IYANDA'SBLOG

05/06/19

The Police have detained Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Osun State governorship election, after honouring an their invitation at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The detention of Adeleke, the senator representing Osun West at the National Assembly, has been condemned by his party, Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary, calling it “total disregard for the extant order of the Federal High Court” in Abuja, which granted him permission to travel to the United States on Tuesday for medical check-up.

“This is highly provocative, an invitation to anarchy and recipe for a very serious crisis not only in Osun but also in the judiciary and our polity as a nation,” Ologbondiyan said.

“The arrest and detention of Senator Adeleke is a direct act of violence against our laws, the institution of the judiciary and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“This is part of the grand plot by the All Progressives Congress to coerce Senator Adeleke to relinquish the mandate that was freely given to him by the people of Osun state, which was further established by the election petition tribunal.”

he described the detention as a plot to "drag Adeleke before an ostensibly compromised magistrate court" over the same issues of alleged forged school testimonial that was already before the Federal High Court.

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To Reduce Population Of Unmarried Citizens, Kano Govt Spends N300m On Mass Wedding For 1,500 Couples

Abdullahi Ganduje

The Kano State Government has declared that it spent over N300 million on mass wedding for 1,500 couples in the state.

The mass wedding, which took place on Sunday, was attended by prominent sons and daughters of the state and invited guests from across the country.

The wedding prayer took place at the Kano Central Mosque, and it was conducted by Prof. Sani Zahradeen, the Chief Imam of the state.

The duo of Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano and Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, presided over the wedding.

Ganduje said the gesture was aimed at further reducing the problems associated with the high number of unmarried youth in the state. He urged the new couples to uphold the trust reposed in them by the state government.‎ He also appealed to wealthy individuals to complement the efforts of the state government.‎

Ganduje said that the couples were selected and screened from each of the 44 local government areas of the state.‎

“The beneficiaries were selected from each of the 44 LGAs of the state by the committee shouldered with the responsibilities of selecting and screening eligible beneficiaries," he said, noting that part of the N300 million spent on the wedding was used to offset the costs incurred in the provision of complete sets of beds, side mirrors, wardrobes and mattresses presented to the couples as gifts.

Ganduje said the state government would pay N20,000 dowry for the couples and N10,000 as start-up capital to each bride.

He also said medical tests, including HIV/AIDS tests, were conducted on the couples in order to ascertain their genuine health status before the marriage.‎‎

Speaking at the occasion, Sanusi II, commended the state government for the gesture, decrying the prevalence of obnoxious traditions that prevent some youth from getting married.

He urged them to uphold the trust and confidence reposed in them, and try to live in line with the Islamic injunctions.‎

Ali Habu and Aminu Bala, who spoke on behalf of the couples, commended the state government for the gesture.

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Double Tragedy As UNIJOS VC Loses Son, Female Student Found Dead In Hostel

In separate events, the son of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Sebastine Maimako, has died while the body of a 200 Level student at the university has been found.

Shitnaan Maimako, the VC's son, was a student at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

Abdullahi Abdullahi, spokesman of UNIJOS, confirmed the demise of the VC’s son, saying, “All I can tell you is that the son of the VC died last (Sunday) night in Jos.

“I’m not a medical doctor and can’t say what killed him.”

Meanwhile, the young lady whose body was found was identified as Mercy Naan of the Marketing Department.

According to Police report, Mercy’s parents had declared her missing on Friday May, but her corpse was only discovered on Sunday afternoon when an offensive odor allegedly wafted out from her locked room.

Her body has since been evacuated by a combined team of Police and campus security personnel to the mortuary for autopsy.

The spokesperson of Plateau State Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed that Mercy Naan was found dead in her room.

“On May 5, 2019 at about 15:30hrs, the Angwan Rogo Police Division, Plateau State Command, Jos, received a distress call from the Security Department, University of Jos, to the effect that on same date at about 15:00hrs, some students of the institution raised alarm over an unusual odour coming out from Room No. 23 (Zion Hostel) in Naraguta, University of Jos," he said.

“After the report, a combined team comprising of the Police, the university security and the medical personnel of the university mobilised to the scene of crime. On arrival, the suspected hostel door was forced open and the motionless body of one Mercy Naan ‘F’ a 23-year old 200 Level student from the Department of Marketing was seen and recovered to the university clinic.

“She was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty at the university clinic and her corpse has been deposited at the Anatomy Mortuary of the same university for autopsy. Preliminary investigation further revealed that Miss Mercy was reported missing by her parents to the security department, University of Jos, on May 3, 2019.

