Obasanjo: Nigeria risks bankruptcy over rising debt

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria risks impending bankruptcy over the accumulation of debt by the government.

Obasanjo, who was keynote speaker at an event tagged: “The Nigerian Story, Why I am Alive Campaign”, which held in Lagos on Friday, said rising debt makes him worried about the future generations who would have to pay such loans.

Obasanjo said as of 2015, Nigeria’s total external debt was about $10.32 billion but by March 2019, it had risen to $81.274 billion.

“Our political leaders have suddenly developed not just a taste for, but a voracious appetite for debt. As usual, most of such debts procured are hardly thought through. Predictably, ability to repay such debts is lacking,” he said.

“Unfortunately for us and unlike in the past, the new creditors are less tolerant of our limitations and inadequacies and are now demanding to manage institutions and agencies with a view to recouping their loans.

“It has recently been pointed out that in 2018 that total debt servicing took over 60 per cent of government revenue. What’s more, we are not doing enough to address the fundamental, deep-seated and structural challenges that inhibit the expansion of our economy.

“Such a situation talks about an impending bankruptcy. No entity can survive while devoting 50 per cent of its revenue to debt servicing.”

Obasanjo, who served as a democratic president between 1999 and 2007, said to worsen matters, the present government is currently seeking to add another $29.6 billion loan to the already “overburdened debt portfolio.”

Atiku Abubakar, who was Obasanjo’s deputy between 1999 and 2007, had earlier spoken against the $29.6 billion loan request of  President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as an attempt to enslave unborn children.

Atiku said he and Obasanjo worked to get debt relief for Nigeria, accusing Buhari of frittering away their good work.

During his keynote address on Friday, Obasanjo toed the same line, saying: “My agony in getting rid of our external debts and developing a sustainable approach to address our domestic debts… it was a painstaking exercise that involved not just a national strategy but a continental and international one which eventually yielded significant gains.

“To now see all those efforts, go to waste barely less than 15 years after that watershed moment is more than disturbing. It is painful and retrogressive.

“Nigeria’s leadership was key in the campaign for debt relief in the late 90s/early 2000s. Our relapse into debt will be wrong, signalling to the rest of the continent and could be tantamount to backing the entire continent into another era of ‘highly-indebted poor countries.’

“For once, all Nigerians need to rise up and shout in one voice and call on the National Assembly to rise up to its core duty and responsibility and save our children and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren from being mired in debt.

“Let us use other options. Saudi Arabia, I understand, will be raising over $20bn to finance projects through private equity. We can do likewise.

“We have several national assets that could be used to raise some of the funds that we need in this respect for infrastructural development to give assurance to private sector investors and PPP (Public-Private Partnership) investors, if necessary.”

- THECABLE

CCT orders CAC boss to step aside over ‘false declaration of assets’

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has ordered Azuka Azinge to step aside as acting registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Azinge was arraigned before the tribunal on December 23 on an 11-count charge bordering false declaration of assets.

She was also accused of receiving allowances she was not entitled to as an acting registrar-general of the agency.

In its ruling, the CCT granted the motion ex parte filed by the federal government through Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), ordering Azinge to step aside pending hearing and determination of motion before the tribunal.

In a statement, Ibraheem Al-Hassan, CCT’s head of press and public relations, said the order was issued in Abuja under the seal of the tribunal.

“That defendant / respondent step aside as the Acting Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission over allegation of contravening provision of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act CAP C1 LFN 2004 pending the hearing and determination of Motion on notice dated on the 17th day of December, 2019,” the order read.

“That the Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry and the Chairman of the Board of Corporate Affairs Commissions pending the hearing and the determination of the motion on notice, dated and filed on the 17th day of December, 2019.”

The tribunal adjourned the hearing till January 6.

- THE CABLE

Banker, 3 others arrested, one killed in aborted Abuja bank robbery

The standoff between the police and some bandits who attempted to rob a First Bank branch in Mpape Abuja is over.
The robbers finally surrendered to policemen from the FCT Police Command, after one of them had been killed.

More startling is that among the four suspects arrested was a banker, a staff of the bank.

The spokesperson of the command, ASP Mariam Yusuf told reporters that normalcy has been restored.

The CP, Bala Ciroma, confirmed the arrest of the bank staff , who was acted as an insider for the four suspects.

- PM NEWS

UN’s plan to fight cybercrime

The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution to draft a new international convention to fight cybercrime.

The resolution, adopted by a vote of 79-60 with 33 abstentions, decides to establish an open-ended ad hoc intergovernmental committee of experts to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes.

It also decides that the ad hoc committee shall convene a three-day organisational session in August 2020 in New York, in order to agree on an outline and modalities for its further activities, to be submitted to the General Assembly for its consideration and approval.

The resolution requests the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres to allocate the necessary resources in order to organise and support the work of the ad hoc committee within the UN regular budget.

Before the vote, Finland, on behalf of the European Union, and the United States spoke against the idea and called for negative votes.

Russia and China asked for support of the draft. (dpa/NAN)

Kwara govt seizes Saraki’s land for new secretariat

The Kwara State Government has taken over a piece of land owned by the Saraki Family in Ilorin. It will be used for a new secretariat for civil servants.

Chief Press Secretary to Kwara Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye announced the decision Friday.

