All Posts in "Day: May 26, 2021"

President Buhari Goofed On Southern Governors’ Anti-Grazing Stance

Opinion: President Buhari Goofed on Southern Governors' Anti-Grazing Stance - TheBoss Newspaper
BY CHIEF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN
President Muhammadu Buhari has obviously been ill-advised on the well thought out Southern Governors’ stance against open grazing by the Attorney General whose views were made known only two days ago. Buhari,with all humility, is quite wrong to say the Southern  Governors’ stance is an act of questionable legality. If the Federal Government feels strong and sure about its puritanical ,but legally flawed stance, I challenge the Federal Government to challenge the Governors’ resolutions by suing all the State Governors of Nigeria, through invocation of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under section 232(1) of the 1999 Constitution . The action will fail miserably. I am ready,able and willing to defend such states probono. I can state categorically that neither the president’s views, nor those of the Attorney General, are anchored on any provisions of the Constitution. The Constitution is the fons et origo, the grundnorm ,the Oba, Eze,Oghie and Emir of our laws. Other laws must bow to the supremacy of this National identity card of a country ; for such other laws or FG ‘s resistance are but mere warrant Chiefs, Daudus, Bales, and Ukpi Drummers within the Constitution ‘s sacred domain. The Governors have been given powers by the same Constitution in sections 5(2) ,11(2), 14(2)(b) ,176(2) and 215(4) of the 1999  Constitution to act as the Chief Security Officers of their various States to provide their citizens with welfare and security, which the Constitution says are  the primary purpose of government. The Houses of Assembly of the states have equally been given powers by section 4(7) of the same Constitution to make laws for the peace, order and good government in  their states. In accordance with hallowed principles and practice of federalism and  democracy, the Southern Governors do not require any permission from, or approval by,the FG for them to govern their states and protect their citizens, in the same way a boarding house pupil must first seek his Headmaster-s permission to visit his parents outside the school.Mr President ‘s statement, churned out,as usual, by his SSA on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu,to the effect that that the Governors were politicking with serious security issues and attempting a show of power, is therefore most unfortunate, embarrassing,devisive, ethnocentric, insensate and insensitive to the memory of dead and dying Nigerians. These are thousands of innocent Nigerians savagely and brutally mauled down in cold blood,either in their own homes, farms,or on the streets and alleys, by these rampaging pastoralists.The President appears undisturbed and unperturbed that Nigerians,especially in the South,have their wives, mothers and daughters violently violated and raped by these marauding AK-47 riffles-wielding expansionists that wear the fake toga of herdsmen. What has the Government done about it? Nothing. It usually customarily wrigs its hands in pretended helplessness and washes them off every loss of life like Pontius Pilate in the Bible. This is so despicable!. It is so abhorrent and shameful! Only yesterday, 124 people were slaughtered in just three states, with 100 of them being children, women and the elderly in Benue State alone. Nigerians have become weary of mourning. The Governors are tired of being Chief mourners, undertakers and elegy poets of their citizens. And Buhari is saying they must shut up and worship on the blood-sucking alter of  Nigeria’s so called unity,indivisibility and indissolubility? We are living a lie of a contraption called a country that has since been reduced to a big scam and a one-chance dilapidated  vehicle on a drudgery journey to no destination. I challenge the Federal Government to go to the Supreme Court and challenge the states.By this, I hereby alter my earlier stance that the states should sue the Federal Government. No.It is the complaining and fretting FG that should take that step if uncomfortable with the Southern Governors’s communique.The states should go ahead and  enforce the anti-grazing laws in their respective  domains ,using  their neighbourhood and vigilante security outfits since ( and I can bet on this ), the FG will never lend its centrally -commanded Police Force to aid the states. It is so easy to predict this clueless  Government from the negatived.For empashis, we are operating a Federal system of government,not a unitary system. The Federal Government cannot therefore dictate to states like a slave owner to his purchased slaves. It is an aberration. Freedom of movement and right of some Nigerians to associate certainly end where other Nigerians’ rights begin. These freedom and right do not permit or licence particular business merchants ( that is what nomadic cow rearers are ) to carry deadly AK-47 riffles and maim and kill other innocent Nigerians