The popular Nguru central market in Yobe State’s Nguru Local Government Area is currently ablaze.
A witness, Abubakar Ibn Usman, said the fire started about three hours ago and is still ravaging the market’s second-hand clothing section.
He claimed that the inferno has already destroyed shops and stalls containing goods worth millions of naira.
Details will be provided later…
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has directed members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to take action against those involved in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining in order to help the state reduce pollution.
Governor Wike made the call during a special Juma’at prayer at the State Central Mosque in Port Harcourt on Friday in commemoration of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
The Governor, who was represented by Aribitonye Mohammed Okiri, Special Assistant on Schools Sports, said the Armed Forces must look into the new dynamics of challenges in the areas of environmental degradation in the State and put an end to the challenges of black soot emission.
The Governor stated that black soot now poses a serious threat to the health of Nigerians and foreigners in the state.
To that end, he urged the Armed Forces to work with the State government to put an end to the environmental threat posed by illegal bunkering and artisanal refining.
He pledged his administration’s continued support to the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in the country.
Governor Wike stated that his government has continued to make progress in promoting the welfare of the Legionnaires and security operatives who risk their lives every day to protect the country’s territorial integrity.
Earlier, Iman Malik Yahya Tanko, the Chief Iman of the Rivers State Central Mosque, urged Moslem faithful to live a life of gratitude to Allah.
“We are grateful to Allah for providing us with life. We must be content with our lives and coexist peacefully with our neighbors. Never be overcome by evil; instead, live a life of love, peace, and brotherhood “, he explained.
On Sunday, January 9th, 2021, at 10 a.m., an Inter-Denominational Church Service for Armed Forces Remembrance Day will be held at Our Lady of Holy Rosery (CEWA), Rumuibekwe. On Saturday, January 15th, 2022, there will be a grand-finale celebration at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, complete with parades and wreath-laying activities.
Senator Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo chapter, has been urged to consider resigning as Senator representing the West Senatorial District of the state.
The party’s demand for Okorocha’s resignation was based on what it called Okorocha’s “poor and dismal performance” in the Senate.
Hon Macdonald Ebere, the APC’s state chairman, stated this in a statement signed by Cajetan Duke, the party’s publicity secretary in the state.
“Imo people have had enough of Okorocha and his family, whom they regard as unfit to hold any public office in Nigeria any longer, given their poor and dismal performance in the State,” the ruling APC said.
“Our party categorically condemns Senator Rochas Okorocha’s futile attempt on Arise Television to vilify Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, with wild claims, accusations, and allegations laced with hate and vehemence.
“Instead of presenting himself as good ‘Presidential material,’ Okorocha is busy behaving rashly, jeopardizing his chances by attempting to smear Governor Uzodinma’s image with fabricated lies, unsubstantiated accusations, and fabrications like the alleged Hope Strike Force.”
“We are aware that Okorocha is a master of ostrich politics and grandstanding, which he used to deceive the people of Imo for eight locust-infested years, but he has failed this time.”
“In fact, we believe that if Okorocha has serious or incriminating evidence against Governor Uzodinma, he should report it to the police rather than the media.”
“For the umpteenth time, Gov Hope Uzodinma has stated that he has no personal grudge against Okorocha and is only focused on carrying out the people’s mandate.”
The party also urged Okorocha to put aside his personal interests and allow Governor Uzodinma to focus on providing good governance to the people of Imo.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to meet on Sunday to set a firm date for its national convention in February 2022.
After a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, told reporters.
According to him, the APC governors’ meeting on Sunday in Abuja will focus on the proposed date for the convention, and President Muhammadu Buhari’s warning to the party that it risks losing power to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a signal for the party to hold a seamless convention to avoid disintegration.
He claimed that the governors have now assured the president that the APC convention will take place in February.
Details will be provided later…
Following the violence that erupted in both Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of the state as a result of the 21st memorial anniversary of a Sayawa nation leader and crusader, Baba Peter Gonto, the Bauchi State Government has filed criminal charges against him and 28 others.
The government has charged Dogara and the others with 11 counts of conspiracy, disturbing public peace, mischief by fire, and culpable homicide in the Bauchi State High Court.
