UN: Boko Haram Has Killed over 27,000 Civilians in 10 Years

Boko Haram insurgents have killed over 27,000 civilians since 2009 when the sect launched a campaign of violence.

Edward Kallon, United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, said this at the UN building in Abuja during a remembrance of 10 years of crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

The programme took place on Wednesday.

Kallon said rising insecurity in the country had pushed over 130,000 people into displacement with most of them seeking refuge at internally displaced persons camps.

Expressing condolences to the families of aid workers who had lost their lives in the north-east and other states, Kallon said their memories will continue to live on in the hearts of all humanitarian aid workers.

He said the humanitarian community will continue to do its best to assist those affected by crisis.

The sect has also killed many security operatives on the battlefront.

Efforts to put Boko Haram in check have not yielded the desired result. On Saturday, Boko Haram fighter killed over 60 mourners in Borno.

Three days later, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said the sect had been defeated but critics of the government.

CULLED FROM THE CABLE

NUJ Condemns Attack on Female Pregnant Journalist, Others in Ebonyi

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday condemned the attack on journalists covering the ongoing screening of commissioner nominees in Ebonyi State House of Assembly by political thugs numbering over 40 with dangerous weapons.

The thugs, who were allegedly led by the member representing Afikpo South West state constituency in the assembly, Nkemka Onuma, allegedly assaulted a pregnant female journalist, Mrs. Grace Egbo of Tribune Newspapers, and also inflicted injuries on Ogochukwu Anioke of the Nation Newspapers and Samson Nwafor of the Pilot Newspapers while other journalists scampered for safety through the high perimeter fencing of the assembly complex.

Onuma, during the incident, threatened to prevent journalists from covering the state assembly, describing them as touts.

THISDAY gathered that the trouble started when journalists accosted one commissioner nominee, Stanley Okoro, to give more clarification on the controversial disparity of his educational certificate, which generated ripples during the screening by the members of the state House of Assembly.

Onuma started shouting at journalists to stop the interview with the nominee who hails from his constituency, which attracted his thugs to start attacking journalists at sight.

After attacking the journalists, the thugs also held one of them, Anioke, hostage inside the assembly premises by ordering the gateman to lock the gate as he made to drive out of the assembly complex in Abakaliki, the state capital.

It took the intervention of the state Chairman of NUJ, Tony Nwizi, to prevent further attack on the journalists and vandalisation of their vehicles by forcefully opening the entrance gate from which they escaped.

Reacting to the attack on the journalists, National President of NUJ,

Christopher Isiguzo, who condemned Onuma’s action and the thugs, demanded apology for their action.

He also ordered that the medical bills of the victims should be taken care of by the lawmaker.

“I am yet to get the full details of what really happened in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, but if what we read is anything to go by, it is shocking and totally unbecoming for an honourable member of the assembly to have abandoned his legislative duty to begin to unleash mayhem on innocent journalists in the state.

“It is totally unacceptable to us, and we demand that the Ebonyi State

House of Assembly should not just apologise to these people who were manhandled, they should also make sure that they take care of their hospital bill because I learnt that one or two of those people are already in the hospital. They should also assure us of their safety in the House of Assembly.

“There is no way the legislature, which is of course part of the ingredients of democracy, would still be the one to cause harm to journalists in the state. So, the attack is totally unacceptable and the House of Assembly should do the needful,” he stated.

On the threat to prevent journalists from covering activities of the assembly, Isiguzo said: “The lawmaker in question does not have powers to stop journalists from covering the assembly as he threatened. It is a public place and does not belong to that particular lawmaker or even the Speaker. It is a public institution and they don’t have the right or such powers to bar any journalist from covering the state House of Assembly.

Probe Pre-shipment Inspection Cancellation to Combat Insecurity, Group Urges Senate

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has been called upon to as a matter of urgency investigate Customs Pre-shipment Inspection cancelled by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) during the tenure of Alhaji Dikko Inde as Comptroller-General as a means of fighting rising insecurity in the country.

