Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: National

  • Senate Reveals: Power Minister Abuses Office, Sites 20 Projects in His LGA

    Senate Reveals: Power Minister Abuses Office, Sites 20 Projects in His LGA

    Senate Committee on Power has accused the Minister of Power, Maman Saleh, of official misconduct for siting about 20 rural electrification projects in his Lau Council Area of Taraba State.

    The accusation was made on Wednesday when the Minister’s activities was queried by members of the committee.

    The committee stated that the minister acted against his oath of office to be fair to all.

    It was also discovered that the projects, which were captured in the 2021 budget of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) were uncovered during the minister’s budget defense of the agency, which is under the supervision of the Minister.

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    A member of the committee and representative of Taraba Central Senatorial District, Yusuf Yusuf, had drawn the committee’s attention to the concentration of 20 projects in various amounts of between N20m to N50m in Lau Council Area as captured in the budget proposal.

    Yusuf, however, indicated that he was not challenging the minister, but was only trying to set the records straight.

    Chairman of the Committee, Gabriel Suswam, who corroborated Yusuf’s submission, said he was happy that a senator from Taraba pointed out the anomaly.

    Other senators expressed disappointment that Saleh allowed his personal interest to affect his official conduct and decisions, which they perceived as a grievous matter.

    Explaining the implications of the minister’s action, representative of Kebbi Central Senatorial District, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, said public officials were supposed to show fairness in carrying out their assignments, no matter the pressure.

    The senators also expressed disappointment over what they described as REA management’s disregard for establishing regional headquarters and head offices across the country.

    Consequently, the Senate directed the agency to revert to the geo-political zones arrangement in locating REA’s regional headquarters.

    Suswam, who represents Benue North East Senatorial District, expressed shock when Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salijo, highlighted the location of some projects to the senators.

    While querying projects under the title- Provision and Installation Of Solar Mini-Grids In Six Geo-political Zones, the Senate discovered that the project title had reflected twice in the document submitted to the Senate.

    The Senate went further to demand that the locations of the said projects were cited.

    In his explanation Salijo listed Dutse (North West) Bauchi (North East) Lokoja (North Central), Calabar (South-South), Oshogbo (South West) and Enugu (South East) as locations of the projects, but that trouble started when Suswam insisted on naming the specific projects, adding that the particular projects were for power back up for REA’s regional offices.

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    Senator Suswam however, noted that out of the ovations stated as regional offices, Enugu was the only area where the REA complied with the national definition in establishing regional headquarters.

    He affirmed that the agency flouted the directive on regional headquarters and offices in other areas.

    “To whimsically site projects in one’s locality because you have directors from those places is wrong”, Senator Suswam emphasised, adding that abuse of power by public officers was unacceptable.

  • Okonjo-Iweala Set To Lead World Trade Organisation

    Okonjo-Iweala Set To Lead World Trade Organisation

    Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Nigeria’s nominee for the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is set to emerge winner of the competitive race to the highly coveted head of the international body.

    Reuters on Wednesday reported that a key group of WTO ambassadors proposed Okonjo-Iweala to lead the trade organisation on Wednesday,

    The official announcement is expected to be made later today by WTO.

    Okonjo-Iweala served as Finance Minister twice, that was during the tenures of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

    She has experience working at international governance bodies as a former managing director of the World Bank and as a chairman at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

    Once officially announced, Okonjo-Iweala will be the first African and first female director-general of the international body in its 25-year history.

  • Cybersecurity: #EndSARS Protesters Used Social Media to Spread Subversive Contents – NSA

    Cybersecurity: #EndSARS Protesters Used Social Media to Spread Subversive Contents – NSA

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) has accused the #EndSARS protesters of using the social media to spread subversive contents that escalated the tension and looting that followed the protest by Nigerian youths, which is widely adjudged peaceful.

    The NSA disclosed this when he spoke at the Multi-Stakeholders workshop for the Validation of the Draft National Cybersecurity Strategy 2020, in Abuja.

    He said: “We are witnesses to the use of social media to disseminate subversive content to incite violence and heightened tension, causing unrest and sparking widespread looting and destruction across the country.”

