News
Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc on Thursday provided statistics on misalignments in the power value chain, saying that about 14,000 megawatts of electricity was contracted to power generation companies.
Managing Director, NBET, Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, gave a breakdown of the quantum of Nigeria’s electricity demand, what was contracted, available capacity, what was produced, among others.
He provided these statistics while speaking during a plenary session at the World Energy Day Conference 2021, with the theme, ‘Energy Transition: Gas as Fuel of Choice’, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This came as the Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Mohammed Ahmed, told participants at the event that about 77 million Nigerians were currently without access to electricity.
Providing statistics on Nigeria’s power situation, Ewelukwa said, “In terms of situating the gas discussion within the context of the power sector, we have some misalignments in the value chain which the government is trying to address.
“And that misalignment starts with the fact that in terms of the demand for electricity in the country, it is about 28,000MW. But when you look at the contracted capacity for electricity, it is about 14,000MW.
“You look at the current available capacity of electricity in terms of what was contracted, it is about 7,600MW. You look at transmission capacity, it is about 8,100MW.”
He added, “Now, of all these statistics the most important is what is the highest volume of electricity ever put on the grid; it is 5,800MW. So you see that it keeps dropping.”
The NBET boss explained that the 5,800MW was the highest peak ever attained in the history of Nigeria, but stressed that what was actually available on a day-to-day basis was between 4,000MW and 5,000MW.
“And of that 4,000MW to 5,000MW, because of issues relating to tariff, such as concerns about cost reflective tariff, what actually is paid on a monthly basis by the distribution companies is not up to that 4,000MW that is available,” Ewelukwa stated.
He, however, noted that the good thing was that there were plans within the government space to address the anomalies.
On his part, Ahmed, who was represented by the Managing Director, NNPC Gas and Power Investment Limited, Salihu Jamari, said Nigeria had about 200 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves that could be used for power generation, among others.
Punch
Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that suspected bandits on Wednesday destroyed a portion of the Abuja-Kaduna rail track with explosives, forcing a disruption of train services on the route.
According to the Managing Director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, explosives damaged the rail track at a spot between Dutse and Rijana, an area that had recorded numerous bandits’ attacks along the Kaduna Abuja highway.
Okhiria said the Corporation was making efforts to restore train services on the route.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure that the train services along the Kaduna-Abuja route are fully restored,” the official said.
Earlier, a former senator representing Kaduna Central district, Shehu Sani, had reported on his Facebook page that suspected bandits attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train. He said the bandits planted an explosive that damaged the rail track and shattered the windshield of the train’s engine, Wednesday evening.
Sani said the gunmen also opened fire at the train on Thursday morning, targeting the driver and the tank of the train. “It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations. The Driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
“This early morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railings. The train nearly skid off its track, then we miraculously escaped. All Kaduna Abuja train operations need to be suspended for today until this issue is addressed,” Sani wrote.
A staffer of the NRC quoted by Daily Nigerian newspaper said the attack was deadly.
“The bandits first attacked the last Abuja-Kaduna train bearing number AK9 between Rijana and Dutse. The train came under heavy gunfire, but it struggled to stutter for about seven kilometres and stopped as the gunshots damaged the fuel tank,” the newspaper quoted the unnamed staff.
“At the point of the attack, the train was unable to make contact with Abuja. Hours later, contact was made and a relief locomotive arrived past midnight.
“And then the morning train from Kaduna to Abuja, bearing number KA2, also ran over fractured rail tracks, but successfully completed the journey. Suspected explosives devices were planted on the track, but God in his infinite mercy saved the travellers and train.”
The NRC had earlier on Monday announced the reduction of regular transportation of passengers on the route from 10 trips to four daily, citing maintenance work.
Pictures circulating on social media showed a shattered front window of the train, damages to the coaches and people who were inspecting destroyed parts of the rail line.
Some travellers are opting to travel by rail after several people were kidnapped by armed bandits on some of Nigeria's highways, especially in the northwest of the country.
Nigeria is battling an Islamist insurgency in the northeast and armed bandits who have kidnapped hundreds of students, travellers and villagers for ransom, leaving the population terrified.
