File Photo! Governor of Ogun State in South-West Nigeria, Prince Dapo Abiodun
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, weekend, declared that the 14.7km Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway would be ready for use by Christmas 2020.
Governor Abiodun said: “The contractors have assured me that they will intensify work on this road. I have insisted because we have Christmas approaching, and so, they must complete one segment of this road – one lane all the way to Ijebu-Ode.
“They, in turn assured me that in the next 10 days, they would have completed about eight to nine kilometres of one lane, and promised to ensure that by Christmas, the entire stretch going all the way from Epe to Ijebu-Ode is completed.
“Furthermore, we’ve just awarded the interchange flyover contract that will allow for ease of traffic from this road into Ijebu-Ode and onto the expressway, so that we do not have a situation where people are speeding on this road and they run onto Sagamu-Ore Expressway and then we begin to have accidents like we’ve seen in other interchanges or intersections.
“It is going to be a loop, that has been awarded. The contractor has started to mobilise and get ready to begin that loop.”
Abiodun added that the opening of the road would further open up the corridor for more industrial activity, while noting that the road when completed would also increase the efficiency of travel and longevity of road.
The governor pointed out that the road, when completed, would not only connect Ogun State to Lagos State, but connect the mid-western states of the country to the eastern part.
He noted that the road would also help to reduce the burden of traffic on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“This road connects not just Ogun State to Lagos State. It connects the rest of the mid-western Nigeria to the eastern part of the country, so by doing this road, we are increasing the efficiency of travel, and longevity of the road itself.
“This stretch will now be open to more industrial activity as Lagos is expanding along Lekki corridor: this is where you have the Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery. Industrial expansion is in this area, so we are opening up this road to increased economic activity,” he said.
Abiodun said his administration has awarded the construction of Molipa Expressway, while noting that construction work would soon commence as the contractors have already been mobilised.
In their separate remarks, some residents, Oluwaseun Odumade and Oluwatoyin Omotayo, appreciated the Abiodun administration for the quality and network of road construction in Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Imowo-Ibadan and Awujale Palace-Stadium roads.
They noted that the roads when completed would aid the economic development of Ijebu-Ode in particular, and Ogun State in general.
“I built this for you mom. For all the prayers; all the encouragement and support. Mummy, I know you said you want a portable house and this is it. But forgive me because I must complete your mansion for you next year. Don’t worry, it won’t make us go to hell; my super Christmas mummy. I love you.”
The 10-year-old rose to limelight with her funny skits which she posts on her social media accounts.
With a portfolio of between 1.6 million to over 6 million viewers on youtube, the Mark Angel Comedy label through which Emmanuella syndicates her comedy series earns an income of $ 577K – $ 3.46M, youtubers.me stated.
In the last 90 days, the award-winning comedian has earned a net income of $104k.
In 2018, Emanuella was invited to the National Assembly by Senate President Bukola Saraki on account of her landing a role in a Disney film. In 2016, Emanuella won the award for Top Subscribed Creator from YouTube at the inaugural edition of the Sub-Saharan African YouTube Awards. She also won the Best New Comedienne & Princess of Comedy awards at the Afro-Australia Music & Movie Awards (AAMMA). She was hosted by CNN in November 2016.
Emmanuella’s awards and achievements include a 2015 G-Influence Niger Delta Special Talent Award and an ambassador to several brands.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tackled the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government over the hike in new fuel price.
The opposition party rejected an increase in the pump price of fuel to N170 per litre by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, describing it as wicked, unbearable and unacceptable, particularly given the prevailing excruciating economic crunch already foisted on Nigerians by the Buhari administration.
The party insisted that the increase in the pump price would worsen the already suffocating economic situation in the country.
“Such hike will also be an additional log tied on the economic neck of Nigerians,” PDP said.
The party noted that the APC-led administration has “no justification to increase the cost of fuel to anything above N100 per liter talk less of N170, when there are practical options to maintain affordable price given our production capacity and potentialities.”
