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Buratai bags IBB Golf Club’s Excellent Leadership Award; Pledges to upgrade Musa Yar’dua Golf Course to World Class

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Buratai bags IBB Golf Club’s Excellent Leadership Award; Pledges to upgrade Musa Yar’dua Golf Course to World Class

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has bagged the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) International Golf and Country Club ‘Award of Excellent Leadership’.

Vice Captain of the Club, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, led a high-powered delegation of prominent Golf members to make the presentation at Army headquarters even as he expressed the sincere gratitude of the IBB Golf Club to the COAS for the invaluable support he has been giving the Club for years.

The award comprised a beautiful trophy that is crafted with the design of a player poised to hit a golf ball.

Sen. Anosike usef the opportunity to commend the COAS for the remarkable strides recorded by his men and troops in the fight against insurgency and other criminal elements across the country.
Emphasizing that ‘Golf is Life’,

Anosike solicited Buratai’s support for the forth coming IBB Captain’s Cup.
He disclosed that IBB Golf Club is the only one having a world-class golf range in the country and requested that Army golfers and officers passionate about becoming professional golfers should seize the opportunity of the facility to horn and develop their golfing skills.

He further appealed to the COAS to make necessary arrangement for Army golfers who are presently Corporate members, to become fully Certified members of the Golf Club.

Responding, Lt. Gen. Buratai, while noting that the Nigerian Army and IBB Golf Club have a long-standing relationship of mutual goodwill, thanked the Vice Captain and his delegation for the courtesy call.

He tasked them to launch grassroots’ mentorship programmes in schools across the country, so as to identify and groom future Tiger Woods and other talented golfers, who will win laurels for Nigeria at international sporting tournaments.

The COAS assured that Army headquarters will work assiduously towards making the Army golfers become full members of the IBB Golf Club, pledging to upgrade the Eagles Golf Course at Musa Yar’Adu Barracks in Abuja into a world-class golfing arena.

Present at the occasion were the Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt. Gen LO Adeosun, Chief of Training and Operation, Maj Gen EO Udoh, Chief of Administration, Major Gen MS Yusuf, Chief of Military Intelligence, Maj Gen SA Adebayo, Chief of Civil – Military Affair, Major General S Mohammed, Director of Plans, Major Gen BO Sawyer, Acting Provost Marshall, Brig Gen H Ahmed and Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa among others.

Coronavirus now a pandemic -WHO

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Coronavirus now a pandemic -WHO

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on Wednesday as the new coronavirus, which was unknown to world health officials just three months ago, has rapidly spread to more than 121,000 people from Asia, to Europe, the Middle East and now parts of the United States.

“In the past two weeks the number of cases outside China has increased thirteenfold and the number of affected countries has tripled,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva. “In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths and the number of affected countries to climb even higher.”

Tedros said several countries have demonstrated the ability to suppress and control the outbreak, scolding other world leaders for failing to act quickly enough or drastically enough to contain the spread.

“We’re deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction,” he said, just before declaring the pandemic.

“We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear,” Tedros said.

Cases in China and Korea have significantly declined, he said, adding that 81 countries don’t have any confirmed cases and 57 countries have 10 cases or less.

“We can not say this loudly enough or clearly enough or often enough, all countries can still change the course of this pandemic,” he said. “Some countries are struggling with a lack of capacity. Some countries are struggling with a lack of resources. Some countries are struggling with a lack of resolve.”

Declaring a pandemic is charged with major political and economic ramifications, global health experts say. It can further rattle already fragile world markets and lead to more stringent travel and trade restrictions. WHO officials have been reluctant up until now to categorize the virus as a global pandemic, which is generally defined as an illness that spreads far and wide throughout the world.

WHO officials needed to “make it clear” that the world was in the midst of a pandemic, Lawrence Gostin, a professor and faculty director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, said. He added it would continue to be a distraction until they did declare it.

It “is clear” the new coronavirus has been a pandemic and WHO was “behind the curve,” Gostin said.