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Social Integrity Network (SIN), in a petition sent to the leadership of the Senate, noted that the Pre-Shipment Inspection that was cancelled has further paved way for bandwagon effects, including illegal importation of dangerous weapons.

According to the group, “We want to categorically ask: ‘was the cancellation approval granted by the President, the leadership of the National Assembly, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice or by their personal decision?

“It is on record that the manufacturers have been clamouring for the return of Pre-Shipment Inspection but unfortunately, no attention has been given to their request while many companies that have been found to be culpable in this regard are yet to be sanctioned. Destination Inspection imposed is full of corruption due to lack of efficiency and transparency in the exercise.”

The group stated further that “if Nigerian Government is really serious about the fight insurgency, they must revisit the matter and reverse the action with immediate effect because it is through this means that dangerous weapons are finding their ways into the country.

“Despite all the money being spent on insurgency operations, the federal government is yet to overcome the ugly challenges which have ravaged many states in the Northeast while many innocent souls have been lost.”

The petition further said: “It is our desire to swiftly respond against the looming crises of economic sabotage which is posing serious threat to the means of livelihood of average Nigerians.

“It would be recalled that recently, we all woke up to a widely spread reports by a group under the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN)-Galvanised Iron and Steel Manufacturers Association (GISMA)-with the alert of planning to lay off 20,000 workforces into the labour market.

“The 30 days warning alert was given due to the collapse of some sectors of Nigeria economy precipitated by massive smuggling of substandard products into Nigeria, targeted at collapsing the local manufacturers.”

The group added that “our investigation has revealed that smuggled substandard steel products have flooded every nook and cranny of Nigeria thereby subjecting local manufacturers to serious economic and social investment misfortune.

“Our Questions now is: What are the agencies saddled with these responsibilities such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) doing about it in order to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his efforts to industrialise Nigeria?”

“Information at our disposal is that some member-companies under GISMA are planning to start shedding their workforce under the euphemism of ‘stood off’, workforce rationalisation and outright sacking of workers because they are yet to get meaningful success in their plights of ridding the country of smuggling and illegal importation activities.”

Kano APC Suspends Jibrin over Alleged Anti-party Activities

Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, member House of Representatives, representing Bebeji/Kiru federal constituency, has been suspended by All Progressives Congress (APC), Bebeji Local Government chapter in Kano State over alleged anti-party activities.

A statement signed by the Chairman of APC in Bebeji, Alhaji Sulaiman Sabo Gwarmai, made available to reporters in Kano on Wednesday late evening, said Kofa was suspended having confirmed that he carried out various anti- party activities contrary to the provision of the party’s constitution.

According to the statement, the embattled Kofa was suspended based on the recommendation of a seven man committee which was constituted after he was petitioned by a concerned party faithful.

The statement further urged the state APC Executive to recommenced to the National   Executive for the expulsion of Kofa from the party.   

The statement read in part: “Upon  a petition received by the APC executive committee of Bebeji Local Government, a seven man committee was inaugurated to investigate all the issues raised by the petitioner.

“ After a thorough investigation the Committee submitted its report and recommendations to the Local Government executive which subsequently met and adopt as follows: That having confirmed various anti-party activities by Hon. Abdulmuminu Jibrin Kofa which was found contrary to some provisions of the party’s constitution, ranging from article 21, paragraph A (ii) (V). 

"And (Vii) the executive committee adopted the report and hereby suspended Hon. Kofa with immediate effect for 12 months.

“That the executive committee also adopted the committee’s recommendation urging the state Executive committee to recommend to the national executive the immediate expulsion of Hon. Abdulmuminu Jibrin Kofa from the party for various offenses.”

Kofa, who was the Campaign Director General of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, lost out in the sharing of the House standing committees, fueling speculation of a rift between him and the Speaker.

Federal University Wukari Shut down as Tiv, Jukun Crisis Claims Three Students ...Benue evacuates 812 students

The Federal University of Wukari, Taraba State, has been shut down by the university authorities following a protest by students over the abduction and killing of three of their colleagues and a staff of the institution in the lingering crisis between Tiv and Jukun tribes.

