Television Nigerian

The Coalition of APC Civil Organizations groups which is the combination of over 550 different groups that tirelessly works for the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and as well for his re- election in 2019 respectively, has called on the Presidency and the National Executive of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to give every member of the party a free level play ground in the management of the affairs of the political party as enshrined in the constitution of the party.

The group made their plea based on the recent development at Awka, the capital of Anambra State where there was a hatched plans by some few executive of the Political Party in Anambra state to manipulate the election process regarding who becomes the successor of Chief Kingsley Moghalu who is the immediate past Auditor APC.

There are reports that Chief Moghalu was recently appointed the Managing Director of National Inland Water Ways (NIWA) with Headquarters in Lokoja the Capital of Kogi State hence, the need for his replacement.

It was however gathered that some leaders of the Party are using their Abuja connection to scuttle the ambitions of Chief Uche Ifearoh, Emeka Nwagbo and Mike Ugbah whom the National Secretariat of the party screened and certified as those ably qualified to run for the position as enshrined by the party constitution.

Speaking during the group quarterly meeting in Abakiliki the Capital of Ebonyi State, the group national Coordinator Hon. Adebayo Abdulraman Segun implored all the stakeholders of the Party especially at the National secretariat to urgently look into the matter to make sure that the selection process over who replaced Kingsley Moghalu is not hijacked.

He called on the party supporters in Anambra State to ensure that the right thing is done by allowing only those screened by the Party National Secretariat and given certificate, to be allowed to participate in the election process.

He made a special appeal on President Buhari to call on those causing unnecessary disagreement within the party in Anambra State to be call to order and ensure that the right thing is done in view of the fact that; every Nigerians know him for his honesty and integrity.

The group therefore urged the National Secretariat of the Party to make sure Chief Uche Ifearoh, Mike Ugbah and Emeka Nwagbo that have the screening certificate to participate in the election but, not to allow those without screening certificate to be part of the elections.

They plead with all the party leaders in Anambra State to join hands together to build the party as one family, not to allow inter party squabbles to tear them apart which if not properly handles may definitely lead them to defeat in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Elections in Anambra State.

The governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has appointed Morenike Babafemi as the new head of service in the state’s civil service.

Mrs Babafemi, who has had a stint as acting head of service, before proceeding on an overseas training program last year, was, until the new appointment, a visiting research fellow at the African Leadership Centre, School of Global Affairs, King’s College, London, United Kingdom.

In a statement Monday, her appointment as head of service takes effect from Monday, February 10.

According to the statement, signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode, she is to take over from Ayodeji Ajayi, who will retire from the civil service on February 9, 2020, having attained the mandatory retirement age.

Meanwhile, Mr Fayemi has commended Mr Ajayi for his diligence and professionalism, which has helped in repositioning the state’s civil service for effective service delivery.

Mrs Babafemi, is the first female to be appointed substantive head of service since the creation of Ekiti State on October 1, 1996.

She started her career as an administrative officer with the old Ondo State civil service on June 30, 1987.

She rose through the ranks to become a permanent secretary in October 2009 and has served as Permanent Secretary in several ministries including Ministry of Women Affairs; Ministry of Local Government; and the Cabinet and Special Services Department.

The new head of service is to be sworn in on Monday, February 10.

A group of Nigerian professionals in 44 European countries have passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) made this known in a communique after its extraordinary emergency assembly, held at The Hotel Urdanibia Park conference hall in Spain on Monday.

In the communique co-signed by President, Dr. Agwu Onyeke and 13 country heads, ANPE said there was need to address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

As part of the issues identified and resolved, the Nigerian professionals frowned at the “ despicable killing of clergies and humanitarian workers by the Boko Haram/ISWAP group” which it described as “politically motivated”.

It hinged bulk of the pockets of violence across the nation on the outcome of the 2019 general elections, blaming the elites of placing their selfish interests ahead of national interest.

After extensive deliberations, however, the ANPE passed a vote of confidence on the Buhari-led administration in tackling the various security challenges in the country.

While hailing the Service Chiefs for raising to the occasion amidst conspiracy from desperate politicians, it further urged Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism.

Read full communique below:

Introduction:

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe is an organization consisting of Nigerians from all works of life in from the 44 European countries. Its strategic objective is to serve as that think tank for the cross-fertilization of ideas that would lead to the socio-economic advancement of Nigeria.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe boasts of its members in strategic industries and holding strategic management positions in blue-chip companies, the academic, as well as the government and organized private sector across Europe.

