Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 7th September 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 07/09/21
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E2%80%99-activist-disciplinary-panel-over-social Nigerian Institute of Journalism Summons Students’ Activist To Disciplinary Panel Over Social Media Comments
Babalola Ayoola
The Nigerian Institute of Journalism has summoned a student activist, Ayoola Babalola, to a disciplinary panel over allegations of “unruly behavior” and “inciting comments” made on social media and offline.
Babalola, who is also a journalist has several times criticised the management of the institution over what he refers to as violation of basic human rights, its refusal to deliver an academic system that is in tandem with the digital age and lack of compliance with global best practices.
Babalola Ayoola
Commenting on the matter, the secretary of the Take-it-Back movement Campus wing in Ogun State, Olatoye Clement said that the antics to victimise the students’ activist who was only expressing his constitutional rights will fail.
“We are aware of the plans to bring Babalola under unjust victimization for expressing his rights and we shall resist it by all legal means available. The antics of the management are well known and they will fail,” Olatoye said.
Babalola, who was arrested by the Department of State Services and detained at Ibara Prisons in January 2020, for his anti-Buhari articles in a campus magazine, upon receiving the invitation said he would be going to the panel with his lawyer.
Lately, the management of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism has been under the radar for several attacks on students’ rights to freely express themselves and associate.
These acts, many Nigerians have criticised and described as so demeaning of an institution that should conventionally promote freedom of expression and press.
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E2%80%99s-death-irreparable-loss-%E2%80%93-igbinedion-university Olajide Sowore’s Death Is Irreparable Loss – Igbinedion University
Felix Olajide Sowore
The management of Igbinedion University in Okada, Edo State has described the death of Olajide Felix Sowore, brother of human rights’ activist, Omoyele Sowore, as an irreparable loss.
This was made known in statement on the university’s website yesterday, noting that available records showed that late Olajide, while a student, exhibited good conduct and excellent performance in his studies.
Felix Olajide Sowore
“The management, staff and students of Igbinedion University, Okada, received with a deep sense of loss the news of the unfortunate death of Mr Olajide Sowore, a 200-Level Pharmacy student of the university. Late Olajide died from gunshot injuries sustained after he ran into the hands of suspected kidnappers at Isiuwa Community, along the Lagos-Benin expressway on 4th September 2021.
“Records available showed that the late Olajide, while a student, exhibited good conduct and excellent performance in his studies. He was such an amiable and mature gentleman, with lots of promise.
“The entire University community mourns this great loss and also commiserates with the family of late Mr Sowore at this trying moment while praying God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement noted.
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Lawless Nigerian Police Finally Charge Enslaved 21-year-old Woman, Glory Okolie To Court
The Nigerian Police Force has charged Gloria Okolie, a 21-year-old young woman arrested and enslaved by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Imo State.
The suit was in accordance with the court order issued by the Federal High Court Abuja on Friday 27th August 2021.
The police had arrested Okolie for allegedly being friends with a suspected member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
She was later transferred to Abuja, despite efforts by her family members to secure her release.
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Breaking: Enslaved 21-year-old Glory Okolie Sues Nigeria’s Police Boss, Others Over Unlawful Detention, Demands N100billion
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After 66 days in detention, the police, in a statement said she was arrested for alleged membership of IPOB and for working with one Benjamin Uzoma Emojiri to attack officers and stations in Imo.
Her detention stirred public outcry as many Nigerians, including civil society organisations, have called for her release.
In the enrolment order obtained by journalists, the case was instituted by the Inspector General of Police, the Commander, Police Intelligence Response Team (DCP Tunji Disu) and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The orders of the court presided over by Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji were that “the Respondents (Police/FG) should charge the applicant (Gloria Okolie) to court on or before 31st August 2021 if they have any case against her.
“If the applicant is not charged to court as aforesaid, the respondents, especially the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, are ordered to release her on bail upon fulfillment of the following conditions.
“The applicant shall enter into a bond in the sum of #2, 000, 000. 00 with one surety in like sum to report to the respondents whenever they are ready to charge her to court.
“The surety shall be a civil servant of at least grade level 12 in the federal civil service.”
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Buhari Appoints New Boss For Nigeria Centre For Disease Control
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday approved the appointment of Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as the new Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
Buhari also approved the establishment of a health sector reform committee to oversee the development and implementation of a health sector reform programme for Nigeria.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the committee will undertake a review of all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades and lessons learnt and factor them into the development of the new Health Sector Reform Programme.
