Saturday, 30 June 2018

OBUDU HILTOP FC WON GENERATION NEXT FOR JUDE OGBECHE NGAJI FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

GENERATIONNEXT FOR JUDE OGBECHE NGAJI FOOTBALL COMPETITION CAME TO CONCLUSION TODAY; FINALS @ OGOJA STADIUM, OBUDU HILTOP FC BECAME WINNER.

Joy everywhere as Obudu HILTOP came victorious in the ongoing GenerationNext for Jude Ngaji football competition. Chief Ogbuole Gab Agi, a philanthropist, political guru and an ardent supporter of Jude Ngaji presented the trophy, medals and cash alongside others. It was indeed an experience as he charged the teams involved to keep showcasing their talents even as Mr. Jude is poised to invest on youths skills and their other Gods given acquaintances. Support Jude's ambition to the Senate Cross River North 2019, for the realization of the dream; GENERATIONNEXT, Chief Ogbuole charged the sportsmen.

Jude is really turning things around for both young and told; God bless him.

Congratulations Obudu HILTOP FC.

BOKI 2 CONSTITUENCY: Dimensional Shift of Capacity.

TheEaglesVoice Politics ,

Alas! Boki is traveling the road of interesting democratic politics. Young men are coming out of their shell to vie for positions in all levels of satisfaction. The aesthetics of Democracy is the ability to select your leaders from the wide range of available choices. This way, one can hold them accountable for any mishap in governance within their jurisdiction.

While Boki constituency 1 is experiencing the most interesting times in their political history with the increasing aspiration of her constituents to vie for the State House of Assembly election in 2019, Boki 2 on the other hand had been worried about the loud unappreciative silence and feet dragging of her constituents towards the same election. In circles of threes and fours, people have gathered to express their dissatisfaction about their representation, some have even raised this worry on social media platforms. Others just decided to watch and follow the wind to whatever direction it goes. But none is willing to dare to change the status quo.

Today, there seem to be hope and a Choice to choose from. It is no longer a position to pick but a position to contest for as one of the youngest, very responsible and illustrious son of the constituency has indicated interest to represent Boki 2 constituency in Cross River State House of Assembly.

The Lagos born Boki son Mr Patrick Osang Ewama, native of Katchuan Irruan came as a blessing to the prestigious family of Mr.James Ewama Benedict and Mrs Grace Onah. He attended one of the most disciplined Primary schools in Lagos at that time, Ayetoro Primary school, wrote his SSCE at Government S secondary School Kuje in Abuja, holds an HND in Accounting from Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja and a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management. He went further with his academic exploits and is today, a Chartered Accountant, an Associate Cost and Management Accountant (ACMA), a certified Management Accountant (CMA) with 15 years experience in both private and public sectors.

Currently, he is the Head of Finance and Accounts (South South), The Presidency, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Through this office, as a philanthropist and a responsible Boki son, he influenced the donation of relief materials meant for disaster victims and made it available to Boki LGA during intra and inter constituency crisis and even now, the silent and humble achiever has been very instrumental in ensuring the welfare of affected victims.

As a humanitarian and member of Rivers State Bakassi Returnees and Resettlement Committee, Patrick Ewama contributed immensely to ensure that the Returnees were adequately catered for.

His interest in politics is more of service than self-seeking which has prompted his decision to bring in his wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience in people oriented programs into service with his impressive educational and intellectual pedigree to the State House of Assembly for the benefit of Boki 2 constituents and Cross River State at large.

God bless Boki Constituency 2.
God bless Cross River State.

Applaudable Pedigree of a Competent Man By Modlin

TheEaglesVoice News ,

Applaudable Pedigree of a Competent Man, Sandy Ojang Onor

When a man is cut out for greatness, nature automatically aligns with his strife from infantile translucence to full blown brightness. While the people of Central Senatorial District impatiently await the day of victory, the indeciduous masses, sickened with the delilaic and Judaic betrayals of many in times past should hold the following abreast.

Sandy Onor fears God.

Sandy Onor is a typical and proper Nsofang son, from the blessed land of Etung LGA and no where else by birth and originality.

Sandy Onor as a University Student of History graduated as the best graduating student with a resounding 2:1 in 1987 and was retained to work as graduate assistant by the University. On account of his brilliant academic performance, just one year into his Master's Programme, he was advanced to a PhD programme which he rounded up at the youthful age of 27.

Sandy Onor established himself as a lecturer, he wrote books and several articles to contribute to scholarship and greatly made impact. Today, he has Students all over the World contributing to human advancement and advising that, this man is a rare gift to humanity and he is luckily from Cross River Central.

