaudible tape and tales of a planned postponement of the elections.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Yekini Nabena, the party said the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) is an independent election management body with equally independent operations.

“The APC being a political party, is not an electoral body and cannot speak on a purported planned postponement or otherwise. Evidently, it was the PDP’s practice to interfere in INEC’s operations. The APC has not copied such undemocratic and ignoble practice.

“For us in the APC, if the elections are held today, we are ready and confident on victory based on our visible pro-people and development track records and progressive plans for the good people of Edo and Ondo states.

“Our worry is the PDP’s threat of violence in the lead-up to the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections as echoed by the recent Amnesty International report and other well-meaning concerns. As always, the PDP has absolutely nothing to campaign on and has resorted to spreading fear.

“We will continue to reiterate that no life is worth the inordinate ambition of any partisan. The forthcoming elections must be peaceful, free, fair and credible.

Votes must count and the wish of the electorate must prevail on who governs them”, APC said in the statement.

To this end, the party called on the state institutions, particularly INEC, the Judiciary and security services, not to be distracted by the PDP’s usual manipulative and disruptive antics and concentrate on protecting Nigeria’s hard fought and cherished democracy.

POLITICS

Senate accepts FIRS as rightful collector of stamp duty

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate yesterday accepted the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the genuine and legal government agency on which the Constitution rightfully saddled the controversy to collect the duties on official government stamps, as against the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), which had been claiming the responsibilities.

Making its submission to convince the Senate yesterday, the FIRS Executive Chairman, Muhamnad Nami, who sooke on right of collection of the stamp duties and the N500 billion projected as revenue for 2021 budget as against N1.5trillion, said there are two types of Stamp

duties which are electronically generated one and the adhesive ones as stated in section 5(2) of the Stamp Duty Act. Recall that right of ownership of stamp duties collection between FIRS and NIPOST and the issue of two separate stamp duties, came up during an interactive session between the senate joint committee and FIRS officials on the agency’s revenues projections for 2021 as contained in the 2021- 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

Speaking further, the FIRS boss explained that postage stamp is different from stamp duties payments which, he said, according to relevant laws in the Constitution, can be made to FIRS or IRS.

According to him, though lacunas in the stamp duties Act, urgently needed to be addressed, but right of collection for the electronic related ones has been legally given to FIRS by the National Assembly through the Finance Bill passed last year and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Besides, stamp Duties are more of tax collections which the FIRS is constitutionally empowered by relevant provisions to carry out”, he said.

However, the Senate joint committee on Finance and National Planning kicked against the agency’s projection of N500billion as expected revenues from the duties collection in 2021 budget, as against N1.5trillion.

The lawmakers insisted that based on model already put in place by FIRS for such collection of stamp duties, the agency can generate N3.06trillion, or if it utilised up to 65% of it, rake in N2.9trillion or at worst, if 50% of the available parameters are utilised, N1.5trillion.

According to senator Gabriel Suswam (PDP Benue East), he said the N500 billion projected as revenue from stamp duties

by FIRS in the 2021 budget is too meagre and inimical to practicability of the projected N12.6trillion 2021 budget.

“The deficit in the projected budget is N5.1trillion, requiring aggressive revenue generation internally by agencies like FIRS, in making the budget implementable”, he said.

L-R: Programme Officer, Oxfam, Henry Ushie; Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) presenting recent publications of CISLAC to the Acting Chair of Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Barrister Victor Muruako, during the CISLAC advocacy visit to the Commission, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP lifts suspension of Sen. Ewuga, others

T

he Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), senator Wali Jibrin, on Thursday lifted the suspension of Senator Solomon Ewuga, Musa Elayo and Muhammed Onawo, former House of Representatives member with immediate effect.

Wali made this known on

Thursday while speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The suspension of the affected party leaders was lifted following the submission of reports by the reconciliation committee on the crisis in the state.

“I want to disclose to you that

we have lifted the suspension of Sen. Ewuga, Muhammed Onawo and Rep. Musa Elayo.

“When we received the reports of the reconciliation committee, we agreed to lift the suspension on Ewuga, Muhammed Onawo and Musa Elayo.

He instructed that all court cases be withdrawn in the interest of peace and for the progress of

the party.

The PDP in the state had been engulfed in an intra-party crisis that led to the suspension of some chieftains.

On May 28, a High Court in Akwanga, Nasarawa State presided over by Justice Mustapha Rahamat, nullified the ward and local government congresses recently held in the state.

Akeredolu invokes public holiday over Ondo local government election G

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

overnor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has declared today as a work-free day in the state.

The governor gave the directive on Thursday to enable residents of the State prepare for the local government election scheduled for

August 22, 2020.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo, Governor Akeredolu equally urged the electorate to freely exercise their voting rights, just as he called on them to shun violence during the exercise.

The statement said “As we are

all aware, the Local Government Election scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2020, is yet another opportunity for the citizens of Ondo State to avail themselves of the chance of democratic participation.

“This is particularly imperative in view of the importance of that tier of government as the closest to the

grassroots. We cannot, therefore, afford to take less advantage of this golden opportunity not only to deepen our democratic structures but to equally decide our leadership contents for optimum development drive.

“In this regard, Mr. Governor has directed that Friday, August 22, be declared a work-free

for workers to enable them prepare adequately for the local government election.

“Governor Akeredolu, while urging all citizens of the state to take maximum advantage of the election to freely exercise their rights, enjoins all to shun violence before, during and after the exercise.”

TRIBUTE

18

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Wada Maida: Mentorship as a Mantra

By Garba Shehu

I

n his life, the late Malam Wada Maida was synonymous with brilliance, humility, patience, kindness and courage.

His thoughts, ideals, views on journalism and in life motivated many of us who came close to him and will continue to inspire us.

Here are my remarks as the tributes flow in praise of a good man that he was.

In my early days as an Editor at the Triumph Publishing Company in Kano, the late Chairman of the Peoples Daily and the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Wada was in the forefront, along with a handful of other senior journalists in the country to revive the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE that had been moribund for 20 years.

He found me a worthy foot soldier in the mobilization of the younger generation of editors to support the aspiration of a ticket on which he and the then editor of the Daily Times, Onyeama Ugochukwu ran as Deputy President and President. They were supported by the more conservative and older membership. Running against them was a band of radicals led by the enterprising, younger, louder even if brash and calculating owner/publisher of ThisDay Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena.

Having myself been listed as candidate for an ex-officio post in the “National List,” I won along Onyeama, Wada and all the names on that list.

Mr. Obaigbena embraced the new team and offered his full support which he gave. Today, Mr Obaigbena presides over one of the largest media empires and as President of the Nigerian Press Organization, NPO, he is the official head of the country’s media establishment.

From then until his death, Malam Wada did to me what the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello charged leaders “on top of the ladder” to do: extend your hand to those at the bottom and pull them up.

From that innocuous position in the Guild executive, I rose to become Vice President (North), Deputy President and eventually, President with a gentle push by the late Malam Wada.

The digital newspaper, The Cable, recalled an interview I gave 17 ago in which I described Malam Wada as my older brother and mentor, and mentioned the fact that he was my link to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

As Political Adviser to the then Vice President, Dr Usman Bugaje ran a quasigovernment organization full of professionals and intellectuals called the National Development Project, NDP. Among its many departments, there was a media arm named the “Just Cause Advisory Committee,” which was chaired by the late Malam Wada.

He co-opted me at a critical juncture when the Vice President ran into trouble with his primary constituency, Northern Nigeria. In

making the provision of Federal Character, the 1999 constitution had given the political parties a hint of sorts that when a political party picked a candidate for presidency from any of the southern states, the Vice Presidential Candidate will be chosen from any of the northern states, and vice-versa.

Atiku faced problems at that time because many in the north misperceived him as not being fully representative of their culture and aspirations. They made issue, for instance of the fact that his loyalty to President Obasanjo went beyond the call of duty.

He was criticized for wearing the Yoruba cap, called at that time “power shift,” and the fact that he didn’t regularly speak Hausa, the language of the majority in the region on popular radio channels such the BBC Hausa, issues which many might dismiss as being nothing but political attacks.

But the biggest of the problems of the Vice President was the remark he made, that states in the North that had adopted the Shari’ah legal system for criminal matters should “revert to status quo.” This put him on the firing line of the Islamic religious leaders and the Imams preached against him in all their mosques.

As rightly reported by The Cable, Malam Wada brought the Vice President, a very powerful number-two leader at that time, sat him down with us where he made the confession that he had a problem and asked that we help him. That truly had an effect on me.

What I then did was to commission a scientific study, and I found an excellent friend and scholar, Dr. Nu’uman Habib from the Bayero University, Kano to lead it.

First, we needed to know the Vice President’s communications problems and then find commutations solutions to them.

We literally held a mirror to the face of the Vice President in which he saw himself and it was clear that he didn’t like what he saw.

In my presentation of that report to him, we informed him that in addition to the changes he needed to make for his own part, he also needed a “Spin Doctor.”

When they took office for the Second Term in office, I was named in television news as a Special Assistant (Media) in the office of the Vice President. Six months thereafter, the TV news announced that the President had accepted my resignation.

For Malam Wada Maida, an unrepentant Buharist, his journey on the side of his good friend, Dr. Bugaje in pursuit of the Atiku Presidential ambition ended the very moment the then General Muhammadu Buhari decided in 2003 to throw his hat in the ring.

I recall that in those early days, Muhammadu Buhari made those infamous remarks in Hausa “Kare jini, Biri jini,” meaning “an eye for an eye” or “do me I do you,” in Nigerian parlance but was badly translated by a poor Hausa speaker reporting for ThisDay from Sokoto as a proclamation of bloodshed and it took the political

The Late Wada Maida space by storm.

When the attacks persisted, I called Malam Wada who then had just returned from a foreign trip.

The late Wada loved to travel and did so much of it in his lifetime. He accepted my suggestion and went to Kaduna. Over lunch, he raised the issue of the raging controversy with the General who, as the late Wada reported to me, didn’t see anything to it but described it as mischief.

