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El-Zakzaky: Civil Rights group writes AGF, insists on proscription of IMN

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El-Zakzaky: Civil Rights group writes AGF, insists on proscription of IMN

The federal government of Nigeria has been asked to proscribe without delay the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites.

A pro-democracy Civil Society Organisation known as Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), which made this call on Monday, said it has been observing with “disenchantment” how the Islamic extremists otherwise known as Shi’ites continue to breach national peace, cause mayhem and make life unbearable for innocent citizens.

The rights group vowed to drag the Attorney General of the Federation to court if it failed to take decisive action against the violent group.

A letter addressed to the AGF and signed Akan Augustine, Director of Research & Evaluation, of the group claimed that from the wealth of oral and documentary evidences made available to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Nasir El-Rufai to look into the clash that occurred between IMN and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State between 12th – 14th December, 2015 as captured in its widely publicized final report (copy attached), IMN has never ceased to be a violent organization.

According to the letter obtained by our reporter on Monday, the group noted that history has shown that the “Muslim Brothers” which was an offshoot of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) transformed into IMN around 1994 and built a leadership that has been steadfast and deliberate in habitual acts of lawlessness and defiance of constituted authorities in Nigeria.

The letter partly reads.

Until Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky being the overall temporal and spiritual leader of IMN was tamed by security agencies following his failed attempt at assassinating the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai in December, 2015, he was notorious to be in constant clash with all the successive governments of Nigeria from Shagari through Buhari (as Military Head of State), Babangida to Abacha and throughout the 4th Republic.

El-Zakzaky believes from the beginning that there was no peaceful way for Muslims to attain their need for Sharia implementation in Nigeria. The transformation of El-Zakzaky’s activism to the Shiites Creed did not change this outlook as originally borrowed from the 1978/79 Iranian Revolution. The impact of this revolution shocked the entire world as it was unexpected, and had the capacity of influencing the attitude of the Muslims in the world, including of course Nigeria. That was because Imam Khomeini of the Islamic Revolutionary Vanguard, who toppled government at that time and declared Iran as an “Islamic Republic”, made it a fundamental part of his foreign policy to spread the Iranian revolutionary ideas to other Muslim countries to imitate and execute. In the words of Khomeini;

“We should try to export our revolution to the (Muslim) world. We should set aside the thought that we do not export our revolution, because Islam does not regard various Islamic countries differently and is the supporter of all the oppressed people of the world. On the other hand, all the superpowers and the great powers have risen to destroy us. If we remain in an enclosed environment we shall definitely face defeat. When we say we want to export our revolution, we do not want to do it with swords.”

With the Iranian revolution as the backdrop, El-Zakzaky indoctrinated the over 60,000 members of the IMN who owe absolute loyalty to him into believing that there is a need to change the secular government in Nigeria to one which solely receives commandments from Allah. Little wonder, members of IMN failed, refused and neglected to submit memorandum or make oral submission before the Kaduna Judicial Commission of Inquiry in a matter where they were direct parties, even though they had ample opportunity to do so. Rather, their lawyers were quick to address a World Press Conference whilst proceedings were still ongoing at the Commission, alleging that the Nigerian Army used excessive force and violated the fundamental rights of some Shiites members in the course of restoring normalcy to the then affected areas in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Being the foregoing as it may, a careful reading of the combined provisions of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 establishes that IMN by its activities and characters ought to be proscribed and designated as a terrorist group just like Boko Haram and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). For purposes of clarity, we have identified the many infractions committed by IMN since it came into existence in Nigeria to wit;

Acts of Terrorism: Section 1 Subsection (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 prohibits all acts of terrorism and financing of terrorism while Section 1 Subsection (2) of the Act prescribes a maximum of death sentence for any person or body corporate who willingly commits an offence relating to terrorism either directly or indirectly within or outside Nigeria.

Terrorist Meetings: Suffices to state that El-Zakzaky has been arranging, managing and participating in meetings alongside members of IMN which is in his knowledge are connected with terrorism. This offence punishable pursuant to Section 4 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 which prescribes imprisonment for a term not less than 20 years.