Ajakaiye said the land was originally meant for Government Secretariat and parking space of the Civil Service Clinic but was unlawfully allocated to a private firm, Asa Investments Limited, without any record of payment to the state government.

Part of the land, situated beside the Civil Service Clinic, is also right in front of late Dr Olusola Saraki’s residence.

The senior Saraki built a house and named it ‘Ile Arugbo’ (elderly peoples’ home).

According to the statement, no certificate of occupancy was issued in favour of Asa Investments Limited.

The statement explained that the government has now made provisions for the secretariat in the 2020 budget, although its construction will spill over to 2021.

“Hundreds of civil servants still operate from rented apartments at a huge cost to the government.

“The new secretariat, once completed in 2021, will definitely go a long way to end this unhealthy trend as well as provide a more conducive and decent working environment for government workers,” the statement added.

Ajakaiye added that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has signed an instrument withdrawing the allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 to the firm.

He said that the said land was unlawfully appropriated contrary to the purpose for which it was meant.

The spokesman added that the governor’s decision followed a resolution of the State House of Assembly urging him to reclaim the land because it was arbitrarily taken over in the 1990s without any evidence of payment by the company, even though the land was meant for public use.

The governor noted in the revocation order that the land was originally meant for the construction of another phase of the Kwara State Civil Service Secretariat and a parking space for both the civil service clinic and the secretariat.

The revocation order read: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999 and Section 1 and 28 of the Land Use Act Cap. L.5 of 2004 and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State of Nigeria, give the following notice:

“The Notice may be cited as the Land Use (Revocation of Right of Occupancy and withdrawal of allocation) Notice, 2019.

“Allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 to Asa Investment (Nig) Ltd. which is meant for the Kwara State Secretariat.

“The land, specifically and more described in survey No. KwSH 927 and Land/G1071 situated and lying beside Civil Service Clinic on Ilofa Road Ilorin, Kwara State, is hereby revoked and withdrawn for overriding public interest for use of the purpose it is originally meant for:

“The construction of Kwara State Secretariat; parking space for civil service clinic and the Kwara State Secretariat and annexe to the Civil Service when upgraded to a hospital.

“That the plots allocated are hereby declared void. Notice is therefore given to you, Asa Investments Nigeria Limited, that the plots of land 1, 3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 allocated to you and any title on the land whatsoever are hereby revoked and the allocation is withdrawn for overriding public interest,” it read in part.

- PM NEWS

Terrorism !! Ekiti community protests alleged Fulani herdsmen invasion, destruction of N50m worth of farmland

There was tension rose in Orin Ekiti, Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti State on Wednesday when residents protested an alleged attempt by suspected herdsmen to forcefully take over their lands.

The protesters, comprising old and young, men and women, lamented that the suspected herdsmen destroyed crops worth over N50 million in farms belonging to 70 farmers.

They alleged that one person, Mr Emmanuel Ilori was allegedly killed by the suspected herders while the Benue farmers in the town were chased away.

Parading placards with calls for help against the suspected invaders, the protesters chanted derisive songs.

Some of the placards read”Save Our Lives We are in danger in Orin Ekiti’, ‘Save Orin Ekiti from Herdsmen invasion’, ‘We are Tired of molestation by Herdsmen’, ‘We Won’t Allow Fulani to Chase us from Our Land’, ‘Government Must Relocate Fulani Herdsmen’, among others.

Speaking to journalists on the development, the Onikare of Orin Ekiti, Chief Bamidele Fasuyi, alleged that the herders, had occupied and destroyed crops planted on the abandoned 2500 acres of land at Orin Farm settlement.

“What they want is to invade our land and chase us away. They even killed one of our able-bodied men this year. They are imposing some sort of curfew in this town because our youths can’t go to farm freely and the government has not anything. Several hectares of land has been destroyed. They used to operate at night with AK 47 rifle’’.

“Over 70 farmers were affected in our record. Crops worth 50 million have been ravaged. They ate up farm produce like Cocoayam, yam, cassava and others and made them to incur debts’’.

“We appeal to the government to use the 2500 acres of land for farming. The state and federal government as well as private bodies should come to our aid. There were facilities like electricity, buildings and equipment that can aid farming if they want to invest “.

A youth leader, Mr. Omotoso Mathew Kayode, alleged that the suspected herders, had hoisted a flag at the farm settlement, where they warned the farmers to keep off or face death.

“They wrote keep off with a picture of a cattle rearer on the flag. This is a serious threat. The police , NSCDC and soldiers removed the flag last year, but they had hoisted another one.

“We used to do night guard to ward off attack,because the police had found it difficult to arrest them. Our graduates who have no jobs were going into farming , but they are suffering losses because of destruction by cows.

“They must vacate the place. Governor Kayode Fayemi must relocate them. From our findings, they used to enter into this place from neighbouring towns like Isan, Ayede, and Ido and we are suspecting conspiracy. There may be famine in the land with the way things are going.

“We are not compromising our stand on this relocation. Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led government in the old Western region acquired the land in 1958 for arable farming and not for ranching”.

Omotoso appealed to Fayemi to compensate the farmers , for them not to abadon farming Outrightly.

