Nigerians are starving, Kano Emir tells Buhari

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has said the present economic situation in the country is inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians, urging the government to urgently find a lasting solution.

The monarch, who raised the concern yesterday while receiving President Muhammadu Buhari at his palace, said: “Nigerians are suffering from perpetual hunger coupled with security challenges.”

Citing the high cost of food and consumables in the country, occasioned by hyperinflation, urged the Federal Government to ease the economic crunch impoverishing the masses.

He equally drew Buhari’s attention to security challenges across the country, urging the government to intensify efforts to restore peace.

“We want to commend the President for the infrastructure development across the country, particularly those sited in Kano, just as the governor listed some of such projects despite the shortfalls in the globally economy.

“We hope the presidential aides would continue to advise the President on the condition and wellbeing of the poor masses, especially in those aspects where he would need to be informed on certain development for necessary action. This is a responsibility upon us, which we need to discharge accordingly,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to sustain prayers for the leaders and for God to heal the land from the Coronavirus Disease.

While assuring Buhari of the emirate’s continued prayers for his administration, the royal father applauded the President for finding Kano worthy of citing the Federal Government’s critical infrastructure.

Buhari, in return, congratulated the monarch on his recent coronation as the 15th Emir of Kano.

He expressed satisfaction for the warm reception received in Kano and commended the developmental stride of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration.…

Rapper Zoro demands the release of pro-Biafran activist Nnamdi Kanu

Kanu is a Nigerian pro-Biafra political activist, who has been under the custody of the Nigerian government for weeks now.

In a post shared via his Instagram on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, the music star demanded that the activist be released.

“There’s a lot I’d love to say, first is I’d love if you listen to your conscience only if it’s well-fed shaa. #freemazinnamdikanu,” he wrote.

First arrested on October 14, 2015, Kanu jumped bail and fled Nigeria in 2017 after the invasion of his home in Abia State, southeastern Nigeria.

NASS urges transport ministry to regulate fares during Sallah

The National Assembly (NASS) has urged the Ministry of Transportation to evolve strategies to check arbitrary hikes in transportation fares during the festive period.

Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Eric Orjiekwe, the Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry on Friday.

Saraki made the remark during a meeting with stakeholders in the road transport sector in Abuja.

She said the meeting was at the instance of the House of Representatives, following deliberations on the arbitrary increase in transport fares during festive periods, particularly for land transport.

Saraki, who was represented by the Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration of the ministry, Mary Ejembi, said an in-depth look at reasons for fare hikes which cause the citizens pain and affect the economy adversely was the thrust of the meeting. Ejembi said the lawmakers were concerned that well-meaning Nigerians were already viewing the situation as a gross exhibition of greed and a monumental corruption on the part of transporters who capitalize on high commuter traffic to exploit the people.

She said: “The stakeholders, after due deliberations, called on the federal government to prioritize road construction and maintenance to reduce damage to vehicles.

“They called on the government to reduce park duties while also enacting traffic laws backed up with technology.

“They also advised that the activities of unions be monitored and regulated to reduce the hardship on passengers.

“They equally suggested that road transport unions should be compelled to organize periodic training for drivers to curb incessant road mishaps.”

Earlier, the National President, Driving School Association of Nigeria (DSAN), Mr Jide Owatunmise, in his remarks disclosed that “recovery factor” was one of the elements responsible for the hike in fares during festive periods.

Owatunmise said this was because road operators see festive periods as an opportunity to recover lost grounds during off-festive seasons.

The Deputy National Secretary-General, Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Mr Henry Ugwu, said double taxation from bodies and establishments like the state governments and …

World Bank commends Gov. Bello over refund of $4.63m surplus funds

The World Bank has commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for refunding $4.63 million surplus funds under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project.

The World Bank commended Bello in a letter of appreciation by its Regional Director, Shubham Chaudhuri.

It described the step as a sign of good leadership.

According to the World Bank, the action by the Governor has made it possible for the organization to extend its projects to other States facing deficit funds and to extend the closing date of its projects.

