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The blackout occurred in Nigeria has been blamed on the collapse of eight energy vegetation and hydro station

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The blackout occurred in Nigeria has been blamed on the collapse of eight energy vegetation and hydro station

The present energy outrage being skilled throughout the nation has been blamed on the collapse of eight energy vegetation and a hydro station. These energy vegetation embody Sapele, Afam, Olonrunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor.

Whereas the Jebba Energy Plant was shut down for annual upkeep, seven different built-in energy crops, together with Geregu, Sapele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and Alaoji are experiencing fuel constraints, whereas the Shiroro plant is experiencing water administration issues.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Senior Particular Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Energy, Aaron Airtimas, on Thursday.
Read also: Hammed, Ogun Cobbler Electrocuted While Illegally Reconnecting Neighbours’ Electricity

In response to the assertion, the Minister of Energy, Sale Mamman, expressed remorse over the event, whilst he supplied apologies to Nigerians for the inconveniences the facility scarcity has triggered them, assuring that the ministry by means of the suitable companies was working assiduously to rectify the technical and gasoline issues affecting the crops.

“The issue is attributable to the breakdown of a number of the Nationwide Built-in Energy Vegetation supplying electrical energy to the nationwide grid. The nationwide grid can be restored to its earlier distribution peak of about 5,600MW of electrical energy achieved early this 12 months,” the assertion learn.

Minister cancels appearance at Sports Festival

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Minister cancels appearance at Sports Festival

Most likely due to the antics of the Edo State Deputy Governor and the hostile nature of the host state since last week, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare may have decided to cancel his appearance at the closing ceremony of the National Sports Festival.

Last Wednesday hostilities began with the threat by the Edo state to shut down and the Festival throwing out the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development staff from the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) Secretariat at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on the orders of the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

Though resolved, the Deputy Governor has continued to heat up the place demanding for money from the Federal Government. But documents show that what the Edo State government presented to the Ministry was a plea for assistance, which if promised to consider. What the Federal Government promised to consider was not a pledge and neither a loan while no agreement was ever signed.

However, the deputy governor has gone about it in a combative manner with some stakeholders of the just concluded fiesta expressing concerns that “the Deputy Governor was demisinforming people that the Federal Government owes the Edo government.”

PRESS/NEWSPAPER REVIEW: Press Talk 14th April, 2021

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PRESS/NEWSPAPER REVIEW: Press Talk 14th April, 2021

$1bn arms procurement: Clear your name now, Coalition charges Defence Minister

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$1bn arms procurement: Clear your name now, Coalition charges Defence Minister

The Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has called on the Minister of Defence, Bashir Salihi Magashi, to clear his name from the controversial purchase of security equipment.

The group noted that Magashi must explain how his ministry expended the $1billion approved by the Federal Government in April 2018.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, national coordinator, Timothy Charles, described the minister’s silence as “unholy” and an “embarrassment” to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Charles said the group is alarmed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim is carrying out acts to shield the minister.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice, therefore, advised the COAS to be bold enough to stand by the truth instead of being clever by half and attempting to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians.

The group also urged all well-meaning Nigerians to demand that the minister comes out clear by providing facts and details on arms procurement under his watch.

While absorbing the former service chiefs of any involvement, the Coalition for Truth and Justice added that Magashi must come clean for Nigerians to take the FG more seriously in its quest to address the security challenges in the country.

Read the full statement below:

The Coalition for Truth and Justice, a non-governmental organization in Nigeria dedicated to the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in governance in Nigeria, welcomes you all to this important press conference that is intended to address some of the pertinent issues that have surrounded the $1 billion released for the purchase of arms in the prosecution of the war against terrorism and other acts of criminalities across the country.

We must agree that these issues are of great importance to the well-being of the country at large, given the country’s security challenges in recent times as well as the government’s efforts in addressing these challenges.