The number of cases and deaths changes by the hour, topping 121,564 with at least 4,373 deaths across the world as of Wednesday morning, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Outside China, 32,778 cases across at least 109 countries had been confirmed as of 3 a.m. EDT Tuesday — up from four cases in three countries on Jan. 21, according to the most recent data confirmed by WHO, which tallies the world’s official case count.

While the virus is slowing in China where it originated in December, it’s picking up pace across other parts of the world. Italy has the most cases outside of China with roughly 10,149 infections, followed closely behind by Iran with 9,000 infections and South Korea with 7,775, according to JHU data. In the U.S., cases erupted over the last week to more than 1,050 spread across at least 36 states, according to JHU.

Tedros said this was the first time a coronavirus has caused a pandemic.

Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s health emergencies program, said that health officials take the characterization “very seriously,” adding “we understand the implication of the word.”

Tedros previously said the organization wasn’t declaring a pandemic, in part, because most cases of coronavirus were still traced to known contacts or clusters of cases, and there wasn’t any “evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities.”

“Unless we’re convinced it’s uncontrollable, why … call it a pandemic?” he told reporters last week.

The organization raised its risk assessment level on the virus to its highest level of alert last month.

“This is a reality check for every government on the planet: Wake up. Get ready. This virus may be on its way and you need to be ready. You have a duty to your citizens, you have a duty to the world to be ready,” Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s health emergencies program, said during a press briefing on Feb. 28.

Wife, children of deposed Emir Sanusi visits him in Awe

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Wife, children of deposed Emir Sanusi visits him in Awe

By Sylvanus Okpe

One of the wives of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, visited him in Awe at about 11:45am with three of the deposed Emir’s children.

She arrived in a white Infiniti SUV with tinted glasses. She was escorted by mobile policemen and officers of the Department of State Security who were conveyed in two Toyota Hilux vans with Kaduna State Government number plates.

The security operatives on duty opened the gate and allowed them access into the compound.

It was reported that the Emir of Awe, Alhaji Umar Isa Abubakar; Chief of Azara, Dr Kabir Musa Ibrahim and Chairman of Aee, Alhaji Umar Da-Akano were in a meeting with the deposed Emir when his family arrived.

It was also gathered that the building is being guarded by no fewer that 30 heavily armed security personnel. Sanusi was banished to Awe after being dethroned by the Kano State Government on Monday.

FCTA shuts Dutse Alhaji market

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FCTA shuts Dutse Alhaji market

By Bukola Olasanmi

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Tuesday, closed down the popular Oloye Olajumoke Modern Market in Dutsen-Alhaji, Bwari Area council.

This followed violence between some traders and officials of Environmental Department of the council.
Trouble started when staff of the department and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) embarked on the removal of illegal structures and attachments in the market.

Chairman, FCT Ministerial Task Team on Traffic Management, Ikharo Attah, recalled that during the exercise, some people attacked the officials and burnt down their office in the area.

Attah said subsequently, the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, and the Chairman of Bwari LG, John Gabaya, endorsed the closure of the market until further notice.
He stated that the market would remain closed until Bello and Gabaya were sure the market was safe for traders.

Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graca writes Sanusi, says you are not alone in the fight against corruption 

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Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graca writes Sanusi, says you are not alone in the fight against corruption 

By Bukola Olasanmi 

Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel has expressed sadness over the dethronement and banishment of Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The Kaduna government on Monday dethroned Sanusi for alleged disrespect to lawful instructions from the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led state government and lawful authorities.

One of the sons of late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Aminu Ado Bayero was immediately named as the 15th Fulani Emir of the state even as the government banished the ex-CBN governor to a remote village in Nasarawa State.

Machel in a letter of solidarity to Sanusi reassured the deposed Emir that he is not alone in the struggle to ‘confront corruption affecting Northern Nigeria.’
She stressed that she would continue to stand with Sanusi in his courage to always speak the truth to those in power.

The letter read in part, “I am deeply saddened to hear of you been relieved of your official duties as emir of Kano and authorities

“I am sending you this message of solidarity in the hopes that it provides you in some small measure with reassurance and a degree of comfort that you are not alone in your valiant struggles to confront corruption and the social ills bordering Northern Nigeria.

