Obaseki blasts Oshiomhole - 'You are a very BIG liar'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbJuNb7-zkSKQGAOiRzoEIL0sdpLJ8qKZ9x9K7Kirn3n3AUc-UKwEtCjp7MZ04HJVZhvpp9uZ-tFvwuNED3GiPEnmqgwdKiOciMvvtiPz1qz8oz0Wgv5tyM0rLJbZr349O4WLQ0DWSHYa/s640/obaseki+oshiomole.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has debunked the claim by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that he begged to nominate a commissioner for Obaseki in 2016<br /> <br /> On the contrary, he said Oshiomhole single-handedly picked the governor, the deputy governor and the Secretary to the State Government.<br /> <br /> He also disclosed that Oshiomhole compiled the list of the state’s commissioners in his living room.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Governor made the disclosure on Saturday, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.<br /> <br /> Osagie said the statement was in reaction to a widely published interview granted by Oshiomhole at the weekend, where he claimed that he begged to have just one commissioner in Governor Obaseki’s government, as against allegations that he was playing the role of a godfather in the state.<br /> <br /> According to him, “We are once again forced to call the attention of members of the public to Comrade Oshiomhole’s ability to compulsively falsify the facts.<br /> <br /> “The ease with which he lies, especially on issues that are public knowledge, underscores the content of his character and portends an existential threat to the survival of the APC and the impeccable integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is forced to continuously engage with Comrade Oshiomhole being the national chairman of his party.<br /> <br /> “If indeed Oshiomhole appointed only Mika Amanokha to Governor Obaseki’s cabinet, why then did the former governor scream to the high heavens and embark on vitriolic media attacks against Obaseki when the governor reshuffled his cabinet, taking out some persons who were sabotaging the administration at the behest of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> “In fact, Comrade Oshiomhole compiled the list of those to be appointed commissioners in Edo in his sitting room in 2016, asides picking the governor, his deputy and the SSG.<br /> <br /> “Comrade Oshiomhole, indeed, has not kept his dishonesty and inability to abide by due process and the provisions of the constitution to his destructive activities in Edo’s political space, he has exported it to the Federal level of government, placing the presidency under undue pressure leading them to take decisions that run afoul of due process and the constitution.<br /> <br /> “A case in point is the recent incident when the President was away from the country and Comrade Oshiomhole got top officials at the presidency to approve the composition of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), made up of his cronies apparently in violation of the existing rules.<br /> <br /> “Uppermost on Comrade Oshiomhole’s mind was his desire to annex the NDDC and make it a slush fund from where he expected to finance the political tension in Edo State, towards possibly seizing control of the Edo State Government from Governor Obaseki.<br /> <br /> “He did not care whether the rules were followed nor the integrity of the people being appointed. All he wanted was to achieve his aim and keep Edo State under his stranglehold as the new godfather.<br /> <br /> “Fortunately for Nigerians and Niger Delta people, our calm and methodical President, Muhammadu Buhari, has since seen through Comrade Oshiomhole’s mischief and ordered the forensic audit of the NDDC and the re-composition of the illegal board which Comrade Oshiomhole was trying to emplace.”<br /> <br /> Osagie said it has become clear that it is second nature to Comrade Oshiomhole to be dishonest, not to play by the rules and respect the authorities, making him dangerous to the survival of the APC.<br /> <br /> He noted that Oshiomhole lacks the moral rectitude to continue to function in the office of the National Chairman of the APC, adding that the earlier this is done, the better for the party and Nigerians.<br /> <br /> He therefore called on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC to do the needful and rescue the party from imminent implosion, by setting Oshiomhole aside as the national chairman.

Latest-News Obaseki blasts Oshiomhole - 'You are a very BIG liar'

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has debunked the claim by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade A...

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Nigerians on alert as deadly disease hits neighbouring Niger Republic.