He said that the controversy was unnecessary and should be ignored but told his former Press Secretary if he felt strongly about the need to do something about, he should go and meet Malam Mamman Daura, his nephew and a former media guru.

What followed is now history.

Christian leaders including the now Bishop of Sokoto, the Most Reverend Dr Mathew Hassan Kukah were the ones in the frontlines of those defending General Buhari against the unfair and unfounded allegations of violence. In the Nigerian Press Council under the late Alhaji Alade Odunewu, AllahDe, in which the late Wada and I were members, an investigation was carried out and as an outcome, the reporter was indicted for unprofessional conduct.

In the contest for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Presidential election, the several candidates who ran against Muhammadu Buhari and lost, congratulated the winner and donated all their campaign assets including media teams to the official party candidate.

I, having worked with Atiku as the Director of Media and Publicity, was released to the Buhari campaign and here was I, back with Malam Wada.

Thankfully, we ran very respectful and responsible campaigns without the slightest mudslinging.

While we waited for the Candidate to decide on what to do with us, both Wada and I made separate decisions to go for Umrah in Saudi Arabia, so as to thank the Almighty for seeing us through the primaries.

Just as I was ready to go, Dele Alake, a friend and fellow editor called me to say that he had a meeting with the Candidate and a good chance was that he was going to lead the media campaign. Dele

said he wanted me to work with him and suggested that I delay my departure in case something would come up.

A week and two came with nothing heard from upstairs so I told Dele I was proceeding with my journey.

Two things of interest happened in the course of the trip. At the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah I saw a group of ladies at the lounge, including an ex-wife of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

She said let me introduce you to someone you need to know, meet Hajiya Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the wife of the Presidential Candidate. The would-be First Lady received me warmly and said words to this effect, “are you the Garba Shehu whose name has been written as the Director of Media Campaign, then removed, back again and then removed, three times?”

I said ‘‘Your Excellency, as you can see, I’m just finishing from Umrah, totally unaware of all that is happening’’. She wished me best of luck. When we got to Addis Ababa, Mrs Buhari and her group continued to Dubai while those of us continuing to Abuja were joined by passengers from Dubai and Malam Wada was one of them.

It was from him that I learned of the details of the intrigues as well as the struggles by him, Governor Amaechi, the now Governor ElRufa’i and Honourable Farouk Adamu Aliyu to have me lead the media arm of the Presidential campaign.

In the end, with the support of especially Malam Wada, the running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Senator Mamora as Deputy Director General, Boss Mustapha in Operations and Hadiza Bala Usman as campaign Secretary, enjoying the support of millions of volunteers, we ran a damn good campaign which resisted all attempts to drag us into the gutter by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and we won.

The late Wada Maida was equally supportive of me on matters outside the realm of the media profession.

Because he was never selfish or greedy, he invited me and others that I know to participate in the lucrative consultancies he ran for his never-ending list of clients.

No doubt, this helped me and those others to build economic security for ourselves and as a consequence, you did not enter government as a political appointee a hungry man or on an empty stomach.

In the eighties when the late Malam Wada and Kabiru Yusuf with some of their friends came up with the idea of starting their newspaper, the now Daily Trust, they made an offer for me to join which I declined on the fear that I did not want to empty the little savings that was on my bank account.

It is one of those decisions one regrets taking in one’s entire lifetime, especially when you see the success of that venture, with the Trust today as one of the leading newspapers in Africa, printing simultaneously in four or five Nigerian cities and a multistorey headquarters building serving as operational base.

When four of them, as a core team set out to found the new newspaper called the Peoples Daily, the late Chairman of the paper called to offer me the same percentage of shares as allotted to himself, the late Rufa’i Ibrahim, the late Hajiya Halita Aliyu and Bilya Bala.

The fact that the paper was launched in the “mushroom season,” that is the season of the 2015 elections and is still up and about is owed largely to the late Malam Wada.

We came together to found a newspaper, then we ran back to our jobs and businesses and left him all by himself and the support of Bilya Bala to carry the burden of the expectations of shareholders and its survival, which must have added further weight to his already overburdened shoulders.

But what even mattered most was that he bore the responsibility without complaints of whatever nature. The Peoples Daily is blessed with a crop of dynamic and tireless managers and editors who it is hoped, will not let the paper follow our late Chairman to the grave.

Finally, is to say that the Almighty gave Malam Wada two things any many (A) man or woman would envy.

He had the largest reservoir of patience on account of which I never saw him get angry. No matter to what extent he was provoked, Malam Wada would shake his head or both legs when seated, smile and then move on. Second, he had a faithful and dutiful wife who cared for him and the family.

May Allah increase her health, keep her for a longer lifetime for the family and the nation.

On Malam Wada’s life, many great things can be said and none can be greater or lesser than the other. The media and the nation will always remember his efforts and outstanding contributions to the lives of individuals and communities. May Allah forgive his sins and grant him Aljannah.

GARBA SHEHU IS SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT ON MEDIA AND PUBLICITY.

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

Nigerian Power Sector achieves peak generation of 5,420.30MW

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian Power industry has achieved yet another improved all-time national peak of 5,420.30MW, which was effectively transmitted

through the national grid at a frequency of 50.10Hz at 9:15pm, August 18, 2020.

This is the highest ever recorded in the nation’s power sector to-date, surpassing the previous peak of 5,377.80MW recorded on the 1st of August,

2020, by 42.50MW. The gradual but steady improvement in electricity delivery in the nation’s power sector is attributable to the keen interest of the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari in

piloting programmes and projects geared towards growing the power sector as well as the collective effort of all power sector players in the value chain.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Ndidi

Mbah in a statement said, TCN is committed to working assiduously to further stabilize, rehabilitate and expand the grid and urge Nigerians to lend their support by safeguarding electricity installations nationwide.

L-R: Liman Mungonu, NNPC Kaduna Zonal Manager, Ezekiel Osarolube, MD KRPC, Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State, U M Muri, Executive Director, Services, KRPC, Abdullahi Idris and Agboola Balure, Executive Director, Finance, KRPC, during the visit of KRPC management to the CP, yesterday in Kaduna.

AfDB debars four companies involved in fraudulent, collusive practices

By Etuka Sunday

T

he African Development Bank Group on 20 August 2020, announces the 24-month debarment of Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated and Investment Co. Limited and Medniza Global

Merchants Limited. All four companies are registered in Nigeria.

An investigation conducted by the Bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption established that the debarred companies engaged in fraudulent and collusive practices during a tender for the supply of water meters, automatic meters and

house connection materials, under the Zaria Water Supply Expansion and Sanitation Project in Nigeria.

The sanction renders Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated and Investment Co. Limited and Medniza Global Merchants Limited ineligible

to participate in Bank-financed projects during the debarment period.

Additionally, the 24-month debarment of the companies qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Debarment Decisions, including the Asian Development

Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the InterAmerican Development Bank and the World Bank Group.

The Zaria Water Supply Expansion and Sanitation Project in Nigeria is co-financed by the African Development Fund, an entity of the African Development Bank Group.

Buhari reappoints Ugbo as MD, NDPHC

By Etuka Sunday

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has approved the renewal of the appointment

of Mr Joseph Chiedu Ugbo as the Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company and Messrs Babayo

Shehu and Ifeoluwa Oyedele as Executive Directors respectively.

This renewal will take

effect from August 25, 2020 for a period of four (4) years.

The appointment of three (3) additional directors

have also been approved for more effective and efficient coverage of the company’s areas of activity.

PAGE 20

NEWS

Troops repel Boko Haram/ ISWAP attack, kill 8 in Borno

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Nigerian military said its troops repelled Boko Haram attack in Borno and Killed 8 of the assailants.

The military in a statement issued yesterday by Major General, John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, said the attack took place on the 8th of August, at troops’ location in Kukawa town in Borno State.

“During the incident, 8 BHTs were neutralized and uncomfirmed number escaped with gun shots wounds.

Unfortunately, 3 soldiers were fatally wounded and later gave up at the military medical reception station at kukawa military location. Two others also sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the military medical station.

“It could be recalled that on 29 July 2020, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum flagged off the re-opening of MungunoCross Kauwa-Kukawa Road which was followed almost immediately with the resettlement of some of the displaced people from Kukawa and life was already picking up in the town. The attack by the terrorists was therefore a deliberate attempt to reverse the milestone achievements recorded regarding IDPs in the areas of; peace building, reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement efforts by the government.

“The situation in Kukawa is now calm with troops in full control. The Nigerian Armed Forces wishes to assure the general public that there is no going back in its struggle to see to the rebuilding and resettlement efforts for the displaced people. The futile attempt by the terrorists to thwart it only spurred the gallant troops for more decisive action.

“The people of Kukawa are therefore advised to go about their normal lawful businesses without any hindrance.

They are also enjoined to always avail the troops and other security agencies with credible information about the terrorists and any suspicious persons accordingly.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

1.9m women lose access to abortion services during pandemic

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eproductive Health Charity Mary Stopes International (MSI) on Wednesday said 1.9 million women across the world had lost access to its contraception and safe abortion services in the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The impact of the crisis was particularly harsh in India where an estimated 1.3 million women lost access to such services due to strict lockdown measures.

“With 920,000 fewer safe abortion and post-abortion care services being delivered, 90 per cent less than predicted,” MSI said in a press release.

MSI’s findings, based on data collected from January to June across the 37 countries where the charity operates, confirmed fears that the lockdowns could have a devastating impact on reproductive health of women.

An UN Population Fund analysis published in April had

predicted that significant levels of lockdown-related disruptions over six months could leave 47 million women in lowand middle-income countries without access to modern contraceptives, leading to a projected 7 million additional unintended pregnancies.

MSI estimated that the lack of access to its services between January and June lead to 900,000 additional unintended pregnancies, 1.5 million unsafe

abortions and 3,100 additional pregnancy-related deaths.