Soliciting and giving support to terrorist groups for the commission of terrorism: The report of the Kaduna Judicial Commission of Inquiry clearly indicates that El-Zakzaky receives funds from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Ghana and Niger Republic which he channels into rendering all manners of support to his followers. He also distributes Islamic literatures, proliferates arms and light weapons as well as incites members of IMN to commit terrorist acts with the aim of dislodging the government of Nigeria contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable upon conviction for a term not less than 20 years.

Harbouring terrorists or hindering the arrest of a terrorist: There are overwhelming evidence contained in the report of the Kaduna Judicial Commission of Inquiry to show that IMN is law unto itself. As it happened in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja recently, members of IMN are fond of confronting law enforcement agencies in order to rescue any of its members arrested or kept in custody in connection with acts of terrorism. This is a blatant breach of Section 6 the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the offence attracts imprisonment for a term not less than 20 years.

Provision of training and instruction to terrorist groups or terrorists: No doubt, Sheikh El-Zakzaky is notorious for training his guards popularly called Hurras in the practice of military exercise and in the making or use of explosives and other forms of lethal weapons without being authorized under the Nigerian laws to do so. This constitutes an offence under Section 7 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and carries 20 years as punishment upon conviction.

Provision of devices to a terrorist: Obviously, the petrol bombs and other explosives used by members of IMN during their clash with the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State in December, 2015 were all provided by their most revered leader El-Zakzaky with support from foreign funders and sympathizers as aforesaid. This is an offence under Section 9 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and is punishable with imprisonment for not less than 20 years.

Other offences linked to IMN touch on recruitment of persons to be members of terrorist groups, solicitation of property for the commission of terrorist acts, provision of facilities in support of terrorist acts, financing of terrorism and so on. See Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Sir, we submit that the above infractions are substantial enough to nail IMN as a terrorist group without much ado. As the situation stands, the refusal of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to proscribe IMN all along has contributed to the spread of terrorism in Nigeria. We are at a loss as to why the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice neither utilized the final report of the Kaduna Commission of Inquiry nor set up another panel to fully deal with an issue as sensitive as IMN at the national level even though he has the power to do so under our laws.

It is on record that the leadership of IMN and thousands of its followers have been jailed a number of times, but they remain adamant about converting Nigeria to an Islamic State at all cost. Unless and until the government develops the courage to tackle the excesses of El-Zakzaky and the confrontational, un-cordial, dramatic and deadly IMN at once, the much anticipated peace in Northern-Nigeria as a whole will remain a mirage. The contribution of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to the anti-terror efforts to make Nigeria safe again is quite commendable and must be sustained no matter whose ox is gored.

We therefore give the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice 72 (Seventy Two) hours ultimatum from the date hereof to activate the necessary statutory procedures with a view to proscribing IMN for setting up or pursuing acts of terrorism. In the event that this ultimatum expires without any positive actions taken, we shall not hesitate to drag the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice being the Chief Law Officer of Nigeria to a court of competent jurisdiction in order to compel him to do the needful in the interest of peace, national security and safety of innocent citizens who now live in fear of IMN.

Electoral Act: How National Assembly crafted bill to sink Nigeria’s democracy – North Central group

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Electoral Act: How National Assembly crafted bill to sink Nigeria’s democracy – North Central group

 

As reactions continue to trail the rejection of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, a north central group has alleged that the bill was crafted by some members of the National Assembly to sink the nation’s flourishing democracy.

Recall that Buhari had for the third time withheld his assent to the bill.

Buhari explained that passing the bill could cause “some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process.”

However, his refusal to assent to the bill has triggered nationwide reactions, with many frowning at his decision while other lauded him for the ‘bold step.’

Reacting to the development, the North Central Democracy and Peace Vanguard called on the National Assembly to immediately cease the ‘plot’ against the country.

Addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the group’s National President, Chief Gabriel Agibi, warned that Nigerians will hold the lawmakers solely responsible for any untoward development in the polity.

His statement reads in full.

“The federal parliamentarians are being urged on in this reckless plot by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), some unwholesome groups including the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and certain individuals that present themselves as activists.