The World Bank has commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for refunding $4.63 million surplus funds under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project.

The World Bank commended Bello in a letter of appreciation by its Regional Director, Shubham Chaudhuri.

It described the step as a sign of good leadership.

According to the World Bank, the action by the Governor has made it possible for the organization to extend its projects to other States facing deficit funds and to extend the closing date of its projects.

“This action was made possible by your Excellency’s leadership, and its timeliness helped the Bank’s decision to extend the closing date of the project from June 30, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

“The returned surplus funds will ensure that other States facing a deficit of funds are able to complete their civil works, while Kogi state focuses on completing its approved ongoing works.

“We look forward to your continued leadership in following up on the progress and completion of such works.

“We trust the project can be brought to an orderly closure in your state, while achieving its intended objective and contributing to transforming lives and alleviating poverty.

“We also take this opportunity to request that you kindly also expedite the issuance of a required Letter of Comfort.”…

2023: Tinubu won’t be president, polls may be postponed — Primate Ayodele

The Founder of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has spoken on what to expect of the 2023 polls in the country.

Ayodele spoke during the presentation of the 2021/2022 edition of his book of prophesy: “Warnings to the Nations.”

The book is a compendium of prophecies for countries of the world, with special focus on Nigeria.

On the 2023 general election, Primate Ayodele dismissed the threat that there would be no polls, adding that it could, however, be moved forward.

“Nobody is going to stop the election.

“Though the date of the election might be shifted, but there will be elections.”

On the presidential ambition of former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Servant of God ruled out the chances of his taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “Tinubu taking over this country from Buhari is going to be another disaster.

“The best Tinubu should do for himself is to keep away from politics now.

“Tinubu cannot become the president of this country.

“APC will not even give him the chance.”

Primate Ayodele also spoke of more problems ahead for the Peoples Democratic Party, adding that two more governors would desert the party for the ruling party to worsen the crisis rocking the party.

He said: “If the elections were to hold today, APC would definitely lose out, but the question is: does PDP have the right candidate for the election now?

“Nigerians are definitely tired of the APC, but the PDP does not have anybody.

“It’s only if the PDP can present a credible person.

“Mark my words.

“(Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar) Malami factor will decide a lot of things in APC.

“Likewise in PDP, (Aminu) Tambuwal, (Abubakar Bukola) Saraki, (Rabiu) Kwankwaso and (Nyesom) Wike will determine a lot of things in PDP.

“PDP will have a lot of problems because of the plot to remove (National Chairman of the PDP, Uche) Secondus.”…

Ex-governor Suswam opposes state police

A former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has spoken against the creation of state police.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Suswam said even when he was a governor, he opposed state police because he believed “most of us don’t have the maturity to control state police.”

He said: “The proposal in the constitution for amendment is that governors will appoint Commissioners of Police, and I can’t be party to that because I know the implication for that. That will be a recipe for complete disintegration of the country, except we want that.

“As a governor, there is no way you will come to my state and misbehave and I won’t charge you for nuisance and put you in jail. And when it comes to elections, you know that I can appoint a Commissioner of Police.

“My mother can be Commissioner of Police, my cousins will be the DPOs here and there, and my lackeys can be in positions; so, anywhere somebody is my opponent politically, that person is gone. So, we can’t practice state police.”

He said Nigeria should not compare itself with developed countries on the issue of state police as those countries had “gone past where we are today.”

“We’ve to wait until we are mature enough for state police,” he said.…

Kalu speaks on report he discussed IPOB with UK at meeting

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has debunked reports circulated on the social media that he paid a private visit to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, where he allegedly discussed the affairs of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

The former Governor of Abia State spoke on the development in a statement on Monday.

This was even as he snapped at individuals and groups to desist from antagonizing his person.

In the statement by Emeka Nwala, Kalu explained that the British High Commissioner visited him (Kalu) in his Abuja residence on May 13 in company of the Political Counsellor, British High Commission, Jonathan Bacon, and Stuart Gardner, the First Secretary, Political.

“To put the records straight, I neither visited nor discussed IPOB with the British High Commissioner as reported.