PT/Reuters
Eight Nigerian men accused of an internet dating scam have appeared in a South African court after a massive international operation involving the FBI and Interpol.
Authorities in the US, where the investigation originated and most of the alleged victims are based, have applied for their extradition.
They are accused of defrauding more than 100 victims of almost $7m (£5m) in total over the past decade.
They have not commented on the charges.
It is the biggest such bust in South Africa, according to police spokeswoman Col Katlego Mogale.
The suspects, aged between 33 and 52, were arrested in Cape Town on Tuesday following a legal assistance request from the US.
It is believed the FBI and US Secret Service led the investigation and worked with South African authorities, including the elite police unit, the Hawks.
The men are wanted in Texas and New Jersey for a variety of offences, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money-laundering and aggravated identity theft.
In opposing bail, prosecutor Robin Lewis alleged the men are members of the Black Axe, a transnational organised crime syndicate originating in Nigeria, whose specialities include laundering money through various accounts.
The state argued the men were a flight risk because they still have access to accounts allegedly used.
The suspects face 20 years in jail if convicted.
Suspects 'concocted sob-stories'
It is alleged they preyed on their victims through dating sites using false identities. The victims, often vulnerable widows or divorcees from around the world, thought they were in genuine romantic relationships.
Col Mogale said once the suspects "had ingratiated themselves with their victims, they allegedly concocted sob-stories about why they needed money - ie taxes to release an inheritance, essential overseas travel, crippling debt, etc - and then siphoned money from victims".
"The fraudsters intimidated and berated their victims, ruined their lives and then disappeared," she said.
A neighbour of two of the suspects, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the BBC he was shocked to hear the two brothers were alleged to be members of a Nigerian crime gang.
"[They] were friendly and never brought any crime to the area. The one brother was married to a South African citizen," he said.
"Once a week about 10 luxury cars would arrive and leave again in a few hours. These were top-end vehicles like a 2021 Mercedes Benz, a Jeep and a Ferrari. The way they dressed you could tell they were wealthy."
The neighbour was woken up by the sound of dogs barking when the brothers' homes were raided on Tuesday. About 60 men from various police units spent about six hours collecting evidence at the properties. Seven other properties were also raided in the same neighbourhood.
Mr Lewis said some of the men were not lawfully in South Africa since their passports have expired. He also argued that if the men were to be freed on bail, they could tamper with evidence digitally.
A full bail application was set down for next Tuesday and Thursday pending an extradition hearing.
South Africa's TimeLive reported the Hawks were searching for a ninth man connected to the case.
BBC
Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu pleaded not guilty to charges including terrorism in an Abuja court on Thursday, three months after his trial was delayed when authorities failed to produce him in court.
The charges against Kanu, a British citizen, also included calling for secession, knowingly broadcasting falsehoods about President Muhammadu Buhari, and membership of an outlawed group.
The military considers Kanu's IPOB a terrorist organization.
IPOB wants a swathe of the southeast, homeland of the Igbo ethnic group, to split from Nigeria. An attempt to secede in 1967 as the Republic of Biafra triggered a three-year civil war that killed more than 1 million people.
Security services barred journalists from entering the court and forcibly dispersed crowds of supporters who gathered nearby.
In selfies with his lawyer circulating in local media, Kanu looked healthy and in good spirits.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015, but disappeared while on bail in April 2017. His social media posts during his absence, and his Radio Biafra broadcasts, outraged the government, which they said encouraged attacks on security forces.
Security agents produced him in court in Abuja on June 29 after detaining him in an undisclosed country. His lawyer alleged he was detained and mistreated in Kenya, though Kenya has denied involvement.
Kanu has filed charges alleging that he was illegally taken from Kenya and asking that he be repatriated to Britain.
On Thursday, his lawyers also asked, unsuccessfully, for Kanu to be transferred to the Nigerian Correctional Centre instead of the state security custody for easier access to his lawyers.
Kanu's lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said they have an application challenging the competence of the underlying charges, most of which reference Radio Biafra broadcasts made out of London.
"I can't see how someone would make a statement in London and it becomes a triable offence in this country," Ejiofor told reporters.
