Author: Naomitheboss

Security

We must stop the killing of Bandits if we want solutions in to Nigeria problems- Professor Yusuf

Naomitheboss

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FORMER Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Usman Yusuf has said that there is no military solution to banditry in northern Nigeria.

Yusuf said this while speaking at a live webinar titled ‘Nigeria’s insecurity: Addressing the challenges of Banditary and Kidnapping’ organised by The ICIR on Thursday, April 15.

According to Yusuf, while there was a very important role for the military in resolving banditry in the North, the solution to banditry would not be achieved through the use of force.

“Banditry in northern Nigeria is essentially a social problem and not a military problem,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria had been militarising what was essentially a social problem, and that the country lacked enough military personnel to tackle banditry and insecurity across the nation.

He further stated that the onus of resolving banditry and insecurity in the country no longer rested exclusively on the government and the military, but was now the duty and responsibility of the citizens of Nigeria.

Yusuf suggested dialogue as the first of several steps in resolving banditry and insecurity in Nigeria, saying there was no other viable option left..

“Dialogue is a legitimate tool used in all conflicts. It is used usually before a conflict, during the conflict, and after the conflicts hostilities. It saves lives, properties and is more enduring than war.”

Yusuf also noted that dialogue should be encouraged not only in the North, but in all parts of the country experiencing insecurity so that all grievances might be aired. He urged the leaders and citizens of the South-East and South-West to engage all warring parties in their regions in communication in order to avoid full-blown banditry in these areas.

It should be noted that Yusuf had gone along with the Sheikh Ahmad Gumi into the forests to dialogue with bandits in the North earlier this year.

A former senator who represented Kaduna Central Shehu Sani stated that the criminal activities of the bandits should be condemned and opposed by all. He also agreed with Yusuf that dialogue was a better approach to ending insecurity in Nigeria.

The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Chidi Odinkalu stated, in his own contribution, that nobody had the monopoly of grievances in Nigeria. While agreeing that dialogue was needed in resolving conflicts in Nigeria, Odinkalu asked where dialogue would end and advocacy for terrorism begin. He went further to state that the biggest bandits in the country were the Nigerian politicians.

The issue of crisis entrepreneurs was raised by the Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian Newspaper Nigeria Martins Oloja, who stated that crisis entrepreneurs should be expunged from the system and that the issue of banditry should be approached with sincerity of purpose.

Security

Kaduna abductions: Banditry Now Turning To War, Government Should Cooperate –Gumi

Naomitheboss

Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has urged the Nigerian government to take his advice and grant amnesty to bandits for them to lay down their arms.

Gumi was reacting to the killing of three students of Greenfield University, Kaduna by bandits who abducted them from their school.

Speaking to our correspondent on Friday, Gumi said the incident had underscored his position that bandits were now at war with the nation.

Health

Nigeria Needs N1.89trn To Tackle Malaria – Health Minister

Naomitheboss

Nigeria Needs N1.89trn To Tackle Malaria – Health Minister Osagie

The federal government says Nigeria needs nearly N2trillion to effectively combat malaria.

Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire, said the country required more than N350billion to fight the disease in 2021 alone.

Ehanire spoke on Friday in Abuja at a press conference to commemorate the 2021 World Malarial marked every April 25.

“The implementation of the new strategic plan will cost N1.89 trillion; about N352 billion is required for the year 2021 programme implementation,” he said.

Politics

Buhari careless about your murmuring, curses and noise- Femi Adeshina

Naomitheboss

“Kick like a dying horse, shout yourself hoarse, curse, murmur like a ghost, hiss like a snake, President Buhari keeps his eyes on the ball.

“It’s a big lesson to learn from him. When you are in the market, ignore the din, and concentrate on the person you are transacting business with,” said Femi Adesina, media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, in his latest article published on his Facebook page.

He stated this concerning questions about President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent medical vacation to London.

While mocking Nigerians who had “harried and harassed” him to know about Mr Buhari’s state of health in the piece, Mr Adesina asserted his principal would continue to ignore people who “kick like a dying horse” and “murmur like a ghost.”

Mr Adesina is notorious for railing against critics of Mr Buhari.

In the Facebook post, Mr Adesina insisted that Nigerians must learn a “big lesson” from Mr Buhari on ignoring public outcry.

According to the aide, though many Nigerians see Mr Buhari as a passive leader who ignores serious issues, the president chooses to focus on what catches his fancy.

“Some Nigerians have made it a pastime to pester and attempt to browbeat the president. I laugh,” said Mr Adesina. “They don’t know the person they are dealing with.”

“A cool customer. Never flustered, harried, or disconcerted,” added Mr Adesina.

True to type, on Thursday, Mr Buhari ignored public outcry against Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. He threw his weight behind him without addressing Mr Pantami’s grievous ties with terrorism.

