Rising Insecurity: War Drums Sounding Everywhere, Ooni Tells Buhari

Innocent Oweh, Gbenga Abegunrin

Abuja / Ibadan – Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, stormed the Presidential Villa on Thursday, where he intimated President Muhammadu Buhari that issue of insecurity bedeviling the country was vibrating war drums.

The revered monarch, however, said people of the South-West extraction were not ready for war as the experience will not be palatable for anyone.

His visit to the presidency was connected to the killing of the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Pa Rueben Fasoranti, by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State recently, which prompted diverse reactions from Nigerians, including ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, among others.

Although the meeting held behind closed doors, the Ooni bared his mind to State House correspondents shortly after he met the president.

The royal father disclosed that his visit was on the instance of all traditional rulers in the South West, noting that they were equally equipped with ideas on how to improve the security situation in the country.

He said, “How to improve security. I came to speak on behalf of other traditional rulers. The issue at hand in the South West is real. The issue of insecurity, we that live in the remote and rural areas of the South Western part of the country, most of the bushes are occupied by strange people and we decided to work with the government to fish them out.

“Everybody is beating the drum of war, we don’t want war, who can stand war, we want something better for our youths.

“We should better use them for something good other than shouting war and anarchy. We don’t want that.

“We told the president that and he is on the same page with us. Politicians should be careful not to take things out of proportion.

“We should make sure things are right. Mr. President has actually given good directives to security chiefs especially the IGP. They will visit each and every traditional ruler’s palaces that are very sensitive in South West with immediate effect, he is going to give that directives.

“We need to work very closely with the youths and every other security agencies in the country, we will put them to good use now, it is very important to us to put them to use and work with the locals, it is very important so that we can separate the corn from the chaff”.

The Ooni also took a swipe on political leaders, accusing them of over hyping security situation in the country.

According to him, the Yoruba nation abhors any form of attrition or anarchy. 

“We shouldn’t keep over hyping it by saying what is next is war, no. We know what Mr. President has been saying about South-Western part of the country for a long time, the peace and peaceful co-existence in the South-West, we still want to keep that, we don’t want any war to happen, we don’t want any attrition, we don’t want any anarchy. So that is the reason why I came to discuss with him,” he told State House correspondents.

He revealed that President Buhari promised to give a true version of the Ruga policy at the appropriate time, noting that according to the president, the public misconstrued the true intentions of the proposed Ruga settlements.

“One other thing the president assured me of, before I left, which I will go and give back to much more experienced traditional rulers in the South-West and our leaders across board is that he has assured that he will say his own side of the story about Ruga.

“He wants to let the world and Nigerians in particular know the true side of the story because it’s being read out of context. So we should give him that opportunity to speak on his behalf as the number one citizen of the country.

“What is important for me is the youthful exuberance nature of our youths in Nigeria for them not to take laws into their hands, go into all those places and start to kill and maim, we don’t want that, the drums of war is resonating too much and we are very worried,” he stated.

When asked by reporters to explain what he meant recently that the South-Westerners should defend themselves, he said, “I mentioned to you that it is real, that we have wrong people in our midst, so when we have wrong people in our midst how are we not going to defend ourselves, that is why I came here, that in terms of defending ourselves, we need more Federal Government apparatus to defend ourselves because we don’t want to be defenceless.

“It is very important. It is about the mission of defending ourselves that I am here, we need reinforcement from Federal Government and I just mentioned to you that the president has said he will give directives to the IGP to go and see every nooks and crannies of our traditional institutions in South-West and that would probably extend across the entire country because he mentioned to me that he worked in North-East and North-Central discussing and working with the traditional institutions.

“So for us to defend ourselves is for me to come here to meet Mr. President for us to have reinforcement.

“We understand our territory more than anybody. We understand our territory very well. What is important is that everybody in the South-West right now, we are all on the same page. We don’t want war and we want to work with government to defend our land”.

Also asked to comment on alleged stigmatisation of the Fulanis across the whole country, he said, “Well it is not about stigmatisation, it is about separating the corn from the chaff. A lot of them are mixed up with the good ones.

“We are not saying all Fulanis are bad, it’s not only about the Fulanis, it’s not only about them, it’s about the bad miscreants that are even hiding under the name of Fulanis. We want to try as much as possible to work with the government right now. They have all the security apparatus, they are meant to defend us, that is what we are looking out for now. We have to stand up and meet with Mr. President and he has given us a listening ear and you will see a lot of result going forward”.

OPC Gives Police 21 Days To Fish Out Killers Of Fasoranti’s Daughter

Meanwhile, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) New Era has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Nigerian police and other security agencies in the country to fish out the killers of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

The OPC, in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Adeshina Akinpelu, stated that if after the 21-day ultimatum, the police was unable to fish out the killers of Funke Olakunrin, the Yoruba self-determination group would embark on an operation to drive out all criminal herdsmen and their Yoruba accomplices away from the South-West.

Part of the statement reads: “Time has come for us to act now. We will no longer fold our hands and allow criminal Fulani herdsmen to continue to kill us like cows.

“We can’t continue to use the blood of our people to keep Nigeria’s unity.

“We are giving the police and other security agencies 21-day ultimatum to fish out the killers of Funke Olakunrin.

“Failure to fish out the killers, we will drive out all criminal Fulani herdsmen, Yoruba accomplices, and other tribes perpetrating crimes in Yoruba land.”

The OPC also condemned the recent call by Miyetti Allah for the arrest of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing such statement as reckless.

“We are not in any way surprised by Miyetti Allah’s call for the arrest of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Why would they not call for the arrest of Chief Obasanjo when they have a great supporter in the person of President Muhammadu Buhar?” The group said.

The group also called on governors, elected political office holders, and Yoruba leaders to come together and tackle the issue of insecurity in Yoruba land, saying the OPC and over one hundred other pressure groups in Yoruba land were prepared to tackle the issue in the South-West.

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Army Colonel, 20 Soldiers Killed In Boko Haram Ambush

A Colonel and at least 20 soldiers have been killed in an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in Yobe State.

The troops were ambushed on their way from Borogozo in Yobe, the headquarters of the army’s 29 Task Force Brigade to Benisheikh in Yobe, where they have a forward operating base (FOB).

A military source in sector 2 headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole said that the incident happened about 6p.m on Wednesday.

“They were on their way to Benisheikh when they ran into the enemy. The commander of that brigade, a colonel, and about 20 soldiers were killed,” he said.

A reinforcement was reportedly sent to the town and it was confirmed that the brigade commander had been killed.

