Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Friday 25th March 2022
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 25/03/22
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Omoyele Sowore, Fully Loaded By Lynda Tilley
Omoyele Sowore, Human Rights Activist and founder of the African Actionreligions and walks of life and over time, have been able to pose unbiased questions to significant people, do my own research, follow patterns and build up as true a picture as I can, of what’s really going on there.
I’ve found the Nigerian people to be warm, welcoming and truly, amongst the strongest people I’ve ever met on our continent. I have spent many hours in mentally stimulating conversations with highly intuitive people and have loved the Nigerian sense of humour and resilience they have! I feel that the picture painted to our countries in the South, especially of Nigerian people in general is very wrong and extremely damaging. No, “all Nigerians” are not either drug dealers, scammers or terrorists. This is the propaganda we’re fed – along with an innate fear of all Nigerians “you don’t mess with The Nigerians”.I’m not affiliated with anyone person or organisation in Nigeria and so I give you my honest and unbiased view as an “outsider looking in.”To those of you who still doubt Omoyele Sowore, given the reason that he “lacks the necessary experience,” I ask you to consider how much experience many African leaders have previously had before they, too, became our Presidents and leaders? I really urge you to educate yourselves on what this man has done for Nigerian people and human rights causes, amongst other notable things, throughout his lifetime. He’s only ever stood for the same things that he stands for now, although his journey has never been an easy one.Most importantly, Omoyele Sowore is who he is today without having benefited materially or politically from what he stands for in any way, nor by spilling even a single drop of blood. He’s also refused to ever ‘look the other way’ to make things easier for himself. He’s a rare man and a rare leader because he’s powered and driven by facts, truth and justice. I get the feeling that the lies, corruption, death and injustice that permeate Nigeria today, only add fuel to his fire and supercharge his determination – to break the cycle of bad governance in Nigeria, once and for all, and to give it back into the hands of Nigeria’s long-suffering people. As yet more injustice rages around him as each day passes, instead of despair – motivation kicks in and this only makes him more determined than before, to continue with what he stands for – each injustice simply propels him forward, adding more fuel to his engine.I’ll tell you something as well about true leaders like Sowore – the leaders who really are only for the people and their country – no university degree or amount of money or hands-on experience can teach true, honest leadership – that only comes from the heart. True leaders like Omoyele Sowore are BORN that way. Their life experiences simply make them even better, stronger leaders.I don’t know him, but I do know this – what he stands for today is most probably EXACTLY what he’s stood for in one way or another, for his entire life. We each have things in life that we will never compromise on – regardless. For most of us, these are things that affect us personally. But for men like Sowore, THIS is their “thing” – in his case, it means taking Nigeria back, into the hands of the people. Making a start on overcoming the wrongs of the past and building the foundations of a beautiful, new future for all Nigerians.The more times you knock a man like him down, the more chances he has to get back up on his feet again. Each time he gets up, it makes him stronger, more determined. A weaker man would have stayed on the floor a long time ago – not even bothered to try and get up again, he’d been knocked down too many times. Sowore’s honesty, transparency, disinterest in material wealth or power and the anger which he feels with all the injustice in Nigeria and the human suffering he sees daily, means that he won’t tolerate any person who not only doesn’t value these things but who also exploits them or gains from them in some way. Herein lies his “superpower” – the reason why he has the respect and support of people across Africa and around the world and why the crowds you see gathering around him are not paid or bribed to be there – they’re there of their own free will.The corrupt and the greedy can’t understand this “superpower” – it’s something completely foreign to them as it’s based on honesty and selflessness. It’s one of the things their money can’t buy, their books can’t teach them and it’s something they will never be able to take away from him – no matter which way they try. Now, Sowore’s coming for them all – for all those people who exploit what he stands for, who’ve abused their positions and have only added to Nigeria’s destruction and complete devastation of her people. His tank is fully fuelled now, thanks to the increasing desperate assassination, intimidation and arrest attempts on not only his but his supporters’ lives. His voice is the only weapon he needs, but it’s the most effective weapon of all – his facts and truths are his chosen ammunition and he’s fully loaded, starting to fire his words of truth, one after the other and he hits the target each and every time. There’s no detour on this road, Sowore’s coming straight at all those who loot, lie and kill with abandon – there’s nowhere for them to hide, no way to avoid the bullets of truth that he speaks and you realise suddenly that there are thousands and thousands of good people beside him, who’ve all simply had ENOUGH … they are here as a united force of truth.This is him! THIS is Nigeria’s future President and saviour of all Nigeria – get out of the way, lies don’t stand a chance – it’s the force of change, blowing truth your way – it’s Omoyele Sowore, fully loaded!©Lynda Tilley 2022(A Zimbabwean supporter of Omoyele Sowore & the people of Nigeria, in solidarity)
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BREAKING Ruling Party, APC Bars Attorney-General, Malami, Amaechi, Ngige, Other Political Appointees From Voting In Convention
The All Progressives Congress has barred political appointees from voting at its convention holding on Saturday.The party made this known in a press statement on Thursday.