“The detectives of the Plateau State Police Command have since commenced investigations to unravel the cause of her unfortunate death.”

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Boko Haram Abducts Corps Member Travelling To IDP Camp 'For Relief Work And Evangelism'

Boko Haram insurgents have kidnapped Abraham Amuta, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rabiu Aminu, the Borno State Coordinator of NYSC, has confirmed.

Speaking with the media in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, on Monday, Aminu said the corps member was abducted alongside a Living Faith Church pastor simply identified as 'Oyeleke' in an attack coordinated by the insurgents against motorists on Maiduguri-Chibok Road on April 10.

He said the corps member, with Registration Number BO18b/067, was deployed to Borno State Council of Arts and Culture, Maiduguri, but he and his pastor were abducted while travelling with other members of the church.

“The church claimed that the corps member was abducted alongside his pastor,” Aminu said. “NYSC deploys corps members to only four of the 27 local government areas in the state. The councils are Jere, Bayo, Biu and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

He explained that for any corps member to travel, he has to apply through proper channels, which involves formal request from his employer, through the zonal inspector and channelled to the state coordinator, where it would be considered for approval or rejection. This, he said, the corps member did not do.

“It was unfortunate that the said corps member travelled on his own," he said.

"We have been having sleepless nights over the issue, because he is under our custody. We visited the church, and the Commissioner of Police called us on Friday over the incident and assured us of their total support in addressing the situation."

The alarm about Amuta's kidnap was first raised on Twitter by his friends, who said he and the pastor were abducted two weeks ago while travelling to Chibok to distribute relief items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and evangelise.

Amuta, it was learnt, is the only son of his parents.

“Abraham Amuta is a corps member serving in Maiduguri. He was abducted by Boko Haram two weeks ago. He went for evangelism with a pastor from his church — Living Faith. He is an only son. Let’s not forget him in our prayers," Success Ezenaya, one of his friends, wrote.

“He is a Batch B, stream 1 corps member serving in Maiduguri, Borno State. It’s been over two weeks now since he went missing in Maiduguri. Some people claiming to be Boko Haram have called and claimed to have abducted him. Please retweet until the Federal Government sees this.”

Due to the volatile nature of Borno State, corps members are usually given the option to redeploy. In November alone, a total of 818 out of 1,118 corps members of the Batch C redeployed.

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Garba Shehu Scores Buhari Administration 98% On Boko Haram

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has scored 98% in tackling the Boko Haram Insurgency.

He made the comment while speaking at AIT's flagship programme Kakaaki on Monday.

Responding to the question on recent abduction of Buhari's in-law in Daura, Shehu said: “Well, that has happened but I think that brings the message home that it is a national problem and that because the President comes from Daura, that is not to say there cannot be crime in Daura or Daura will be specially treated.

“The Army said two days ago that there are clear pointers that these problems are beyond criminality.”

He added that: “If you ask me about the biggest security [challenge] we met on the ground, it is Boko Haram terrorism and I will score this administration 98 per cent coming this far because Boko Haram is now confined to the fringes of Lake Chad. As a matter of fact, they jump in and out and mainly occupy communities that have not been re-occupied by their owner.

“Yes, there has been a recent spike [in attacks] but this is not to suggest that this has never happened in the country and they are beginning just now because President Buhari is out of the country.

“You mentioned the numbers, but I want to say from our own point of view in the Presidency, we have avoided comparing numbers because it will lead to the same criticisms that some people have made of being insensitive because even if it is one life of a Nigerian that is lost, it is important; it cannot be justified; it cannot be defended.

“But anybody who takes the trouble to check the presidential website; at some point, Femi Adesina had done the numbers and the staggering numbers put on display coming from the past are nothing comparable to these numbers but we will not take it lightly.”

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'The President Has Lost It' — Sowore Blasts Buhari Over 'IG Is Losing Weight' Comment

Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, has blasted President Muhammadu Buhari for his comments on the recent spike in insecurity and kidnappings all over the country upon arrival from London.

When asked on Sunday if a different approach would be employed to combat insurgents, Buhari had responded that Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), was losing weight, proof that he was working hard.

Reacting to the statement on Monday, Sowore said: "I think the President has lost it. His reaction is at variance with the gravity of the insecurity in the country".

In a video tweeted by VOA journalist Saleh Shehu Ashaka, on Twitter @AshakaSaleh, had asked the President: “Are we likely to see a different approach in the fight against insecurity, especially kidnapping, which is a big issue now Sir?"

