Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Friday 28th February 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 28/02/20
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WHO Declares Nigeria Country With Highest Tuberculosis Cases In Africa
The World Health Organisation has ranked Nigeria as the country with highest cases of tuberculosis in Africa.
The country however, ranked 10th in countries with tuberculosis globally.
Representative of WHO in Nigeria, Tereza Kasaeva, made the disclosure when she led a delegation of the United Nations Programming Mission on a visit to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, at the National Assembly, Abuja.
She said that tuberculosis was responsible for over 1.5 million deaths annually.
She also called on the Nigerian Government to make additional investments in primary health care services through urgent interventions by the National Assembly.
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HEDA To Partner Media On Exposing Corruption In Nigeria
HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju
HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda has expressed willingness to partner with Nigerian media in exposing corruption in the country.
This move was disclosed by Chairman of the organisation, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, who described the media as a strategic partner in the anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria.
Suraju also commended media practitioners for showing concern about the need to bring corruption on its knees in a country where public officials have stolen billions of dollars mostly kept in foreign countries.
Speaking at an event in Lagos, Suraju stated that journalists needed to show greater commitment to the campaign against sleaze in Nigeria as a way of bringing an end to a practice that continues to harm the country’s overall development.
He said, “Corruption is like cancer. When allowed to grow, it will end human life and destroy the fabric of human existence.
“Corruption is behind underdevelopment, poverty, poor public health, high mortality and infant mortality rates, violence and extremism. Any country overwhelmed by corruption has no chance of survival.”
He stated that the anti-corruption survey conducted by United Nations Office on Drug and Crime indicated a slight decline in corruption compared with the situation in 2016.
He however, said that corruption continues to affect the character of every Nigerian in the comity of nations.
He added, “We recognise the strategic role of the print and electronic media in the fight against corruption.
“The media continues to be a major pillar in this campaign.
“HEDA is willing to continue to collaborate with the media to ensure Nigeria regains her reputation as the leading light in Africa against kickback and illicit asset acquisition.”
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Coronavirus: Nigerians In Chinese City, Wuhan, Get Financial Support From Government
Nigerians in Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly Coronavirus, have received over N12m from the government as welfare package.
According to a statement by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the money was part of various interventions by government to see to the safety of citizens based in China.
Signed by Head, Media Relations of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission said in appreciation of the gift, Nigerians in China sent a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari to thank him.
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Don’t Abandon Us, Nigerian Students In Chinese City, Wuhan, Cry Out
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Recall that Nigerians in Wuhan had earlier cried out to the government to rescue them from the city where several deaths caused by the virus had been recorded.
The disease has killed over 2,000 around the world and has already found its way to two African countries already – Egypt and Algeria – raising fears it could get to the continent’s most populous nation where screening at borders and health facilities are porous.
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Letter To President Buhari: Urgent Request For Evacuation Of Nigerians Stranded In Wuhan, China By Ayodeji Idowu
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Nigerian Government Explains Why Boko Haram Targets Christians
The Nigerian Government has explained why it thinks terror group, Boko Haram, targets Christians across the country during its deadly raids.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the terrorists were targeting Christians and their communities in order to trigger religious war in Nigeria.
He said, “The insurgents have apparently changed their strategy. They have started targeting Christians and Christian villages for a specific reason, which is to trigger a religious war and throw the nation into chaos.
“Apparently, they have realised how emotive and divisive religion can be when exploited by unscrupulous persons.”
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#OkadaBan: Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesting Special Needs Persons, Arrest Leaders
The police in Lagos fired tear gas at persons living with disabilities, who embarked on a peaceful demonstration in Ikeja, the state capital, to register their displeasure over the ban on commercial motorcycles known as Okada in parts of the city.
Five of the leaders of the protesters were also arrested by the police, who were working under direct orders from the state government.
After the arrest, the police begged the other protesters to disperse as their presence was embarrassing the government.
In a statement by the Enough Is Enough, the rights group said that government must understand that it was voted to power by the people and must listen to their demands.
“While we understand and support the Lagos State Government’s position on security and safety, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his administration have a responsibility to engage the citizens they represent and on this we stand with the PLWDs.”
The Lagos State Government had on January 27, 2020 announced a ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in parts of the city citing security reasons for its decision.
The ban, which took effect on February 1, has been met with stiff criticisms from ordinary and prominent Nigerians, who all say it was not in the best interest of the masses.