Among the bodies reportedly identified were that of a captain and four soldiers. Their bodies have since been moved to the 7 Division Hospital in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Sources said one of the soldiers who escaped the ambush has returned to the base in Benisheikh.

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APC Suspends North West National Vice Chairman

Abuja – The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said it has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Vice Chairman (North West), Malam Inuwa Abdulkadir, over anti-party activities by the party organs in Sokoto State.

The ruling party said this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu in Abuja on Thursday.

“The NWC of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has upheld the disciplinary actions of Magajin Gari ‘A’ Ward, Sokoto North Local Government Area, and the party’s Sokoto State Executive Committee on the party’s National Vice Chairman (North West), Malam Inuwa Abdulkadir, over anti-party activities.

“The party organs in Sokoto State have earlier expelled Abdulkadir and passed on their recommendation to the NWC for ratification.

“The decision to uphold the action of the Sokoto APC organs was taken at a meeting of the NWC held at the party’s national secretariat on Thursday,” the party spokesman said in the statement.

He added that Abdulkadir failed to utilise the opportunity to defend himself before the disciplinary committee set up by the NWC to look into the various petitions received against certain members of the party.

“Following the suspension of Abdulkadir, the NWC will subsequently forward the decision of the Sokoto State organs to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for further actions,” he said.

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TUC Rejects Partial Implementation Of Minimum Wage

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday rejected a policy unveiled by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on the implementation of the national minimum wage.

On July 16, the Federal Government announced that it would start the implementation of the new minimum wage with workers earnings below N30, 000 monthly.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage into law on April 18 this year.

The NSIWC circular on the implementation of the policy was signed by Richard Egbule, the chairman of the commission.

The Federal Government has been at odds with labour for years over an apparent endless negotiation to pay Nigerian workers a long overdue minimum wage.

Egbule had said that the position of government was that the implementation of the wage would start with workers currently earning below N30, 000, while others would follow after the conclusion of talks on consequential adjustments.

However, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the President of the TUC, Quadri Olaleye, accused government of playing smart to avert industrial unrest.

“We have read with concern the circular released by Mr. Richard Egbule, Executive Chairman of the National Minimum Wage Committee set up by the Federal Government to work out the consequential adjustment arising from the wage increase.

“Let it be known that this circular is unacceptable to us because it contradicts the raison d’etre for setting the committee,” the statement reads.

Olaleye said that the TUC considered the circular as a smart move on the part of government to discourage labour action, stressing that “labour is not fooled.

“We wonder why anything that has labour undertone becomes the issue of rejection by government. By this circular, the government is testing the patience of workers.

“We assure them that they either go to the negotiating table to complete the assignment or risk the wrath of workers.

“It would be recalled that recently the newly inaugurated green and red chambers of the National Assembly were showered with billions of naira at a time government is playing games with minimum wage.”

The TUC statement said that organised labour would not be blamed for any consequential action, arising from non-implementation of the minimum wage, adding that, “to be fore warned is to be fore-armed”.

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Tasks Before Fayemi Over Insecurity In Ekiti

ADO – EKITI – A Yoruba adage says ‘ Seamless burials should be designed for a child who chooses to die many times in order to taunt his parents” . Such is the case of the twin evils of banditry and kidnappings in Ekiti State..

Nigeria ,as a country is no doubt, is facing a huge security challenge and Ekiti is not left out. So, when reports of killings and banditry in Ekiti begun to make headlines, it raised a lots of concern not only to the citizens but to the government and other critical stakeholders.

In Ekiti State , several lives have been lost to kidnappings and banditry with fresh incidents being recorded .

Ekiti certainly is one of the states that have suffered heavy

casualties. The traditional institution ,the Nigeria Bar Association ,the farmers ,tertiary institutions as well as churches have ,at one time or the other ,lost their members to the crime .

Only last year, at the peak of kidnappings ,a detachment of military stormed the evil forest along Efon -Iwaraja roads and dislodged the criminals in their hideouts .During the raid ,a lifeless body of a kidnapped victim was recovered .

The raid was carried days after three persons were killed along the axis

Also around January in 2009 about nine people were seized in Ekiti by the kidnappers and three of them later died ,including a traditional ruler and a former Vice Chancellor of the newly created University of Education

,Ikere -EKITI when the vehicle conveying to the den involved in accident .

A former Senator Ayo Arise who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District between 2007-2011 was also abducted on his way back to Abuja sometimes in 2014 around Lokoja axis .The ex-legislator spent days with his host before he was released .

Even the hunters are not spared by gunmen suspected to be rampaging herders in the mindless killings .One of the leaders of the hunters Emmanuel Ilori was recently killed in a farmstead in Orin-,Ekiti

Ilori 68 ,was killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen on the night on June 28 at Orin Farm Settlement at Orin Ekiti, life

Narrating their ordeal ,one of the hunters , Adeniyi Ajayi, said he and three others would have suffered same fate as late Ilori but for the providence .

The bereaved hunter described the late Ilori as a hero who actually sacrificed his life to save the community of possible greater calamity .

According to him ,” I saw the unusual appearance in the farm while I was hunting that Friday night,and “I promptly put a call through to Baba as a leader. He called others on phone and eight of us, including him, headed to the place.

Other hunters, Martins Dada, Ogundele Omiata and Biodun Awomayi, who corroborated Ajayi, said the deceased hunter called them to embark on the mission, saying that while others took position at different spots, Ilori and two others went to the spot where the suspected herders were in the abandoned piggery.

According to them, while the slain man attempted to dialogue with the suspected Fulani herdsmen, who according to them numbered about 30, they just opened fire on him while the other hunters scampered to safety in view of the superior firearms with the bandits.

Also speaking the state chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Kolawole Rotimi, said: “I want to say that losing a brave farmer like Mr Emmanuel Ilori is disheartening and discouraging. You cannot go to Orin Farm Settlement. This is part of what has bedeviled Yorubaland.

Rotimi, who alleged that there was fear of Fulani herdsmen everywhere, said: “I’m calling on our traditional rulers in Yorubaland that farmers are no more secured in the farms again and all the government efforts is going to be in jeopardy if there are herdsmen everywhere as threats to our lives and farms. We don’t want them anymore. Sambisa Forest can take all the herders in the country,” he said.

Expectedly, some interest groups begun to read political meaning to the upsurge of crime in the state in particular and the country at large.

For instance, the main opposition ,the People’s Democratic Party had accused governor Kayode Fayemi of not paying due attention to the incessant herders attacks on innocent citizens and farmers in Ekiti because of his alleged Presidential ambition.

