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EndSARS Protesters Not Banned from Foreign Trips- FG

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The Federal Government said yesterday that it has not  banned any  debunked allegation in the social media that it has not banned participants in the recent  #EndSARS protest from travelling out of the country.

It said there was ‘no-fly list’ of youths who participated in the #EndSARS protests, as stated by   report circulating in the social media.

 

Ministry of Interior stated this in a tweet @MinOfInteriorNG, yesterday that: “The Ministry of Interior did not, has not and will not generate any no-fly list” and urgd the general public to ignore the story and grade it as “fake news”.

An #EndSARS mobiliser, Modupe Odele, was stopped from travelling by  the Nigerian Immigration Service on Monday.

Though there was explanation for the action, it was believed to be related to her mobilisation for the protests.

Odele, through her Twitter handle, @Mochievous, canvassed support for the protests, spurring on her 219,000 followers.

She offered free legal aid to persons who were unjustly arrested during the demonstrations, aside from giving details of support for protesters.

The lawyer said she was on her way to the Maldives to celebrate her birthday when she was accosted by immigration officers.

Odele said she was detained, while her passport was seized by the officers, forcing her to miss her flight.

Sowore Accused of Hijacking Rallies

In a related development, the Body of Genuine #EndSARS protesters yesterday raised the alarm over the attempts by the #RevolutionNow convener and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, to hijack the agitation to pursue his agenda.

The group drew attention to Sunday, November 1, 2020 event in Abuja, where some persons were seen protesting under the auspices of #EndSARS, as an indication of a selfish ploy to revive the now-rested nationwide protests.

Recall that the said protesters, with Sowore assuming a prominent place, had besieged the precincts of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, as well as the Force Headquarters, where they left the “#EndSARS” inscription boldly on the roads.

This attempt to revive the demonstrations, however, had been greeted by angry reaction from the original promoters of #EndSARS protests, who have called on the youths in the country, to disregard the revivalist agenda.

The Genuine #EndSARS protesters, in a statement yesterday by Dr Orji Nwakocha (South East); Dr Aremu Babatunde (South West); Comrade Frank Jaja (South South); Alhaji Ibrahim Dan Iya (North West); Sheik Mohammed Adamu (North East); Mr. Dakwohi Samson (FCT); and Comrade Peter Yohana (North Central), accused Sowore of a deliberate attempt to blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the group, the need for citizens to give government’s at all levels the chance to address the concerns that necessitated the #EndSARS demonstrations, had become compelling, moreso that commitments had already been made.

It submitted that the antecedents of Sowore, who had led a failed “revolution” attempt, could not inspire meaningful followership, hence the need to disown him.

“The attention of the Genuine #EndSARS protesters has been drawn to the Sunday, November 1, 2020 attempt in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to relaunch the now-rested nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to the dreaded police squad, and general reform of the Nigeria Police.

“Leading this unpopular move is one Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of the controversial online news platform, Sahara Reporters.

“Ordinarily, the Genuine #EndSARS protesters would not have dignified this latest development, but for the character, disposition and antecedent of the person at the centre of this, whose infamy remains unparalleled in contemporary Nigerian politics,” the group said in the statement.

The organisation further chronicled the recent events that characterised the person of Sowore, culminating in his ongoing trial before a competent court of jurisdiction.

According to the statement, “Nigerians will recall that Sowore had, sometime in 2019, attempted to lead a failed ‘revolution’ against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, leading to his arrest and ongoing trial on a 7-count criminal charge bordering on treason, money laundering and cyber-stalking, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

“It may be further recalled that, owing to the entrenchment of democratic tenets under the current administration, which adheres strictly to the principle of rule of law, institutional independence/non-interference, the court graciously granted Sowore bail, with conditions attached therein.

“One of such conditions was a restriction on addressing public gatherings, until the criminal trial was concluded.

“In his characteristic disobedience to law and properly constituted authorities, Sowore has continued to observe that aspect of his bail conditions in the breach.

“We have taken the pain of articulating these points, to show to the world who this man truly is, as a prelude to the obvious attempt to hijack a worthy cause initiated by patriotic youths with genuine agitations.