“It is evident that the continuous increase in the pump price of fuel under opaque and nebulous indices is a product of incompetence and large scale corruption being perpetrated by a few individuals in the Buhari administration, who are bent on fleecing Nigerians and holding our nation to ransom.
“Our party notes that the APC administration has failed to come clean on the parameters being used for the hike in prices vis-a-vis our production, export and accruing revenue.
“Indeed, the APC administration is not being honest with Nigerians regarding the status and volume of oil production, sales and accruing revenue.
“This is in addition to its failure to fix our refineries and end crude oil theft, allegedly to aid APC interests.
“This appears to provide answers to why the APC administration has failed to offer any explanation on huge fraud going on in the management of our nation’s oil resources including the alleged stealing over N9.6 trillion ($25 billion) by APC interests, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo.
“It has also failed to publish details of its sleazy oil subsidy regime, including the involvement of APC interests in the claimed under-recovery for unnamed West African countries, running into trillions of naira, while Nigerians are made to bear the burden of high fuel costs.
“Such humongous fraud in the management of our oil resources is responsible for the high costs and unspeakable hardship being suffered by millions of Nigerians who can barely afford their meals and basic necessities of life,” PDP said.
The party urged Buhari to end the alleged “corruption and the stealing of our oil resource under his watch by APC leaders, recover the looted resources and immediately reverse this increase in price of fuel.”
“President Buhari should also take steps to fulfill his promise to revamp our refineries or accept his failures and apologize to Nigerians.
“It is still not yet late for him to get more competent hands to run our oil sector instead of imposing more hardship on Nigerians,” said PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.
Governor of Lagos State, babajide Sanwo-Olu unveils first electric car in Nigeria. Friday, November 13, 2020.
The first locally assembled electric car has been unveiled by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos on Friday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who commended Stallion Group for believing in the Lagos and Nigeria dream, also hailed the company for revamping the moribund VON asset located along Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
He said: “This is one of the major industrial hubs of this nation. This is one of the major employers of labour in this country. I commend Stallion Group for revamping the asset that was going moribund.
Governor of Lagos State, babajide Sanwo-Olu unveils first electric car in Nigeria. Friday, November 13, 2020.
“I want to assure you that the Lagos-Badagry Expressway would be completed. The road was just a two-lane way, but the government has turned it into 10 lanes, five on both sides.
“We are doing a complete rebuild of the road, with bridges and interchanges. We are building a road that will last for 30 to 40years for you. And because we know that this is an international gateway, it does not deserve anything less. We are building a first-class road infrastructure that all of you would be proud of.”
Speaking on the Hyundai Kona car, Governor Sanwo-Olu said with the unveiling of the car, Nigerians can now drive electric cars, noting that Lagos remains the hub for the nation’s economy and a pacesetter in industrialisation.
The Hyundai Kona car is 100 per cent electric and comes with zero emission, 482km driving range and can be charged both at home and workplace.
He said: “We are not just launching Hyundai Kona, Nigeria’s first electric car assembled in Lagos, we are indeed empowering and creating youth employment. We are also creating opportunity for teeming youths of this nation.
“The future that we see is the future of technology and this is the technology that we are talking about. This is 21st Century technology that has been brought into our country. With hardcore manufacturing companies like Stallion Group Automobile, we can begin to see the need to disemphasise mono product, which is oil.
“With the innovation of Hyundai Kona, we do not need to put the pressure on what the pump price of oil is again. All the issues and fights that we are having about prices of petroleum going up and the rest of it will be a thing of the past. This is a way to go and it is the future that we are seeing now.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu while stressing his administration’s commitment to growth of businesses in the State, said Lagos State Government will partner with Stallion Group Automobile as well as private industries in the State and create an enabling environment for them to do well, so that they can create job opportunities for the youths.
He also assured that Lagos State Government would be partnering through Ibile Oil and Gas and other private organisations to create different charging points in Lagos, so that people will have opportunity of where they will charge the electric cars.
He said: “This is the first electric car that we are seeing and we as the government need to partner with them. We need to create an enabling environment for them to do well, so that they can employ a lot more youths and create more jobs and pay our youths a lot more money, knowing fully well that the future belongs to you and the future is here.