This is coming as the Benue State Government on Wednesday evacuated over 812 students from the university.

Three students of the school and a staff were abducted on Wukari-Katsina Ala road last Tuesday and were eventually killed by their abductors.

The incident triggered a massive protest by students of the institution forcing the university authorities to suspend academic activities and shut down the school.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Abubakar Kundiri, who approved the suspension of academic activities and closure of the institution on Wednesday in a statement signed by the school Registrar, Mr. Magaji Gangumi, in Wukari, noted that the suspension has become imperative.

According to him, “The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Wukari has approved the suspension of lectures and closure of the institution till further notice. This follows the protest by students over the kidnap of their colleagues on Wukari -Katsina Ala highway last Tuesday.

“Students are therefore directed to vacate the hostels and the university premises by or before 12 noon on Wednesday.”

Speaking in a telephone interview, Prof Kundiri stated that the institution had also made adequate security measures to ensure the safety of staff and students as they leave the ancient town of Wukari.

He disclosed that the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area in neighbouring Benue State has indicated readiness to send 10 buses to compliment the school buses to evacuate students from that state.

Kundiri further disclosed that security operatives, including the Army and Police, have been mobilised to guarantee the safety of members of the academic community as they leave Wukari to their various destinations.

The current crisis between the Jukun and Tiv in Taraba State started on April 1, 2019, as a feud between two people at Kente village in Wukari, and has since degenerated and spread to several communities leading to the loss of several lives and property.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government yesterday evacuated over 812 students from the university.

The state Commissioner for Education, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, who stated this while speaking with journalists in his office, explained that the action became necessary when Benue students in the institution were attacked by suspected Jukun militias.

Ityavyar said 15 buses, among them four Marco Polo, are expected to convey more than 60 students back home.

He stated that the buses were accompanied by a detachment of troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, adding that the students would be dropped in designated points, including Katsina-ala, Ugbema in Buruku Local Government Area and Makurdi, the state capital.

 "As a government, we are concerned about the security of our citizens. That is why the state Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, has appealed to security operatives in Taraba Stateto ensure the safety of the students. But before our action, we learnt that the Chairman of Ukum LGA, Tor-tyokyaa Ibellogo, had made arrangements and provided six buses to bring some students to Jootar, a border town between Benue and Taraba States. The state government has further made adequate arrangement for transport fares to be given to each students to enable them return safely to their parents," he said.

 On claims that two students of Benue extraction were killed, the education commissioner said the rumor was yet to be confirmed even as he lamented bitterly over the incident noting that it has the tendency to thwart further educational pursuit of the students in the institution.

 "It is indeed a sorry situation. It poses a big challenge on safety and security of the lives of students. We should note that it is not an internal crisis but external aggression against the students. Hence, it is paramount that educational institutions make security sacred. However, spite of the crisis, Benue and Taraba State governments are committed to ensuring peace at the borders for the safety of their citizens," Ityavyar maintained.

More Revelations as Buhari Opens Defence of Presidential Election Victory

Revelations have continued to emerge at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), as witnesses called by President Muhammadu Buhari in defence of his victory continued to make startling revelations on the controversial issue of his academic qualification to contest the February 23 presidential election.

Buhari's academic qualification has since 2015 been enmeshed in one controversy or the other.

Although he insisted he possess the requisite academic qualification for the presidential election and that his certificates were with the Nigerian Army, the Army have since dismissed the claim, stressing that Buhari's personal file with them does not contain any of the certificates he claimed to have possessed.

The first revelation was made by Maj. Gen. Paul Tafa (rtd), who claimed to have been enlisted in the Nigerian Army with President Buhari on April 16, 1962.

He listed some of their colleagues to include Brigadier Ola Oni, Major General Duro Ajayi, Major General Shehu Yar'Adua, and  Brig. Gen. Abudullahi Saleh, anong others-- all retired.