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    The national security chief also revealed that the Federal Government plans to unveil the National Cyber security Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2020 to check digital threats and enhance national security and economic growth for the over 200 million population.

    In his keynote address, the NSA said the government has been proactive to develop policies that will check threats from the use of cyberspace.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Aliyu Ganda Mohammed, the retired General recalled that his Office inaugurated a multi stakeholders committee on September 10, 2020 to review the NCPS 2014.

    He noted that the review is aimed at strengthening the existing cyber policy, which is meant to be reviewed every five years, as stipulated.

    Monguno further stated that: “There is no gainsaying that cyberspace has become an engine for the enhancement of Nigeria national security, economic transformation and national development.”

    While he admitted that the sophistication of cyberspace comes with inherent challenges, the NSA said: “The threats posed by cyber terrorists, and the use of the internet has brought social media circulation of hate speech and seditious messages. It is almost impossible to overstate the challenges.”

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    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami who was represented by the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Abdullahi, said never before has cybersecurity become more critical than it is today and that it was due to convergence between offline and online lives.

    “Anybody that uses any device that connects to the internet needs to understand and protect himself and have to join the cyber security campaign.”

    He said the agencies under the ministry are leveraging on this to protect people. “We can collaborate to do it together,” he urged the participants.

    Also speaking at the Multi-Stakeholders workshop, the Chairman of the NCPS 2014 Review Committee, Mr Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, warned that a non-regulated cyberspace, as exemplified in recent times with fake news in the social media, could result in civic unrest.

    “The current draft document is a result of multi stakeholder efforts with due cognizant of a whole of society approach while leveraging technology for the well-being of Nigeria and for Nigerians.

    “I assure our commitment and resolve to delivering an implementable policy for Nigeria”, Ajijola stated.

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    Senate Committee, ICT and Cybercrime Chairman, Hassan Ibrahim Hadejia, who also spoke at the event expressed excitement that Nigeria is taking the issue of cybercrime very seriously.

    “In ICT, if you are reactive, you are finished, you always have to make sure that you are one step ahead”, he said.

    in order to effect change in the sector, he proposed that both government agencies and the private sector collaborate.

  • MSMEs Survival Fund: FG Pays N30,000 to 333,000 Artisans

    MSMEs Survival Fund: FG Pays N30,000 to 333,000 Artisans

    As part of the Federal Government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), a total number of 333,000 artisans across the country has been paid the sum of N30,000 one-time grant.

    This was disclosed in statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, who explained that the payments were made to verified beneficiaries of the Artisan Support Scheme, which is implemented under the MSMEs Survival Fund.

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    Eidul-Mawlid: Nigeria Observes Public Holiday on Thursday

    The first stream of payments, which started on Tuesday, included beneficiaries from the FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Plateau and Delta States. The paid beneficiaries from the first batch of the applications for the scheme submitted between October 1 and October 10.

    The MSMEs Survival Fund scheme is a component of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP), which was developed and implemented by an Economic Sustainability Committee established by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2020, and headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

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    The ESP-Survival Fund is aimed at supporting the vulnerable MSMEs and averting job losses in the face of the coronavirus pandemic that has created critical economic shocks across the globe.

    States under Stream 2 include Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Enugu, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Taraba, Bayelsa

     

  • Eidul-Mawlid: Nigeria Observes Public Holiday on Thursday

    Eidul-Mawlid: Nigeria Observes Public Holiday on Thursday

    The Federal Government has declared Thursday October 29, 2020 as public holiday to mark this year’s Eidul-Mawlid Celebration in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

    In a declaration, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslim faithful at home and abroad for witnessing this year’s occasion.

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    Aregbesola’s declaration was contained in a statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mohammed Manga, who quoted the Minister to have enjoined Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of love, patience and perseverance, which are the virtues of the Holy Prophet.

    Furthermore, the Minister admonished Muslims to follow the teaching of the Holy Quran in Chapter 4 Verse 59 which says: “O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Messenger, and those from among you who are vested with authority; and if you are to dispute among yourselves about anything, refer it to God and the Messenger, if indeed you believe in God and the Last Day. This is the best (for you), and fairest in the end”.

