Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Monday 18th January 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 18/01/21
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NDDC: Ijaw Youths Suspend Protest Over Appointment Of Sole Administrator
IYC members demonstrating
Ijaw youths from the nine states of the Niger Delta region have announced to put on hold their planned protest and shutdown of the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to the youths under the aegis of Ijaw Youths Council, the decision to put on hold the planned action was reached following consultations with critical stakeholders, leaders of thoughts within the region and critical organs of the council to allow the Sole Administrator superintend over the conclusion of the forensic audit as alluded by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
IYC members demonstrating
IYC Worldwide
The spokesman for the umbrella body of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, while speaking on Saturday in Yenagoa, noted that despite the pressure and compromising stance of a few, the agitation resulted in breaking the silence of Akpabio on a new timeline for the appointment of a substantive board.
Ekerefe said, “He said and we quote ‘a substantive board will be appointed in April 2021 by which time the forensic auditors would have submitted their report to the Federal Government’.
“What we have gathered from the new timeline is the fact that the Sole Administrator, Mr. Akwa Effiong, has a four-month tenure to remain in office.
“Though we have observed that the past promises made by the Federal Government on the issues of NDDC, Amnesty Office, the East-West Road, and other issues concerning our development have never been fulfilled, we would be waiting, monitoring and engaging the Federal Government and the minister, Godswill Akpabio, on these numerous contentious issues.
“And on the appointment of Udengs Eradiri as SA Youth to the Sole Administrator, though positive and for a purpose, it should not be taken as a means to silence the Ijaw youths agitating for a substantive board for the NDDC.
“While it is unanimously agreed that Udengs Eradiri has what it takes, both in capacity and in competence to reaching out and pacifying Ijaw youths and youths from other ethnic nationalities within the region who are aggrieved over the appointment of Mr. Effiong Akwa as Sole Administrator of the NDDC, our position has not changed.
“We are irrevocably committed to ensuring that a substantive board for the NDDC with fair representation of the nine member states of the region making up the commission is immediately constituted as enshrined in the act.
“On the issue of protest, let me reiterate that those against the protest are at variance with the overwhelming majority of Ijaw youths who have concluded plans to embark on a peaceful, but decisive demonstration at the NDDC headquarters to press home the demands of the region.
“Such conscious mass movements cannot be terminated because of the appointment of Engr. Udengs Eradiri as SA Youths to the Sole Administrator. However, as a former president of the Ijaw Youths Council, he will enjoy our support and collaboration in discharging his duties effectively to the admiration of all.
“Therefore, having consulted with critical stakeholders, leaders of thoughts within the region and critical organs of the council, we therefore resolved to put on hold the planned “Mother of All Protest” at the headquarters of NDDC in Port Harcourt, to allow the Sole Administrator superintend over the conclusion of the forensic audit as alluded to by the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“We urge the external forensic auditors to hasten up their assignment and conclude within the stipulated April timeline as Ijaw youths will not tolerate excuses anymore for negligence as our plans to carrying out a mother of all protests is still on course if the substantive board is not inaugurated by April.”
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Bandits Kill Ward Head, 80-year-old Woman, Three Others In Kaduna
File photo used to illustrate story.
Bandits have killed an 80-year-old woman, Hauwwa Umaru, and the Ward Head of Konti, Samaila Yohanna, in Kaduna State.
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
File photo used to illustrate story.
Aruwan said the armed bandits invaded Sharu and Konti villages, raiding several homes.
He added that two other persons, Alhaji Sani and Malam Rabiu, were killed at Dande village while an unidentified woman was shot dead when the gunmen opened fire on commuters plying the Fatika/Kidandan Road.
The statement read, “Security agencies have reported the killing of an aged woman in Sharu village, Igabi Local Government Area.
“According to the report, armed bandits invaded the village and raided several homes. As they shot sporadically, Hauwwa Umaru, 80, was hit by a bullet and died instantly.
“In another incident, unknown gunmen killed one Samaila Yohanna, the Ward Head of Konti, in the Chikun Local Government Area.
“Also in the Chikun Local Government Area, bandits killed two locals, Alhaji Sani and Malam Rabiu, at Dande.
“In the Giwa Local Government Area, armed bandits barricaded the road between Fatika and Kidandan and opened fire on commuters plying the road.
“One unidentified woman was killed, and three other persons were injured in the attack.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the reports with sadness, and conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased, praying for the repose of their souls. He also prayed for speedy recovery for the injured.
“The givernor also implored security agencies to ensure diligent investigations into the disturbing incidents.’’
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E2%80%99s-loyalists-invade-benue-community-kill-three-raze-houses Late Gana’s Loyalists Invade Benue Community, Kill Three, Raze Houses
Three persons were reportedly killed at the weekend at Dyom village near Senga community in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, when armed men in military camouflage said to be loyalists of the late militia leader, Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana, invaded the community, Vanguard reports.