However, Mr Buhari acknowledged that Mr Pantami supported terrorist organisations and incited the Muslim communities against Christians in the North through the declaration of jihad and fatwa but insisted that the “apology” of the minister was enough to heal the wounds and console the victims of his divisive past.

Politics

Speaker Gbajabiamila Rejects Call For Pantami’s Removal

Naomitheboss

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday shut down a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, seeking the sack of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami over his admittance of previous support for Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

Elumelu (PDP-Delta) who raised a matter of privilege expressed grave concern over the public outcry on the minister’s support for terrorist groups before his appointment into President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.

“There has been insinuation that he has direct links and personally subscribe to the extreme Islamic beliefs of Al-Qaeda, Taliban and Boko Haram sects.

In his ruling, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who observed that the Minority Leader’s observation came under the wrong Order, said: “Thank you Hon Elumelu. I think he came under the wrong order.

“Your point of order is well noted. But you know we don’t debate such issues if it comes under order of privilege, thank you.”

Lifestyle

Bill To Create Livestock Database Passes Through Second Reading

Naomitheboss

The Senate on Tuesday considered a bill to establish the national livestock bureau for the purpose of livestock identification, cattle rustling control, registration, and livestock disease control.

The bill passed through second reading during legislation at the upper chamber on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Senator Muhammad Bima Enagi, the bill is aimed at sanitizing the livestock industry and addressing the persistent farmers/ herders clashes as well as cattle rustling in the country.

Senator Enagi while addressing the House said the proposed legislation will greatly enhance the development of the country’s livestock industry.

Security

Respect yourself, resign honorably – Wike to Pantami

Naomitheboss

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, says the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami should resign from office, irrespective of his recent volte-face on his previous support for extremist groups.

The governor noted that in an ideal society, an allegation that the United States of America has placed a serving minister on its watch list as regards terrorism should jolt any government into action.

He stated this during an interview with the African Independent Television (AIT) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Tuesday.

“If it was really where a government is working if an American government says your minister is on a watch list, it calls for concern for you say look there is a problem. The moment a high government official is on a watch list as to regards to terrorism, no government can fold its hands and allow it.”

Governor Wike, said the minister ought to have resigned from the government immediately the information about his extremist views in support of terror groups became a matter of public discourse.

The governor described as worrisome the decision of the federal government to remain mute amidst the raging controversy about the minister’s sympathy for global terrorist groups.

“I don’t understand why a reasonable government will allow such a person to be in the cabinet.”

The governor noted the All Progressives Congress-led federal government is known for its proclivity to shield persons of questionable characters, even when the country’s secret service presents overwhelming evidence against such individuals.

“But you were here when DSS wrote a report against (Ibrahim) Magu. What happened? Look, I have never seen a country that your secret service wrote a report about the nominee of Mr President, questioning his character and the rest, and that he is not appointable. What happened? So, what are you talking about? What removed Magu is a power play.”

Governor Wike also took a swipe on the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not taking stern disciplinary action against former Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who recently claimed he conspired with others to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 presidential election.

“If I was the leadership of the party I would have suspended Aliyu for that comment he made. But, you see nothing will happen. The National Working Committee will not do anything. Why? They need Aliyu to support them.

“I cannot understand why you are a leader, so to speak, you come out and tell the world why you fought your party. I have never seen a thing like that in my life. Assuming you did it, you now want to rub it on them and that nothing will happen.

“If I was the leadership of the party, I would have suspended Aliyu and heavens will not fall. What does he want to achieve? This was 2015, we have done the 2019 election. Jonathan had lost in 2015, why do you come out now to say how you fought him. Look at where we are today. So, you are telling us you made us be in this position where we are.

“You are telling Nigerians that you are one of those who have kept Nigeria in this state that we are. And then the National working committee will not do anything because Aliyu Babangida is one of the untouchables.”

Governor Wike stressed that as a leading opposition party in Nigeria, the PDP cannot afford to accept acts of gross indiscipline and impunity, because it might undermine its chances to wrest power from the APC in 2023.

He said it was heart-breaking to hear that while himself and others were campaigning for the PDP to win the 2015 general elections, the likes of Aliyu who ran for the Senate in the same general election, had hatched and executed a scheme to undermine the party.

“I sit back here as State governor, I suffer, I struggle and campaign for my State to produce the highest vote for PDP. somebody sits somewhere and he is boasting how they fought Jonathan and you want me to be happy? You have even insulted the people of the South-South.”

The governor demanded that Aliyu Babangida, who is a member of the Board of Trustee of the PDP should offer an unreserved apology to the party that provided him a platform to serve as two-term Governor of Niger State.