In India alone, the lack of its services lead to an estimated additional 1 million unsafe abortions and an additional 650,000 unintended pregnancies and 2,600 maternal deaths.

India has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world and no less than 50 per cent is estimated to be due to sepsis and illegally induced abortions. (dpa/NAN)

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama confers with the NSA Maj -Gen Babagana Monguno (Rtd) during a Virtual Meeting of Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government on the Socio-Political Situation in Mali held at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday

Edo guber: PDP accuses Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu of desperation to grab power

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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head of the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the party’s candidate, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu of displaying a desperation to grab power at all costs.

The PDP similarly wondered when Oshiomhole become the National Security Adviser (NSA) or a service chief to the point of discussing about the security of the September 19 governorship election with the President of the country.

The Secretary, Publicity Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship Election, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan said this at a press conference yesterday in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan wondered whether Oshiomhole is holding any statutory position in the government or even in the APC, as a party, to warrant a security meeting with the President, asking: if the meeting was not for ulterior partisan purposes on the Edo election, what is it for?

Ologbondiyan, whose press

conference theme was, “Villa Leaked Video: Presidency’s Admission Confirms Edo Clampdown Plots”, said, “It indeed speaks volumes that the Buhari Presidency is trying to rationalize the plot by the godfather of the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Adams Oshiomhole, who was captured on the trending video, plotting to use compromised security operatives to clampdown on certain unnamed Nigerians to achieve political suppression and rig the Edo governorship election”.

Ologbondiyan said, Nigerians were further alarmed by the admission that Oshiomhole, the face of the APC campaign, was at the Presidential Villa for discussions on “emerging incidents of violence in the run up to the election” as well as the “use of Law enforcement”, in an election in which he and the APC have displayed a desperation to grab power at all costs.

According to him, “The question is: when did Oshiomhole become the National Security Adviser (NSA). When did Oshiomhole become a service chief? Is Oshiomhole holding any statutory position in the government or even in the APC, as a party, to warrant a security meeting with the President, if

the meeting was not for ulterior partisan purposes on the Edo election?

“This development also points to the obvious fact that the security architecture of our nation has been abandoned by statutory officials and now vested in political hooligans as well as characters like Oshiomhole for suppression of innocent Nigerians and rigging of elections.

“If the meeting was indeed focused on genuinely curbing violence, as being claimed by the Presidency, why were leaders of other political parties and other stakeholders in the Edo governorship election not invited?

Why was this meeting centered on the arrest and clampdown of political rivals?

“Our National Campaign on Edo State Governorship Election is worried by the discussion between Oshiomhole and Prof.

Gambari because of the history of electoral violence that has characterized elections under this administration.

“Already, our National Campaign has been made aware of plots by Oshiomhole to design fake military, police and other security agencies’ uniforms for APC thugs with the view of using them to unleash violence and clampdown on traditional, faith-

based and community leaders in Edo state on trumped-up charges.

“While our National Campaign understands the pedigree of Prof.

Gambari, we want to however caution him not to allow his record of service to be tainted with the violence being perpetrated by the APC in Edo as well as Oshiomhole’s repeated calls for clampdown on the Edo people, ahead of the election. The world is watching!

“Furthermore, it is ludicrous for the Presidency to conjure “facts” on parties leveling accusations of violence against one another, while pretending towards the attack on the PDP leaders at the Oba’s Palace in Benin, which has been in the public domain.

“Till date, the Presidency has said nothing over the meeting held between the APC candidate, Ize-Iyamu and some thugs, where he was seen on a viral video, giving instructions to them to break electoral laws and use violence to rig elections for him.

“As at the moment, nobody has been arrested or questioned by the security agencies and nothing has been heard from the Presidency on that callous invitation to public violence.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

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FCT Minister flags off 2020 tree planting campaign in Karshi

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu yesterday flagged off 2020 tree planting campaign in Karshi, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), aimed at promoting healthy living environment.

Aliyu disclosed that Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) has earmarked 48,000 assorted indigenous tree species to be planted in the six Area Councils, adding that 20,000 will be donated to foreign Embassies/ High Commissions, FCT public and private schools, religious bodies among others.

She explained that Tree Planting campaign was an annual global event meant to create awareness amongst citizens on the need to sustainably manage forests for the purpose of meeting the developmental needs of the present generation without compromising the opportunity of future generations to manage theirs.

She further revealed that efforts are also being expended to promote the wide adoption of climate-friendly practices across the nooks and crannies of the Territory.

Speaking on this year’s theme “Forests and Biodiversity: Too Precious to Lose”, the Minister noted that this could not have been coined at a better time than now when all hands need to be on deck to ensure the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to her, “Goals 13 and 15 of the SDGs require all and sundry to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and

halt biodiversity loss”.

She, therefore, called on other relevant departments to, as a matter of urgency, join hands with the STDD in the re-vegetation of all open spaces, degraded hill tops and hill slopes, reclaim old burrow-pit as well as rivers and flood-prone areas to prevent and mitigate adverse environmental consequences in the satellite towns of the Territory.

In his remarks, the Ag. Coordinator of STDD, Engr.

Felix Nwankwo, identified the environment as an asset to the present and future generations, hence the need for its sustainable management, noting that incidences of ecological and environmental disasters ravaging the entire globe are the direct consequences of man-made and natural factors.

Nwankwo, affirmed that trees in an environment are known to enhance the supply of oxygen to the atmosphere which serves

as immunity booster to citizens thereby reducing the expected susceptibility to COVID-19 fatalities.

On his part, AMAC, Abdullahi Adamu Candido, who thanked the FCT Administration for the initiative, noted that it go a long towards improving the quality of life in the Territory.

Candido assured that elected officials and others stakeholders in the council and across the FCT will ensure that the message gets to the

people at the grassroots level.

The AMAC Chairman while calling on the people especially those at the rural areas to key into the campaign, by imbibing the culture of tree planting within their communities.

The highpoint of the occasion was the planting of trees by the FCT Minister of State, some chairmen of Area Councils, heads of agencies, traditional and religious leaders across the six area councils of the Territory.

Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh (L) and ComptrollerGeneral of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, during Jamoh’s working visit to NIS to discuss security and economic issues of pirates crossing the border to commit crimes in Nigeria; abuse of immigration permits by foreigners to deprive local and competent seafarers of jobs, in Abuja on Wednesday PHOTO BY NAN.

COVID-19: UBEC seeks FCTA support on facility for online classes

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has called for the support of the FCT Administration for the establishment of a Digital Resource Centre in the Territory, so as to sustain access to formal qualitative learning for school children.

Making this call, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi noted that the establishment of such Centre became imperative with the COVID-19 Pandemic where students had to take online classes.

Bobboyi, who spoke when he led a delegation of top management staff of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello in his office, commended the FCT Administration for its efforts in the development of basic education in the Territory.

According to the UBEC Chairman, the efforts of the FCTA in advancing the basic education sector has substantially reduced the number of out-of-school children in the Territory.

“We want to extend our congratulation to you for superintending over a basic

education sector that is performing very well here in the FCT. We have been visiting some of the schools, we have been looking at a lot of issues that take place within the FCT because the Commission itself is located within the FCT and its staff are also of course within the city.

“One of the challenges that we have in the country has been the area of qualified teachers.

Looking at what is available in other parts of the country, we are very much encouraged looking at the picture here in the FCT. Despite the challenges, the FCT is deemed to have one of the highest

qualified teacher numbers in the country.

“Others have unqualified ratios that are very appalling. In primary schools, again, FCT qualified teachers are much higher, well above 86 percent, while at junior secondary school, you have up to about 88 percent to almost 90 percent.

“So, it’s a trend that we encourage for the simple fact that without qualified teachers, it’s very difficult to establish a qualitative educational system in the country”, he stressed.

He also commended the FCT Administration for accessing its

UBEC funds up to 2019, saying that many other states were still struggling adding that the FCTA has utilised the resources judiciously with the provision of infrastructure.

Responding, the FCT Minister pledged the support of the FCTA for the establishment of the Digital Resource Center, as it would be very difficult for agencies such as UBEC to function efficiently without leveraging on technology.

Bello thanked UBEC for the commendation, as the development of education remains a priority for the FCT Administration.

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Mr. Bannon was once one of advisers personal use, the statement said.

“While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage, the founder and public face of We Build the Wall, would not be paid a cent, the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage, which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle,” Ms Strauss said.

SDNY Inspector-in-Charge Philip R Bartlett said the four created “sham invoices and accounts to launder donations and cover up their crimes, showing no regard for the law or the truth”.

“This case should serve as a warning to other fraudsters that no one is above the law, not even a disabled war veteran or a millionaire political strategist,” he said.

Mr Bannon and the three others launched the scheme in December 2018. the DoJ said, and during the campaign Mr Kolfage said that all of the money donated would go towards construction while Mr Bannon publicly said, “We’re a volunteer organisation”.

All four defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Mr Bannon, 66, will appear in court in the SDNY. Mr Kolfage and Mr Badolato will appear in separate courts in Florida and Mr Shea will appear in Colorado.

Mr Bannon is the sixth former senior aide to Donald Trump to face criminal charges - after ex-Trump campaign chairman

President Trump’s most trusted

The campaign exhorted individuals to “buy a brick”

Paul Manafort, veteran political operator Roger Stone, ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, ex-deputy campaign manager Rick Gates and ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

The line between legitimate online political fundraising and swindling is sometimes a fine one. Federal prosecutors are now alleging that Steve Bannon, a former top political advisor for Donald Trump, crossed it.

Mr Bannon was one of those fringe figures who rode Trump’s improbable rise to the presidency to national prominence. His time in actual power at the White House was short-lived, however.

Donald Trump reportedly resented news reports painting Mr Bannon as the “brains” behind the president - a perception boosted

by Mr Bannon’s willingness to talk with the press.

Since then he mostly has been confined to advocating for the president from the sidelines - and participating in sometimes questionable side projects like this wall foundation.