The President responded: “You know, I have just seen the IG, he is… I think he is losing weight; so, I think he is working hard.

Buhari arrived Nigeria from London where he sought medical services at a private hospital, contrary to claims by the presidency that the trip was a "private visit".

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'The President Has Lost It' — Sowore Blasts Buhari Over 'IG Is Losing Weight' Comment

Buhari arrived Nigeria from London where he sought medical services at a private hospital, contrary to claims by the presidency that the trip was a "private visit".

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Buhari Appoints Maitama-Yusuf — Same Man He Accused Of Corruption In The 80s — To Board Of Railway Corporation

President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the appointment of Bello Maitama-Yusuf, former Minister of Commerce, as member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

Auwal Sankara, Special Assistant on New Media to the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, confirmed the appointment, saying Maitama-Yusuf was nominated by Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Governor of the state.

"In recognition of his hard work, resilience and steadfastness in the progress of APC and development of Jigawa State and Nigeria at large, the Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has facilitated the appointment of Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)," Sanakar wrote on Facebook.

The board was inaugurated on Thursday May 2.

Maitama-Yusuf's appointment letter read: “Pursuant to section 5 of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act cap. N129, LFN2004, and all powers enabling the Honourable Minister of Transportation in that behalf, and consequent upon your nomination by the governor of Jigawa State, I am pleased to inform you of your appointment by the Honourable Minister, as a member of the Directors of Nigerian Railway Corporation.

"Your tenure of appointment shall commence on the date of inauguration of the board and shall subsist at the pleasure of the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, pursuant to Section 8 of the above-referenced Act

Maitama-Yusuf, 74, served as Minister of Internal Affairs in 1978 and later as Minister of Commerce in 1982.

He served as senator representing Jigawa South-West at the National Assembly between 1999 and 2007, initially on the platform of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), but he later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also contested for the governorship of Jigawa State in 2007.

In 1983, Maitama-Yusuf was accused of corruption by the Muhammadu Buhari military regime of 1983 to 1985. However, he went into exile to avoid prosecution.

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INEC Job Is Too Tempting... I Was Offered Money To Rig Elections, Says Kwara REC

Garba Madami, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State, has revealed that some politicians in the state approached him to rig the 2019 election in their favour.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Monday, Madami said he rejected the offers and stood his ground on delivering a credible election to the people of Kwara.

“There was pressure by politicians who offered me money to compromise the 2019 general election in Kwara State, but I stood my ground and refused to give in," he said.

“The nature of our job at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is too tempting. It is left between you and God to do the right thing and keep your integrity, or compromise and lose your integrity. You may even go to jail.”

The Kwara REC lamented the money politics being played in Nigeria and the effrontery of politicians in their attempts to buy votes and bribe electoral officers to do their bidding.

“The politicians have money and some of them feel that they can buy anybody with the money," he said.

“It is a matter of integrity; it is left for you to be careful and work transparently to keep your integrity.

“What I did in Kwara State before the elections was to go on air and tell the people that no amount of money can buy me. I made them understand that their votes would count and I was not ready to compromise.

The All progressives Congress (APC) won all the elections in Kwara, clearing all 24 state House of Assembly seats and all three senatorial slots, highlighted by the loss of Senate President Bukola Saraki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Ibrahim Oloriegbe.

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INEC Job Is Too Tempting... I Was Offered Money To Rig Elections, Says Kwara REC

Garba Madami, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State, has revealed that some politicians in the state approached him to rig the 2019 election in their favour.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Monday, Madami said he rejected the offers and stood his ground on delivering a credible election to the people of Kwara.

“There was pressure by politicians who offered me money to compromise the 2019 general election in Kwara State, but I stood my ground and refused to give in," he said.

The Kwara REC lamented the money politics being played in Nigeria and the effrontery of politicians in their attempts to buy votes and bribe electoral officers to do their bidding.

“The politicians have money and some of them feel that they can buy anybody with the money," he said.

“It is a matter of integrity; it is left for you to be careful and work transparently to keep your integrity.

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BREAKING: Court Extends Prison Stay Of Police Inspector Who ‘Killed’ Kolade Johnson

A Magistrates’ Court in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, has ruled that Olalekan Ogunyemi, the Police Inspector accused of killing football fan Kolade Johnson, should remain in prison till June 10.

The decision means 35 more days in Ikoyi Prison for Ogunyemi, who has already spent 30 days in prison since he was first remanded on April 6.