“Having said this, we wish to unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the attempt by Sowore and his few co-travellers, to re-launch the #EndSARS protests, which have since been rested by the original promoters, to allow action from governments at the various levels.

“We make bold to say that, considering the aftermath of the nationwide protests – as seen in the hijack by hoodlums and attendant deaths, destruction of public and private property – no responsible citizen would want to re-ignite the event.”

It concluded thus: “Clearly, this move – to all intent and purposes – is manifestly tendentious, overtly self-serving and anything but altruistic.

“It is designed to further his selfish agenda of blackmailing the federal government, and we completely dissociate ourselves from this move by a man seen in many instances as a meddlesome interloper, who seeks to hijack noble causes, for premeditated ends.

“We, hereby, call on millions of our articulate, ever-conscious and responsible youths across the 36 states of the federation, and the FCT, to resist these latest antics by Sowore, as it will not only threaten the relative peace being enjoyed today, but disturb the socio-economic fabric of a nation negotiating recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Govs Meet over Security, COVID-19 palliatives

Meanwhile, the governors of 36 states are meeting today in Abuja to review the effects of the just- ended #EndSARS protests in relation to internal security, the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and other related issues.

The Head, Media and Public Affairs, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said the issues would form the main focus of the 21st NGF teleconference scheduled for 2pm today.

Bello-Barkindo said, “by the invitation sent to NGF members by the Director General, Asishana Okauru, the governors would be reviewing the internal security situation in the country and the status of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) whose activities in some parts of the country, led to the recent nationwide demonstrations.

 “Along with this is the overview from different quarters arising from the CACOVID palliatives flag-offs cum distribution and the subsequent indiscriminate looting of various warehouses throughout the country, which resulted from the demonstrations.

“As usual, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, will give a remark on the most contemporary issues affecting the country since the last (20th NGF Teleconference) meeting.

“In this regard, the Ekiti State Governor will be addressing his colleagues on several issues including a feedback from the villa on the UBEC counterpart funding as schools are reopening nationwide and the 50th anniversary of Arewa, which took place in Kaduna at the weekend, where the Chairman and a host of northern governors were in attendance.

“Only one presentation is on the schedule for today’s meeting. It is the Digital Curriculum Initiative for Basic and Secondary Education ingeniously tagged the e-Gamma solutions ltd.

“Before the floor is open for any other business, the regular updates on the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme and the Governor Okowa Committee which liaises between the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID19 and the NGF will both provide an update.

“Governors are expected, according to the NGF Director General, to join the virtual meeting at 1pm as proceedings commence at 2pm prompt.”

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Tinubu Makes Numerous Promises at Slain Soldiers Burial

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the military to within the next 90 days ensure that all the benefits of the 17 officers and men of the army killed in Okuama on March 14 be paid to their families.

Tinubu said that government would provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

He said that all the children of the deceased would enjoy a Federal Government scholarship up to University level.

He described the officers and soldiers as patriotic, brave and gallant Nigerians.

The president said that the deceased gave their lives to defend and protect the Nation against internal and external threats.

At the burial ceremony of the officers and soldiers on Wednesday in Abuja, Tinubu said that their death serves as a rallying point for Nigerians to condemn crime and criminality.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers, seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.“The officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats,” he said.The 17 military personnel killed included Lt.-Col. Ali, Maj. D.E Obi, Maj. S.D. Ashafa, Capt. U. Zakari, Staff Sgt. Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi, and Lance Corporal Bello Anas.The rest were Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu.Tinubu said that the deceased have all been awarded posthumous national honours.“The four gallant Officers have been awarded Member of the Order of Niger (MON). And the 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded Officer of the Federal Republic Medals.“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognise your valour and bravery.

“I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers and insurrectionists.”The President urged the officers and men of the military not to be deterred by these setbacks and be prepared to continue to work for peace and harmony.Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to rebuilding communities and making them places where love, tolerance and harmony reigns.“Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting.“I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.“The elders and chiefs of Okuoma also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.”The president commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.“We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuoma are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.”