The statement said Buhari also named Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as the chairman of the committee with members drawn from the public and private sector.
It also revealed that Vesta Healthcare Partners and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will serve as resources persons and have observer roles in the committee.
The statement reads, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the setting up of a Health Sector Reform Committee to commence the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform Programme for Nigeria in collaboration with the State Governments and the FCT administration.
“This is sequel to a Health Sector Diagnostic Review Report developed by a consultant, Vesta Healthcare Partners and the Federal Ministry of Health.
“The committee will undertake a review of all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades and lessons learnt and factor them into the development of the new Health Sector Reform Programme.
“The committee which is set up for a period of six months under the Chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has members drawn from private and public sector health care management professionals, development partners, representatives from the National Assembly as well as the Nigeria Governors Forum among others.
“Meanwhile, President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as the new Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The President has named him as a member of this important committee.”
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E2%80%93-governor-el-rufai Preferential Treatments In Education Have Made Northern Region Lazy – Governor El-Rufai
Kaduna State Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to stop giving “preferential scores” to Northern Nigerian students who sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
El-Rufai stated this on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme.
Kaduna State Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai
The governor advised the body to stop giving students in the North lower cut-off marks but rather apply the same cut-off marks as their counterparts from other parts of the country for them to be competitive nationally and internationally.
The admissions board was established in 1978 saddled with the responsibility “to conduct matriculation examinations for entry into all universities polytechnics and colleges of education in the country and to place suitably qualified candidates in the available places in these institutions.”
He said, “The north has always been behind in education, we’ve continuously been the disadvantaged region right from independence even though we’re given preferences, JAMB scores and all that. That has not helped; in fact, it has made our people lazy.
“Against this differential JAMB and FG (Federal Government) scores, I think people should be encouraged to work hard and compete and we are prepared to make our children in Kaduna State to be competitive, not only in the state but globally.
“The schools are closed now because, on the advice of security agencies, they need a couple of months to undertake massive security operations. They are doing that. We are confident that from the next two weeks, we would start the gradual reopening of schools.
“We have moved many of our students in rural areas that we are not sure we can protect to urban schools, thereby increasing the congestion in urban schools that we can protect.
“The continuous closure of schools is exactly what bandits and Boko Haram want and we are not going to let them win but we must put the safety of our children and teachers first.”
El-Rufai also said the current closure of schools in the state was the major goal of bandits and terrorists oppressing the state but he vowed that they won’t win as he stated that the gradual reopening of schools would commence soon.
Furthermore, the governor said that the state generated over $3bn foreign and local investments in the last two years despite the menace of banditry.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are overwhelmed, hence, the need to train hundreds of vigilantes who will bear arms and confront the marauders who operate from the forests of Kaduna.
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Plateau Government Orders Police To Arrest Peaceful Protesters Demanding End To Rising Killings
Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.
The Plateau State Government has warned residents against staging a protest over the recent killings in the state.
There has been tension in the state of recent after 22 travellers returning to Ondo State from Bauchi were killed on August 14 along Rukuba highway in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.
The travellers had gone back to Bauchi State for an Islamic programme and were on their way back to Ondo State when they were attacked.
Subsequently, Jos was enveloped in tension following the killing of 35 persons in Ahwol Ward of the Naraguta community in the same LGA.
Simon Lalong, the state governor, also declared a 24-hour curfew in Jos North and dusk-to-dawn restriction in Jos South and Bassa LGAs.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dan Manjang, state Commissioner for Information and Communication said the government has received information that some residents are planning to hold a demonstration on Tuesday.
Describing the protest as unnecessary, Manjang urged the organisers to drop the idea in the interest of peace and security.
The statement read, “It has come to the notice of the Plateau State Government that there are rumours of a planned protest beginning tomorrow Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
“While the government acknowledges and respects the right of citizens to peaceful protest, it however reminds the general public that the ban on public procession by whatever guise and name is still in force particularly at this time that the state is still nursing its wounds from the recent attacks that affected some parts of the state.
“Government therefore warns the organisers of the purported protest to drop the idea in the interest of peace and security. Security agents have been placed on red alert to rise up to the challenge by arresting anyone who violates this directive.
“The government also enjoins all law abiding citizens to go about their normal duties without any fear of molestation or intimidation.
“Parents are also advised to rein in their wards and continue to support the Government in working for the restoration of total normalcy to the state.”
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E2%80%93-governor-umahi South-East Governors Will Start To Consider 2023 Presidency By Next Year – Governor Umahi
Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has said he and other South-East governors will begin to examine the clamour for 2023 presidency coming to the South-East by May 2022 when their tenure remains one year.