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHp2ds51EmyU1ro9ryixcUApyMfIbuLYsiso4cEc8hhUi11dvhQ40qD8nKPZKkBiK0gpoKy5IMnckmy8Xcapjyd15kaTXB8uPgSyemhTfPaGAF1Vq5wj01cMY-Or6U1bUGEScluo7lQph/s1600/doctor+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="425" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHp2ds51EmyU1ro9ryixcUApyMfIbuLYsiso4cEc8hhUi11dvhQ40qD8nKPZKkBiK0gpoKy5IMnckmy8Xcapjyd15kaTXB8uPgSyemhTfPaGAF1Vq5wj01cMY-Or6U1bUGEScluo7lQph/s320/doctor+test.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday alerted their respective officers about the outbreak of the deadly anthrax disease in neighbouring Niger Republic.<br /> <br /> Alerting its veterinary officers, the FMARD described anthrax as a deadly zoonotic disease with a high rate of mortality in humans and livestock.<br /> <br /> The Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federation, Oniya Alabi, said it had become important to strengthen surveillance systems across all entry points in border communities considering the mass movement of animals and products across the Niger Republic and Nigeria.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> He appealed for adequate measures to prevent the incursion of the disease into Nigeria.<br /> <br /> This came as the Nigeria Customs Service alerted its zonal, regional and other officers across the country about the outbreak of the disease in the Niger Republic.<br /> <br /> The Comptroller, Enforcement, NCS, Victor Dimka, said the alert was necessary to ensure that the disease does not spread into Nigeria.<br /> <br /> The alert notice from the NCS headquarters, dated December 12, 2019, was issued to all zonal coordinators, customs area controllers, comptrollers North-West, North-East, Marine Command, zonal commanders, headquarters strike force, among others.<br /> <br /> In the alert to its officers, the NCS said, “The headquarters received a report which reveals that the Nigerien Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of an outbreak of Charcoal Anthrax disease, Bacterium Bacillus Anthracis variant, in sheep and cattle in the country.”<br /> <br /> The service further explained that the transmission of the disease to humans occurs directly or indirectly from infected animals or due to occupational exposure to contaminated animal products.<br /> <br /> It noted that given the supply of cattle and sheep from Niger to Nigeria, the comptroller-general of the service had directed that there be an urgent need to place additional precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease into Nigeria through the country’s land borders.

Latest-News Nigerians on alert as deadly disease hits neighbouring Niger Republic.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday alerted their respective officers abo...

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Buhari not behind six-year single term for President bill – Presidency

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKa86MlRLl5oe1FzVfJ7Iu08DsISLT1vnNMH5n0tcH3LE-hqofrFzi3kSxJfdMEIefFVBaxYUrZJk0_IIyojcwRTKiX3G0W8a33d2vNJjL-qOyqZBTk-FcwVkpBECK_kWZbvRjMYukqfl/s400/Buhari+write+office.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> The State House has denied that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) had a hand in the controversial six-year single term bill that failed at the National Assembly last week.<br /> <br /> The bill, which sought a single term of six years for the President, state governors and other political office holders, was sponsored by a member of the House of Representatives, Mr John Dyegh.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> However, it failed to scale the critical second reading stage amid speculation that the All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Gboko in Benue State might be flying a kite for Buhari as part of alleged underground moves to secure a third term for him.<br /> <br /> Although Dyegh had emphasised that his proposal was meant to take effect from 2023 when Buhari would have exited office, it didn’t completely override the public suspicion that a bill could be amended at any point by the National Assembly before passage.<br /> <br /> Absolving Buhari of any involvement in the bill, the Presidency claimed that he was not interested in a third term in office.<br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, said Buhari’s speeches and actions so far did not portray him as someone who was interested in a third term, much less use the legislature to initiate the process for him.<br /> <br /> He told newsmen that the Buhari had repeatedly warned people against either using his name to canvass votes or expected him to back anyone as his candidate for an elective office in 2023.<br /> <br /> Omoworare explained, “To the best of my knowledge, the President has said a number of times that he is not interested in a third term. He said so a few months ago during the National Executive Council meeting at the APC Secretariat. He said it candidly and vividly that he was not interested. I have not seen anything in his attitude to the contrary.”<br /> <br /> The presidential liaison officer also recalled that during Buhari’s 77th birthday, which was held last week, he still repeated that nobody should associate his name with their 2023 ambitions.<br /> <br /> He added, “In fact, on his recent 77th birthday, he repeated it that nobody should use his name to campaign ahead of the 2023 elections. He did this for everybody to see that not only that he is not interested in coming back, but also that he is not interested in supporting anybody.<br /> <br /> “The body language I have seen so far is that the President is not interested in coming back for a third time. He has spent all his terms. God has been merciful to him. He has been a military Head of State and he has been President of Nigeria under a democratic setting and I have not seen anything indicating that he wants a third term.”<br /> <br /> Omoworare described as “wild speculation” any mention of the President’s name or his intentions in connection with the six-year single term bill.<br /> <br /> “I doubt if the President will now use a member of the House of Representatives or the House as a whole to sponsor a bill to ask for a single term of six years that he will be the first beneficiary,” he stated.<br /> <br /> Dyegh’s bill was titled, “A bill for an act to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for a single term of six years for the President and governors and a six-year term for members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.”<br /> <br /> He had argued while leading the debate on the bill that the current four-year term did not allow office holders to be focused on governance.<br /> <br /> Dyegh explained that during the first term, the occupants would spend only two years on governance and devote the last two years to seek re-election for a second term.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker also observed that on winning the second term, the first two years would be used on governance, while the last two would be spent preparing to leave office, an indication that out of the eight years, the office holder spent only four on governance.<br /> <br /> He added that when given a straight single term of six years, an office holder would be more focused.<br /> <br /> But the bill failed after the majority of lawmakers vehemently opposed it.<br /> <br /> The current four-year term, which is renewable for a second term and total of eight years, has been in practice since the Second Republic in 1979 and retained in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).<br /> <br /> Previous attempts to amend it by the 7th and the 8th National Assembly, failed in 2013 and 2016 respectively.<br /> <br /> The 2014 National Conference also recommended a Modified Presidential System that would have both presidential and parliamentary characteristics.

