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The 36 states governors are to hold a virtual meeting via teleconference today, Wednesday December 2, 2020 to evolve a new national security order that will ensure safety of lives and property in the country.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The statement was signed by its Head, Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo in Abuja.
Bello-Barkindo said that the governors would also be receiving zonal updates on the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS); as well as the state of internal security. He added that the governors would also revisit the issue of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) palliatives; with updates on its current status’ in all the states.
Further, he revealed three groups would be making presentations at the meeting, scheduled to start by 2pm.
These, according to him, include a joint effort between the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Mr Godwin Emefiele and the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai. They would discuss how to access Pension funds for infrastructure development in the country.
Other matters to be addressed by the governors include resolutions and matters arising from the just concluded 26th Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG). Also slated for presentation is the medium and long term national development agenda. This would be delivered by the Core Working Group (CWG) of the Human Capital Development program of Nigeria.
Bello-Barkindo added that issue of stamp duty collection would form part of the agenda for the governors; as well as a response to the Water Resources Minister on the Water Resources Bill.
He said that updates would also be given on State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS); as well as on a meeting with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and Conference of Legislators of Nigeria (COSLAN).
The Senate has decried the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, even as it called for a return of the use of mercenaries in fighting the Boko Haram insurgents.
The demand formed part of the deliberations during plenary on Tuesday.
Equally important, the Senate noted that Boko Haram had become more daring, mounting roadblocks in some parts of Borno State; collecting levies from farmers and other residents.
Specifically, the call for the return of mercenaries was made by Senator Ali Ndume. Ndume is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army.
“In the past, we had intervention in form of mercenaries which we rejected. We should stand up and do what it takes to secure our land,’’ Ndume said.
Meanwhile, Baba Keita, the senator representing Katsina North, same constituency as President Muhammadu Buhari, has lampooned the President. He accused Buhari of failing in his responsibility to secure Nigeria.
Also, Senator Keita, who faulted a statement credited to a presidential spokesman, Shehu Garba; held that the recurrent excuses from the military were no longer acceptable.
“I totally believe the President is doing his own best. But then doing your best is not enough when we cannot see the result on ground and this is what is happening. We cannot be mourning our citizens in and out every day. We cannot accept again the explanation coming from the military, every time there is an attack like this.”
1st News reported Shehu as saying that the hiring and firing of service chiefs remained President Buhari’s decision; even as he added that the president is currently satisfied with their performances.
In a related development, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Tuesday, December 1, demanded the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari following the mounting security challenges in the country.
This stance by the NEF came in the wake of the massacre of Borno rice farmers; saying life has no value under Buhari’s administration.
The Nigeria Police says the fugitive former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT); Abdulrashid Maina would be extradited to Nigeria soon.
This was disclosed by spokesman of the Nigeria Police, DCP Frank Mba, in a statement on Tuesday.
Specifically, the Police disclosed that it had commenced the process of extraditing the former Pensions reforms chief; noting that he would soon be brought back to Nigeria to continue with his ongoing trial.
4wardwego had reported that Maina was arrested in Niger Republic on Monday. His arrest was executed through a joint effort by INTERPOL, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Central Bureau, Abuja; as well as their counterparts in Niger.
Maina is currently in a detention facility in Niger Republic awaiting the completion of the extradition processes.
In the light of his arrest, the Police has also declared that there is no hiding place for any suspect.
Mba said: “Following the arrest of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina in Niamey; Niger Republic, the Nigeria Police Force is perfecting extradition processes of the fugitive to Nigeria to enable him face trial in pending criminal proceedings against him.
“Maina, who was declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction, was arrested on 30th November 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterparts. There shall be no hiding place for any suspect, no matter how highly placed.”
Maina faces a 12-count charge of money laundering up to N2billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, the suspect had fled, jumping bail, leading to the arrest of his surety, Senator Ali Ndume.
The senator has however been released on bail.
Garba Shehu was reportedly quoted to have said the farmers did not get permission from the Nigerian Army to go back to farm.
