Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Wednesday 3rd March 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 03/03/21
Read also
*-offenders-working-children-imposes-n2million-fine-persons-discriminating Senate Bars S** Offenders From Working With Children, Imposes N2million Fine On Persons Discriminating Against Elderly Persons
The Nigerian Senate on Monday passed an amendment to the Child’s Rights Act 2003, barring persons convicted of sexual offences from working with children.
This followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman of the Committee on Women Affairs, Betty Apiafi, on the Child’s Rights Act amendment.
The lawmakers said the amendment will further give protection to the Nigerian child from sexual violence and abuse suffered in the hands of caregivers and similar persons responsible for their well-being.
In a tweet on Tuesday, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan said, “This is a very important amendment. This amendment is meant to cure those kinds of societal ills and keep away those rapists from our children.”
The Senate also passed the Older Persons Rights and Privileges Bill which seeks to address the social and economic challenges triggered by ageing.
The bill also addresses the need for the government to formulate policies that will incorporate the elderly and cater to their well-being.
It provides for a fine of N2 million for organisations and N200,000 for individuals found discriminating against older persons.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Workers In Oyo Higher Institutions Begin Indefinite Strike Over ‘Exorbitant’ Charges By Consultant Hired By Makinde’s Govt
Workers of Oyo State-owned higher institutions on Tuesday protested against what they termed as a tyrannical operation on the part of Platinum Consultant engaged by the state government.
The governor of the state, Seyi Makinde, on assumption of office, introduced Platinum Consultant, to collect tuition from students of state-owned higher institutions and oversee the expenses of those schools.
Workers in the institutions have however alleged that the consultant is collecting N500 on each student while staff members are not allowed to access the school account without the consent of the consultant, which they claimed is against the edict that established the schools.
The Joint Action Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics in the state which include Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo; Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate; Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa on Tuesday after its emergency meeting, ordered all workers of the affected institutions to embark on industrial action.
The communique which was signed by its chairman, Mr Oyewumi Olusegun, said the unions frowned on many issues ranging from alleged tyrannical operation of Platinum Consultant, which is described as an attempt to subvert the sanctity of the sector by introducing measures alien and inimical to the smooth-running of the schools, failure to defray the accrued minimum wage arrears from January to November 2020, minimum in not more than three (3) installments and actions of the incumbent administration to force each institution to be responsible for continual defrayment of the monthly arrears of salaries.
The communiqué reads: “Following the expiration of the three-day ultimatum, after the initial seven-day ultimatum issued to the government on the demands for the reversal of the aberrations of the operations of Platinum Consultants and refusal to pay accrued 11 months minimum wage arrears, among other issues; and after exhaustive deliberations, the body considered issues thus:
“Operations of Platinum Consultants—Members of the general public should please recall the patriotic efforts of JAC in raising her voice against the tyrannical attempts of the previous administration to destroy the tertiary institutions’ sector. JAC is not relenting in any way in her determination to continue to resist any attempt to subvert the sanctity of the sector by introducing any measure that is alien and inimical to the smooth-running of the schools. One of such aberrations and threats to the smooth-running of the institutions is the illegal operations of the Platinum Consultants as an authorising body for every spending by the institutions – a practice that is unknown to all laws establishing and guiding the smooth-running of the institutions.
“JAC as a civil body of erudite persons had made several entreaties to the present administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde to correct this abnormality in the past, all to no avail. Aside from the several independent civil approaches by JAC, we are also aware of similar fruitless efforts by other stakeholders in the sector.
“JAC noted that the operations of the consultant is crippling academic activities in the institutions and might deny the teeming youths of the state access to sound and qualitative education if this current trend is sustained.
“Accrued 11 Months Minimum Wage Arrear—The body noted that the government has failed to pay or give any committal towards the fulfillment of the contents of the January 13, 2021 agreement to totally defray the accrued minimum wage arrears from January to November 2020 minimum in not more than three (3) installments.
“Salary Augmentation—The reality of the overwhelming negative effects of the actions of the incumbent administration in forcing each institution to be responsible for continual defrayment of the monthly arrears of salaries incurred during the dark era of the previous administration and the new minimum wage is dawning on all of us, as a yoke that will eventually cripple the sector if not nipped in the bud. Against the misleading advice of Platinum Consultants to the government, the reality is that no institution can barely survive under this burden.