Governor Wike observed that the PDP as an opposition party has not been forceful in its attack on the policies of the ruling APC.

He emphasised that the business of any major opposition like the PDP is to bring to the fore inhumane policies of the ruling party before the public on daily basis and spur the people to vote out the government.

“I am not here to help APC. It is not my duty. My duty is to make sure APC fails. Because if I help them to win, then I (PDP) can’t take over government. So the business of my party is not to help them but to make sure they leave.”

The governor described the growing insecurity across the country as worrisome, particularly in the South-East. He said security agencies in Rivers state have taken proactive measures to ensure there are no security breaches.

Health

Nobody Can Force Me To Take COVID-19 Vaccine, Let Me See Who Will Inject Me —Bishop David Oyedepo

Naomitheboss

Nobody Can Force Me To Take COVID-19 Vaccine, Let Me See Who Will Inject Me —Bishop David Oyedepo

“I have never seen a generation where you force people to take vaccines. It is inhuman, it is immoral sir, I’m not a Lawyer but I don’t think it is legal. You can’t come to my house and want to give me injection.

“On what? Did I invite you? They are confused. But the Church has the answer. Did you see any outbreak of virus here? How will it enter the gate? Will it come through the air? How?” He asked.

“One woman just got down after that injection in Kaduna. What kind of life? Are human beings now turned to guinea pigs?

“The world is confused but the Church is lighted. So the triumph of the Church will humble the pride of the world. They don’t know what to do Sir. In the last days, the Church will be reigning in power and glory. That is God’s agenda.

“No apologies. There is a big big bird in our land, saying “don’t take it, they are deceivers.”
Somebody is now saying… see what?

“Let me see someone who will come and inject me. By who? Are you going to tie my hands. How? Did I invite you? I know you are quiet, you will hear more of it. My job is to expose the devil and tell his agents “get off, we are not guinea pigs.”

Oyedepo added: “All this agenda: don’t go to Church” – it is a demonic agenda Sir. But they saw it and folded their hands. Thank You Jesus. That is God’s agenda for the last days.

“There is nothing man can do to stop God’s agenda on the earth. Until you can stop the day and the night from exchanging position; alter the place of the moon and the sun, you can’t alter heaven’s agenda. You fight against God, you are crushed. Nobody survives it.”

Politics

Abuja is the only Federal Capital where cattles move freely, graze on beautification flowers —Governor Ortom

Naomitheboss

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom on Thursday said Abuja is the only Federal Capital Territory in the world where cows are allowed to move freely and graze on beautification flowers that government spent so much money to plant.

The governor who believed in ranching expressed dismay that cattles are allowed to move freely and enchroach into people’s farms.

Ortom stated this through a virtual conferencing during the Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT chapter, stating that Nigeria has less than 20 million cattle which could also be easily ranched.

“Unfortunately, the cows are allowed to either roam the streets freely or encroach on people’s farms and other investments creating all sorts of social and economic sabotage.

He stressed that farmers and animal husbandry could increase production using modern technology of ranching instead of allowing cattles to destroy people’s farms.

“With arable land of just 2% and population less than 9% that of Nigeria, the Ranches and Animal Husbandry Agriculture subsector of The Netherlands exported meat worth over 21 billion EUROs, (about 9 trillion Naira), between 2016 and 2018 only.

“Ranching by law and policy therefore, if properly implemented in our country, will also yield similar results and have great positive impact on our economic diversification dreams and our food security.“

Politics

If a failure like Yahaya Bello also wants to be Nigeria’s President, then the country is finished — Melaye

Naomitheboss

Senator Dino Melaye, who represented Kogi West in the 8th Senate, has said if the likes of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi can be confident of becoming Nigeria’s President, then the country is not yet to ready for good governance.
Melaye who ironically, was one of the few politicians instrumental to Bello’s emergence as governor in 2015, said Governor Bello whom he described as ‘failure’, is not qualified to rule the country.

Speaking via a tweet, he wrote, “Governor Yahaya Bello cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure. You can only be the president of Agasa Development Union in Okene. Yeye dey smell. SDM.”

The ex-Senator, previously accused the APC government of being responsible for the untimely death of many Nigerians who had hoped electing them would improve their lives.

He said it is unfair for wicked leaders in the country to make it to 2021, despite denying many innocent Nigerians the same privilege due to the “colossal and gross ineptitude and incompetence” of the current government.

He said, “The cemetery is full of people who should be alive but for the colossal and gross ineptitude and incompetence of the Apc led Federal Government.”

He followed it up: “Insecurity and pampering of terrorist have sent souls to thier early graves and wicked people responsible (in and outside Govt circles) for thier deaths are not only alive but they continue in thier evil ways. God!!! Act NOW!!! Visit Nigeria in your anger and do what only You can do,” he wrote.