The Oniwaro of Orin, Chief Mathew Oke, said Fayemi should comply with his promise to build a police station in the town and rejuvenate the farm settlement to ward off herdsmen invasion in the area.

- DAILY POST

Police speak as assassins kill, burn Nigerian weeks after return from US

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered an investigation into the death of Mutiu Agbosasa.

Agbosasa was murdered and burned at his residence in Ginti Estate, Ijede, Ikorodu.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, in a statement on Thursday, said, last Sunday at about 2.30 am, one Rohis Adamu Dana, Agbosasa’s security man reported at Ijede Police Station that his boss sent him to call officers.

“A team of Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer rushed to the scene”, it said.

“Police found the corpse of the victim in his vehicle burnt beyond recognition. The crime scene was cordoned off for forensic examination.

“Homicide detectives and forensic experts from the State Criminal Investigation Department were deployed to the scene for analysis.

“The corpse of the deceased person was evacuated to hospital for autopsy. The security guard who is 44 days old in the employment, was placed into custody for questioning.

“In his statement, Adamu Dana said on 14/12/2019 at about 10. 30pm, he opened the gate for his boss to drive into the house and while closing the gate, four strange men entered the house through the pedestrian gate.

“That he heard his boss shouting that he should run and call the Police. That it did not occur to him to call the neighbouring security guards for help.

“Investigation is ongoing with a view to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death and to identify those behind the gruesome murder. Meanwhile, security is beefed up in the Estate.’

- DAILY POST

ICYMI: Three Nigerians abscond during pilgrimage in Israel

Three Nigerian pilgrims from Delta state reportedly absconded during pilgrimage in Israel.

According to Channels TV, Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of the state, described the incident as embarrassing, saying he was informed through a text message.

The governor, who said he had not confirmed the incident, promised to carry out an investigation.

“From next year, we do not want to have the incidences of people absconding in Israel. It is something that is becoming worrisome. I just got a text. I have not been able to confirm but I want to investigate that three persons absconded,” he was quoted to have said.

“We are going to dig it up in its roots to find out who recommended the pilgrims. It is very embarrassing, I do not expect that from Delta state.”

He added that henceforth the process of selection and screening of Christian pilgrims from Delta would be thorough to ensure trust and responsibility.

Pilgrims from different parts of the world visit Jerusalem, regarded as Holy land, every year.

- THECABLE

Diego Maradona snubs Messi, Pele, names greatest footballer ever

Football icon, Diego Maradona has named Argentine legend, Alfredo Di Stefano as the greatest player ever in football history.

Maradona, who is currently the manager of Gimnasia de La Plata, believes Di Stefano is superior to everyone including Brazil legend, Pele, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Juventus superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.

When asked to name the greatest player in football history, Maradona told AS Argentina: “I think the best was Di Stefano.

“He was superior to everyone, including me. Pele did not want to recognize Di Stefano.

“Pele’s friends invented a trophy for him as the living legend of football. But even I have beaten him to become one of the best players in history.”

Maradona added: “I think I’d have quite a few [Ballons d’Or]. But what Messi is doing is outstanding. I would never like to face Messi – not ever. The lad comes home, plays football, doesn’t sing the national anthem and they say he’s Catalan. I don’t criticize Messi [like some others do].”

Di Stefano played for Real Madrid between 1953 and 1964.

He scored 308 goals in 396 appearances for the Los Blancos and won two Ballon d’Or awards during his time at Santiago Bernabeu.

- DAILY POST

Liverpool sign ‘very quick and brave’ Japanese

Japanese international Takumi Minamino signed for Champions League holders Liverpool on Thursday for a reported fee of £7.25 million ($9.5 million) from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg, the Premier League leaders announced. 

The 24-year-old forward — who impressed Liverpool in their two Champions League group matches this season with the Austrian side — is believed to have signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. 

“Liverpool Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with Red Bull Salzburg for the transfer of Takumi Minamino,” the club said in a statement on their website. 

Minamino — who scored in the 4-3 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in October — said it fulfilled a dream. 

“It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player,” he told Liverpool.com.

“And I’m so excited that the moment has come true. “To play in the Premier League was one of my targets. “I think this is the top-class league in the world; I was thinking if my career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be able to play in the Premier League. 

“But I never thought I would be able to play in this team and I’m really happy about it.” 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Minamino was a courageous player. 

“He is very quick and a very brave player,” said Klopp. 

“He is brave with the ball but also brave without the ball.”

Liverpool — whose senior squad are preparing for Saturday’s Club World Cup final in Qatar — activated Minamino’s release clause last week. He will be free to play for them from January 1 and could be involved in the FA Cup third-round tie at home to city rivals Everton on January 5. 

His move brings an end to his five-year spell with Salzburg, whom he joined from Cerezo Osaka in January 2015. In total, Minamino made 199 appearances for Salzburg, scoring 64 goals, while he has earned 22 caps for Japan and scored 11 times since making his debut in October 2015

- PM NEWS

More than 1,200 women raped in Port Harcourt

“They forced their way in at around 2am. They raped us. And when they left, they stole our phones and money.”

In those simple words, Sarah describes the nightmare that she and her flatmate endured when two armed men broke into their apartment in Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s oil hub.

Who the men were remains, a mystery. Both wore masks.

Reeling from shame and fearful of stigma, the 25-year-old did not tell anyone she had been raped. Not the police, her family, even her friends.