That this indictment comes out of the Southern District of New York, the federal prosecutorial office that has handled other high-profile cases involving Trump associates, will stir greater interest in the indictment. The district was itself the source of recent controversy when Attorney General Bill Barr abruptly fired its head, Geoffrey Berman.

After criticism, Mr Barr was forced to abandon his choice for a temporary replacement, and Mr Berman’s top deputy moved into

the job, instead.

It was this woman, Audrey Strauss, who announced Mr Bannon’s indictment.

Who is Steve Bannon?

The former investment banker was the driving force behind the right-wing Breitbart News website before serving in the Trump White House as chief strategist. His influence was discernible in key decisions such as the mid-2017 US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.

He left the post in August 2017 and returned to Breitbart, but was again forced to step down after criticising Mr Trump’s decisions, prompting Mr Trump to say “Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind”.

Mr Bannon has since expressed support for the idea of a right-wing supergroup of populist parties in Europe and his presence at events has become controversial, with the New Yorker magazine dropping him from a festival, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pulling out of an event co-hosted by the BBC at which he appeared, and a further appearance at Oxford University Union that attracted protests.

Last year he told the BBC that the “turmoil” from Brexit was “only just beginning” and argued that the border wall between the US and Mexico would help black and Hispanic communities.

What is happening with the border wall?

The wall with Mexico is perhaps Donald Trump’s most memorable

signature promise during his 2016 election campaign. He said he would build it and Mexico would pay for it.

Before Mr Trump took office, there were 654 miles (just over 1,000km) of barrier along the southern border. He promised to build a wall along the border’s entire 2,000-mile length. Later, he said it would only cover half of that - with nature, such as mountains and rivers, helping to take care of the rest.

Work on extending the current barrier began last year.

The money has come from previous funding approved by Congress, as well as extra cash Mr Trump has been able to access since he declared a state of emergency in February 2019 amid a spike in the number of migrants entering the US. He has gained access to defence funds, but is still short of the original estimate of up to $12bn which, in turn, is far shorter than much higher estimates that include construction consultants and others.

Mr Trump has also changed his view of what constitutes a wall.

Initially he talked about concrete - but, once elected, he started advocating a barrier made of steel.

The new system will be made of what the US Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) describes as a combination of “steel-bollard barrier, all-weather roads, lighting, enforcement cameras and other related technology”.

The administration’s aim was to have 509 miles of it ready by the end of 2020.

Coronavirus: Portugal added to UK exemption list as Croatia is removed

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K tourists will no longer need to quarantine after holidaying in Portugal, but travellers returning from Croatia will now have to self-isolate.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said people will need to selfisolate for 14 days on return from Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago.

The changes apply to anyone arriving after 04:00 BST on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Scottish government has added Switzerland to the lists of countries on its quarantine list.

It comes after thousands of British holidaymakers made a last-minute dash to get home

from France last weekend, before quarantine measures came into force.

People who do not self-isolate when required can be fined up to £1,000 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland the fine is £480, and up to £5,000 for persistent offenders.

The UK introduced the

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Coronavirus in Africa: ‘Signs of hope’ as cases level off

Steve Bannon charged with fraud over Mexico wall funds

ormer Trump adviser Steve Bannon has been arrested and charged with fraud over a fundraising campaign to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

Mr Bannon and three others defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors in connection with the “We Build the Wall” campaign, which raised $25m (£19m), the US Department of Justice (DoJ) said.

Mr Bannon received more than $1m, at least some of which he used to cover personal expenses, the DoJ said.

He is due to appear in court later.

Mr Bannon was a key architect of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election victory. His right-wing anti-immigration ideology fuelled Mr Trump’s “America First” campaign.

Responding to Mr Bannon’s arrest, Mr Trump said he felt “very badly” about it. He also said he had had no involvement with “We Build the Wall”.

“I said, ‘This is for government; this isn’t for private people’ and it sounded to me like showboating and I think I let my opinion be very strongly stated at the time,” he said.

What are the charges against Bannon?

The “We Build the Wall” campaign pledged to use donations to build segments of the border barrier - whose construction was a key Trump promise during the 2016 election - on private land.

But Audrey Strauss, the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), said Mr Bannon, Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea had “defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalising on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars, under the false pretence that all of that money would be spent on construction”.

Mr Bannon had received more than $1m through a non-profit organisation he controlled, at least some of which he used to cover “hundreds of thousands of dollars in Bannon’s personal expenses”, the DoJ said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kolfage founder of “We Build the Wall” - covertly took $350,000 for his

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

compulsory 14-day quarantine for arrivals from overseas in early June.

But the following month, the four UK nations unveiled lists of “travel corridors”, detailing countries that were exempt from the rule.

Since then it has periodically updated that list, adding and removing countries based on their

coronavirus infection rates and how they compare with the UK’s.

The UK provides the largest number of overseas tourists to Portugal, with more than two million tourists visiting every year.

The Algarve coast is the most popular destination, with 1.2 million visitors from the UK last year.

Source: BBC

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verage daily cases of coronavirus in Africa fell last week, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The continent-wide daily average was 10,300 last week, down from 11,000 the week before.

The director of Africa CDC, Dr John Nkengasong, said it was a “sign of hope”.

Africa has recorded 1,147,369 cases, more than half of which are in South Africa, and about 26,000 deaths.

Dr Nkengasong said he was hopeful “that we are beginning to bend the curve slowly” but added that “it’s very, very early - we are dealing with a very delicate virus that spreads rapidly”.

“We take this news with cautious optimism,” he said, explaining that he didn’t want people to get complacent and stop trying to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We really want our population not to show what we call ‘prevention fatigue’, where we slow down on the

Africans were urged to continue wearing masks and practising social distancing

measures that we are putting in place.”

He urged people to continue their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, specifically saying that people

need to continue to wear masks, to maintain social distance and that more testing is needed.

Dr Nkengasong also said that

more than one million tests had been conducted across the continent, with South Africa being one of the main countries to test people.

Recorded cases and deaths are relatively low compared to other parts of the word such as parts of Europe, Latin America and the US, which has more than 5,500,000 cases alone, but some experts warn that there may be many more cases than are recorded in Africa because of the lack of testing.

The spread of the virus appeared to be relatively slow in Africa in the early stages of the pandemic but the recorded rate of infection gradually accelerated, especially in South Africa.

South Africa has 596,060 cases of coronavirus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. That is more than half the cases across Africa and the fifth-most cases in the world.

The next African country to feature on the list is Egypt, in 31st place in the world with 96,914 cases.

Mali coup: UN joins global condemnation of military takeover

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he United Nations has joined global condemnation of the military takeover in Mali, which saw President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta forced to resign.

The UN’s Security Council echoed similar calls by regional bodies for the immediate release of all government officials and the restoration of constitutional order.

The soldiers said they acted to prevent the country falling into further chaos.

They say they will set up a civilian government and hold new elections.

Mali, a vast country stretching into the Sahara Desert, is among the poorest in the world and has experienced several military takeovers. It is currently battling to contain a wave of jihadist attacks and ethnic violence.

Mr Keïta won a second term in elections in 2018, but since June has faced huge street protests over corruption, mismanagement of the economy and disputed legislative elections.

There has also been anger among troops about pay and the conflict with jihadists.

The African Union earlier suspended Mali, saying military coups were “something of the past which we cannot accept anymore”.

“Whenever you have a crisis and the military people have a coup and say ‘we are responding to the will of the people’, this way of responding is not acceptable at all,” the AU’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme.

The 15-member Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has also taken swift action against Mali - closing borders, suspending financial flows and ejecting it from decision-making bodies. It is currently holding a virtual conference to decide what further action to take.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted his condemnation.

French President Emmanuel Macron also urged a return to civilian rule, saying “the fight against terrorist groups and the defence of democracy and the rule of law are inseparable”.

France, Mali’s former colonial ruler, has several thousand troops based in Mali fighting Islamist militant groups and its Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly tweeted that this operation would continue.

Various jihadist groups, some linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, are based in the deserts of northern Mali, from where they have spread to neighbouring countries, especially Burkina Faso and Niger.

Who are the coup leaders?

Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta won a second term in 2018

Col Assimi Goita said he was now leading the military junta Colonel Assimi Goita has presented himself as leader of the new military junta, which is calling itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) but little is known about him.

Col Goita, said to be the head of Mali’s special forces, met senior civil servants earlier on Wednesday and told them: “We have no political ambitions, we are soldiers, our objective is to rapidly transfer power.

The state will continue, we assure you of our support in order to work in tranquillity, we want to reassure you,” the Malian newspaper Journal du Mali reports.

Other members of the junta identified in the report include Col Malick Diaw, CNSP

vice-president, and Col Ismaël Wagué, the air force deputy chief of staff, who had earlier read a statement on behalf of the group.

The newspaper quotes local websites as saying four civilians were killed by gunfire during the military takeover, although this has been denied by coup leaders.

What does the opposition say?

One of the parties in the M5 opposition coalition, CMAS, said it would support the coup leader in “developing a roadmap” towards new elections and called for rallies on Friday “to celebrate the Malian people’s victory”.

After meeting the coup leaders, the head of Mali’s opposition M5 movement,

conservative Imam Mahmoud Dicko, announced he would be withdrawing from politics. No reasons were given.

Mr Dicko was one of the key figures in the huge street protests calling for Mr Keïta to resign.

How did the coup take place?

It appears that mutinying soldiers took control of the Kati army camp, about 15km (nine miles) from Bamako, on Tuesday.

They then marched on the capital, cheered by crowds who had gathered to demand Mr Keïta’s resignation.

The soldiers then stormed the presidential buildings, arresting Mr Keïta and his prime minister and taking them to Kati Camp. The president’s son, the speaker of the National Assembly, the foreign and finance ministers were also reported to have been detained.

Appearing on TV on Tuesday night, President Keïta said he would resign as he did not want “blood to be spilled to keep me in power”.

Although banks and offices were closed in Bamako on Wednesday, there were signs of daily life resuming. Some residents had gathered to celebrate the coup, while some were worried about who would now be in charge of the country, reports journalist Mohamed Salaha.

