November 2020 | Page 11 of 12

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

Nigeria slips to 146th position in Corruption Perception Index in aftermath of #EndSARS crisis

1st News reports that Nigeria has dropped to 146th position in the latest Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.

The CPI is an index published annually by Berlin-based Transparency International which ranks countries “by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.

In its latest report, 180 countries were assessed by the agency.

This latest report was disclosed by the Professor of Applied Economics, John Hopkins University, Steve Hanke, via his Twitter handle, @steve_hanke, on Wednesday, November 4.

Hanke stated Nigeria took the 146th spot after slipping from the 136th position it occupied when President Muhammadu Buhari was first inaugurated in 2015.

He added that Nigerians are extremely dissatisfied with the country’s economic situation and fed up with the government’s incompetence.

Hanke wrote: “Nigeria now ranks 146th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, slipping from 136th place when Buhari was first inaugurated. Under Buhari’s ‘watchful eye,’ corruption runs rampant.

“Nigerian citizens are extremely dissatisfied with their country’s economic situation. Despite lofty campaign promises, Buhari has proven incapable of reforming the economy. Nigerians are fed up with government incompetence!”

#Nigeria now ranks 146th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, slipping from 136th place when @MBuhari was first inaugurated. Under Buhari's “watchful eye”, corruption runs rampant. pic.twitter.com/MPPrTroMto
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) November 4, 2020

Meanwhile, members of the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday, November 4, urged the Federal Government to probe the role of soldiers in the shooting of #EndSARS protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos last month.

The ministers who were from the South-West part of the country and led by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, also urged the federal government to assist the Lagos State government in restoring some of the public facilities destroyed by hoodlums during the unrest that trailed the shooting of the #EndSARS protesters.

Furthermore, the ministers listed 15 police stations, state High Court building, and others among the facilities destroyed during the period.

Fashola said he briefed the council on how they executed the presidential directive on the matter; and visited states affected in the violence that trailed the #EndSARS protest.

He said: “On the shooting at the Lekki toll gate; we urged the federal government to undertake a thorough investigation; into what happened at the toll plaza; particularly the role of the military; and ensure that the outcome is made public with a view to achieving closure on the matter.

“We recommended that the federal government re-mobilise critical organs and agencies; such as the National Orientation Agency and formal educational institutions to focus on ethical re-orientation; also inculcation of family values into the school curriculum.

“We recommended a focus on etiquette; local reasoning; critical thinking; solution-seeking; empathy; self-respect; civic duty; as well as human rights.”

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

Buhari approves increment in police salaries

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the upward review of salaries of police officers.

He also stated that policemen killed and injured during the #EndSARS protests across the country would be promoted to their next rank.

This was contained in a statement issued by the IGP on Wednesday, November 4, in Benin City, Edo State, while addressing police officers at the state police command during his working visit to boost their morale.

The IGP said, “The government has not forgotten the police. A lot of reforms are taking place. A lot of things are being put in place to take care of the welfare of officers. The Police Act of 2020 has taken care of most of our welfare needs.

“There will be compensation for policemen who were injured during the #EndSARS protests. Families of policemen who lost their lives will also be compensated. Retired police officers will also enjoy the health insurance scheme.

“I am working with the Police Service Commission, all the policemen who were injured or died during the #EndSARS protests will be promoted to the next level. President Buhari, two weeks ago, also approved the adjustment of our salaries to higher grades for all officers.”

“So, we do not need to be demoralised or leave the public space for criminals to occupy,” Adamu explained.

He commended the men and officers of the force for the restraint despite the provocation.

“The protesters went to the police stations to attack the police officers and men because they wanted them to react with maximum force, but because you are professionals, you are resilient and you know what you are doing, you did not apply maximum force.

“You applied minimum force and they were disappointed. The police of yesteryears are not the same as the modern police that we have. Your sense of professionalism has shown that you did not give room for the bad guys to succeed.

“The violence did not stop in one state. It went to 14 different states. In all the 14 states, it was the same story. In the south-western part; especially Lagos State; and the South-South zone; Edo; and Delta States, we had attacks on police stations.

“In Lagos State, it was so terrible that private property was destroyed. Vehicles for public use were destroyed. Houses of individuals and their families were destroyed. This is very unfortunate.

“The attacks on the police and police stations were to demoralise you (policemen), to humiliate you and to make you feel that you do not have support at all; in the members of the public, but it is not the case.