Latest-News Buhari not behind six-year single term for President bill – Presidency

The State House has denied that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) had a hand in the controversial six-year single ter...

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How Croatian police stole our N128,000, threatened to kill us — FUTO students

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ek30RI_k-jEwx9UrSjAYGAhOauLxPecIkFMm3ZTy2Ywt-Jn_rAmFMkleEbZhj90CxK2AUtCd-KFmd-1zQrkL-Wn7sW5ODxCzu9F04hm2-V_O6JovmYXvqgEN73poWyY_BncOpxv0G54G/s400/fut.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> Two students at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Alexander Abia and Eboh Chinedu, who were held in a Bosnian immigration camp for about five weeks, have narrated their ordeal in the hands of the Croatian police.<br /> <br /> The duo who returned to Nigeria on Friday said the policemen stole €310 (about 125,000) and another $10 (N3,500) in their wallets and also threatened to shoot them.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Alexander and Chinedu shared their ordeal with journalists when they were hosted by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in Abuja on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The two table tennis players were among five Nigerians who travelled to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, on November 12 to participate in the World University Championships in Pula.<br /> <br /> While two students returned home after the tournament, one applied for asylum while Alexander and Chinedu were deported to Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Croatian police which claimed that they were in the country illegally, despite having arrived in Croatia with valid visas.<br /> <br /> Abia stated that they went to Croatia with a FUTO official, identified as Ms Patience, adding that they lost touch with her after they were arrested by the Croatian policemen and deported to the neighbouring Bosnia.<br /> <br /> Abia said, “We crashed out of the tennis championships in the second stage, so we were supposed to return to Nigeria on November 18, 2019. A day before which is November 17, we decided to look around the city.<br /> <br /> “When we were in Pula, we moved around and toured the city. In Zagreb, we decided to look around when a policeman stopped us and demanded to know our identity.<br /> <br /> “We explained to him that we are Nigerians and that we participated in a table tennis championship, but the problem I noticed was that he did not speak English.<br /> <br /> “So, he said we should sit on the ground along the road. He made a call and another policeman came and they took us to a police station. They collected our wallets and phones.”<br /> <br /> Abia, a 500-level Computer Science student, said they were detained in a cell, but his colleague, Chinedu fell sick and was vomiting continuously.<br /> <br /> According to him, the police refused to listen to their demands for an interpreter, adding that in the night, they were marched into a vehicle with tinted glass and driven to the Bosnian borders.<br /> <br /> The trip, he said took over seven hours, adding that at a location, they were transferred into another van with 12 illegal migrants from Pakistan, Indian and other countries.<br /> <br /> Abia stated, “They drove us again for over four hours, then they stopped and asked everyone to sign a document that was written in their language without translation. I signed it out of fear, but Chinedu refused and the policeman kicked him, cocked his gun and threatened to shoot him. So, he signed.<br /> <br /> “They put us back in the van again and drove us for about two hours. When we got to a forest, they ordered everyone out of the van. They gave me a carton containing our phones, belts and wallets and the €310 and $10 dollars were not there.”