“Gentlemen of the press, recall that the opposition and some of these same lawmakers called for the sack of the military service chiefs over some flimsy reasons. It was later found that their real objective is to get rid of Service Chiefs that are loyal to the country so that those that are pliable can be installed preparatory to the mayhem that would be unleashed after they must have lost the elections. The pliable military chiefs would then support them to hijack the government under an illegal interim government that will conduct fraudulent elections to hand power over to the opposition.

“The insistence on using a faulty Electoral Law for the conduct of the election in addition to the duplication of legislation is therefore a major trigger that these people want to use to foment trouble and cause widespread violent protests as already hinted at by Mr. President. The bedlam over the withholding of assent to this questionable piece of legislation must be looked at from the perspective of the larger threat to Nigeria’s democracy beyond the first quarter of 2019, when the opposition would have lost at the polls.

“We consequently use this opportunity to demand the following:
“That well-meaning Nigerians condemn this attempt by members of the National Assembly and the opposition to derail our democracy by manipulating the Constitutional provision of veto power for lawmakers to sow confusion into the electoral process.

“That Nigerians occupy the National Assembly until their representatives in the National Assembly cease and desist from using the Electoral Act Amendment to heat up the polity. There are pressing matters deserving the attention of parliamentarians other than being the hired routs of the opposition.

“That the National Assembly immediately ceases this evil plot against the country. Should the lawmakers persist on this destructive path, Nigerians will hold them solely responsible for any untoward development in the polity.

“President Buhari immediately takes measures to safeguard the country against any breakdown in law and order in the country since this is the end game that the plotters are banking on to destabilize our democracy.

“That the Independent National Electoral Commission goes ahead to manage the 2019 General Election with the same law with which it began the process irrespective of whatever other criminality gets thrown its way in the form of a vetoed legislation. The judiciary exists for situations like this so INEC must seek interpretation up to the Supreme Court before it can manage the elections with two sets of law.

“We make the above demand because it has become increasingly clear to us that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, our own brethren is the target. The objective is to shove the government aside and get rid of him in the process so that the number two position can go to another region while the north continues as number one position.

Buhari moves for autonomy for legislature, judiciary

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Buhari moves for autonomy for legislature, judiciary

In accordance with the 4th alteration to the 1999 Constitution, President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted a Presidential Implementation Committee on Autonomy of State Legislature and State Judiciary.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the committee will drive the actualisation of the autonomy granted to the legislature and judiciary at the State level.

It will be chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, with Sen. Ita Enang, the Presidential Liaison (NASS), acting as Secretary.

The committee has representatives of State Judiciary, such as Justice N. Ajanah, Chief Judge of Kogi State and Justice K. Abiri, Chief Judge of Bayelsa.

Other members are Khadi Abdullahi Maikano Usman, Grand Khadi, Gombe State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Abbazih Musa Sadeeq, Ag. President of the FCT Customary Court of Appeal.

State legislatures are to be represented by: Mudashiru Obasa, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as Abel Peter Riah, Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly.

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria is to be represented by Marwan Mustapha Adamu while Comrade Bala Hadi will represent the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria in the committee.

Other members of the committee are , Musa Mustapha Agwai, Body of Chairmen of Houses of Assembly Service Commissions, Senator David Umaru; Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Aminu Shagari, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Judiciary, The Accountant General of the Federation, and the Secretary of the National Judicial Council.

Director General of the Nigerian Governors Forum or such other representative as the Forum may wish to nominate; Chairman of the Forum of Finance Commissioners in Nigeria; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, and Chike Adibuah representing Civil Society Organizations are members.

The committee will assess and review the level of compliance by all the 36 States of the Federation with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It will monitor, ensure and cause the implementation of Financial Autonomy across the Judiciary and Legislature of the 36 States and to consult and relate with the appropriate Federal and State MDAs.

It is also to ensure and where necessary enforce the implementation of constitutional provision; and to come up with appropriate modality or model to be adopted by all the States of the Federation for implementation and/ or compliance with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The formal inauguration of the committee by Mr President will be done in due course,’’ Adesina said.