However, two of the armed men, who also razed several houses in the community, met their waterloo when men of the joint security operation in the state, also called Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, in a counter-operation, apprehended them and recovered their weapons.
Vanguard
According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Paul Hembe (retd.), the timely intervention of the OPWS personnel prevented what could have been a major bloodbath in the town.
He said: “These were armed men in military camouflage said to be loyalists of the late Gana. They stormed the area, killed three persons and also burnt down houses in the community. Luckily, while this was going on, information reached personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke who stormed the area, apprehended two of the armed men and also recovered their weapons which included live ammunition, an AK-47 rifle and a locally-made gun.”
The State Security Council had last week, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Katsina-Ala and Ukum councils to check the increasing cases of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery, as well as general insecurity in the two councils.
Last September, Gana (Terwase Agwaza) surrendered and was killed by the military. This was after the Nigerian and Benue governments had placed a N50 million bounty on his head.
However, soon after his controversial death, reports emerged that he had told his followers to avenge his death should anything happen to him.
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E2%80%99t-support-nigerian-president-igbo-extraction-%E2%80%94ipob 2023: Why We Won’t Support Nigerian President Of Igbo Extraction —IPOB
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said it won’t support a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
IPOB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, alleged that all the people being prepared for the position are stooges that will be used against the interest of Ndigbo, Biafrans and the group.
Powerful added that the people at the forefront of the agitation were people who openly worked against the late Dr Alex Ekwueme at the Jos Peoples Democratic Party convention for the candidature of the President of Nigeria under the PDP in 1999.
He said what such people did to the late Ekwueme was similarly done by their likes to Peter Obi, in 2019 when he contested with Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as his running mate, alleging that they conspired and did not support or campaign for Obi despite being in the same political party, PDP, with him.
The statement read, “We cannot support any person that will kill us; that will mean the end of Biafra emancipation as we know. It is still fresh in our minds what transpired at Jos PDP convention when the the late Dr Alex Ekwueme contested for the candidature of the President of Nigeria under the PDP in 1999.
“Then the likes of Jim Nwobodo, Orji Uzo Kalu and virtually every other Igbo delegate at that convention voted against him. These Igbo men sabotaged Igbo presidency then, what has changed since 1999 that will make them come out now to shamefully clamour for the same Igbo presidency they publicly rejected in 1999?
“Similarly, when Mr Peter Obi in 2019 was contesting as running mate to Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, Governor Dave Umahi and his co-travellers in conspiratory business did not support or campaign for him despite being in the same political party – PDP.
“We are surprised that these people shouting President of Igbo extraction today but sabotaged their own people yesterday think we have forgotten; they also think others will support them when it is their turn.
“Besides, if these myopic and self-centred fellows think producing the President of Nigeria will solve the problem of Ndigbo: when Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw man from South-South was Nigeria’s President for six years, what did he do for the East in general and Ijaw people in particular?
“The same northern oligarchy that did not allow him to operate freely will still not allow any stooge they may eventually appoint from Igboland to succeed. So, it makes no sense clamouring for what won’t proffer any solution to our problems.
“The few major roads built in South-East and South-South were done, not by an Igbo man, yet none of these traitors masquerading as Igbo leaders today has been able to compel their slave masters to rehabilitate them. Most of these self-acclaimed Igbo and Old Eastern region leaders are caliphate bred traitors and we cannot trust them.”
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British Lawmaker Asks US, UK, EU, Others To Suspend Aid To Uganda, Sanction Government Officials
A member of the United Kingdom House of Commons, Dr Paul Williams, has called on international communities and organisations to suspend financial aid to Uganda.
Williams in a statement on Sunday called on the UK, US and European Union to sanction some government officials in the country for their roles in Thursday’s general elections.
CDC
The Uganda’s Electoral Commission had on Saturday declared long-time President Yoweri Museveni, winner of the disputed presidential election for a sixth term in office.
According to the results, Museveni, 76, secured 58.64 per cent of the total votes to beat his main challenger, Bobi Wine, who trailed with 35 per cent.
The British lawmaker said, “Museveni has used excuse of COVID-19 to restrict campaigning activities – opposition candidates frequently blocked from going to particular areas. Army and police have detained more than 400 people – evidence of beating torture and rape of activists, journalists, candidates and unarmed civilians.
“Internet shutdown on government orders from day before the election until now. Evidence of stuffed ballot boxes in Gulu, Kitgum, Tororo. Returning officers found with pre-ticked declaration forms in Kawempe.
“Ballot papers delivered very late to opposition strongholds in Kampala.
