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Rastafari is a religion like every other, Kenyan judge rules

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Rastafari is a religion like every other, Kenyan judge rules

A Kenyan judge has ruled that ‘Rastafarianism’ is a religion that deserves to be treated like any other.

Reggae legend Bob Marley used his music to promote the revolutionary ideals of Rastafari

The ruling is part of a case involving a minor who was banned from school for having dreadlocks.

The 15-year-old student at the Olympic High School in the capital, Nairobi, was sent home for sporting dreadlocks in January. School administrators argued that the hairstyle was not part of the official uniform.

High Court Judge Enoch Chacha Mwita ruled that the school’s directive was unconstitutional since dreadlocks signify the girl’s ‘Rastafari’ faith.

Rastas believe Emperor Haile Selassie is Christ in a new name

He is quoted as saying:

“A child has a constitutional right to basic education. Keeping ‘rastas’ is her way of professing her faith and it’s wrong to compel her to shave which is against her religion.”

The girl’s father had gone to court to challenge the expulsion, arguing that his family adheres to the teachings of ‘Rastafarianism’.

Snoop Dogg recently converted to the religion of Rastafari

The girl is in her first year in high school and has been attending classes after the judge issued temporary orders for her readmission, as long as she kept the dreadlocks neat and fully covered in a turban.

Kenya’s constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.

Members of the Nyabinghi order chanting during reasoning.

Breaking: Osama Bin Laden’s son killed in counter insurgency operation

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Breaking: Osama Bin Laden’s son killed in counter insurgency operation

The son of Osama bin Laden has been killed in a US counter-terrorism operation, President Donald Trump has confirmed.

A statement from the White House said: “Hamza bin Ladin, the high-ranking al-Qa’eda member and son of Osama bin Laden, was killed in a United States counter-terrorism operation in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region.

“The loss of Hamza bin Ladin not only deprives al-Qaeda of important leadership skills and the symbolic connection to his father, but undermines important operational activities of the group.

Hamza bin Laden: Who was the terrorist with a $1m bounty on his head?
Hamza bin Laden

“Hamza bin Laden was responsible for planning and dealing with various terrorist groups.”

The high-ranking al Qaeda figure was rumoured to have been killed in August.

Nigerian Army Legal Director becomes President, African Military Law Forum

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Nigerian Army Legal Director becomes President, African Military Law Forum

The Director, Nigerian Army Legal Services, Maj.-Gen. Yusuf Shalangwa, has been elected President of the African Military Law Forum (AMLF), on Thursday in San Remo, Italy.

Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Musa said that Shalangwa was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, African Bar Association, International Bar Association and the African Military Law Forum.

According to Musa, Shalangwa is a seasoned military legal adviser and has attended several seminars, workshops and conferences on different aspects of military and civil laws, both in and outside Nigeria.

“He has attended Law of Armed Conflict in Spiez, Switzerland and Legal Aspects of Counter-Terrorism at the Kofi Anan International Peace Keeping and Training Centre, Accra Ghana among others.

“He is also the Chairman Armed Forces and Security Committee of the African Bar Association and has been a member Board of Directors/Governing Council of many Nigerian Army legal and corporate entities.

“The AMLF is sponsored by the United States Africa Command, and is a veritable platform which gathers African military legal professionals together annually to discuss international best practices when advising militaries,” he said.

Reactions as Buhari critic, Seun Onigbinde takes government appointment, deletes twitter account

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Reactions as Buhari critic, Seun Onigbinde takes government appointment, deletes twitter account
Avowed critic of President Muhammadu Buhari,  Seun Onigbinde who is also the Director and co-founder of BudgIT, has been appointed by the federal government as a technical adviser at ministry of budget and national planning.

The data analyst, who often criticised the current administration, disclosed this through his Medium account as his Twitter account is deactivated.

Onigbinde’s appointment has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians on Twitter.

Joe Abah, director of DAI Nigeria, an international development firm implementing programmes covering governance in more than 100 countries worldwide, commended the appointment.

“I am pleased that Seun Onigbindehas been given an appointment by the Federal Govt. When I tell young people not to be too extreme, they abuse me as “Fencist.” In 2015, you are all in for Buhari. 2019, you are all in against Buhari. Your country is bigger than Buhari. Think am o,” he tweeted.

But some Twitter users reacted negatively to the appointment, saying such was not expected of the BudgIT co-founder.