Nigerian Army Reiterate Commitments To Promote Human Rights

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Nigerian Army Reiterate Commitments To Promote Human Rights

Nigerian Army Reiterate Commitments To Promote Human Rights

By Ajogwu Jerry

In commemoration of the 2018 International International Human Rights Day, the Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment in the promotion of human rights across the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai in a statement made known by the Army spokesman, Brig Gen Sani Usman  on Monday said Nigerian Army firmly believes that the promotion and protection of human rights is an essential component of the various military operations.

General Buratai further noted the inimical act of terrorists in the country’s North East and reaffirmed the commitments of the troops to end insurgency in Nigeria.

The statement reads in part:

“For emphasis, the Nigerian Army firmly believes that the promotion and protection of human rights are an essential component of our military operations.

“We firmly embrace the idea and the message behind the International Human Rights Day and we are committed to doing our part to spread awareness and support for human rights every day.

“On this day, I recommit the Nigerian Army to supporting the brave officers, men and women who are working daily to defend human dignity and advance the cause of freedom of Nigerians across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

“I note with regret the situation in some areas in the North Eastern States of Nigeria where heinous acts of terrorism continue to be perpetuated by Boko Haram terrorists.

“I specifically pay tribute to the officers, men and women who have lost their lives in the pursuit of human rights for the people living in these communities.

“While these resurgent acts of terrorism challenges the rights that we celebrate today, I nevertheless believe that freedom including the right to live without fear will triumph eventually over terrorism and the Nigerian Army remains committed to working toward that end.

The Nigerian Army appreciates the support and partnerships with local and international non government organisations,”.

Gen Buratai noted the support of the National Human Rights Commission as well as other Human Rights defenders while stating the resolve of the Nigerian Army to promote and respect the rights of citizens.

Electoral Amendment Bill 2018: Two for the Price of One

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Electoral Amendment Bill 2018: Two for the Price of One

By David Onmeje

But for President Muhammadu Buhari’s foresight Nigeria would have scored a world record in addition to whatever other unpalatable records we already hold as the land of the absurd. Nigeria was on the verge of conducting its next general elections with a set of two laws: the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2018 and the 2015 Electoral Act.
Activities from pre-electioneering period through the lifting of ban on politics till date were conducted under the 2015 Electoral Act. Had the amended bill been assented to, the other activities from the moment of assent would have then been conducted under the newly signed legislation. The confusion that will arise from this is better appreciated with the realization that judicial interpretation of the extant law is already a tall order so deciding which of the two documents is applicable would be a taller order.

President Buhari’s request that the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2018 should come into force only after the 2019 polls is therefore logical. The nation still gets to enjoy the benefit of the changes made without the headaches that would arise from making its application commence from an impractical time. But this and other clarifications by the president on why he declined assent to the bill are not striking the right chord with everyone as some people are of the opinion that the legislation should have proceeded to be used for the elections.

This would be doing a great disservice to the nation. Even if the application of the legislation were partitioned to cater to the identified timelines, the ambiguities that President Buhari identified in several sections of the bill would still haunt the votes. Those that will win and lose at the polls will be pressed to spend the period between the 2019 elections and the next polls in the court seeking interpretations to the contentious sections.
As logical as these observations are, they had not appealed to those that are bent on being critical of Mr. President’s decision. They have come up with one condemnation after the other in what is increasingly becoming apparent as a coordinated response from clique that had wanted him to make the mistake of assenting to the bill. They would have latched onto this mistake to demand for his impeachment, which would be reasonable because the shortcomings he has identified are grievous enough to warrant such.
In the hail of criticism against the President, the real culprits behind this fiasco are getting away with not even a slap on the wrist. The national lawmakers that came up with a document that inconsiderate should be answering to their constituents, to Nigerians – but this is not happening. Of course, the more they make the president the whipping boy the lesser the chance that Nigerians will recall their own wrongdoings in the entire affair.
Had the lawmakers focused on their primary assignment of oversight and law-making they would have made these amendments one clear year before the start of elections. If the refusal to assent to the bill had taken place within such timeframe there would have then been sufficient wiggle room to make changes as many times as necessary. Instead, the Senators and their counterparts in the House of Representatives wasted valuable time grandstanding to Nigerians over cross carpeting, decamping and other irrelevancies that added no value to governance.