But Fayemi had cautioned the opposition against making such allusion saying security issue should not be sacrificed on the altar of political discuss . “The current security challenges in the country should not be politicized as the proliferation and possession of unlawful firearms call for increased security measures” Fayemi warned.

Governor Fayemi while featuring on a statewide Radio and Television programme in Ado-Ekiti hinted that security agents have identified some accomplishes and links to the hoodlums who are terrorizing the people of Ekiti

He disclosed that the suspects usually supply food and other consumables to the kidnappers in their den located in certain hilly areas of Efon-Alaaye axis .

Beyond that ,governor Fayemi recently conveyed a Security Summit where representatives of security agencies in the country, including the Army, Police, State Security Service (SSS), Civil Defence, NDLEA, and NAPTIP as well as officials in charge of security matters across the 36 states will converge on Ado-Ekiti,

The two day summit reviewed the security situation in the state and also proffer workable solutions to end it .

In his speech at opening session, Fayemi stressed the need for a collaborative approach by all sectors of the Nigerian population to successfully tackle and overcome security challenges in the country.

According to him, the cooperation of all security agencies,

traditional rulers, community and religious leaders and all citizens is imperative to overcome insecurity and all forms of criminality.

He disclosed that he has been in constant touch with his counterparts in the neighbouring states of Ondo, Osun, Kogi and Kwara to secure boundary towns and villages which might be used by criminal elements to gain access to the state.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Fayemi warned that the current security challenges in the country should not be politicized but must be frontally tackled in synergy with all stakeholders.

He noted that the appropriateness and timing of the meeting cannot be overemphasized as it came at a time the country is facing various security challenges.

Fayemi stressed that security of lives and property is crucial to socio-economic development which explained why his administration has taken proactive measures to curtail emerging security challenges.

Some of the measures, according to him, include, donation of two units of Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicles to the State Police Command, monthly financial assistance to the security agencies in the state and regular meeting of the State Security Council.

Others are inclusion of the informal security outfits in the security architecture of the state, enlistment of the support of traditional rulers in the maintenance of lives and property in their domains, security awareness campaign on the electronic media.

The rest are establishment of the State Security Trust Fund to enable sustainable funding of crime prevention interventions, creation of an anti-crime outfit code named ‘Operation Keep Ekiti Safe,’ resuscitation of Peace Corps and resuscitation of the Security Tracking System jettisoned by the immediate past administration.

“And with what we are seeing now, it has become imperative to seek the operation of all security agencies, community and traditional leaders and other stakeholders for a safe and secure business climate

“We are quite aware that there might be incursion of criminals from outside the state. Therefore, I have started contacting me counterparts in the neighbouring states with a view to synergizing for more protection of lives and property along the boundary towns and villages.”

The Governor added that hosting of the meeting was a demonstration of his administration’s interest in the security of the people expressing the belief that decisions reached would enrich the business of maintenance of law and order in the country.

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State Of Affairs In Nigeria Extremely Worrisome –Anyaoku

Remarks by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth at the the launch of Justice Dadi Onyeama’s book ‘Dadi, the Man, the Legend’ in Abuja

In the face of the current state of affairs in our country, I would like to take this opportunity to deliver a message principally to our president and members of the National Assembly. But I must first deal with the business that has brought us together this morning.

When Dillibe Onyeama, the author of the book we are here to launch, invited me to chair this occasion, I readily agreed because of my long-time admiration of the subject of the book, his father and father of our most recent Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama. I had, of course, been interested in Dillibe’s career as a student at Eton College, the top public school in England, and as an author of many books. I believe that the book we are launching today is his 27th published work.

The late Justice Dadi Onyeama was clearly one of Nigeria’s greatest judicial icons. Born a prince to a well−known chieftain family in what is now Enugu State, Onyeama na Eke, he studied law at two great universities in the United Kingdom, the University of London and Oxford University and subsequently distinguished himself not only in the Nigerian judiciary but also at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.

He belonged to the tiny group of internationally acknowledged Nigerian judicial personalities such as his successor at the International Court of Justice. The late Dr. Taslim Elias, and Prince Bola Ajibola, who I am glad to say is still waxing strong among us. It is widely acknowledged that on the Nigerian Bench, Justice Dadi Onyeama earned a formidable reputation as a fearless judge with unrivaled integrity.

I have three particularly fond memories of Justice Dadi Onyeama. The first was a most pleasant luncheon party which he and his wife hosted in their beautiful residence in The Hague for me and my family during the Easter of 1972. I also remember the admirable discretion and sensitivity he showed when following the very sudden death of my close friend, the then Ghana’s Charge d’Affairs in The Hague. Dadi Onyeama telephoned my house in London to inform me but when told by my wife that I had traveled the previous day to Pakistan he, knowing how very close our two families were, chose not to upset my wife in my absence by informing her of Kwamina Philip’s death.

My other memory which Dillibe has recounted in his book was my assistance to Justice Dadi Onyeama when he was robbed of his briefcase containing, among his other personal possessions, his passport and airline ticket during his stopover at the White House hotel in London on his way to Nigeria for the Christmas of 1976.

Let me now come to my message to President Buhari and all the members of our National Assembly. I would like before doing so to recall the words of the famous British statesman, Winston Churchill, who said that he made it a personal rule not to criticize his country or government when he was abroad, but when he was home he made up for the lost time. My message is two−faceted: Nigeria is on the brink, and our foremost national challenge is the management of the country’s diversity.

Every diverse federal country throughout the world achieves political stability and socio-economic development through successfully managing its national diversity. There are two common keys to this. The first is having an inclusive central government that gives the peoples of the component parts of the federation a sense of belonging that in turn underpins the sense of unity and patriotism in all the citizens.

The second key is having an adequate delegation of powers to the federating units to enable them to handle their internal security and significant aspects of their socio-economic development.

To give two examples each of successful and unsuccessful diverse federations: Canada and India are successful diverse federations. The former has peacefully resolved the challenge of its multicultural diversity which in 1968 threatened to tear the country apart by the emergence of Quebec as a separate French-speaking country; and the latter, India, continues to be the world’s largest stable democracy which is successfully lifting its huge population from poverty.

The two examples of unsuccessful diverse federations, which came to grief are Yugoslavia and Sudan. The former following the death of its strong leader, Josep Tito, disintegrated into seven independent states, and the latter, after years of instability and civil war, broke into two sovereign states that are continuing in turmoil.