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    Minding the situation across the country, the Minister urged Nigerians, particularly Muslims, Eidul-Mawlid Celebration, to abhor violence, lawlessness, and wantonness and daylight robbery.

    Ogbeni Aregbesola added that Nigeria is the pride of the black race and should provide responsible leadership for the greatness and development of the African continent and all black race.

  • British High Commission Urges Restraint as Nigerian Army Intensifies Internal Security

    British High Commission Urges Restraint as Nigerian Army Intensifies Internal Security

    The British High Commission (BHC) has expressed concern over the continued looting of private and public properties, including pockets of violence in some parts of the country.

    In its statement of concern, which was posted on twitter, the BHC said: “We remain concerned by acts of looting and violence in Nigeria and urge security services use restraint as order is restored. Working with all stakeholders, judicial panel of inquiry must investigate all incidents, including #Lekki and ensure accountability for crimes. #EndPoliceBrutality”

    Meanwhile, in an effort to bring back normalcy and stop continued looting in some part of the country, men of Nigerian army have deployed more soldiers on the streets.

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    The Army High Command decided on Monday stating that troops will prevent the continued looting of public and private properties by miscreants and criminals across the country, a situation that was a fallout of the #EndSARS protest hijacked by hoodlums.

    The decision was taken during a meeting between the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and principal staff officers, General Officers Commanding and field Commanders at the Army headquarters on Monday.

    In a chat with newsmen after the meeting, Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed that Gen. Buratai recalled that “the events of the past few days in our dear nation have shown the determination of some unscrupulous individuals and groups to destabilise Nigeria by all means having hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protest marches resulting to widespread violence, acts of wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties in many parts of the country. These acts led to the imposition of curfew in many states”.

    Musa stated further that Gen. Buratai directed its men and officers to respond “quickly and decisively” to any attempt by “elements or destabilising agents” to cause a breach of the law and order.

    In a charge, the Army attempted to disabuse its personnel not to fear being reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as they are performing their constitutionally-assigned duty of defending the nation and its citizens.

    For the avoidance of doubt, the army gave assurance that it remains committed to democratic governance “as the only panacea for development and progress.”

    Gen. Buratai said the military had lost 10 AK-47 rifles and personnel to the violence, adding that the Army was aware of efforts to drag it into the protests with a view to “discredit” it  and the government.

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    The Chief of Army staff was said to have also warned that troops on internal security or on guard duties outside the barracks to know that they must  be at maximum alert at all times in order to be able to  ”deal decisively with any attack on their duty locations.”

    ”Any act of arson or attempt to kill or maim any military or security personnel and other law-abiding civilians must be responded to quickly and decisively,”

    He alerted them of potential security threats resulting from the burgling of security armouries by the hoodlums, adding that”the recent activities of the “unscrupulous elements have shown their desire to acquire arms and ammunition at all cost from security personnel.”

    “No less than 10 AK-47 rifles have been lost to these miscreants in the past two weeks across the country with attendant loss of lives of personnel,” the COAS warned.

    “Right from the onset of the #EndSARS protests, the NA has been aware of the grand design by the sponsors of the protests to draw it into the crisis.

    “The plan was to embark on massive propaganda to discredit the military and the government so as to set the people against the NA once it is called out to aid the civil authorities.

    “The NA being aware of the devilish plan was careful not to be dragged in and issued the initial warning through a press release on October 14, 2020 of our resolve to secure and safeguard a united Nigeria.

    “Now, the detractors alongside their local and international collaborators have mischievously and deliberately misrepresented troops’ efforts to ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by legitimate civil authorities in Lagos and other states.

    “These agitators are falsely accusing the NA of being responsible for the activities of the miscreants despite glaring evidence to the contrary. They have continually threatened to report the NA to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also threatened various forms of sanctions against personnel and their families.”

    Buratai said: “despite all these, the NA has continued to exercise restraint by applying all the Principles of Internal Security Operations and fully abided by the internationally recognised rules of engagements….

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    Advocacy Group Threatens NBC with Lawsuit Over “Illegal” Sanction of Arise, AIT, Channels TVs

    “The Nigerian Army is determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria. The best system of governance is democracy and we must all ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and steady. We will not allow any force, elements or destabilising agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire.