It was the war in Libya, almost a decade ago, that nudged Mali along the path to chaos.

Weapons from Libya flooded across the Sahara Desert, fuelling a separatist conflict in northern Mali, which morphed into an Islamist militant offensive, which prompted a coup in the capital Bamako.

It’s been a mess ever since, in a landlocked nation that had been a West African success story.

Today French troops, American drones, UN peacekeepers, and British helicopters are all trying - and largely failing - to strengthen security, not just in Mali, but across a vast region increasingly threatened

by Islamist insurgencies and other conflicts.

This latest military coup in Bamako appears to be a reaction to those security challenges, but also to corruption, disputed elections, and political drift.

The coup itself seems unlikely to fix anything.

But it highlights a familiar truth - that while foreign intervention has its uses, the key to repairing a nation like Mali lies in its own hands, and with its own faltering democratic institutions.

Source: bbc

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Alexei Navalny: ‘Poisoned’ Russian opposition leader in a coma R ussian opposition figure Alexei Navalny is unconscious in hospital suffering from suspected poisoning, his spokeswoman has said.

The anti-corruption campaigner fell ill during a flight and the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk, where doctors said he was in a coma and they were trying to save his life.

His team suspects something was put in his tea at an airport cafe.

The Kremlin said that it wished Mr Navalny a “speedy recovery”.

Mr Navalny, 44, has for years been among President Vladimir Putin’s staunchest critics.

In June he described a vote on constitutional reforms as a “coup” and a “violation of the constitution”. The reforms allow Mr Putin to serve another two terms in office, after the four terms he has already had.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was “deeply concerned” by the reports Mr Navalny had been poisoned, and sent his thoughts to him and his family.

What has the spokeswoman said?

Kira Yarmysh, the press secretary for the Anti-Corruption Foundation, which Mr Navalny founded in 2011, tweeted: “This morning Navalny was returning to Moscow from Tomsk.

“During the flight, he felt ill. The plane made an urgent landing in Omsk.

Alexei has toxic poisoning.”

She added: “We suspect that Alexei was poisoned by something mixed into [his] tea. It was the only thing he drank since morning.

“Doctors are saying that the toxic agent absorbed faster through the hot liquid. Right now Alexei is unconscious.”

Ms Yarmysh said later that Mr Navalny was on a ventilator and in a coma, and that the hospital was now full of police officers. All of his belongings were being confiscated, she added.

She also said that doctors were initially ready to share any information but then they later claimed the toxicology tests had been delayed and were “clearly playing for time, and not saying what they know”.

Diagnosis would be “towards evening”, she was told.

Both Mr Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, and doctor, Anastasia Vasilyeva, have arrived at the hospital.

Mrs Navalnaya was initially denied access to her husband because authorities said the patient had not agreed to the visit, Ms Yarmysh said, although she was later allowed on to the ward.

Dr Vasilyeva said they were seeking to transfer the opposition leader to a specialist poison control centre in Europe, but hospital doctors were refusing to provide records of his condition.

What are the other reports from the scene?

The Tass news agency quoted one source at the Omsk Emergency Hospital as saying: “Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny, born in 1976. Poisoning intensive care.”

Mr Navalny was flying to Moscow from Tomsk and was diverted to Omsk after he fell ill

motivated.

Mr Navalny was also given a 30-day jail term in July 2019 after calling for unauthorised protests.

He was taken ill during that jail sentence. Doctors diagnosed him with “contact dermatitis” but he said he had never had any acute allergic reactions and his own doctor suggested he might have been exposed to “some toxic agent”. Mr Navalny also said he thought he may have been poisoned.

Mr Navalny also suffered a serious chemical burn to his right eye in 2017 when he was assaulted with green, antiseptic dye.

Last year his Anti-Corruption Foundation was officially declared a “foreign agent”, enabling the authorities to subject it to more checks.

Other attacks on Kremlin critics If this is confirmed as a poisoning, previous attacks on high-profile critics of President Putin would again be thrown into the spotlight.

They include politician Boris Nemtsov and journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who were shot dead, and intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, who died of poisoning in the UK. Journalist and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza is still alive, but has alleged he was poisoned twice by Russian security services. He nearly died after suffering kidney failure in 2015 and went into a coma two years later.

Media captionVladimir Kara-Murza on the dangers to President Putin’s critics Another Kremlin critic, Pyotr Verzilov, accused Russia’s intelligence services of poisoning him in 2018, when he fell ill after a court hearing, losing his sight and ability to speak.

The same year, former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. The UK believes agents from Russia’s GRU military intelligence service were behind the attack, but the Kremlin has always denied involvement.

Mr. Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, is at the hospital but was initially denied access to her husband However, the deputy head physician of crooks and thieves”, and has served of the hospital later told media that it several jail terms.

Media captionPower tools are was not certain Mr Navalny had been poisoned, although poisoning was used to raid Navalny’s foundation in “naturally” one of the diagnoses being December 2019 In 2011 he was arrested and considered.

Anatoly Kalinichenko said that imprisoned for 15 days following doctors were “genuinely trying to save protests over vote-rigging by Mr Putin’s United Russia party in parliamentary [Mr Navalny’s] life”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov elections.

Mr Navalny was briefly jailed in July later said it wished the critic a speedy recovery - as it would all citizens in such 2013 on embezzlement charges but circumstances - and that the authorities denounced the sentence as political.

He attempted to stand in the 2018 would consider approving treatment presidential race but was barred abroad if it were requested.

Video footage on social media shows because of previous fraud convictions Source: bbc Mr Navalny being taken on a stretcher in a case he again said was politically to an ambulance on the airport runway.

Other disturbing video appears to show a stricken Mr Navalny in pain on the flight.

Passenger Pavel Lebedev said: “At the start of the flight he went to the toilet and didn’t come back. He started feeling really sick. They struggled to bring him round and he was screaming in pain.”

Another photograph on social media purports to show Mr Navalny drinking from a cup at a Tomsk airport cafe.

The Interfax agency said the cafe owners were checking CCTV to see if it could provide any evidence.

Who is Alexei Navalny?

He made a name for himself by exposing official corruption, labelling A man in Moscow watches social media footage of Mr Navalny being stretchered Mr Putin’s United Russia as “the party to an ambulance

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

25

NEWS

Again, 11 killed in Southern Kaduna attacks From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

E

leven people have reportedly been killed and many injured in a fresh attack by gunmen between Monday and Wednesday at Ungwar Gankon village in Zango Kataf and Maro village, Kajuru Local Government Areas (LGA) of Kaduna state.

The attack comes barely one week after the Defence

headquarters deployed Special Forces from the Nigerian Airforce and Army to southern Kaduna in an effort to curb the spate of killings in the volatile region.

Although the police authorities are yet to confirm the incident, the Chairman of Zango Kataf Local Government, Elias Manza told newsmen that the attack was a revenge action by suspected militiamen who invaded Ungwan Gankon

community on Tuesday night and started shooting sporadically, killing two persons in the process and injuring many others.

He also said that eight houses were burnt by the attackers while the villagers have fled from the community for fear of a reprisal attack.

The Chairman also disclosed that the Special Forces of the Nigerian Army and Air Force have arrived in some of the vulnerable

communities in an effort to protect the residents from being attacked by the bandits.

The Chairman of Kajuru local government, Cafra Caino, also confirmed that gunmen killed four people who were traveling in a commercial vehicle at Maro village, a border between Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.

He explained that the gunmen intercepted the commercial

vehicle from the bush in the afternoon, shot four of the occupants to death including a pastor, and later took the driver away to an unknown destination.

The gunmen carried out similar attacks at Bugai village near Banikanwa in Kachia local government on Monday night, and killed five people including the village head and his mother, while several others were injured.

SGF R-L; Mr. Boss Mustapha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama and State House Director of Protocol Ahmed Yakubu during a Virtual Meeting of Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government on the Socio-Political Situation in Mali held at the Council Chambers, State House Abuja.

PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

Mali: Nigeria backs ECOWAS on return to constitutional order, says Buhari

By Egena Sunday Ode

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja joined ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments in calling for immediate release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, and a return to Constitutional order in the crisistorn country.

Speaking at a virtual ECOWAS Extraordinary Session on the Situation in Mali, the President noted that removal of the Malian leader could spiral into more crises in the country, with devastating consequences for the West African sub-region.

“Indeed, it saddens me greatly as we meet today to discuss the turn of events in Mali, which commenced on Tuesday this week, where President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, his Prime Minister and senior members of his government were arrested, resulting in the forceful resignation of the President as well as the dissolution of the Parliament,” President Buhari said.

“ECOWAS interventions, through a series of efforts by Ministers, the Special Envoy and Chief Mediator and a group of Heads of State of our Organization as well as an Extraordinary Summit did not yield positive results. Today, Mali has not only descended into political chaos, but also socio-economic and security disaster with potential tragic consequences to Mali and the sub-region,” he added.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement on Thursday said Buhari commended the African Union, United Nations and other international bodies for condemning the military coup in Mali, urging them to work with ECOWAS in restoring peace and order in the country by insisting on the supremacy of constitutional provisions.

According to him, “I am pleased that ECOWAS, African Union, UN and others issued strongly worded statements against the action of the Malian military. The events in Mali are great setbacks for regional diplomacy which have grave

consequences for the peace and security of West Africa. I am pleased therefore, that this Extraordinary Summit, holding to discuss pathways to the debacle we face today in Mali, is most timely and appropriate.

“We need to isolate series of sanctions-regimes that can create and sustain sufficient pressures on the military to force a return to the status quo. The critical issues for resolution in the Malian crisis had been aptly captured as the four-point pathways to peace.

Within that context, and if all parties to the crisis were to abide by those recommendations, the developments now on ground would have been avoided.’’