“And so the state government, working with Ibile Oil and Gas will be creating different charging points in the city, so that people will have an opportunity of where to charge the cars.
“For us we see a renewed hope, for us we see a tomorrow coming today, for us we see and believe in the Stallion dream.”
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Stallion Group Automobile, Mr. Rohtagi Manish, said the innovation toward building Nigeria’s first electric car was a step towards an eco-friendly green Lagos.
Manish said that the materials used to assemble Nigeria’s First 100 per cent electric zero emission car was mostly sourced from local resources.
The Vehicle, when fully charged for 9hrs, 35mins could go a distance of 482km (a distance of Lagos to Warri), before it requires another charge.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also took time to tour the premises of Stallion Group Automobile to see the various innovative work and assembling of various brands of vehicles by the company.
Speaking at the unveiling of Hyundai Kona, Nigeria’s first locally assembled electric car in Nigeria at Ojo in Lagos State on Friday, Governor Sanwo said the Lagos-Badagry Expressway when completed will last for about 30 to 40 years.
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu however seized the opportunity to assure Lagosians that the State Government would complete the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
He said his government is committed to the construction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, saying that the delay of work on the road was based on the government’s plan to build a first-class infrastructure that people would be proud of when completed.
Lagos State Government has announced plans to temporarily close Railway Level Crossing at Ilupeju, Ogunmokun, Jibowu and Yaba in continuation of the ongoing Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) with extension to Lagos Port in Apapa.
The government, in a statement by Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, enumerated that the closure of the Railway Level Crossing is scheduled for November 15, 16 and 18 for Ilupeju; Ogunmokun; as well as Jibowu and Yaba respectively, from 8pm to 7am each day.
The statement noted that the construction works on the designated routes would focus on track stress dispersion and locking at various level crossing joints of the Standard Gauge Railway. It further advises motorists to utilise suggested alternative routes during the daily closure to enhance the free flow of traffic in the axis.
Motorists plying Ilupeju level crossing would be diverted to Ogunmokun, Yaba and Jibowu Crossing to access their desired destinations, while those who intend to use Ogunmokun Road or access other areas from the route are advised to use Ilupeju crossing to Mushin, Oshodi and Surulere to connect their desired destinations.
The statement explained that the identified alternative routes would be used interchangeably to ease movement, assuring that traffic management personnel would be available to ensure the free flow of traffic during the scheduled closure.
While advising motorists to comply with the traffic directions put in place to minimise inconveniences during the period, Lagos State Government reiterated its determination to provide a seamless multi-modal transport system to meet the transportation needs of its large population.
World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have called for urgent action to check the impending measles and polio epidemic especially as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to disrupt immunisation services in Nigeria and poorest countries in the world.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, explained that COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on health services and in particular immunisation services worldwide.
According to him, “We cannot allow the fight against one deadly disease to cause us to lose ground in the fight against other diseases. Addressing global COVID-19 pandemic is critical.
“However, other deadly diseases also threaten the lives of millions of children in some of the poorest areas of the world.
“That is why today we are urgently calling for global action from country leaders, donors and partners.
“We need additional financial resources to safely resume vaccination campaigns and prioritize immunisation systems that are critical to protect children and avert other epidemics besides COVID-19.”
To UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Peter Hawkins, immunisation is the best way to secure the future of children.
He said: “All caregivers and parents need to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated and protected from childhood killer diseases – including ensuring that all doses are taken so that the vaccine can be effective.
‘We must continue to engage traditional and religious institutions, as well as other key stakeholders at the community level, to stay vigilant and keep up vaccination rates to avert a resurgence of the wild poliovirus
“Also, we must continue to address the continued threat of vaccine-derived polio and other vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, including measles.”
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun Positions Adire Fabric as National Heritage in NIgeria. Thursday November 12, 2020.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called on the Federal Government to adopt one of the state’s local fabric popularly called Adire as an attire for national events and as a cultural symbol in the nation’s foreign missions, to further promote the rich culture of Nigeria to the world.