The trial was adjourned until Nov. 10.
Reuters
Cameroon's five-year conflict could be taking a significant new turn with reports that its English-speaking separatist groups are getting help from an armed group in neighbouring Nigeria.
After two attacks by Anglophone militants which cost the lives of 15 Cameroonian soldiers last month, the army issued a statement declaring that "the separatists have used heavy weapons for the first time, in violation of international humanitarian law".
It went on to add that "the rise in power of these terrorist groups... is largely due to their co-operation with other terrorist entities operating outside the country".
Contacted by the BBC, Cameroonian defence forces spokesperson Cyrille Atonfack Nguemo did not specify which foreign groups were allegedly working with the Anglophone separatists, who say they face discrimination in the country dominated by French-speakers.
It is therefore unclear whether the military believes it is one or several armed groups, and also where they are located.
But the separatist Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF) has confirmed an alliance with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an ethnic Igbo group waging a sometimes violent campaign for autonomy in southeastern Nigeria, some of which lies just 150km (90 miles) from the border with Cameroon's English-speaking regions.
A video posted on the ADF Facebook page earlier this year shows Cho Ayaba, leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council - one of the two main English-speaking separatist groups, and IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu announcing a "strategic and military" alliance.
Both separatist leaders explained that the two groups would "work to secure their common border and ensure an open exchange of arms, intelligence and personnel".
How big a deal is this?
Analysts are divided. "For the moment, the contribution of this alliance on the ground in the Anglophone zone is not yet clear," says Elvis Arrey, senior analyst for Cameroon at the research group International Crisis Group (ICG).
However, Raoul Sumo Tayo, a historian and security analyst in the region, says it should not be downplayed, as it offers both groups rear bases where they can retreat, beyond the reach of their respective countries' armed forces.
This is especially significant in Cameroon, where he said the "army was practically absent [from the areas hit by conflict] before the insurgency and therefore has extremely limited knowledge of the area".
The two countries have previously discussed giving each other's security forces the right to cross the border, especially when chasing members of the Boko Haram Islamist militant group further north, but a deal was never reached.
Where do the heavy weapons come from?
The Cameroon authorities have not gone into much detail about what kind of weapons they say are being used, beyond briefly referring to anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers.
Some actually come from attacks on the defence and security forces, says the ICG's Arrey.
"Other weapons come from Nigeria," he adds.
According to Tayo, even "before the crisis in the Anglophone regions, the Niger Delta area was an important hub for arms trafficking in the sub-region".
Weapons bound for the Anglophone region of Cameroon have often been seized by the Nigerian authorities.
Over the past three years, scores of people have been arrested on charges of trafficking arms to Cameroon.
Tayo believes that some weapons are likely to come from "countries with a large Anglophone diaspora". Some Cameroonians from English-speaking regions have been charged in the US with alleged arms trafficking, although none has yet been convicted.
IPOB has this year been accused of ransacking police stations and stealing weapons, which could potentially be smuggled across the border.
How easy is it to cross the border?
Even before the latest unrest in the two countries, the border areas were poorly controlled on both sides.
It is partly made up of the Niger Delta, a huge forested area full of creeks and inlets and multiple clandestine ports, which borders both English-speaking Cameroon and the Igbo heartland, where most IPOB attacks are concentrated.
There are ethnic and cultural ties between some groups found on either side of the border, which could further smooth links.
What are the Cameroonian authorities doing?
The government in Yaoundé seems to be concerned about the situation and has announced a strategic change in its military intervention in the area, without giving details.
At the end of August, the two countries agreed to step up security along their 2,000km (1,240 mile)-long border, which is threatened by the separatists, as well as by Boko Haram.
The two countries also co-operated when Cameroonian separatist leader Julius Sisiku Tabe and eight others were arrested in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, in 2017.
They were sent back to Cameroon where they were given life sentences for terrorism and other crimes, which they are challenging.
What is the fighting about?
Both Nigeria's Igbo community and English-speaking Cameroonians have long complained of discrimination by their respective governments.
The Igbos declared the independence of Biafra from Nigeria in 1967, sparking a war that ended in 1970 following the death of an estimated one million people.