“Here you don’t talk about these things,” Sarah — her name changed for the purposes of this story — said.

Eventually, Sarah, a trained nurse, became worried about her health and plucked up the courage to go to a clinic run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) that specialises in sexual violence.

There she received treatment. Eventually she found the strength to recount her tale to a psychologist.

The figures for admissions to the little clinic speak amply about the scale of rape in Port Harcourt. Since the start of the year, more than 1,200 patients have sought help there. In October alone, there were 148 new admissions.

Port Harcourt has many of the fundamental problems of poverty and inequality which are familiar to Nigeria’s big cities.

The figures for admissions to the little clinic speak amply about the scale of rape in Port Harcourt. Since the start of the year, more than 1,200 patients have sought help there. In October alone, there were 148 new admissions.

But it is also in the grip of notorious gangs called “cults,” which emerged from university campuses to become organised crime groups and frequently engage in blood rituals and oaths.

They carry out raids, ransom kidnappings and other crimes, in which the victim often suffers sexual violence.

“When there are cultist clashes in the community, people scatter everywhere, and armed robbers go inside the houses and they rape the girls,” said Christine Harrison, an MSF coordinator in the rundown district of Diobu.

The 42-year-old mother patrols the gritty streets, handing out an emergency number that victims can call — a task that she has been doing for two years.

“My job is to let the women know that they need to stand up for their rights,” she said. “Before, rape was a normal thing.”

The MSF rape awareness campaign includes messages on local radios and stickers which are handed out on public transport.

The situation, while grim, is changing bit by bit — a shift that came after nine women were drugged and strangled in Port Harcourt hotels in a string of gruesome ritualistic-style killings.

“We never saw something like that. The whole city just rose up. We said: ‘Enough is enough’,” said Ibim Semenitari, a well-known local activist who led protest marches joined by hundreds of feminists.

A police commissioner in Port Harcourt had initially urged women not to go out at night, and said that the victims were prostitutes — their bloody fate could be avoided by “re-education,” he suggested.

As pressure from the street mounted, the police arrested the supposed killer, cult member Gracious David-West. His trial opened on December 9.

“His arrest was a huge success for us,” said Doris Onyeneke, a campaigner and head of a centre for protecting and training women called Mater Dei.

“Women are vulnerable in Nigeria, and even more (so) in Niger Delta region,” she said, referring to the country’s oil hub.

The gangs are based on a twisted notion of masculinity, she said: “Members have to be aggressive, strong, kill, make a lot of money.”

Her centre, where she is dubbed “Lady Doris,” takes in many girls in need, some of them minors.

Theresa, a 21-year-old trainee seamstress, put the final rhinestones to a magnificent hand-made evening gown as she described the plight of many women in Nigeria.

“We don’t have equal rights,” she said, her back straight and an unflinching look in her eyes.

“Women are the weaker vessels. For them, we are good only in the kitchen or in bed.”

She added: “I used to be very shy, but now I can be bold enough and speak to the public. If we are empowered, we are less vulnerable. ”

*Reported by AFP 

El Clásico: Valverde to be without two key Barcelona players for Real Madrid clash

Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde will be without two key players, Arthur Melo and Ousmane Dembélé when his side take on Real Madrid in La Liga El Clásico fixture on Wednesday night.

According to Diario AS, Arthur is still recovering from a groin injury and will not feature against Zinedine Zidane’s men at the Camp Nou, as well as Dembélé.

Barcelona head to the game following a 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad in the La Liga on Saturday.

Real Madrid also played a 1-1 draw with Valencia in the La Liga on Sunday.

The kick-off time for the match is 8pm.

- DAILY POST

Nigeria far behind in eradicating poverty - VP

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria is far behind in eradicating poverty.

Osinbajo said this, on Monday, at an event to mark the 70th birthday of Abiola Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo state.

The vice-president said the country has not made progress in eradicating poverty because there was lack of “focused approach” by past administrations.

“It’s very obvious that we are behind the race in eradicating poverty. The reason being that before now, there were no systematic and focused approach to eradicating poverty in our country,” he said.

“This is why from 2014-2015, the APC decided to write social investment into our manifestos. So, the social investment we are talking about is not by accident. It’s a comprehensive programme to tackle poverty.

“It’s a detailed programme and the first of its kind anywhere in Africa. The programme is very seriously scrutinized by the World Bank and as a matter of fact, the World Bank is a collaborator.”

Also speaking at the event, Rauf Aregebesola, minister of interior, said in an effort to eradicate poverty, the rich must be taxed “mercilessly.”

The minister said there should also be a “rigorous” poverty alleviation programme in the country.

“My firm belief is that there must be transparency, rigorous poverty alleviation and anti-corruption programme,” he said.

“We must mercilessly tax the rich and the keyword is mercilessly. I mean those who are in possession of money either legitimately or through other means.”

- THECABLE

Aregbesola: We must tax the rich mercilessly

Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, says for Nigeria to solve the problem of poverty, the rich must be taxed mercilessly.

Speaking at the 70th birthday of Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of Oyo state, he said tax from the rich could be used to create wealth to help the poor.

“We must mercilessly tax the rich, if we are to cure the problem of poverty. We have two contending forces, the poor and the privileged rich,” he said.