By this statement, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, the Ministers of Transport as well as Labour and Employment, Rotimi Amaechi, and Chris Ngige respectively and other political appointees would not be able to vote at the national convention on Saturday.The statement was titled, ‘Attention to political office holders who were elected as delegates’.It read, “The National Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of APC has declared that all political appointees who were elected as delegates to the National Convention slated for 26/3/2022 SHALL NOT VOTE in view of the controversy surrounding Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022.“However, political appointees can still attend as observers.”
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Gunmen Attack Plateau State Community, Kill Traditional Ruler
Unknown gunmen have killed a traditional ruler in Yola community in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, Mustafa Ibrahim, the Garkuwan Yola Wakat.The gunmen were said to have attacked Garkuwan Yola Wakat and another traditional ruler, Muhammadu Adamu, on Tuesday, March 22.
Abdullahi Usman, a resident of Wase, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, said that the traditional rulers were on their way to a hospital near Wase town to visit a patient when the gunmen attacked them.”The body of Mustafa Ibrahim has since been recovered by the police and handed over to the family. We were at the scene of the incident this morning (Thursday). The deceased has been buried. The other victim, the village head of Yola, Muhammadu Adamu, has returned home, but the criminals went away with the motorcycle,” he added.The deceased traditional ruler was buried on Wednesday.Attachments area
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2023: Ex-Anambra Governor, Peter Obi Joins Presidential Race
Peter Obi
The vice-presidential candidate on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2019 general election, Peter Obi, has declared interest to contest for the president of Nigeria in 2033.Obi made the declaration before the traditional rulers in the state at the Anambra State Government conference hall Agu- Awka, Anambra State.
Peter Obi
He said that he decided to declare his intention first before the monarchs in order to seek their blessings, adding that he needed their prayers and support for the project to be successful.“I am talking to the traditional rulers because if somebody begins any journey he must first tell his fathers. I am telling you as my fathers that I am coming out to contest the position of the president of Nigeria.“You know me and you know how Nigeria is today. In 2019, I went with Atiku as the vice-presidential candidate but today I want to come out on my own. I just came to seek your blessings as the traditional rulers of the State,” he said.The former governor had said he would be running for the post if PDP zones the ticket to the south.Obi said that after careful studies of Nigeria, he discovered that Nigeria is at the lowest ebb and needed somebody like him to move it forward.The former governor of Anambra State said he strongly believe in one united NigeriaObi said he is in the race to move Nigeria forward.“If I am voted as the president, I will secure Nigeria, create jobs for the teaming youths of the country and pull Nigeria out of poverty.“Everything I have done regarding resources, I have managed them proudly.“I want to move this country forward. I’m a Nigerian, I believe in one united Nigeria, I want it secure.“I am not just aspiring for the political position but to serve and move the country forward.“I have all it takes to be president and move the country forward,” he said.
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E2%80%99s BREAKING: APC Convention: Governor Fayemi Rejects Consensus Agreement, Says Buhari’s Candidates Will Slug It Out
Kayode Fayemi
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has denied supporting candidates that President Muhammadu Buhari endorsed ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention.There has been crisis in the ruling party over the choice of the next National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.