    “We remain resolute in doing everything possible to ensure that subversive elements, detractors and other enemies of this great nation do not achieve their aims and objectives of destabilisation.”

    “There is no choice between a democratically united, strong and prosperous Nigeria and a nation disunited in a state of anarchy and retrogression.”

    “We must all strive for a united, strong, stable and progressive Nigeria,” he admonished.

  • Advocacy Group Threatens NBC with Lawsuit Over “Illegal” Sanction of Arise, AIT, Channels TVs

    Advocacy Group Threatens NBC with Lawsuit Over “Illegal” Sanction of Arise, AIT, Channels TVs

    A legal and advocacy group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to sue the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over sanctions imposed on three national television station, AIT, Channels TV and Arise TV for airing images attributed to the alleged Lekki Shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters.

    In a swift reaction to the sanctions by the regulatory body, NBC on Monday, SERAP in a statement said it condemned the action, which it described as illegal fines.

    “We condemn the illegal fines of N9m reportedly imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission on Channels TV, AIT and Arise TV [N3m each] over their coverage of the #EndSARS protests. We’ll sue the NBC if the unconstitutional fines are not rescinded within 48 hours.

    “This action by the NBC is yet another example of Nigerian authorities’ push to silence independent media and voices. The NBC should drop the fines and uphold Nigerian constitution and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom.

    “The fines are detrimental to freedom of expression and the media, and access to information in Nigeria, and the NBC must withdraw the decision”, SERAP stated.

    SERAP in its reaction to NBC’s sanction affirmed that media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression and access to information.

    It said: ‘”The ability to practice journalism free from undue interference, to cover peaceful protests, and critical views are crucial to the exercise of many other rights and freedoms.

    “The media has a vital role to play as ‘public watchdog’ in imparting information of serious public concern and should not be inhibited or intimidated from playing that role.

    “The NBC should stop targeting and intimidating independent media and voices”, SERAP ordered.

    Recall that on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, hours before the alleged shooting of unarmed peaceful protesters, an incident the Nigerian army has denied, the NBC had issued a press statement containing guidelines on how broadcast media firms in Nigeria should cover the #EndSARS protest, with specific instructions not to embarrass the government.

    However, Nigerians have began to kick against the sanctions on AIT, Channels TV and Arise TV. Minutes after the announcement of the sanction by NBC, some Nigerians took to twitter to Twitter to vent their anger, describing the fine as illegal and an attempt to gag the media even when the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of speech.

     

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

     

  • BREAKING: NBC Sanctions AIT, Channels, Arise for Airing “Unverified” Lekki shooting

    BREAKING: NBC Sanctions AIT, Channels, Arise for Airing “Unverified” Lekki shooting

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned three major broadcast stations over their alleged roles in escalation of violence across the nation .

    The regulators fined Arise TV, African Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television between N2million and N3million.

    The broadcast regulator had accused the stations of escalating the unrest that followed the #EndSARS protest in Lagos and some other parts of the country by airing unverified images of the alleged shooting.

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    The #EndSARS protest, championed by youths from across the divides, was peaceful until Sunday, October 18, 2020 when thugs, alleged to have been sponsored unknown powerful people began to attack protesters, which later peaked at Tuesday night’s alleged shooting of unarmed peaceful protesters by men of the Nigerian army.

    Although, authorities in the Nigerian army had denied shooting at protesters, the wide reports of the alleged shooting triggered widespread violence, looting and arson in Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and Ibadan.

    Many states experienced wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties.

  • #EndSARS: IGP, Lawmakers Reaffirm Commitment to Police Reforms

    #EndSARS: IGP, Lawmakers Reaffirm Commitment to Police Reforms

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, Friday played host to members of House Committee on Police Affairs at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    This was coming as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Leye Oyebade, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had led ‘operation clearing all the barricaded spots in volatile areas in the state.

    The operation led to the clearing of the obstructions on major roads in order to create access for motorists and other road users, especially those on essential services.