Speaking at the official launch of Ogun Adire Digital Market Place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto in Abeokuta, Abiodun advocated the making of ceremonial dress from Adire for the nation’s athletes taking part in international sporting activities.
To demonstrably walk his talk, the governor declared that starting from next year adire fabric would become official school uniform in all public schools in Ogun State.
According to him, “I want to call on all stakeholders in the information, culture and tourism sectors to partner with us in promoting this national heritage.
“I want to particularly call on our Honourable Minister of Information and Culture to help promote Adire at the national level. For example, members of the Federal Executive Council and other top government functionaries can adopt and adorn Adire for national events.
“Our Foreign Missions could also adopt Adire fabric as a cultural symbol that will further project our rich culture to the world. Same thing could also be done by our Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports by making the ceremonial dress of our athletes from local fabrics such as our Adire.
“This will go a long way in promoting the local contents and give expression to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s ‘produce what we use’ and ‘grow what we eat’ policies.”
Abiodun explained that Ogun Adire Digital Market Place designed to provide a global platform for the marketing and distribution of Adire fabric and its entire value-chain to the global markets and serve as a melting-pot for all participants in the entire system, by providing opportunities for a wider coverage of the market for people to reach out to vendors and transact businesses by logging into Adire Digital Mall.
He said plans have reached an advanced stage to make Adire an important aspect of every day life, as all top government functionaries in Ogun State now wear Adire on Fridays, just as plans are underway to make Adire part of school uniform, saying it would empower more people and further stimulate Adire economy.
The governor called on investors to take advantage of the new Adire Ogun Digital Market Place by partnering and intensifying their collaboration with Ogun State in the development of arts, culture and tourism.
In his remarks at the event, Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, applauded Ogun State for making efforts to showcase Adire in the international arena, noting that the action was in line with the Federal Government’s diversification policy.
Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria, Lai Mohammed speaks at the Cultural Centre, Kuto in Abeokuta the Ogun State Capital.
He said Adire Ogun Digital Market Place would serve as a veritable platform to marketing local fabrics, create employment and promote the nation’s cultural heritage, calling stake to make the best of the opportunity.
Also speaking at the event, the Wife of the Governor Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, described the digital market place as a consolidation of centuries of creativity and enterprise which would benefit more women when exposed to national and international market, calling on producers to always think about the environment, by disposing used chemicals properly.
To Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oludotun Gbadebo, Adire is a veritable foreign exchange earner. He charged all producers to properly handle chemicals used in producing adire, as it was dangerous and harmful to health.
Paramount Traditional Monarch of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Oluwatosin Taiwo, in his part, said the state was blessed with world class tourism potentials that would generate foreign exchange.
He added that the history of Abeokuta would not be complete without Adire. He noted that depite influx of foreign fabrics, Adire continues to make huge impact in Ogun State and beyond.
Late Ex-Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings came to power in Ghana as a Flight Lieutenant of Ghana Air Force following a coup d’état in 1979. In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military and founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first President of the Fourth Republic.
President Muhammadu Buhari and his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, have joined Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in mourning the passing of the former president, Jerry Rawlings, who died at the age of 73.
Rawlings was confirmed dead on Thursday at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, two weeks after he buried his mother, Victoria Agbotui, in October. His mother had died at the age of 101.
Announcing the passing of Rawlings, Akufo-Addo directed that all national flags for the next seven days must fly at half-mast in all parts of the country.
Ex-Ghanaian President Jerry Rawllings bids the world goodbye at age 73 on Thursday November 12, 2020.
The Ghanaian leader said the seven days of national mourning from November 13 to 20, is in honour of the first president of the Fourth Republic. Akufo-Addo added that the Vice President, Mahamadu Bawumia and himself had suspended their presidential campaign activities.
He added that the government would be working closely with the family of the former president on a befitting state burial.
In his heartfelt condolence message sent to government and people of Ghana over passing of the country’s former president, Buhari affirmed that the entire African continent would sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader.
The Nigerian leader shared his belief in the “passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition his country over many years continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.”