According to the charges, which were seen by journalists in Bauchi on Friday, the defendants conspired among themselves to cause bodily harm to people in the area in order to sabotage the memorial anniversary’s progress.
The prosecution named Right Hon Yakubu Dogara, Air Commodore Ishaku Komo (rtd), Rev. Markus Musa, Peter Emmanuel, Ga’Allah Daniel, and Iliya Emmanuel as defendants in the case, which was brought before the court “Pursuant to Sections 98 (1) & (2), 100 (b), and 103 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bauchi State, 2018, among others.”
“That you, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara — on or about the 29th, 30th, and/or 31st day of December 2021, agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act, to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to incite the youths of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro towns to disturb public peace by burning people’s houses, blocking access roads, physically attacking invited guests and other participants attending the 21 year memorial anniversary and book
“You conspired amongst yourselves and others at large on or about the 29th, 30th, and/or 31st day of December 2021 to do or cause to be done an illegal act, to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of mischief by fire by burning people’s houses in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro To during the 21′′year memorial anniversary and book launch of late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town
“On or about the 29th, 30th, and/or 31st day of December 2021, you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of culpable homicide during the 21 year memorial anniversary and book launch of late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town, and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State.”
According to reports, the late Gonto’s 21st memorial was marred by controversies days before the anniversary, culminating in protests and violence that resulted in the destruction of properties worth millions of Naira, including the burning of some individuals’ homes, with an unconfirmed report claiming that three people were killed and many others suffered varying degrees of injuries.
Dogara, who is a member of the House of Representatives and represents the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency, is said to have written a letter to the Director-General of the Department Security Services (DSS) and the Inspector General of Police, warning of a potential security threat if the anniversary is allowed to take place.
However, some youth groups, such as the Concerned Nwari Youths Forum, disputed Dogara’s claim, claiming that rather than dividing the Sayawa people, the anniversary was meant to unite them, as the late Gonto stood for during his lifetime.
Some youth and women in Tafawa Balewa town also objected to the memorial’s holding, claiming that the organizers purposefully excluded some prominent Zaar sons and daughters from the event.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have praised Revd Fr Ejike Mbaka, Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, and other Christian clerics for praying for their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, at the start of this year.
IPOB also urged more ministers of God to pray for Kanu, claiming that such prayers had caused the Nigerian government to be perplexed about its leader.
Security agents have been warned not to harass or molest clerics who support IPOB and Kanu, according to the group.
These were stated by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a statement released on Friday.
The statement reads as follows: “We, the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, commend men and women of God who devoted their precious time and energy to pray for the protection of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been held in DSS custody in Abuja since June 2021.
“Since the beginning of this year 2022, the prayers of these men of God have thrown Nigeria’s leadership into disarray.
“We recognize that the Fulani-controlled federal government and its security agencies are befuddled as a result of the powerful prayers of these men of God, including Rev. Father Ejikeme Mbaka of Adoration Ministries in Enugu and Reverend Father Ebube Mmunso of Ebube Mmunso Ministry in Uke, Anambra State.
“We are calling on other men and women of God Almighty who hear what God is saying to join us in telling the government to stop humiliating and intimidating Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not evil, but rather a special gift from God Almighty, but Nigerians do not appreciate what they have.
“We are once again urging the DSS to refrain from intimidating and humiliating men and women of God Almighty for speaking out about Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. People should not be bullied for their religious beliefs. Nigeria isn’t just for Fulani.
“People of God Almighty must rise up and speak out in unison, or the Fulani-controlled DSS will target them one by one and weaken them. They’ve started with Ejike Mbaka so that others will be afraid to speak the truth about what’s going on in Nigeria.
“The DSS and other security agencies have the ability to kill the messenger but not the message. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s message has penetrated Nigerians’ minds, and they have come to understand the truth about Nigeria and its evil government.”
According to an investigation, many inbound passengers scheduled to arrive in Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos are stranded in various parts of the world because they were unable to pay for their PCR test through the platform provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Travelers have been experiencing issues for several weeks, but the companies that provide payment platforms for NCDC, Flutterwave, and Paystack have done nothing to improve their system.
