Catch up with Zuwaira Hamza on Flash Gist as she recaps some of the trendy and strange stories that happened.
Miyetti Allah demands to be included in Operation Amotekun
By Toby Prince
The Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Oyo state has asked to be included in operation Amotekun.
Speaking at a public hearing on the Oyo state security network agency bill 2020, also known as Amotekun bill, on Monday, Yaqub Bello, a former chairman of MACBAN in the state, said the incorporation of Miyetti Allah members will be beneficial for the development of peace in the state.
At the event presided by Abiodun Fadeyi, the deputy speaker of the state house of assembly, Bello expressed the support of Miyetti Allah to the Amotekun initiative, saying only “haters of truth” would oppose such a move.
“Some of us have been in Oyo state for over 40 years, cohabiting with the natives, married Yoruba women and have children. So, our request is to include Myetti Allah as members of Operation Amotekun to enhance the job of the outfit, since we know the terrain of where we rear our cattle,” he said.
“Having Fulani among the outfit will make it easier for Amotekun men to distinguish between genuine herdsmen and the criminals while on patrol. A Fulani man can also serve as an interpreter while interrogating any suspected herdsman.”
In his remark, Gboyega Adejumo, representative of Gani Adams, aare ona kakanfo of Yorubaland, said issuance of a licence for firearms is vital for the operations of the security outfit.
He said that the use of dane guns will be ineffective for their operations, adding that hoodlums and criminal-minded persons may attack the operatives once observed that they have no arms.
Oyelowo Oyewo, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, said part of the objectives of the Amotekun is to share intelligence report about crime, suspicious activities and other criminal activities.
“Others include collaboration with similar security agency, particularly in Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states to deter kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, cultism, highway robbery and other offences, and also to assist the police in apprehending such criminals,” he said.
“It is also meant to protect lives and property within the state and ensure that people travelling on the highways, major roads, remote areas, hinterland, forest and inland waterways carry out their normal socio-economic activities without fear or hindrance.”
Ex-Boko Haram fighters: Human rights group debunks recruitment allegation against military as falsehood
The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria (CHRMGN) has rubbished speculation that the Nigerian military recruited repentant Boko Haram terrorists into its fold.
The human rights group made the disclosure in a special report after embarking on a thorough investigation of the military’s recruitment process since 2015.
In the report signed by Helen Adeshina and Bitrus Hosea Damut, CHRMGN said 250 repentant Boko Haram fighters enrolled for the de-radicalization programme and were reabsorbed into their communities and not the military.
It further disclosed that 30 of the repentant Boko Haram fighters are fully engaged in religious activities aimed at discouraging the youths from going into crime and terrorist activities.
According to the group, the military’s recruitment process is transparent and devoid of interference from any quarters and as such there isn’t any room for ex-Boko Haram members.
The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups, however, urged the military to begin the process of informing the general public of its recruitment process.
Read full report below:
Introduction:
There have been concerns that Boko Haram terrorists, who surrendered to troops and undergone de-radicalization programmes organized by the Nigerian Military, were allegedly being absorbed into the Military. Some media reports have also alleged that the Military was recycling insurgency by the alleged recruitment.
The Nigerian Military had stated that the de-radicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme is a federal government programme conducted under the auspices of Operation Safe Corridor as a non- kinetic operation.
It further stated that the de-radicalization model is therefore not new in the global community, as such a model exists in Algeria, Colombia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, where persons involved in violent extremism have been de-radicalized and rehabilitated and that the process is, therefore, an internationally accepted practice.
These allegations were indeed weighty and it necessitated a comprehensive scrutiny in the light of the prevailing circumstances.
The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups consequently commissioned an investigative report to look into the allegations to put issues in proper perspective for the members of the unsuspecting general public in light of national interest.
Research Methodology:
This research work relied on primary and secondary sources of data collection that involves oral interviews, distribution of structured and unstructured interviews, review of operational manuals and records, and the scrutiny of military records.
The Issues:
A cross-section of Nigerians have accused the Nigerian Military of carrying out a recruitment drive that favours a particular part of the country and regarding ex-Boko Haram militants into the Nigerian Military.