It has, over the years, contributed to the socio-economic development of Nigeria by proffering policy support to critical sectors of the Nigerian economy through the wealth of experience of its members in the countries in Europe.

This Extra-Extra Ordinary Assembly was principally converged to assess the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes in Nigeria a routine exercise in fulfillment of its core mandate.

The Issues:

At the Emergency Extra Ordinary Assembly of the Association of Nigerian Processionals in Europe that had members from various European countries, deliberated on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria and the efforts by the relevant authorities in tackling the situation appropriately.

The members deliberated on the issues raised, and at the end of the assembly, suggestions were made. Policy advice congregated for onward delivery to the relevant organs of government in Nigeria.

The following issues were identified and resolved:

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe condemns the despicable killing of clergies and humanitarian workers in Nigeria by the Boko Haram/ISWAP group.

That most of these killings were politically motivated aimed at destabilizing the relative peace enjoyed across the country.

Acknowledges the efforts by the Military and the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in the rebuilding of the North East, the provision of jobs for youths across the country as well as its display of an unalloyed commitment to the unity of Nigeria.

That the bulk of the pockets of violence might still be hinged on the outcome of the 2019 general elections whose outcome did not go down well with some politicians and as such, they have been sponsoring pockets of violence to discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari

That the effort of the Nigerian Military in the fight against terrorism is indeed brilliant and must be commended by all well-meaning Nigerians.

That most highly placed Nigerians always put their interest above national interest and which is responsible for the increased criminality experienced in some parts of the country.

Our resolution:

That the Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe after extensive deliberations passed a vote of confidence on the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in tackling the various security challenges in the country.

That the efforts of the Service Chiefs in this regard are indeed commendable and an indication that in a matter of time, the war against terrorism would be over in Nigeria.

That Nigerians from all walks of life should extend their support to the government’s quest to making Nigeria secure and safe for all concerned.

That the Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe condemns the attempt by some politicians to politicize the operations of the Nigerian Military.

That the Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe is in support of the giant strides of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in its efforts at making Nigeria a secure and prosperous country.

By Bukola Olasanmi

A bank robber who hid his identity by wearing ‘blackface’ is being hunted by police in the US.

Perryville Police Department is searching for the man after he robbed a PNC bank branch in the northeastern state of Maryland.

Officers have asked members of the public to help identify the suspect, who painted his face in a bid to disguise his identity.

He is described as white, between 5ft to 5ft’”5 tall and in his late 20s or early 30s.

“We are seeking the public’s help in identifying the below-pictured subject,” Perryville Police Department wrote on Facebook.

“This subject is responsible for a bank robbery that occurred on January 28th at the PNC Perryville branch.

“Suspect is described as a white male, with paint on his face, approximately 5’0”-5’5” and late 20’s to early ’30s.”

Perryville Police published the bank robber’s photo on their Facebook page and the appeal has since gone viral, with news outlets across the US assisting in spreading the appeal.

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Police in Kaduna have arrested a suspect with improvised explosive devices (IED) at the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, Sabon Tasha, Chickun Local Government Area.

Kaduna police spokesman, Yakubu Sabo, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday.

Mr Sabo said the suspect, a middle-aged man, identified as Nathaniel Samuel, was arrested with items suspected to be IEDs.

He said the Command had commenced investigation to ascertain the suspect’s mission.

The spokesman said that only investigation could reveal Mr Samuel’s agenda with the devices. He promised to give details and update on the outcome of the investigation.

Some worshippers at the church told NAN that the suspect was apprehended after dropping a bag in the church and sneaking out.

They said the man was later traced to the church’s restroom where he was found holding a remote control and was subsequently handed over to the police.

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By Sylvanus Okpe

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted the tricycle ban by Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state.

The party consequently vowed to lead a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) and other opposition parties to protest the ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) in some parts of the state on Monday.

Lagos government, had on January 27, wielded the big stick against the menace of Okada and Keke NAPEP, proscribing their operations in six local government areas (LGAs), nine local council development areas (LCDAs) and 10 major highways across the state with effect from February 1.

While reacting to the development, the PDP said it is giving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu till 12 noon Monday to reverse the decision or be faced with massive protests that will bring activities in the state to a standstill.

While lamenting the hardship being experienced by some Lagosians as a result of the restrictions which took effect on February 1, the PDP said the action of the state government has shown that the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is an elitist government that is insensitive to the plight of the masses.

It said it is alarmed that the Lagos State government can commence the anti-masses move without providing alternatives to suffering populace especially traders, students and other low-income earners.

Barr. Taofik Gani, the Publicity Secretary of the party, said it is already in talks with leaders of civil society organisations to stage protests in the streets of Lagos if the hardship being experienced by Lagosians as a result of the ban continues on Monday.

