Sahara Reporters Latest News Tuesday 29th October 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 29/10/19
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Stakeholders Tackle Nigerian Government Over Hiring Of Turkish Firm To Produce Military, Paramilitary Uniforms
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s textile and garment industry have described government’s decision to contract a Turkish company to produce all military and paramilitary uniforms in the country as capable of killing the sector and causing mass job loss.
The President Muhammadu Buhari administration had last Thursday signed an agreement with the Turkish firm – Sur Corporatewear – to establish a factory in Kaduna where the items would be produced.
Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, had said that the Turkish firm was expected to develop local brand of textile materials and accessories.
He added that a total of N4.68bn would be invested by the firm to finance the enterprise and make it viable.
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Buhari Launches Factory To Sew Uniforms For Army, Navy, Air Force
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But kicking against the move, local players in Nigeria’s textile and garment industry said that the move would cause more crisis than solving any problem.
Creative Director of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Adenike Ogunlesi, described the development as shocking and capable of keeping the moribund industry in coma.
She said, “When President Muhammadu Buhari directed that all uniforms shouldn’t be imported any longer, we were all excited.
“We felt it was high time for local manufacturers to build capacity. We have met with the military and paramilitary bodies, and they have promised to patronise us.
“We went as far as coming up with a MOU, they made corrections and returned it to us.
“If you don’t invest in capacity building, how do we grow? The government needs to believe in us.
“This is an attempt to kill the local industry because we have been looking forward to building local capacity.
“We are a sovereign nation, so why is another nation in charge of our security uniforms?
“This is a project that has the capacity to grow the entire garment industry and it is given to a foreign company. This is definitely not right.”
Also reacting to the development, Managing Director of Sam and Sara, Mrs Folake Oyemade, described the move as unpatriotic.
She said, “I was shocked when I learnt about it because President Buhari has more interest in reviving the textile industry and I don’t believe he was aware of this development.
“I don’t understand why the job is given to a foreigner when local investors have indicated interest in it.
“I don’t know what the Turkish firm is bringing to Kaduna State that we cannot do.
“The state government even offered them equity. We had also approached them for the same project and we didn’t ask for any equity, yet it didn’t see the light of the day.
“We offered to build a factory and employ their youths but nothing came out of it.”
Admitting that state governments had the right to work with whoever they wanted, Oyemade insisted it was wrong to cripple local manufacturers by diverting all military and paramilitary uniforms to a foreign company.
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Rights Violation: Impose Visa Ban On Cross River Governor, Deji Adeyanju, Others Tell United States
A civil society organisation, Concerned Nigerians, led by Deji Adeyanju, has called on the United States Embassy in Nigeria to impose visa ban on Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, over the illegal arrest and detention of Nigerian journalists, Agba Jalingo and Joseph Odok.
In a letter addressed to the embassy and signed by Adeyanju, the group said it believes that the illegal arrest and detention of Jalingo and Odok shouldn’t happen in a democracy.
The letter reads, “This trend of despotism without consequences will only aggravate the worsening human rights condition in the country.
“We write to call the attention of the United States Embassy in Nigeria to the unabashed clampdown on press freedom and freedom of expression in Cross River State.
“Governor Ben Ayade has declared war on press freedom and free speech in the state by randomly harassing, arresting and incarcerating activists and journalists on fallacious charges to abet his repression and persecution agenda.
“We therefore beseech you to please look into these human rights violations going on in Cross River State and impose visa restrictions on Governor Ayade and all members of his family.
“We trust that the United States Government will demonstrate to Nigerians, once again, as was done to those that undermined Nigeria’s electoral and democratic process in the 2019 general elections, that it is strongly opposed to human rights violations, acts of injustice and undemocratic practices by persons in positions of power in Nigeria.”
The group in another petition to the National Human Rights Commission, urged the agency to commence investigation into the growing clampdown on press freedom and freedom of expression in Cross River State.
Adeyanju and other called on the NHRC to join Nigerians in resisting and ending the persecution of Jalingo and Odok by Governor Ayade.
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Obayuwana Emerges New President Of CDHR
Human rights organisation, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, has elected Dr Osagie Obayuwana as its new President.
Obayuwana, who hails from Benin, Edo State, was unveiled in Abeokuta, Ogun State, over the weekend during CDHR’s Annual General Meeting.
He was elected unopposed by the CDHR delegates from across the 36 states of the federation.
He succeeds Malachy Ugwumadu as leader of the rights group.
Speaking on the development, Ade Ikuesan, an official of CDHR, said, “Malachy left a greater organisation.
“CDHR bounced back fully under his leadership. He taught us that nothing is impossible.
“He is a remarkable leader with golden fingers. He brought CDHR from near ruin.