As we all know, our country Nigeria is indisputably a diverse country − multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural. I must stress here that I belong to the school of thought who strongly believes that our country Nigeria, albeit created in 1914 by accident of history, should be sustained and nourished as one national entity. I believe that with insightful and sensitive management of its affairs, the Nigerian federation with its size and resources will offer peace and stability to all its component parts, as well as opportunities for self-fulfilling development to all its citizens.

However today, Nigeria is on the brink. For no objective observer, including those in the government, can deny that the current state of affairs in our country is extremely worrisome. We see an unprecedented diminution of national unity; we see an unprecedented level of insecurity of life and property with kidnappings and killings of human beings occurring virtually every day in many parts of the country, including the seemingly unchecked violence by Fulani herdsmen which has spawned fractious controversies over the proposed RUGA policy by the Federal Government.

For the sake of peace and integrity of the country, the RUGA policy must be handled with circumspection and strictly in accordance with our extant constitution’s provisions on land tenure.

And we also see that all these unwholesome developments are accompanied by a worsening level of poverty that is leading to Nigeria fast becoming the poverty capital of the world. I call on our president, the members of the National Assembly, the governors, and indeed on all our political elites not to continue to live in denial of the seriousness of these glaring facts which, if not effectively addressed, are bound to push the country over the brink of a national disaster.

Fortunately, to provide insightful governance, which would facilitate the effective tackling of these challenges, Nigeria does not need to reinvent the wheel. If only the people in government and all concerned would learn from our history thereby avoid validating the saying by the German philosopher, Friedrich Hegel, that “the only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.”

Because it is undeniable that Nigeria’s history has demonstrated that the country attained a greater sense of national unity and faster progress in socio-economic development during its period as a true federation of more viable federating units with greater devolution of powers to them.

The period was in the immediate years after the country’s independence under its 1960/1963 constitutions.

As I have stated on many occasions, I believe that the current travails of Nigeria will be more effectively tackled if the country’s diversity is managed with a structure of governance that draws not only from the lessons of successful diverse federations but more importantly, from Nigeria’s own past happier experience during its immediate post-independence years.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to conclude my remarks by returning to the principal purpose of our gathering here today. I shall leave it to the book reviewer to tell us more about the book. But having skipped through it, I have no hesitation from commending the book − Dadi, The Man, The Legend − to all those who are interested in reading the intimate stories of truly outstanding Nigerians, and snippets of the history of the country during the periods of their life.

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Insecurity: Nigerians Should Thank Obasanjo For Speaking Out –Dogo

Dr. Isuwa Dogo, Public Relations Officer of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), in this interview with JOY ANIGBOGU speaks on the state of insecurity in the nation, former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter, and what the Federal Government should do to restore peace. Excerpts:

What is your view about the suspensions of the Ruga programme by the federal government few days ago because we know that your organization Middle Belt form, PANDEF, Afenifere and Ohaneze have actually opposed the project?

We do not want the name suspension because if you use the name suspension it means that you have plan of resurrecting it with the same name or substituting it with something else. We are not talking of suspension but we are talking about abandoning the idea completely, not to mention it, nor use any name, method or in whatever style. We are not going to accept it because it is not in congress with what we want. Our views have been stated as what should be done. It is an aspect of neocolonialism, that kind of hegemony, that aspect of domination. It is a situation where you want to take peoples land by force, without regard to how they would survive. We will not sit down and simply allow that to happen to our people. The government is planning, total annihilation and extermination of the ethnic nationalities of these areas, to forcefully acquire their lands.

As I am talking to you mow, a lot of the peoples land have been taken and they are not taken by Fulanis and as far as we are concerned these are terrorists. They killed a lot of people in Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau, Borno and other places. They are not herdsmen and you cannot call them what does not exist. There is nothing like farmers/herders clash and I can stand on mountain top to denounce that. There is no single iota of truth to say you want to resolve farmers/ herders clash and you want to provide a soft landing for the herdsmen.

Where are the farms that they go to trample upon and farmers engage them and they have disagreement. These are terrorists and they know it. They came with their sophisticated weapons, kill our people, take over their lands, rape our women, cut pregnant women stomach open, take the fetus and divide it into pieces and someone will call it Fulani herdsmen/farmers clash. The government knows them, they see them. Nobody has been arrested, tried or put in prison. The first thing that we want government t do is to get rid of these people from our land, arrest them, jail them or even try them.

It is then that we would know the government wants to do something. We die in thousands on a regular basis; we cannot go to our farms anymore. We cannot walk around freely. It is only when there is a massive killing that the government talks about or the media carry it. We want government to wipe out terrorists from our land. It is not issue of middle belt, it is a national issue.

Government said it did not force any State to get involved that the 12 States that it wanted to pilot actually requested for it. What is your view?

When there is no communication, or civilized communication there could be hidden agenda. The issue of ranching is not new. There was this proposal of ranching even under Jonathan, and the ranching as that time meant that there would be a chain or multiplier effect, where you can have both forward and backward linkages. You have massive land; you have local and foreign investors. It is simple for any business man to want to invest.

It is not something that you wake you and want to impose on people. The investors would do their feasibility studies. It would also be beneficial to the country at large. It would give employment opportunities and people will have good meat to eat. There will be adequate manure to cultivate other crops. This aspect of roaming about with the cattle make them emaciate that you don’t get adequate meat from it. In the developed world you don’t see people roam about with cattle.

Ranching is good. If the local people want to sell their land for ranching, they would be adequately compensated and if they want to get involved as partners they can be accommodated. It is not the business of government. Government is only required to provide enabling atmosphere and laws to enable local and foreign inventors get involved, and that is exactly what Benue and Taraba States have done and the laws are there. Saying it was optional did not even make sense.

The States that they want to use did they contact the locals to know if they are interested.

Is government supposed to be sponsoring private business and sinking billions of naira of tax payers’ money to assist anyone? We have lived with Fulanis for years and the local Fulanis do not have any of these attitudes. These people are terrorists and it beats my imagination that government would encourage terrorism and has refused to arrest them or deter them in any form from taking over this country.

What do you think is the solution to the insecurity in the country?

The solution is to arrest all the people that have occupied our land and restore the local people back to their lands, compensate them, accommodate them, beef up security around them, arrest the terrorists and drive them out of Nigeria. Government should ensure that our boarders are adequately policed with immigration, and people don’t just enter the country without proper entry permit. People are smuggling sophisticated weapons into the country and inflicting damage on the citizenry and they still have the audacity to sit in radio and television stations, claiming that they must be protected.