“Those behind this repeatedly shameful act will live to regret their actions as their efforts will not only fail but turn around to favour me.”

The fake story circulated in the media with Kalu as the author read: “I visited the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs Catriona Laing with my brother Senator Chris Ngige to express gratitude over her contributions in silencing the issues of insecurities and attacks on the Nigerian force personnel championed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as the issue of insecurity and killing has been defeated totally in the Eastern region.

“We also made it known to her that the entire Igbo elites strongly believed in one Nigeria and very much in support of President Muhammadu Buhari led government.”

 …

APC appoints two Governors to reconcile aspirants

The All Progressives Congress has appointed Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman of Lagos and Kwara States to head its reconciliation efforts on the Anambra State governorship election.

Senator John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, said this in a statement on Sunday.

He said the decision to appoint the governors followed the recently concluded APC primaries to elect the party’s candidates for the forthcoming November 6, 2021 Anambra State governorship election.

Akpanudoedehe said: “The CECPC has appointed the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu and the Governor of Kwara, Alhaji AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman to unify and strengthen the party in the state ahead of the elections.

“The two party leaders are charged with the responsibility of bringing together all the erstwhile aspirants and their supporters to join the campaign organisation of the party and achieve victory for it in the state.”

Akpanudoedehe said the governors were mandated to do everything reasonable and necessary to ensure that all feuding parties, erstwhile aspirants and their supporters close ranks and worked for the APC.

He added this was critical to ensure that the party defeated contestants that would be fielded by other political parties for the election.

He stressed that the party was looking forward to a unified front and a shared commitment to support it before, during and after the election.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Senator Andy Uba won the June 26 primary election conducted by the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led committee.

Abiodun is the governor of Ogun State.

Fourteen aspirants took part at the primaries: Andy Uba, Nwokafor Daniel, George Moghalu, Paul Orajiaka, Edozie Madu, Chidozie Nwankwo, Maxwell Okoye, Geoffrey Onyejegbu, Azuka Okwuosa, Onwa Mokelu, Igwebuike Hygers, Godwin Okonkwo, Beneth Etiaba and Onunkwo Obinna.

Most of the aspirants, including Moghalu, had criticised the primaries, saying it was marred with irregularities and never held in some parts of the state.…

Ohanaeze Ndigbo demands fair trial for Kanu

Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has demanded that the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, must be within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in conformity with global best practices.

To ensure that the IPOB leader gets a fair hearing, the organization said it had constituted a legal team led by its national legal adviser and eminent Igbo leaders to monitor the legal proceedings throughout the trial.

These were part of the resolutions contained in the communiqué issued by the organization after its National Executive Committee meeting held in Enugu on Saturday July 10, signed by its national publicity secretary, Hon. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.

It stated: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has observed with keen interest the recent re-arraignment and consequent trial of our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Inasmuch as Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not averse to the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we however submit that he should be tried within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices.”

The organization also expressed its support for the stand taken by the Southern Governors Forum on anti-open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the President of Nigeria to the South in 2023, and the proposed five per cent share of the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB) for the host communities.

It said further that while it identifies with the Igbo youths in their grievances over Igbo marginalization, menace of the Fulani herdsmen, among others, it does not support the use of any form of violence to redress the relative deprivation and prevailing inequality and injustice across the country.

“We, therefore, urge the youths to be law-abiding and sheathe their swords as the South East leaders and stakeholders address these our collective grievances through meaningful dialogue and negotiations,” it said.

It also advised Igbo youths to take advantage of the ongoing voters’ registration, saying this is the only means to guarantee effective participation in Nigerian politics “and a sine qua non to …

Buhari has mismanaged Nigeria’s diversity, says Col Abubakar Umar

Former military governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (ret), has accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of exhibiting poor skills in managing the diversity in the country.

In a statement, yesterday, entitled, ‘‘Nigeria: A nation challenged,’’ he said it was quite strange and disturbing that the Federal Government was according undue attention to the threats of separatist movements in contrast to the more daunting ones posed by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents in the Northwest, some parts of North Central and Northeast.