“Your influential voice as a man, as a traditional ruler and a religious authority in challenging the status quo is sorely needed not only in Nigeria but throughout Africa. You are a bold inspiration for leaders to hold themselves to account all in their power to improve the wellbeing of all its citizens under their watch, especially women and children.”

Nigeria consulate suspends emergency passports services

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Nigeria consulate suspends emergency passports services

By Bukola Olasanmi 

The Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, the United States (U.S.) has suspended emergency passport services due to shortage of old booklets.
In a notice dated March 6, 2020, the consulate said that only applicants on appointment would be attended to in the time being.
“The Consulate General will resume attending to all and sundry when the passport booklet supply improves,” the notice said.

The shortage, according to the Consul General, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, is occasioned by gradual phaseout of the old passport and transition to the new 10 year enhanced E-Passport.
Okoyen gave the explanation while addressing a group of emergency passport applicants in his office in New York.
The applicants, who had showed up at the consulate before their respective interview dates, said they had no prior knowledge of the new policy.

Some became agitated after consular officials refused to attend to them for fear of flouting the policy.
Attempts at explanation fell on deaf ears as some said they came from far states, and could not afford the cost of putting up in New York.
On arrival at the premises, Okoyen took them to his office where he took time to explain the situation.
“There is a transition going on from the five-year to the 10-year validity passport, and we are trying to manage the old stock.
“We hope the transition process is completed soon, and once that is done this issue will be over.

“Currently, we only have limited number of booklets, which have been allocated according to our scheduled appointments,” he said.
Some of the applicants, most of whom were seeking renewal of their passports, came from other consular jurisdictions.
Besides New York, Nigeria has two other consulates in the United States located in Atlanta and Washington, serving allotted numbers of the country’s 50 states.

There are 20 states under the New York consular jurisdiction, including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire and New Jersey,
Others are New York, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Pennsylvania.

Many of the applicants addressed by the Consul General were involved in fire-brigade approach as their passports expired long ago.
Okoyen complained about this attitude last August.
“Passports are supposed to be renewed six months before expiration, but most applicants come here within a few days to their travel dates or whatever they want to use the document for.

“We work here according to plans, and since we cannot reject them, we have to go out of our way to accommodate them.
“This is what results in the shortage of materials and systems breakdown experienced here sometimes.

“Yet, most applicants refuse to understand and cooperate with us, and they feel they can just vent their anger any time,” he said

Winners Chapel Member Admitted in Hospital After Slaps from Bishop Oyedepo’s Younger Brother

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Winners Chapel Member Admitted in Hospital After Slaps from Bishop Oyedepo’s Younger Brother

Nosa Aigbogun, a member of the Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel), Uwasota branch in Benin, Edo state, has been admitted in hospital, following injuries inflicted on him by suspected thugs in military uniform, allegedly hired by Pastor Gideon Oyedepo.

The resident pastor who is a younger brother of the General Overseer of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo, was accused of constantly harassing and assaulting members of his branch, slapping them at will.

Aigbogun, who is recuperating at a medical facility in Benin, said he was the latest to be slapped by the Pastor.

He said since he was transferred to their branch as resident pastor, the younger Oyedepo has enthroned himself as emperor and has become a problem to members of the church.

He appealed to the founder of the church, Bishop Oyedepo, to rescue them from further beatings from his younger brother.

“I want concerned authorities to rescue us from him, we have received enough slaps. We are begging his elder brother, Bishop David Oyedepo, to save us from the overnight emperor before is too late.

“Since his arrival at our branch, he has slapped two persons and he keeps saying nobody can do him anything. He has turned the branch to something else.

“They called for unity meeting on Sunday and I was part of those that attended. All of a sudden, he just turned to me and started calling me devil, idiot.

“Before you know it, he just slapped me and he said I cannot do him anything and that he has been planing to deal with some of us in the church.

“His P.A. joined him, I wanted to retaliate, but other members pleaded and I listened. But today, on his instruction, his P.A. went and brought soldiers who they said were from Supply and Transport (S&T) Barracks.