Where were they all these years? Does government need a Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) to tell them that these people are killers? Settle our people flush out the terrorists and come out with programmes for investment in ranching and all of us would be winners. Now that farmers cannot go to farms, only God knows the level of famine that would catch up with us.

What is your position on the comment of President Muhammadu Buhari, that those who have criticized his government for inability to curb insecurity are unpatriotic?

Nigerians should be thanking former President Olusegun Obasanjo for that letter. In fact that letter was the most important letter that he has ever written. He was very courageous to have written that letter and it is because he was concerned that he wrote. Anyone who saw anything wrong with that letter is the one that should be called unpatriotic. We cannot continue to pretend in this country that all is well.

Nigeria is drifting into a state of anarchy and it is high time we told ourselves the truth. This country should as a matter of urgency go back to the 2014 Constitutional Conference, and look at the content. The 2014 confab is very important for us as a nation to consider the things that we must do for a continued co-existence.

Nigerians are dying every day and it is just inhumane for anyone to want to trivialize that, and that is why I said earlier that the letter from Obasanjo came from a concerned Nigeria, someone who desired our continued unity and diversities.

The post Insecurity: Nigerians Should Thank Obasanjo For Speaking Out –Dogo appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Source: Independent

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America's Sports Car, the Corvette, almost didn't survive the Great Recession

The original Corvette was intended to be a flashy concept vehicle, but the design proved so popular GM rushed to put it into production.
Source: CNBC World News

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BMW, Tencent to open computing center in China for self-driving cars

The computing center launched by BMW and Tencent will start operations by the end of the year. It will provide cars with data-crunching capabilities to help them drive semi-autonomously and, eventually, autonomously.
Source: CNBC World News

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Dangote Cement Promo Triggers Upsurge In Demand For Cement

The on-going Dangote Cement’s Bag of Goodies Promo, which promises to reward 21 million cement consumers nationwide, has ramped up demands for the product in the South-Western part of the country just as another star prize winner emerged in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Attesting to the favourable response from the cement consumers since the ‘Bag of Goodies’ was launched, some of the retailers and distributors of Dangote Cement, who during the presentation of the saloon car to the winner, Godwin Chimezie Success in Ibadan, said the advent of the promo has led to an upsurge in the demand for Dangote Cement.

Speaking one after another, the cement sellers said they were not surprised at the increased demands for Dangote cement because this is the first time a cement company would be coming out with a big promo meant to benefit over 20 million consumers.

“This is very unprecedented and this can only be done by Dangote Cement being the biggest of the cement companies. Imagining a cement promo with almost 50 cars, 550 refrigerators, 500 television sets, tricycles and motorcycles, who would not want have any of these at this time in Nigeria,” expressed Mr. Olanipekun Onifade kamoru, Chairman of Onyx Global, a leading Dangote cement distributor based in Oyo town.

He stated that many cement consumers who have won prizes in the promo never believed it because they are not used to cement promo.

Engr Joseph Makoju , the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, who handed the car key to the winner, in company with Engr. Raufu Olaniyan , Oyo State Deputy Governor, said the promo is a unique way of appreciating the real consumers of Dangote cement all over the country.

“As you can see, no lucky dip, no raffle draw, it’s a straight win through scratch card. Every bag of Dangote cement has a card in it. What you get is what you win. No magomago. Cement sale is like a war, the distributors are the generals while the retailers are the foot soldiers.

“At Dangote Cement we work hard to produce quality cement at affordable price so that we remain the best. Every time, we try to grow loyalty by rewarding our stakeholders, the last time it was the retailer, this time around it’s the consumers.”

Engr. Makoju stated that hat no fewer than eight million bags of cement of high quality are released to the market daily and that robotic technology made such production easy.

The post Dangote Cement Promo Triggers Upsurge In Demand For Cement appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Source: Independent

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Nigeria To Supply 10% Of India’s National Crude Oil Demand

LAGOS – The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed its readiness to continue to supply 10 per cent of India’s crude oil demand in the face of competing demand for the product from other countries.

Mallam Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, gave the commitment during a visit by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Abhay Thakur.

He said Nigeria, through the corporation, would continue to support India’s energy security, adding that the recent Memorandum of Understanding in the area of energy between Nigeria and India would be consummated to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said NNPC was desirous of growing the energy cooperation with India and that it was time to progress from just talking to walking the talk.

He added that India was a very important market and that NNPC would ensure that the current volume of crude oil supply from Nigeria to India is secured for the collective interest of both countries.

“We are ready to have a robust engagement with the Indian trade team to provide a win-win energy scenario between us. Every trade opportunity that is available will be fully explored,” Mallam Kyari posited.

He also maintained that there were lots of untapped investment opportunities in the nation’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and expressed the willingness of NNPC to aggressively improve LPG infrastructure and consumption in the country.

In his remarks, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Abhay Thakur, thanked the management of the corporation for the recent renewal of the crude oil term contracts for three Indian companies and sued for increment in the crude oil supply in view of the increasing energy needs of India.

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Source: Independent

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N145bn Worth Of Bonds To Be Auctioned July 24 – DMO

The Federal Government yesterday offered for subscription by auction N145billion worth of bonds in its July 24 auction, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said.

The offer circular obtained from its website on Thursday in Abuja, stated that it would sell N40 billions of a five year re-opening issue maturing in April 2023 at 12.75 per cent.

It would also sell N50 billion 10 year re-opening bond to mature in April 2029 at 14.55 per cent, and another N55 billion 30 year re-opening at 14.80 per cent to mature in April 2049.

According to DMO, units of sale is N1, 000 per unit, subject to a minimum subscription of N50 million and in multiples of N1, 000 thereafter.

The DMO explained that the bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the Nigerian Government, with interest payable semi-annually to bondholders, while bullet repayment would be made on maturity date.

Nigeria issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit.

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Source: Independent

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DPR Goes Tough On Oil Producers Over Production Data

LAGOS – Oil producing companies in the country that failed to unload its oil production data into the official platform would be sanctioned, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said

Mr. Ahmad Shakur, Acting Director of the agency gave the warning yesterday at the sensitisation workshop organised by DPR on National Production Monitoring System (NPSM) for oil and gas operators compliance officers in Lagos.

Shakur, who was represented by Mr. Akpomudjere Okiemute, Assistant Director, Management branch of Upstream of DPR, explained that the purpose of the engagement is to ensure full compliance to production and export data upload into the official platform.

“We have observed over the years that some companies are yet to comply fully with the data submission via the NPMS portal in contravention of the provisions of Section 43 and 52 of the Petroleum (Drilling and Production) regulations of1969 as amended. The agency has set up a compliance team with the task to drive monitor and ensure full compliance with data submission via the platform”, he said.