The former governor, who is also the leader of Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP), a civil rights group, said the arrest and prosecution of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not Nigeria’s problem, rather “the inability of government to put an end to insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, while injustice, lack of equity and fairness is giving rise to the agitation by separatist groups in the country.’’

The former Governor called on President Buhari to exhibit the traits of uniting all the component parts of Nigeria together, instead of dividing the country, and subsequently, leading it to disintegration.

Recall that the respected critic had in an open letter dated May 30, 2020, warned the President that his knack for appointing people from his section of the country will ruin Nigeria.

Umar is renowned for opposing the annulment of the June 12 election in 1993 by the government in which he served. He was military governor of Kaduna between 1985 and 1988 under the regime of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

In his statement, Umar said: “The recent re-arrest of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was greeted with a loud sigh of relief and celebration in some sections of the country. It also elicited congratulatory messages to the Federal Government, which appears overwhelmed by the intractable security challenges and in dire need of any redeeming act.

“Activities of those criminals have resulted in the evacuation of over 20 per cent of the villages in Northwest and Northeast. Hundreds are being murdered and maimed every …

Lagos State urges occupants near collapsed Apapa building to relocate

Lagos State Government through its Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has advised occupants of buildings close to a partially collapsed building at Olufiditi Street, Amukoko to relocate while removal of the collapsed structure is ongoing.

General Manager of LASBCA, Prince Gbolahan Oki, gave the advice while reacting to the incident that happened last Sunday at Olufiditi Street, off Olokodana street, Amukoko, Lagos.

Oki stated that the building, which was an ongoing construction at the time of collapse, was detected by the agency, sealed up after serving construction statutory notices, including a stop-work order and advised to conduct a structural integrity test to ascertain its level of structural integrity.

He, however, regretted that the developer refused to toe the line of best practices as suggested by the agency and was eventually sealed off again the agency suspected that the building had structural defects and had no development permits.

He stressed that all other buildings around the collapsed building would be subjected to total integrity test through the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory and if failed they will be removed by the agency.

He said: “In the meantime, LABSCA has cordoned off the collapse site. We advised the occupants of the adjoining structures to relocate while the removal of the collapsed structure is ongoing.

The General Manager expressed regret over the incidence of building collapse, which is often characterised by use of quacks and substandard materials during construction and loss of lives and properties.

According to him, “people are not doing the right thing, but sooner than later the agency will put up a massive aggressive enforcement for compliance strategy to curb all infractions and implement the state-building control regulations to the letter.”

The Guardian gathered that the collapsed building, designed as a four-floor structure was sealed by LASBCA officials before the collapse, but the developer of the building broke the government seal.

Oki emphasised that building owners/developers should seek authorisation from LASBCA before the commencement of construction, subject their buildings to Structural Integrity Test, and obtain all necessary building permits before the …

FG fixes new deadline for NIN-SIM linkage

The Nigerian Government has approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to July 26.

The earlier deadline would have lapsed tomorrow, June 30. The deadline date has now been shifted for about seven times. The first deadline was December 30, 2020, two weeks after the exercise started in the country.

The latest decision to extend the deadline was made after a request by stakeholders on the need to consolidate the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process following the rapid increase in the number of enrolment systems across the country.

As at June 28, a total of 5,410 enrolment systems are now available across the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.

The enrolment system were just 800 as at December 2020. A statement jointly signed by the Public Affairs Director, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and Head, Corporate Affairs, NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, on Tuesday, said the FG approved the extension as part of its effort to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN.

NIMC disclosed that there are now a total of 57.3 million unique NIN enrolments, with an average of three to four SIMs per NIN.

According to the statement, with the great number of enrolment centres across the country, every citizen and legal resident should be able to obtain their NINs.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, on behalf of the Federal Government, appreciates Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta, and the Director-General/CEO of that National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Azeez, urge citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification.…

N84b misappropriated in four years by NSTIF — Senate

The Senate on Monday disclosed that about N84 billion was mismanaged by the management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund within four years from 12 out 50 queries investigated so far.

The Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee, Senator Mathew Urhoghide, who made this disclosure, said the agency is a cesspool of corruption with the investigation so far by the committee.

According to Urhoghide, 12 out 50 queries investigated so far by the Committee showed that over N84 billion was misappropriated.

He said: “Just unfortunate in a pace of four years, they depleted our resources.

“Just few human beings who are mindless.”

He added that it is unfortunate that the Management of NSTIF and board of NSTIF colluded between 2012 and 2017.

He said: They are all guilty, they are implicated, they stole the place dry.

“The agency is most defiant and most nutritious.”

One of the query reads: “Audit observed that the Fund had been implementing a salary structure that is not approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

“As a result, irregular payment of N38,219,919,530.32 by way of personnel cost was made to the staff of the Fund from 2012 to 2017.

“Implementation of unapproved salary structure may result in wastage of public funds as remuneration may be higher than the productivity level of staff.”

“Recommendation: The Managing Director is required to provide the approval of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission for the implementation of the Fund’s salaries structure.”

But the Managing Director of NSTIF, Dr. Michael Akabogu, claimed that the amount was approved by the through a letter dated July 4, 2019.

However, when the Committee looked at the letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on the illegal salary at the commission, it was observed it was written five years after the Commission started paying the salaries.

The Committee further discovered in the letter from National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, an objection was raised about the payment of unapproved salaries by the commission.

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages …

Why Social Media must be regulated – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said social media must be regulated to prevent its “evil’ from taking root in the country.

He said the National Assembly had been considering regulating social media for a long time, but that it was reluctant due to outcries by Nigerians.

While acknowledging the good of the platforms, he noted that social media is “the most potent weapon for good and evil.”

Mr Gbajabimaila disclosed this on Sunday at the “Mr Speaker Chat with young Nigerians,” a program on Channels TV.

Mr Gbajabiamila’s position puts a question mark on the investigation by the House into the Twitter ban.

On the 4th of June, the federal government announced the suspension of the operation of Twitter in Nigeria. The move by the government came some few days after the microblogging site pulled down a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Consequently, the lower legislative chamber had set up a joint committee to look into the ban.

The joint committee of the House, last Tuesday, held a public hearing into the matter.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how some members of the committee openly endorsed the ban.

Fatuhu Mahammad, the lawmaker representing Daura Federal Constituency of Katsina State where Mr Buhari hails from, openly canvassed the regulation of social media at the hearing.

The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, appeared before the joint committee, during which he gave the laws backing the action of the government to suspend Twitter.

The joint committee is expected to present its report on Tuesday.

“Weapon for good and evil”

“Social media is the most potent weapon for good and for evil. While we welcome the good, we must prepare over the evil. You cannot use the idea of free speech to destroy me,” Mr Gbajabiamila said.

“Most democracies in the world today are making efforts to regulate social media and the National Assembly has been considering regulating social media for a long time. But each time the issue comes up, Nigerians kick against it.

“It is something we …

Obasanjo is wondering why anyone would believe that Buhari is dead

The tale was first spun and given oxygen by Nnamdi Kanu who heads the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

It is not uncommon to hear Nigerians sharing the story of a ‘Buhari body double in Aso Rock’ on the streets, in the marketplaces, at the malls and in offices, as loudly as they can.

And now former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has described the tale as the most ridiculous and insane stuff he’s ever heard.

Obasanjo has also cited the Jubril-from-Sudan clone tale as one of the ills of social media in the modern era.

Obasanjo says he was approached by one highly placed person on the Jubril-from-Sudan clone tale.

“Somebody came to me, a very high hub person, saying tell me about this talk of Buhari not being Buhari.

“I said ‘do you believe them?’ He said, ‘well, it is in the social media’. I said ‘how will Buhari die and we will not know that Buhari has died and they will bring us somebody from Sudan to be Buhari?’

“It’s ridiculous to the extreme. But you have it in the social media and you see people believing it,” Obasanjo says.

The former president would go on to lecture on responsible use of social media platforms.