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army who were gruesomely murdered in Okuama Community in Delta on March 14, left behind 10 widows three of whom are pregnant and 21 orphans.Lagbaja made this known at the burial of the 17 personnel comprising one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers, on Wednesday at the National Cemetery in Abuja.According to him, the Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian army and, by extension, the Nigeria state, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, including parents.“While commiserating with the families of these gallant soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold.“We shall do all within our power to provide succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones,” he said.Lagbaja said he considered his toughest job to be putting fine men and women in harm’s way, sometimes knowing that they might not return to their families and loved ones.He added that his men, correspondingly and intriguingly, know that in spite of the equipment, training, and other forms of preparations, sometimes some may not make it back alive, while some may return handicapped.According to him, “when soldiers die in the hands of the enemies of the State, we take it as dying for what the nation has considered a just cause; we celebrate them as gallant heroes.“But when they are gruesomely murdered by the very people they are trained, equipped, and took an oath to protect, it is highly demoralizing.“It is no longer news that 17 of the Nigerian Army’s finest men, whom we have come to bury, were murdered in a reprehensible manner on March 14 in the Okuama community of Delta State while they went on a legitimate peace-making mission.

“It grieves my heart that it took our search and recovery effort over 72 hours to recover some vital organs of the decapitated and disembowell bodies of my men that were scattered all over the Okuama community by the community youths and their friends.“I consider it the most barbaric act any citizen or community can commit against the authority of the state, and I must place on record that a lot of restraints have been exercised so far in our search and recovery efforts for missing arms, ammunition, other equipment, and body parts.“I assure the President and all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not be deterred by setbacks such as witnessed in the Okuama community.“As tasked by the President and Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army, with the assistance of its sister services and other security agencies, is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the Okuama murder to book and recover all service and personal belongings taken from the murdered troops.“The Nigerian Army will continue to seek the cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly in the affected area, towards swift and successful conduct of our search and recovery operations,” he said.The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the fallen heroes exemplified the very best of service to nation and love for country.Musa said they were the vanguards of peace, the guardians of freedom, and the sentinels of security, adding that their selflessness and unwavering dedication to duty would forever be etched in their hearts and memories.He assured the families of the deceased officers of the support of the nation and the armed forces in every way possible, urging them to find solace in the knowledge that their loved ones made an indelible mark on the nation’s history.The defence chief said the military would honour their memory by continuing the fight against those who sought to undermine the peace and security of the nation.

“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to build a nation worthy of your sacrifice.“The loss we feel today is immeasurable, but we must not allow it to dim the light of hope within us.“Instead, let us use this moment as a rallying cry to come together as a nation, to support our armed forces, and to work tirelessly towards a Nigeria free from the grip of violence and insecurity.“We owe it to these fallen heroes to honour their memory by redoubling our efforts to create a safer and more prosperous nation for all.“Let us build a nation where every citizen can live without fear, where communities can thrive, and where our children can grow up knowing the true meaning of security and stability.“To the men and women who continue to serve in the armed forces, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication to duty.“Your commitment to defending our nation, even in the face of great peril, is truly commendable,” he said.Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Kano, Kogi and Imo states amongst others attended the burial ceremony.

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Dangote, Elumelu Make Economic Planning System List

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By Lubem Myaornyi, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has in a strategic move to bolster the nation’s economic governance frameworks and ensure robust and coordinated economic planning and implementation, approved the establishment of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) and the creation of the Economic Management Team Emergency Taskforce (EET).

PECC comprises leaders and key government officials like: President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Chairman of the PECC; Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Vice-Chairman of the PECC / NEC Chairman; President of the Nigerian Senate; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.
Others are: Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Minister of Labour and Employment; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; Minister of Power; Minister of State, Petroleum Resources; Minister of State, Gas; Minister of Transportation; and Minister of Works.Tinubu also included 13 members of the organized private sector to drive the nation’s economy.The PECC will also comprise key members of the organized private sector, with the following members joining for a period not exceeding one year, subject to the President’s directive: Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Mr. Tony Elumelu; Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu; Ms. Amina Maina; Mr. Begun Ajayi-Kadir; Mrs. Funke Okpeke; and Dr. Doyin Salami.The rest members are: Mr. Patrick Okigbo; Mr. Kola Adesina; Mr. Segun Agbaje; Mr. Chidi Ajaere; Mr. Abdulkadir Aliu; and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi.