“The rich have no problem, they are comfortable. The problem is the poor and they are in the majority. And the point is if the rich failed to address this problem, the comfort of the rich will be taken away, so they must release much of their money to help the poor.”

This is not the first time that Aregbesola will make known his position on taxing wealthy people in the country.

When he appeared before the senate for screening in July, the former governor of Osun state, had empahsised the need for the rich to pay heavy tax.

“We have left the rich men in Nigeria without discharging their responsibility to the citizens, particularly on taxation,” he had said.

“So, I am going to pioneer privilege taxes for those who have huge resources or wealth from which Nigerians must tap. If I go into this, there might be some ill feelings in some quarters, so I won’t go deep into that. I will recommend serious taxation for wealthy people in Nigeria.”

- THECABLE

Former president sentenced to death

A Pakistani court on Tuesday sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death on charges of high treason and subverting the constitution.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and later ruled as president, is expected to challenge the order.

“Pervez Musharraf has been found guilty of Article 6 for violation of the constitution of Pakistan,” Reuters quotes a government law officer Salman Nadeem.

The court analyzed complaints, records, arguments and facts in the case and reached a majority verdict. Two of the three judges gave the decision against Musharraf.

The charges were based on Musharraf’s imposition of a state of emergency in 2007, when he was facing growing opposition to his rule.

The former dictator arrested and sacked the country’s top judges, including the chief justice, who challenged his decision to remain head of the army while also being president.

Musharraf also suspended all civil liberties, human rights and democratic processes from November 2007 to February 2008.

Protests across the country forced him to resign in 2008 to avoid impeachment.

Last month, Musharraf issued a video recording from a hospital bed in Dubai in which he said he was not being given a fair hearing in the case that was filed by the government in 2013.

“I served the nation and made decisions for the betterment of the country,” Musharraf said in the video clip.

- DAILY POST

ICPC: NSCDC deputy commandant to forfeit 60 houses ‘acquired by fraud’

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says Adenike Ishola, a deputy commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), will forfeit an estate for alleged fraud.

In a statement on Monday, the commission said it secured a court order to seize Ishola’s properties, which include an estate with 60 houses, traced to her at Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.

The ICPC said the order for the interim forfeiture of the assets was made by Okon-Abang, a judge of the federal high court in Abuja .

Ishola, in the course of trial, was said to have jumped bail and fled the country.

“In its sustained determination to recover assets acquired with the proceeds of crime by corrupt persons, the ICPC has secured an interim forfeiture order on two assets located at Sabon Lugbe, Abuja,” the ICPC said.

“Following a motion of ex parte filed by counsel for the ICPC, John Okwor, Justice Okon-Abang of the Federal High Court 6, sitting in Abuja granted the order against the assets linked to an erstwhile staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ms Adenike Ishola, and her company, Faith Winners Properties Nigeria Ltd.

“The properties include an estate of 60 buildings at Plot No. MF1296 (10.9ha), Sabon Lugbe South-West Extension (Goza Airport Road), Abuja, and a property at Plot No.ED1295 (9.6ha), located at Sabon Lugbe South-West Extension (Goza Airport Road), Abuja.

“Ishola, a Deputy Commandant, and her company are standing trial before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in charge No FCT/HC/CR/101/2013 for using her company to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public into subscribing for allocation in a proposed housing estate while passing off the said estate project as collaboration with her employer. In the course of the trial, Ishola jumped bail, and available information indicates that she is out of the country.”

- THECABLE

Don’t drag us into your failed war against Boko Haram, IPOB replies army

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked the Nigerian army not to “drag” the group into its “pitiful plight” in the fight against Boko Haram.

The group said this on Thursday while reacting to the claim of the army that it was behind the circulation of a recent video which showed Boko Haram insurgents killing Nigerian soldiers.

The security agency claimed the secessionist group doctored the video as a tool for propaganda, and that the incident did not happen in Nigeria.

But speaking through Emma Powerful, its spokesman, IPOB said the army’s claim is unsubstantiated, and that it is “very typical” of the military.

“It is quite pathetic how the  Nigeria army would belittle themselves in the eyes of the world by involving IPOB in their futile attempt to deflect attention from their failed effort to fight terrorism,” Powerful said in a statement.

“The Nigerian Army must understand that Biafra is not Nigeria. IPOB have more important things to do that engaging in doctoring a video that is so clear for all to see.

“The video of Boko Haram torturing and humiliating the Nigerian Army … is real and verifiable. IPOB has nothing to do with the trending video.

“This shameful statement from Nigeria Army proves that the Nigeria Army and her sister security outfits in Nigeria have lost control of their phony war against Boko Haram and as usual are looking to blame IPOB for their pitiful plight.”

- THECABLE

Nigeria has about 14 million drug addicts – Minister

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has raised an alarm over increasing number of drug addiction in the country.

He explained that school administrators and parents must be proactive in order to curb the menace.

Speaking at a 2-day National Summit on Menace of Drugs and Substances Abuse among the youth, the minister, who was represented by the Medical Director Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, Professor Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf said Nigeria is estimated to have about 14.4per cent or 14.3 million people aged between 15 and 64 years who used drugs like cannabis, amphetamines, opioids, and cocaine at least once in the reporting 12-month period.