Buhari noted, with commendation, “the unique role the former president “played in strengthening political institutions in his country and Africa, stimulating the economy for sustainable growth, and vociferously championing the African cause by urging many leaders to work towards interdependency on the global stage, especially in areas of competitive advantage.”
He joined family, friends and associates of the former Ghanaian leader in mourning his departure, assuring that the ideas that Rawlings postulated, particularly for development in Africa, and his sacrifices in working in various countries as an envoy for peace and democracy would always be remembered.
Buhari prayed God to grant the Ghanaian leader eternal rest, and comfort all his loved ones.
Kenyatta has also mourned former Ghanaian President, describing him as “a true Pan-Africanist who firmly believed and cared for the interests of the citizens of this continent.”
He said Rawlings “is credited for his efforts of restoring political stability in Ghana after a series of coups in the 1960s and 1970s.”
In his message of encouragement to Akufo-Addo, the government and the Rawlings family, Kenyatta said Africa has lost “an icon and a great statesman whose contribution to peace and prosperity of the continent will be remembered for generations to come.”
According to him, “On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sincere and profound sympathy to the government and people of Ghana and the Rawlings family for the death of this great son of Africa.
“We will forever be grateful for his efforts to open the eyes of Africans especially on the management of their resources to develop their own countries. His leadership style transformed the minds of many people of this continent to see their possibilities in achieving the best with what they have.”
He added that the “servant leadership” of Rawlings ensured that Ghana steered back to its foundations of a free, fair and just society.
Kenyatta prayed God to comfort the Rawlings family and the people of Ghana at this time of mourning.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also mourned the passing of Rawlings.
In his condolence message, Atiku said: “Jerry Rawlings was an African giant. His tenure as leader of Ghana remains emblematic with the restoration of that country. Even after office, he stood tall for African unity and renaissance.
“He represented a generation of leaders who gave their all for the rebirth of his country and Africa at large.
“I pray for a pleasant repose of his soul and console with the people of Ghana; his contemporaries and current leaders in Africa on the loss of a worthy patriot.”
Commiserating with the government and people of Ghana over the death of former the president, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it received the news of Jerry Rawlings’ death with rude shock and immense sadness given the roles he was playing to ensure the unity, stability and development of the African sub-region and the continent at large.
“Former President Rawlings was a courageous patriot whose policies repositioned his country to attain greater heights in critical sectors of her national life.
“Indeed, Jerry John Rawlings was loved not only by Ghanaians but also by Nigerians, and indeed by Africa and the global world, for his candor, patriotism and quest for development, equity and fairness.
“Our party commiserates with the President of Ghana, His Excellency, Nana Akufo Addo, the widow of Jerry Rawlings, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the Rawlings family as well as the people of Ghana and prays God to grant fortitude to the bereaved and eternal rest to the departed leader,” PDP said.
Rawlings came to power in Ghana as a Flight Lieutenant of Ghana Air Force following a coup d’état in 1979. In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military and founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first President of the Fourth Republic.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu visits his counterpart Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sympathize with the state over the destructions and arson that followed the hijacked #EndSARS protest in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital.
Abia State State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has visited his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, where he declared that criminals who carried out the last month’s coordinated attacks on public assets and private businesses in Lagos State orchestrated the violence to hurt the whole country.
Ikpeazu condemned the arson, noting that Lagos remains a home for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, language or religion.
He particularly thanked Sanwo-Olu for protecting the businesses and properties owned by Igbo during the violence.
According to him, “I am here to commiserate and show my concern to my brother, governor of Lagos State, over the event that happened some two weeks ago.
“I’m particularly touched by the level of destruction, which will hurt all Nigerians living in Lagos. This is because Lagos is home to all – commercial city, it is a place where everyone speaks the same language.
“I want to particularly thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for giving protection to our brothers from the South-east during the crisis. This is an indication that our people and their businesses are safe in Lagos. We will continue to live as a united country. With all of us working together, we can keep flourishing.”
Ikpeazu urged Igbo living in Lagos to continue to abide by the laws of the state and eschew actions that may cause mistrust between them and members of their host communities.