Latest-News How Croatian police stole our N128,000, threatened to kill us — FUTO students

Two students at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Alexander Abia and Eboh Chinedu, who were held in a Bosnian immigration cam...

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We’ve cut out wastage in governance – Oyo governor

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQegdnC3GJV5XG5Ka6SVkpWwD993jmqSNvEUmMnhD0PSGR04cGC1cyZkEAJA-enZv-URA90Mr35xFSA1hQFAIQb9MWekAqmKTic_uUArd8nOfo7AA9LzGwPw7WTjQBLTZfj0vEtTS5BT7/s1600/seyi+makinde+oyo+govenor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQegdnC3GJV5XG5Ka6SVkpWwD993jmqSNvEUmMnhD0PSGR04cGC1cyZkEAJA-enZv-URA90Mr35xFSA1hQFAIQb9MWekAqmKTic_uUArd8nOfo7AA9LzGwPw7WTjQBLTZfj0vEtTS5BT7/s320/seyi+makinde+oyo+govenor.png" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that financial prudence has helped his administration to run smoothly despite the piling economic challenges in the land.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> While speaking at the Governor’s quarterly media chat on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, on Saturday, Makinde hinted that he decided to reduce the 60 bank accounts owned by the state to only one.<br /> The governor said, “We decided to prioritise the needs of the people. Oyo State had over 60 bank accounts, I asked the Accountant General to consolidate into one account.<br /> <br /> “The IGR has gone up a bit, because we have blocked the loopholes but we will do more.<br /> <br /> “Oyo State government didn’t spend one kobo on the Christmas decorations. It was funded by the usual ‘Christmas gift’ to the governor.”<br /> <br /> The governor, who said he decided to cut cost of governance in consideration of the economic reality, added that he drives his personal car and did not approve the purchase of new cars for officials of the state.<br /> <br /> On the implementation of the new minimum wage, he said, “We have cut out a lot of wastage to enable us to fund everything which we have been paying for. On minimum wage, we set up a committee that will engage with labour.

Latest-News We’ve cut out wastage in governance – Oyo governor

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that financial prudence has helped his administration to run smoothly despite the piling econo...

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Nigerian govt raises the alarm over chemical, nuclear attacks from Boko Haram