It is common knowledge that the Muhammadu Buhari administration had in April 2018 approved the release of $1 billion to Nigerian Defence authorities for the purchase of security equipment to fight insecurity in the country under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

Thus, it is pertinent to state that since the coming of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, arms purchases have been domiciled with the Ministry of Defence and not individual services as erroneously projected in the public space.

It is also succinct to state that the Honorable Minister of Defence, who is in charge of the Ministry of Defence, should provide answers to questions surrounding arms purchase in the country. It is thus despicable that there has been some well-orchestrated attempt by some vested interest to divert attention from the Minister of Defence.

We are constrained to add that the statement credited to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, during his appearance before the House of Representatives is diversionary and an indication that he is carrying out the whims and caprices of the Honorable Minister of Defence.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice views the recent happenings as a sad development in the sense that as a high ranking officer of the Nigerian Army and one who is conversant with the operational procedures in the Nigerian Military would elect to feign ignorance to an issue as sensitive as arms purchase in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in the country.

We are aware that the Ministry of Defence is responsible for arms purchases and the unholy silence of the Honorable Minister of Defence in this regard leaves many questions unanswered. This is also an embarrassment of unimaginable proportion to the Muhammadu Buhari administration that the Honourable Minister of Defence cannot articulate a response to the questions surrounding the monies meant for arms purchase.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice uses this medium to call on the Honorable Minister to come out clear by providing the much-needed information surrounding the $1billion released to purchase arms.

If this is not the case, we then wonder why the Honorable Minister of Defence has elected to play to the gallery in a case as sensitive as this. More alarming is that the Chief of Army Staff has been carrying out acts that aim to shield the Honorable Minister of Defence.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice frowns at such display and wishes to advise the Chief of Army Staff to be bold enough to stand by the truth instead of being clever by half and attempting to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians.

We are constrained to add that if the Chief of Army Staff who has barely spent months in office would not be bold enough to call a spade a spade, we are afraid that his ability to lead the prestigious Nigerian Army is indeed questionable.

It is also curious that the Chief of Army Staff could ask that the past service chief be invited to answer questions on arms procurement during their tenures. This is indeed an anomaly that all well-meaning Nigerians must resist.

This also goes to the Honorable Minister of Defence, who, by his actions, has displayed that he does not have a grasp of the operational strategies of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is our considered opinion that the Honorable Minister of Defence must, as a matter of necessity and urgency, provide the general public details on how the $1billion was expended under his watch in the spirit of transparency and accountability.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to demand that the Honorable Minister of Defence come out clear by providing facts and details on arms procurement under his watch.

Therefore, it would be inexcusable for the Honorable Minister of Defence to continue to shy away from his responsibilities by pushing a distractive narrative in the public space. And not until this is done, the government’s seriousness in the prosecution of the war against terrorism would always be called to question.

The general public must also be aware that the former service chiefs were never involved in arms procurement and must do good to ignore the well-orchestrated campaign in this regard. Consequently, the Honorable Minister of Defence must come out to clear the air if we are indeed serious in addressing the security challenges in the country.

This is the position of the Coalition for Truth and Justice as critical stakeholders in the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in governance in Nigeria.

We thank you for your time and charge all present to take this message to their various constituencies.

God bless Nigeria.

God bless the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

Scores feared dead as Boko Haram recaptures Borno LGA headquarters

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Scores feared dead as Boko Haram recaptures Borno LGA headquarters

Suspected members of Boko Haram on Tuesday evening invaded Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar local government area of troubled Borno state and wreaked havoc without confrontation.

This time around, the armed insurgents razed down the Divisional Police Command, schools, shops and residential houses as they hoist their flags in strategic locations.

Last Sunday, a group of insurgents invaded Damasak and killed three soldiers, while 6 innocent civilians were killed by an airstrike while participating in a naming ceremony.

The insurgents also razed down most humanitarian hubs and facilities as they looted medical consumables at the General Hospital Damasak.

Damasak is a border community with the Niger Republic north and is about 180 km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital.