L-R: Abia State Commissioners: Hon. Kalu Uduma (Budget and Planning); Dr. Aham Uko (Finance); Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) and others in a group photo during courtesy visit by the Abia State Governor at Lagos House, Alausa, on Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
He said the political leaders had drawn a number of lessons from the recent youth protests against police brutality, saying governors were now inclined to drive up inclusion in their policies and programmes.
In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu appreciated Ikpeazu for taking the pain to travel down to Lagos from the South-east to identify with the residents over the violence. He promised that Lagos State Government would continue to support business aspirations of the Igbo and protect their rights to live in Lagos.
In a related development, indigenes of South-east and South-south living in Lagos have paid solidarity visit to Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House in Alausa.
The Igbo leaders, who were led by the governor’s Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, restated their commitment to the growth of Lagos, while aligning with the move to rebuild the destroyed assets.
Igbokwe said a true Igbo son could not have been part of those who set fire on the public assets, adding that Igbo people are known as builders.
“The attacks are unimaginable in terms of cost and worth. There is nothing that can make a true son of Igbo to participate in destruction of the land where our businesses have been most successful.
“There is an adage that says you cannot go and pass faeces where they put your food. We pledge our loyalty and stand by the Government and the people of Lagos,” he said.
Leader of the South-south indigenes in Lagos, Isaac Emiyade, on his part, said he had lived in the state since 1977 and had never witnessed public protests in which public assets were destroyed at such level.
Emiyade praised Sanwo-Olu for promoting cohesion among all ethnic nationalities cohabiting in Lagos, pledging that people of South-south residing in the state would continue to support move to strengthen peace and progress of Lagos.
Responding, Sanwo-Olu said diversity remains the state’s strongest point, pointing out that the spirit of Lagos to host visitors and be a melting pot for all ethnic group has not been and cannot be dampened, despite violence visited on the state.
“One of our strongest point is our diversity. We must not allow what happened to demoralise our spirit to undertake the responsibilities which Lagos State has taken up.
“Lagos will continue to give everybody living here equal opportunity,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Senate Committee on Army, says it disagrees with the Federal Government’s (FG) programme on deradicalising ex-Boko Haram members.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Ali Ndume, who has always maintained a divergent view on the matter, again reiterated his disagreement with the FG’s move to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members at a closed door budget defense session with the Nigerian Army on Wednesday.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume
Ndume’s position which was the same as that of the committee, has always been of the opinion that deradicalizing Ex-Boko Haram Members is a misplacement of priority stressed that the Federal Government cannot be resettling and pampering former terrorists while the country is still at war.
“I am in disagreement with the government,” Ndume buttressed.
He further noted that Boko Haram members who are apprehended can be kept as prisoners of war, adding that in due time they can be profiled and tried in accordance with the law.
Damboa attack carried out by repentant Boko Haram member
In further defense of his position on the matter, Senator Ndume claimed that the recent terrorist attack in Damboa was orchestrated by a repentant Boko Haram member.
According to the lawmaker, the repentant Boko Haram member was feeding the terror group information regarding the movement of the army.
Ndume was of the opinion that it is unfair and not right to have the government lavish its resources on those who threaten the peace of the nation.
‘I Am Completely Against It!’
Early in February, Senator Ali Ndume pushed against the bill aimed at creating an agency for repentant insurgents.
The Boko Haram Bill which is aimed at creating a national agency that would see to the rehabilitation, de-radicalization, and integration of repentant insurgents in the country met with stiff opposition from Ndume who believes it is a misplacement of priority.
“I personally disagree with that. The war is not over and some criminals that have been killing people you say that you are doing Operation Safe Corridor for them.
“I am completely against that idea. They know my position on that, you can’t do that.
“It is when you win the war and some people surrender that you think about something like that,” Ndume said on the floor of the Senate where the bill was read for the first time.
He added that the idea of the bill will only make Boko Haram have more recruits since they are sure of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
“You are just telling people to go and join Boko Haram and then repent and become something (sic) that’s a totally unacceptable idea and a way of solving the problem,”.Channels TV reported.
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