The Nigerian Military have debunked such allegations stating that its recruitment process is devoid of emphasis on ethnic or religious affiliations and that there has never been a time where ex-Boko Haram militants were given the opportunity of becoming soldiers into the Nigerian Military.
Findings:
The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria undertook research that involved the scrutiny of the recruitments into the Nigerian Military from 2015 to date and came up with the following findings:
In the course of the investigative reports, the commissioned team took an inventory of the number of ex-Boko Haram members that submitted to the de-radicalization programme and realized that about 250 repentant Boko Haram fighters that enrolled for the de-radicalization programme have been reabsorbed into their communities and not the Nigerian Military as been speculated in certain quarters.
A total number of 220 repentant Boko Haram members were identified in the various communities that span through North-East Nigeria, and it can be stated that they are indeed engaged in productive ventures such as farming, fishing, tailoring, shoemaking, and vigilante services in their various communities.
The team of researchers identified that about 30 of the repentant Boko Haram fighters are fully engaged in religious activities aimed at discouraging the youths from going into crime and terrorist activities.
The team of researchers also scrutinized the various recruitments that have been carried out by the Nigerian Military and found out that from available records, there has been an emphasis on Federal Character system that entails the even spread of recruits into the Nigerian Military from 2015 to date.
This fact was buttressed by the fact that some of the requirements for enlistment into the Nigerian are that such candidate must not be an ex-convict, must be of sound mind, and must not have been engaged in acts the undermines National Security in Nigeria, in addition, to have attained some level of educational qualification.
It was also discovered that the enlistment process into the Nigerian Military is subject to several layers of security screenings by security agencies, including the profiling of nuclear and extended family members of the applicants by different independent committees as a way of ensuring that people with questionable characters and history are screened out.
The recruitment into the Nigerian Military is based on merit, and certificates tendered are subjected to verification by the West African Examinations Council and other certificate awarding institutions.
The recruitment process into the Nigerian Military is advertised, and applicants are required to register and are issued with identification numbers that they would use throughout the recruitment process in a bid to stem any fraudulent practice.
Conclusion:
The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups, having extensively scrutinized the recruitments into the Nigerian Military from 2015 to date, concludes that the process has been transparent and devoid of interference from any quarters.
It was also realized the no ex-Boko Haram members had been recruited into the Nigerian Military as no records are backing the allegations.
The Nigerian Army and other arms of the armed forces have carried out its recruitment in the most transparent manner in line with both Federal Character Principles and due diligence to meet with the best international standard.
Recommendations:
The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria as a result of the investigative research work makes the following recommendations:
That the leadership of the Nigerian Military must begin the process of informing the general public of its recruitment process.
That the leadership of the Nigerian Military should begin a sensitization programme in the media to educate members of the general public of its recruitment process in a bid to discourage rumors peddling by mischievous individuals and organizations.
War Against Insurgency: Engaging controversial Chadian troops will be counterproductive – CALSER
The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has warned Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and other state governors against engaging Chadian soldiers to help fight insurgency as it would be counterproductive.
CALSER’s counsel trails Gov. Zulum’s visit to N’Djamena, capital of the Central African nation in January, where he met with Multinational Joint Task Force to discuss security-related issues in Borno.
Reports followed that the governor had finalised plans to employ the services of Chadian troops and CALSER believes the move would be counterproductive.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, President, Princess Ajibola, revealed that Chad, like other Francophone neighbours, haven’t demonstrated genuineness of purpose in the war against insurgency.
According to the group, Chad has now become a safe haven for fleeing Boko Haram insurgents when they come under heavy bombardment from the Nigerian troops.
CALSER, therefore, advised Zulum and others pondering following his lead to desist from undertaking actions and commitments that are capable of breaching National Security in Nigeria.
Read full statement below:
The leadership of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights welcomes you all to this press conference conveyed in furtherance of the objective of ensuring that the peace, progress, and unity of Nigeria is preserved for this generation and indeed the future generations of our great country.
We are unrelenting in this pursuit of national interest that has seen the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights advancing causes that would protect and preserve our nascent democracy over the years through our vibrant advocacies that have in time past yielded the desired result in the overall interest of the country.