“Having fulfilled the requisite procedures for embarking on legitimate industrial such as seven and three-day ultimatums to the government and respective Governing Councils on the 15th and 24th of February 2021 respectively, it is rather unfortunate that despite all efforts by JAC to sustain the existing industrial harmony in the institutions, the government is frustrating all efforts as it remains both unperturbed and unresponsive to all agitations up to the close of this meeting.
“Following the foregoing, extensive consultations and arising from its meeting of Monday 1/3/2021, JAC hereby declares the immediate commencement of an indefinite total strike action of all its members viz: ASUP, COEASU, SSANIP & SSUCOEN in TOP Shaki, EACOED Oyo, AOP Eruwa, OYSCATECH Igboora, and OYSCOED Lanlate.”
LABOR/WORKERS’ RIGHTS
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
ACF To Northern Food Suppliers: Nigeria Not At War, Lift Ban On Blockade Of Food To South
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the leadership of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers to stop the blockade of foodstuffs from the North to the South.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, the group’s chairman, Audu Ogbe, said the action of the AUFCDN will only complicate the socio-economic and political problems of the country.
Ogbe, who is also a former Minister of Agriculture, said the move by the AUFCDN is not only unprogressive, it is also counterproductive.
The statement read, “The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) shares the concerns of Nigerians over the decision of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers to stop movements of needed food from the North to the South.
“We call on the leadership of the union to put a halt to their so-called embargo and blockade.
“Nigeria is not at war with itself and such a drastic action is not necessary.
“It will only further complicate the socio-economic and political problems facing our country today.
“The members of the union are said to have suffered severe losses during the #EndSARS riots and the recent violence in Sasha in Oyo State targeted against northerners.
“We believe that whatever may be the difficulties of their members in operating in other parts of the country, ACF leadership, led by me, is willing to help them solve these by talking to security agencies and the government.
“There is no need to mount a blockade by one section of the country against the other.
“Whatever may be our differences, the ACF as an ardent believer in free trade believes that goods should be allowed to move freely.
“This extreme measure is not progressive and even counterproductive. This is not the way to go.”
The cattle and foodstuffs’ dealers under the aegis of AUFCDN, commenced a nationwide strike on Thursday, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the Nigerian government to attend to their demands.
The union demanded protection of its members, payment of N475 billion compensation for lives of members and properties lost during the #EndSARS protest and Shasa market crisis.
The union also demanded that the government should order the dismantling of all roadblocks on federal highways due to problems its members are subjected to when carrying out their duties.
The Grand Matron of AUFCDN, Hajia Hauwa Kabir Usman, while giving an update recently warned the police not to disturb the task force of the union who would carry out enforcement of the strike by ensuring that no food and cattle were moved from North to the South.
Usman said, “The leadership of the union has already made a strong plan to ensure that all our exits (our borders) between the Northern and Southern part are closed.
“Every truck that will go out has to be checked. If you carry any food or cattle, you cannot take it out except you take it back or be destroyed there. None of the security agents should dare intimate our task force members because if they do, we will fight it legally.”
Usman vowed that the union would not compromise until the Nigerian government acceded to their demands, saying they had earlier given a 21-day ultimatum without any response from the government.
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Nigerian Government Declares Zamfara No-Fly Zone, Bans Mining Activities
The Nigerian government has instituted a no-fly zone above Zamfara State as part of efforts to tackle the security challenges being witnessed in the state.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Monguno, the government has also banned mining activities by non-state actors.
The NSA also revealed that all non-state actors had been placed under surveillance, adding that the Nigerian government would not hesitate to use kinetic means to restore normalcy in the country.
“The President has approved, based on our recommendations, the imposition and enforcement of a ban on all mining activities in Zamfara with immediate effect until further notice,” he said.
“He has directed the Minister of Defence and the National Security Adviser to deploy the massive military and intelligence assets to restore normalcy to that part of the country.
“He has also approved that Zamfara State should be declared ‘a no-fly zone” with immediate effect.
“We can no longer avoid to lose lives while operating within the legalities. We are not going to be blackmailed. The government has the responsibility to assert its will.
“Citizens can reside wherever they want to reside. Anybody who is a criminal should be brought to book. The president has also warned against ethnic profiling.”
The development comes amidst the rising cases of kidnapping and banditry in Zamfara state.
For instance, 279 schoolgirls were kidnapped by bandits from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State last Friday.
The state government on Tuesday announced that they had been released, saying no ransom was paid.