It said it is surprising that the state government can commence the restrictions when the 800 buses it promised as an alternative means of transport is still lying fallow at the ports waiting to be cleared.

“We have declared that this is a fraudulent, ‘yahoo-yahoo’ government. It is a fraudulent government in the sense that they are making people believe that Lagos is already a megacity and smart city.

“In order to give that erroneous impression to the international community that they have attained that status and to continue to get the grant which by right every megacity get from the World Bank Development Agency, they have come up with this inhuman policy.

“Since 2007, we have challenged them to come and account for that money released from Brazil to support Lagos State’s claim of being a megacity which status you attain once you have a population of 10 million. Now they are treating Lagosians with disdain, saying because they want Lagos to become a smart city, Lagosians must suffer.

“When the Commissioner for Information appeared on television three days ago, he said they have 800 buses lying at the ports which are not yet clear. This is a clear indictment of a government that puts the cart before the horse. What they are doing is worse than what is happening in Somalia where citizens are deliberately made to suffer for political reasons.”

The Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof Muslih Yahya and Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Prof Is-haq Lakin Akintola have lashed out at the organisers of the Christians rally, insisting that it has political undertone.

Prof Yahya urged the leadership of Christians in the country to stop acting as opposition to the Federal government.

“They are politicising the insecurity issue on one part and also diving the nation along religious line. This is unhealthy for our nation. That rally is more political than religious. Christian leaders behave more like opposition than religious people. It looks like they have an agenda that is different from protesting over the security issues. There is no sincerity in the rally,” he said.

According to him, religious leaders have ways of reaching out to the government instead of doing it through a rally.

The rally, he said, was not the way to go about the issue.

“I believe there is a hidden agenda underneath. It has a political undertone. This is calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The rally organisers are not sincere. We need to be careful,” Prof Yahya said.

Prof Akintola said the Christian leaders are exaggerating the issue and trying to discredit the government.

He said: “There is an orchestrated attempt to de-market the government. Our Christian neighbours, particularly their leaders are giving the impression that the government is not doing anything. That is not fair. Insecurity was worst six years ago before Muhammadu Buhari’s administration came on board. The Christians are exaggerating the issue. There is another agenda to it.

“The organisers of the rally are not objective and it is ungodly. When a government performs, you need to credit it. When the government does not perform, you can speak up but in my own opinion, this government is addressing the issue of insecurity squarely unlike previous administrations. We are not saying the situation is perfect but we should not exaggerate and overblown the situation. We are scaring the citizenry and the Christian leadership should act responsibly.

“There is no cause for alarm; the kind of alarm they are raising does not call for it…I don’t know where that (rally) leads to. Rallying against insecurity does not stop criminals. Let the Christian leaders and their Muslim counterparts go back to their churches and mosques to speak to their congregation.

Those who kidnap, rob are either from the church or the mosque but if their messages sink to their congregation, the rate of crime will reduce.

“Even when they rally and they ask their people to join them, the robbers among them will also join the rally. Rallies don’t stop crime… It is enough to tell the government to step up the fight against security, to step up the funding of security agencies but to hold rallies against insecurity means holding a rally against the government.”

By Bukola Olasanmi

The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has reacted to the visa restrictions placed on Nigerians by the United States.

The United States imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians and five other countries’ nationals, saying “Nigeria presents a high risk, relative to other countries in the world, of terrorist travel to the United States”.

The US also said Nigeria did not adequately share public-safety and terrorism-related information necessary for the protection of the national security and public safety of the US.

Although Nigeria is the only country in West Africa sanctioned by the US Department of Home Security, other countries on the list are Eritrea, Myanmar, Tanzania, Sudan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Adeboye, who made his reaction known on Sunday during the church’s monthly Thanksgiving Service at the church’s National Headquarters in Ebute Meta, Lagos State, also led his congregation on a prayer walk, in accordance with the directive of the Christian Association of Nigeria, which had, in an effort to strengthen the nation’s security forces in the fight against insecurity, declared a three-day fasting and prayers to end with a prayer walk today, February 2.

Adeboye said, “Some countries have banned Nigerians from coming into their territories. We pray for the restoration of our nation. Lord, have mercy on Nigeria. Let there be peace and security in Nigeria. God sees all things and knows where the terrorists are hiding. We pray that God sends His light to Nigeria and expose the evildoers in the country.”

He added, “It is written that if my people who are called by my name can humble themselves and call on me, I will heal their land” making reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14.

The cleric also prayed that God uproots all the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.