According to Adesina, the President also said Nigeria will continue to support the decisions of ECOWAS. “The action of the military in Mali has regrettably hoisted on us as a sub-region, the need to decide the options that will be consistent with the provisions of the Protocol on Good Governance and Democracy, which ECOWAS, AU, and the UN subscribe to. In

this context, therefore, Nigeria subscribes to the under-listed recommendations for action by our Organisation: “(a) President Keita and other detainees should be released unconditionally and with immediate effect. (b) Nigeria supports the efforts of President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, for wider regional and continental consultations, especially on the possibility of detaching ECOWAS and AU troops with the UN Mission in Mali, to protect State Institutions and also act as first layer of defence in the country to help preserve and protect lives and property.”

The statement quoted President Buhari to have said a politically stable Mali is paramount and crucial to the stability of the sub-region.

“ECOWAS, the AU, and the UN should not stand by, while the situation deteriorates. Thus far, their strong statements of condemnation are sincerely appreciated and I urge them to continue to walk this route together with us

until sanity returns to Mali with the restoration of Civil Administration,’’ he noted.

President Buhari also condoled with President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger on the tragic attack his country suffered earlier in August, while commending the Chairman of ECOWAS for his continued effort in Mali’s political situation since the results of the parliamentary elections were announced in March, Adesina said.

Among the Declarations of the summit were: firmness on the restoration of Constitutional order; release of President Keita and all those arrested; stoppage of economic relations with Mali, with exceptions granted to staple foods, fuel and medication, for the sake of the people; continued engagement with all parties to the crisis, while the Special Envoy appointed to mediate, former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, along with Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of ECOWAS Commission, are to visit Mali to convey the decisions of the West African leaders.

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, AUGUST 21, 2020

26

F

ormer BBC reporter Mohamed Moalimu survived Sunday’s siege on a beachfront hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu - the fourth time he has been caught up in an attack by Islamist al-Shabab militants over the last seven years.

Moalimu, who now heads the Federation of Somali Journalists, told the BBC’s Basillioh Mutahi about his ordeal and how his friend was among the 20 people to lose their lives at the Elite hotel during the raid: I was trembling. My heart was beating like a drum and my body was shaking. A huge cloud of dark smoke had gone up and it was even difficult to see the entire area.

People were screaming. I could see the impact of the blast.

Some people had been hit by the shattered glasses, and some were bleeding, others were shouting for help.

My friend, Abdirizak Abdi, wanted to run away immediately.

I wanted to stop him because heavy shooting was going on but he ran away from me, towards the entrance.

I waited up to the point where I could understand where the shooting was coming from, having been trained on what to do in a hostile environment.

I was very self-conscious and that actually helped me, because I checked what was going on. That is what saved me.

I knew where to rush to, and I ran in a zigzag way. I jumped up a wall and landed on the side where the hotel faces the beach.

‘Removed my T-shirt’ I could not run immediately after jumping. People running away from the scene were being shot at.

I knew if you have anything coloured, like a shirt, it could easily attract the attention of the attackers. I had on a green T-shirt so I removed it and started to run on the beach. I was barefoot, having abandoned my shoes.

The shooting was still going on but I am lucky I survived.

Then I tried to call my friend but the call was not going through.

FEATURE

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

CLASSIFIED Public Notice

Somali hotel raid: ‘How I survived my fourth siege’

Moalimu and his friend had barely sat for 15 minutes in the hotel when the militants attacked I tried to look for him, alive or dead. I saw a lot of people after the blast lying on the ground.

Some of them were screaming. It was a very tragic scene.

The ambulances had started to arrive despite the fact that shooting was still going on.

Somebody told me that Abdirizak had been injured and taken to hospital.

A man in Moscow watches social media footage of Mr Navalny being stretchered to an ambulance

Unfortunately, he had been hit by the bullets from the terrorists who were firing indiscriminately.

He was hit in the leg and the chest.

‘I ran to the hospital’ At that time, movement was limited and soldiers had taken over and lot of shooting was

taking place.

Abdizirak, who was working at the Ministry of Information, had just a few hours earlier collected me from my home and we had driven together to the hotel.

Mohamed Moalimu Imagine, somebody who was my colleague, a friend - we were

In 2013 I was in front of the UN compound when al-Shabab attacked - a suicide bomb hit my car.

The other time was in 2016, near the hotel on Lido beach, where my face was badly injured.

I was lying in a pool of blood for more than two hours and it took many months being treated in hospitals here and in Nairobi and in London for my injuries to heal.

Page 27

only having a friendly chat and coffee that day - is now dead. He was dead in a few minutes” Mohamed Moalimu about Abdirizak Abdi (pictured) Since cars were not allowed, I ran until I reached the hospital but unfortunately Abdirizak had been pronounced dead.

It was a terrible day - and the fourth time I have witnessed such a tragic incident in Mogadishu.

It is the only time I have not had any injuries.

In 2013 I was in front of the UN compound when al-Shabab attacked - a suicide bomb hit my car.

The other time was in 2016, near the hotel on Lido beach, where my face was badly injured.

I was lying in a pool of blood for more than two hours and it took many months being treated in hospitals here and in Nairobi and in London for my injuries to heal.

In February last year, the blast that hit Hotel Maka al-Mukarama was very destructive.

I got minor injuries from shrapnel all over my body, including on my hand. I escaped through a hole on the wall that had been created by the suicide car bomber.

But imagine somebody who was my colleague, a friend - we were only having a friendly chat and coffee that day - is now dead.

He was dead in a few minutes.

You can imagine how tragic it was. I was not able to sleep at all.

I tried to but I could not. It has affected me badly.

Almost 20 people have been confirmed dead, in addition to the four attackers and a suicide bomber.

‘My family couldn’t believe I was alive’ That’s a big number - people here in Mogadishu who work during the day usually have tea at restaurants in the afternoon.

I’m very concerned that this attack happened. I had hoped that things would improve.

My wife and family always advise me not to go to restaurants.

Now I need to follow their advice because this is something that is not stopping.

This time my family was very worried because they knew Abdirizak was dead.

When I called them from the hospital, they could not believe that I was alive until they saw me.

They have found it hard to believe I escaped - for the fourth time.

Source: BBC

AS-SAMAD FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPRORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPAINES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of Original Right of Occupancy (R of O) in respect of Plot of land situated at Plot No. G020052 measuring about 1,551.10sqm in FO1 Layout Kubwa belonging to KHALIF KWANDI is missing.

All efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, please contact the nearest police station. General public to please take note.

IBRAHIM I, Formerly known as IBRAHIM BABAWO ADAMU, Now Wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM BABAWO. All documents and credentials bearing the former Name remains valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should take note.

RABIU

SUNUSI

I, Formerly known as ibrahim mohd garuba, Now Wish to be known and addressed as ibrahim rabiu muhammed. All documents and credentials bearing the former Name remains valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should take note.

I, Formerly known as AMADU YAHUZA, Now Wish to be known and addressed as SUNUSI YAHUZA. All documents and credentials bearing the former Name remains valid.

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NAVY TOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI 1988 SET

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPRORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPAINES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPRORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPAINES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALANCHA DOMINIC ICHUKWU 2. AGABA WILSON AGABA. 3. AISHA UMAR

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.BRAIMOH OZIMEDE AMEDU 2.Samuel Pre-ere Gloria 3.PRINCESS MOMODU BIBIIRE 4.MOWAH LINDA NERIAH

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PROVIDE FREE TRAINING ON LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To Forster and encourage the spirit of onesness, companionship and comradeship amongst members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BEFORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR – GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRI CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BEFORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR – GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRI CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED NAMED IS HEREBY APPLYING FOR THE REMOVAL AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ( CAC) UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990 THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BITRUS GANI-IKILAMA - REMOVED 2. DANIEL OBAKA - RETAINED 3. ISAAC OKPANACHI - RETAINED 4. SIMEON MAHA - RETAINED 5. MRS. RUTH AISHETU OBAKA - RETAINED 6. RHODA BABA GOSHI - RETAINED APPOINTED TRUSTEES 1. ANDREW GANI IKILAMA - APPOINTED 2. BASHIRU ISMAILA - APPOINTED AIMS AND OBJECTIVE REMAINS SAME Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 240 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Onyekwere Christopher Onuabuchi - (Chairman) 2. Ekeke Iheanyi Uchenna - (Secretary) 3. Lekwauwa Ifeanyi Valentine 4. Akwara Nnamdi 5. Nwagwu Francis Chukwujike 6. Obilam Chukwuemeka Callistus 7. Chibueze Victor Eberechi 8. Onyekwere Henry Chinenye 9. Nwosu Raymond Enyinnaya 10. Nwachukwu Isaac Chikwendu 11. Agomuo Callystus Alozie 12. Uwakwe Peter Anyanwu 13. Justus Uche Okwuonu THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To provide a viable environment for the formulation of progressive policies and projects to impact on the lives of Nsirimo Amaise Communities.

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This is to inform the general public of the loss of original Right of Occupancy in respect of plot no.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

NEWS Edo groups put Buhari on notice over plot to derail democracy

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he Forum for Progressive Governance and Accountability, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow merchants of evil take up arms against a legitimately elected Government in Edo State.

It also condemned in strong terms, invasion of the Assembly Complex in Benin City by police operatives acting on behest of the orders of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

Secretary of the Edo-based political pressure group, Ohunyon Festus Egbenososa, in a statement, said the invasion was an attempt by the party to takeover government through the back door, urging the leadership of the party in the State to wait till September 19, 2020 to test the popularity of its Candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the poll.

The forum noted: “September 19, 2020, the day set aside by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Edo people to choose who governs them in the next four is just six weeks, two days away from today, Thursday, August 06, 2020.

According to the group, “The invasion of the Assembly Complex at Ring Road, Benin City, by men of the Special AntiRobbery Squad on the orders of leaders of the APC is only an affirmation that the party and its candidate cannot win the governorship election in a fair contest and have resorted to illegal and violent means to topple the legislature and cause crisis in Edo State.”

Egbenososa continued: “This despicable act is not only condemnable but an assault on the sensitivity of Edo people. The APC must wait for September 19, 2020 to test the popularity of their Machiavellian candidate, who Edo people have always rejected and will continue to reject.