“Social media is good, but it can be abused. We have to train our youths and our children about the dangers of the social media,” he submits.

In 2018, President Buhari laughed off rumors that he is dead and has been replaced with a body double.

“One of the questions that came up today in my meeting with Nigerians in Poland was on the issue of whether I‘ve been cloned or not.

“The ignorant rumours are not surprising — when I was away on medical vacation last year a lot of people hoped I was dead,” he said.

The president added that: “I can assure you all that this is the real me. Later this month I will celebrate my 76th birthday. And I’m still going strong!”

Andy Uba threatens N5b lawsuit against Heritage Bank over staff’s protest at his Home

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Andy Uba, has threatened lawsuit against Heritage Bank over a trending video of its staff protesting at the entrance of his residence in Abuja.

About three days ago, some staff of the bank, while on a loan recovery drive, protested at the gate of the senator, asking him to come to the bank and repay his loan.

The protest by the bank staff trended and went viral on the social media.

In a letter dated June 23, 2021 and signed by his lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), Uba said the action of the bank staff had exposed him to ridicule, shame and embarrassment.

He asked the bank to tender unreserved apology in five national dailies and pay him N5 billion as damages.

Part of the letter reads: “Our client’s attention has been drawn to a video currently being shared on WhatsApp, showing not less than 25 [twenty-five] staff of the Abuja branch of Heritage Bank Plc., wearing customized Heritage Bank Plc., T-shirts; carrying placards and signages with defamatory inscriptions written on them, at the front gate of the residential premises of our client, in Asokoro Abuja. The said video which we have seen, had a voice over by one of your bank’s staff with the following narration:

“‘Good morning ladies and gentlemen, today is Monday the 21 st day of June 2001, and we have here the staff of Heritage Bank Plc., Abuja. We are in front of Senator Andy Uba’s house in Abuja. Senator Andy Uba has been owing the bank for a couple of years now and we are here for a peaceful meeting with him, very peaceful meeting to ask him to kindly repay those loans because those are depositors fund and those monies, if they are not repaid will throw the number of people you see here with their families out of work and we know the situation of the economy now.’

“Despite your veiled denial, the …

FG Insists Twitter’s operation is illegal despite ECOWAS court ruling

Eighteen days after the micro-blogging platform, Twitter, was suspended in Nigeria, the Federal Government insists operation of Twitter in the country’s social media space “is not legally permissible.”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday when he appeared before a House of Representatives investigative hearing. He said Twitter was used to disseminate information “that endangers the life and security” of Nigerians and cause disunity in the country.

Following the suspension, the green chamber had mandated its committees on communication, justice, information and culture, and national security and intelligence to investigate the circumstances behind the decision.

Speaking at the investigative hearing, Mohammed said the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 does not permit foreign companies to do business in Nigeria if not registered. He said Twitter cannot be given the legitimate rights to operate until it is incorporated in Nigeria.

“As it regards operation of foreign companies in Nigeria, the law provides that a foreign company, which fails to take necessary steps to obtain incorporation as a separate entity in Nigeria for that purpose, but until so incorporated, the foreign company shall not carry on business in Nigeria or exercise any powers of a registered company,” he said.

“Hence, flowing from this background a foreign company as Twitter cannot be clothed with the legitimate rights to operate as a company registered in Nigeria, as they are not licensed, accordingly.

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is also observed that the operations of Twitter in the Nigerian social space is not legally permissible when it is used in airing of information that endangers the life and security of the majority of citizens of Nigeria.”

Mohammed said Twitter’s suspension is backed by international laws including articles 24, 25 and 26 of the African Union on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (CCPR).

He said the government would not hesitate to suspend other social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Google hangout, and others if they are found to be promoting posts or statements capable of destabilizing the country.

There was a …

PDP will bring desired change in 2023 Bayelsa Governor Claims

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said the Peoples Democratic Party will in 2023 bring about the desired change Nigerians are yearning for.

Diri also advocated the strengthening of the party at all levels in order to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress at the centre in the 2023 general elections.