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    The House committee, led by its Chairman, Usman Bello Kumo, was at the Force Headquarters, as part of the oversight functions of the House of Representatives, to assess and advise on the ongoing reforms of the Nigeria Police Force and efforts at restoring normalcy to areas affected by violence arising from the #EndSARS protests in some parts of the country.

    Adamu, who noted that the Force has commenced Comprehensiv​e Internal Review and Evaluation of circumstances that led to the #EndSARS protests and the violence, fatalities and damage to critical infrastructure that emanated therefrom, apprised the committee on efforts made so far by the Force to restore normalcy and prevent future occurrence.

    Some of these efforts, he mentioned include: strengthening the internal disciplinary mechanism of the Force, training of the newly formed Tactical Squad, debriefing and psychological/medical examination for operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad and general improvement of police-citizen relationship, among others.

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    Adamu reassured the committee as well as the Nigerian people that the Force was more than ever before, committed to police reforms and ensuring a safe and secure environment for all to live and thrive devoid of any violation of their fundamental human rights.

    Responding, the committee expressed satisfaction at the efforts by the police chief in managing the #EndSARS protests and the ensuing violence but called for an all-inclusive approach at ensuring immediate end of the violence, improving police service delivery, rebuilding trust and public confidence and respect for human rights amongst others.

    The lawmakers commiserated with Adamu over the loss of police personnel who died during the crisis and promised to work tirelessly with the Force to ensure an enabling environment for optimal performance by the police.

    They called on other stakeholders including parents, guardians, online influencers, youth leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, etc to work with the police and government to bring a halt to the carnage on our streets and restore law and order.

    The operation clearing all the barricaded spots in Lagos State was borne out of the need to clear the roads off barricades and taking charge of security of lives and property in the state due to the prevailing violent attacks on lives and property of the police, government and private individuals leaving many lives and property lost and damaged.

    Oyebade and Odumosu visited some strategic places particularly the attacked Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centrenin Ikoyi, which was partly set on fire by the hoodlums, to assess the extent of damage and fortify the security of the centre to prevent jail break.

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    The areas where they led the operation clearing the barricaded spots include: Falomo Roundabout, Sura-Adeniji and Ilubinrin end of Third Mainland Bridge, Iyana Oworo and Gbagada end of Ikorodu Expressway, Ojuelegba (Surulere) and Apongbon Bridge in the Lagos Island.

    Odumosu, who appreciated Oyebade for his sterling leadership qualities and efforts in making sure that normalcy was restored to Lagos, condemned continuous attacks on police stations and public facilities as Ikotun Police Station was set ablaze Thursday by hoodlums.

    He warned that the command would neutralise any moves that could jeopardise security architecture vis-a-vis maintenance of law and order in Lagos State.

    Odumosu charged police officers and other security agents to be resolute in protection of lives and property and restoration of peace and public safety in the state.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Ex-President Jonathan Urges Maximum Restraint Over #EndSARS Protest

    Ex-President Jonathan Urges Maximum Restraint Over #EndSARS Protest

    Former president Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the “use of deadly force” on #EndSARS protesters in Lagos state.

    Protests against the defunct police special anti-robbery squad (SARS) turned violent in many parts of the country leading to loss of lives and property.

    President Buhari joined by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Head of Interim Government H.E. Chief Ernest Shonekan and Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar during a Virtual Meeting with Former Heads of State in State House on 23rd Oct 2020

    Men dressed in army fatigue were alleged to have shot at protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos, a claim the Nigerian army has since denied.

    Such actions would only worsen the situation, calling on all parties to embrace dialogue, Jonathan said in a statement on Thursday.

    He asked security agencies to ensure maximum restraint was applied in carrying out their responsibilities and also asked young Nigerians to “give peace a chance especially now that different stakeholders have demonstrated the willingness to investigate the various allegations of excessive use of force on citizens and address the culture of impunity by security personnel”.

    President Buhari on Wednesday held a nationwide broadcast, and reiterated that government was meeting the demands of the protesters.

    Earlier on Thursday, he met with the country’s former presidents, including Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The meeting was held behind close doors as details of the discussion is still being awaited.

    – Radio Nigeria