The court was expecting advice on the case from the Office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but since it wasn’t ready as of Monday morning, the Magistrate, A.O. Salawu, extended the remand order.

Oguyemi, a 45-year-old resident of 17, Alhaji Ede Street, Igando, is facing trial on a one-count charge of murder.

According to Kehinde Olatunde, the Prosecuting Inspector, Ogunyemi committed the offence on March 31, at about 5:10pm, at Onipetesi Estate, Idi-Mangoro, Lagos.

Olatunde alleged that Ogunyemi, who served in the Anti Cultism Unit of Lagos State Police Command, used his Ak47 rifle to gun down Johnson, 36, in contravention of the provisions of Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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OAU Professor Kidnapped Along Ife-Ibadan Expressway.

OAU

Yinka Adegbehingbe, a professor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, has been abducted by kidnappers near Ikire along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.

The incident occurred around 9pm on Sunday.

He was until the time of his kidnap, travelling with his wife from Lagos to Ife.

Confirming the kidnap, Moses Olafare, Director of Media, Ooni of Ife Palace, said he spoke to witnesses, the Public Relations Officer of OAU and the Nigerian Police Force.

He said: “I received a call from one of the passengers who witnessed the abduction of Prof Yinka Adegbehingbe. Immediately I received that information, I called OAU PRO. I also called Ife area commander of Nigeria Police Force and later the Commissioner of Police.

“CP told me she was aware of the incident and requested for more details from our end and we gave that. I later spoke to the wife of Prof. Adegbehingbe. She was in a police station around Apomu when I spoke to her."

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BREAKING: 'Two Abducted' As Gunmen Raid Plateau State Polytechnic Staff Quarters

Unidentified gunmen have attacked the Plateau State Polytechnic Staff Quarters in Heipang, Barki Ladi Local Government Area, Platea State, abducting the sister of the institution’s Assistant Registrar, Ezekiel Rangs.

The incident comes three months after gunmen attacked the same staff quarters, abducting the son of the federal institution’s Chaplain, Reverend Andrew Dido, who was subsequently freed after the payment of ransom.

A policewoman, who asked not to be named as she is not the spokesman of the Police, confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters, saying the gunmen arrived at the quarters over the night when families were asleep, and abducted a lady identified as the younger sister of the institution’s Assistant Registrar, Mr Ezekiel Rangs.

“They broke down the door with a stone and abducted the Registrar’s younger sister, whom we were told has just gained admission into the school,” she said.

“They also took away with them a family member’s phone, which means they are likely to call later today to deman d a ransom.”

A student of institution also told SaharaReporters that a lecturer’s wife was abducted, but the lecturer’s identity was unknown as of press time.

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41 Killed As Russian Jet Crash-Lands In Moscow

Forty-one people, including two children, have been confirmed dead in an Aeroflot flight SU 1492 that crash-landed at a Sheremetyevo airport, Moscow on Sunday.

Seventy-eight people were aboard the flight, including five crew members. Thirty-seven people survived, five of whom are currently receiving treatment in hospital, said Elena Markovskaya, a spokeswoman for Russia's Investigative Committee.

The Murmansk bound Superjet 100 was in the air for less than 30 minutes before it lost communication with the control tower.

It was reported that the plane was hit by a lightning strike, forcing the pilot to return to the airport.

The jet, according to videos posted on social media by passengers, skidded down the runway with the rear section of the jet caught in fire emitting thick fire and smoke.

Passengers could also be seen running out of the plane through an emergency exit door after the plan had stopped.

Another shocking video showed the plane impacting the runway with speed, making it to launch back into the air before making a second landing after which, the plane caught fire.

Maxim Moiseyev, a flight attendant, was reported dead but his name was missing from first casualty list published.

A passenger said he helped people escape the plane and lost consciousness in the process.

“He stayed inside the aircraft and also pushed the surviving people along an inflatable ramp. He was inhaling gas and then lost consciousness,” a passenger said.

Vladimir Putin, Russia President, expressed his condolence to the relatives of the victims of the crash.

He said: “The President deeply expresses condolences to all relatives and friends who lost their relatives during this incident.”

Putin has ordered an investigation to ascertain the real cause of the accident.

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El-Rufai Tells Lagosians How To Defeat Godfatherism

Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, has advised Lagosians on how to defeat godfatherism in the state.

El-Rufai gave the advice while responding to a question on godfatherism, at an event organised by the Bridge Club tagged: 'An Evening with His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State', which held in Lagos on Sunday.