As a politician, Sandy Onor influenced many policies in the Nigerian-Cross River State Local Government System when he served as Etung LGA chairman in 1999 which other states still benefit from till date. He became the Deputy National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and later The Acting National chairman. It was in the course of performing this national assignment that he met great minds as Nyesom Wike, Present Governor of Rivers State who was also the chairman of a local government in river state.
Sandy Onor was Cross River State coordinator of Obasanjo/Atiku Presidential Campaign in 2003. In 2005, he was a member, Political Reform Conference representing Cross River State.

In 2007, Sandy Onor became the Director General of Donald Duke's Presidential Campaigns. Same year, he served as Chairman, Security Committee for PDP Campaigns.

Sandy Onor, a political gladiator of righteousness and intellectuality became the popular "D.G Fantastic" in Cross River State PDP Campaign Organisation in 2014.

Between 2010-2013, Sandy Onor, a consistent crusader against venal politics and its faithfuls, serendipitously became Commissioner for Agriculture and later, Commissioner for Environment. He served as the chairman local government service commission

Recall dear brothers and sisters that your brother, Sandy Onor left the PDP after he was obviously wounded, wronged and robbed by grex venalium of Machiavellian Lords in Politics at that time after his service to the people under the PDP umbrella but, he returned to help rebuild the party both at the National and State level to what it is today. This he did in his characteristic nature of selfless service to ensure the best for the masses, by his excellent participation as Secretary, PDP National Convention that has placed the party in an enviable height, purged of all impunity, corruption and unfairness. Strong enough to defeat the ruling party, with very sound ideology, focus and strategy.

Sandy Ojang Onor, applaudable astute Academia was recently upgraded to the status of Associate Professor, Department of History and International Relations, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Calabar.

The humble politician, great lecturer, award winning philanthropist, tested and trusted organizer and a celebrated intellectual desires the people's mandate to bring another dimension of service, another approach to leadership by serving as Senator representing Cross River Central in the National Assembly of Nigeria. Do not deprive him of it, do not deprive yourself of a voice, do not deprive your children of Legacies and Opportunities.

Original Caterpillar, Sandy Ojang Onor is the real man for the job.

MODLIN ODU.

Ambode visits Otedola bridge tanker fire scene, commends response team

Eje Peter News ,

Ambode visits Otedola bridge tanker fire scene, commends response team

By Eje peter

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday evening visited the scene of the tanker explosion which occurred on Otedola Bridge inward Ojodu Berger along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, describing the incident as sad and unfortunate.

The incident, which occurred at 5 pm, was said to have left over 50 vehicles burnt and nine people dead.

Ambode, who visited the scene at 9:30 pm where he was briefed by Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Seye Oladejo, among other emergency response agencies, particularly commiserated with the families of the victims and those who lost their properties to the incident.

Addressing journalists at the scene after assessing the situation, Ambode also directed the emergency responders and relevant government agencies to ensure the immediate removal of all the burnt vehicles from the road so as to open it up again for traffic.

“This is quite unfortunate; we are actually at the spot to see what is happening here and like most people must have been aware, this is a tanker that was carrying 33,000 litres of PMS attempting to climb on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway towards the Kara Bridge and unfortunately maybe lost control and then spilled almost all the 33,000 litres on the road and there was an explosion which caught up with a lot of vehicles.

“At the last count, we have about 50 vehicles burnt and nine bodies also recovered from the scene. In all of this, I am happy that our response team has been up and running. The response time to this particular incident was less than three minutes and if not for that, a whole lot of things would have really gone wrong.

“I want to praise all our agencies – the Fire Service, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and also the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit. This is what we have been saying about investing in some of these infrastructure and equipment. Nobody knows when this kind of incident will happen next but the most important thing is that our response time should be up and running and be able to save lives,” the governor said.

Ambode said though lives were lost to the unfortunate incident, but that he would take solace in the fact that more lives were saved, just as he admonished residents to always give access to emergency responders during such incidents.

“I want to commiserate with all the families of those that have lost their lives. We never wish for incidents like this but again we take solace in the fact that we were able to save more lives. Right now, we would make sure that this traffic is cleared immediately within 30 minutes to free the major highway because we have to continue to use it.

“I also want to appeal to Lagosians that we don’t like to see onlookers; there is a need to always give way for our first responders and all our agencies to save lives quickly and that is the whole essence of having the Response Unit,” he said.

While commending the people for their patience, the Governor assured that the State Government would continue to put measures in place to mitigate such incidents in future.

“I want to also thank the people for being patient with us. We will continue to do our best and ensure that we mitigate things of this nature in future,” Ambode said.

(TEVB)

Buhari in Katsina, holds talks with Togolese President

Eje Peter News ,

Buhari in Katsina, holds talks with Togolese President

By Eje peter

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday arrived in Katsina State for a two-day official visit.