“Some state governors came out to support the actions of the police, especially the way we handled the #EndSARS protests. Some individuals also came out to support the good works of SARS in curbing violent crimes.

“Despite all #EndSARS protests and attacks on the police, we also got open support from President Muhammadu Buhari. So, you should not be demoralized. You should be resilient.”

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

INEC announces resumption of voters’ registration, advocates Diaspora voting

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, November 4, announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will commence in the first quarter of 2021 ahead of the 2023 general election.

4wardwego gathered that the sum of N1billion has also been earmarked by INEC for the exercise.

This announcement was made by Chairman of the Electoral body, Professor Mahmood Yakubu during a budget defence session with the Senate Committee on INEC.

Yakubu further revealed he is in support of diaspora voting and called on the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to accommodate diaspora and early voting.

The INEC boss is also seeking approval of the Senate to spend N5.2 billion from the special INEC fund to make up for the shortfall in the 2020 budget which was cut because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

INEC had earlier in October said the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the voter registration exercise.

The Chief Press Secretary to the commission said the virus was still very much in the community; and CVR is a national exercise that requires the mobilisation of a lot of equipment, materials, and personnel.

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

ICC commences investigation into killings of #EndSARS protesters

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, November 4, revealed that it has opened an enquiry into the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters, the BBC reported.

A statement from the office of the ICC prosecutor had earlier said it had received information on alleged crimes; and would conduct a preliminary investigation.

The examination will “assess whether the legal criteria for opening an investigation under; the Rome Statute are met”, the statement noted.

The Office of the ICC Prosecutor confirmed it is now analysing the material sent; and when a final decision on this process is reached, it will be made public.

Rights group Amnesty International said security forces opened fire on protesters; killing; and injuring a number of people. Both the police and the army have rejected the allegation.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, on Tuesday, November 3; revealed that Nigeria’s total public debts would hit N38trillion by December 2021.

Zainab Ahmed made this disclosure; during her presentation to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.

According to the minister, a paucity of funds was responsible; for the increasing number of abandoned road projects across the country.

She also disclosed that the current Sukuk fund for 45 roads across the six geopolitical zones in the country is N162billion.

Zainab Ahmed said: “The total public debt stock comprising the external and home debts; of the Federal and state governments; and the Federal Capital Territory stood at N31.01trillion ($85.90 billion) as at June 30, 2020.

“It is projected, based on existing approval, to rise to N32.51 trillion by December 31, 2020; and N38.68 trillion by December 31, 2021.

“I am one person that feels that we should just take one major road in one geopolitical zone and finish it.

“We were not able to do that because of the processes in which appropriation is made both at the executive; as well as the legislative arms of government.

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

FG slams reports over arrest of key #EndSARS protesters

The Federal Government (FG), on Wednesday, November 4, has denied reports making the rounds that a no-fly list of “hundreds of Nigerians” the government suspects of promoting the #EndSARS protest has been compiled.

This rebuttal by the FG came in the wake of online reports which alleged that Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, was responsible for the list.

This was denied in a series of tweets on Tuesday by Aregbesola who said it was fake news.

“The Ministry of Interior did not, has not; and will not generate any no-fly list. Ignore fake news please!” the FG ministry tweeted.

“The Ministry of Interior did not, has not; and will not generate any no-fly list. Ignore fake news please! — Ministry of Interior (@MinOfInteriorNG) November 3, 2020,” the post on Twitter read in full.

This came after Modupe Odele, a promoter of the #EndSARS movement on police brutality; as well as bad governance was prevented from travelling out of Nigeria by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

In a newsletter sent out on Monday, the lawyer who confirmed the development; said she was prevented from travelling out of Nigeria; possibly because of her alleged role in the #EndSARS protests.

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

ASUU: FG launches scathing salvo at lecturers over refusal to resume work

The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, on Tuesday, November 3, expressed optimism that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would resume duties at tertiary institutions on Wednesday.

4wardwego had reported that ASUU embarked on strike in February over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and funding of universities in the country.

Nwajiuba made this assertion in an interview.

Specifically, he stated there was absolutely nothing stopping the lecturers from returning to the classrooms on Wednesday. Further, he dismissed reports that the Federal Government has not paid the ASUU lecturers for eight months.

Also, he stated that the Federal Government has done everything possible for the striking lecturers to return to the classrooms.

The minister said: “I have not said there is no way the government will not ever have a different application. But I am saying this is what we have now.