However under cross examination,  Tafa, told the  tribunal that the Nigerian Army never asked Buhari and others, including himself to surrender their certificate to the army in 1962, for whatever reason. 

He made the revelation during cross examination by counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yunus Usman (SAN).

Usman had asked: "when you were enlisted into the army in 1962 you were asked to submit your certificate to the Nigerian Army?

Responding, Tarfa  said: "There was nothing of such."

Tafa however confirmed that English was the official language of communication at the time and that they also wrote their examinations in English language.

Under cross examination by Atiku and PDP's lead counsel, Dr. Levy Uzoukwu, SAN, the first defence witness said that President Buhari, being the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has all military formations under him.

Another witness and current Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Alhaji Abba Kyari, who claimed to have known Buhari for nearly 40 years, told the tribunal that the president possessed requisite qualification to contest the February 23 presidential election.

According to him, President Buhari has credit in five subjects including English Language, in his West African School Certificate Examination(WASCE), conducted by Cambridge University.

But under cross examination by Uzoukwu, Kyari told the tribunal that he personally received and signed for Buhari's Cambridge University WASC Certificate on July 18, 2019.

The witness further admitted that Buhari, in his curriculum vitae (CV)  listed the schools he attended but did not include any of the certificates obtained.

He also admitted not being Buhari's classmate at any time and never a member of the army, adding that he was not in possession of any of Buhari's certificates.

Further cross-examined by Atiku's counsel, Kyari admitted that the diploma certificate in Strategic Studies he claimed Buhari possessed in his witness statement was not listed in Buhari's CV.

While he told the tribunal that Atiku was a Cameroonian by birth, he however admitted he never knew nor met Atiku's father and grand father.

Another witness, Sule Mai'Adua, a retired civil servant, admitted that he attended the same secondary school with Buhari and that he took photographs with him while they were in class six.

He also told the tribunal that he wrote WASC examination in 1961 with Buhari and that Buhari has two certifcate.

When asked to read the army's statement that Buhari's certifcate was not in his personal file with the military, the witness said he was never in the army and did not know the position of the army, but insisted that Buhari has two certificates.

Earlier, Buhari through his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, had tendered series of documents, including newspaper publication,s, receipts and certified true copies of WASC certificate, confidential result sheet from Provincial Secondary School and a copy of Buhari's CV duly signed by him as exhibits.

Although, both INEC and All Progressives Congress (APC) did not object to the admissibility of the documents, Atiku and PDP registered their opposition to the admissibility of the documents, but reserved reasons to the objection till the final address stage.

According to them the documents were not pleaded and listed as documents to be tendered, adding that it was shocking to know that the documents were only filed today, July 30, 2019.

Atiku and PDP, in their petition, are challenging the eligibility of President Buhari for the 2019 presidential election on grounds of non-possession of requisite academic qualification, election malpractices among others.

Two Soldiers, Others Injured in Fresh Attack on Katsina Communities

Bandits last Tuesday night reportedly launched a fresh attack on four communities in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, leaving two soldiers with varying degrees of injuries.

This is coming as the Governors of Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States are to meet today in Katsina to strategise and strengthen efforts in tackling security issues in their various states.

The fresh onslaught on the communities, according to locals, lasted for over two hours, forcing security personnel in the state to intervene.

The hoodlums, who invaded Wagini, Shekawa, Chambala and Yar-Laraba, were also said to have injured one vigilante, two residents and set ablaze three operational vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Army in the state.

A resident of the areas, who pleaded anonymity, said: "Up till now, we can't say how many people were killed or injured by the bandits who came in a large number on motorcycles, shooting sporadically to scare the residents as they rustled their animals.

"While engaging security personnel in shoot out, the bandits injured two soldiers, one vigilante and two residents, Nafiu Danwanzam and Hamisu Wagina. They also burnt three of the army vehicles, including some of their personal belongings they left in the vehicles."