Even as things stand, they are too selfish to take a break from their campaign trails for re-election to return to their chambers are expediently address the contentious areas that the president highlighted in his communication returning the bill to the National Assembly. They would rather carry on with their campaign instead of being selfless in immediately addressing the changes that would enable the bill to be signed into law. Even though the resulting law cannot be used for the 2019 elections as already stated, subsequent elections would at least have the legislation in place with the guarantee that this kind of drama from lawmakers would not bedevil the nation again.
For the now, we are stuck with the 2015 Electoral Act, with whatever strengths or imperfections that it may entail. Interestingly, the current crop of elected office holders are a product of this legislation so the lawmakers are in no position to rubbish it as doing so will qualify them as persons that enjoyed the privileges of office derived from a flawed electoral law, which would further suggest that the amendment they had carried out was done by people that should not be in office in the first place. But this is certainly not the case.
They must therefore give up the obsession with the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2018, including making the mistake of overriding the President by way of a veto. First, neither of the houses can marshal the quorum needed to make this happen since each lawmaker would rather persist in their mission of seeking re-election. Secondly, there is simply not time left to activate the process by which to override the President, they left the passage of the bill for too late and knowing their capacity for bungling even the straightest forward of national assignments.
The reality we must all confront at this point is that the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2018 has turned out to be a casualty of bad timing. Signing it would have amounted to using two laws for the same elections. If it were a supermarket having a sales promo of “buy one get one free” or “two for the price of one” it would have been a great deal that should be snapped up without hesitation. But this is about the safety of our democracy where two for the price of one is a guaranteed recipe for disaster and must be avoided like a plague.
On this one, President Buhari got it right and the lawmakers with his other critics are on the wrong side of the equation, history. They should be decent enough to let go of their obsession and hurt for the country to progress with the 2019 elections and sustain our democracy.

Onmeje is an advocate of common sense and writes from London, United Kingdom.

JAMB to effect new rate next year

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JAMB to effect new rate next year

The board said it picked next year for registration of Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates because it wanted the reduction in the cost of selling its forms approved by the Federal Government to take effect.

Chairman, JAMB Governoning Board, Dr. Emmanuel Ndukwe, disclosed these at an event to celebrate some staff of the board who retired recently in Abuja.

Dr. Ndukwe explained that the reduction followed recommendations made by management and board of JAMB to the government because it was becoming difficult for some parents to raise the N5,000 currently charged by the board.

Although he commended the government for approving the reduction, Dr. Ndukwe said it would affect the amount that JAMB would return to the federal government next year.

He said: “You are aware that the Federal Governmeng has reduced the cost of JAMB forms from N5,000 to N3,500 but it is going to take effect from next year. Therefore, if we now starts selling the forms today, we will still sell at the cost of N5,000 because the approval does not cover for now. That is why we have shifted the sale of JAMB form to any day from first of January.

“it is a very good move from the federal government based on our recommendation. We recommended to the federal government. Even though we are returning money to the coffers of the federal government, our primary objective is not just to make money because that money is coming from somewhere and it is difficult for some people to raise that money and pay for JAMB form even though JAMB form is among the cheapest in the whole world.

“Considering the spirit of president Muhammadu Buhari, he is a man of the people. Whatever he will do in the interest of the masses he will do it. So he graciously accepted the recommendations from JAMB management and board to reduce the price and that will also reduce the amount of money that JAMB will return to the coffers of the government from next year but it is good for the general good of the populace.

It was also learnt that the board had so far offered admission to 470,000 students.

“As we were in the board meeting, admission were still going on. On the screen we were seeing it. It is changing by the minute,” he said.

Dr. Ndukwe said the board will fully implement the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).

“We are looking forward to the full implementation of CAPS. That is the best thing that will happen to education in Nigeria. If any child is qualified, central admission processing system will guarantee that that person is admitted. People should be patient and pray as we are implementing CAPS, let is come into full operation from 2019.