“We have no doubt that with the emergence of Osagie Obayuwana as President, the golden legacy of Malachy will be sustained and even surpassed.”
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Another Nigerian Killed In South Africa
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa
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Chikamso Ufordi, an indigene of Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been killed in South Africa by some gunmen, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
National spokesperson of Nigerian Union South Africa, Odefa Ikele, disclosed that two others were also injured by the gunmen.
The incident happened at about 7:00pm on Saturday in Nigel near Johannesburg.
He said, “One of the witnesses informed us that the deceased, Mr Chikamso Ufordi, from Awgu LGA Enugu State, was trailed by some gunmen and was shot at close range while in his car with two other Nigerian friends.
“His friends also sustained injuries but Ufordi died immediately before help could arrive from the province’s Emergency Medical Services team.
“The injured were rushed to the nearest hospital. A case of murder and attempted murder have already been opened at Nigel Police Cluster.”
Recall that three Nigerians were among other foreign nationals, who on October 22 suffered from fresh xenophobic attacks on foreigners in different locations in South Africa.
The October 22 attack came on the heels of efforts by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa to ensure they found amicable and lasting solution to xenophobia in the latter’s country.
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I’m Unknown To Your Family Because They Don’t Listen To Radio, Awara Tells Wike
Biokpomabo Awara
Biokpomabo Awara
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Candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2019 governorship election in Rivers, Biokpomabo Awara, has said that Governor Nyesom Wike told a lie by claiming not to know him days before the poll.
On Saturday, Governor Wike had said he never knew Awara until a few days to the election and so wasn’t bothered that such a person could win him in the poll.
He had said, “The man who challenged us never contested any election; so he couldn’t have won.
“A man that I never knew till a few days to the election; how would it have been that the man won the election?”
But speaking with SaharaReporters on Monday, Awara said Wike told a lie by those statements and only won the election because of the support he got from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “It is a blatant lie. If he doesn’t listen to radio, then he must be going out to know who his opponent is.
“I was known to people, if he is a governor that travels around, he would have seen my posters and heard me on radio if he actually listens to one.
“It is quite unfortunate for a governor like him to come out to make that nasty statement. I am unknown to his nuclear family because they don’t listen to radio.”
Last Friday, the Supreme Court upheld two appeals filed by Governor Wike and upturned the dismissal of a petition by the African Action Congress.
Reacting to the ruling, Awara said, “It is quite unfortunate that we have a court that turned a written law and interpreted it to what they like.
“This shows the judicial system we have in the country.
“Wike already knew he will get a favourable judgment at the Supreme Court.
“That shows that he actually have someone working for him in the court.”
Awara said he will look at the verdict of the Supreme Court with his lawyers and decide on what to do next.
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Police Arraign Nigerian, Indian-Canadian Over Alleged N100m Fraud
A Nigerian, Olakunle Bello Shola, and an Indian-Canadian, Santosh Singh, were on Monday arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over an alleged N100m fraud.
The two men were arraigned before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo by the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Prosecutor, Sylvester Azuibuike, told the court that the defendants and one Vivek Bansal now at large, fraudulently obtained the sum of N100.075m from a bank through their company, Continental Logistics Limited, under the pretence of using the money to procure 240 metric tonnes of Sesame seed and 44.9 metric tonnes of cashew nuts, which were to be stored at a warehouse in Kano State.
Azuibuike further told the court that defendants had falsely told the bank that it will be a tripartite agreement between their company, Thramaseed Inpex Limited and the bank.
The offence, according to the prosecutor, is contrary to Section 1 (2) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following the defendants’ plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date while also urging the court to remand the defendants in prison custody till the determination of the charge against them.
However, the defence team led by Olalekan Ojo (SAN), told the court that they had filed bail applications for the two men and same had been served on the prosecution.
They therefore urged the court to take their application and admit their clients to bail in the most liberal terms.
Justice Oguntoyinbo reserved ruling on the bail applications till November 4, while fixing December 11 for the commencement of defendants’ trial.
The judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services.
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NIS Seeks Increased Funding To Tackle Illegal Migration
The Nigeria Immigration Service has called for increased funding to perform optimally and tackle issues of illegal migration in the country.
At a four-day conference in Benin, Edo State, Comptroller-General of the NIS, Muhammad Babandede, said after discussing with stakeholders in the sector, there was the need to increase allocation to the service in order to boost its operations.
In a statement, spokesperson of the NIS, Mr Sunday James, said that the approval of offshore revenue to the service would enable it implement reforms and other initiatives.
It said, “Within the framework of its statutory mandate, the NIS shall continue to discharge its duties effectively and efficiently to enhance national security and promote the socio-economic strategies and efforts of government.