in their homes, rape their mothers, wives and daughters in their houses.Such must be evil freedoms and rights. Nigerians of a particular ethnic group do not have any right to freely graze their cattle on other people’s lands and thereby destroy their farm produce. It is this archaic and odious tribialistic ,prebendalistic,sectionalistic and nepotic mindset that has made Buhari bring Nigeria down to her knees and to a despicable state of nadir,where she now wobbles, fumbles and tumbles. Have you ever heard any Southerner complain about all the currency changers and Bureau de Change ( BDCs ) operators across every nook and crany of Nigeria,even though everyone knows that over 95 % of the business is controlled by Northerners? No! Do you know why? Because they are not violent. They ply their trade peacefully, even if illegally and illegitimately. By the way,have you ever heard any Government raid or touch any of these special breed of Nigerians? I have personally never heard. This is because we live in a country that is governed by two different sets of laws- one for the highly revered Northerners ; the other for the highly despised Southerners. No Nation grows that way. The last time I checked,the  freedom of movement  guaranteed for Nigerians is not sacrosanct as it can be derogated from by the clear provisions of section 45 ,through enactment of a law that is “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence,public safety,  public order ,public morality or public health” ; or for “the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons”. The last time I checked also, section 41 of the same Constitution is meant for full-blooded human beings ; not cows, goats and sheep.That is why section 41 of the Constitution starts by saying  “every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof….”.  ‘Citizen’ is defined as “an inhabitant of a particular town or city” ;  “a person who is at home in any country” ; “one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman”. Other synonyms of citizen are civilian, national, inhabitant, resident, voter,  settler and   dweller.I checked very painstakingly and carefully, using different dictionaries, thesaurus, Black Law’s Dictionary and even Wikipedia, but I couldn’t and didn’t see where cows, goats and sheep were mentioned or regarded as ‘citizens’ of Nigeria or elsewhere.The Constitution that gives the freedom of movement to “every citizen of Nigeria’ also didn’t provide that such a citizen must be accompanied by cows, goats and sheep before he can exercise it.So,where is the Buhari Government getting its vibes from? I do not know. Or, do you ?  Fellow Nigerians, the last time I checked also, we have not  been told that Buhari has sucecessfully moved the NASS to amend and alter our country’s name, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,  to FULANI REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, or NIGERIAN REPUBLIC OF THE  FULANIS, or FULANISED REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, or THE REPUBLIC OF FULANIS, or FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE NORTH, or NORTHERN REPUBLIC , or FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN NIGERIA, or REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN NIGERIA, or NORTHERN NIGERIAN REPUBLIC, or REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN NIGERIA AND OTHER TERRITORIES, or ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, or FEDERATION OF ISLAM AND OTHERS. So,what is going on here? I can no longer understand. Or can you? Nigeria, we hail thee.
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Opinion 0

 Some groups in Ikorodu area of Lagos,have advocated the need for  the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give more slots to youths in the upcoming local government election in the state.
The Concerned Ikorodu Division Youths (CIDY) in conjunction with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) after a strategic meeting in Ikorodu conveyed the appeal in Lagis
The coordinator of CIDY, Mr Samson Bisiru, told newsmen  after the meeting, that it was time the APC gave more slots to youths with a view  to enabling the youths grow in politics of the state and the south west in general.
He noted that over the years, the youths had been marginalised due to paucity of funds that would have enabled them compete with others in the state for elective positions.
“The party should give specific slots to youths across the state and ensure that payment for nomination forms are made affordable for them.The guidelines for election give consideration for the youths, so we are calling on them to fully participate in the coming local government election.Other states in Nigeria are enjoying youths engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, the APC aspirant contesting for chairmanship position in Ikorodu North LCDA, Mr Adedoyin Ogunbiyi, said Ikorodu youths are ready to join politics to change the narrative of the community development.
Ogunbiyi said that the political class had been recycling same set of people with no result.