Confirming the latest Damasak attack and killings, the Chairman of Mobbar Local Government Area, Hon Mustapha Bunu Kolo, told Vanguard that the latest attack was disturbing, as the remaining humanitarian hubs in the town were razed down, including Police Station, Market, shops and residential houses.

“Yes, there was another devastating Boko Haram attack in Damasak right now.

“Though I am not in Damasak, as I travelled out for official engagement, but based on the information at my disposal, the insurgents invaded the town since 5 pm and are still holding ground as at this time (10:40 pm).

”The insurgents have succeeded in razing down remaining humanitarian hubs, market, shops and an unspecified number of residential houses, as they detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) without confrontation.

“I was also informed that many people lost their lives in the attack, but I don’t have the actual number of casualties as the insurgents are still much around to continue wreaking havoc on innocent civilians,” Kolo stated.

All efforts to get confirmation from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Okon proved abortive at press time. (Vanguard)

Nigerian youths blamed themselves for the high level of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, hardship

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Nigerian youths blamed themselves for the high level of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, hardship

Nigerian youths have blamed themselves for the current high level of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and hardship under the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The youths blamed non-engagement with governance, politics and public policy for lousy leadership in the nation and have vowed to make a better future for the nation’s large youth population by getting more active before the 2023 general elections.

This is the resolve of youth in the earliest Elevating Youth Voices Virtual Summit hosted by Prof. Kingsley Moghalu-led Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET).

Speaking at the function which sought greater youth engagement to improve governance, M.I, stated, “We can’t afford to not use our programs for change.

“Just because somebody knows how to control the elections game does not mean they’ll be helpful for all of us. Today, I will see how the ignorance of our young folks about how elections have been won affects the quality of our own lives .”

Prof. Moghalu had earlier urged young Nigerians to take control of the present so as to form the future.

Read also: Arewa Youth Assembly Hails Nomination Of Bawa As EFCC Chairman

“With unemployment at 33 per cent and 40 million youth jobless or underemployed, 100 million living in extreme poverty, and United Nations demographics projecting a population of 400 million by 2050, what does the future hold for our young people who make up almost 70% of Nigeria’s population? The future is now, and you must colonize it and form it for the better”, he said.

Actor Joseph Benjamin, added,”We have a responsibility to engage with public coverage and we have a responsibility to sensitize the people, however, we as influencers have to be careful about that which we give our voices because it also affects our brand”.

In her address, DJ Switch, who played a prominent part in the #EndSARS protests and is currently in hiding for her security from the Nigerian government, criticized creative business influencers who hobnob with tainted politicians while criticizing bad governance.

“If you aren’t good for me personally, then your cash is not good either. Influencers need to have a stand! We can’t criticize a government that steals from us every day and turn about and collect their cash”, she emphasized.

Read also: Dealing with youth unemployment in Nigeria is a must

Regina Askia, the former beauty queen and actress, noted that the #EndSARS youth uprising highlighted the impact and power of social media.

The favourite actress, a United States-based nurse practitioner and public health advocate stated,”#EndSARS hashtags yielded over 28 million tweets over a weekend.”

Askia noted the challenge stayed that of the way the youth can be steered to more active involvement from the governmental process, in particular voting in elections.

Sandra Ezekwesili, a powerful radio talk show host, opined that”Nigerian youth are realistic about the reality of the electoral process and the political space”, but if it came into the #EndSARS protest, she said,”we have yet to be disobedient enough, more #EndSARS have to occur” for real change to come to Nigeria.

Rinu Oduola, the #EndSARS activist, stated, “Many people prefer to take part in a demonstration than vote through associations that have failed us in the past.

“I abandoned the judicial panel because I did not see any justice coming from it”. Miss Oduala believed that”voter apathy is fuelled from the unsuccessful politicians that the political parties put up as candidates”. “We need tried and tested individuals as candidates, not political party opportunists”, ” she said.