He explained that such collective platform would deepen stakeholders understanding of the operations and relevance of NPMS Nigeria

He said oil and gas account for about 90 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue so it was essential that the national government, through the DPR, have firm grip on oil and gas production, transfer to terminal and exports.

“The NPMS is a web-based platform that provides rapid and efficient electronic data collection database and reporting system, which is envisaged to replace the paper-based reporting.

“The NPMS project implementation includes two pilot exercise where the DPR collected real-time data at source (one land-based terminal and one Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO).

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Source: Independent

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Nigeria Must Go Into Automobile Production To Grow – Coscharis

LAGOS – The Federal Government has been told that the only way Nigeria can move forward as a nation in the automotive industry is for it to move into massive automobile production.

Dr. Cosman Maduka, the President, Coscharis Group stated this yesterday in Lagos at the unveiling of its partnership deal with Renault automobile company.

Maduka said that with the estimated population of 500 million people by 2050, Nigeria needed to focus on automobile production, saying that making the automotive policy as a law by the government was necessary for the development of the sector in the country.

He said: “Frankly, I am not aware of the statement that Mr. President didn’t assent to the automotive bill. All I know is that the bill has been sent to Mr. President for assent and this is coming to ne as news. I just came back yesterday (Thursday). So far, to the best of my knowledge, we are still working with the auto policy and at the end of the day, it is not going to be about what I want or what anybody wants, it’s about what the country wants for itself.

“With a population of close to 500 million people by 2050, there is no any other way for you to go, but to build your own car. There is no any other way at all if we truly want to move forward as a nation, we must go into automobile production for the number of people that we expect.”

On its partnership with Renault, he said that the essence of the partnership was to create values for its clients and the country at large.

He explained that two out of the four brands would be assembled in Nigeria.

The four brands unveiled at the event were Duster, Kwid, Logan and Oroch.

He expressed hope that the brands would be a success in the country.

The post Nigeria Must Go Into Automobile Production To Grow – Coscharis appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Source: Independent

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Secure Nigerians, fortify our highways, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Akinola, urges FG

Tribune Online
Secure Nigerians, fortify our highways, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Akinola, urges FG

THE Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola, has called on the Federal Government to prove that it puts a premium on the lives of Nigerians by further strengthening the country’s internal security and reducing crime to the minimum.

He particularly requested the government to stop travelling from being a frightening experience for the citizens by making the highways across the country less susceptible to attacks.

Alhaji Akinola made the calls after a condolence visit to the leader of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over the killing of his daughter, Mrs Olufunke Olakunrin, by gunmen, last Friday, on the Akure-Ore Road.

The Muslim leader, during his condolence visit, urged Pa Fasoranti to take solace in God as nothing could happen to anyone without His consent. He noted that Mrs Olakunrin died a martyr and prayed for good health for the Afenifere leader to be able to guide the remaining children and grandchildren.

Don’t obey NEF’s order to quit south, Buhari tells Fulani herdsmen

According to the Muslim leader, insecurity is taking a toll on the economy of the country as no investor will be willing to stake his money where safety of lives and properties is not guaranteed.

He criticised successive administrations in the country for paying lip service to the security of Nigerians, stating that the recent increase in killings, kidnapping, violence and banditry were consequences of years of negligence on the part of the authorities.

The Chief Imam of Akureland, Sheikh Abdul Akeem Yaayi Akorede, warned people against giving crimes of any kind any coloration as people of diverse behaviors abound in all religions, races and tribes.

He then prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and beseeched God to grant Pa Fasoranti and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also present during the condolence visit were Chief Oyewole Fasawe, Chief Olu Falae; a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; members of the Aare Musulumi-in-Council led by the Secretary-General, Alhaji Abiodun Aderibigbe and Alhaji Kola Hammed. The Baba Adinni of Akure, Alhaji Saka Olugosi, received Alhaji Akinola at Pa Fasoranti’s house.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Akinola has congratulated the new chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Prince Dotun Oyelade, on his appointment.

In a message in Ibadan signed by his media aide, Mr Akin Abolade, the Aare Musulumi urged the new helmsman to reposition the state-owned media organisation to meet the yearnings of its viewers and listeners.

According to Akinola, Oyelade should deploy his experience as a veteran media professional to return the television and radio arms of the corporation to their positions as the most highly viewed and most listened to in the South-West.

While wishing the new chairman a successful tenure, the Muslim leader urged industrialists and businessmen in the state to patronise the corporation.

Secure Nigerians, fortify our highways, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Akinola, urges FG
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Muslim group urges more action to end hunger, malnutrition in Nigeria

Tribune Online
Muslim group urges more action to end hunger, malnutrition in Nigeria

THE Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, has called for more commitment and innovation to end food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition in the country.

The National Amir (President), Alhaji Thabit Sonaike, made the call last Sunday at the association’s fourth National Discourse held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

According to Sonaike, sustainable development cannot be achieved if there are so many hungry and malnourished people in the country.

Economic growth and positive socio-economic development, he said, must translate to benefit for all people living in the country, especially the urban poor and the rural dwellers.

Sonaike lamented that despite widely reported reduction in food import and increasing domestic food production in recent times, hunger and undernourishment are also increasing.

The vice-president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who was a key speaker at the event, noted that 720,000 smallholder farmers had received N120.6 billion credit facilities through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Federal Government, which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

According to the nation’s number two man, the credit is given directly to smallholder farmers, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 13 participating banks.

The farmers, he said, were into 12 commodities, including rice, wheat, cotton, soya beans, cassava, poultry and groundnuts across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The vice-president said the government had launched a fertiliser programme to improve local blending capacity in collaboration with Morocco.

A former governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who chaired the event, implored Nigerians to patronise locally-made foods.

This, Aregbesola said, will enhance the nation’s economic potentials.

The guest speaker, Professor Fola Lasisi, underscored the importance of extension services in the productive agricultural practice.

While praising the farmers in the northern part of the country, Lasisi lamented that those in the south take extension services with levity.

Muslim group urges more action to end hunger, malnutrition in Nigeria
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Adamawa community converts mosque into clinic

Tribune Online
Adamawa community converts mosque into clinic

WORRIED by lack of health facility, the Wuro Ahmadu community at Gongoshi Grazing Reserve in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State has turned their only mosque into a clinic.

Wuro Ahmadu is a pastoral community with over 1,000 people and about 20,000 different livestock.

