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