At least one polling agent/observer from the National Unity Platforom shot dead for refusing to hand over data collected in Tororo. Possibility of another in Kampala (Kibuye). Arrests of observers trying to verify polls in other locations. International observers denied accreditation to observe the elections.
“Electoral commission has declared Museveni winner with 59%, Wine 35%, others 6%. NUP believes the Electoral Commission is biased and that results have been fabricated. Wine says he has evidence of wrongdoing, but has been placed under house arrest and Internet still shut down: ‘I will be happy to share the videos of all the fraud and irregularities as soon as the internet is restored.’ “USA embassy pulled out its observers as they were denied accreditation by the Government of Uganda. Ambassador Natalie Brown said: ‘With only 15 accreditations approved, it is not possible for the United States to meaningfully observe the conduct of Uganda’s elections at polling sites across the country’.
“Strong statement from State Department last night says elections conducted in ‘climate of intimidation and fear’. The European Union issued a similar statement saying that its observers were not going to observe the 2021 elections
“The Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) were invited by the Uganda Electoral Commission to observe elections in Kampala, Mukono District, Wakiso District, Luwero and Mpigi districts. No comments from them post-election. Museveni’s spokesman has said African Union and East African Community would send observers – no comments from them. “Requests by Bobi Wine supporters from international partners; statement that this was not a free or fair election. Call for withdrawal of the army from Bobi Wine’s home. Call on Ugandan government to open up communication systems. Provide safe passage for Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbie, if/when requested. Call on Ugandan government to release all Ugandans who are in prison for supporting opposition candidates. The UK/USA/EU to suspend aid to Uganda and magnitsky sanctions on regime members.”
Wine on Sunday said the military had taken over his house in the last four days, placing him and his wife under house arrest
In his first tweet since Friday, the singer noted that they had run out of food supply and that his wife was assaulted by the military as she went outside to pick vegetables at the garden.
“It’s now four days since the military surrounded our home and placed my wife and I under house arrest. We have run out of food supplies and when my wife tried to pick food from the garden yesterday, she was blocked and assaulted by the soldiers staged in our compound. (ADMIN),” he tweeted.
“Everyone including media and my party officials are restricted from accessing me. @ZaakeFrancis was arrested outside my gate as he made his way to my house, he was badly beaten by soldiers. He is now in Rubaga hospital. (ADMIN).”
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E2%80%99s-muslim-ban-inauguration-day-return-us-paris-accord Biden To Reverse Trump’s Muslim Ban On Inauguration Day, Return US To Paris Accord
Joe Biden
US President-elect, Joe Biden, plans to sign roughly a dozen executive orders on his first day in the White House, that will show a stunning rebuke of outgoing US President Donald Trump’s policies.
According to a memo signed by Ron Klain, Biden’s incoming White House Chief of Staff, the executive orders include rejoining the Paris Climate Accord and ending the travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries.
Joe Biden
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New York Times reported that the executive orders also include new coronavirus prevention efforts and immigration legislation allowing for millions to gain citizenship.
The memo read, “During the campaign, President-elect Biden pledged to take immediate action to start addressing these crises and build back better. As president, he will keep those promises and sign dozens of executive orders, presidential memoranda, and directives to Cabinet agencies in fulfilment of the promises he made.”
The memo also outlines that Biden plans to send Congress a large-scale immigration plan within his first 100 days in office which would offer a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants currently in the United States.
“Full achievement of the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy objectives requires not just the executive actions the president-elect has promised to take, but also robust Congressional action,” Klain wrote.
“He will sign a number of executive actions to move aggressively to change the course of the COVID-19 crisis and safely re-open schools and businesses, including by taking action to mitigate spread through expanding testing, protecting workers, and establishing clear public health standards.
“And on January 22, Biden will direct his Cabinet agencies to take immediate action to deliver economic relief to working families bearing the brunt of this crisis.”
From January 25 to February 1, Klain writes that Biden will issue orders on everything from directing his government to buy American products to beginning to fulfil promises to reform the criminal justice system.
During that week, the new President will also direct the federal government to determine how to reunite children separated from their families at the US-Mexico border, as well as sign additional orders aimed at tackling climate change and expanding access to health care.
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Katsina Police Arraign 21-year-old Man Over Alleged Sexual Violation Of 8-year-old Boy
The Katsina Police Command has arraigned a 21-year-old labourer, Abubakar Sani, before a Magistrates’ Court in Katsina for allegedly sodomising an eight-year-old boy.
The police said Sani was caught having forceful sexual intercourse with the victim through the anus in a bush behind the Federal Medical Centre quarters, Katsina on January 5, 2021.
The victim’s father, one Abdulkadir Lamis, reported the incident at the divisional police headquarters, Katsina.