Insecurity
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Kidnapping: Lagos School Owners Tighten Security, Install CCTV Cameras In Schools
The Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Nigeria, has said it has improved the security measures put in place in schools within the state.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on Tuesday, its President, Chief Yomi Otubela, said there are concerns and apprehension amongst parents whose wards are enrolled in boarding schools within the state.
He, however, said the body had tightened security measures around the schools.
He said, “There are concerns and apprehension among parents in particular while for the children because they are under us, they are from time to time, encouraged that the security of their lives and property of the school is totally under the control of our security apparatus and human resources that we have put together.
“For the children, their mindset is okay, it’s fine, they are ready to learn, they are not bothered but for their parents who are reading the dailies, some of them are apprehensive and we can only but encourage them and that is what we think currently.”
On steps taken by the association to ensure the protection of the schoolchildren, he said, “We have created an alliance with the Nigerian police, especially the command and stations that are close to areas where the private schools and especially boarding houses are available.
“We have gotten an understanding with them to come around, patrol the areas, especially at odd hours. We also have security training for all our guards to gather information and look for any persons hibernating around the schools. They have also been taught how to raise the alarm in case of an emergency and we have provided phone numbers to call for an emergency.
“All these have been done as training for security personnel that will be on duty and aside from that, we have told all our members to install CCTV cameras with solar energy to ensure that we can capture all movements in real-time and this is connected to the mobile phone of the chief security officers, the principal and at times, the proprietor of the school. These are the things we have done. We also have some arrangements with some local vigilantes who also give backup security.”
In a report by Daily Trust, the Lagos State Police Command said it had deployed some policemen to tighten security around primary and secondary schools in the metropolis.
It said the deployment was to prevent the abduction of schoolchildren in any part of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, at a press conference held on Monday at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, explained that those in boarding schools would begin to witness an increasing number of policemen around their schools.
Odumosu, who also allayed fears of any attack, assured parents that the deployment was a proactive step. The Lagos police boss, who also warned those in the business of kidnapping to stay away from the state, insisted that anyone or groups arrested over their alleged involvement in abduction in any part of the state would be brought to justice.
Education
Insecurity
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
After SaharaReporters’ Story, Delta Head Of Personnel Management Pays Staff Salaries, Vows Not To Pay Ex-Political Office Holders
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa
Forty-eight hours after SaharaReporters reported how a Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor, who is the Head of Personnel Management, (HPM), Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Henry Obukowho, and Treasurer to the Local Government, (TLG), Fejiro Ogbogbo, were enmeshed in N2,475,000 salary embezzlement scandal, it was learnt that affected staff members received their salaries.
The N2,475,000 was released by the state government alongside N1 million for the HPM’s security vote but after taking his N1 million, he refused to pay the affected staff members and political office holders several weeks after the money was released for the payment of salaries.
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa
Speaking with our correspondent, an elated employee of the local government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “After SaharaReporters’ story, barely two days later, our HMP, Pastor Obukowho, started running helter-skelter. He was so troubled and restless. And before we knew what was happening, some of us whom he had refused to pay, were called and our January salaries were given to us in cash.
“We always received our salaries promptly but immediately the tenure of the local government chairman, Emmanuel Egbabor, ended on January 7, 2021, and our HPM stepped in as sole administrator pending when council polls will be conducted on March 6, he refused to pay us our January salaries. He connived with some officials in the council to embezzle the money.”
See Also
Corruption
Delta Head Of Personnel Management Who Is RCCG Pastor, Treasurer Enmeshed In N2.4million Salary Embezzlement Scandal
0 Comments
1 Week Ago
Another employee confirmed to SaharaReporters that all the affected employees had received their January salaries but that political office holders had yet to be paid.
The source said, “Five security men got N35,000 each. Two clerical officers got N30,000 each, 15 casual environment staff members got N10,000 each. The total amount was N385,000 for the payment of our January salaries which the HPM refused to pay us. But immediately the issue was made public by SaharaReporters, everything changed. Our HPM had to quickly get the money to pay us. We were paid two days after the report.
“However, our HPM has vowed that he will not pay the political office holders. The other day, he boasted that he would not pay the immediate past council chairman, his deputy, and the SA to the former chairman. However, he has partially agreed to look for cash to pay only the five supervisors, and the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG).