Sen Keita while reacting to a point of order raised by Senator Kashim Shettima on the recent killings, he described the comment by Mr. Garbu Shehu as “irresponsible.”
“Let me say if the statement credited to the spokesperson of Mr President, Garba Shehu, is true then let me say that it is highly irresponsible.
“You might be exposed to information that we and other Nigerians do not have but at that point in time when everybody was mourning the loss of citizens who are innocently killed and who have gone into their farms despite the challenging economic situation in this country and there by losing their lives and somebody say is because they did not take clearance. We don’t harvest crops in one day, we harvest them over time.”
Sen Keita also scored President Buhari very low on his performance on security. He noted that even though the federal government is doing a lot, he noted that their best is not enough.
He said: “Despite the efforts of the federal government on the security issues of Nigeria – I totally believe the president is doing his own best but then doing your best is not enough when we cannot see the result on ground and this is what is happening.”
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Wednesday, December 2, urged Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court in Abuja not to unfreeze the accounts of #EndSARS campaigners.
According to the CBN, this is because they are still under probe for terrorism financing.
1st News had reported the apex bank through an ex parte order frozen the account of Gatefield Nigeria Limited and 19 other persons who played a role in the protests.
However, Gatefield opposed the CBN’s action in court, insisting that the act was illegal; because the apex bank had frozen the accounts even before the court order to do so was obtained.
In a counter-affidavit filed by a lawyer, A.J. Apera, on behalf of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele; the apex bank stated that it duly obtained a court order on November 4, 2020, to freeze the accounts.
For the umpteenth time, the Senate has called for the Sacking of the Service Chiefs following the gruesome murder of 43 members by suspected Boko Haram members in Borno on Saturday, November 29.
The farmers were decapitated by Boko Haram Members in their farms.
This latest call for the sacking of the Service Chiefs followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Sen Kashim Shettima on Tuesday.
Shettima, a former governor of the Borno State in his motion called for a transition period to ease out the Service Chiefs.
“They were working in their farmlands and there was no form of resistance or challenge from the security agencies stationed a few kilometres away.
“The Nigerian military in conjunction with other security agencies up till today have not been able to quell the insurgency affecting the region in spite of the slogan by government officials that the insurgents have been technically defeated.
“The primary objective of government is the protection of its citizens. Protecting the lives and property of citizens is the primary obligation of government,” he said.
The Senate therefore urged the President to take immediate steps to restructure, remodel the country’s security architecture and provide enough state-of-the-art weapons and equipment to effectively combat the insurgents.
Also, the President was urged to immediately probe widespread allegations and leakages within the security structure and put mechanisms in place to foster transparency and ensure all resources deployed for security are spent on the needs on ground.
The Senate sought the recruitment of 10,000 Civilian Joint Task Force to join in the fight against insurgency.
The legislators also requested for the massive recruitment into security agencies.
Also, the opposition party bemoaned claims by the Presidency that the farmers were killed; because they failed to get clearance before going to their farms.
4wardwego had reported that a spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, made the comment during an interview with the BBC on Monday.
However, in a statement issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday, the PDP said the remarks by the Presidency “smacks of support for the insurgency”.
It also added that it was also an admission that the Buhari administration had been “overwhelmed by terrorists and can no longer guarantee our compatriots a normal life.”
The Red Chamber confirmed Yakubu for a second term of five years following the adoption of a report of Senate Committee on INEC during plenary on Tuesday, December 1.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Kabir Gaya said the nominee possesses the required qualifications, has a high level of intelligence, is not affiliated in any political party, is a person of integrity and has not campaigned for any political party.
The committee then recommended his confirmation. Senators mostly from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supported his nomination. As a result, it was unanimously approved by the chamber.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on the 24th of November, asked the red chamber to confirm Yakubu as the INEC Chairman.
On November 27, the committee screened Yakubu where he explained that the inability of politicians to keep their campaign promises contributed to low turnout of voters during elections.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has stated the Federal Government conceded about N1.024 trillion import duty waivers, concessions, and grants to drive economic growth in the country in the past three years.
Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning made this known at a one-day sensitisation on Digitisation of Import Duty Exemptions Certificate (IDEC) on Monday, November 30, in Kano.
Zainab Ahmed said: “For the records, between 2011 and 2015; government conceded about 1.024 trillion through the grant of only four types incentives, namely:
“Import duty waivers, concessions, grants N503.587 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver N227.789 billion.
“Pioneer status on non-oil companies N73.511 billion and Pioneer Status PPT on oil companies N219.545 billion.”
LAST YEAR THE MWAGHAVUL NATION WON THE PLATEAU INDIGENOUS CHRISTMAS CAROL…
WHO WILL WIN IT THIS YEAR?
Calvary greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Christmas season is here again, we wish to invite you for the Annual Indigenous Christmas Carol scheduled as follows :
Date :11/12/2020
Time :3:00pm – 7:00pm
Venue :usuji World event Centre opposite J.D Gomwalk secretariat Jos
Participation is for all Ethnic groups.
Criteria for participation.
1.interested ethnic groups are to register on or before 21st/11/2020 at the Government House Chapel or call 08032060218, 07039482328 for more enquiries.
All COVID 19 Protocols will be strictly observed.
Thanks, Planning Committee Plateau Indigenous Christmas Carol.
This was contained in a presentation made by the head of the legal team, the Nigerian Army, Kehinde Akinlolu (SAN) when he presented a seven-page report to the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the Nigerian Army was not under trial over the October 20 shooting of #EndSARS protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos.
Akinlolu added that the Nigerian Army was never summoned by the panel; but invited to shed light on what happened at the Lekki tollgate.
“The Lekki tollgate happens to be the area of passage to Epe corridors when the Nigerian Army was called upon that ‘look, this matter is getting out of hand’ because we know very well that there are constitutional provisions for the civil authorities; to call upon the army to help when the civil police was overwhelmed as it was common knowledge; and that what exactly what happened in Lagos.
“We were able to show the footage, both oral and documentary evidence; and the panel also must bear in mind that it is a fact-finding panel.
“The panel has no capacity to ascribe any punishment; or any sentence on anybody. The whole idea of setting up the panel of that nature is to help unravel what went wrong; so that in the future; necessary precautions will be taken.”
Buratai said those who accused the army of deploying troops to shoot innocent protesters at Lekki “must be ready to swallow their pride; and apologise to the Force and the country by the time the panel concludes its assignment.”
The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, assured the populace that President Muhammadu Buhari would never stop to protect the lives of Nigerians.
Lai Mohammed made this assertion on Monday, November 30, in Makurdi, Benue State; while responding to questions by newsmen on the last Saturday killing of over 43 farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram.
This happened during the formal take-off of the North Central Zonal Headquarters of the Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).
Lai Mohammed said, “When people talk about terrorism; they don’t seem to appreciate the fact that terrorism is not a local but a global issue; and there is no part of the world that is not experiencing pockets of terrorism.”
On the killing in Borno and insecurity issue in the country, Lai Mohammed said: “I am glad that the governor (Samuel Ortom) himself has said the FG has done a little in curbing the issue of insecurity in Benue State.
“We will never stop protecting lives and livelihood; but you must understand that we are also dealing with terrorists who are financed globally; and we also need more support from global partners.
“For instance, Nigeria had made attempts to acquire better and more effective platforms to deal with terrorists; and for one reason or the other we have been denied these platforms; these weapons and without adequate platforms, we will remain at the mercy of terrorists.
“But you see, you must also be able to look at the terrorists; you see terrorists also use media and publicity as oxygen.”
He went further to say that the mindless killings of innocent people by Boko Haram was an act by the “dying terrorist group to give an impression of a sudden spring to life and “does not mean that the government is not doing enough.”
The minister added, “terrorism in Africa and any other place in the world has the same concept; you have a group of people who are extremists in their thoughts, who don’t believe that we and you should be alive.”