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="696" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzztg2HwWYO4yyYKS-4VYn87Vmfk0XTQ_hGocQX-v1S6HRQR-Mti68_fz_ikyxcDiI1-dTEqGoBwJKqWAfVqhg2Hne1TwjSfJySWSUHXWXCRv4KDaflM0ADyWt5s0CK_3WxsVs7r60-1XW/s400/buhari+warns.jpeg" width="400" /></div> <br /> In what appears to be a fresh twist to the attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group in the North-East, the Federal Government has raised the alarm that the sect’s alliance with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria increases the possibility of it (Boko Haram) deploying chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive attacks in the future.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Federal Government noted that the proliferation of the CBRNE weapons, their means of delivery, the spreading of technological skills required for their production and the possibility of their use constitute a threat to national security.<br /> <br /> In a 60-page document, titled ‘National Security Strategy’, whose foreword was written by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), and was released during the week by the Office of the National Security Adviser, a copy of which was obtained by one of our correspondents, the Federal Government, however, stressed that there was the need for a counter-strategy to address the threat.<br /> <br /> The document, which was last released in 2014, contains the plan of action by the government to combat the security and other threats facing the country.<br /> <br /> According to the NSA, Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (retd), the document is to ensure that “Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, well-being of the people and the country’s institutions are preserved, protected and enhanced.”<br /> <br /> Prior to the latest possibility of using the CBRNE weapons, the Boko Haram insurgency had ravaged the country since 2009, particularly the North-East, and is said to have claimed more than 22,000 lives, comprising both civilians and soldiers, while over 2.3 million persons, including women and children, have been displaced and are now taking refuge in various Internally Displaced Persons’ camps across the country.<br /> <br /> The terrorists have also lost thousands of their fighters to the war as many of them have been killed by the military. But according to reports, the insurgents also recruit innocent villagers and underage girls, often used as suicide bombers, to carry out their attacks, in addition to enlisting fighters from foreign countries.<br /> <br /> It can be recalled that the African Union warned through an intelligence report that over 6,000 Africans who fought for ISIS might be returning to the continent.<br /> <br /> Thus, the AU warned its member countries to work closely with one another and share information to counter the returning militants.<br /> <br /> AU’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, said in Algiers, Algeria, during a meeting, “There are reports of 6,000 African fighters among the 30,000 foreign elements who joined this terrorist group (ISIS) in the Middle East. The return of these elements to Africa poses a serious threat to our national security and stability and requires specific treatment and intense cooperation between African countries.”<br /> <br /> Following the report, experts in security matters warned that Nigeria might be sitting on a time bomb as the fighters were likely to join forces with Boko Haram.<br /> <br /> The analysts warned that if the Federal Government failed to quickly install security measures to counter the potential threat, the insurgency could increase in the country. And according to reports, the attacks by the insurgents increased after the alarm raised by the AU.<br /> <br /> The violent attacks by the insurgents, despite the resistance by the military, had led to the emergence of the Multi-National Joint Task Force to combat the terrorists, especially in tackling insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin, which according to Buhari in an address in September 2019, had become like an abode for the terrorists.<br /> <br /> But, dwelling on the possibility of the CBRNE attacks by the insurgents, the ONSA’s December 2019 security document said, “Transnational organised crime such as illicit financial flow and money laundering, drug and human trafficking, proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons as well as proliferation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive weapons have a direct impact on our national security.<br /> <br /> “The proliferation of CBRNE weapons and their means of delivery, the spreading of technological skills required for their production and the possibility of their use constitute a threat to our security.<br /> <br /> “Although the implementation of international agreements hinder the proliferation of CBRNE and their means of delivery, the risk of such weapons and materials being acquired by terrorist groups and reaching states providing support for terrorist groups cannot be overstated.<br /> <br /> “Terrorist groups, such as ISIS, are believed to have sought to possess CBRNE weapons. Boko Haram terrorists’ affiliation to ISIS and their willingness to use any deadly weapon at their disposal increases the possibility of a CRBNE attack in the future, thereby underscoring the need for a counter-strategy.”<br /> <br /> As far back as 2015, the insurgents, a faction formerly led by Abubakar Shekau and another one by El-Barnawi, had joined alliances with the Islamic State terrorists.<br /> <br /> Specifically, in a March 7 audio message, Boko Haram leader, Shekau, purportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS.<br /> <br /> And in response, the spokesperson for ISIS, Abu Mohammed al Adnani, according to a CNN report, announced in a 28-minute unverified audio message that the pledge of allegiance by Boko Haram had been accepted by ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was later killed by the United States Special Forces operation in North-West Syria on October 26, 2019. US President Donald Trump announced al-Baghdadi’s death on October 27, 2019.<br /> <br /> Al Adnani’s message, which was posted online by ISIS supporters, said the caliphate, or Islamic State, had expanded to western Africa while congratulating “our jihadi brothers there”.<br /> <br /> Boko Haram affiliation with ISIS birthed a faction, the Islamic State West African Province, popularly called ISWAP, which is regarded as a deadlier faction.<br /> <br /> The ISWAP fighters, according to military sources, have more funding to procure sophisticated weapons as well as daring attacks on the troops’ locations to steal gun trucks, and other heavy ammunition.<br /> <br /> A report by <i>Punch Newspaper</i> on September 22, 2019, detailed how military commanders at the battlefront complained that ISWAP fighters used modern, sophisticated weapons, while they (soldiers) used outdated and refurbished weapons and equipment, including failing Shilka guns, procured during the administration of late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who was the President of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983.