He urged the leadership to embrace a level plain ground during the primary election to know who is more acceptable by the community.
“We are calling on the leadership to allow all candidates to showcase themselves and see how much they are accepted by their communities.Youths are the bedrock of development of any country because they constitute a larger percentage of any country.
“It is imperative for every country to understand that the youths have important role to play when it comes to development.So, we are charging them to join politics to change the narrative,” he said.
Mr Jimoh Azeez, who is also contesting for Ikorodu Local Government chairman under the APC,urged youths to join politics and reposition the political landscape of the state.
Azeez implored  politicians to embrace 21st century way of running corporate governance that had modern way of generating revenue through technology.
“Politician need to build a purposeful society that can better the life of residents.They need to embrace technology, scientific way of operating like a corporate governance, embracing modern way of generating internal revenue, ” Azeez said.
Also Mr Ganiu Abiru, former chief clerk, Lagos State House of Assembly,called on residents and political leaders to support and encourage the youths in politics.
Abiru said they had what it takes to manage the mantle of leadership and advised them to come out en mass to vote for their candidates during the primary election.
“From our conversation at this media parley I can see they are loaded, all they need is support from electorates,” he said.
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Oduduwa 0
Lagos Gets 18 New Monarchs  

The Lagos State Government has  installed 18 new traditional rulers in the last nine months,Dr Wale Ahmed, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs said.
He  spoke  at the 2021 ministerial press conference to commemorate the second year in office of Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu,where he said  that of the 18 traditional rulers, five were first class, while 13 others were second class  monarchs
He said:”Between June 2020 and March 2021, the ministry, through the Chieftaincy Department, has successfully installed 18 obas (traditional rulers).Of these 18 Obas; five are first class and 13 are second class Obas.It is important to note here that these installations were conducted peacefully because of the mediation that resulted in harmonious resolutions in all the ruling houses”.
According to him,the ministry had also leveraged on the meticulous efforts of the Standing Tribunal of Inquiry to ensure that chieftaincy matters were resolved.
He said the chieftaincy matters were resolved in a way and manner that have efficiently reduced acrimony in various communities.
He said the welfare and capacity building of obas and chiefs had remained priority of the administration, adding that the ministry had ensured that the priority of the governor was actualised.
”This has also ensured continued improvement in government-traditional rulers’ relationship, such that traditional institutions are working in tandem with the state government to ensure that dividends of governance reach the grassroots,” he said.
The commissioner said further that the government was mediating in 12 boundary disputes among communities across the state.
He said that the ministry had ensured communal peace at the grassroots, especially in communities that had boundary issues.
Ahmed said that this was done through prompt and periodic arbitration and adjudication, thereby averting situation that might result into breakdown of law and order.
”This has ensured peaceful communal existence and zero-level of communal clashes.The resultant effect is the ease of doing business and continued economic growth as Lagos residents undergo and undertake their daily businesses without fear of chaos or communal clashes.
”This has been effective because the ministry has in the past one year leverage on the good relationship the state government has with the traditional leaders and community leaders,” he said.
The commissioner said the ministry was presently adjudging 12 boundary disputes in the state, adding that two of these issues had been resolved, while the rest were ongoing.
He said the Lagos State government says it has paid N269, 697,458.75 to families of deceased staff of Local Governments and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) as insurance packages.
“In the year under review, the Ministry ensured the release of claims to one hundred and sixty (160) beneficiaries of deceased employees of SUBEB and LGAs/LCDAs, amounting to N269,697,458.75 by LASACO Assurance PLC,” he said.
He disclosed that a total of 154 marital documents were released to LGAs/LCDAs, with 21 Special License Approvals, two Church License Approvals and two Renewal of Approvals.
He added that through the Local Government Administration Department, the Ministry was able to initiate and coordinate the flag-off of the 377 statewide project by the administration of Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, the project covered 257 roads, 86 buildings, 23 electrification, nine boreholes and two jetties to link communities across the state, thereby making communities accessible and as a result, engendered socio-economic activities at the grassroots.