The News Agency of Nigeria(correspondent) reports that the presidential aircraft carrying him and some aides landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport Katsina at 9.56 am.

The president was received by Gov. Aminu Masari, Ministers, State and Federal Government officials.

He also inspected a guard of honour mounted by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force at the airport.

NAN reports that Buhari is billed to hold talks with the visiting Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe Eyadema while in the state.

He will also pay sympathy visit at the palace of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Usman, where he would address traditional, community and religious leaders as well as stakeholders in the state on national issues.

Buhari would use the opportunity to condole with the government and people of the state over the recent flood disaster occasioned by windstorm and downpour.

About six persons died during the disaster which also resulted in the damage to over 530 houses in the state.

(TEVB)

World Cup: Ebuehi, other players unhappy with Rohr

Eje Peter News ,

World Cup: Ebuehi, other players unhappy with Rohr

By Eje peter

New Benfica right-back Tyronne Ebuehi is reportedly unhappy with Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr for restriction to one match in the 2018 World Cup in Russia despite his form, a source has told our correspondent.

Ebuehi, who has a Nigerian father and a Dutch mother, pledged his international future to Nigeria in 2017 after rejecting Rohr’s invite to play in the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo on December 11, 2016.

The 22-year-old Dutch-born, who is capable of playing at left-back or right-back, was a constant threat down the right channel as he burst into the final third when he came in for Brian Idowu in the 2-0 defeat of Iceland at Volgograd Arena on June 22.

Many Nigerian fans were left fuming after Rohr ended the team’s 2-1 defeat by two-time world champions Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday – to tumble out of the tournament – with Ebuehi idling away on the reserve bench.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi ran Saint Petersburg-born left-back Idowu ragged – and eventually scored a splendid goal through the Amkar Perm star’s position after taking down a cracking pass from the deep by Ever Banega before beating Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho from a tight angle to open the scoring for Argentina.

But the 64-year-old German coach defended his decision, insisting Idowu deserved to end the encounter.

“Idowu was very solid in the team. He’s much better defensively and did very well against Messi. He has experience and can play on both sides of the flanks,” the former Bordeaux defence ace told reporters,

“Ebuehi is a fantastic player offensively. He played well against Iceland but he is still very young and still learning. He will definitely improve defensively and become a very important player for the team in the future.”

Our correspondent learnt Ebuehi allegedly boiled with anger as the Eagles, who were in pole position to go through, continued to make mistakes trying to defend deep and then hit the desperate Argies on the counterattack, instead of taking the game to them.

Ebuehi, who joined Portuguese giants Benfica from Dutch club ADO Den Haag in May, was visibly angry as he stormed out of the dressing room into the Mixed Zone where he snubbed the journalists who requested interviews with him after the match.

Sources also claimed that some of the players were not happy with Rohr’s instructions to launch attacks when the match was tied at 1-1 in the dying minutes, which was enough for them to go through as they were tired.

La Albiceleste manager Jorge Sampaoli seized initiative by replacing veteran holding midfielder Enzo Perez with in-demand Boca Junior forward Cristian Pavon in the 62nd minute, and throwing out sloppy PSG winger Angle Di Maria for rugged Independiente midfielder Maximiliano Meza in the 73rd minute before sending on Sergio Aguero for Nicolas Tagliafico in the 81st minute as they probed for the winner to save his team from an embarrassing exit from Russia.

(TEVB)

Tramadol almost ruined my life – Undergraduate

Eje Peter Discovery ,

Tramadol almost ruined my life – Undergraduate

By Eje peter

A student of the Federal University, Lokoja, Saddam Saidu, has narrated how drug addiction almost ruined his life, but for the intervention of his father, Mohammed, who refused to give up on him.

The Political Science student explained that he became addicted to Tramadol and other opiates through friends who were drug abusers.

Saddam’s narration was buttressed by his father during a town hall meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday to mark the 2018 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, with the theme, ‘Listen first: Listening to children and youths is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.’

The former addict advised parents to monitor their children and wards, adding that the future of a lot of youngsters has been ruined by drug abuse and addiction.

“I finished my secondary school about eight years ago, but I am in 200 level at the university. You can see how my addiction had affected my academic progress. The last time I saw some of my friends, they were so impressed, they kept telling me I was looking good; I want to thank my father for not giving up on me,” Saddam said.

Mohammed explained that rehabilitating Saddam cost him a lot, adding that he had to place him in an expensive rehabilitation clinic in Wuse, Abuja.

“I was running an online Masters programme with a foreign university. The programme cost me $2,250 but I had to abandon the programme to focus on the rehabilitation of my son,” Mohammed told the audience which erupted in a loud ovation.