Many travelers who were harmed by the payment system expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that nothing was being done to improve the system, implying that “travelers will continue to suffer this trauma.”
Arriving travelers were directed to make payments in the travel protocol released by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, without which airlines would not allow them to travel to Nigeria.
“Following successful payment, travelers should download the Permit to Travel Certificate/ QR Code using the “Get Permit to Travel” button visible in the top right corner of the portal, save, and print the form for presentation at the point of boarding,” according to the PSC circular. If payment is successful, the Permit to Travel Certificate/ QR code will have a “PAID” label, and if payment has not yet gone through or is unsuccessful, it will have an “UNPAID” label. Passengers with the label “UNPAID” will not be permitted to travel. A copy of the Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code will also be emailed to the traveler’s email address.”
Travelers must also present two documents at their point of departure before being allowed to board for Nigeria, according to the circular.
One of the documents is a COVID-19 PCR test that was negative within two days of departure (48 hours).
“Airlines have been instructed not to board passengers who have non-PCR COVID-19 tests (such as antigen or antibody tests), a positive COVID-19 PCR test result or tests performed more than 48 hours before boarding,” the statement continued.
On completion of a health questionnaire, uploading of a negative COVID-19 PCR result, and scheduling of PCR tests on Days 2 and 7 upon arrival in Nigeria, the second requirement is a Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code generated from the Nigeria International Travel Portal.
Travelers who fail to show a Permit to Travel Certificate (which confirms payment)/QR Code will be denied boarding, according to the circular.
Ikechi Uko, a travel expert and the organizer of the Akwaaba African Travel Market, described how he was a victim of the NCDC payment portal while traveling from Turkey to Nigeria.
Uko claimed that he paid the platform but that it refused to accept it, and that he would have been stranded in Istanbul if interventions had not arrived, “a kind of intervention that might not come for ordinary travelers who do not have access and connections with airlines and aviation agencies.”
“My payment was refused by the platform.” My family tried to pay, but it kept rejecting their payment and telling them they needed to set up another payment option. A tour operator in Abuja tried to pay for me, but it was declined. We started a new registration, but it will ask you to pay if your passport number is the same; it will then decline the payment.
“Now I’m stuck in a foreign country with no way of getting back home.” So I activated my network. I informed the airline managers that I would be flying, and they immediately got to work. NCAA was contacted (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority). They requested that the airline write a letter on my behalf. The airline was happy to help. The NCAA and the airline worked all night to get me a waiver to fly. The waiver included a stipulation that if I didn’t finish the process, the airline would face sanctions.
“No airline would agree to such a responsibility if it weren’t for my relationship,” he explained.
Uko questioned why the payment platform was unstable, noting that in this day and age, “where Nigeria is listed as one of the fastest instant payment countries in the world, my travel plans were thrown off by the NITP (Nigeria International Travel Portal) payment portal.” Do you understand the ramifications of missing a connecting flight during the holiday season?”
“We sincerely apologize for the delay you have experienced,” he said, referring to Flutterwave, which provided the platform on which he made the failed payment. This is not the type of experience we want you to have.
“Please be advised that Flutterwave is a payment processor that serves a variety of merchants in Africa and around the world. Although the referred transaction was successfully processed to the merchant, we contacted the merchant (NCDC) on your behalf for further assistance. We’d like to apologize once more for the delay in responding to you, as well as any inconvenience this has caused.”
“Oh, I had a terrible experience with the portal that cost me N1.2 million,” another passenger remarked. The portal kept debiting my account, but no QR code appeared. Qatar Airways refused to let me board, and I ended up missing my flight.
“It was a dreadful experience.” I didn’t even have access to the internet to contact high-ranking friends. That night, it was as if the universe conspired to show message.’ Anyway, I returned home and caused havoc with the Lagos State Biobank and Qatar. Qatar only sent a lengthy apology email, citing a clause in the Nigerian government’s law that requires them to find them if they transport any passenger who does not have a QR code.