The minister explained, “The burden of drug-attributable diseases account for about 1.5 per cent of the global burden of disease, and around 9 per cent of the People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Nigeria reported living with HIV.

“Parents, especially mothers and school authorities have fundamental roles to play, they must create time and seize opportunities to shape children under their watch, to be the kind of youths and adults they would want them to be.

“The harsh economic realities of our time cannot be an excuse for not accomplishing the divine responsibilities bestowed on us as parents or guidance in the form of school administrators.”

Commending Katsina Government for enacting an edict on responsible parenting/almajiri right protection edict, the minister revealed, “a worthy effort is that of the government of Katsina state, who recently enacted the edict, ‘Responsible Parenting/ Almajiri Right Protection Edict’. This is worthy of
 emulation and it is important for all the states of the Federation to adopt and adapt these edicts.

“Clearly, all tiers of government are doing quite a lot to stem the menace of drug abuse in our society, but while the society bears the brunt of the consequences of drug use, the family comes off the worst, considering the stigma and the negative economic impact inherent with drug use and addiction.”

- DAILY POST

Renewed attacks: Southern Kaduna people cry out

Southern Kaduna people of Kaduna State have cried out over what they called activities of dark forces of evil in their communities.

The people said the renewed attacks have left many dead, while others are left with different degrees of injuries.

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, National President, Comrade Jonathan Asake, while briefing newsmen on the renewed attacks in the area by unknown gunmen in Kaduna on Friday, explained, “At about 6pm on Sunday 8th December, 2019, an annual football tournament to foster peace and unity between three communities had just came to an end at the football field of LEA Primary School, Zunurug, a peaceful, farming community of oegorok natives, close to Kagoro town in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state.

“By our independent findings, it was just when the last whistle was blown, signaling the end of the match around 6pm that the rattling of what sounded like gunshots was heard followed by torrents of bullets fired at the crowd raised a gust of dust, confirming to spectators and players alike that the deafening sounds were not just some ‘knockouts,’ in celebration of coming attractions of the Yuletide but rather, a lethal murderous bullets from attackers, whose identities and reason for the attack are yet to be unraveled.

“Within a few minutes, four able bodied young men, all married with children, lay cold dead in pools of their innocent blood. Four others were critically injured and were rushed to the nearby General Hospital in Kafanchan.”

He lamented that in spite of a permanent police check point less than a kilometre from the scene, “villagers and surviving victims insist that for over one hour, no help came their way from either the police or any other security forces or the military who all have intimidating presence in and around those areas.

“For the records, those who were killed on the spot are as follows: kefas Peter (39), Solomon Yohana (48), a secondary School teacher and father of five, who was also the football coach of the community.

“The others are Felix John (46) and Garba Barnabas, (37). It is pathetic to note here that Garba Barnabas had fled from his village Zankan to Zunurug as a survivor of herdsmen invasions of his communities in Takad Chiefdom only to meet his unfortunate death, the same circumstance he fled from, which indicates that nowhere is safe in our areas.

“The four others that were injured and were rushed to Kafanchan General Hospital are: Kajang Babangida who was treated and is recovering. The other three victims, namely; Francis Abba, lshaku Dauda and Justice Dennis were referred to 44 Army Referral Hospital Kaduna. Again, the Army hospital referred two of them to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Shika, Zaria. Sadly Ishaku Dauda (26) couldn’t make it, he died on Tuesday morning, bringing the death toll to five.”

Comrade Jonathan said, “On the early morning of Saturday the 7th, just a day before the attack at Zunurug, one Dogara Kazah, was killed in Agban Gida, Kagoro, about 2 km from Zunurug and not far from another military checkpoint. He was shot point blank by yet to be identified killers. Little was it known that this was just a precursor to the round of attacks that would later take place at Zunurug.

“Also in the past three weeks the following had been killed by unknown gun men in Agban, Kagoro:Yanbuwat Ayuba (34), father of 5 children, Clement Moses (31) father of 3 children, Felicia Hosea (31) mother of two children, killed with 5 months pregnancy and lshaku kazah (42), father of 2 children.”

“We have been told by wary and frightened villagers on the Kagoro-Gidan Waya flanks that they have been enduring severe suppression, molestation and extortion before they harvest their crops. Those who have farms far from their communities are forced to surrender parts of their crops to serve as fodders for herdsmen’s cows to graze. Failure to do so results in untold consequences.

“Also, the meandering Kagoro – Gidan Waya road has become a hotbed for armed robbery and banditry especially on market days,” he noted.

He observed that, “Based on various community sources reaching us, one Buhari, once a Fulani resident of Agban, Kagoro has been linked with several violent crimes in the kagoro axis. Villagers said that with political will, he can easily be fished out and brought to book.

“Again, there is a certain mobile police Sergeant, who resides in Zunurug, and is being fingered by many locals of the affected communities to be allegedly involved in violent crimes in and around the affected communities. From our findings, he was apprehended by local vigilantes when he was found in the company of a fellow suspected to be of dubious character and both were handed over to the police for interrogation, villagers have continued to insist that this must be thoroughly investigated particularly on his whereabouts during the attack at Zunurug.”