He said addressing it would take early preparation and study.

He said: “Let me tell you something sir; you know, Kaduna State used to be like that. There were three or four politicians in Kaduna that you could not become anything unless you had them on your side.

“Those were the godfathers of Kaduna politics and you had to carry them along and you know, the three words, ‘carry them along’ mean paying them regularly.

“But we chose a different path and the long and short of it now is that after this election in 2019, we have retired all of them; we had to.

“Here in Lagos, you have over six million registered voters; only about a million voted (in 2019 general elections); five million did not vote. If I want to run for governor of Lagos, I will start now.

“I will commission a study to know why those five million registered voters did not vote; where do they go on election day? Then I will start visiting them for the next four years. I will try and get just two million of them to come and vote for me; I will defeat any godfather. The key is to go to the people. The card readers and the biometric registers have given us the tools to connect directly with the people.

“I assure you if you do that for the next four years, connecting with the people; the tin godfather, you will retire him or her permanently. But it is hard work; it requires three to four years of hard work. So, if you want to run in 2023, you should start now.

“Many of the godfathers are either on paper or in the mind of people in politics. They are defeatable.”

The Governor also lamented the quality of leaders in the country, stating that Nigerian leaders are the least qualified with questionable qualificiations.

“In most of the developed worlds, the best and the brightest are in politics and public service. I urge you to google the profiles of the captains of the USA, UK, Japan, China and Singapore over the last 10 years and compare their educational and experience profile with ours, you will understand why we are where we are.

“In Nigeria, we have people that never went to school in our National Assembly. We have people with questionable qualifications as state governors. We will go nowhere as long as our best and brightest, people that sit in rooms like this, are not in politics or public service."

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EFCC To Probe Saraki's Earnings As Kwara Governor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has embarked on a fresh move to investigate the earnings of Bukola Saraki, Nigeria's Senate President, while he was Governor of Kwara State.

Saraki held the position from 2003 to 2011, before his election into the National Assembly.

The anti-graft agency stated that it is investigating Saraki for an alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering.

In a letter to the Kwara State government, the EFCC demanded to be furnished with a breakdown of Saraki's income, as well as his entitlements as Governor of the state.

The letter signed by Isyaku Sharu, the EFCC Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu, read: “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish us with the full details of all his entitlements to include but not limited to emoluments, allowances, estacodes, other fringe benefits and severance package while he held sway as the Executive Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (1) & (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.”

Saraki has been enmeshed in different corruption cases both in the country and internationally, together with his wife’s activities, detailed in the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers, a global investigation revealing top corrupt office holders in the world.

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Gunmen Kill APC Youth Leader In Kogi

Ismaila Agba, a youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been killed in a gun battle.

The incident, which took place in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Sunday morning, was a clash between two political rival groups.

Aside the killing of Agba, many also sustained gunshot wounds.

It was gathered that when the shooting began, residents scampered for safety in a bid to avoid being hit, just as all activities in the area were affected.

Residents stated that the shooting may be connected to the coming governorship election, slated for November 2, 2019.

A source disclosed that one of the groups stormed the base of the rival groups, an act the rival group considered an affront, and which was what led to the shootout at Anyigba.

A resident of Anyigba said the Police were drafted to the area but were unable to control the rival gangs.

“We were indoors for hours to avoid stray bullets. The Police moved in when they heard about the incident but the gunshots continue to boom unabated,” a resident said.

Confirming the incident, Williams Aya, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said only one person died and some members of the rival group were hit by bullets.

Aya, however, refuted claims that the attack was politically motivated, adding that the Police are investigating the matter.

“Our officers were drafted to the scene after the brother of the deceased reported the matter. It was not a political attack, but a case of culpable homicide, perpetrated by unidentified gunmen. The command is already on their trail,” Aya said.

He stated that normalcy had returned to the area, with residents going about their normal activities.

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Police Intensify Moves To Rescue Buhari’s In-law As Katsina CP Relocates To Daura

Sanusi Buba, Katsina State Commissioner of Police, has relocated to Daura to further intensify efforts in the rescue mission of Musa Umar, Buhari’s in-law, who was kidnapped.

Umar was kidnapped while sitting in front of his house on Wednesday evening.

The initial rescue mission by the Police failed, with an officer getting shot in an intense gun battle with the kidnappers.

According to Frank Mba, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, the relocation of the CP to Daura would assist with the investigation going on with the case.

Mba also said the Force is working assiduously to purge the country of kidnapping and criminal activities.