“The issues have become clearer; the governor is being fought by enemies of the state because he refused to share the patrimony and resources of Edo State amongst a predatory group of godfathers and political thugs. Politics should be about people, not self; Edo people will not relent in resisting the antics of selfish politicians who are hellbent on further plundering the fortunes of the state.”

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and heads of other security agencies to rein in Comr.

Adams Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu and the APC in Edo State to avert this rape of democracy and heinous ploy to subvert the will of the majority of Edo people”, the group added.

Similarly, a Coalition of Community-Based Organizations (CBO’s) has condemned attempts by armed policemen to takeover the Edo State Assembly declaring that the action is an “attempt to subvert democratic institutions in Edo”.

Leader of the group, Mr. Andrew Adaze Emwanta who disclosed this in Benin City cautioned the police and other security agencies “not to allow themselves to be used by anti-democratic forces to create anarchy in Edo State”.

Emwanta specifically accused Mr. Hope Uzodima, the Imo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the September poll of allegedly importing thugs from Imo State to cause crisis in Edo. He urged president Buhari to “prevail on Uzodima to immediately desist from his meddlesome incursions in the sovereign affairs of Edo State.

Only free, fair elections can give Nigerians hope, Secondus tells Buhari, INEC ...Says Nigeria sitting on keg of gun powder

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

N

ational Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus said on Thursday that the only thing that can give Nigerians hope is for President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct free and fair elections in the country.

Secondus spoke yesterday when he and other members of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, played host to the two reconciled factions of the PDP in Ogun State led by the newly elected State Chairman, Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The PDP National Chairman

observed that the nation is currently sitting on a keg of gun powder as the people have been traumatized and terrorized with insecurity, hunger and poverty starring Nigerians in the face.

According to him, “Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

“We have been traumatized, terrorized with insecurity, hunger and poverty and the entire country is looking up to the PDP. “The people are depressed Because of the political and economic situation in the country.

The only way people will have hope is for Mr. President and INEC to conduct free and fair election.

“We don’t want what happened in other states to happen in Edo because Nigeria will be heading to a place that is unknown.

“How can a country continue

to conduct its affairs as if we are in a banana Republic? he said.

Secondus expressed satisfaction that “Both sides (in Ogun PDP) came together, went to congress and conducted a very free and transparent election to elect a new EXCO for our party in Ogun state”.

Continuing, he said, “What can we say? That can only be God, because before now, the affair of the party in the state was filled with rancour, bitterness and division.

“Ogun state is going to take this example to other states to show that when leaders come together, they can always resolve their differences”, he said.

Responding on behalf of other members of the Ogun PDP executive, the newly elected

Chairman, Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele thanked Secondus and other NWC members for the support extended to them so far.

In the words of Ogundele, “We are here to thank you for all the support you have been giving to us in Ogun state.

“We represent the good people of Ogun state and we say a big thank you to the NWC. “I brought greetings from Hon. Ladi Adebutu who is unavoidably absent today.

“We are here to familiarise ourselves with the NWC and we pray God to give the chairman more wisdom, knowledge and understanding that will lead us to success.

“There is no problem in Ogun PDP again. Today is a day that God has made”, he said.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, flanked by the Minister, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed and the Permanent Secretary, Dr.Mahmoud lsah Dutse, yesterday.

PDP charges Police IG to stop invasion of Edo Assembly

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the Thursday’s invasion and illegal occupation of the Edo State House of Assembly by security agents allegedly deployed by suspended National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, as a direct coup against the democratic order of the state as well as a recipe for anarchy, chaos and bloodletting.

The PDP has thus charged the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to immediately stop the invasion and attempt to forceful takeover the Edo state House of Assembly by security operatives illegally deployed from Abuja.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan said this at a press conference he addressed yesterday in Abuja.

The main opposition party urged the Inspector General to act with dispatch to curb “this nefarious situation, which has heightened tension in the state”, and if not halted, may results in a bloody clash as the citizens are already charged to

defend their symbol of democracy from a forceful takeover.

The PDP condemned what it called, “this notorious resort to self help by the APC and their agents” to forcefully takeover power in Edo state through the back door.

The party therefore charged the IG to wade in and immediately withdraw the illegally deployed security officers and protect democracy and peace in Edo state.

According to Ologbondiyan, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to immediately stop the invasion and attempt to forceful takeover the Edo state House of Assembly by security operatives illegally deployed from Abuja by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The party posits that the invasion and illegal occupation of the state legislature by security agents allegedly deployed by sacked national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, is a direct coup against the democratic order of Edo state and a recipe for anarchy, chaos

and bloodletting.

“We urge the Inspector General to act with dispatch to curb this nefarious situation, which has heightened tension in the state, and if not halted, may results in a bloody clash as the citizens are already charged to defend their symbol of democracy from a forceful takeover.

“The Police hierarchy is urged to note that this provocative and lawless act by the APC is part of its plans to overheat the polity and create a security situation with the view to unleash violence on the people, derail the democratic order in the state and blame it on security agencies.

“We condemn this notorious resort to self help by the APC and their agents to forcefully takeover power in Edo state through the back door.

“Our party has been informed that the plot is to use the illegal security operation to seize the processes of the House of Assembly and illegally inaugurate certain individuals whose seats have been lawfully declared vacant with plans to use them to pull down democratic

structure in the state.

“The PDP has also been made aware of grand plots by Oshiomhole, working in alliance with the impeached Deputy Speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly, to import a fake mace, cause anarchy and then push for the imposition of a state of emergency in the state, seeing that they cannot win the forthcoming governorship election.

“Our party therefore charges the IG to wade in and immediately withdraw the illegally deployed security officers and protect democracy and peace in Edo state.

“Our nation cannot afford to have a breakdown of law and order in Edo state at this critical time as such is capable of having a spiral effect on other states in the Niger Delta region, which will further result in dire consequences to our nation.

“We therefore restate our call to President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in Adams Oshiomhole before he triggers a serious crisis in this country”, he said.

Sports

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Eguavoen cautions Rohr on early AFCON preparations

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ith Nigeria’s double headed Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone set for November, former Super Eagles captain, Austin Eguavoen has advised Coach Genort Rohr to commence planning immediately after CAF has released the dates for AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, Bestchoicesports.com. ng can report The Confederation of African Football (CAF) newly released the schedules for the qualifiers match between Nigeria and Sierra Leone double legged nations cup qualifiers encounter to be played between the 9th and 17th of the month of November.

In a chat with newsmen, Eguavoen urged the German tactician to hasten up with his plan now on how he will prepare towards the forthcoming matches.

“Gernot Rohr should just swing back to action invite those he wanted to invite to prosecute that game and there is always rules and guidelines set up by Caf of which it is sent to every

federation, so, we just follow all those guidelines and make sure we head straight, compete and win.“ he said.

In March, CAF postponed upcoming AFCON qualifying matches due to the coronavirus after the World Health Organisation declared it a pandemic. The qualifiers were scheduled to kick off from March 25-31.

A statement from CAF said the 2021 AFCON qualifiers will be held between November 2020 and March 2021.

“For Cameroon 2021, the qualifiers resume on 9-17 November 2020 with the Day 3 and 4 matches whilst the penultimate and ultimate matches take place on 22-30 March 2021.”

Meanwhile, the African qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, which are in the second round, will happen between May 2021 and November 2021.

James Timothy sets Djibouti League on fire with goals

By Amaechi Agbo

F

ormer FC Liberty of Abuja striker, James Timothy is rocking the Djibouti Premiere League with goals, week in, week out, Bestchoicesports.com. ng can report.

James Timothy, popularly called Sammy by fans and players, has been the cynosure of eyes in the league with breathtaking performances banging in goals with reckless fashion.

The striker has scored 5 goals in three matches for his club side, Gendarmerie National, in the Djibouti Premiere League.

Currently, James is the second top scorer in the league with 8 goals.

He netted three times before the league went on a forced break in March due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the world.

However, the former Sokoto United goal poacher continued his goa scoring prowess with additional 5 in three games.

His 8 goals have helped the Gendarmerie National to 8th position on the league and he is not ready to take his leg off the pedal.

UEFA Appoints Dutch Referee For Sunday’s Europa Final

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he Union of European Football Association, UEFA have announced Dutchman Danny Makkelie will be the referee of the Europa League final when Sevilla and Inter Milan go for the top prize tonight.

UEFA also confirmed that the assistant referees will be Mario Diks and Hessel Steegstra (both from Holland) while the fourth official is Anastasios Sidiropolous from Greece.

The VAR is Jochem Kamphuis of Holland while the AVARs will be Kevin Blom (Holland) and Pawel Gil (Poland). Tomasz Sololnicki of Poland will be AVAR3 and be in charge of drawing the offside lines.

Referee Makkelie has officiated seven Champions League games and the Europa League clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Rangers. It will be his first ever Europa League final.

Esports remain milestone to Nigerians - President

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

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FC DSS, State Assembly intervene in Porto To Taraba State Football Association crisis Offload A Super Eagles Defender

By Amaechi Agbo

new twist has been added to the seemingly intractable crisis rocking the Taraba State Football Association with the Department of Security Service, DSS and the State’s lawmakers have wadding in to broker peace.

The crisis started when parallel elections were conducted into the Taraba State Football Association Executive Committee Board was held on June 12, 2019 with two persons claiming to be the duly elected chairman of the FA. Mahmud Sanusi Mohammed was announced winner as the Chairman Taraba state Football Association in the election conducted on June 12, 2019 at Bali Local Government.

While, the incumbent, Timothy Magaji Heman held another election on the same date at Mope Akamase Hall in Numan Local Government in Adamawa state.

The crisis, which began after the elections into the board of the state FA, recently forced the State Assembly and the DSS to step in to help find a lasting solution to the lingering imbroigilo.