Although the federal army won, Nnamdi Kanu's IPOB is the latest group to take up the Igbo cause. He was arrested in June and is currently in detention on charges of treason, which he denies.
Scores of people have been killed in unrest over the past year.
Amid reports of atrocities on both sides, the conflict has caused thousands of deaths and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes - many have crossed over into Nigeria.
Why does Cameroon have both English- and French-speakers?
■ On 1 January 1960, the French colony of Cameroun gained independence and became Cameroon.
■ On 1 October 1960, Nigeria gained independence from the UK.
■ The UK also controlled the former German colony of Cameroon. At independence, its citizens were given a choice of joining either Nigeria or Cameroon.
■ Southern Cameroonians opted to unite with Cameroon, while Northern Cameroon joined Nigeria.
BBC
Hundreds of women in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Thursday blocked Gusau-Kaduna Road to protest against persistent attacks by bandits despite security measures by the state government.
Gusau-Kaduna road is the busiest road as it links the state to several other states both in the North and the South.
The women, who were with their children and belongings, sat on the road and prevented movement for motorists and passersby on the road.
The protesters caused gridlock and hundreds of motorists were left stranded as they could neither move forward nor backward.
One of the women, who gave her name as Sadiya, told our correspondent that they decided to protest because bandits were always attacking and raping them and there had been no action taken to protect them.
Sadiya said, “We blocked the road in order to draw the attention of both the government and the security agents to come to our rescue.”
Another woman, Talatu Sani, said she left her village of Cediya because bandits used to go to the village to rape women and steal their food and animals.
“I join the protest because the authorities are not doing anything to protect us from this hopeless situation.”
A commercial driver, Musa Shehu said he was coming from Funtua to Gusau, lamenting that he spent more than four hours before the road was cleared by security agents.
Efforts were made to talk to the spokesperson of the state police command, Mohammed Shehu, without success as he didn’t pick up his calls. He had yet to reply to a text message sent to him on the protest.
Punch
Four months after abduction, 27 students and 3 staffers of the Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State have been released out of the 90 persons in the captivity of bandits.
T he students were abducted at the Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State in June.
The freed students were brought to the Government House in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday in company of combined security operatives of the DSS, Mobile police, Army and Civil defence in three buses around 3pm.
The students were also accompanied by medical personnel and other support personnel of the state government and were received by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and top government officials at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
While receiving the students, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said President Muhammadu Buhari upon their abduction had issued directives to all security operatives to ensure the students were rescued from the bandits.
He said the Army, DSS, Police, Civil Defence and Vigilant group were instrumental to the release of the students.
“I also commend the efforts of Senator Adamu Aliero, Minister of Justice Malami and a host of others”, he said.
A statement by the media aide to the governor said the students were brought to the state capital following their release by their abductors.
The statement added that efforts were still on to secure the release of the remaining students that were still with the bandits.
It said the students would undergo medical screening and other support while being reunited with their families.
The United States Mission to Nigeria has reacted to the EndSARS memorial protests in the country, advising protesters to take a political approach to addressing their demands.
The US Mission Nigeria disclosed this on its verified Facebook handle on Wednesday.
"Today is a day to reflect on the loss of life and property during last year’s #EndSARS protests. We appreciate the work done by the various judicial panels and look forward to the implementation of recommendations and compensation to victims of police brutality.
"We support ongoing police reform efforts. We encourage those who demonstrated for change to engage politically to achieve it,” the post read.
Nigerian youths in a bid to remember the lives lost during the Lekki Tollgate killings on October 20, 2020, came out enmass to commemorate the one year anniversary of the movement.
With the backing of high-profile celebrities from around the world, thousands of mostly young Nigerians, took to the streets last year in the biggest show of people power in decades.
However, signs of that brutal night are still visible in the minds of the protesters, with imagery of walls riddled with bullets and shattered glass windows to tell the ugly incident.
Protesters who are supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari have staged a protest in Abuja, saying the claim of shooting at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos last year during the #ENDSARS protest was a hoax.
This is to counter a parallel protest by some aggrieved Nigerians in the nation’s capital, seeking justice for the victims of nationwide protests against police brutality in the country.