He further said through Local Government Administration Department, the Ministry witnessed the inauguration of a 21-man Market Advisory Council by Sanwo-Olu, saying that the inauguration was borne out of the governor’s desire to make Lagos State a 21st Century Economy and to strategically position the markets in a way that it profits the State and sets it ready for the economic growth it would witness in the years ahead.
Ahmed disclosed that the ministry would be expanding her rural development efforts to other communities with the construction of Oba Oyediran Road in Badagry; Ramon Owoyemi Street in Egbeda; construction of community hall in Ikorodu, construction of dilapidated community hall in Toga- Badagry; construction, equipping and furnishing of Information Viewing and Community Centre in Otunla Community, Ibeju-Lekki.
He revealed that the Ministry would be sensitising LGAs/LCDAs on Local Government elections; training elected political Office Holders of LGs/LCDAs; commencing periodic tour of LGAs/LCDAs and presenting insurance claims to beneficiaries of deceased employees of SUBEB and LGAs/LCDAs.
In addition, he revealed that the Ministry would be investigating petitions received from the public concerning activities of LGAs/LCDAs, commencing technical tour of LGAs/LCDAs, conducting seminars for market stakeholders and upgrading markets across the State by providing toilet facilities and borehole and; Organising “Oloja Day” Carnival.
“Also, in the next 365 days, the ministry will be training 1,140 vegetable farmers across the state on modern techniques in vegetable production. Twenty vegetable farmers will be selected from each of the 57 LGs/LCDAs.
“In the third quarter of year 2021, the State Government through the Ministry will be providing agricultural support to farmers across the 57 LGs/LCDAs in form of inputs across value-chain to augment agricultural produce for farmers. This is to assist farmers stabilise and attain sustainability to cushion the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.” Ahmed disclosed.
He said the ministry would engage in investigative visits, site inspections, sensitisation and that enlargement efforts would also be constantly undertaken to ensure that peace in the communities were maintained, subsisting issues resolved, thereby ensuring “Lagos remains the city of our dream.”
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Oduduwa 0
Wike  Threatens To Enforce No Work, No Pay On Striking Judicial Workers 

JUSUN Strike: Wike Threatens To Enforce No-Work-No-Pay Rule | CmaTrends
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has warned that if the State chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) fails to call of its strike by the end of this month, the government would have no option but to implement the prevailing law on no-work, no-pay.
He has reiterated that there was no basis for the State chapter of JUSUN to have joined the protracted national strike as the issues in contention do not apply at all to the State where judiciary enjoy financial autonomy and much improved staff welfare.
He spoke  at the special court session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, in Port Harcourt,where he explained that the state is not unaware of the so-called agreement among the Federal Government, the Governors Forum and JUSUN on the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislative branches  in  the country.
He said:“We would therefore neither set up any new implementation Committee because it’s simply unnecessary, nor allow the State’s judiciary to submit its budget directly to the State House of Assembly in breach of extant fiscal policies and regulations that regulate the state’s budgeting process.”
He carpeted the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for instigating unnecessary tension in the state over the appointment of a Chief Judge.
He also punctured the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) for making misguided noises on gender equality because a woman was not recommended by the National Judicial Council to succeed Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra.
He said:“Apart from the basic qualifications, sound character, ability to lead and work harmoniously with colleagues, hard work and willingness to take on challenging cases without a penchant for returning files for reassignment on flimsy excuses are some of accepted dispositional requirements for such very important appointment.
“At any rate, the State Judicial Service Commission could not have recommended a judicial officer who has become notorious for returning casefiles for reassignment on flimsy excuses to the prime position of Chief Judge.
“No one should have expected the State’s Judicial Service Commission to recommend for appointment as Chief Judge a judicial officer who had promised to reopen disciplinary cases already dealt with and reinstate persons duly disciplined for corrupt practices and abuse of office.
“And no one could have convinced the State Judicial Service Commission to recommend for appointment as a Chief Judge a judicial officer who had promised to work with the political opposition to make the upcoming political transition process very turbulent and difficult for the State.”