Moghalu educated the summit participants who while calm protest remained an essential right in a democracy, it cannot replace the importance of voting as a means to create lasting change by electing more competent leaders. The former Republican candidate in Nigeria’s general elections in 2019 remembered the Arab Spring protests that were pushed by social networking.

“That’s because the Arab youth neglected to take the power of their Arab Spring into atomic politics by joining political parties, voting in massive amounts for applicants of their choice, and standing as candidates. This abandoned the old guard in these countries efficiently accountable”.

Read also: Blacklist: Christian Youths reject US position on Nigeria over religious intolerance

Kate Henshaw, a leading Nollywood actress who has been a candidate for elective political office, stressed: “It’s time to move from complaining on social websites to act at the grassroots. The people who vote, half of these aren’t on social media”. She added that”social websites have its good side, but we just have to give it more meat”.

“Culture shapes the destiny of nations, but politics may change the culture”, Timi Olagunju, an intellectual property attorney mentioned in his contribution at the summit. “Yes, societal media matters, but advocacy is not enough, and we must move into action at decentralized community levels” he explained.

The IGET will sponsor the summit on a quarterly basis, focusing on subjects affecting Nigerian youth and the nation’s development.

BREAKING: Adeboye is with El-Rufai after the release of kidnapped RCCG members: Payment of ransom ruled out

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BREAKING: Adeboye is with El-Rufai after the release of kidnapped RCCG members: Payment of ransom ruled out

Adeboye is with El-Rufai after the release of kidnapped RCCG members. El-Rufai had also ruled out Payment and he further stated the type of discussion he had with the kidnappers.

The assembly was held in the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House at Kaduna.

The assembly came after the 79-year-old overall overseer revealed that eight members of the church tortured Kaduna was published.

This was the record that members of RCCG, Region 30, Trinity Sanctuary, Kaduna, were assaulted on March 26 close Doka across the Kachia-Kafanchan Road, in their way into a programme.

Read also: COVID 19: RCCG hands over medical equipment to Ogun Govt

Afterwards, Adeboye had on April 8 stated all of the eight kidnapped members of this church had been taken to hospital for evaluation once they recovered liberty.

This paper had reported on the night of March 11, bandits invaded the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Mando at Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State and abducted 39 pupils.

Although about 10 of those pupils have recovered freedom, others remain in captivity.

Details later…

Sports Ministry demands retraction from Guardian over false report

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Sports Ministry demands retraction from Guardian over false report

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has demanded a retraction from the Guardian Newspaper over a false news report by the publication.

The Ministry’s protestation is over a story titled “Presidency Approves N4billion For Edo 2020 Sports Festival” which misrepresented how the 20th National Sports Festival held in Benin City, Edo State was funded.

A letter dated April 10, 2021 and signed by the Special Assistant – Media to the Minister of Youth and Sports, John Joshua Akanji and addressed to Mr. Martins Oloja, Editor in Chief of Guardian Newspaper warned that the publication has 72 hours to retract the story failing which the Ministry will seek legal redress.

The letter reads, “Reference is made to the above publication in your online edition on 10 April 2021 3.31am, which created the erroneous and misleading impression that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development forwarded a budget of N4 billion naira to the Presidency and got approval for same as assistance to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC)/Edo State Government.

“The Guardian is our flagship, a respected stable and we expect the best of journalism from it.

“The Ministry is therefore shocked and displeased that the Guardian Newspaper published this misleading story without fact checking, a necessary journalistic approach that would have revealed that at no time was a budget presented to the Presidency. By the way, in line with the democratic principle of separation of powers, only the National Assembly has the constitutional powers to pass a budget and not the executive arm as insinuated in the report.

“What the Ministry did was to approach the Federal Government to assist the Edo State Government with financial assistance to ensure that the 20th National Sports Festival, which had been postponed several times is finally held. This imperative arose out of the realization that thousands of athletes, more than 80% of them youth, are being frustrated and have become restive as their careers have been put on hold due to the many postponements.