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“Seun Onigbinde deleted his Twitter account after getting appointment for Buhari’s government. The same Buhari that we all detest his government. I am learning a new lesson from this. “CRITICISE THE GOVT UNTIL THEY APPOINT YOU AND KEEP QUIET,” a user tweeted.

Calls put through his mobile number didn’t go through and a message sent was yet to be responded as at the time of filing this report.

Benue gives condition for implementing National Livestock Transformation Plan

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Benue gives condition for implementing National Livestock Transformation Plan

The Benue State Government has said it is not opposed to the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) in the state as long as it does not conflict with the state anti-open grazing law, which bans open grazing of all animals.

The government made this position known on a day governors of the 19 northern states met under the auspices of the Northern Governors Forum and decided to adopt the NLTP as a means of addressing the incessant farmers/herders clashes across the country.

The governors, who met on Thursday at the Council chamber of Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna said the NLTP is different from the Ruga Initiative and that the plan has the capacity to ensure resettling and addressing the dislocated populations in the key conflict zones to enable them to become part of the agricultural modernization process.

The chairman of the Forum and Plateau State governor, Simon Bako Lalong, who read the communiqué to journalists after the meeting, said the programme, which lays out a clear path for modernizing pastoral activities “would provide a mechanism for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in the affected communities towards a harmonious mutually beneficial future”.

He disclosed that the plan is to be implemented in seven pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara, but encouraged other states not included in the pilot project to try and key into it as it will not only develop Nigeria’s livestock sector but also address both economic and security challenges posed by the incessant conflicts between herders and farmers in the country.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu, said the programme would be acceptable to the state as long as it conforms to the state anti-open grazing law, which provides for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, regulation and control.

Governor Ortom said the fundamental thing about the national livestock transformation plan is that any state that keys into the programme is expected to have it as its own programme, even if some help regarding the funding is going to come from the federal government.

“It depends on whichever state is willing to key into it. But at this initial stage, there are seven states at the pilot stage. With regards to Benue, whatever is going to happen in this area of animal husbandry, that thing has to be in conformity to the local laws of Benue that is in existence. Principally, that law says there should be no open grazing and there should be ranching of animals that anybody is going to rear”.

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Nigerian professionals in Europe hail PMB’s court victory, wants more foreign investment over impressive 100 days in office

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Nigerian professionals in Europe hail PMB’s court victory, wants more foreign investment over impressive 100 days in office

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consolidate on his groundbreaking foreign investments after marking 100 days in office as well as victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

This group of Nigerian intellectuals made this known on Thursday after an annual general meeting in The Hague, Netherlands to score the first 100 days of the president’s second term in office.

In a communique jointly signed by Dr. Agwu Onyeke (President) and 13 others executives across Europe, the ANPE rated Mr Buhari high having analysed critical areas of security, economic stability, and the independence of the Judiciary.

According to the group, the last decade days ushered a new chapter in the history of the country’s democracy with the “re-jigging of the governance approach in the conduct of government business”.

The group further applauded President Buhari for demonstrating capacity and commitment to the entrenchment of democratic ideals in all spheres of life in Nigeria.

See the full communique below:

Introduction

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe, arising from its annual general meeting which held in The Hague, Netherlands deliberated on the state of affairs in Nigeria with a view to assessing the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is in line with the core objective of the organisation to periodically review the state of the nation in Nigeria and making suggestions that would see to the socio-political upliftment of the country.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe, after an extensive deliberation on critical sectors in Nigeria, such as security, economy and the independence of the Judiciary came up with the following resolutions:

The Resolutions:

That the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of democracy in Nigeria with the re-jigging of the governance approach in the conduct of government business.

That the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed demonstrated a capacity and a commitment to the entrenchment of democratic ideals in all spheres of life in Nigeria.

That the critical sector of security has received the needed attention, it deserves with the quality of appointments as well as the display of commitment by those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is protected at all times.

That there has been a substantial improvement in the security situation in Nigeria, especially in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist and other militant groups in Nigeria.

That from all available indices, there has been the formulation of sound economic policies that would translate to financial stability within a short period.

That the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari within the first 100 days in office has displayed an extraordinary commitment to translating the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians into tangible realities with the introduction of institutional reforms in critical sectors of the economy aimed at guaranteeing economic prosperity.
Conclusion:

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe concludes that the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari can be described as a huge success and an indication of things ahead for Nigeria.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe also wishes to state that with the visible improvements in the critical sectors in the economy of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed displayed a rare commitment towards ensuring that the right foundation for economic prosperity for Nigerian is laid.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe having been satisfied with the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the growth and development of Nigeria within the first 100 days in office, wishes to encourage Nigerians across the world to support the noteworthy initiatives of President Muhammadu Buhari by driving massive investments to Nigeria to complement government efforts.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in its final assessment of the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari gives it a pass mark with huge prospects.