Taraba State Football Association had insisted that the June 12 election conducted at Bali Local Government was duly administered in line with the laid down electoral guidelines.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had in a letter dated 26th

September 2019, with Ref No. NFF/ GEN/85/1/42 written to Taraba State Football Association called the Association to a meeting to bring sanity and end the crisis of factional chairmen in state FA. In a response letter to the Nigeria

Football Federation (NFF) from the Taraba state FA, signed by Suleiman Adamu, Chairman of Chairmen Taraba Football Association who doubles as Chairman Jalingo Football Council, stated clearly that the ongoing crisis in the state FA would not have arose had the Federation’s election observer, Alhaji Babagana Kalli was not hijacked by Mr Timothy Magaji which led to his (Babagana) absence at the venue of the election in Bali Local Government It was reported that Babagana went to an undisclosed venue to oversee an election unknown to the football stakeholders in the state, the purported election was presented to the NFF in Abuja by the observer.

The football stakeholders in Taraba accused Babagana Kalli of being one-sided adding that his phones were switched off when they tried to reach him before during and after the election conducted in Balli Local Government.

The football stakeholders stated that they will not keep mute and allow the imposition of leaders on the state FA by the leadership of the association at the national level.

Nasarawa United sign Sadeeq Abdulrazaq ahead Of 2020/2020 NPFL season

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ortuguese giants, FC Porto are reportedly ready to let Nigeria defender Chidozie Awaziem leave the club on a permanent basis this summer.

According to Portuguese online news hub, A Bola, the versatile defender is not in the plans of Porto manager Sergio Conceição.

Porto, according to the website are ready to sell the versatile defender for €5m.

Awaziem, who linked up with Porto from Nigeria Professional Football League outfit El-Kanemi Warriors in 2015 still has two years remaining on his contract with the club.

The 23-year-old spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Spanish club Leganes.

He made 26 league appearances for the Cucumber Growers, who were relegated to the Segunda Division at the end of the campaign.

Awaziem has been linked with a move to Turkish Super Lig clubs Trabzonspor and Caykur Rizespor.

A

head of the commencement of 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season next month, Nasarawa United have secured the services of midfielder, Sadeeq Abdulrazaq Sadeeq’s signing was part of recommendations by two Committees set up by the Management of the Club ahead of the new football league season Sadeeq Abdulrazaq formerly played for FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Niger Tornadoes and Gombe United The mercurial midfielder is expected to formalize his move to the Lafia-based Club in few days to come after undergoing his medical fitness test.

The Club Management has agreed terms with the player’s agent and the Nigerian Football Federation’s intermediary agent, Shuaibu Yakubu,to fast track his release.

According to the Club Chairman, Barr. Isaac Danladi, “the decision to bring the energetic player to the club is to add depth and dominance in the midfield of the Governor Engr.

Abdullahi Sule’s wards and make a statement in the new league league season.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

CLASSIFIED Public Notice CANAAN BAPTIST CHURCH ANAGADA, ABUJA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. VENTIM NANPAK 2. BUTUWONYA MALLEH 3. YUSUF MICHAEL. 4. SHIGABA NATHANIEL. 5. DAUDA SABINATU. 6. AJAYI JOHN OLUWASEGUN.

- CHAIRMAN. - SECRETARY.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. AFOLARANMI ESTHER OLABIMPE - CHAIRMAN 2.AFOLARANMI OLUSEGUN OMOTAYO - SECRETARY 3.OYEDEPO JOSEPH TEMIDAYO 4.ABIDOYE ITUNUOLUWA FERANMI

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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SIGNED : BY Barr. Ajayi Oluwasegun.

SIGNED : EZEJO GLORIA 08038769236.

Public Notice OGUNAME COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1). MR. ROBINSON OTARIGHO OTUOKENA. (PRESIDENT) (2). MR. FRANCIS OGOROTOR ESIRI (Secretary) THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote the welfare of the community.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. PRINCE ABIODUN O. ISHOLA The main aims/objects of the proposed association are: 1. To give charity to the less privileged in the society.

2. To render educational assistance to less privileged people.

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. MBAKWE CHUKWUEMEKA.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.) CHAIRMAN - FATOYINBO THANKGOD ADEBOWAL 2.) FATOYINBO EBUNOLUWA ADEDIWURA 3.) FATOYINBO OLUSHEYE OJUADE 4.) ADEOTI TEMITOPE OLAOLU 5.) ONYIA FIKAYO MERCY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote and protect the interest of members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : ONWUGBONU INNOCENT AKHERE. - SECRETARY 08037662644.

SPACE FOR SALE

SPACE FOR SALE SPORTS Oyedepo’s unholy anger over latest CAMA and Nigeria’s karma Premier . . . putting the people first

FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

League 202021 fixtures announced

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he English Premier League fixtures for the 2020/21 season have been released. The season kicks on Saturday, 12 September with a total of six matches, with two fixtures set for Monday night.

The opening round will see a total of eight matches played, with the Manchester clubs’ fixtures postponed owing to their extended involvement in the 2019/20 Europa League and Champions League competition.

Promoted clubs have been handed tricky opening matches, with Fulham hosting Arsenal at their Craven Cottage grounds on Saturday.

Leeds will have a tough assignment away to Premier League champions Liverpool, while West Brom host Leicester City.

Opening fixtures Saturday 12 September Crystal Palace v Southampton Fulham v Arsenal Liverpool v Leeds United Spurs v Everton West Brom v Leicester City West Ham v Newcastle United Burnley v Man Utd and Man City v Aston Villa are postponed The first mouth-watering clash will see Frank Lampard host Jurgen Klopp at the Stamford Bridge. Lampard is assembling a new-look team and this will be the first real test of their season ambitions, and what better way than against the champions.

Advert: news: Kano: lagos:

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s the church an enterprise? Yes. Is the church a place of spiritual alliance with the creator?

Yes. Naturally, the church as an industry should be detached from incorporeal control. Both must not be conflated. There is the tabernacle of God, which no mundane or terrestrial order has power over, and there is the venture of mammon which must submit to the laws of the land. Caesar must be given his due. The righteous one, Jesus Christ, said so.

Bishop David Oyedepo, the redoubtable preacher, took umbrage against the government over a section of the recently signed Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) which warrants the Corporate Affairs Commission to suspend the trustees of an association or a religious body and appoint an interim manager or managers to coordinate its affairs where it reasonably believes that there has been any misconduct or mismanagement, or where the affairs of the association are being run fraudulently or where it is necessary or desirable for the purpose of public interest. By implication, the law regulates religious and charity organisations.

Venting on the law, Oyedepo accused the government of jealousy. He said he knows the “prosperity of the church is making them jealous”. I think, this is mammon speaking.

Hear him: “The church is God’s heritage on earth.

Molest the wife of somebody and you will see the anger of that person. The church is the bride of Christ. You know how a strong man is when you tamper with his wife. The church is the body of Christ. We are under obligation to give warnings

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Fredrick Nwabufo to wicked rulers so we could be free from their blood,” he said.

“The church works on the pattern delivered by God not the pattern of man.

Government has no power to appoint people over churches. This is a secular nation. The church is the greatest asset of God in this country. Please be warned.

Judgment is coming. The Lord says I have been still but now I will arise. Anybody that is in this deal is taking poison. This will never work. I am waiting for a day when anybody will appoint a trustee over this church…

You can’t gag anybody. We own this country together.”

Nothing can prevail against the church of God – not even Hades. But we must situate and contextualise the “church” in Oyedepo’s cadence. The “church” here according to Oyedepo is some behemoth or unwieldy corporation. I doubt if this is the church Jesus the Christ meant and established.

Over the years, the church industry in Nigeria has carried on as an agency defiant to secular laws despite earning its sustenance from worldly pursuits. Some barely even pay tax while running publishing firms, hospitals, schools, restaurants and other businesses. If I am not mistaken, Pastor Tunde Bakare is one of the few clerics who established businesses distinct from their spiritual vocation.

What is baffling is that these churches, which

stand against laws seeking to enforce transparency in their business dealings in Nigeria, capitulate to similar regulations abroad.

For example, in 2019, the UK Charities Commission appointed an interim manager for Mountain of Fire and Miracles International, the church founded by Daniel Olukoya.

The commission hinged its decision on acts of fraud in the organisation.

It said: “The commission is concerned over the trustees’ unwillingness to report serious incidents.

The inquiry found two alleged incidents of fraud by former employees involving significant sums, both of which were not reported until a number of years after the frauds were discovered.”

Also, in 2015, the UK Charities Commission probed Oyedepo’s Winners Chapel International over alleged misappropriation of 16 million pounds. Oyedepo did not rail against the regulatory commission.

He surrendered his church to the investigation, and fortunately, his church was cleared of all allegations. No wrongdoing was found. But why is he up against similar regulatory process for the church industry in Nigeria?

In addition, in 2014, the commission appointed an interim manager for Christ Embassy International, the church founded

by Chris Oyakhilome. It situated its decision on “serious misconduct and mismanagement in the

church’s administration, inadequate recording of its decision-making processes and failure to comply with grant-making policy”.

As a matter of fact, the church industry in Nigeria has incurred lots of karmic debts over the years owing its trafficking in ‘’ungoverned’’ business pursuits. In 2017, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) sought to bring transparency into the church business, but the agency’s noble endeavour was resisted and its boss sacked. Not that anyone is alleging that there is corruption in the church enterprise, but all proprietors of such businesses must submit their organisations to regulatory scrutiny.

We want a country where things work but we do not want to be governed by laws. We want to live by our own self-made canons. We conform to the standards abroad when we jet out, but we persist in our “quotidian Nigerian ways” when we are in the country. How do we make progress?

The church holds a formidable place in society. It must be not be found wanting before God and man.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist T w i t t e r : @ FredrickNwabufo

DAN Dan GAYE gaye

NNPC challenges NASS to prove 48million barrels of crude missing -News

Tell us who stole it!

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kaduna office: K6 Ahmadu Bello Way, opposite Kontagora road, Kaduna. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng. com; pmlnewseditor@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141