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Nigerian Senate Proposes Stiffer Sanctions For Gas Flaring
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday considered a bill, which proposes stiffer sanctions for any person or corporate entity involved in gas flaring in Nigeria from January 1, 2021.
The Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill, 2020, which scaled second reading during plenary, was sponsored by Senator Albert Bassey Akpan (Akwa-Ibom North East).
Clause 11(a) of the bill provides that, “Any person who flares gas after December 31, 2020 contrary to section 4 of this Act, commits an offence under this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to pay a fine which shall not be less than the cost of gas at the international market.”
Leading the debate on the floor, Akpan recalled that though the bill was passed by the 8th Senate in 2018, it failed to receive concurrence by the House of Representatives due to time constraints as it was close to the end of the legislative session.
He said that the bill’s introduction by the 9th Assembly, which promises guaranteed rapid infrastructural development of the oil and gas sector, will enhance revenue accruable to government and ensure environmental improvement for the people of the Niger Delta.
“The flaring of natural gas produce in association with crude oil is one of the most dangerous environmental and energy waste practices in the Nigerian petroleum industry.
“Gas flaring affects the environment and human health, results in economic loss, deprives the government of associated tax revenues and trade opportunities, and deprives consumers of a clean and cheaper energy source and environment,” Akpan added.
The lawmaker stated that available data from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation showed that in 2018, Nigeria lost over N217bn in revenue as oil and gas companies flared a total of 244.84 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas within the same period.
He added that with the average price of natural gas put at $2.90 per 1,000 scf as of February 16, 2017, the 244.84 billion scf flared translates to a loss of $710m or N217bn – using the official exchange rate of N305.25/ dollar.
According to the lawmaker, “The volume of flared gas according to analysis, is sufficient to feed three LNG trains or generate 3.5GW of electricity.”
Bassey explained that the bill when passed into law, will address the inadequacies and shortcomings of the 1979 Act; bring gas flare penalty in line with current economic realities; and ensure the achievement of the National Flares-out target of January 1, 2030.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Gas for further legislative inputs.
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Musings On Unjust Suspension Of Ifemosu Micheal By Owoeye Olaoluwa Olamarx
Ifemosu Michael Adewale
Ifemosu Michael Adewale
It will amount to betrayal of our revolutionary ideas if we allow bad things to continue just like the ordeal of Ifemosu Michael, a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, who was unjustly suspended by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Felix Salako, who often prides himself as the ‘Buhari of FUNAAB’. Michael was sent on an academic exile for writing to express his opinions on the issues happening in the country.
Since the whole saga began, Michael has faced so many threats from different quarters. Just few days ago, Michael was attacked in his apartment. These armed men came at the wee hours of the night, tore his window nights in a bid to perform their vicious act. In fact, a gun was pointed but luckily for him, with the aid of his neighbours who raised alarm, these individuals escaped. To make matters worse, Michael has been under surveillance, he receives several private calls of threat for daring to speak up against the anomalies in the country.
It is embarrassing and appalling that Professor Salako and other academics in the University Senate is interested in suspension of Michael for merely expressing his views.
I think I will have to adopt the opinions of critical Nigerians who have described most managements of the Universities as set of people who aren’t capable of managing a poultry successfully without having eggs stolen, which is why the country still has Buhari as the President.
One of the salient points addressed by Ifemosu is the degeneracy in the transportation system of the university. In contrast to Ifemosu’s opinion, the Vice Chancellor made the analysis of the traditional yearly purchase of school buses to be impossible in his administration because of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of the Federal Government.
However, the Vice Chancellor, sometime ago said that when he became the vice chancellor there were only four functional buses available which his administration increased to nineteen functional buses within six months of emergence in office. A question begging for answer is ‘when did the Vice-Chancellor begin to finance the institution with his personal money?’
Clearly, the Vice Chancellor stabbed logic in every sense because the project was constructed from the university’s purse. In fact, according to reports, the project was done secretly as due process was ignored.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor, made mention of shifting lectures from 8:00am to 9:00am because he wants to decongest camp. The Vice-Chancellor should bear in mind that without necessarily shifting lectures, a mere increase of the handful operational buses he claimed to have achieved or building more conducive hostels for students within the campus would be more effective.
FUNAAB is a federal university, it is expected to be one of the least affordable for children of the masses, but out of poor funding and personal interests of the university management, students are faced with pocket-tearing school hostel fee, which is as costly as N200, 000. This is one of the underlying factors that pushed numerous engage in various vices as a means of survival. This is even happening in a country where the government finds it impossible to implement the thirty thousand minimum wage.