It was learnt that the pro-Buhari protesters stormed the Unity Fountain Ground on Wednesday around 10:30am.
They berated the #EndSARS memorial protesters for being too critical of the Buhari government and security agencies.
Bearing banners with inscription such as: ‘EndSARS was an insurrection against the state’, the pro-Buhari group also accused the #EndSARS protesters of presenting Nigeria in a bad light before the world through their mass action in Lagos, Abuja and other major cities in the country.
They further alleged the #EndSARS memorial protest was a ploy to instigate an unlawful change of government.
“We have come here because we found out that some miscreants hiding behind #EndSARS have planned to come here to hold #EndSARS memorial. We are here to set the records straight. If there was a massacre, where are the bodies?,” a leader of the group said.
Egba sons and daughters, home and abroad have been advised to associate more with their root to enhance development in Egbaland.
The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo gave this advice during the installation of a popular estate developer, community leader, politician and philanthropist, Chief Toyin Amuzu as the Asiwaju Leragun Egba at his Ake Palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The paramount ruler, who advised every Egba descent to always try to visit their homestead said “the Egba Kingdom is well known for its innovations and developmental strides of being the first in civilization thus, it is our responsibility to keep up the pace of growth”.
According to Oba Gbadebo, “the chieftaincy title of Asiwaju Leragun Egbaland bestowed on Chief Toyin Amuzu is a warrior or warlord Chief title peculiar to the Igbehin people where Amuzu was formally the Leragun Igbehin. He was also the Okanlomo Ijeun, but now he has been promoted to the Asiwaju Leragun of Egbaland home and abroad, due to his steadfastness and selflessness in developing our communities “.
“I hereby implore you to continue your good works and protect the interests of Egba kingdom and its people at all times", the Alake said.
Chief Toyin Amuzu who is the founder and Chairman of the Toyin Amuzu foundation, while reacting in an interview with journalists promised to continue to serve God and humanity at all times.
He also called on the Nigerian youths to take their destinies in their own hands by participating actively in politics and make their leaders accountable to the society.
"If we keep saying we don't want to get involve then who is going to get involve to change our society?We all have to do it together”, he said.
"As at yesterday, Toyin Amuzu football championship kicked off. It is just a way of bringing the youth together and to encourage them.
"There are other things you can do rather than stealing and breaking into people's house but we need to engage them and that is what we are trying to do, when you engage them and they have other things they are doing they will turn out good.
"The country has become so bad, no job, I remember those days when our parents were sending us to school to have masters degree. Today Masters is just like ordinary degree and every one on the streets without jobs all have masters, how many people have employment?. If you have gone to school and you don't have any job and the country is not doing anything the youth will have no option than engage in yahoo, I am not encouraging it, but we have to always remember that there is no flame without a cause, having said that we need to improve this youth, develop them and encourage them.
I have a foundation which is called "TA Foundation" Toyin Amuzu foundation , I cannot tell how many persons we have empowered because we have empowered a lot of persons , our motto is we rise together , and we have helped a lot of people and we are still helping.
"I have been doing this for 2years now , and I am not doing this because of any political ambition . I am not your normal politician that will give gifts two Months to election just to buy the hearts of the people. I have never occupied any political position . If I do what I do today I feel I can improve the economy of our people. Toyin Amuzu foundation is not about any political thing but it's all about the people
When asked about the huge borrowings of government, he said “If we keep borrowing and we are not seeing what we are borrowing that means we are not in a safe trade, lately we have borrowed a lot and I think if it is well utilized it would positively affect the economy, but when we spend lavishly and do not have means of paying back the loan, we are in big trouble, the economy won’t be better.
Chief Amuzu in his words explained that, if the youths don't come out to join politics, the elders will continue to rule and will drive the future of the country to wherever they so wishes, but if the youths can get themselves involve in politics things will change for good.
He also advised youth to be positive and invest their lives in anything that could better their lots rather than engaging in negative acts.
The Akinruyiwa of Owu kingdom, Chief Olumide Aderinokun who was also at the event congratulated the new Asiwaju Leragun Egba saying, “Chief Toyin Amuzu is my friend, my brother and I am so happy because he deserves the honour of the chieftaincy and I wish him well.