In the president’s determination to address immediate economic challenges and ensure the streamlined execution of economic strategies, President Bola Tinubu has established the Economic Management Team Emergency Taskforce (EET) with a mandate to formulate and implement a consolidated emergency economic plan. The taskforce comprises key government officials and industry leaders in furtherance of the President’s collaborative approach toward achieving economic resilience and growth. The EET is now mandated to submit a comprehensive plan of economic interventions for 2024 to the PECC, covering the next six months, for immediate implementation within two weeks of its inauguration.The EET will meet twice weekly and is composed of the following members: Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance (Chairman of the EET); Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Minister of Power; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.Others include: Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; National Security Adviser; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Governor of Anambra State; Governor of Ogun State; Governor of Niger State; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation; GCEO, NNPC Limited; Director-General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group; Special Adviser to the President on Energy; Dr. Bismarck Rewane, Economist; and Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, Economist.The Economic Management Team, established in October 2023, and chaired by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, serves as the working group under the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), playing a crucial role in the economic governance structure established by the President. The EMT traditionally meets monthly or as required, but will now suspend its meetings for the duration of the EET’s mandate (six months).The EMT is composed of the following officials: Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance (EMT Chairman); Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Minister of Works; Minister of Labour and Employment; and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.Other officials include: Minister of State, Petroleum Resources; Minister of State, Gas; Minister of Power; Minister of Transportation; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.The Chairman of the EMT may, as needed, call on any Federal Minister or Head of Agency to brief the EMT on key programmes and developments affecting the economy.The President’s formation of the PECC, under his Chairmanship, alongside the creation of the EET, led by the Chairman of the EMT, and the EMT itself, is the manifestation of a unified strategy aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s economic management architecture for verifiably improved performance. The formation of these teams will complement existing economic governance structures, including the National Economic Council (NEC), which is chaired by the Vice-President.Over the next six months EET will focus on the rapid implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of critical initiatives, strengthening the Tinubu-led administration’s collective approach to advancing Nigeria’s economic objectives.

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North-East Region Loses  $6.7bn to Insurgency — Zulum

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has revealed that the North Eastern states lost $6.7billion to insurgency.

He stated this during a visit to the Director-General, Nigeria Country Department of African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Lamin Barrow in Abuja.

Zulum made the assertion while commending AfDB on the implementation of its $65.

75million Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme (IBSDLEIP) to ameliorate insurgency.

Currently, IBSDLEIP is implemented in the North East states of Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba.

Zulum said the root driver of insurgency in the state was hunger and the initiative focuses on providing basic amenities that would reintegrate the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into the society.

He said, “First and foremost, I want to commend the bank on the successes so far recorded in the implementation of the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme in Borno State.

“The insurgency in Borno has triggered acute humanitarian and livelihood crises, devastating the economic activities of our populace, with the root cause to be poverty and lack of basic infrastructure.

“An outcome of the recovery and peacebuilding assessment of the impact of insurgency revealed that over 6.7 billion dollars were lost to insurgency, out of which Borno state accounted for two-thirds of the amount.

“The implementation of the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme has helped us in addressing some of the humanitarian, livelihood and infrastructural problems arising from Boko Haram Insurgency in the State.”

Zulum expressed the state’s readiness to abide by the set rules and regulations of the bank, adding that, “We are ready to abide by the project procurement processes and implementation guidelines of the bank and we are also committed to working with the bank’s team and other stakeholders to ensure the completion of the project.”

Responding, AfDB’s Director-General expressed the continued commitment of the bank to support the reintegration of the displaced population in the state and improve the livelihoods of the people.

Barrow said, “We want to commend the Governor for his visionary and hands-on leadership style. We reassure him and the state of the commitment and continued support of the bank in improving the livelihoods and quality of life of the people of Borno State.”

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