“The government will continually improve its service. If UTAS, as we go ahead, becomes even a better platform for everybody and they offer it free to government, of course, we are a responsive government; we will simply migrate to it.”

However, he urged the striking lecturers to get on the IPPIS platform to get their salaries and return to the classrooms.

On the lecturers’ salaries, Nwajiuba added: “During the lockdown, we asked all our vice-chancellors across the country to give us the BVN of all of their people who are eligible for salaries which they did.

“The BVN marries with the IPPIS and they were migrated to the IPPIS and they were all paid. Of course, there may be people who didn’t submit at the time. But that is being sorted out in the office of the accountant general.

“But I think it is a lie to say the government has not paid them in eight months. It will be unfair to the government.”

“The lecturers can go back to the classroom tomorrow if they say they want to go back. There is nothing withholding lecturers from going back to the classroom tomorrow. Absolutely nothing.

“Everything the government should do has been done. If you want your salaries, get on the platform; and collect your salaries.”

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

NECO announces Nov 9 resumption date for postponed examinations

The National Examinations Council (NECO) says it will resume the postponed 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in all states and the FCT from Monday, Nov. 9.

Mr Azeez Sani, NECO Head Information and Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, November 2.

4wardwego had reported that NECO Governing Board had after its Special Meeting on Oct. 21 reviewed the postponement of some papers in the 2020 SSCE (Internal) nationwide.

The Council had also in a press release on Oct. 25 informed the general public of indefinite postponement of the examinations due to the EndSARS protest.

“The Council was constrained to postpone the examinations indefinitely on Monday 25th October 2020 due to security challenges occasioned by the EndSARS protests which disrupted the smooth conduct of the examinations in some parts of the Country.

”Following the return of normalcy in the states and FCT, the examinations will now continue with a new time-table from Monday 9th November 2020 to Saturday 28th November 2020.

”This new time-table will be made available to the general public, schools and candidates from Wednesday 4th November 2020. The Time-Table can also be seamlessly downloaded from the NECO official website: www.neco.gov.ng.”

The Council, therefore, thanked the general public and candidates for their patience; and understanding during the period the SSCE was suspended.

The council also assured the general public of quality service in the discharge of her statutory responsibilities at all times.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the consolidated federal capital territory courts; sentencing guidelines and practice will accelerate the decongestion of correctional centres across the country.

Malami made the remark at the signing of the 2020 Consolidated Federal Capital Territory Courts Custodial and Non, Custodial Sentencing Practice Directions on Monday, November 1.

He said that the introduction of the non-custodial sentences by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015; and more recently, the provision of a clear legislative and institutional framework; for their implementation by the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019; were efforts by the Federal Government to address the colossal problem of congestion in correctional facilities across Nigeria.

“The provision for non-custodial sentences such as probation; community service; restitution; compensation; and suspended sentence by the ACJA 2015, was one of the main innovations of the Act’’.

Posted on by IMB Kallamu — Leave a comment

Buhari mandates Govs, traditional rulers to engender engagements in aftermath of #EndSARS protests

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed engagements with governors, traditional rulers, youths; as well as other critical stakeholders across geo-political zones in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced this on Monday, November 2, in Kaduna after a closed-door meeting of a Federal Government delegation with the 19 Northern governors and traditional rulers.

It was reported that the Federal Government delegation to the meeting was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Other members of the delegation were the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

The Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, and some members of the National Assembly from the region were also in attendance.

Buhari said the engagements are critical to reconciliation and also national development.

“This is just the first leg in the series of the engagements as directed by President Buhari.

“The Chief of Staff will also address governors, traditional rulers, and also other stakeholders in other parts of the country.

”The president has directed that the delegation should engage with governors, traditional rulers, as well as religious leaders, youths and others,” he said.

On the closed-door meeting, the minister said those at the forum had fruitful discussions which comprehensively centered on the recent events in the country in the last two and half weeks.

“We made far-reaching decisions and we are happy that the governors; and the traditional rulers did very well in ensuring that the youths understood the real issues.

“Because of their influence, there was very minimal destruction,” he said.

The minister added that apart from the resolve to continue to engage the youths; the meeting underscored the role of traditional rulers; and the need to engage them continually.

The meeting hosted by Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State was attended by most of the governors from the North.

Some of the traditional rulers that also attended the meeting were the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli; and his Kano counterpart, Aminu Ado Bayero.