He lamented that the invasion of the communities has led to massive relocation of villagers who survived the deadly attacks to Batsari Local Government Area headquarters, which he said is perceived to be relatively safe.

However, as of press time, the state police command was yet to confirm the incident as efforts made by journalists to reach the acting spokesman of the command, ASP Anas Abdullahi Gezawa, was futile.

Meanwhile, well-wishers yesterday trooped out enmass in the ancient town of Daura to welcome the rescued District Head of Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, as he returned home and reunited with his family and kinsmen.

The retired Nigerian Customs boss, who was kidnapped on May 1, 2019, and rescued on July 2, 2019, after spending 63 days in captivity, traveled abroad for holiday, his family said.

Addressing the well-wishers, who came out to welcome the freed Daura head,  Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Farooq Umar, described those who kidnapped Uba as disgruntled elements that would face the wrath of the law soon.

He, however, directed that a special Quranic prayers be held across Juma' at Mosque in the state to appreciate God for the safe return of Magajin Garin Daura.

But the rescued Magajin Garin Daura declined to speak to journalists who were at his residence in Daura for possible interview.

Meanwhile, the Governors of Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States would meet today in Katsina to strategise on efforts to tackle security challenges in their states.

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, who made the disclosure in Gusau, said the five governors would review the various approaches so far taken at individual state levels with a view to fine tuning, strategising and strengthening them for enduring peace.

According to him, “This measure has already received the blessings of President Muhammadu Buhari who is pleased with the gradual attainment of peace in Zamfara State under my leadership.

“The peace and reconciliation initiative I introduced in the state has yielded good results which earned us commendation from the president because in the last one month, the state only recorded one attack where sadly one person was killed.

“This peaceful approach is expected to take centre stage at our discussion during the meeting because it is a known fact globally now that through peaceful process, a lot can be achieved.”

Matawalle, who was the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Security, explained that he had brought some of the experiences he acquired from that committee to bear on the Zamfara State situation.

“We met with Boko Haram members in Borno and peacefully agreed on the release of some innocent captives in return for the release of some of their members in custody which paved the way for the 2015 general election.

“In Zamfara State too, the peace initiative which is being headed by the state Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo, agreed on a ceasefire with the bandits, and they have been releasing the innocent persons in their captivity.

“Unlike the last administration in the state where N1million was given on every recovered gun, we did not give room for such or any other condition and it has successfully worked, and this is why President Buhari assured us of his support,” the governor stated.

Why Kidnapping, Banditry, Armed Robbery Persist in Nigeria

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), on Tuesday said the increasing rate of kidnappings, banditry and armed robbery in the country has been compounded by the deplorable state of roads across the country. 

To this end, the union urged the federal government to blacklist construction companies that carry out sub-standard road projects. 

In his speech delivered at the 36th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, the National President of SSANU, Samson Ugwoke, said  Nigerian roads have become dead traps with the attendant loss of lives on a daily basis. 

According to him,  why it is easy to kidnap people on the highways  is because of the bad roads.

"If you check where we have the military and police checkpoints and recently the Federal Road Safety Corps checkpoints, they are all at the bad portions of the roads. So you must slow down, when you slow down you are under arrest. So, we are appealing to the federal government that one of the ways they should address kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry is by fixing Nigerian highways," he said.

Ugwuoke said government should try and fix the Nigeria highways, adding that the money to do it  is available.

"Government should also not give weak companies that are not able to do good jobs. Many of the roads are less than five years they were constructed but they have broken down. 

"We should blacklist the companies that do substandard jobs in Nigeria. We have good companies with good records. Let us use such companies to do good roads that can last in Nigeria. 

We have lost so many lives on the highway due to accidents. These casualties are avoidable because of the roads are fixed it could reduce accidents," he added.

Fresh Violence Claims 11 Lives in Benue, Taraba

A total of 11 people have been confirmed dead in fresh violence that erupted in Benue and Taraba States on Tuesday.

Eight people were killed and several others injured yesterday in Takum in Taraba State as irate youths went on rampage to avenge the killing of a man in his farm on Takum-Wukari road.