This case is not only about Ifemosu Michael, the university management is gradually waking the consciousness of FUNAABITES, thousands of Ifemosu Michael will one day, rise up to challenge and demand for their entitlements as students and Nigerians.
Lastly, it is said to note the acceptance of the students’ union of FUNAAB on Michael’s suspension. The acceptance is gullible and a betrayal of students mandate. In a situation where it has degenerated to the extent that the Students’ leaders are now being sworn into offices in the Vice Chancellor’s office, one doesn’t expect them to perform miracles as it symbolizes engulfment of the mountain by fire for the rank and file of students which is happening in Ifemosu’s case. Little wonder, the Vice Chancellor indicted the union leaders to have agreed to the increment in transport fare having had several roundtable negotiations as a form of dialogue.
Students must begin to organise in their numbers to save themselves as it is often said that saviours don’t exist, the students will have to save themselves.
Owoeye Olaoluwa Olamarx writes from Obafemi Awolowo University
09084888123
Olaoluwaowoeye@gmail.com
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Cab Passenger Attempts To Kill Self By Jumping Into Lagos Lagoon
About two weeks after a young man named Daibo Davies took his own life by jumping into the lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos after alighting from a cab, another man has replicated the same act from on top the same bridge.
The incident, which happened in the early hours of Thursday, has since raised concerns on factors responsible for such behaviour.
Unlike in the first case where the victim died, the yet to be identified young man was immediately rescued by operatives of Rapid Response Squad stationed on top of the bridge.
He was said to have ordered Uber, a car hailing service, from the Igando area of Lagos before telling the driver he wanted to urinate when they got on the popular bridge.Last night RRS officers on 3MB helped rescue this man who attempted suicide by diving into the lagoon. He alighted from a call cab saying he wanted to urinate but jumped off the Bridge. Luckily he landed on the log of wood in the lagoon before being rescued to the hospital. 👇 pic.twitter.com/KYdsjGRB4J— Lagos State Police Command II (@rrslagos767) February 27, 2020
Quoting driver of the cab in a post on Twitter on Thursday, the RRS said, “On getting to the bridge, he asked me whether this was Third Mainland Bridge and I answered yes.
“He told me that he was pressed and that I should wait for him to ease himself. I was curious. At this time, he was forcing to me wait.
“I stylishly drove him to the point where Rapid Response Squad were standing inward Lagos.
“I practically told him I was no longer interested in the trip before I approached the police officers leaving him inside the car.
“Before he jumped, one of the police officers who saw him approached the railings of the bridge and persuaded him not to jump.
“He was thereafter taken to Lagos State Teaching Hospital from where he was referred to LUTH. The incident was reported at Adekunle Police Station, Yaba.”
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Police Wrongly Accuse Whistle-blower, George Uboh, Of Recording Proceedings In Court, Apologise To Him
George Uboh, the Nigerian whistle-blower charged to court for asking government to investigate $2.5bn that got missing under the supervision of Godwin Emefiele, governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, was on Monday falsely accused of recording court proceedings by the police.
Drama started when police prosecutor, Simon Lough, asked for an adjournment on the grounds that the police’s witness had diarrhoea and fever, which was granted by the court.
Lough had lamented the reporting of the case in the media before suddenly accusing Uboh of using a device to record the court session.
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Shocked at the accusation, Uboh shouted “I beg your pardon!”, then opened the purported recording device, which turned out to be his eye glass case before going ahead to display it to the judge and everyone in the courtroom to see.
Lough on behalf of the police then apologised to Uboh.
The case has since been adjourned until March 24, 2020 for further hearing.
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End Poverty Before Criminalising Begging, Shehu Sani Tells Northern Elites
A former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has rubbished moves by some state governors in the North to arrest beggars found on the streets.
According to Sani, poverty and illiteracy must be addressed before begging can be brought to an end.
He expressed his thoughts in a statement on Thursday in Abuja while reacting to plans by Kano and Nasarawa states to criminalise and arrest persons begging for alms on the streets.
Sani said, “You can arrest beggars but you can’t end begging as long as the social, cultural, political and economic factors that contribute to begging exists.
“Beggars are tragic victims and direct result of a nation failed by its successive governing elites. You can’t end begging without ending poverty and illiteracy.”
The former lawmaker blamed politicians for making use of beggars to win elections and demonise opponents.
Sani called on elites to retrace their steps, adding that crude oil had not enriched the people of Niger Delta while political power was yet to bring wealth nor peace to the North.
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