Nigeria: ‘Bandits Have Direct Lines of Northern Governors’, Ex-Health Insurance Boss Claims

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December 2, 2020

Screenshot_20201202-180423_1 — A screen-grabbed image.

A former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme on Wednesday said bandits terrorising northern Nigeria have the direct lines of the governors in the region.

While speaking on insecurity in Nigeria, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was a guest on Arise TV’s The Morning Show Wednesday described politicians in the country as being worst than bandits who loot the country and provide guns for northern youths to rig elections and dump them afterward.

According to Mr. Yusuf, negotiations between state governors and bandits are “the governors of the states importing from the bandits and a sign of failure in governance.”

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Mr. Yusuf said who appeared on ARISE News said in some instances, governors of the states buy cattle for the bandits and even give them money as ways of pacifying them.

“Many of these bandits have direct lines to these governors, calling them. I know Nasir el-Rufai refused to negotiate with them. The governors negotiate with them, they buy them cattle, they buy them birds, it is all signs of failure of governance from the centre to the states.

“We are negotiating with bandits and giving them the money of the people they are killing,” the Professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation said.

He added, “you know there are two or three types of bandits, there are bandits in the forest that carry arms and we have a lot of bandits in government.

“All those people that loot people’s money are worse than bandits. All those politicians that loot the people money are worse than bandits and they winning elections.”

Mr. Yusuf said the insecurity being experienced in the country is a result of the enmeshed corruption and bad governance.

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“It is politicians that imported to these kids to make them their political thugs. They give them arms all across the country, politicians give thugs arms and when they are done with them, they dump them.

“These kids have the guns, they become bandits and thugs and cultists and armed robbers, so yes there are bandits stealing our money and there are bandits getting our money ransomed,” he said.

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Massacre of Over 70 Farmers in Nigeria a Major Tragedy – VP Osinbajo

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 2, 2020

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images — Scores of bodies during a mass burial for victims of last weekend's massacre of farm workers just outside Maiduguri, Borno State in the North of Nigeria. The burial rites had in attendance Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum.

Vice President (VP) of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo says the brutal slaughtering of at least 43 farmers, who have been buried last weekend, just outside of Borno State capital, Maiduguri last week is a major tragedy.

The VP expressed sadness over the ugly incident in while speaking to newsmen in Abuja Wednesday.

“We suffered a major tragedy when terrorists attacked the Borno Farming Community. As a brother, father and Nigerian, I am incredibly devastated by these acts of violence.

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“The President and I acknowledge that we must continually review the conventional means of dealing with some of these security challenges, especially the randomness.”

Commenting on the measure to curtail tragic occurrences as this, VP Osinbajo indicated optimism that strengthening local intelligence and community policing will be effective.

“I have spoken to Governor Babagana Zulum and former Governor Kashim Shettima. A lot more focus will be placed on local intelligence and community policing so we receive information quickly and react faster.

Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the farming community in Borno State. We will ensure justice is served.

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On Tuesday, terrorist group, Boko Haram claimed responsibility in a video for the brutal attack on the farm workers in Northern Nigeria just as the death toll rose to 76. The Commissioner for Information in Borno State, Babakura Abba Jatau confirmed the rise in the number of victims of the massacre as search for more bodies began after the burial of the initial confirmed 43 corpses.

Gunmen on motorbikes according to villagers, attacked farmers on a rice field near Zabarmari village.

Video:

We suffered a major tragedy when terrorists attacked the Borno Farming Community.

As a brother, father and Nigerian, I am incredibly devastated by these acts of violence. pic.twitter.com/dqQyqDVA7S

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) December 2, 2020

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PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS IMAAN SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NAPTIP

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 2, 2020

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FB_IMG_1605767193994 — President Buhari presides over Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting in State House on 18th Nov 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim as the new Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu confirmed this on Tuesday.

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The new NAPTIP boss is a holder of BSc (Sociology), Masters of Arts (Management) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degrees, Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim, hails from Nasarawa State.

Until her new appointment, she was a member of the Nasarawa State Economic Advisory Council as well as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication to the Minister of State for Education.

Tobiloba Kolawole

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#EndSARS: Nigeria Appeases UK Government

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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November 29, 2020

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Afraid of being sanctioned by the United Kingdom Government over the handling of the #EndSARS protests which turned bloody in Nigeria, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has moved to placate the British government to present its own side of the story.