Consequently, the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to use this medium to call on the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, to ensure that his actions and inactions as governor of the state are geared towards the restoration of peace in Borno State and its environs.
This became necessary in the light of some of the actions embarked upon by the governor in his quest to bring about peace in Borno State. While this is indeed commendable, it must be stated in unequivocal terms that such actions must be in the best interest of the country and, in conjunction with the security agencies, as anything short of this would be unacceptable and rejected in its entirety.
It must be stated that the war against the Boko Haram terrorism has been indeed onerous, and the consequences of such cannot be overemphasized in the lives of the people of North-East Nigeria. As such, this call for great reflection in our conduct as national interest should and must always supersede personal interest.
It is indeed common knowledge that the governor of Borno State has been hobnobbing with some neighboring countries under the guise of finding a lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace in Borno state and its environs.
However, it must be known that Francophone countries indeed surround Nigeria, and France and her allies in Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria have not demonstrated a genuineness of purpose as far as the war against insurgency is concerned.
This is on the heels that it is also a known fact that the Boko Haram/ISWAP groups have found these countries as safe havens when they come under heavy bombardment from the Nigerian troops. From there, they regroup and launch offensives against Nigeria.
This is also cognizant of the fact that there is a French military base stationed in Ndjamena, the capital of Chad. Yet, the activities of Boko Haram thrive with the unhindered supplies of arms and ammunition and other logistics aiding their nefarious activities.
The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights have, in times past, brought this despicable act to the public knowledge with undisputed facts and therefore sees no moral justification in the actions of the governor of Borno State in hobnobbing with those that are not interested in the unity of Nigeria.
We consequently wish to state that the governor of Borno State must be guided in this regard and desist from undertaking actions and commitments that are capable of breaching National Security in Nigeria.
He must realize that, indeed, Nigeria faces a threat to its sovereignty from unlikely places. As such, he must do all within his mandate to be a partner of progress and not a clog in the wheel of progress.
We must indeed enlighten him that whereas France continues to hold seminars and workshops on how to tackle terrorism, the terrorists continue to use French weapons to kill innocent Nigerian citizens. These despicable actions must not be allowed to thrive if we are indeed desirous of bringing to an end the Boko Haram menace in North-East Nigeria.
The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to use this medium to advise other state governors to desist from acts that would undermine National Security. They must, as a matter of urgency, begin to retrace their steps, the interest of peace and tranquility.
They must indeed know that posterity would not be kind to them should they allow themselves to be used by agents of the destabilization of Nigeria in their inglorious objective of entrenching violence and bloodletting in Nigeria.
Their actions and inactions must be geared towards the interest of Nigeria and not otherwise in the prevailing circumstance that requires all hands to be on deck towards making Nigeria the country of our dreams.
The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights would not hesitate to name and shame these governors if that would bring about patriotism and the peace and unity of Nigeria.
It is our considered opinion that those elected to govern do so with absolute sincerity and the fear of God.
The leadership of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights thanks you all for finding time to attend this press conference despite your busy schedules and wishes to state that the peace and unity of Nigeria must be our cardinal objective.
Thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
GOOD NEWS: Nigeria’s economy grew by 2.27% in 2019
The National Bureau of Statistics on Monday released the Gross Domestic Product report for the 2019 fiscal year with the economy growing by 2.27 percent in 2019.
The annual GDP growth rate of 2.27 percent, according to the NBS, represents an increase of 360 basis points over the growth rate of 1.91 percent recorded in 2018.
The report said that during the fourth quarter of 2019, Nigeria’s GDP grew by 2.55 percent (year-on-year) in real terms.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 which recorded a growth rate of 2.38 percent, it said this represents an increase of 0.17 percentage points and an increase of 0.27 percentage points when compared with the third quarter of 2019.
The strong fourth quarter 2019 growth rate, the NBS noted, also represented the highest quarterly growth performance since the 2016 recession.
Urhobo clan bans cow meat over herdsmen’s killings
Uwheru Kingdom in Delta State has banned the sale and consumption of cow meat in the kingdom following incessant herdsmen attacks on farmers and other residents of the kingdom.
Uwheru is one of the 24 traditional kingdoms in Urhoboland in Delta State.