The ward head of the area, Alhaji Ardo Buba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Wuro Ahmadu  that the decision to turn the mosque into a clinic was to find means of providing primary healthcare services to the community.

“In Wuro Ahmadu village and its surroundings, we have no fewer than 1,000 residents. If one is sick or a woman is in labour, we have to travel for over an hour before reaching a hospital.

“We have been in this painful situation for decades and nobody is willing to assist us. So, we decided to sacrifice our only mosque for a clinic,” Buba said.

He appealed to the government to assist them with equipment, drugs and personnel to manage the clinic and look after the people.

He said the village was also in need of a school for their children and standard health facility to reduce deaths and illnesses in the area.

On water provision, the ward head said PZ Cussons charity foundation recently sank two solar-powered boreholes and handed them over to the community.

Buba said the boreholes would serve the water needs of the community and their animals.

Adamawa community converts mosque into clinic
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Dealing with drug trafficking, abscondment during hajj

Tribune Online
Dealing with drug trafficking, abscondment during hajj

There  are  two kinds of  light,  the  glow that  illuminates   and  the  glare  that obscures” –James  Thumber.

The above quote illustrates the two sets of persons who embark on holy pilgrimage to Makkah. Indeed, Nigerian pilgrims, just like people from other parts of the world to the annual hajj, are full of complicated characters – those who are capable of doing great things and those with penchant for doing the opposite.

In recent years, activities of the latter group have left a sour taste in the palate of the country, particularly the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Their  actions  bordering  on  drug  trafficking, overstaying  or abscondment – have set  off  chains of  negative  reactions  from the host  country – the Kingdom of  Saudi  Arabia. Apart from putting their lives at risk, those who engage in these unlawful behaviours have heightened the security concern of the Saudi government and the situation had sometimes led to the impoundment of materials they deemed suspicious.

With the start of the airlift of pilgrims for the 2019 hajj, it is imperative for stakeholders to set in motion actions that would help to arrest or eliminate the twin activities of drug trafficking and abscondment.

Atiku’s witness weeps at tribunal over alleged shooting of two by APC thugs during election

How can we achieve drug-free hajj operations?

Although drug trafficking and abscondment are not peculiar offences to  Nigerian hajjis, the cases of Nigerians are isolated, compared to other nations as many other nationals have been caught in the web of even worse crimes. But listening or hearing the narratives of drug busters, one can reasonably assume that the incident is not as pandemic as it may seem, though extremely nagging and negative for the country’s image. Therefore, an outline and in-depth analysis of the way out will suffice.

 

Provision of scanners

A comprehensive analysis of the circumstances causing an increase in the number of holy land-bound drug peddlers showed that the lack of standard and modern equipment to detect drugs and prohibited items at most of the hajj  departure centres constitute the number one factor. For the fact that the syndicates know that apart from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, many airport departure centres lack equipment to detect prohibited items, the unscrupulous persons use them as drug routes to Saudi Arabia. It is, therefore, imperative for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to provide necessary equipment in the airports.

Closely related to this is the deployment of personnel, especially those of intelligence agencies, in all the airports of operations to complement other airport staff. This would go a long way to sanitise service and curb compromise by regular staff at those centres. It was quite a warming that FAAN was able to smash drug rings operating at the Kano airport but this action must be extended to other airports.

 

Enlightenment/education

Now is a good time to raise the tempo of enlightenment and education of intending pilgrims beyond the performance of hajj rites to include some information and issues about drug peddling, overstaying and abscondment. It must form the major subjects that state pilgrims welfare boards and agencies must focus on before the commencement of airlift. Indeed, emphasis should be placed on educating them on protocol, prohibited items. It is when this is adequately done that the states and the nation can proudly beat their chests that they have worked towards producing better Nigerian hajjis.

On the part of NAHCON, it has taken a significant lead with the launch of a drive to boost detection of overstayers, absconders and drug traffickers through the institution of a national task force.

The task force’s membership was drawn from the intelligence community, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON). Its terms of reference include detection and prevention of abscondment, overstaying and drug peddling on the part of intending pilgrims before embarking on the spiritual journey.

At its inaugural sitting, the commission highlighted the damage the issues of overstaying the duration of visa eligibility, abscondment and related crimes had caused the commission in terms of consular and bilateral skirmishes with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and urged members of the committee to strive to eliminate the ugly incidents.

Also, as part of its evolving device put in place is presentation of guarantor as a precondition for registration for Hajj 2019. The guarantor  has to sign an undertaking that the intending pilgrim would be of good behaviour and will return home on completion of hajj exercise. He would also be responsible for any negative action of the pilgrim.

What is required now is support from everyone, including the hajjis and relevant stakeholders, so that Nigeria can achieve a 2019 hajj free of hitches and crimes.

Ubandawaki is of the Information and Publication Division of NAHCON, Abuja.

Dealing with drug trafficking, abscondment during hajj
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FG Engages French Experts To Formalise Artisanal Miners Into Cooperatives

LEADERSHIP :

The federal government through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) has reached an agreement with SOFRECO, a French company of technical experts and consultants, to develop a programme for the formalisation of artisanal miners into cooperatives and small-scale mining outfits with a view to seeing them grow into larger mining companies and thriving […]

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Source: Leadership News

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NERC Bemoans Energy Theft, To Cap Estimated Billing

LEADERSHIP :

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has attributed the high estimated billing being complained of by Nigerians to the upsurge in cases of energy theft and unauthorised pilfering of electricity. The Vice Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Sunusi Garba made the assertion in Kaduna yesterday during a public hearing and consultation with stakeholders on three regulations […]

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Boeing To Spend $50m To Support 737 MAX Crash Victims’ Families

LEADERSHIP :

Boeing Co (BA.N) yesterday said it would dedicate half of a $100 million fund it created to address two deadly crashes of its 737 MAX planes to financial relief for the families of those killed. Boeing chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, said the compensation expert, Ken Feinberg, is hired to oversee the distribution. The announcement of […]

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Unbundling Construction Sector From Energy Industry Will Boost Economy – NIQS

LEADERSHIP :

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has advocated the need for the federal government to unbundle the housing and construction sector from the energy industry in order to boost the growth of national economy. The president of Nigerian Institute of  Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), QS Obafemi Onashile stated this in Abuja yesterday at a 2-day […]

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NCAA approves LAA as a training organisation

Tribune Online
NCAA approves LAA as a training organisation

Lagos Aviation Academy (LAA), one of the fastest growing aviation schools in Nigeria has described its recent enlist as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as one of its major milestones in the first half of the year 2019.