“The HPM was supposed to pay N2,090,000 to the immediate past political office holders in the council. 20 councillors to get N70,000 each; five supervisors to get N70,000 each. Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) and Special Assistant (SA) to the council chairman, N70,000 each. The council chairman and the vice-chairmen are to get N100,000 each. But the HPM has vowed not to pay the former chairman, his deputy, and SA.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Head of Personnel Management, (HPM), Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Obukowho, who had before now denied the embezzlement, did not answer his calls or respond to text messages sent to him.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%93-army Boko Haram Attacked Borno Community To Loot Foodstuffs Donated By Governor Zulum – Army
File Photo
The Nigerian Army has said the Boko Haram terrorists and their Islamic State West African Province fighters attacked Dikwa town in the Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State to loot the foodstuffs donated by the state governor, Prof Babagana Zulum.
The army said on Tuesday that the terrorists came in several gun trucks and motorcycles but they were visited with bombardment and firepower by troops of the 81 Task Force Battalion with reinforcement from the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole.
File Photo
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Mohammed Yerima, claimed in a release that the terrorists came in droves through Marte but they could not gain access to the town.
He said, “The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have decisively routed elements of Boko Haram terrorists and their ISWAP counterparts who attempted to infiltrate and attack Dikwa town in the Dikwa LGA.
“The terrorist groups who stormed the town in an unconfirmed number of gun trucks and motorcycles were visited with heavy bombardment and overwhelming firepower by troops of 81 Task Force Battalion with reinforcement from other formations.
“The terrorists attempted to invade the town to loot food items and other logistics having got wind of the recent food distribution to residents of the town by the state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.
“They came in droves through the Marte axis but could not gain access to the town due to the combat readiness of troops who were positioned there.
“The terrorists subsequently lost the initiative as they were cut off completely following the recent successful recapture of Marte town by the gallant troops. In desperation and to scare off residents from returning to their homes, they planted a series of landmines on the roads which were also detected and successfully detonated by troops.”
The army spokesman noted that the Chief of the Army Staff, Maj Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, commended the efforts of the troops and the prompt response of the Air Task Force in providing air interdictions throughout the operation.
Boko Haram
Food
Insurgency
Terrorism
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
UK-based Nigerian Pastor Calms Fears After British Prime Minister Meets Church Leaders Over COVID-19 Vaccines
A Nigerian and Lead Pastor at Liberty Church London, Pastor Sola Fola-Alade, has warned against nursing fears around COVID-19 vaccines, saying people must not believe the myths surrounding the vaccines.
Speaking at the meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Fola-Alade, who is also a medical doctor, said he understood people’s fears but they should not be translated to believing in myths.
In a post on his Twitter handle on Saturday, Fola-Alade advised people to be careful about misinformation concerning the vaccine.
While people do have valid fears & questions regarding the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, however we must be careful about misinformation out there and look at the facts & make our decisions based on objective facts and not on myths Sola Fola-Alade (@DrImpact_) February 27, 2021
He said, “Not only am I a pastor of a church, I’m also a medical doctor by training. I do understand people’s fears and anxieties concerning the speed of the development of the vaccines, and the things that are out there concerning how the vaccines were developed.
“While people do have valid fears and questions regarding the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. However, we must be careful about misinformation out there and look at the facts and make our decisions based on objective facts and not on myths.”
See Also
PHOTONEWS: UK Prime Minister, Johnson Meets Church Leaders Over COVID Vaccination
3 Hours Ago
Prime Minister Johnson met with Fola-Alade, along with other church and community leaders to discuss the COVID-19 vaccination.
The UK prime minister published a clip of the meeting, which was held at The Tab church in London, Lewisham, on his official Twitter handle on Saturday.
“Hi folks, I’m here at The Tab. I’ve been talking to some pastors about the amazing works that they do to encourage the take-up of vaccinations,” Johnson said in the video.
The UK, which is the fifth country with the highest number of confirmed infections worldwide, began vaccinations in December after it approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for public use.
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Man Beats Up Wife For Refusing To Be Full House Wife In Lagos, Victim Lands In Hospital
Illustration
The police have arrested a man, Kehinde Dosu, for allegedly beating his wife, Ojuolape Dosu, for engaging in petty business that makes her financially independent.
A human rights organisation, the Child Protection Network, Lagos Chapter informed SaharaReporters on Monday.
Illustration
Kehinde and Ojuolape reside in the Fadeyi area of Lagos, but Ojuolape’s brother reported the incident after Kehinde assaulted his elder sister on Monday.
The culprit was then arrested by men of Onipanu Police Station for interrogation.
According to Ojuolape, who spoke with SaharaReporters on Tuesday, she has been suffering from domestic violence for many years as her husband always gets away with it.