“I believe he is going to be a good chief to Egbaland because he has always done the right thing and he will continue to do the right things”, said Chief Aderinokun.
Dignatories at the event include a chieftain of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP and a former member of the house of representatives, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu who is the Lisa Aje Egba, the Osi Egba , Chief Bode Mustapha and a host of friends , family members and well wishers who later held a reception at Park-inn , Kuto Abeokuta.
More...
A staff of Abestone Microfinance Bank Abeokuta, Olagoke Dare has been arrested by men of the Ogun state police command for planning with another person to rob himself of cash sum of N3 million naira belonging to his employer.
The arrest was contained in a release made available to newsmen by the police Spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested following a distress call received by the police at Ibara divisional headquarters, that armed robbers have attacked the duo of Olagoke Dare and Mary Agbejo while coming out from a commercial bank at Oke-ilewo area, where they had gone to withdraw money.
The statement stated further that “after the distress call, the DPO, Ibara division, SP Segun Ajao quickly mobilised his men and moved to the scene where one Idowu Tunde was arrested with the assistance of members of public”
”The arrested suspect, who was armed with a mock gun, informed the police during interrogation that it was Olagoke Dare who informed him that his employer will be sending him and one other person to withdraw the sum of three million naira, and that they should come and rob them of the money” the statement stated .
“The suspect stated further that it was the same Dare Olagoke who gave him the toy pistol for the operation. He confessed further that while Dare and his other colleague were in the Bank, he had already hid in their car which was deliberately left opened by Dare in accordance with their plan”
“While they got into the car, Idowu Tunde explained that he came out suddenly from the back seat and pointed the gun to the lady who was in possession of the money “.
"But the lady noticed that the gun did not look original consequent upon which she dragged the gun with him and raised alarm”
“It was the alarm that attracted people who pursued them and called the police.” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the acting commissioner of police, DCP Abiodun Alamutu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the two suspects to the state Criminal Investigation and intelligence Department for discreet investigation.
He therefore advised that companies should endeavour to always run background checks on their members of staff before employing them.
Unknown gunmen on Sunday attacked the offices of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nnewi, Anambra State.
As at the time of filing this report, it was unclear if there were casualties in any of the two offices attacked, but it was gathered that a passerby was hit by a stray bullet.
The gunmen, according to eyewitnesses, drove from Owerri Road in four Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), stopped at Emecourt Road Junction where they released some gunshots which made passersby to scamper for safety, before they headed to the offices, which they also set ablaze.
“They later drove through Nkwo Triangle Roundabout and moved towards Nnobi Road.
“Military armoured vehicle later surfaced and drove round town passing through Emecourt Road. But there was no exchange of fire as the military and the gunmen did not meet,” the source said.
The State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga confirmed an incident of fire in Nnewi, but refused to state categorically the offices involved.
He said: “At about 2pm, of 3rd Oct 2021, the command received a distress call of fire incident in Nnewi. The Police Operative are currently on ground and the area has since been cordoned off. Further details shall be communicated,” he said.
Daily Post
..HE FAILED ON ALL POLICIES HE CAMPAIGNED WITH
Human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari has destroyed Nigeria.
The senior lawyer noted that Buhari has failed in his tripodal policies through which he campaigned and won election in 2015 which are: Economy, security and anti-corruption.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria spoke at a human rights lecture organised by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, with the theme: Nigerian School Children; Insecurity and Human Rights, held in Abuja.
He pointed out that many children can no longer go to school, adding that more than seventy percent school children in Nigeria are out of schools.
According to him, from Jangebe to Chibok; from Dapchi to Kaduna between December 2020 till date, over 700 hundred school children have been kidnapped with some of them being killed or forced into marriage.
“[They were] not kidnapped in the forests but from their schools. It got so messy in Kaduna that the kidnappers demanded bags of rice, vegetable oil, salt, beans and other condiments to be cooking for their children pending when they will get enough money to get them released on ransom,” Ozekhome lamented.
He went on to say that Nigeria is currently a failed state and cannot even be called a country anymore, explaining that non-state actors such as Boko Haram, bandits and other terrorists now possess enough powers to challenge the government.