This feat according to the academy will enable the academy to run additional courses such as the Cabin Crew Ab-Initio Programme and the Basic Flight Dispatcher Course.

Speaking on the development, the Academy’s Director, Mr Bankole Bernard attributed this success to LAA’s dedication to its core values which he identified as; knowledge, integrity, Excellence, Ownership, and Collaboration.

BREAKING: Yinka Ayefele finally confirms wife’s delivery of triplets in US

While stating that the Academy was focused on delivering quality service and achieving excellent results, Bankole declared “LAA is focused on giving out quality service and that is the product we sell. We do our best to ensure that everyone who comes in here gets the very best. Our vision is to train seasoned professionals who would compete out there.

“We will achieve this in our relentless pursuit for excellence. We will also rise to the level of competing with other international aviation institutions in the nearest future. We are proud of the results we are getting at this stage of our growth and we will not relent on our efforts in attaining even greater feats.”

Also speaking, the General Manager, Lagos Aviation Academy, Ms Chinasa Mbene said “LAA has experienced accelerated growth over the years because we have fixed our eyes on the ball by committing to our core values. In the first half of this year, we graduated over 70 students which is a good one for us and we are proud to announce it to the world.

In another feat, within the first half of the year 2019, the academy has also produced the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Best Performer in Nigeria in the March 2019 Managing the Travel Business Course.

Ms Adeola Alade who emerged the overall best student in the IATA Managing the Travel Business Course commended the academy saying: “Coming to LAA was one of the best choices I ever made. Thanks to the conducive learning environment and the instructors, learning was memorable for me.

 

NCAA approves LAA as a training organisation
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NAMA commences installation of prefabricated pilot joint briefing offices

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NAMA commences installation of prefabricated pilot joint briefing offices

Determined to digitalize the nation’s aeronautical information service (AIS), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has commenced the installation of prefabricated pilot joint briefing offices nationwide.

The installation team which has completed work at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos has proceeded to another airport and is expected to continue the installation in 21 airports and three aerodromes nationwide.

There’ll never be peace in this country, until… —Ango Abdullahi

When operational, the prefabricated offices will provide a one-stop shop at the airside where crew members can obtain AIS briefing, meteorological information and make necessary payments at a single point in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

The facility will also accommodate the equipment room for the VSAT network which is simultaneously being installed by the contractor.

Speaking on this development, the Managing Director of NAMA, Captain Folayele Akinkuotu said this was part of continuous efforts by the agency to enhance seamless and sustainable communication in the upper airspace just as he declared that the Satellite Lineup for the VSAT node at NAMA headquarters in Lagos will be completed within the week, while that of Abuja, Port Harcourt and other stations would follow in the next couple of days.

The NAMA boss revealed that the installation of 14 new Very High Frequency (VHF) radio sites which will ride on the new VSAT network was to commence simultaneously with these installations, even as he expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its support and intervention in the final clearance of the agency’s VSAT equipment at the Apapa port.

NAMA commences installation of prefabricated pilot joint briefing offices
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British Airways partners Pearl Africa on girl child empowerment

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British Airways partners Pearl Africa on girl child empowerment

As part of its commitment to contribute towards the development of the next generation of leaders, British Airways has supported the Pearl Africa Foundation, a non-profit organisation on its GirlsCoding initiative, by donating Laptops and Desktops to aide in their training program for young girls.

Speaking at the presentation, British Airways Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka remarked that the initiative was in line with the company’s vision to empower the younger generation.

Obasanjo partook in laying foundation of acrimony, insecurity in Nigeria — Ikimi

“Being in operations globally for a century and in Nigeria for 83years, British Airways is committed to making an impact in communities where it operates. We see this as an opportunity to empower the girl child and encourage them to follow their passion. We are committed to helping the next generation of Nigerians with access to resources to help them be the best that they can be and be able to give back to their society in future.”

He applauded Peal Foundation for the initiative and what it has been able to achieve thus far. He went on to encourage the students studying at the centre to remain steadfast in what they do and be open to learning more to achieve a bright future for them.

The GirlsCoding is an intense program organised for young girls’ ages ten to seventeen years, living in underserved communities in Nigeria. The program aims to train them in computer, robotics and web development skills, with a learning process in basic programminglanguages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Python.

Pearl Africa Foundation promotes the cause and advancement of vulnerable girls and women through different projects and mentoring opportunities for the purpose of economic independence.

While commending British Airways for the donation, the founder of Pearl Foundation and CNN Hero 2018, Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, stated “we want them to have a different life regardless of their background and be able to achieve economic independence.”

“We believe it’s important for young girls to know how to be creators of technology and not just mere users and consumers. Over four hundred girls have been successfully trained to gain economic independence through technology and become problem solvers in their different communities” she added.

 

British Airways partners Pearl Africa on girl child empowerment
Tribune Online

Source: Tribune

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Truckers shunning lifting of Hapag Lloyd’s containers —ANLCA

Tribune Online
Truckers shunning lifting of Hapag Lloyd’s containers —ANLCA

FRESH indications have emerged that truck drivers at Nigerian ports are now avoiding importers with Hapag Lloyd containers, even as those agreeing to lift such containers have hiked their charges by 500 per cent.

Confirming this to newsmen in Lagos recently, Vice President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs service (ANLCA) Kayode Farinto said that ANLCA executives had to lead some of its top members on a fact finding mission to Hapag Lloyd’s office in Apapa to find out why truckers are avoiding their containers.

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He said the management of the shipping company had tendered a defense, saying that the situation was aggravated because most truckers prefer to come directly to the port with empty containers rather than make use of container holding bays scattered around Lagos.

Farinto said the company has subsequently agreed to stop deducting container refunds for truckers with Hapag Lloyd containers once they have reached the queue, seeking access into the port.

“We have had several complaints from our members on operations of Hapag Lloyd, agents are saying that it is very expensive to handle their containers because transporters are charging extra to lift Hapag Lloyd containers, they collect over 500% extra.

“When we went there on a fact finding mission, they told us they have about four holding bays; Bollore, TICT, Creek Road and another at Orile.

“When we asked why it is difficult for our members to get transporters to carry their containers, they told us that some of our members prefer to bring the empty containers to the port.

“We also complained about the lack of convenience in the hall where they are doing documentation for release.

“They have said that once the container is on queue outside the terminal, agents should come and notify them so that they can stop deducting from the container deposit.”

Truckers shunning lifting of Hapag Lloyd’s containers —ANLCA
Tribune Online

Source: Tribune

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