Umahi, who spoke to State House journalists after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, condemned the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
He said those observing the IPOB’s sit-at-home directive, even when the secessionist group had cancelled it, were doing so out of panic.
While speaking on presidency in 2023, he said, “Well, for me, I’m very much entrenched in completing my projects. And I will look into politics when my tenure is remaining one year, which is from May 29 2022. And I think it is the same thing with other governors of South East and by extension, governors of APC.
“My position about what you ask is that our people that are in those political parties are making the efforts in selling the need for south East to produce the next president. But I think both the governors and Mr. President should not be distracted, when the elections are done and won, it should be governance.
“But in this country, the moment the election is completed, the next one starts. It is the masses that are being cheated. So those whose job are politics and who are not into elected position, or appointed position have all the time and the opportunity to do this conversing.
“But I continue to say that power rest in the hands of God. And God, will also give us the next president who has good heart like President Buhari for the good of this country.
“We need God’s own anointing for our own anointed President for the interest and unity of this country.”
Fielding question on the position of the regional security network, Ebubeagu, he said, “Talking from Ebubeagu position, it’s quite formidable and doing a great job in synergy with all the security agencies. And if you read through the newspapers, you see a lot of exploits that are being done in the South East. It is quite tasking, security wise, and we are tackling it.”
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Olajide’s Murder: Buhari Regime Must Drop All Charges Against Sowore, Says TakeItBack Movement
The TakeItBack Movement has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to drop all charges levelled against human rights’ activist, Omoyele Sowore, following the brutal murder of his brother, Olajide Sowore, by suspected kidnappers on Saturday.
In a statement issued by its Director of Communications, Public Relations and Media, Chidi Nwanyanwu, the body reiterated its stance that the Buhari regime should be held responsible for the death of the younger Sowore.
TakeItBack stated that the “draconian” Buhari’s regime had not only seized Sowore’s freedom but had, through incompetence, caused the death of his younger brother.
It urged the government to immediately put an end to the incarceration of Sowore and allow him to perform his duties in the burial rites of Olajide.
The statement read, “The TakeItBack Movement seizes this moment to once again commiserate with our convener, his family and millions of his supporters and well-wishers over the assassination of Jide Sowore, Yele Sowore’s younger brother.
“In line with our previous statement dated the 4th of September, 2021, we insist that the killing of Mr. Jide Sowore by yet-to-be-identified men of the underworld is highly reprehensible and we will continue to hold the regime of Mohammad Buhari responsible for this gruesome murder.
“Needless to say, Omoyele Sowore who remains the breadwinner of his family has not only had his brother taken away from him by the draconic and highly incompetent regime, but the Buhari Junta is also preventing him from performing his role as the first son of the family over the burial arrangement of his brother.
“In like manner, the Buhari Junta has also prevented Yele Sowore from playing the role of a father to his children and a husband to his wife over the past two years. Aside from keeping him in illegal detention for five months, the regime has kept him under city detention since 2019.
“The tyrannical regime has consistently manipulated the judicial system into keeping him under city detention despite having no single evidence against every allegation brought against him. For more than two years, the regime has not been able to prove a single thing in court aside delays and further delays.
“But within these two years of unjust incarceration, Sowore has been illegally imprisoned on two occasions, tortured and shot at and nearly assassinated by police.
“It is in the light of the aforementioned that we seize this moment to demand his immediate and unconditional release from city detention. Forthwith, we also demand that government immediately drops all charges against him and other political prisoners who like Sowore have been subjected to unjust detention and malicious prosecution.
“While calling for a permanent end to insecurity and bloodletting in the country, we also agree with millions of Nigerians that the Buhari regime and the system he represents is totally incapable of providing even the basics of governance to the Nigerian people and should be sent packing without delay.”
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Sunday Igboho Blows Hot From Beninese Prison In Leaked Audio, Lambasts His Lawyer For ‘Disrespecting Him’
Sunday Igboho
The Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, more commonly known as Sunday Igboho, has berated one of his lawyers, Ibrahim Salami, for allegedly disrespecting him.
In a leaked audio obtained by SaharaReporters, Ighoho claimed the lawyer abandoned him and kept him waiting for over 15 minutes while speaking to someone else.
Sunday Igboho
He said, “I told him (lawyer) I was hungry and had to eat, and he told me to go. I told him to see me; it wasn’t because of those people that he came here now. I was waiting for him for 15 minutes. If he had told those people to give him time to attend to his client, that one would not have said anything because he knew you came there because of me.