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), said beyond clamping down on offenders, his agency was enlightening the youths about drug abuse.

“It is not acceptable that parents who have the primary responsibility of listening to their wards have rather resorted to blaming teachers, pastors, Imams, law enforcement agencies and even their children’s peers for their drug indulgence,” he noted.

The National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), stated that enormous volume of drugs were still produced, trafficked and consumed throughout the world despite the efforts of national and international institutions.

(TEVB)

Plateau killings and Ezekwesili’s moral urgency

Eje Peter News. ,

Plateau killings and Ezekwesili’s moral urgency

By Eje peter

By a curious twist of history, Nigeria may be back in the terminal days of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s inept watch. At the time, as the Boko Haram insurgents triumphantly and murderously occupied one Nigerian town after another, trailed by heavy causalities, all we got from the Presidency was the squeak that ‘Boko Haram would soon be a thing of the past’. Usually, the press statements, which were cold comfort anyway, sounded flat, as if they had been written before the latest atrocity was committed. Until Jonathan was voted out of office, Boko Haram, in spite of a dying minute’s pushback motivated by electoral calculations, never became a thing of the past.

Today, we do get some action and presidential visits from the Muhammadu Buhari administration, as one Middle Belt community after another is flattened by suspected Fulani herdsmen. But the action comes after mass killings and spectral atrocities that evince the scent of war. Then, there is a swinging to action: Law enforcement is mobilised, surviving families are condoled, a few arrests are made, and then silence, until the next round of mayhem and massacres.

I don’t think President Buhari is unconcerned about the sprawling killing fields of North-Central Nigeria, of which the slaughter of over 100 people in Plateau State is the latest gruesome manifestation. Buhari himself has recently forcefully spoken out to rebut charges that he is doing nothing about the escalating disaster in the Middle Belt. However, whatever steps are being taken or contemplated, including the possible overhaul of the security agencies, are coming too little and too late to arrest the slide to serial bloodletting undergirded by allegations of ethnic cleansing and land grabbing thrown at Fulani militias.

Inertia has several cousins, such as benign neglect, feet dragging, wisdom after the event, shoving to the back burner or acting just to be politically correct. Illustratively, we can ask the question whether the deployment of a special military task force could not have occurred on the very day the news of the tragedy filtered around the country and the nation’s leaders all gathered in Abuja for the closing session of the All Progressives Congress national convention. Better still, since the widespread and intense massacres of communities in Plateau were characterised as revenge killings (revenge for stolen cows) by the Miyetti Allah, could not security institutions have got a whiff of the planning and battle rehearsals and saved the nation and humanity the illogical and bizarre conclusion of bloodshed on a scale that beggars belief?

In contrast to halting and staggered responses to humanitarian tragedies, such as the carnage in Plateau State, was the resolute action and virtually lone protest on Tuesday of former Minister of Education and convener of the Bring-Back-Our-Girls group, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili. Defying mounting odds of possible arrest and brutalisation, Ezekwesili walked from the Eagle Square in Abuja to the gate of the Presidential Villa to deliver a message to Buhari requesting him, in the name of all that is good, “ to stop the killings”.

Ezekwesili’s courage and defiance is about moral urgency, commitment and passion for what is decent, humane and right. She could have found a thousand excuses not to act so boldly. She could have calculatingly, in the hope of being appointed to a government position, should the APC win the 2019 elections, reneged. But she edified us all by sticking out her neck for justice and voting for an orderly and well governed Nigeria. She deserves our kudos, even as she throws a challenge, impliedly, to civil society, nationwide, to rediscover its lost mission and mandate of bringing truth to the very precincts and barricaded walls of power.

At this point, however, this writer digresses to bring in a short take. “Sadly, Nigeria evokes the paradox of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a treasure stove of minerals and precious metals that nonetheless remains desperately poor. Indeed, the Brookings Institution has recently categorised Nigeria as the poverty capital of the world”. The speaker is Dr. Olusegun Demuren, a former Director – General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority at Wednesday’s Faculty of Social Sciences Open Lecture, held at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye. Addressing the theme, ‘Public Governance and Sustainable Development’, Demuren, following two welcome addresses by the Dean, faculty of Social Sciences, Professor I. A Ademuluyi and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji, respectively, zeroed in on the obstacles to sustainable development in Nigeria. He referred to such drawbacks as the lack of access to electricity of 42 per cent of the population, the lack of innovation and data driven policymaking, the accountability and transparency deficits, as well as the low level of nationalism.