Buhari and where Nigeria still got it right

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Buhari and where Nigeria still got it right

By Israel Abiodun

The recent verdict by the Elections Petitions Tribunal affirming the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the general elections is an indication that Nigerians indeed got it right in casting their ballots overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari for another four years in office.

Whether we like it or yes, President Muhammadu Buhari has done what no president in the annals of the democratic dispensation in Nigeria has done. He has shown what it means to have integrity. He has displayed an unimaginable level of patriotism and dedication to the unity of Nigeria, and a Nigeria of our dream where every voice would count regardless of religious or ethnic affiliations.

I am one of those that have always asked questions whenever mischief-makers spread negative narratives about the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to leaving Nigeria better than he met it. I also often ask if these individuals are in Nigeria or holed up somewhere in space. But again, it is understandable.

In the first four years of the life of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians indeed witnessed the introduction of a sound foundation for economic growth and prosperity. I am aware that in some quarters, many debates were generated as regards the policy direction of the administration. However, these same individuals that hitherto saw nothing good in the various policy initiatives of the administration were left in awe with the manner of progress the country recorded within a record period in critical sectors of the economy.

Enter the life of the second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, and every discerning mind would want to agree with me that with the way and manner the government has hit the ground running, Nigeria is indeed on the path of greatness. President Muhammadu Buhari has once again shown to Nigerians that that same zeal and commitment that he exhibited during his first term in office would be replicated in his second term in office, and the events that shaped the first 100 days in office, should give every well-meaning Nigerian a cause to smile.

The cabinet has been formed and portfolios assigned to ministers, other critical appointments have been made and as they say, on your marks, get ready and go! That is the mood of the present administration, and I am somewhat elated with the way and manner every member of the new team seems to be carrying out their duties and responsibilities with every sense of urgency.

The first 100 days in office in the life of this present administration gives me hope and as well indicates that Nigeria still got it right by electing President Muhammadu Buhari for another second term of four years. I stand to be corrected, it takes only a man of vision and courage to be able to confront the cankerworm of corruption that has eaten deep into the very fabric of our national life.

It also takes a man that is interested in the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians to be able to make quality appointments into the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has in turn translated to the various successes recorded in the fight against terrorism in North-East Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria.

It also takes a man of integrity to be able to match his words with actions and not play to the gallery as the everyday politicians would do. The above listed are some of the characteristics that marked the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari and an indication that Nigeria indeed is still getting it right with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in the country.

I am convinced with every breath in me that with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in Nigeria for the next four years, victory over our adversaries would be our greatest reward and peace, unity and greater prosperity will be our collective legacy. This much I can vouch for because of the commitment of a man who all of his life has been interested in the betterment of the lives of the ordinary man and woman on the streets. A man whose belief in the unity of Nigeria is unwavering and whose dedication to the Nigerian cause is infectious.

That is Muhammadu Buhari, the President that Nigerians voted for to lead them to the promised land in the next four years. I am also convinced that God in his infinite mercies has shown Nigeria mercy by leading us right into voting him as president despite the antics of those that contributed immensely to the mess Nigerian found itself in times past, as well as those whose intent and purpose is to see to the disintegration of Nigeria.

As we celebrate the first 100 days in office, we owe this great country of ours a duty to do the right thing by extending our unalloyed support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed. We all have a part to play given the fact that we know who our president is, and we also understand that the sincerity of heart and purpose guides his actions and inactions.

We must also realize that this generation and indeed the unborn generation of Nigerians have nowhere to call home and as such we must remain here to salvage it together. Nigeria indeed got it right. Also, President Muhammadu Buhari would do it just right for the unity, growth, and development of our dear country. This I am convinced about.

Abiodun wrote this piece from Ibadan.

Wike congratulates Buhari over victory at the tribunal

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Wike congratulates Buhari over victory at the tribunal

By Lawrence Audu

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory against the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and urged him to ensure unity across regions in the country.

Wike in his congratulatory message called on the president to use his victory to unite Nigerians.

Wike, the coordinator of the Atiku’s campaign in the south-south during to 2019 presidential election, in a press statement signed by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, urged the president to use his victory to work for Nigeria’s unity.