In Benue State, no fewer than three persons were also on Tuesday reportedly killed in a renewed hostility between two communities of Okpoga and Edumoga districts in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state.

The farmland where the man, whose name is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing the report, was killed in Taraba State, has been in dispute for several years and the other parties to the dispute were fingered by the youths to have executed the killing.

A resident of the town, Nathaniel Jato, who spoke to journalists on the telephone, said eight bodies were recovered at the General Hospital Junction as well as Wukari road roundabout by Zenith Bank in the town.

However, confirming the incident, the Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP David Misal, said only two persons were killed in the incident.

Misal, who maintained that the situation has been brought under control, said: "One person was killed in the farm which is under dispute this  morning and some youths in Takum revenged and killed someone allegedly a relation to the people who are in dispute over the said land.

"The land matter has been in court, and two months ago, a relation of the person killed on the same land today (yesterday) was killed in the same farm. However, we have since brought the situation under control."

Efforts to make the Caretaker Chairman of the local government area, Mr. Shiban Tikari, speak on the matter proved abortive as he failed to call back as he earlier promised when he spoke to journalists on the phone.

Jato, who lamented the recurrent violent crisis in the ancient town, charged security authorities to quickly restore peace in the area to pave way for proper investigation into the matter.

Other residents of the town who spoke to journalists appealed to the state Governor, Darius Ishaku, who incidentally is an indigene of the town, to do everything possible to address the security situation in the town which has become notorious for kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes.

Meanwhile, no fewer than three persons were yesterday reportedly killed in a renewed hostility between two communities of Okpoga and Edumoga districts in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

It was gathered from the locals that Ollo community in Edumoga district and parts of Okpoga district in Okpokwu LGA have engaged themselves in war for a decade, a situation which has claimed several lives.

A local source, who spoke with our correspondent, said the cause of the age-long crisis, including the recent one that has resulted in the alleged killing and looting of properties, is yet to be established.

However, another source equally told journalists that what triggered the crisis this time around was that some people from Okpoga district allegedly attacked Ollo community in Edumoga district but were overpowered by the Ollo people which led to the death of the three members of the Okpoga community.

Contrary to the above claim, another source, who identified himself as Mr. Igoche Adoba, a resident of Okpoga, explained that the Ollo people invaded Okpoga community last Monday night, killing three persons.

"It was a reprisal that led to the death of these people. Some people from Ollo community had gone to launch an unexpected attack on Okpoga community and killed some of their people and looted their properties worth millions of naira while several others were displaced," he said.

Confirming the incident, care taker Chairperson of Okpokwu local government council, Mrs. Amina Audu, stated that one person was killed during the crisis while only one person has so far been arrested.

According to the chairman, the crisis between the two communities has been a long-standing one, stressing that the renewed fight started when some hoodlums went and attacked Olayega clan in Edumoga district and looted the people's properties, including a poultry farm, and vandalised an electricity transformer belonging to JED in the area.

She lamented that since she assumed office, it has been crisis upon crisis, noting that she has had series of meetings with police, local vigilantes, chiefs, DSS and other stakeholders to broker peace between the warring communities and find lasting solutions to the crisis.

"The crisis between Edumoga district and Okpoga district is an age-long dispute which cause is not yet known. I have reported this recent mayhem to the appropriate authorities, including police in Ugbokolo and the area command at Otukpa, and one person has so far been arrested.

 "I want to express my gratitude to the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, for taking proactive steps to ensure that security personnel are drafted to the crisis areas to forestall further attacks," Amina said.

 When contacted, the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sewuese Anene, said she was yet to be briefed about the renewed hostility.

She disclosed that the state commissioner of police held a meeting with stakeholders from the communities last week, and advised them to sheath their swords.

Okowa Apologises to Delta Women for Poor Representation in State Cabinet ...Inaugurates 17 commissioners

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday apologised to women in the state for their inadequate representation in his government through appointment to key political positions.