The guest lecturer argued that the more Nigeria is able to overcome the hurdles to sustainable development, the more she will cross the threshold from her present backward status to a modern and efficient sate that looks increasingly like the club of powerful nations. Regretting the rising number of Nigerians who have relocated abroad to pursue their studies or in search of fulfilling careers, Demuren submitted that it was time that Nigeria stood up to be counted. With reference to the aviation sector, which is his purview, the lecturer averred that it is possible for Nigeria to mount a national carrier similar to what the Ethiopian Airlines is doing in Africa and beyond, provided there is emphasis on the building of a professional corps, as well as efficient management which is not subject to the whims and caprices of political authorities. The bane of the aviation sector, he explained, is related to management issues made worse by political authorities that micro manage it, the shortage of adequate data on which to ground planning and the dearth of skilled professionals. Considering his track record, the nation will do well to take Demuren’s panaceas seriously.

To return to the initial discourse on the Plateau killings and its aftermath, it is important for the authorities to consider the civil trust and perceptual underpinnings of viable security institutions. Security is more than the deployment of raw force and sophisticated equipment; it includes a partnership between security institutions and stakeholders. With reference to the massacres in the Middle Belt, it is important that trust be restored and maintained between the local population and law enforcement authorities. Hopefully, the touted restructuring of the nation’s security edifice will take on board this problem of trust, to the extent that no side in the recurrent conflict suspects that it will not get fair play.

To be considered, too, is the regionalisation of the security architecture in favour of the North, in contradiction to the stipulated federal character objectives of the 1999 constitution. The projected security reform when it is eventually carried out should tackle this loop sidedness which has been mentioned often in public debate on the tragic killings. It is a paradox that notwithstanding that most of the states involved are ruled by APC governors, alienation and frustration characterise the relationship between the centre and the state.

Finally, policy, which should become more proactive than contingent, should aim to bring the issues to the front burner of national attention underwritten by a sense of emergency and compassion for the victims of these monumental disasters.

(TEVB)

Herders’ terrorism: Buhari’s failing presidency

Eje Peter News ,

Herders’ terrorism: Buhari’s failing presidency

By Eje peter

THERE is a sense in which it can be said that those entrusted with the sacred duty of securing lives and property in this country have failed abysmally. The recent massacre of innocent citizens in Plateau State reinforces this failure and is a poignant reminder of the harvest of senseless deaths recorded since this administration took over power in 2015. The situation calls for drastic action to pull the nation back from the brink of hitting the self-destruct button.

Last weekend’s security breach that claimed more than 100 lives in 11 Plateau State villages followed a litany of assurances from President Muhammadu Buhari of the capacity and willingness of the security apparatus to defend the citizens. Given the predilection of the police for understating casualty figures, the number could well be closer to the 200 deaths claimed by the villagers themselves.

With such a high casualty figure and more than 50 houses burnt, perhaps only countries in a state of war suffer such magnitude of losses in one day. From the accounts of events, the herdsmen fingered in the killings were armed with sophisticated weapons; and they sacked village after village with practically no resistance. No one else but Buhari and his security chiefs should be blamed for this horror.

Since the turn of the year, the Middle Belt areas of the country have witnessed a bizarre series of killings, starting with the 73 slaughtered in Benue State on New Year’s Day. The most provocative was the killing of 19 worshippers, including two priests, inside a Catholic church building. A compilation by a national newspaper put the number of violent and avoidable deaths by non-state actors in that part of the country at 901 as of April this year. This is double the number of British soldiers lost in 15 years of combat activities in Afghanistan, which is put at 453 by a report quoting the country’s Ministry of Defence. Mass burials are fast becoming a commonplace in that part of the country. Yet, the Buhari government remains perilously clueless. The impression is created of a commander-in-chief who does not set targets for his security chiefs, and therefore finds it difficult to evaluate their performance.

The President does not help matters with his awkward and out-of-context comments concerning this very serious but divisive national issue. In Jos, on Tuesday, he wondered why he should be blamed for failure to stop the rampaging Fulani militia. “There is some injustice in these aspersions,” he said. When a President chooses the scene of mourning after a national calamity to lament a perceived injustice done to him, it leaves much to be desired.

Buhari had, during a visit to the United Kingdom, also spoken about the attackers coming from Libya. This he repeated, although in a modified form, when he said, “But the present herder, I am told, carries AK-47 (instead of sticks)….” This is dodging the issue. What happened in Plateau and has been happening in other parts of the country is criminality bordering on ethnic cleansing.

Buhari got it all wrong from the beginning of his administration. If anything has defined Buhari’s failed presidency, it is his parochial and clannish approach to government. This accounts for his disastrous handling of the Fulani herders’ carnage. What a few had always suspected about Buhari’s ethnic inclination is now becoming known to many with great shock and horror. This essence is dark and ominous. How can it be explained that, with the exception of the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; and Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin; all other members of his security council are from the northern part of the country. They include the President himself; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; Director-General, State Security Service, Lawal Daura; and DG of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; as well, two of the three military service chiefs, Tukur Buratai, Army and Sadique Abubakar, Air Force, are from the North. There is no way this can help for national security.