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0
Crash: NAF Sets Up Safety Audit  Committee

The Nigerian Air Force, (NAF), has raised a crack team to conduct safety audit of its Operational and Engineering Units, to address the recent incessant airplane crash in the service.
A statement issued through Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, its Director of Public Relations and Information, (DOPRI), disclosed that a crack team of senior officers, both serving and retired, was raised to carry out the task.
Chaired by Air Vice Marshal Abraham Adole, the Deputy Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, the Committee is to submit its report not later than 18 June 2021″, he said.
“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has constituted a Committee of serving and retired senior officers to conduct a safety audit of all Nigerian Air Force(NAF) operational and engineering units.
“The committee is to, among other terms of reference, analyse safety reports from operational and engineering units, conduct safety evaluation of NAF units and recommend measures to enhance safety of operations in the units.The committee is also to interact with unit operational and technical personnel for views, observations and contributions on safety measures,” the statement said.
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in News 0
Group  Faults Akeredolu Over Imposition  Of  Oodua Anthem On Ondo Ijaws

Groups condemns Akeredolu's imposition of Oodua anthem on Ondo Ijaw - First News NG
The Arogbo Ijaw Patriots has faulted  the imposition of the Oodua anthem on the Ijaw minority in Ondo State.
The group also berated the state government for the use of the ethnic anthem in Yoruba for the conduct of a promotion examination for senior civil servants.
The group said that Governor Akeredolu’s  attempt to foist an ethnic anthem on the Ijaws of Ondo State  was a flagrant violation of the rights of the Ijaw ethnic minority in the state.
The group recalled that Akeredolu  through  a memo titled “Adoption of Oduduwa Anthem in the Public Secondary Schools across Ondo State”, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, Mr Tolu Adeyemi, on May 6, 2021, made it compulsory for the said anthem to be sung in all secondary schools in the state.
They said that it was absurd and disturbing that the governor would make it compulsory for Oodua or ‘Ondo anthem’ (in Yoruba) to be sung in all secondary schools in the Ondo State where there are indigenous Ijaws.
The group said  the Ijaws of Ondo speak their own language in consonance with their distinct ethnicity as an Ijaw minority and would like to keep that identity and heritage.
They implored Nigerians to prevail on Akeredolu to respect the rights of the marginalized Arogbo Ijaws to a  respectful and dignified existence in Ondo as provided for by the constitution.
They noted that Ondo comprises of two ethnicities- the dominant Yoruba, who occupy 17 local government areas, and the minority Ijaws who occupy a local government area of their own.
They lamented that the leadership of the Ondo State Civil Service took further steps in the abuse of the law to ask people, including Arogbo Ijaws, to sing the anthem in a promotion interview at the Governor’s Office Civil Service Matters.
They added: “While we (Ijaws) are not opposed to agitations of whatever form, we are alarmed by the brazen unfair, irresponsible expansionist attempt to make us assimilated Yoruba people.
“Our territory, which became part of Ondo State in 1976, is not a vassal territory and shouldn’t be treated as such.
“We call on the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to intervene through its organs in the South West to avert further humiliation and oppression of the Arogbo Ijaws.
“We call on the Attorney-General of the Federation and indeed all Nigerians of good conscience to prevail on Akeredolu to stop his disdainful treatment of the Ijaw minority in the state.”
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Niger Delta 0
Gunmen Abduct IYC President

Gunmen kidnap IYC president in Rivers - Punch Newspapers
Gunmen have reportedly abducted the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr Peter Igbifa.
He was kidnapped around the Omagwa-Port Harcourt International Airport Road in Rivers State on  his way to board a flight to attend a meeting in Abuja when the incident occurred.
His abduction happened hours before the expiration of the 30 days ultimatum the IYC gave the Federal Government to constitute the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board or have the region shut down by Ijaw youths.
Igbifa issued the notice on April 26 and followed it up with a warning on May 17 asking all multinational oil companies operating in the region to evacuate and peacefully shut down their oil platforms before the expiration of the notice at midnight of May 26.