Comrade Asake expressed delight, saying, “We have heard that a special Force of the military has now been deployed into the affected areas. This is a welcome development. We urge all our youth, the vigilante service, community leaders and all the people of these areas to give full cooperation to the force and all security agencies in the discharge of their duties.”

- DAILY POST

FIRS, AMCON: Muiz Banire opens up as Buhari removes him, Fowler

Pioneer national legal secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muiz Banire, has spoken on his removal as chairman of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also commented on the non-renewal of the tenure of Babatunde Fowler as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS.

The Presidency replaced Fowler with a tax expert, Muhammad M. Nami.

Banire gave his full reaction in an article which gave some insight into the disengagements.

He wrote: “So, where we are! Tuesday, December 10, 2019, my tenure as the chairman of AMCON would seem to have expired upon the nomination of Mr. Edward Adamu as the new chairman of the bad loan vehicle. News about this development came to me while in London in the middle of a crash education programme.

“The negatively interesting aspect of it is the lamentations that trailed the announcement by some friends and associates who, in my view, had a disconnect between purpose of service and the relief that naturally accompanies the disengagement of an appointee with an alternative contact address.

“Barely 24 hours before the presidential nomination of a new chairman for AMCON over which I presided, Mr. Tunde Fowler was replaced in his chairmanship of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office by another appointee of Mr. President.

“Interestingly, I was disturbed with complaints and murmurs by some people who read lots of insinuations into the development and were apparently in a mourning mood, as if disengagement from a political appointment was tantamount to bereavement.

My position on the Fowler issue was simply appreciation of his service and contributions to the nation. In my view, he cannot and must not have any regrets once he is convinced of having discharged his duty meritoriously. The grumbling from the supposed well-wishers underscores the problematic aspect of Nigerians as a people who see appointments into political offices as open sesame to riches and an opportunity for self-enrichment.

“Whereas, in saner climes, political offices are seen as opportunities to serve humanity, to the glory of God, in Nigeria, it is seen as an opportunity for self-enrichment. It is only in Nigeria that friends and “well-wishers” roll out the drums, make uniforms (aso ebi) and rent newspaper pages congratulating a new appointee or a newly elected public servant on his “rare achievement.”

“Whereas, in saner climes, political offices are seen as opportunities to serve humanity, to the glory of God, in Nigeria, it is seen as an opportunity for self-enrichment. It is only in Nigeria that friends and “well-wishers” roll out the drums, make uniforms (aso ebi) and rent newspaper pages congratulating a new appointee or a newly elected public servant on his “rare achievement.”

“The purpose of this outlandish display of craziness is just to ingratiate themselves with the appointee for him to remember each and every one of them in his “father’s kingdom,” which they consider political appointments to represent. Representatives from his village, religious congregation, in-laws and several newly self-discovered relatives would bombard his doorstep in celebration of his new status and achievement.

“No one thinks of challenges the appointee is likely to meet in office or whether he would succeed in his responsibilities or not. At times, such nominees do not even know how to navigate the new terrain. From this unfortunate moment, demands would start piling up on his back; those whose children and wards have been sent away from school for failing to pay school fees would appoint him an emergency Rockefeller.

“Those who want to celebrate birthdays, those who want to pay hospital bills and so many more would turn his doorstep to a Father Christmas yard where goodies from public coffers are meant to be shared in unrestrained generosity.

“The tap of public resources in his care must flow like water from Niagara Falls without care for accountability or any sense of responsibility. Some believe that their search for job over the years has come to a terminal point with their relative having been appointed into a public office. This belief does not realise that the office into which their kinsman is entering has its fair share of the national workforce, the burden of which probably has been openly calling for downsizing.

“This is why election or appointment into public office is seen as an opportunity to share the national cake. It is evident and incontestable that, for a people with this kind of mentality, termination of appointment, loss of political office or disengagement from public office in whatever manner is a terrible disaster worse than loss of a child. And that is why many go so fetish and inhuman as to engage in all manner of sacrifices and disorientating mortgage of their spiritual existence to the Devil.

“Once an appointee is relieved of his appointment, mournful glares compete on burrowed foreheads, languid expressions of personal losses dominate discussions among beneficiaries or intended beneficiaries of loot from a public office recently lost.

“Lots of motives, from ethnicity to religion, to personal scores and political intrigues are adduced as reasons why the appointer must have terminated the appointment or disengaged the public office holder. In my situation, messages of consolation and clear condemnation oozed from some mouths the moment it was announced that a new nomination had been made.

“It was a terrible distraction as I was struggling to imbibe as much as possible from the highly intellectually resourceful lecturer that was handling the on-going session. Calls came into my phone in torrents. Loads of messages poured into my phone with the constant flashes of light from the mobile gadget constituting a needless distraction until I had to switch it off.

“I contemplated what could be the problem with my people sympathizing disengagement from office as if it was a deprivation of valuables by armed robbers or loss of an edifice to a raging inferno. What mentality dictated the somber and lugubrious feelings being expressed by some friends save for a few others whose dignifying understanding of political appointment is superb enough to appreciate that it is merely an opportunity to serve and no more?

“That you were considered worthy to serve the public in an elective or appointive office is an opportunity to give your best to the community to the benefit of the living and in preparation of a decent living for the yet unborn generations. It must not be regarded as a kingship on which someone should expect life tenure.