Buhari’s handling of the Fulani herdsmen terrorism has not only revealed his sectionalism, but also demeaned the Presidency. Perhaps, the President’s lack of decisiveness is the body language that the security forces have been responding to in states currently under the spate of attacks. This is why a former Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Danjuma, told Nigerians to start defending themselves as relying on state protection would see them killed “one by one.” It is surprising that members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria have not yet been rounded up after claiming the attack was in retaliation for the killing of 300 cows “in the last few weeks.” Officials of the association have been quoted as saying, “Since these cows were not found, nobody should expect peace in the areas.” Horrible!

Buhari’s drab and narrow understanding of the Fulani killer herdsmen is perilous. The attack on Plateau has proved that appeasement is not the solution to the Fulani herdsmen terrorism in the country. It should be noted that Simon Lalong, the state Governor, has been bending over backwards to accommodate the herdsmen, in line with Buhari’s exhortation. He condemned states that had passed anti-grazing laws and even went ahead to provide land for ranches. Yet, his state was not spared.

The role of security agents in this matter is questionable. Therefore, there is no better time for Buhari to crack the whip. On matters of security, it is always dangerous to be reactive when you should be pre-emptive. Promising to put pressure on security chiefs to stop the killings, as Buhari said, is not the way to go; at this stage, he has to ring the changes and bring in fresh hands with fresh ideas. The present crop of security chiefs have proved to be ineffective and should be changed. But in replacing them, there should be a conscious effort to reflect the Federal Character principle in a country of diverse religious and ethnic groups. They should also be capable of coming up with the goods. When a team is constituted from a narrow corner of the country, their opinion is not likely going to reflect the larger diverse interests. Idris, Daura and Dan-Ali no longer deserve to be at the sensitive posts. Buhari should replace them today.

Miyetti Allah’s ethnic cleansing agenda is threatening the country’s corporate existence. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, says “what is the ultimate destination of these new imperators? The answer is unambiguous: Land. The seizure of land, either for seasonal grazing, for the lordly passage of cattle or for permanent settlement.” There is a strong reason for the President to reshuffle his shambolic security apparatus instantly. But first, Buhari’s partisan understanding of the Fulani killer herdsmen agenda has to change. If, as claimed by the cattlemen, people stole or killed their cattle, the perpetrators should face the full weight of the law. The same should apply to those who shed blood, whether they are from Libya or from Iceland. And if he also feels that politicians are stoking the savagery, he should not be afraid to seize hold of them and make them to face justice.

(TEVB)

World Bank approves $2.1bn loan for seven Nigerian projects

Eje Peter Economy ,

World Bank approves $2.1bn loan for seven Nigerian projects

By Eje peter

The World Bank has announced the approval of $2.1bn loan for seven projects to be executed in Nigeria.

A statement issued in Abuja on Thursday said the loans were approved in Washington DC on Wednesday and were for seven projects to support Nigeria’s investment in nutrition, access to electricity, states’ fiscal transparency, polio eradication, women’s economic empowerment, public finance and national statistics, and reducing vulnerability to soil erosion.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Rachid Benmessaoud, was quoted to have said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies human capital investment, restoring growth and building a competitive economy as its key pillars.

“This vision for a healthy, educated, productive and resilient population must be complemented by credible governance in order to attract private sector participation and ensure sustainable growth. The approved projects support the implementation of the government’s growth plan.”

According to the statement, the World Bank Group has extended its Country Partnership Strategy for Nigeria until June 30, 2019.

It added that during 2018 and 2019, the WBG support would focus on revenue diversification and mobilisation, addressing the binding constraints for attracting private financing, and improving social services delivery for building the human capital needed for inclusive economic growth in alignment with the ERGP.

The approved programme of support in 2018 comprises the following projects: the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Project, which is expected to help increase efficiency in spending, strengthen revenue mobilisation (of critical importance for the delivery of health, education, water and other services) and debt sustainability in participating states. The project will be financed through an International Development Association credit of $750m.

The Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project is expected to improve the credibility of public finance and national statistics in the country.

The project is expected to increase revenue and capital expenditure outturn; strengthen fiscal accountability, including expenditure effectiveness, and to improve the quality of statistical information, which will contribute to evidence-based policy making. It will be financed through an IDA credit of $125m.

The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project is expected to promote innovative integrated approaches based on international best practices and community participation to tackle land degradation and major gully erosion formations in participating states. The project will receive IDA additional financing credit of $400m.