A friend of mine who saw them before me, alerted me and suggested that I should run. I hid myself but they searched and located me and demanded that I follow them. When I asked where they were from, they pounced on me, rough-handled me and beat the hell out of me,” he said.

Aigbogun who said he had reported the case at Okhoro Police Station, said all he wants is justice.

Other members of the church told journalists that Gideon Oyedepo threaten that should his elder brother who owns the church act on complaints of members and perhaps drop him, he will form a white garment church of his own.

Efforts to get reaction from Pastor Gideon Oyedepo failed, as he neither responded to a call made to his mobile phone, nor responded to text messages sent to him.

UK health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive for COVID-19

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UK health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive for COVID-19

United Kingdom Health Minister Nadine Dorries announced in a statement that she tested positive for the coronavirus and is now in isolation, the BBC said.

Dorries reportedly came into contact with hundreds of people since developing symptoms last week — including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Times first reported.

The U.K. currently has 373 confirmed cases, and has seen six deaths, per the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins. Dorries is the first known member of Parliament to test positive for COVID-19.

Armed Forces Commission: 200 CSOs unanimously reject bill being considered by Senate as invitation to anarchy

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Armed Forces Commission: 200 CSOs unanimously reject bill being considered by Senate as invitation to anarchy

No fewer than 200 civil society organizations, on Tuesday, unanimously rejected the proposed Armed Forces Commission Bill, describing it as an “invitation to anarchy”.

Led by Comrade Ogenyi Okpokwu, the double century CSOs, under the aegis of Parliament Watch, made its stand known at the end of a one-day Town Hall meeting at the Conference Hall, Top Rank Hotel, Abuja.

In a communique signed by Comrade Danelsi Momoh, Comrade Kabir Dallah and two others, the CSOs said the National Assembly have not shown interest of the nation at heart after the bill scaled first reading on the floor.

The bill, according to the group, is “retrogressive and an attempt to undermine the powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces”.

The CSOs further resolved that the NASS is acting against the interest of the country and heating up the polity for anarchy.

Having exhaustively analysed the said bill, the Parliament Watch concluded that it is “not in the overall interest of Nigeria and as such it is unacceptable for lacking in merit in its entirety”.

It, however, warned the NASS to avoid undermining the office of the President, the nation’s constitution and a reverend institution like the Armed Forces.

Read full communique below:

Introduction:

The Parliamentary Watch is a Civil Society Organization that is devoted to the preservation of emerging democracies through the contributions of the parliament in Nation Building. It has, over the years, monitored the parliament and made tangible interventions in times of critical concern as it relates to issues of National Interest.

The Parliamentary Watch as an organization has continuously kept the parliamentary arm of government in check through numerous advocacies that have, over the years, entrenched our nascent democracy with the overarching objective of ensuring that our parliamentarians stay through to the ideals of democracy.

The Issues and Deliberations:

The Parliamentary Watch at its one-day town hall meeting deliberated on the activities of the National Assembly with regards to the robustness of its deliberations vis-à-vis the introduction and passage of bills that are of national concern.

There was an extensive deliberation of some of the new bills introduced by the National Assembly, and the impact such bills, when passed into law, would have on the overall wellbeing of the country.

One such Bill that attracted the attention of the members in attendance is the “Armed Forces Service Commission (Est.) Bill 2020 (SB 362)”. According to the Bill, the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Director of Military Intelligence and heads of other arm-bearing security agencies shall be appointed subject to recommendations by the Senate.

The Bill is advocating that the Armed Forces Service Commission shall have the power to approve the promotion of officers as heads of military formations/branches such as General Officers Commanding Divisions of the Nigerian Army and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force, amongst a host of others.

The Resolutions:

The Parliamentary Watch after extensive deliberations came up with the following resolutions:

Members of the Parliamentary Watch unanimously agreed that the National Assembly has not proven that it has the interest of Nigeria at heart with the Bill slated for Second reading of the floor.

That the proposed Armed Forces Service Commission bill is retrogressive and an attempt to undermine the powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as stipulated in Chapter Six, Section 2 (1) (2)

That the National Assembly is strategically acting against the interest of Nigeria by playing to the gallery in an attempt to arrogant executive powers to itself.