“Lagos State Biobank sent an apology email and refunded all COVID-19 payments debited, but that didn’t compensate for the emotional trauma I went through, nor the funds I lost due to the date change and hotel stay.” It’s disappointing to learn that things haven’t changed.”
When contacted by the NCAA, the organization stated that it has no authority over COVID-19 protocol and that the Presidential Steering Committee is in charge.
“The PSC only issues statements through NCAA because the airlines only recognize NCAA, and such statements are disseminated via NOTAM” (Notice to Airmen). So, in aviation, we’re just PSC’s mouthpiece,” a PSC official explained.
Nigeria’s presidential election is set for February of next year, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The machinations of politics in the run-up to the election have begun in earnest. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national level (APC). Serious contenders for the top job abound in the PDP. If achievements and promises made and kept (or broken) are used as yardsticks for electing the next President post-Buhari, the PDP has a good chance of defeating the APC convincingly.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) is now a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is still a PDP card-carrying member as of the last time we checked. However, reports on the internet claimed that the ruling APC was courting him to defect from the PDP and run for president under its banner.
The scheme is primarily aimed at ‘coronating’ Jonathan as President, and because he has previously ruled, he is only eligible for a one-term presidency. And when his last constitutional term ended, a northerner would naturally succeed him as Vice-President, propelling another Hausa or Fulani to continue the northern presidential reign.
Jonathan might or might not be aware of this nefarious scheme. His handlers, on the other hand, must make him aware of the implications and consequences. Power is enticing, but it taints good morals. GEJ may not be a saint, but he is a man of integrity.
His six years in Aso Rock will be remembered for a number of historic events, both good and bad. His ascension following the tragic death of then-President Musa Yar’Adua was made possible by the Senate’s unprecedented ‘doctrine of necessity.’ GEJ, aided by that extraordinary constitutional coup, displayed a timidity and myopia never seen before in Nigerian executive power corridors.
He fumbled and wobbled until he was ‘intimidated’ out of the Aso Villa, indicating that he was unprepared for power or the massive task ahead. Corruption, impunity, and opacity flourished as he stumbled and wobbled, unable to provide effective leadership.
Jonathan’s inability to command and control disappointed a lot of people. On numerous occasions, he demonstrated his ineptness and incompetence. Though a gentleman, whatever presidential failures he was associated with were made up for when he patriotically acknowledged his defeat in the polls after the presidential election of 2015. He had demonstrated a rare African quality of statesmanship by doing so.
During his presidency, Jonathan accomplished some good things. In the international exchange mechanism, he was able to keep the Naira stable. The economy performed admirably, propelling the country to the top of Africa’s economic rankings. In an environment where Boko Haram had declared Western education an aberration, he built many modern schools up north, encouraging the many illiterate young northerners to go to school.
However, his legacy was also marred by massive corruption, which continues to reverberate today. We were treated to ‘Dasuki-gate’ and ‘Diezani-gate’ after his exit from the Aso Villa. Even his wife, Dame Patience, has had to deal with the EFCC over graft issues. Many state and non-state actors took advantage of GEJ’s generosity and docility to defraud the country.
Many undeclared presidential candidates abound in the ruling APC, quietly nursing their ambitions and biding their time. The strongest candidate is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Lagos state governor and godfather, who has not yet declared his candidacy openly.
However, there are subterranean campaigns to this effect taking place across the federation, with many support groups competing to outdo one another. However, the Lagos strongman has stated that he will make his ambition public after conducting extensive consultations.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a proud Lagosian and the current Vice-President, is also vying for the highest executive office. Asiwaju Tinubu could be said to have made Osinbajo —- right from his appointment as Commissioner to the Vice-Presidency in Tinubu’s cabinet in Lagos, but both men’s presidential ambitions threaten to destroy any goodwill that exists between them.
Prof. Osinbajo, like his benefactor, has not made his presidential ambitions clear. However, campaigns are also taking place in the shadows, with anonymous posters being seen in Abuja and elsewhere.
Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his gang of governors may well decide who gets what when the time comes. Aminu Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto, and Bukola Saraki, the former Senate President, may face off against Atiku Abubakar for the party’s flagbearer.