“The Ministry has copies of its correspondences with the Presidency and the Edo State Government pertaining to the 20th National Sports Festival and is prepared to tender them as evidence in court should matters get to such stage because at no time was a requisition made for N4 billion, which implies that the Presidency could not have approved what was not requested. We therefore request that your reporter, Gowon Akpodonor, who authored the false story, is asked to produce the documents of request and approval of N4 billion claimed in the story.

“Consequently, we hereby demand a retraction of the false story within 72 hours, or we will seek legal redress,” the letter demanded.

PRESS/NEWSPAPER REVIEW: Press Talk 12th April, 2021

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PRESS/NEWSPAPER REVIEW: Press Talk 12th April, 2021

To this extent, APC has got all of the benefits of winning for the 2023 elections: PGF boss

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To this extent, APC has got all of the benefits of winning for the 2023 elections: PGF boss

Lukman has cautioned the leaders of the party to beware of ‘self-destruction’ before the 2023 overall elections.

Lukman reported an inconvenient fact APC members and leaders, ought to worry about is that”the most powerful rival of the APC is inside the APC.”

In a statement titled ‘determining variables for 2023 competitions in APC’ published to newsmen, Monday at Abuja, the APC chieftain explained the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a shadow competitor” whose electoral chances are mostly determined by the results of internal competitions from the APC, largely due to the reckless and undisciplined conducts of APC leaders”

Read also: APC Extends Registration As Matawalle Set To Join Party

Based on Lukman, once APC can deal with the practice of inner competition for the development of candidates of this party for 2023 elections for example those who contested with the winners may take the results in addition to encourage the candidates, it’s possible for the celebration to continue to appreciate each of the electoral benefits linked with President Buhari.

“The way the party can deal with the practice of inner competition has become the challenge. The largest difficulty in politics, which interrupts both members and leaders and impair the capability to provide generic support to applicants no matter that participates in the private ambitions of leaders for both elective and appointive positions.”

Read also:APC support group roots for Tanko Al-Makura as Chairman

“This implies rather a large possibility that after appropriate organs of this celebration are fulfilling and decisions are being taken consistent with the terms and conditions of the party’s sin, procedures of electing standard-bearers of their celebration for its 2023 elections will be okay. Party leaders would also take the effect of the election and encourage the winner.

“An element which might be slowing down the process of making certain that the Caretaker Committee complete its work and reunite all organs of their celebration back into normal operations is the requirement for powerful unity one of APC leaders, and from expansion associates. Unity among party leaders is needed to include the help required by the Caretaker Committee to finish its job of returning organs into normal operations as supplied by the constitution of their celebration.”

To this extent, APC has got all of the benefits of winning the 2023 elections.

“The major challenge is if APC leaders will take the necessary actions to keep each of the towering electoral benefits of President Buhari, that will take first and foremost that the Caretaker Committee can complete its activities of returning party organs to regular operations consistent with terms of this APC Constitution. This should be followed by permitting organs of the celebration to take decisions, which should be the foundation for its unity of leaders of this party.

“There is also the requirement to depart the governmental conference in Nigeria where leaders associate with everybody based on estimation of support or resistance of ambitions to get appointive and elective places. This creates the issue of blind trusts, which then may cause a scenario where appointed officials of governments controlled by the party are fewer or more passengers.

Read also: APC membership registration/validation exercise has generated confusion

“Once appointed officials turn into passengers, the power of this celebration and authorities it regulates to participate Nigerians and win public assistance will likely be feeble. This can create the unacceptable reality in which both the celebration and authorities it controls confront challenges of poor public image.

“Taking each step to make sure that conducts of both party leaders are controlled to conform to minimal standards is therefore crucial to make certain that all appointive officials of APC controlled authorities can come up with relative scorecards prior to the 2023 elections. APC should take all the required actions to make sure that campaigns for 2023 derived from evaluation of empirical proof of functionality rather than understanding.”

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