“You don’t need to know anybody to have admission and that is our mission now,” he added.

Yuletide: PPMC assure of stable petroleum supply

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Yuletide: PPMC assure of stable petroleum supply

The Managing Director, Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Alhaji Umar Ajiya has reassured Nigerians of adequate supply and availability of  petroleum products  to cover the yuletide and beyond.

PPMC is a subsidiary of  the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

Ajiya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja that there was no need for panic buying of product over the oil workers demand for payment of outstanding subsidy claims.

“Nigerians should go about their normal businesses as adequate arrangements have been put in place by the NNPC and PPMC to ensure that there is continuous supply and uninterrupted distribution of petroleum products throughout the country,’’ he said.

He added that all the 618 NNPC retail stations and all the NNPC depots would be operational across the country throughout the festive season to ensure seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products.

Commenting on the payment of the outstanding subsidy claims, he said that government had assured that it would pay oil marketers by Dec. 14 according to the agreement by both parties.

“I believe that the unity and interest of the nation should be utmost desire of all and oil marketers have their own role to plays in achieving this,’’ he added

He urged oil marketers to ensure that Nigerians did not suffer during the yuletide.

NAN reports that the Federal Government pledged to pay oil marketers N236 billion of the N348 billion approved by the Nation Assembly as outstanding subsidy claims on Dec. 14.

Government said that the payment which was the first tranche would be made through promissory notes that would be issued by the Debt Management Office (DMO) as agreed by both parties.

But Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN) on Friday issued a counter statement saying that there was no agreement reached with government.

The association said it failed to reach legitimate demands of the association which was that the claims should be paid in cash instead of through the promissory note.

Nigeria has 70 million housing deficit- Nigeria

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Nigeria has 70 million housing deficit- Nigeria

Mr Mustapha Shehuri, the Minister of State 1 for Power, Works and Housing, has expressed concerns over lack of housing for more than 70 million Nigerians.

Shehuri who made the disclosure in Calabar on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said “ the development was worrisome to the Federal Government.’’

He stated this after the inspection of the National Housing Programme of the Federal Government at Ikot Omin community in Calabar.

He told NAN that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was determined to provide affordable houses for millions of Nigerians, who do not own houses.

According to him, the Ministry has been strategising on how to launch the phase two of the project in the state with a view to providing more houses for Nigerians.

‘‘This is National Housing Programme and it is meant to provide affordable houses for Nigerians.

‘‘There is a value that one has to pay to own a building like this; that is why the buildings here are for all Nigerians that can afford it.

‘‘This is an attempt to make houses affordable to all Nigerians because according to statistics, more than 70 million Nigerians don’t have houses.

‘‘The contractors have written to us that they need more release of funds to enable them complete the project.

‘‘I am going to take this up to ensure that money is released to enable them complete the building in the first quarter of 2019,’’ he said.

Mr Orok Effangha, the contractor from Tictos Limited, said that the project had brought development to the Cross River community.

He added that the Federal Government’s efforts would go a long way in solving the housing deficit in the country.

The minister, who also inspected the Emergency Repair of Washout at Pamol, along the Calabar-Odukpani highway, praised the Sermatech Construction Company for the good work done.

He gave assurance that the Federal Government would intensify efforts in ensuring that all federal roads in Cross River are rehabilitated.

Briefing the minister earlier on the emergency repair, Mr Bassey Nsentip, Federal Controller of Works in Cross River, said the project was awarded to Sermatech Construction in 2017.

He said the project commenced on Aug. 4, 2017 as soon as the ministry noticed a collapse of a section of the culvert on the road.

‘‘At that point, Calabar was almost cut-off from the rest of the country. So the ministry intervened immediately and commissioned Sermatech to move in to fix the road.

‘‘We worked from Aug. 4 and about Dec. 8, 2017, the job was completed.

‘‘Before the completion of the project, we created a diversion to ease movements (of vehicles) because the road was almost cut-off.

‘‘Since that time, the project has been opened for public use for over a year now,’’ he said.