The governor in his congratulatory message also said the president should unite all Nigerians irrespective of his political standing.

The statement says: “Governor Wike called on the President to work towards the unity of the country, noting that the country is divided.”

Clearance Operations: Terrorists killed as troops clear Kirawa village

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Clearance Operations: Terrorists killed as troops clear Kirawa village

The newly introduced Super Camp Concept of Operations has continued to yield dividends as troops of Special Response Area Pulka, Operation HALAKA Dodo, Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted a successful raid operation at Kirawa community in Borno State where crouching terrorists reportedly hibernate.

The troops who came in contact with terrorists which led to a serious engagement forcing the criminals to flee in disarray as a result of superior fire power from the recorded a major victory as three terrorists lost their lives during the operation while unconfirmed number were wounded.

Consequently, a Cordon and Search mission was conducted in the area and the following items were recovered ;

a. 6 x Bicyles and
b. Some quantity of food items

Investigation revealed that the eliminated terrorists are members of the terrorists’ logistic cell.

No soldier was killed, wounded or missing in action during the encounter.

Troops have vowed to continue to deny the terrorists freedom of action as morale and fighting spirit of the soldiers remain high.

Presidential Tribunal: Buhari’s victory in court upheld the will of Nigerians over corruption – NCC

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Presidential Tribunal: Buhari’s victory in court upheld the will of Nigerians over corruption – NCC

The National Coalition for Change (NCC) has reacted to the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the victory of President Muhammmadu Buhari in the February 23 presidential election.

Buhari’s victory in the 2019 presidential election was upheld by tribunal after it dismissed the petition filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The court ruled that Buhari was duly elected as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the presidential election held on 23rd February, 2019.

The tribunal ruled that electronic transfer of results which was the crux of the opposition’s petition did not take place at any level.

Reacting to the development, NCC said the judgement upheld the will of Nigerians over corruption

Jeremiah Giwa, Secretary-General of the group in a statement on Wednesday urged President Buhari to see the verdict of the Tribunal as the final impetus for him to roll out the final phase of his reforms for Nigeria since the coast is not clear.

The statement also urged the PDP and its candidate to pursue their rights in a manner that does not threaten the peace.

The National Coalition for Change (NCC) is pleased with the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, challenging the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Not only is the Tribunal’s verdict a victory for democracy, it has gone the extra mile to prove that propaganda, even when deployed by corrupt moneybags, is no match for the will of the people and the rule of law. The Tribunal has expressed the will of Nigerians.

The Tribunal has set Nigeria on the path of peace and restoration by failing to legitimize the culture of lies, violence and manipulation upon which the Atiku/PDP challenge was based; they had even vehemently attempted to blackmail the courts into doing their bidding in order to coerce from the Tribunal the victory they could not intimidate the Nigerian electorates to give them at the polls.

NCC commends the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal for not succumbing to Atiku’s blackmail, particularly in the petitions he filed on the use of card readers and the phantom server that the PDP supposedly found in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The fraudulent claims in these petitions were intended to make mockery of the bench by through the expectation that judges are not technologically enlightened enough to know when they are being lied to.

The judges on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal are true heroes of democracy and NCC will so recognize and honour them at the appropriate time. They have proven that there can still be found within Nigeria upright men that cannot be swayed by ethno-religious sentiments and bribes.

We urge President Buhari to see the verdict of the Tribunal as the final impetus for him to roll out the final phase of his reforms for Nigeria now that the obstacle of the PDP/Atiku judicial challenge has been removed from his path. He must particularly ramp up the war on corruption without fear of a backlash because no one can at this point claim to be hounded because he or she is a member of the opposition. The anti-terrorism war must also extend to those that had hidden under the cover of opposition to finance terrorists.

Without prejudice to Atiku and PDP’s rights to seek a review of the ruling at the Supreme Court, we advise them to pursue their rights in a manner that does not threaten the peace. Even the mentally incapacitated knows that it is time for Atiku to stop implementing his Dubai Strategy that has failed from one phase to the other.

Prior to the Tribunal’s verdict, the impressive reduction in the intensity of crimes before and after the election is well documented; we shall therefore hold Atiku and the PDP responsible for any upsurge in terrorist attacks, banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious strife and other spikes in crime in the aftermath of the ruling.

We congratulate Nigerians on being saved from the desperadoes that had attempted to exploit the judiciary as a tool to overthrow the government they had overwhelmingly entrusted with the mandate to administer the country.

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