That Armed Forces Service Commission Bill is a call for anarchy in Nigeria and to subject Nigeria to public ridicule among the comity of Nations.

That Bill is an affront to the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

That the Armed Forces Service Commission bill lacks merit in its conceptualization and its provisions are against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an attempt to rewrite history through unconventional means.

That the National Assembly through the proposed Armed Forces Service Commission Bill is attempting to reduce Nigeria to a Banana republic where they can subject their whims and caprices on Nigerians unpatriotically.

Conclusion:

The Parliamentary Watch at the end of the one-day town hall meeting convoked to assess the merit and demerits of the proposed Armed Forces Service Commission as a result of this concludes that the Bill is not in the overall interest of Nigeria as a country and as such it is unacceptable for lacking in merit in its entirety for the following reasons:

That the Armed Forces as a highly sensitive and strategic institution constitutionally mandated to defend Nigeria from external aggression and maintaining its territorial integrity and sovereignty should not and cannot be subjected to the whims and caprices of politicians and against National Interest.

That Section 218 Subsection 1 and 2 expressly states that “the powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation shall include power to determine the operational use of the Armed Forces of the Federation; (2) power to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the Armed Forces of Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.”

Recommendations:

The Parliamentary Watch hereby makes the following recommendations:

That the National Assembly must save its face from this despicable attempt at usurping the powers of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces with regards to the appointment of Service Chiefs in the country.

That the National Assembly must desist from the attempt to destroy a strategic National and Professional Asset that has stood the test of time since the creation of Nigeria.

That the National Assembly must not lose sight of its functions as clearly spelled out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and which must align with the strategic goals of ensuring growth and sustainable development

That the National Assembly must realize that its role in the Nigerian setting is to enact laws that would serve the overall interest of the country and not bills that suit their purpose and fulfills their desires and interests.

That the Armed Forces must not be dragged into politics as it is critically engaged in sensitive internal security assignments that requires all level of concentration in the light of the politically sponsored security challenges in the country.

El-Rufai appoints Muhammadu Sanusi II into KADIPA board

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El-Rufai appoints Muhammadu Sanusi II into KADIPA board

The Kaduna State Government has appointed Muhammadu Sanusi II into the board of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA), about 24 hours after he was removed as Emir of Kano.

A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House said that “the appointment is part of the reconstitution of the board of KADIPA, which is statutorily chaired by the Deputy Governor, and has as internal members other senior officials of the Kaduna State Government.”

The statement which was signed by Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communication on Tuesday, said that “Kaduna State hopes to benefit from the profile, experience, intellect and networks of His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi, who before becoming Emir, had built a solid reputation in global financial circles.

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai said that Kaduna State is honoured to be able to call on the services of a man of such calibre to drive its development,’’ the statement added.

The statement which said that El-Rufai has approved the reconstitution of the board of KADIPA, further said that the agency was established in 2015, and has led the investment drive of the state and anchored implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Charter that earned Kaduna State recognition as the Number One place for doing business in Nigeria.

According to the statement, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe will chair the board while His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II will be Vice-Chairman.

Other members of the board include Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Jimi Lawal, Senior Adviser and Counsellor and Aisha Dikko, the Attorney General of Kaduna State.

The KADIPA board also includes the Head of Service, Hajiya Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed, Commissioner of Business, Innovation and Technology, Idris Nyam, Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Fausat Ibikunle and Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Thomas Gyang.

Other board members are the Director-General of Kaduna Geographic Information System(KADGIS), Altine Jibrin, Muhammad Hafiz Bayero, the Managing Director of Kaduna Market Development and Management Company, Farida Dankaka and Umma Aboki, the Executive Secretary of KADIPA.

“The Governor also said that he is confident that the new board, which contains the most senior officers of the state will further propel KADIPA to greater success in attracting investments to Kaduna State.”

The statement disclosed that the government carefully chose the external members to further reinforce the investment credentials of the state.

According to Adekeye, “El-Rufai has expressed his gratitude to members of the reconstituted board of KADIPA for agreeing to serve”.

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