<br /> <br /> The commanders noted that beyond using drones, the insurgents were now using night vision goggles, thermal detectors and other modern equipment to attack the Nigerian troops, which according to them, was responsible for the increased attacks on the soldiers. The Nigerian Army had earlier in November 2018 revealed that the insurgents were using drones and foreign fighters.<br /> <br /> One of the commanders said, “The ISWAP is highly advanced in technology and in training and that is obvious in the way they attack us. They are also very innovative. In fact, if I can, I will call them magicians. Yet we keep fighting them with the obsolete equipment we are supplied with and that is why we are losing men.<br /> <br /> “Those terrorists, especially ISWAP, are very deadly and confident and they now use foreign mercenaries, who are foreign terrorists. They are well equipped and that is why they launch RPGs cheaply and easily.”<br /> <br /> About a week earlier, the President at the Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of the Economic Community of West African States’ Heads of State and Government on Counter-Terrorism in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 14, 2019, said the ease with which the terrorists raised funds and acquired sophisticated weapons to carry out attacks had become a matter of serious concern.<br /> <br /> A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, quoted him as saying, “The frequency of attacks, the determination and resilience of the terrorist groups as well as the ease with which they raise funds and acquire sophisticated weapons are matters of serious concern, which should engage our attention as a Community (ECOWAS).<br /> <br /> “Equally worrisome is the continuous spread of the menace of terrorism in the region and the growing link between terrorism and organised crime. This is why we must not relent in our efforts until we defeat the monster completely.<br /> <br /> “And the best way to achieve this objective is through coordinated regional actions and responses against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and inter-communal disputes, while we also put in place policies and measures that will address their root causes, including the re-establishment and protection of livelihoods.”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the ONSA’s December 2019 document in Chapter 3 titled, ‘National Security Threats’, noted that Nigeria faced a rapidly changing world with a diverse range of threats, which were multi-faceted and less predictable with blurred boundaries between external and internal risk factors.<br /> <br /> “They require an integrative national strategy and cooperation within a framework of regional as well as international organisations and institutions,” it added.<br /> <br /> The document also noted that even though the activities of the terrorists had largely been degraded by the combined efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies as well as the Multi-National Joint Task Force, there were still concerns that the terrorist groups remained a threat.<br /> <br /> It added, “The threat of terrorism and violent extremism has continued to challenge our security forces over the last decade. The splintering of Boko Haram terrorists into two factions has compounded the complexity of the threat environment.<br /> <br /> “The objective of the factions is to undermine the public trust in government. This is in consonance with the rise in global terrorism as a strategic threat with a significant increase in its logistical, financial and operational capabilities. The Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP have continued to carry out intermittent attacks on isolated targets with the ultimate aim of creating an Islamic Caliphate in the North-East.”<br /> <br /> The document, however, added, “The potential use of disruptive and emerging technologies remain a key concern considering growing advances in this field and the possible attack on Critical National Information Infrastructure,” especially with the risk of such weapons and materials being acquired by terrorists groups.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>How we plan to combat the terrorism –FG</b><br /> <br /> While pointing out its strategy to address the challenges, the Federal Government said it would conduct timely threat analysis and that in recognition of the critical role of criminal justice in counter-terrorism, it would strengthen its criminal justice system, including investigation, evidence collection and prosecution, to bring terrorists to justice.<br /> <br /> It added, “In furtherance of our national security objectives, we will sustain a whole-of-government approach through strong inter-agency platforms and mechanisms at strategic and operational levels to ensure the realisation of counter-terrorism mandates. Under these special platforms, we will conduct timely threat analyses and share information at home and with our partners.<br /> <br /> “In more specific terms, we will strengthen national finance systems in collaboration with international finance systems to prevent and disrupt terrorist financing. We will also deploy strategic communication in aid of security operatives.<br /> <br /> “We will partner with domestic and international Information Technology companies to counter violent extremism narratives online. We will upgrade border, maritime, aviation and cyber security measures.”<br /> <br /> The 2019 National Security Strategy document added that Nigeria as a signatory to a “number of international conventions on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the peaceful use of CBRNE materials” would pursue these commitments to ensure peace and security.<br /> <br /> The document added, “There are known incidents of the use of explosive precursors such as ammonium nitrate by Boko Haram to make improvised explosive devices in Nigeria. To improve our resilience and preparedness for CBRNE threats and challenges, we will carry out national risk and threat assessment for CBRNE material and facilities and ensure adequate implementation of strict measures on storage, transport, import and export of CBRNE materials.”<br /> <br /> The government also cautioned that the challenges that were likely to drive Nigeria’s security priorities in the next five years with both short- and long-term implications could be grouped as the following security threats; terrorism and violent extremism, banditry, kidnapping, militancy and separatist agitations, pastoralists-farmers conflicts, transnational organised crime, piracy and sea robbery, porous borders and cybercrime.<br /> <br /> It added that there might also be technology challenges and socio-political threats, fake news and hate speeches, environmental threats, public health challenges, economic challenges and regional and global security challenges.<br /> <br /> The government, however, promised that it had prepared adequate response plans to each of the challenges.