“But he abandoned me where I was. I didn’t know him before now; I wasn’t expecting him at all. I didn’t know it was Salami that lawyer, Falola, would be sending. I’m not a young boy now; I’ll be 50 years by October this year. I might have a small body but God answered my prayers. I’m a man and I know my worth.
“If I get angry with anyone, the person won’t be able to hold me. The day I changed it for them here in the prison, they were shocked. I told them to either kill me or change my cell and that I didn’t care if they would open fire on me. They had no option than to change my cell. You know my baba; you know what I can do now.
“Are the lawyers God? The lawyers that can’t convince a judge to release me; see how many they are, about 10 of them, are those ones lawyers? The lawyers that can’t let them remove handcuffs from my hands for seven days until Falola came. It wasn’t small money that they collected, some collected N5million, some N4million. I’m not afraid of anyone of them.”
When told the lawyer claimed he had information for him, Igboho said, “I don’t need any information from them. Anything they want to do, they should do it. I don’t need any information from them, I told my wife when she visited me recently. Any information that can’t take me out of here is useless. He didn’t give me respect at all. That was actually what happened.”
Igboho is currently locked up in Benin Republic.
He was on July 20 arrested in Cotonou while trying to travel to Germany.
The Yoruba nation agitator fled Nigeria after he was declared wanted by the Department of State Services, DSS, following the alleged discovery of weapons in his Ibadan residence.
He, however, denied owning the weapons found in his house, stressing that they were planted there.
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E2%80%99s-murder-how-fulani-herdsmen-blindfolded-us-demanded-n10million-ransom-victim Jide Sowore’s Murder: How Fulani Herdsmen Blindfolded Us, Demanded N10million Ransom, Victim Recounts Ordeal
File photo used to illustrate story.
One of the victims of last Saturday’s kidnapping incident in the Okada axis of Benin City, Edo State, during which Olajide Sowore, the younger brother to human rights’ activist, Omoyele Sowore, was killed, Emmanuella Anyanwu, on Monday confirmed that their abductors and killers of the younger Sowore, were Fulani herdsmen.
According to Tribune, Anyanwu, who narrated how she escaped from the kidnappers, confirmed that those who abducted her and four others later brought their cows to the camp where they were kept in the bush.
File photo used to illustrate story.
The Edo State Police Command had, on Sunday night, announced that it rescued the Catholic nun from the kidnappers.
She said, “On Friday, we were coming from Lagos to the South-East and our vehicle broke down around Okada on the outskirts of Benin. We passed the night in the vehicle. At about 6.30am to 7am, some men came out from the bush shooting at us and we surrendered.
“They took our belongings including our phones and marched us into the bush. It took us almost two hours to get to their camp. They blindfolded us. So they started calling us one after the other and I was the last person they called. They asked me where I was coming from and where I was going. I told them that I was coming from Lagos and going to Imo State for my husband’s burial.
“They asked how many kids I had, I told them two and I also told them I sell groundnut in Lagos. They asked if I was the one providing the money to bury my husband and I told them his brother will do that. They also wanted to know what my sister was doing and I told them she sells bread in the village. They asked if I knew them, I said no. They asked if I knew the police and army, I told them I knew those ones.
“They told me they were kidnappers and said they abducted me because of ransom. They said if I didn’t have money, they would take my life. I asked them how much they wanted. But one of them was furious that I was asking them questions. I told them I needed to know the ransom.
“They asked if I had N10million and I told them there was no way to get that kind of money. I told them I would give them N500,000 from money gathered from my village. One of them said I was a fool and they told me to sit down.
“Then it started raining heavily and they went away and brought one man again. So they took something from that man and their attention was on it. So I removed my blindfold and decided to escape but I decided to shelve the plan till midnight.
“But my spirit told me to escape because I would not have the opportunity to do so in the night because the abductors didn’t sleep in the night. I crept and that was how I escaped.”
When she was asked about the tribe of those who kidnapped her, she said: “I believe they are Fulani, because on that Saturday afternoon, they released their cows and they came to where we were being held. I saw a mast far away and I started trekking towards it. After one hour or more, I got to a road and saw an elderly man on motorcycle and I asked him to take me to the police station, which he did.”
She added that the herdsmen were very harsh towards their victims.
“They were very harsh and warned us not to look at their faces, they also asked us not to talk to one another. They were beating the men but spared the women. I sustained the wounds on my body when I was trying to find my way out of the bush,” she said.
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