The Federal Government’s latest position was coming as the United Kingdom Parliament passed a resolution calling for an imposition of sanctions on some Nigerian officials over their role in the “violent suppression” of the protests.

But, briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja in Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said though British legislators may not be legally binding to impose sanctions, Nigerian Government would use the opportunity to clear air on some grey areas over the #EndSARSProtestsTurnedBloody in the country.

According to him, “The UK Government has been briefed. There was a UK parliamentarian meeting and the UK Government, which acts for the United Kingdom, has also heard the side of the (Nigerian) government regarding everything that has happened.

“So, we have been in touch with them and engaging them. As in every democracy, members of parliament are also able to air their views.

“What is important is that a balanced picture is made available to them before they take any decision.”

Idowu Sowunmi

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Adesina, Machel, N’Dour Engage CSOs to Address COVID-19 Impact on Vulnerable Africans

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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November 28, 2020

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COVID-19-Cases Channels — File photo: A health worker takes a swab from a woman during a community COVID-19 coronavirus testing campaign in Abuja on April 15, 2020. Kola Sulaimon / AFP

President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; Chair of the Graça Machel Trust, Graça Machel; and a musician, businessman and former Culture and Tourism Minister of Senegal, Youssou N’Dour, have reaffirmed the need to engage the civil society organisations (CSOs) towards building back Africa following the devastating effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the continent’s socio-economic life.

Speaking at the opening of the 2020 African Development Bank Civil Society Forum on Thursday in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, Adesina said: “The role of civil society in monitoring interventions is crucial and important to ensure they are effectively deployed to reach the poor and vulnerable, who are most affected.”

Adesina, who stated this while engaging in a conversation with Machel and N’Dour, assured that the African Development Bank would step up its efforts in reaching out to the vulnerable.

He said the critical issue was not the amount of funds that are provided by the bank and others, but who they reach, noting that transparency and accountability are also critical.

Thus, Adesina said: “We will work much harder, collectively and in unison, to accelerate the impact of our work.”

Also speaking at the event, Machel commended the African Development Bank’s strong track record of working with governments and the private sector.

She, however, appealed for an increase in the bank’s funding to directly support civil society efforts to address the impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach families in Africa’s societies.

Machel charged African leaders to harness civil society’s “incredible potential to accelerate social change at a larger scale” in the continent.

According to him, “These organisations stepped up, often with limited resources and in very dangerous conditions, to save lives and restore dignity to communities in the midst of this pandemic.

“Resources for organisations working with women, children and those living with disabilities and in the rural areas are desperately needed.”

To N’Dour, artists should be on the frontline of Africa’s development, given their pivotal role as communicators.

“Even in a place where there is oil, if there is no culture to explain this to the people, there is war…

“We should be able to say after (President Adesina’s) term that culture has been involved in the development of Africa.

“Culture is profitable and I’m available to provide my assistance, to work with my staff to create other champions in Africa, to take the African Development Bank’s work to another level.

“Africa’s time is now. This should not only be words or prayers. It is within reach. I’m sure (the African Development Bank will be able to meet this challenge,” he said, while speaking in French via an interpreter.

The two-day virtual Civil Society Forum, which kicked off on Thursday with the theme: “Engaging Civil Society in Building Back Better after COVID-19,” would explore cost-effective strategies and reflect on best practices to enhance collaboration between the bank and civil society in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual event was declared opened with remarks from senior officials of the bank: Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Wambui Gichuri; and Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society, Vanessa Moungar.

The second day of the forum would provide an opportunity for the civil society organisations to develop innovative grassroots ideas.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Nigeria to Become Net Importer of Petroleum with Launch of Modular Refinery

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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November 24, 2020

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President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said the establishment of modular refineries in the country will make petroleum products available in the country and eliminate importation.

The President spoke at the virtual inauguration of the 5,000 barrels per day Waltersmith modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State, as well as the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Phase-2 works to expand the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels/day, Presidency spokesman, Femi Adesina said in a statement.

President Buhari said the deployment of modular refineries was one of the four key elements of his administration’s Refinery Roadmap rolled out in 2018, adding that its implementation will make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products.

He expressed delight that Waltersmith refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State was coming on stream within two years of the commencement of the Roadmap, after many years of granting licenses for the establishment of modular refineries with nothing to show for it.