The decision to impose the ban arose from a meeting held on Saturday and attended by prominent sons and daughters of Uwheru Kingdom, including Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education.
The decision which takes immediate effect followed last week’s repeated attacks on the communities by Fulani killer herdsmen in which no fewer than 10 persons died.
Sources close to the meeting revealed that no fewer than 86 farmers in Uwheru communities have been killed in herdsmen related attacks in the last 12 years.
A source said, “By this ban, nobody can bring cow meat to any of the communities that made up Uwheru Kingdom for any function, be it burial or any other celebration. You can’t kill our people and expect us to be eating cow meat when our people can’t go to the farm. The ban takes effect immediately.”
If you must beg, beg govt not individuals – Emir Sanusi
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Saturday advised people who beg for alms or other forms of assistance from individuals and relatives to rather direct their begging to the government.
Sanusi gave the advice at the National Conference on Alarammomi (Qur’anic Teachers) organised by Centre for Qur’anic Reciters in Nigeria with the theme: “Sanitising Almajirchi In Tune With Today’s Realities”.
He urged parents to stop sending their children to Almajiri schools, maintaining that children could study the Qur’an, at there schools and with the teachers in their respective communities.
The emir said that if sending children to such schools become necessary, then parents must send them with all the necessary provisions to ensure their wellbeing and welfare.
According to him, it is wrong for parents to send their children away without proper arrangements and necessary provisions, as the children will end up begging for food and alms.
Mr Sanusi, who quoted verses from the Holy Qur’an and Hadith, said whoever begs, would resurrect on the day of judgment without flesh on his face.
He, therefore, urged husbands to see it as God-given duty to feed their wives and children adequately in order for them not to resort to begging for alms and assistance from individuals or relatives.
“Begging is disallowed in Islam and if you must beg for alms beg the government, not individuals or relatives.
“It is better for you to cut firewood and sell to earn a living than to beg.
“Those who beg or seek assistance from individuals will be resurrected on the day of judgement without meat/flesh on their faces.
“And if you must beg, then beg the government, not individuals or relatives. This is because they should be responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of citizens.
“Individuals, relatives or neighbours can assist you as gestures of kindness and generosity, but that’s not necessary.
“So, those who are saying that begging is not prohibited in Islam are just misleading you,” Sanusi said.
The emir, therefore, urged government at all levels on social protection programmes in order to check such menaces in society.
“Programmes like cash transfer and many more can assist in tackling these problems. So, we urge the government to sustain the cash transfer programme and come up with many more,” the emir said.
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Many women are unmarried because they can’t find a rich man – Reno Omokri
Reno Omokri, famous for dropping words on issues he called nuggets, has spoken about unmarried women and the cause for their marital delay.
The former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan said that the sole reason why many women stay unmarried is that they cannot find a rich man. He added that the women want rich men so that the wealthy men can pay for the expensive wedding that they and their family cannot afford.
Many women are unmarried, not because they can’t find the right man, but because they can’t find a man rich enough to pay for the wedding that they and their family are too poor to afford, yet want to have, because their neighbour had a big wedding#FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) February 22, 2020
Omokri said that the problem stems from the fact that these women want to have the kind of big wedding that their neighbours had.
How Odion Ighalo was kicked off training by women’s team because they didn’t recognise him
Odion Ighalo was reportedly booted off the training ground by the University of Manchester women’s team after they could not recognise the 30-year-old new club signing.
Ighalo joined Man United in a shocking deal that pulled the storm across the world on the deadline day of January transfer market. In what appeared to be his second stint in the EPL, the Nigerian striker sealed a dream move to Old Trafford from the Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.
More facts have now emerged on how Ighalo was booted off by Man United University’s women team because he was not recognised.
According to UK Sun, the women players could not recognise the 30-year-old striker as their club’s new signing and ordered him to leave their training arena. It took the intervention of the support staff, who explained Ighalo’s identity before the AFCON 2019 Golden Boot winner was allowed to take his routine.
The tension was doused down by Ighalo’s familiarity stunt which ended with the women team taking selfie pictures with the former Nigerian international.
“Nobody knew who this guy was and there was a bit of back and forth between them. The girls were pretty feisty about him being on their pitch,” an eyewitness said.