“NIS urgently needs to reposition itself to adequately confront the increasing challenges in the management of migration.
“This is with a view to emplacing strategies that will discourage irregular migration and guarantee seamless service delivery by a well-motivated workforce, which are fundamental preconditions for socio-economic development of Nigeria.”
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EFCC Arraigns Real Estate Developer For Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned one Joseph Idakho and his company, Zamtrac Management & City Investment Limited, for property fraud.
Idakho was arraigned before Justice D.Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court in Abuja on Monday for alleged conspiracy, forgery and criminal breach of trust.
Detailing events that led to his arrest and arraignment, the EFCC in a post on Twitter said, “He allegedly defrauded one Hajiya Halima Babangida in a real estate development transaction that went awry.
“Babangida alleged in a petition to the EFCC that she entered into an agreement with the defendant’s company for development of six units of detached houses of five bedrooms each, including boys quarters, at Plot 2398 AO6, Cadastral Zone, Maitama District, Abuja.
“With her contribution being the land, while the defendant was to bear other costs of development.
“She claimed that they had agreed to share the property equally at the end of development but discovered to her chagrin that the defendant commenced sale of the property even before completion without her knowledge or approval.”
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E2%80%99s-border-closure-has-implications-africa%E2%80%99s-economic-integration-%E2%80%93analyst Nigeria’s Border Closure Has Implications For Africa’s Economic Integration –Analyst
Nigeria Cameroon border
Nigeria Cameroon border
An assistant professor of Strategy and International Business at the University of Bath, United Kingdom, Tahiru Azaaviele Leidong, has said that recent moves by President Muhammadu Buhari to partially close Nigeria’s border with Benin in an effort to stem the smuggling of rice, raises serious concerns, SABC reports.
Leidong said even though closure of border is not new in Africa, Nigeria’s actions raise important concerns about the seriousness and prospects of regional integration in Africa.
He said, “African countries have different economic configurations and strategic priorities.
“The huge number of diverse countries within the free trade area isn’t going to make things easy.
“Indeed, free trade has its benefits but it also has costs. Nigeria’s bid to protect a declining rice farming industry and save foreign exchange has led to protectionism that defies the principles of a free trade area.
“The African Union has been muted on the issue of the border closures. This might be because it does not yet have detailed institutional arrangements for settling disputes within the free trade area.
“Another factor might be that it has been quiet because Nigeria is involved.
“As Africa’s largest economy, the AU courted it earnestly to sign. The agreement needs Nigeria, arguably at whatever cost.
“The regional trade bloc ECOWAS has also failed to bring Nigeria to heel.
“Both Nigeria and Benin are members of the bloc, created in 1975. All it has done so far is to appeal for the borders to be opened. It clearly has no enforcement power.
“Nigeria’s border closure may be a precursor. More incidents like this can be expected as the realities of free trade kick in. Some countries will lose, others will gain.
“The AU needs protocols and measures to manage free trade, as well as programmes to prepare political leaders for the realities that will follow.
“The free trade area should not be a mere symbol. It must be fully understood and appreciated for it to succeed.
“The Nigeria border closure must be resolved as soon as possible.
“It is diverting attention and positive energy from matters that can promote the free trade area, such as investments in transport infrastructure, trade data capture and border protection.
“More importantly, it is a bad precedent that could reduce other countries’ commitments to economic integration in Africa. The AU must act now, or prepare to bury the free trade deal.”
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Unemployment, Depression Contribute To Drug Addiction Among Nigerian Youth –Expert
A healthcare consultant, Dr Fola Adebowale, has said that unemployment, depression and poverty were among leading factors responsible for drug addiction among youths in Nigeria.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on the differences between drug addiction and drug abuse, Adebowale noted that drug addiction is when someone was using a drug as a way of life and that if they do not get that drug, such persons can’t function normally.
According to him, drug abuse is the misuse of drug that can even come from a medical professional or the general everyday person.
He said, “If a medical professional gives a patient an overdose, that is drug abuse.
“So, an abuse can occur without even addiction. Using drug to commit suicide is an abuse as well.
“More often than not, it is the people that get addicted to drug that abuse it. Abuse of drug can be larger than addiction.
“Anyone of the two can kill depending on what is going on. The parameters doesn’t define which one kills faster, it defines how the person reacts to it at the moment.
“Drug addiction is much more than heroin and cocaine and some other illegal drugs.
“Any drug can cause addiction. A normal pain killer like paracetamol can be abused.
“Addiction is a disease, and a disease have to deal with the mental and psychological state of the person and even the DNA of a person because the tendency to be addicted is higher in some people than others.”
Adebowale urged people into drug addiction to find solutions to it, adding that addiction is hard but curable.
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