However, she said the latest assault made her voice out and her brother reported the case.
“The first incidence happened when my first child was about a year plus. I wanted to bathe him, and he was jumping in the bathtub. He eventually fell.
“That day, he slapped me, and I was shocked that he did that. So, I tried to defend myself. When he was not satisfied with that, he went into the room and brought out his naval belt to beat me. He was being trained in the Navy School then, but he didn’t finish that training. He used the big belt to beat me. I have marks all over my body.
“Another one happened about two years ago when my brother was preparing for his wedding. I was preparing food for the family and my baby woke up from sleep, asking for her father. So, I told her her daddy was on the balcony. I thought the girl was going to meet her dad, I didn’t know she had gone out to urinate.
“He just rushed to meet me and asked if I allowed the girl to go out and urinate. I tried to explain that she wanted to come and meet him. He first verbally abused me before he slapped me twice. I still tried to beg him because of my brother’s wedding that was very close but, instead he beat me up. He hit me in my face.”
The woman said her husband never wanted her to work.
She said her argument in the family was that he alone could not shoulder the financial responsibilities.
“The major root of this aggression is that he doesn’t want me to work but can’t sustain all the financial responsibilities in the house. Then if I manage whatever he gives, he feels like I don’t appreciate it. The point is that he doesn’t want me to ask for what I need, then I told him this is not possible so he should let me work to earn more money to cater to our collective needs.
“I have worked two times. I found myself teaching jobs on two occasions, he made sure he frustrated me with fights such that I had to stop on those two occasions. When I started selling things, he was not happy. He would be hostile unnecessarily towards my customers.
“Recently, I have been selling garri and ponmo (cowhide). A customer wanted to buy a cowhide of N10,000 from me and he said I shouldn’t go. I didn’t go. I had to beg a neighbour to help me deliver the goods to that my customer. I have forfeited customers due to his unfriendly attitude towards them whenever they come home to buy goods from me.
“A guy came to knock on my door that he wanted to buy cowhide, so I quickly came out to meet him so say I would come and sell to him. So, my husband came out of the bathroom and started asking me questions about why the customer came home.
“I tried to explain, but he just started beating me. My children were scared and began to cry. He was beating me in the presence of our children. So, I decided that yesterday’s issue would be the last one.
“He has been calling and sending me text messages since yesterday but I didn’t pick up or respond to his messages. I realised the police have released him. The police asked him to beg me. I am receiving medical attention but I’m not with him at the moment and can’t disclose where I am.”
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Nigerian Woman, Dutch Husband Remanded In Rivers Prison Over N126million Fraud
File photo used to illustrate story.
A Dutch national, Peiter Borremans and his wife, Nkechi Borremans, have been remanded in custody following a ruling by a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly defrauding two firms of $330,000 (about N126 million) meant for the purchase of a marine tanker vessel.
The two defendants were on Thursday, alongside their firm, Lagon Trade Limited, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice E. A. Obile on two counts bordering on fraud and felony.
File photo used to illustrate story.
The 1st defendant, Peiter Borremans as well as the 2nd defendant, Nkechi Borremans, who is a Nigerian, during their arraignment pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them.
The court clerk who read the charges said, “That you Peiter Borremans, Nkechi Borremans and Lagon Trade Limited on or about the 31st day of July, 2014 at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit, obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other related Offenses Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
“That you Peiter Borremans, Nkechi Borremans and Lagon Trade Limited on or about the 31st day of July, 2014 at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $330,000 from Jackkyson Multi Services Limited & Alot General Services Limited as advanced payment meant for the purchase of marine tanker vessel, a pretext you know to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) and (2) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The Borremans had on July 31, 2014, allegedly conned their victims, Jackkyson Multi Services Limited and Alot General Services Limited to part with the sum of $330,000 being an upfront payment for the purchase of a marine tanker vessel for them.
The prosecuting counsel, J. N. Dogonyaro, following the “not guilty” plea of the defendants, urged the court to remand them at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre facility, pending the hearing of the matter.
But opposing the prosecuting counsel’s prayer and citing COVID-19 pandemic concerns, counsel for the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants, C. A. Okowanye, begged the court to remand his clients in the custody of the EFCC.
Responding to both arguments, the presiding judge, Justice Obile, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the custody of the EFCC and adjourned the matter till March 31, 2021, for trial.
Legal
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Read also
You can also check