”Furthermore, there is increased momentum in the other three focus areas under the Roadmap covering the Rehabilitation of existing refineries, Co-location of new refineries, and Construction of greenfield refineries.

”The realization of the Refinery Roadmap will ultimately lead us to becoming a net exporter of petroleum products not only to our neighbouring countries but to the worldwide market.

”This modular refinery is the largest commissioned modular refinery in the country today.

”The role played by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in going into collaboration with Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company is novel in concept and superb in delivery,” he said.

The President described plans to commence the expansion of the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels per day to refine crude oil and condensates as an important part of economic reforms the country is undergoing.

”I look forward to seeing this new phase completed within the target timeframe,” he said.

President Buhari, therefore, directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), NNPC, as well as all relevant Government Agencies to provide Waltersmith Company all the necessary support to access crude oil and condensate feedstock for the timely delivery of the additional capacity.

In line with his administration’s agenda on jobs creation, the President said he was pleased to note that hundreds of direct and indirect jobs were created during the construction of the first phase of the project in addition to the various business opportunities.

Equally, he expressed hope that the construction of the second phase of the project will create bigger additional employment opportunities.

President Buhari thanked the local community and the people of Imo State for hosting the refinery, which, he stressed, will bring prosperity and economic development to the area.

The President commended the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the Chairman and members of the Governing Council, and the management and staff of the Nigerian Content Development Board for making the public-private partnership a success.

He also commended the Chairman, Board, Management and Staff of Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Limited for their professionalism and focus in getting the project completed.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the Minister of State, Petroleum, cut the tape on behalf of the President at the event which was also attended by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote and the Chairman of WalterSmith, Abdulrazaq Isa.

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Celebrating Nigerian-born Researcher and Medical Doctor, Onyema Ogbuagbu, for Helping Pfizer to Develop COVID-19 Vaccine

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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November 24, 2020

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Nigerian-Doctor-Ogbuagbu-Central-Figure-in-Covid-19-Vaccine-Breakthrough — Nigerian-born researcher and medical doctor, Onyema Ogbuagbu

The world has continued to celebrate a Nigerian-born researcher and medical doctor, Onyema Ogbuagbu, for his crucial role in the development of a novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

The latest of such jillion of accolades was coming from the United States Embassy in Nigeria.

The Embassy showered encomiums on Ogbuagbu for his wonderful contribution towards the development of the vaccine, saying: “Nigerians contribute to the world in so many ways. Our hats off to Dr. Onyema Ogbuagbu at Yale who helped develop a COVID-19 vaccine!”

The US Embassy described Ogbuagu’s effort as an “incredible contribution to ending this world-wide pandemic.”

Ogbuagbu led Pfizer research team for a COVID-19 vaccine using his several years of medical research experience.

It would be recalled that Pfizer/BioNTech recently announced that the first vaccine already developed against COVID-19 could prevent more than 90 per cent of people from getting infected.

Good news!

It has also been reported that the vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised.

To this end, Pfizer has assured that it would supply 50 million doses of the vaccine by the end of 2020, and around 1.3 billion by the end of 2021.

Ogbuagbu studied Medicine at University of Calabar, Cross River State. He interned at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki and later travelled to the United States of America.

Ogbuagbu is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Clinician-Educator Track and Director of HIV Clinical Trials Programme of Yale AIDS Programme at Yale School of Medicine.

Bravo Ogbuagbu!

By Idowu Sowunmi

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At Last, Trump Succumbs, Says Transition to Joe Biden Can Begin

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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November 24, 2020

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Donald Trump US Visa — File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event about citizens positively impacted by law enforcement, in the East Room of the White House on July 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP

The United States President Donald Trump has taken a massive step towards admitting defeat in the country’s last presidential election Monday night by saying he was allowing the transition to Joe Biden to begin – but immediately claimed he could still overturn his defeat at the hands of voters.

MailOnline reports that General Services Administration Chief, Emily Murphy, told President-elect Biden in a letter that he could start accessing federal resources to begin the presidential transition process early Monday evening.

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Murphy, in a letter to Biden, announced the move, but dedicated a considerable portion to defending her own reputation and claiming she had been threatened and harassed.

Her letter, notably, does not go so far as “ascertain” that Joe Biden is the winner of the election, despite networks calling the race 16 days ago, numerous states certifying their tallies, and Biden winning 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232. She also called him “Mr.” instead of president-elect or vice president.