“It is a temporary occupation of office that must terminate one day, either scheduled statutorily or otherwise. It is only when we realise this that the humanity in us shall radiate to the uplifting of our society. It is at such point that our sense of uprightness can compete with that of people of other climes. This can only be guaranteed when politicians and political appointees prepare themselves for self-sustenance in and out of office with what I call an “alternative address.”

“The concept of alternative address is a legitimate business or vocation from which one can pay one’s bills conveniently without expecting loot from a public office. It is a platform, the proceeds from which can sustain you and your family needs whether you are in office or out of office. This has been my advocacy in the last decade and the earlier the voters appreciate this, the better for our nation.

“In fact, as may be recalled, during the resistance to my nomination at inception, I clearly made this point that “I am not jobless and, therefore, not in search of any appointment.” I only owe the nation my service whenever called upon and I have the capacity to deliver.

“Having alternative contact address is the only thing that will make you comfortable as not to pander to enticing suggestions of unscrupulous elements who would justify their greed with you-profit-from-where-you-serve mentality and disposition.

“It is only this that can shield you from the rapacious tendency to dip fingers of larceny into the public cashbox. You must have an alternative address so that you do not join those you condemned before you had the opportunity to saunter into public office.

“My days in AMCON as chairman were dominated by pressure I gladly entertained with all sense of responsibility in order to be able to serve my people. While it had its enticing pomp of “Mr. Chairman” appellation, it was a part-time service with only mandatory nine days of service in a whole year.”

- DAILY POST

Sultan to political leaders: Disobeying court orders will lead to anarchy

Sa’ad Abubakar, the sultan of Sokoto, says political leaders who disobey court orders are setting a dangerous precedent.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the fourth quarter meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, the sultan said disregard for the courts will lead to lawlessness.

Abubakar said court orders must be obeyed to the letter.

He also asked Nigerians to be law-abiding in the interest of national development.

“We must regularly obey and respect the laws of our land. We should never disregard the laws to avoid the consequences,” the sultan said.

“If a court makes a judicial pronouncement on a particular matter, it should be obeyed to the letter.

“If you have any problem or disagree with the pronouncement, the next step is to appeal the pronouncement instead of disregarding or violating court judgments.

“If you are served a court order and you deliberately refused to obey it because you are a governor, president or any influential person, then you are setting a dangerous precedent.

“There’s no society that will prosper through lawlessness; citizens must be law-abiding so that we can achieve the desired development.”

The monarch added that inter-religious dialogue among the people will help the citizens understand one another better.

- THECABLE

Man City players banned from attending Christmas party

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, cancelled Christmas for his first-team stars, as they were banned from attending the club’s festive party, according to Goal.

Guardiola is keen to avoid another festive slump, like the one which threatened to derail their treble hopes last year.

After last year’s celebrations, Manchester City were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace and then lost to Leicester four days later. They eventually recovered to successfully defend their Premier League title.

And with City currently 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool, Guardiola has taken action to avoid a similar slump by banning players from this year’s bash.

The party took place at a city-centre venue on Thursday, just three days before the team head to the Emirates to face Arsenal.

- PM NEWS

Ex-Golden Eaglets player, Philip Osondu is dead

Philip Osondu, who was the star boy of Nigeria’s Under-17 Golden Eaglets’ exploit in Canada in 1987, is dead.

He reportedly died in Belgium at the age of 48 after taking self to the hospital to be examined on Thursday.

According to the Nation, Osondu was said to have felt unwell at work and decided to visit the hospital where he subsequently died.

Osondu played regularly for the youth teams of Nigeria, but never reached the first team.

In 1987 he participated in the World U-16 tournament in Canada. Nigeria reached the final, but then lost on penalties to the Soviet Union.

He got the World Cup Golden Ball as best player of the tournament.

Osondu was born on 28 November, 1971. He played in Belgium for teams, including RSC Anderlecht and RWDM.

Osondu played in his native Nigeria for El Kanemi Warriors when RSC Anderlecht brought him to Belgium in 1988. The attacker was seen as an emerging football talent and was transferred to Anderlecht that was a promising team. A year later, the 18-year-old striker made his debut at the highest level in an away match against Germinal Ekeren in 1989 playing under coach Aad de Mos.

However, there was a lot of competition at Anderlecht with players like Luc Nilis, Luis Oliveira, Marc Van Der Linden and Gert Verheyen which made Osondu appear barely at the games. Between 1990 and 1992 the Nigerian was also loaned to neighbors RWDM.

When RWDM got Osondu, coach Hugo Broos gave him more playing opportunities. For the first time in the First Division, he also found the back of the goal. Osondu scored his first goal in a 4-1 win over Beerschot VAV. A year later Broos left for Club Brugge and was succeeded by Ladislav Novák. This led to fewer opportunities to play for Osondu, which in the summer led to his return to Anderlecht.

In 1994, Osondu moved to second division club La Louviere, where the small and technically gifted striker scored five times in twenty matches. A season later he swapped La Louvière during the winter break for Union Saint Gillis, where he completed the rest of the season. Afterwards he played several years for Diegem Sport and FC Merchtem 2000.

Osondu, who was regarded in his own country as a great talent and also received high praise as a youth international, could never fulfill his potential in Belgium.

- PM NEWS