The Nigeria Electrification Project will leverage private sector investments in solar mini grids and stand-alone solar systems to provide electricity to 2.5 million people and 70,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It will be financed through an IDA credit of $350m.

The Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Project is expected to benefit over 8.7 million people, mostly pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls and children below five years old. The financing for the project consists of an IDA credit of $225m and a Global Financing Facility grant of $7m.

The Nigeria Polio Eradication Support Project is expected to help improve immunisation coverage with oral vaccines to the national target of 85 per cent in 18 months. It is receiving IDA additional financing credit of $150m.

The Nigeria for Women Project is expected to directly impact 324,000 women beneficiaries through investments in comprehensive skills training, the leverage of financial and technical resources, and support to policy dialogue on women’s economic empowerment. The project is receiving an IDA credit of $100m.

(TEVB)

UN condemns Plateau killings, AI says FG encouraging murderers

Eje Peter News ,

UN condemns Plateau killings, AI says FG encouraging murderers

Eje peter

Wanton killings have been in Nigeria for some time – Presidency

Segun Olugbile, Niyi Odebode, John Alechenu, Olusola Fabiyi, Chukwudi Akasike, Olalekan Adetayo, Ihuoma Chiedozie, Alex Okere and Godwin Isenyo

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, on Thursday expressed concern over violent conflicts between farmers and herders in countries across West and Central Africa, particularly the Plateau attacks that claimed the lives of over 86 villagers on Saturday.

But the Amnesty International has said by failing to hold murderers to account, the Federal Government is encouraging impunity that is fuelling rising insecurity across the country.

The Director Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, stated this in a report released by the international agency on Thursday.

AI stated that its independently verified estimated figures indicated that since January 2018 “at least 1,813 people had been murdered in 17 states, which is double the 894 people killed in 2017.”

Ojigho stated, “The death tolls reflect killings as a result of farmers-herders conflict, communal clashes, Boko Haram attacks and banditry.

“We are gravely concerned about the rising spate of killings across the country, especially the communal clashes between farmers and herders and attacks by bandits across at least 17 states.

“The authorities have a responsibility to protect lives and property, but they are clearly not doing enough going by what is happening.”

Ojigho added, “The latest incident in Plateau State, where armed gunmen attacked 11 villages on June 23 for at least seven hours and killed at least 200 villagers without intervention from security forces should be investigated.

“That the violence in Plateau started after an attack, which was followed by reprisals from Thursday, June 21 shows unacceptable security lapses.

“Despite the deployment of security forces, including the military in over 30 states, the escalation of these attacks shows that whatever is being done by authorities is not working.

“There is urgent the need for people who are suspected of committing crimes to be held accountable.

“We hope that President Buhari’s commitment to bring those suspected to be criminally responsible for the killings in Plateau State to justice will break the impunity that has spread through the country.

“In addition, government must answer these questions: who are these attackers, where do they come from, where do they go after attacks, who arms them, why is security forces’ response time very slow?”

He explained, “Amnesty International’s investigations show worrying details of how frequently the security forces failed to protect villagers. In all cases Amnesty International investigated, the attackers, usually arriving in their hundreds spend hours killing people and setting houses on fire and then disappeared without a trace.”

Amnesty International added that it was investigating the rising insecurity that had resulted in the increase in killings across the country.

The agency also expressed concerned about the impact of these killings on farming, especially with the affected villages and farmlands deserted because people fear going back to their homes.

“We are at the peak of farming season, and communities affected by this wave of violence are largely agrarian. But because of fear of attacks they have either been displaced or unable to cultivate their farms, therefore their major source of food and income threatened by the attacks,” said Osai Ojigho

The organisation called on the Federal Government to address security lapses that “make it easier for the killers to carry out attacks and disappear.”

“Making arrests and bringing to justice those suspected to be responsible for these attacks are crucial in ending the killings that are gradually turning into almost a daily occurrence. In many instances, these killings happen and no arrests take place,” Ojigho said.

The UN chief however in a statement by his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, on Thursday. called on all concerned governments, regional organisations, civil society and other relevant actors to work together to find acceptable and lasting solutions to the conflicts.

He spoke a few days after attacks by suspected herdsmen left scores of people dead in Plateau State. Guterres described the trend as being detrimental to regional stability.

He said the UN was ready to support national and regional efforts to resolve disputes between farmers and herders.

The statement read, “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the increasing frequency, intensity, complexity and geographic scope of violent conflict between farmers and herders, as well as related banditry, extortion and cattle rustling, in several countries across West and Central Africa.

“He condemns the resulting loss of life, property and livelihoods, as well as population displacement, which undermines peaceful coexistence between communities in many of the affected countries. It is also detrimental to regional stability.