Kayode Fayemi
Daily Trust had reported how President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as National Chairman created rift in the party.But as parts of move to settle this, Buhari had met with governors at Aso Rock on Wednesday after which an agreement was reportedly reached on consensus.A governor from the North West had said there was no objection when the endorsement of Adamu was raised. He said the issue of the national secretary was also resolved.A top source, while corroborating the governor’s statement, said during the villa meeting, the governors aligned themselves with President Buhari’s position on Adamu.“They aligned with the president’s position on Adamu as the national chairman while all other positions are as per the zoning earlier approved by the president,” the source said.Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said a truce has been reached to fill the NWC positions through consensus.He said the PGF was in support of the chairmanship candidate being backed by President Buhari although he refused to name the candidate.But speaking at a high-level policy dialogue organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), on Thursday, Fayemi denied supporting candidates endorsed by the president.
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E2%80%99ll-treat-policemen%E2%80%99s-strike-mutiny-%E2%80%93-nigerian-police-authorities-warn-personnel We’ll Treat Policemen’s Strike As Mutiny – Nigerian Police Authorities Warn Personnel
The Nigeria Police Force has warned its officers and men that the planned strike by police personnel is mutiny and disobedience to lawful order.The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Kebbi State, Musa Baba, gave the warning while speaking with the officers and men of the Command in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
“Let me equally remind you that the police are a regimented organisation, and any strike action by its members will be considered as mutiny and disobedience to lawful order with its consequences,” he said.Baba also urged members of the Inspectorate, Rank and File to discard the planned strike being “circulated in the media by mischief makers.”“Police work needs contribution of all and sundry as the security, which involves protection of people’s lives and properties, needs all and sundry’s blessing.“The Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba-Usman, is working tirelessly to ensure that the welfare of members of rank and file is improved.”“The rumour of strike you have been hearing going round is not coming from the Nigeria Police Force headquarters.“Rather it is from mischief makers and unpatriotic Nigerians who are hell-bent on pulling down the morale and strength of our police officers.“You are all aware that strike in the police is mutiny, and police work is a work guided by discipline and law.“Without protecting people’s lives and properties, society will be in chaotic and anarchical situation, which we are part and parcel of, as we are the people inhabiting the society,” he said.The commissioner assured them that their welfare and all entitlements due to them would be improved and settled, hence the establishment of Police Trust Fund.“The IGP has now approved the distribution of kits and other equipment to all commands and formations in Nigeria in a drive to bolster security in the country,” he said.
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E2%80%99-salaries-30 Hardship: Ghana Cuts Political Appointees’ Salaries By 30%
Political appointees’ salaries will be cut by up to 30 per cent as part of measures to ease its financial problems, Ghana’s government disclosed.The presidency that made this known on Twitter on Wednesday also said it will pump $2 billion into the economy to “rescue the cedi” currency,
The West African country is facing rampant inflation, a depreciating local currency and a heavy debt burden that has dented investor confidence and could build up into a debt crisis, according to Reuters.The cedi is said to be weakened by about 20 per cent against the dollar this year, exacerbating its problems.In a tweet on Wednesday, the Ghana presidency listed 4 measures geared towards mitigating hardships in the Ghanaian economy.They are as follows: “Cabinet agrees border reopening within 2 weeks; Government cuts salaries of appointees by up to 30%, Policy rate increased substantially to 17%; cost of loans to go up and Government to pump $2bn to rescue cedi.”The Ghana Federal Ministry of Information explained in a letter that the president acted that way so as to provide economic relief for the people, among other things.The letter partly reads, “In addition to the scheduled appraisal of the performance of Government programs, cabinet also extensively discussed the impact of global economic difficulties on Ghana and the Ghanaian people.“President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo approved a number of far-reaching measures aimed at mitigating the depreciation of the Cedi, ensuring expenditure discipline, and providing relief in the face of global fuel price hikes and inflation well as ensuring that priority programs meant to grow the economy are protected.”According to the report, the announcement from President Nana Akufo-Addo follows the central bank’s decision on Monday to hike its main lending rate by 250 basis points to 17 per cent, the largest increase in Ghana’s history.