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Zamfara commissioner resigns, condemns governor's leadership style

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOB5EfH6FHKzGYu60cI6iVbV9_swaPNZx_-C-VSEcxWb5Z0__pBa1U70rtCzCGr3ODLfeOW7Ko5PUhui2mFNscgpzmu0ZHBXwfrHV9h5TCahrgv1inCh6NEKEOvZO-OB9dF3YaZyV68Uz/s1600/Zamfara+GOVERNOR+2019+Bello+Matawalle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOB5EfH6FHKzGYu60cI6iVbV9_swaPNZx_-C-VSEcxWb5Z0__pBa1U70rtCzCGr3ODLfeOW7Ko5PUhui2mFNscgpzmu0ZHBXwfrHV9h5TCahrgv1inCh6NEKEOvZO-OB9dF3YaZyV68Uz/s320/Zamfara+GOVERNOR+2019+Bello+Matawalle.jpg" width="286" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Governor Bello Matawalle</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <br /> The Commissioner for Education in Zamfara State, Alhaji Jamilu Zanna, has resigned his appointment, saying he was not impressed with the state Governor Bello Matawalle’s leadership style.<br /> <br /> “I am not impressed with the style of leadership of the present administration. I am not impressed at all with how the government is being run,” he said.<br /> <br /> Zanna alleged that almost all the appointments in the state were single-handedly done by the governor without consultation with stakeholders.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The commissioner said most of those Matawalle appointed did not play any major role during his campaign.<br /> <br /> Zanna said as the Campaign Director of the Matawalle Campaign Organisation, none of his members was given an appointment.<br /> <br /> He said this situation would not allow him to serve in the governor’s cabinet so as to avoid any future embarrassment.<br /> <br /> “Another reason that made me resign is that, when I was sick and travelled to India for medical treatment for 40 days, the governor never called me to know my condition. So I feel that I can’t serve in his cabinet,” Zanna added.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Bilyaminu Shinkafi, and the Special Adviser, Comprehensive Agricultural Revolution Programme, Alhaji Sambo Marafa, have debunked rumours that they also resigned their appointments.<br /> <br /> Speaking via his Facebook page, Shinkafi said, “I am still with Governor Bello Matawalle. I didn’t resign.”<br /> <br /> Also in a phone interview, the younger brother to Marafa, Kabiru, told our reporter that he (Marafa) was still holding his position as an adviser.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Matawalle has said that the reason given by Zannah for his resignation was not genuine.<br /> <br /> This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Alhaji Zailani Bappa.<br /> <br /> The statement read, “Governor Bello Matawalle would have vowed to a constructive and meaningful observations and reasons for any of his Commissioners to resign his appointment, but the paltry and shallow arguments of non fulfilment of promises to the people and failure to mention them is nothing but a political joke”.<br /> <br /> “It is therefore, unfortunate that personal and selfish considerations will becloud the vision of trusted confidants at a time when all hands must be on deck to begin a new era in the history of Zamfara State.

Latest-News Zamfara commissioner resigns, condemns governor's leadership style

Governor Bello Matawalle The Commissioner for Education in Zamfara State, Alhaji Jamilu Zanna, has resigned his appointment, say...

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