“The Secretary-General stresses that all attacks targeting civilians violate international humanitarian law.

“He urges all concerned governments, regional organisations, civil society and other relevant actors to work together to find acceptable and lasting solutions to these conflicts, in full compliance with existing regional regulatory frameworks and international humanitarian and human rights law.

“The Secretary-General expresses the solidarity of the United Nations with the people and governments of the affected countries. He reiterates the readiness and commitment of the United Nations to support national and regional efforts to resolve disputes between farmers and herders.”

the Presidency on Thursday took a swipe at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, accusing it of playing irresponsible politics with the latest attacks in Plateau State that left scores of people dead.

It said the decision of the PDP to declare seven days of mourning for the killings amounted to dancing on the graves of the dead and playing cheap, infantile politics.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated this in a statement in Abuja.

Adesina said while the PDP which he described as a “comatose and prostrate party” asked that its flag be flown at half -mast nationwide during the period, the party did not know that those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, and might remain so for a long time to come.

The statement read, “The sad and unfortunate killings in Plateau State over the weekend have been turned to opportunity to once again play irresponsible politics, particularly by the Peoples Democratic Party which says it is declaring seven days of mourning.

“These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become, and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind, but the PDP would rather dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics.

“The comatose and prostrate party is declaring seven days of mourning, during which flags in its offices would be flown at half mast nationwide.

“But unknown to the party, those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, and may remain so for a long time to come, because Nigerians are politically discerning, and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics.”

Presidency lists killings under PDP watch

The presidential spokesman then listed some killings which he described as savage and brutal that took place during the PDP rule between 1999 and 2015 for which no national mourning was declared.

“November 20, 1999. Odi, in Bayelsa State which was invaded on the orders of a PDP President, about 2,500 people killed. No national mourning.

“Between February and May 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning.

“In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.

“Between September 7 and 12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half mast.

“In February, 2004, at least 975 people were killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling PDP.

“Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with 381 deaths. No mourning. In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the word.

“In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least 1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning.

“Boko Haram killings in PDP years were over 10,000. PDP flags were still fluttering proudly in the sky,” Adesina added.

The presidential spokesman said the list showed that wanton killings had been with the country for some time.

He said while the present administration was working towards proffering lasting solutions, it should be given the opportunity to do so.

He said those playing politics with tragedies should have a change of heart or lose their humanity.

“Those who take pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim we are saying that many more people were killed under the PDP than under President Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so.

“The intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings have been with us for awhile (sic); this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.

“Even a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be used to play crude politics.

“Those who are wont to do so should have a change of heart, or lose their very humanity,” he concluded.

Show respect for the dead, PDP counsels Buhari

But the PDP, in its reaction, expressed shock by the statement credited to the Presidency. The opposition party said the statement justified the Presidency’s alleged failure to stop killings in Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Kogi, Taraba and other troubled states.

The PDP said it was indeed reprehensible that the Presidency in its “usual arrogance and insensitivity to the mood of the nation chose to condemn the PDP for declaring a seven-day mourning and flying our flags at half-mast in honour of the dead and solidarity with the bereaved.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, who stated this while reacting to the statement by Adesina, said it was disturbing that even in death, the Buhari Presidency still wanted to deny these victims of callous murder the honour of being mourned.

He said, “The PDP urges the Buhari Presidency to confront the challenge of fulfilling the basic responsibility of governance by providing security for the lives and property of all Nigerians irrespective of their creed, tribe and political affiliations.”

Ohanaeze attacks Buhari

Also, the apex socio-political body of the Igbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, described President Buhari’s comparison of the killings in Plateau State to those in Zamfara State as “most unfortunate.”

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Media and Publicity, Chief Emeka Attamah, on Thursday, Ohanaeze said “it believes that no human life is greater than the other and that two wrongs do not make a right.”

“Rather than compare the number of casualties, the Federal Government should rejig its security apparatus, stop further killings and appease the families and communities affected by the senseless killings,” the pan-Igbo body said.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed fears that “from the trend of events, it appeared as if General T.Y. Danjuma’s outcry that there was a grand design by some people to carry out ethnic cleansing in the country and that government was colluding with them was justified.”

Ohanaeze called on Buhari to allay the fears of the people, “especially with the double standard being exhibited by the Federal Government in the handling of the issues of IPOB and the suspected Fulani herdsmen.”

The association restated its call on the Federal Government to declare the Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body of the herdsmen, as a terrorist organisation, as was done to the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“While the Federal Government proscribed IPOB, a harmless organisation, Miyetti Allah which has openly claimed responsibility for most of the attacks for just the killing or rustling of their cattle has gone around unscathed.

(TEVB)