Boko Haram: Italy to deliver 6 gunship helicopters to Nigerian Air Force

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Boko Haram: Italy to deliver 6 gunship helicopters to Nigerian Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it was expecting delivery of new fighter aircraft from both the United States and Italy to intensify its aerial campaign against the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

The aircraft being expected are 12 Super Tucano, which the United States said would not be ready until 2023 and 6 Augusta 109 Power Helicopter gunship from Italy. The Air Force chief did not state the date of delivery of the latter.

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar broke the news about the new aircraft this while inaugurating Modular Theatre at the 465 Nigeria Air Force Hospital in Kano on Saturday.

There was also some vagueness about the delivery date of the Super Tucano, when NAF officials met with the officials of the United States Department Of Defence (US-DOD) in Abuja.

Brig.-Gen. Sean Farrell, the Director of United States Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation (AFSAC) Directorate, promised the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of on-schedule delivery of the 12 units of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, which were paid for by the Federal Government in April.

Farrell and members of his team were in Nigeria to discuss the delivery schedule of the aircraft as well as the construction at NAF Base, where the aircraft would be stationed.

The American Air chief expressed the readiness of his team to complete the execution of the contract in record time.

In Kaduna, Abubakar said: “I have just inspected the hanger here at the NAF base where three of our aircraft are being reactivated.

“It is in line with our commitment to have a professional Air Force which also has the necessary equipment to enable it discharge its duties effectively,” he said.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support to the service pointing out that the Federal Government had within the last three years procured 18 brand new aircraft for NAF.

He said NAF would continue to support its personnel with the view to enable them to continue to provide the necessary security for Nigeria and Nigerians.

On the Modular Theater, the Air Chief said its commissioning showed how committed the present administration is in meeting the healthcare needs of its personnel.

While calling on the hospital management to make the facility available to civilians around the area, Abubakar urged NAF personnel and their families to take advantage of the facilities provided.

“The facility will go a long way in improving health care delivery to both NAF personnel and communities around the hospital,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Medical Services, NAF headquarters, Air Commodore M. E. Sha’aibu said with the inauguration, injured personnel from the theatre operation in the Northeast could be evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

“Although the theatre was built six years ago, it was neither fully completed nor equipped so could not be put to use.

“However, realising the importance of the hospital in support of our operation in the Northeast, CAS directed that the theatre be completed, equipped and put to use immediately,” he said.

He said that the theatre comprised of offices, reception, lecture, common and recovery rooms and two operating suites.

He added that it is also equipped with modern anesthetic machine, operating tables, theatre lamps, C-arm machines and operating microscopes.

He commended CAS for providing funds for the maintenance of the equipment in the Radio diagnostic department of the hospital in addition to employing seasoned consultants.

Osinbajo reassures of transparency in governance under Buhari

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Osinbajo reassures of transparency in governance under Buhari

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says President Muhammadu Buhari will neither steal nor allow stealing in his administration.

He said this in Lagos as he commenced a door-to-door campaign for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general election.

While speaking with party members from the 57 local council development areas (LCDA) in the state, Osinbajo urged them to go from house to house to tell the people about the achievements of the party after three years in office.

The vice-president said they must prevent people who have stolen money from the nation’s treasury in the past from coming back into government.

“After 16 years of ensuring that the country did not make progress, they want to come back. They will never come back again. We are making progress and we will continue to make progress. We are going to the next level,” Osinbajo said.

Osinbajo greets children of Oluwole Estate

“Our major problem in Nigeria is corruption; it’s not plans. There are so many plans. If you allow the resources of the country to be stolen, no plan can work. The difference between Muhammadu Buhari and any other president is that he will not steal and he will not allow stealing.

Osinbajo waves at residents of Oluwole Estate, Ogba. Ikeja

“The most important thing of all is that we will prevent a situation where people who have stolen our money in the past come back into government. If they do, there won’t be progress no matter what they say.

“The money of this country must be preserved so that it will benefit us all. Education, healthcare, jobs, if you don’t have money, you can’t do them.

“There are only two types of leaders in Nigeria, those who want to steal the money and those want to use the money for the common good.

“If we want progress for our country, we must make sure that we put in place those who want to use the money for the common good, not those who want to steal it.”

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