The Ijaw youth leader while issuing the warning had stated that it was important for oil workers to leave the region as Ijaw youths would not be able to guarantee their safety, adding that no gunshots would be fired.
The national spokesman for the IYC, Mr Ebilade Ekerefe, confirmed the incident but stated that Igbifa was missing and he would not describe his predicament as a kidnap.
He said:The IYC president is missing. That is what I can say. I can’t say he is kidnapped. He is missing.His two phones numbers are switched off. His last whereabouts that we knew was along the Omagwa-Port Harcourt International Airport Road. He was on his way to join us in Abuja for a meeting.
“The incident is unfortunate. We are not suspecting any quarters. The leadership (of IYC) will meet to review our strategy and come up with a position.”
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
 Owo Polytechnic Workers Protest  Unpaid Salaries

Ondo poly workers protest unpaid six-month salaries - Punch Newspapers
Workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State,have  shut down the institution over nonpayment of eight months backlog of salaries and alleged refusal of the management of the institution to promote workers in the last three years.
They alleged the Mr. Banji Alabi-led Governing Council and the Rector, Dr. Ogundahunsi of deliberately inflicting pains on them by not paying their eight months backlog of salaries and promoting those who were due for promotion for the past three years.
The embattled workers who displayed placards with various inscriptions,pleaded with Governor Akeredolu to wade into the crisis with a view to giving them hope in the institution.
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Labour/Human Resources 0
Akeredolu To  Garba Sheu:Stop Insulting Southern Governors

Ban on open grazing: Akeredolu disagrees with Presidency – The Sun Nigeria
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has faulted  the statement credited to Garba Shehu, spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, condemning the resolutions of Southern governors on banning of open grazing in the region as his personal opinion and not representing the President’s view about the issue.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant(Special Duties) to the governor, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, Akeredolu warned Garba Shehu and his cohorts to desist from hurling insults at the Southern governors who were elected representatives of their people.
He emphasised that Garba Shehu lacked the authority to make policy statements for the Federal Government, unless directed expressly to do so
He said: “Mr Garba Shehu just released a press statement purporting to represent the position of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the farmer-herder “clashes” and what he termed as “Deep Rooted Solutions to the herdsmen attacks.
“He also attributed a unilateral decision to the President who “clears way for ranching and revival of forest reserves” as part of the “permanent solution to the frequent clashes between them, as well as the associated problem of the gun-wielding “killer-herdsmen”.
“Anyone who has been following the utterances of this man, as well as his fellow travellers on the self-deluding, mendacious but potentially dangerous itinerary to anarchy cannot but conclude that he works, assiduously, for extraneous interests whose game plan stands at variance with the expectations of genuine lovers of peaceful coexistence among all the peoples whose ethnic extractions are indigenous to Nigeria.
“Mr Garba must disclose, this day, the real motive(s) of those he serves, definitely not the President. He cannot continue to hide under some opaque, omnibus and dubious directives to create confusion in the polity. The easy recourse to mendacious uppity in pushing a barely disguised pernicious agendum is well understood.
“The declaration that the recommendations of the Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, a mere political appointee like Garba Shehu, are now the “lasting solutions” which eluded all the elected representatives of the people of the Southern part of the country, exposes this man as a pitiable messenger who does not seem to understand the limits of his relevance and charge.
“Mr Garba contends that “their announcement is of questionable legality”, referring to the 17 Governors of the Southern States, but the decision of certain elements to take the ancestral lands of other people to settle their kinsmen, including the “gun-wielding “killer herdsmen” and their families, and provide “veterinary clinics, water points for animals, and facilities for herders and their families including schooling through these rehabilitated reserves” for which “the Federal Government is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing for different communities to co-exist side-by-side”, does not appear to him as a comprehensive plan for land grabbing, a precursor to internal colonialism.
”He wants to “revive forest reserves” but seems particularly uninterested in the current position of the same law, that he and his cohorts often misinterpret to serve parochialism and greed. Governors no longer have powers over the lands in their territories. They must take instructions from appointees of the Federal Government on such matters.