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E2%80%98controversial%E2%80%99-tax-state Foreign-owned Restaurants In Kano To Sack Employees Over New ‘Controversial’ Tax By State Government
A newly introduced levy by the Kano State Government has thrown the operations of foreign-owned restaurants in the city into a state of uncertainty.SaharaReporters gathered that the administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in January 2022 slammed a N500,000 annual levy on foreign-owned restaurants under the guise of tourism development, causing uproar among business owners in the state.
This new levy is in addition to several other taxes restaurant owners, hotel and event centre operators are made to pay monthly and annually by the state government, it was gathered.For instance, those in this category pay local government harmonisation fee, fire service fee, VAT, personal income tax, withholding tax, Standards Organisation of Nigeria inspection fee, fumigation fee to local government, local government parking permit, Kano State Ministry of Health fee, Kano State Ministry of Environment fee, occupational health fee, food handling certificate fee, Primary Health Management Board fee.According to persons affected by the new policy, who spoke with SaharaReporters, the development will not only affect their overall operations, especially going by the present state of Nigeria’s economy but force them to reduce the number of their employees significantly to remain in business.“While Nigerians, who own restaurants, are to pay between N50,000 and N100,000 based on the size and volume of sales of such restaurants, we foreigners were not given such an opportunity. We have been levied N500,000 annually under what the state government described as tourism development.“The state government forgot that in the foreign-owned restaurants, 98 per cent of the workers are Nigerians while 70 per cent are Kano State indigenes.“Does the Kano State Government want to chase us out of the state and render a lot of youths jobless despite the high level of unemployment in the state? This is really sad,” a manager in one of the affected restaurants said.A senior official of another affected investment, who was concerned by the new policy and gave her name only as Grace, told SaharaReporters on Thursday that the move would cause more problems than offer any economic benefit.“The N500,000 is to be paid yearly irrespective of several taxes being paid by us. If the state continues with this outrageous levy, a lot of businesses will close down soon.“The Kano State Government should be concerned about the well-being and standard of living of citizens, especially those earning a living from the jobs we provide. If we are grounded as a result of this new policy, it will affect a lot of families in Kano because a lot of people will become jobless.“If the state government refuses to reverse the policy, we may have no other choice but to reduce the number of our employees. That is the only way we can remain in business with the way the government is handling this issue,” she said.It was the same story for local restaurant and hotel operators, who have all been groaning from the weight of several obnoxious levies slammed on them by the Kano State Government in recent times.According to them, the latest development will further affect their businesses, which were already facing low patronage as a result of the economic hardship in the country.“If we consider all the levies and taxes government slams on us monthly and reflect that in the prices of our services, we may not have a single customer anymore.“We have been incurring a lot of losses already; the state government must understand this and make things easier for us,” a hotel manager at a popular section of Kano metropolis, said.When SaharaReporters called the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Taskforce on Enhancement/Enforcement of Development Levy, Babba Dan’Agundi, repeatedly, he did not answer. He had also not replied to a text sent to his mobile line as of the time of filing this report.
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Ebonyi Man Arrested For Wearing Biafran Flag Dies In Police Custody
A man, Ozuma Bright Chimezie, who was arrested by the police over an alleged connection with the Biafran agitation, has passed on in police custody.The information was made public by Kanunta Kanu, brother to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a tweet by Kanunta, Ozuma was arrested on Monday, 13th March, from the Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State and his lawyer had attempted to visit him on the 16th but was denied access.According to Kanunta, Ozuma died in police custody yesterday, ten days after his arrest. Kanunta alleged that the deceased was murdered.He wrote, “@StateDept, @LeahHardingAJE MR OZUMA BRIGHT CHIMEZIE of Ntezi in ishielu LGA of Ebonyi state, was arrested on 13.03.2022 by @PoliceNG on 16th his Lawyer went to see him at the POLICE HQ ABAKALIKI, he was denied access. Today he was murdered by the police at their station.” in a post on his Twitter handle, Special Counsel to Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor challenged Igbo politicians to fight against injustice in the region rather than engaging in talks about election.He tweeted, “Dear #Ndigbo, especially the POLITICIANS: Why are you talking about 2023 Elections & not the rising violence & injustice in Southeast? Plus the militarization of SE? Who will vote for you? The thousands that are either in jail or dead? #MNK.” comes hours after the release of Glory Okolie, a 21-year-old lady who was detained for 150 days over alleged links to the IPOB.Okolie was arrested and had been enslaved since June 17, 2021, by the operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Imo State.Okolie was illegally detained and held in a cell by the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team unit of the Nigeria Police Force for months on allegations of spying for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).Okolie, on Wednesday, perfected her bail conditions and regained her freedom, human rights lawyer, Ihensekhien Samuel noted.