Other opposition politicians from smaller parties must be taken into account. Quality candidates such as African Action Congress (AAC) Comrade Omoyele Sowore and banker Kingsley Muoghalu may want to try again to upstage the establishment, as Emmanuel Macron did in France five years ago. There is no shortage of good presidential materials in Nigeria.
The country’s south-east region is adamant that it will be their turn to produce the President in 2023. However, it appears that no one is paying attention to them or their complaints. The PDP appears to be on the verge of abandoning zoning. And the APC appears to be looking for a successor to Buhari in the south-south or in the Niger Delta region.
Goodluck Jonathan must be wary of any future presidential ambitions backed by the same forces that brought him down in 2015. These political scumbags and criminals would produce nothing good or patriotic. A trial, on the other hand, would persuade him that he should not have tried in the first place.
For all intents and purposes, failure would put an end to his less-than-stellar political career. While his name conjures up images of ‘good’ and ‘luck,’ we wish Ebele of Otueke ‘bad’ luck if he decides to run for president with his Ijaw hat in the ring.
What matters more to us is the emergence of a hale and hearty President post-Buharism, one capable of healing the nation and putting an end to the bloodshed; one capable of redressing the country’s economic meltdown and social tensions.
Above all, that tried and true leader, sound in mind and heart, committed to the country’s restructuring for the benefit of all Nigerians! Greatness will come sooner than expected if the country is well-led from the top.
As a result, tribe, region, and religion are unimportant. Sectional, regional, and religious politics (all of which Buharism excelled at) have nearly destroyed a beautiful country. After the Buharian retreat and retirement in Daura, whoever comes in must be elected and judged on their competence and patriotism. Not through the prisms of race or religion, either.
President Muhammadu Buhari has been mocked by Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, for complaining about working for six hours.
Buhari, according to Omokri, is the reason why Nigeria is disintegrating under his administration.
The former White House aide urged the president to return home and rest in a tweet.
When heads of organizations work for 12 hours, Omokri wondered why the president would only work for six hours.
“Buhari complained of working for six hours a day, saying it was too much for him,” Omokri writes. What do you think? It’s no surprise that Nigeria is disintegrating under his leadership.
“How is it possible for a President to work for only six hours?” Even CEOs of corporations work 10-12 hours per day. Go home, Buhari, and rest!”
Buhari previously stated that he is looking forward to leaving office because his age is catching up with him.
On Thursday night, the president told the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) that he is no longer comfortable working long hours every day.
As the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship heats up, the Senator Sani Musa Advisory Council boasts that the serving Niger State senator will win the coveted position.
The advisory council’s optimism was based on the candidate’s acceptance by stakeholders both inside and outside the state, as well as his contribution to the development of his constituency.
Senator Musa would also win the race, according to the council’s spokesman, Alhaji Bissala Babasule, who said in a statement made available to journalists in Minna yesterday that “he is a youth loved by the young and the old within and outside the party.”
“We are pressing ahead with our stakeholder mobilization to ensure Senator Musa’s total victory, and we will win because we have the support of other states, as well as the national leadership of our party at the legislative and executive levels.”
“At the end of the day, Doubting Thomas and doomsayers will be put to shame.” Our victory will undoubtedly result in significant social, economic, and political changes in our beloved state and Nigeria.
“It (Musa’s victory) will transform the country and hand over the country’s political leadership to the young people he represents.”
The aspirant has the full support of the APC’s Niger State Executive Council, according to Babasule, who added that when Musa presented his letter of intent to the party, the state chairman spoke highly of him.
“The event was like a carnival, and everyone who spoke glowingly about him and also threw their weight behind his aspiration,” he said, adding that “what other support does anyone need to clinch victory if the state party leadership is adamantly behind one of its own?”
Babasule praised Musa’s achievements as a businessman and federal legislator in his Niger East senatorial zone, saying: “He (Musa) employed not less than 500 liaison officers from the 99 wards of the Niger East senatorial zone, and has embarked “on many projects in each of the nine local government areas of his constituency at personal costs because of his interest in the emancipation of his people and realization that everything should not be left to government.