It came just over an hour after Michigan certified that Biden had won the state, putting another nail in the coffin of Trump’s bid to overturn the election result.

The move ends much of the controversy over Trump’s refusal to concede and means that a concession would be purely symbolic.

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It allows Biden to get the same intelligence briefing as Trump, order FBI background checks on his picks for office and talk to senior officials in key roles – most notably, Dr. Tony Fauci.

But Trump tweeted defiantly that he had ordered Murphy to start the transition “for the sake of the country” and claimed he was sure he would win “the good fight.”

Idowu Sowunmi with agency reports

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Nigerian Government Acquires More Fighter Aircraft to Combat Insurgency

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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November 23, 2020

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Nigerian-Air-Force-Helicopter — File photo of a Nigerian Air Force helicopter helicopteroto of ephoto

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is expecting some hardwares to reinforce efforts of the Air Force in combatting insurgency in the Nation’s North-East.

A statement posted on the Nigerian Goverent twitter page quoted Chief of air staff, Air Marshall, sadique Abubakar stating that: “We are expecting 3 JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, 12 A-29 Super Tucano from the United States, and one Mi-171E. Out of the 12 Super Tucano from the US, six are almost here, as those to handle them have been sent on training for that purpose.

“A total of 200 Nigeria Air Force personnel are receiving training in 9 different countries of the world on handling combat aircraft. They will soon join their colleagues in the fight against insecurity and in particular, insurgency in the North East”, the statement read.

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Stealing Public Trust…Premium Times’ Low Premium Reporting, By Babatunde Raji Fashola

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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November 23, 2020

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Babatunde Raji Fashola 2 — File Photo: Nigeria's Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, has rebutted what has been described as a “mischievous and sensational report” by Premium Times on alleged illegal payments in the erstwhile Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

Describing the report as “irresponsible journalism,” Fashola said if anything has been stolen, it’s the trust of the public by Premium Times, noting that he would not believe anything the online newspaper write again.

Read the full text of Fashola’s statement below:

“The stupidity of the THOUGHT that a public officer will take such money on a consistent and repeated basis with impunity reveals the mindset of Premium Times about what they can do in such circumstances.

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“The pen writes what the mind thinks.

“That stupidity is magnified by the thought that the public officer who is trying to steal would be paying the money into his bank account where it can be found.

“The stupidity initially informed my decision not to respond to Premium Times in their latest publication headlined under my Name. It is a continuing line of a series of Attack FASHOLA.

“Regrettably, what Premium Times has done is to damage its reputation as a news medium for those who seek the truth.

“Clearly, no investigation was undertaken in respect of this publication as the report was from ‘Open Portal.’

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“If it was from the Open Portal then there was nothing to hide.

“If Premium Times had conducted any investigation it will find and report that payments like this occurred in many other ministries and have been a source of concern reported in other media by Compliance Authorities.

“If Premium Times investigated, it would have found and reported that Ministers do not manage accounts and finances of Ministries.

“A little investigation would have shown Premium Times that Directors of Finance and Accounts (DFAs) are those who do this job and they are staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and seconded to the Ministries as part of financial controls.

IPPIS

“If Premium Times investigated it would have found and reported that government in 2007 initiated a payment platform called Integrated Payment Platform and Information System (IPPIS).

“Any well meaning and right thinking member of the public will recall that this administration has been engaging all sectors of Government to fully migrate to the IPPIS platform.

“What has happened is that not all Government Officials who, from time to time, needed to be paid for approved expenses were registered on the platform.

“In order to ensure that government work was not hampered, the DFAs sought and obtained approval of the Accountant General to pay these monies through the Accounts of an Approved few who were on the platform.

“Those so approved then collect the money and disburse to the beneficiaries who sign Receipts all of which are retired and available for verification as approved by the Accountant General.

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“The Accountant General has recently issued new guidelines to deal with this process because not all public officials have fully enrolled on IPPIS and the DFAs have the mandate to comply and not FASHOLA.

“In all, no money was stolen or is missing. There is No Smoking Gun to criminalize Fashola.

“If anything has been stolen it is the Trust of the public by Premium Times.

“I will not believe anything they write again.

“This is not investigative Journalism. It is Irresponsible Journalism.”

Idowu Sowunmi

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