Mba said: “Currently, there are massive strategic security operations, both covert and overt missions, taking place at different parts of the country, including Katsina, aimed at subduing the criminal gangs and restoring sanity to the land.

“However, because of the covert and sensitive nature of these operations, I will not discuss them for now but Nigerians should be assured that the entire law enforcement and intelligence community in Nigeria will not rest until we win the battle against crimes and criminality in Nigeria.”

Similarly, Gambo Isah, Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, said the Police are closing in on the kidnappers while adding that the media should be careful of information it put out so as not to truncate efforts of the Police in rescuing victims of kidnap.

Gambo said: “We have gotten a strong lead on the kidnap of Magajin Gari Daura and we are presently on their trail. Soon we shall address the press on the matter. Please ignore earlier information that arrest has been made or that any contact has been established between the family and the abductors.

“We wish to appeal to the media for their cooperation by avoiding the publication of information that might endanger the safe release of the captive."

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Lawmakers Against Diaspora Voting, Dabiri-Erewa Claims

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, has claimed that lawmakers are responsible for the non-participation of those in the Diaspora in Nigeria's elections.

Abike said this while speaking at the Diaspora Leadership Conference, organised by the Nigerian Consulate in New York, United States of America.

She stated that the country is ready, but Nigerian lawmakers have continued to stall the approval because they are afraid it would not be favourable to them.

“We all have to make it happen. It is going to be tough and I tell you in politics, lawmakers are not too comfortable with the idea. I don’t know why.

“But we have to make it happen. If Ghana and Sierra Leone, smaller countries are doing Diaspora voting, why can’t we?

“INEC has said they are ready. President Muhammadu Buhari told you when he met you that he is ready. The only people we have to beg to make that happen is the National Assembly.”

She asserted that diaspora voting would improve the voting system of the country, just as she called on Nigerians outside the country to continue to put pressure on the National Assembly to begin work on it.

Abike said: “It just has to happen and I believe diaspora voting will help our politics and voting system.

“Two years ago, some people we met in Washington DC said they would gather a million signatures and go to the National Assembly.

“We did not see one signature. Now, let’s make it a priority. It can happen before 2023. Let’s work together to make it happen.”

Elections Politics News AddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
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'Cut Down Allowances Of Politicians To Fund N30,000 New Minimum Wage'

Labour Demands For New Minimum Wage In Nigeria

The Liberation Party of Nigeria (LiP), a socio-political group, has called for a reduction in salaries and emoluments of politicians in Nigeria to fund the new minimum wage.

Idowu Awopetu, Chairman of LiP, said since the signing of the new minimum wage into law, there have been moves in some quarters to sell government properties in order to fund the new minimum wage.

Awopetu added that selling government assets to fund minimum wage wouldn't be sustainable.

He said: “The country has gone through this route of selling government assets some years ago. The outcome was to enrich the political class; most of the privatised companies were never turned around.

"The sale of government assets, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), should not even be contemplated based on the importance of oil in the country’s development calculus.

“There exist other frameworks such as commercialization that can make state-owned enterprises to be effective and efficient."

Awopetu suggested that running a transparent government and making the country not conducive for corruption would provide funds to pay the minimum wage.

He also proposed deduction in the emoluments of politicians, which he sajd would make funds available for the country.

“The issue is to have robust and transparent governance that would fight corruption, thievery and outright looting of the treasury to preserve or utilize such funds for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

Awopetu continued: “More still, the unsustainable emoluments of politicians, which currently consumes upward of 20% of the national budget, needs whittling down and aligned with general emolument.

“The Liberation Party of Nigeria (LiP) is committed to operating an economy in which the private sector will be allowed to participate in the economy as much as will be necessary, but at no point shall the role of the private sector be allowed to conflict with the need for social equality, welfare and national sovereignty.

“It is our view that to generate additional revenue, the government should block the looting of the economy, reform the tax administrative system so that the rich can pay more tax; monetize oil receipts at N360.00-U$ to the government; reduce or eliminate waivers, incentives and exemptions thereby increasing revenue for the government."

He cautioned the government against increasing “VAT from 5% to 7.5%,” stating that it “will hurt the populace, and while it may bring additional revenue to states, will ultimately discourage investment particularly at this point when diversification of the economy is crucial, and unemployment is very high".

He also called for massive investment in social programmes, while calling on the government to implement policies that would change the structure of the economy from that of consumption to production.

ACTIVISM LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS Politics News AddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
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