“It is superfluous, and that is being charitable, for anyone to remind us of the constitutional right of bona fide citizens “to enjoy rights and freedoms within every one of our 36 States (and FCT)-regardless of their state of birth and residence.”
”There has never been any contention on this provision. It is clear that Mr Garba seems to have issues understanding the difference between licentious criminality and qualified rights under our law. It is our duty to continually nudge him off his current state of cognitive dissonance. His pronouncement betrays dubiety and mischief.
“Most traditional families in Nigeria have occupations. Pastoralism is not an exception. Any ethnic group still trapped in anachronism may be assisted to embrace modernity. Dispossessing communities of their ancestral lands, encouraging denizens of the forests to overrun lands belonging to other people and forcing alien bands of migrants on the local populace to live “side-by-side” with other communities cannot be for the purpose of animal husbandry. It raises suspicion on a grand, deliberate, persistent and insidious design to use naked force to subjugate the real owners of the land. Mr Garba Shehu is a major supporter of the current pervasive anarchy in the land”.
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in News 0
COVID-19 Vaccine:  2million Nigerians Received  First Jab

The Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib,has said that the agency has been able to provide first COVID-19 vaccine doses to a total number of 1,929,237 Nigerians, representing 96% of the targeted population.
It has also  begun providing second doses,which  has  climbed to  4,683,he said at a press conference,where he also advised all Nigerians who have received their first dose to check their vaccination cards for the date of their second dose, and ensure that they receive the second dose to gain full protection against COVID-19.
 He said: “As we transition to administering second doses, our teams have assessed the communication and mobilization activities that have been undertaken thus far to create awareness for the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage uptake. We will be building on the work we’ve already done in these areas to ensure that Nigerians can easily access accurate information about COVID-19 vaccination.
” Our goal is to do everything possible to educate, combat misinformation, and ensure confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and to ensure all Nigerians have clear information on how, where, and when to get the vaccine. We will do this through continuous engagement and communication with communities across our country.
“Permit me to say that the success we have achieved with the first dose is the collective efforts of all stakeholders, for which we are most grateful.In particular, I want to use this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the father of the nation His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his exemplary leadership and for providing all the needed resources to enable us successfully conduct this unprecedented massive vaccination.  We also wish to appreciate the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 response under the leadership of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha for his guidance. Our partners and donors have been with us providing technical support and resources. They are represented here by the WHO and UNICEF Country Representatives Dr Walter Mulombo and Peter Hawkins respectively. We thank you so much”.
Shuaib also noted that, the global community is facing great challenges regarding vaccine supply.
“However, we can update you on some positive developments. Pfizer and BioNTech pledged on Friday of last week to provide 1 billion doses of their COVID-19 vaccine to low-and-middle income countries by the end of 2021, and another 1 billion doses in 2022. Johnson & Johnson also announced it has signed a deal to provide 200 million doses of its vaccine to Covax.
“Separately, the International Monetary Fund is now advocating for a $50 billion fund to be spent on ensuring a faster rollout of COVID-19 vaccines globally and is calling for at least 40% of the global population to be vaccinated by the end of this year, and at least 60% by June 2022. The fund would be used to increase COVAX vaccine coverage, procure additional tests, and expand vaccine production capacity. We strongly endorse the creation of such a fund, and emphasize that all nations must have comparable access to COVID-19 vaccines in order to end this pandemic.
“Additionally, the United States announced it will donate 20 million vaccine doses by the end of June to the COVAX scheme”, he explained.
Providing an update on the rescheduled dates for the PSC’s Zonal Town Hall meetings across the remaining Zones, Shuaib said, North-East is scheduled for 8th of June in Yola, Adamawa State; South-South Zonal Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 15th of June 2021 in Benin, Edo State; The South-West Zonal Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 22nd June 2021 in Lagos, Lagos State; The North-West Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 29th of June 2021 in Kano, Kano State; and the last Town Hall meeting in the South East is scheduled for Owerri, Imo State on 6th of July 2021.
Online Editor by — May 26, 2021 in Health 0