He assured them that the women would be handsomely compensated with the inclusion of many of them in the various boards of state agencies which will be inaugurated in the state soon.

In apparent reaction to criticism of the fact that only one woman, Mrs. Florence Alatan, would be in the state executive council, the governor said women would be “adequately accommodated in the various boards that would soon be constituted-Local Service Commission and other boards.”

While congratulating the 17 commissioners after administering the oaths of office and allegiance to them, Okowa urged them to make humility their watchword even as he solicited the sincere support and cooperation of the Deltans in the discharge of the onerous task of adding value to the governance of the state.

The governor admitted that it was not easy selecting the team to represent the 25 local government areas of the state in the state Exco as he was under immense pressure in drawing the list of commissioners as well as other political appointments so far made.

Okowa said: ''We may not have satisfied everybody. To be honest, I don't think we can; but I daresay the choices largely mirror the wishes and aspirations of a broad spectrum of leaders, relevant stakeholders and the populace in the different local government areas. We did our best to carry everybody along as has been our approach to governance since the first tenure of this administration.

“Nevertheless, it is inevitable that there will be some who may feel overlooked or passed over in the exercise. To those who feel that way, I will say that it isn't because you are not qualified or fit to be commissioner, but in a situation where there are hundreds of qualified persons jostling for 25 commissionership slots, it is inevitable that some may feel ignored if they are not selected.”

In her reaction, a woman leader and public commentator, Mrs. Edith Tonye-Olley, appealed to Nigerian leaders to give more opportunities to women to serve in various leadership positions, stressing that Nigeria is blessed with a lot of women with great potential to contribute to national development.

According to her, “I think as a country, we should consciously give women the chance to serve our dear country,” Tonye-Olley told the media, adding; “We have a lot of very competent women in this country, but it is like we are denying this county the quality services of women.

“Like our governor rightly noted here, one woman out of 25 state commissioners is not good enough.''

Nonetheless, the governor advised the commissioners to be humble and act as agents of unity by extending the spirit of inclusiveness of his government in their relation to the people they would inevitably meet in the course of their daily duties.

Snake Saga: Ondo Assembly Complex Worst in Nigeria, Say Lawmakers

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday fought back on the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu's accusation that the assembly was out to blackmail the state on the snake saga, stating that the state lawmaking complex was the worst in the country in terms of infrastructure.

The lawmakers, who held parliamentary meeting in the official residence of the Speaker, Hon Bamidele Oloyelogun, said the current administration of Akeredolu and the previous administrations in the state had failed to release money for the renovation of the complex .

In the communique read at the end of the meeting by Hon Success Torukerijo of  Ese Odo state constituency, the legislators said the video released to the public on the visitation of Akeredolu to the assembly complex was doctored to ridicule the legislative institution.

The lawmakers had last week through the Chairman Assembly Committee on Information, Gbenga Omole, said a snake was found inside the hallow chamber last Wednesday while the termites-invested ceiling of the chamber also caved in.

The incidents, which prevented the lawmakers from holding the plenary session, led to indefinite adjournment of the assembly.

The lawmakers said: "We want to state without any equivocation that no fund has been released to the assembly for the capital projects in the last five years in spite of the yearly budgetary provision, and there has not been any cash-backing for the renovation of the assembly for the past 10 years.

"It is a pity that the state House of Assembly is the worst in terms of infrastructure in the country. It will also interest the public to know that the offices of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker have no official cars.”

                                                       

The lawmakers, who had earlier claimed to have no financial capacity to carry out project in the assembly complex, called for total autonomy of the legislative arm of government for proper functioning.

While reiterating the need for legislative autonomy, they insisted that the assembly complex was in a state of dilapidation and needed urgent renovation.

According to them, "We want to restate that on July 24, 2019, a snake fell from the ceiling into the chamber of the assembly. On July 25, 2019, part of the ceiling caved in and fell into the chamber, preventing us from holding a scheduled meeting inside the chamber.