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Lawal Bello, told the court that investigation into the matter was ongoing.
He requested another date when the case could come up for mention at the court.
The presiding magistrate, Hajiya Fadile Dikko, granted the request and adjourned the case to March 31, 2021 for mention.
She directed that Sani be remanded at the Katsina Correctional Centre till then.
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E2%80%94-nigerian-government Foreign Diplomats Must Get NIN — Nigerian Government
The Nigerian government has said it is mandatory for foreign diplomats to obtain the National Identity Numbers (NIN).
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said this in a statement by his Technical Assistant, Dr Femi Adeluyi, on Sunday.
According to Adeluyi, an enrolment centre has been established for them at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement read, “The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, has approved the setting up of a National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment centre at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The desk will be set up by Tuesday, 19th of January, 2021.
“This enrolment centre will provide support for members of the Diplomatic Corps and will be managed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, through the National Identity Management Commission.
“The centre is being set up based on the request of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats.
“The National Identity Number is mandatory for diplomats who (will) reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more. It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country as stated in Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007.
“The law has made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain a NIN since 2007. However, compliance has been low, until recently.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy remains committed to creating an enabling environment for all Nigerians and legal residents to obtain their Digital Identity Numbers.”
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Ekiti Earmarks N2 Billion For Amotekun, Drones In 2021
The Ekiti State Government said it was not leaving anything to chance in 2021 in addressing the growing insecurity in the state.
According to the state Commissioner for Budget, Femi Ajayi, the government has earmarked N1.4 billion for the State Security Network, better known as Amotekun Corps, in its 2021 budget.
Ajayi disclosed this during a press conference in Ado-Ekiti where he gave a detailed analysis of the N109 billion budget passed by the state lawmakers and recently assented to by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
The state of insecurity in the state appears to be worsening, particularly as regards kidnapping.
He said, “Following the incessant security challenges which include kidnapping, herders/farmers’ clashes, robberies in the country, to ensure the security of lives and property, Governor Kayode Fayemi inaugurated the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund coined ‘Amotekun’ in collaboration with other South-Western states on 19th October, 2020.
“A sum of N1.44 billion has been earmarked as capital allocation for Amotekun Corps. For the procurement of drones for surveillance, a sum of N550 million has been earmarked while a total of N320 million will be spent on safety city project and the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund will gulp a sum of N55 million.”
The commissioner said that government had also earmarked a total of N8 billion to critical areas of social services, to include the education sector, health, gender empowerment, social security and other pivotal sub-sectors critical to the growth of the state’s economy.
To fund the budget, Ajayi said that a total of N29.6 billion was expected from the federation account, N8.4 billion raised from internally generated revenue, including taxes and other fees while N4.5 billion would be generated from tertiary institutions, including other sundry sources.
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E2%80%94victims-colleague Bandits Have Killed Abducted Niger Catholic Priest —Victim’s Colleague
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly killed Rev. Fr. John Gbakaan, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Minna, Niger State.
According to reports, Gbakaan was killed on Friday, some days after he was abducted by the gunmen.
Another Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, disclosed this via his Twitter account @ FrUgochukwu on Saturday.
“Rev. Fr. John Gbakaan, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Minna, Nigeria, was last night abducted and killed by some gunmen. In your charity, kindly join in praying for the repose of his soul,” he tweeted.
Rev. Fr. John Gbakaan, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Minna, Nigeria was last night, abducted and killed by some gunmen.In your charity, kindly join in praying for the repose of his soulðŸ™ðŸ½. pic.twitter.com/k9zehAq1Dt— Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch (@FrUgochukwu) January 16, 2021
The post has however sparked outrage amongst Twitter users who expressed displeasure over the country’s security architecture, especially in the northern parts of the Nation.
A Twitter user, Adeyemi Kayode Fabunmi, said, “My heart and condolences are with the parishioners of the Catholic Diocese of Minna at this moment. May God console them, grant the late priest eternal rest. The perpetrators of this dastardly act must be found and prosecuted.”
“He was my priest during my service year in Lapai; he worked at Gulu, a sub-town in Lapai Niger State. May his soul rest in peace,” another user, @Domnic8Domnic, said.
@OkereBart said, “That’s what Christians are facing daily in Nigeria, especially clergymen. A heartless and callous murdering of priests and nuns in Nigeria. A real failed nation without any rule of law or government to prosecute these perpetrators.This goes on without any accountability. May his soul rest in peace.”
@onunwabifra said, “Is this the new trend in Nigeria? Few days ago, an Islamic cleric threatened to send in his people (terrorists) to pick up a Catholic Archbishop from the same area and have him ‘crucified’ (his exact word), for daring to call for good governance. And then this? Praying for his soul.”
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