In a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that the PDP was the only reliable alternative party that could provide purposeful leadership at this point in time.

Diri, who decried the worsening insecurity in the country, said it behoved on the PDP to rescue the nation.

His words: “Nigeria is ripe enough for change. We have experienced the change that the APC brought and now it is time to change the change.

“PDP is the only veritable and reliable alternative party for now. So, you and I have been given the mandate to rescue this nation. We have the best times to bounce back to the national scene.

“Our appeal is that the APC should allow the people to determine who becomes their president in 2023. We don’t want Nigeria to go down.”

Diri also cautioned that the party and country’s interests should be placed above personal considerations in the choice of a presidential candidate, noting that political power should be utilised to positively impact lives as it was ephemeral.

On the proposed use of electronic registration of party members, he urged the zonal leadership to prevail on the national leadership to kick-start the process.

While commending the zonal leadership for its role in getting Edo back into the PDP fold, Diri said South South would remain a stronghold of the party.

While highlighting some of key projects being undertaken by his administration, particularly in the area of road infrastructure in the last one year, he assured the people that they would be ready for inauguration next February.

The projects include the construction of the Yenagoa-Oporoma and Sagbama-Ekeremor senatorial roads.

The construction of a media complex to accommodate the …

Borrowing money is not your only responsibility: Wike to Buhari

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has told President Muhammadu Buhari to stop shifting security responsibilities to State Governors.

The Governor, who spoke in a statement on Wednesday by his Media Aide, Kelvin Ebirim said it is unconstitutional for Buhari to shift his constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property of Nigerians to state governors.

Wike, who spoke at the inauguration of the 21km Odufor-Akpoku-Umuoye Road in Etche Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, said such a position suggested that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government lacked strategies on how to tackle insecurity in the country.

He said: “Mr President, you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You appoint the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Commissioners of Police, the Director of Department of State Services and other heads of security.

“Which one do we appoint?

“How can people appointed by Mr. President be under me?

“It is not only to borrow money for Nigeria that you’re in charge.

“You must, also, be in charge of other things including security.

“Who signed Order 10?

“Is it the governors?

“It is not when things are going bad concerning security, and you say you’re not in charge, and it becomes governors’ responsibility.”

Wike advised the APC-led Federal Government to agree that it could no longer fulfil promises made to Nigerians.

The governor said Nigerians should begin to compare the performances of the Peoples Democratic Party governors with their APC counterparts.

He said: “Mr. President was short of calling names of those governors who run to Aso Rock when they are supposed to stay in their states to see the needs of their states and people.

“Mr. President should have come out openly and said, ‘my APC governors, stop worrying me. Go back to your states and do your work.’

“On that, I support him.

“Thank God, Mr. President knows that I am not one of those that go to visit him over one problem or the other.

“I, as …

Amid his reported death, Tinubu returns to Nigeria

he National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria amid reports of his death in the United Arab Emirates.

The news of Tinubu’s death spread on Tuesday following a report online that he died as a result of ill-health in the UAE.

However, amid confusion over the report, the Tinubu Media Office released images of the two term former Governor of Lagos State arriving the country via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.

Dressed in a blue native attired, Tinubu was shown going through the arrival process. Shortly before he arrived though, the Founder of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Movement, Abiodun Ajiboye, has debunked the rumour of the death of the APC National Leader.

Ajiboye said: “Looking through the story, you can see that the story is not professionally written, the story refused to disclose the precise time he was flown out and nature of the ailment, the story refused to state the surrounding circumstances and lastly, they do not even know the name of the hospital he has been flown to.

“All this simply attest to the fact that it is not a credible story, but rumour to fill the media space. For the avoidance of doubt, Asiwaju has a registered hospital he attends in London and his regular doctors who have his medical history. So, the question of undisclosed location is just to lay further credence to the fact that the report is fake news.

“By and large, it is not uncommon for Asiwaju at 69 to go for regular medical check-ups, I hereby implore all and sundry to disregard the news flying around about his state of health, he is hale and hearty. Asiwaju is due back today, as I speak, he is due back very shortly.”…