"We take exception to the doctored video released from the office of the governor as it did not reflect what transpired when the governor visited the assembly on July 26, and we will not want to join issue by releasing the original version of the video.

"We reiterate the constitutional status of the legislature as an independent arm of government, which therefore, deserves to be accorded as such.”

The angry lawmakers also declared that they would not abdicate their responsibility as the representatives of the people of the state.

Buhari: Religious Tension Would Have Been Minimal if Abiola Had Been President

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the late MKO Abiola as a “bridge builder” who could have prevented the religious and tribal issues besetting the country from happening.

When he received elders from Ogun state at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Buhari said had the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election been allowed to rule, Nigeria would have been better for it.

The delegation led by Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, had visited Buhari to thank him for honouring Abiola with the title of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

Buhari had conferred the honour on Abiola on June 12, 2018.

The delegation, which presented a big talking drum to the president, also used the opportunity to solicit the rehabilitation of some federal roads as well as other critical infrastructure in the state.

They explained that this will decongest the gridlock occasioned by the movement of consignments along the Apapa – Oshodi expressway and also improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

Responding, Buhari expressed appreciation to Abiodun for “mobilising such a strong delegation to thank him for the gesture towards their illustrious son”.

The president also said he named the national stadium after the late Abiola because he knows the youths would want to find out why such an important national institution was named after him in future.

“If MKO Abiola was allowed to rule, the religious and tribal issues now in Nigeria would not have been as strong, because he ran on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, chose his deputy from the Kanuri, a minority tribe and because of his personality, he went across Nigeria and was accepted,” Buhari said.

“He used his resources and energy to convince Nigerians that all he wanted was a solid Nigeria and nothing else.”

CULLED FROM THE CABLE

INEC Accuses Akwa Ibom APC of Media Campaigns against REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday accused the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly embarking on media campaigns to smear the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Mike Igini, in the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in the state.



INEC in a statement signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Don Etukudo, stated that the APC petitioners were busy playing the victim card in the media instead of concentrating their energies and resources in proving their cases at the tribunal.


“For some time now, the INEC in Akwa Ibom State has refused to be drawn into making comments or reacting to unbalanced reportage of the proceedings of the tribunal.

“In spite of this resolve not to join issues with anyone, the commission wishes to note that the state chapter of the APC and Senator Godswill Akpabio had since identified state REC, Igini, as the man they must demonise if they are to win their cases at the tribunal.



“First, it was that INEC was withholding election materials ordered to be released to them by the tribunal. Now, it is that Igini instructed the Collation Officer to cancel their votes in Essien Udim Local Government Area.



“If they were capable of reasoning, we would have advised that rather than dissipate their energies in whining and waging a futile media campaign against Igini, they should invest their efforts at the tribunal where they can reclaim their mandate,” the statement noted.


The commission said it was aware that commenting on matters that are currently being adjudicated upon was wrong, noting that the media spaces were bought, while spurious audio and video recordings were procured, doctored and splashed on social media to promote falsehoods.


According to the statement, the commission has chosen to ignore skewed reportage-sometimes outright fabrications spewed out by media hacks and hirelings or even ignorant ‘citizen journalists’-who, even without understanding the issues, must break the news of "who has won in the tribunal today.”

He said: “Just as they saw his removal from the state as the only way they could win the 2019 elections, their current thinking seems to be that if Igini is abused, maligned, vilified and scandalised enough, the tribunal would award them ‘their mandate’ no matter the strength or weakness of their petitions.


“And so media mercenaries are hired and paid to pick snippets from tribunal proceedings, twist and convulse the narrative to portray Igini as a villain and plant the retches online and pliable media houses.

“Perhaps they need to be assured that no one in the commission is, by any means, fazed by their shenanigans. The commission has a clear conscience, and it’s convinced that it did its best to give the Akwa Ibom people the opportunity to elect their leaders according to the law





"The public should note that whereas the commission is aware of the vile media campaign against it, it has chosen, for reasons earlier stated, to maintain a dignified silence.”