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Family Cries Out As Redeemed Church Pastor Orders Arrest, Detention Of Young Man, Others Who Shared Testimonies During Service
A young man, Martins Onah Monday, is currently being detained at the Ikoyi Police Station on the orders of the Pastor of Trinity Temple, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ikoyi, Lagos. SaharaReporters learnt that the young man and some friends he invited to the church had shared testimonies on March 20, 2022, during the Sunday service.
However, police officers subsequently stormed the church and arrested Martins and his friends. They were later to learn that they were arrested in connection with a theft that occurred in the church on December 26, 2021.Kingsley, a brother of Martins told SaharaReporters that the church pastor said he was seeing Martins and his friends for the first time suspected that they had carried out the theft on the said date. Meanwhile, Kingsley informed that the Onahs lost their father on December 17, 2021, and Martins and one other person had taken the corpse to the village and had remained there for the burial in January 2022. Martins had returned to Lagos in February 2022 and was at the church on Sunday, March 20 to share a testimony but was arrested and is being remanded in police custody as of the time of filing this report. Kingsley further told SaharaReporters that the case was initially transferred to Area F, Police Command, Ikeja but was later transferred back to Ikoyi Police Station for lack of substance. He said the police had however insisted that only a letter from the church can ensure the release of Martins as he cannot be released on bail — though three of his friends have regained freedom. Kingsley said, “My brother, Martins Onah went to church and invited his friends as new members in the church. At the church, everybody was giving testimonies, he and his friends did too, he was the last person to share a testimony.“The police came and arrested those he invited to the church, then they said he must follow them too to the police station. They took them from church on Sunday morning around 10 or 11 am and took them to the police station, they’re currently locked in the place till now. “They’ve taken my brother to state command and they were told that there is no case in the matter, that they should take them back to the police station. “The allegation is that on December 26, some people robbed the church and took all the instruments, so when my brother and his friends attended on Sunday, March 20, the pastor said he hadn’t seen them before that they were strange faces. Meanwhile, my brother attends the church. “They’re claiming my brother is part of those who robbed the church on December 26 whereas, on December 17, my dad passed on so this my brother (Martins Onah) and my other brother took my dad’s corpse to the village so he was not even in Lagos at that time. “I don’t understand the pastor and why he’s insisting he does not know my brother. He does not even have the right to lock my brother up. These people have no evidence that my brother invaded their church, this is defamation of character and abuse of his rights. “My brother is detained at Ikoyi Police Station. The police had earlier taken them to Ikeja and they said there is no case that they should bring them back and get a letter from the pastor that locked them up so they can be freed. The Pastor refused to give such a letter.“The police has now released three persons, it’s only my brother and one of his friends that are still there. The police said they cannot release my brother until they bring a letter from the church. I think they released two of them on bail but they just released the other guy.“Meanwhile, the police had earlier mentioned N20, 000 bail and I was like okay, let me go and bail my brother because he has committed no offence but when I got there, they said my brother cannot be released on bail without a letter from the church. “Till now, my brother is still in the cell. The confusing part is that the person who locked him up is not showing his face. The church had sent one of their ushers to come to the police station and free the detained persons. The usher came but the police said the letter the usher brought was not the correct one, asking the person to bring another. So, this person who locked up my brother has remained anonymous.”
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