“Is that a country? Does any of you who have children living in hostels and dormitories sleep with your two eyes closed? Not knowing of when next they’ll strike? He queried.
“When President Muhammadu Buhari was campaigning for this office…I like my President but I do not like his governance style and policies.
“Policies that have impoverished Nigeria. Policies that have made Nigeria the poverty capital of the world, overtaking India. Policies that have made Nigeria that was until 2015 the biggest economy in Africa overtaking South Africa and one of the seven fastest growing economy in the world.
“His tripodal policies were on economy, security and anti-corruption. The bad news is that he has dismally failed in all of them. Security is worse right now…Boko Haram we used to have that time at least people were able to vote for him in 2015 and he won in the North East, showing that though Boko Haram existed, they were not so rampant to prevent people from voting.
“Boko Haram has since graduated, strutting around like a proud peacock. Armed banditry has escalated, kidnapping is the order of the day. In security, he has failed.
“In economy, I have already told you, we’re now the poverty capital of the world. What of anti-corruption? Go and check, we’re 168 out of 180 covered by Transparency International.
“In West Africa, we’re the 3rd most corrupt country. So where have the President and the government helped Nigeria? I had on television and in my write-up challenged Nigerians that anyone who can carry the Holy Quran or take up the Holy Bible or if you’re an atheist, pick up a piece of Sango Iron and say your life is better off today than you were in 2015.
"I challenge the person for a national debate but until now no one has taken up the challenge because everybody knows things are not right. The deaf can hear it; the dumb can speak it; the blind can see it and even the numb can feel it.
“So it’s not a question of whether you are in APC, PDP, APGA, Labour, Zenith or PPA. Hunger knows no strike, religion or nationality. The fact is that things are bad for everyone whether Muslims or Christian, atheist, old men, women, youth and children .
” Things are bad and it could be worse except Nigerians come together and go back to the drawing board. Some people are saying that Nigeria is a failing state and I say no. I don’t agree.
“If you asked me, with all due respect, I’ll say Nigeria is a failed state. Do you know why? It is because one of the greatest indices of a failed state is when non-state actors like Boko Haram, kidnappers, armed bandits have efficient and commensurate powers to match state actors like security forces. That’s a failed state.
“When Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers begin to tell the government, ‘this is what we want.’ Taking over lands and planting their flags as Governor Zulum of Borno State and Bello of Niger State have cried out that in some lands in their States, they have planted flags; they’re demanding for taxation; they issue identity cards and give pass to people to pass.
“We don’t need any other evidence of a failed state. It’s not about liking or not liking a government, it’s about saying the reality on the ground. Please Nigerians, let’s go back to the drawing board. If you like, bring all the helicopters and fighter jets you can, the truth is that the problem is more endemic than you can see.
“Because on the surface, it looks insecurity but beneath it is what we call social injustice and lack of egalitarianism…Nigeria is wobbly, gobbling and fumbling because it was not neatly packaged on the 1st of January, 1848 by Lord Lugard.
“It started with Lady Flora Louise Shaw on the 8th of January, 1897 in an article she wrote on Economic Times where she gave Nigeria her name “Niger Area”. And we agreed to live together. And if we agreed, let us live together in peace and unity. Let’s not always say ‘Nigeria is indivisible; it’s indestructible.’
“We don’t say that by words of the mouth, we nurture it. Pakistan and India used to be one country; Eritrea and Ethiopia used to be one country as well as Sudan and Southern Sudan. So it’s not by merely saying it, you have to nurture it.
“We must have peace and social justice… we are talking about the kind of peace and social justice Chief M.K.O Abiola preached…Let us reformat and reengineer Nigeria. Let’s make a new constitution for ourselves. A constitution that will be… Indigenous, owned by the people and respected by all and legitimate.
“Not a constitution that was imposed by the General Abdusalam Abubakar government when they were going back to the barracks. How many of you know that Nigeria actually contested the 1999 elections without a constitution? Nigerians never made the constitution by themselves but even if we’re to manage it, Section 14 of that constitution said that the primary purpose of the government is to provide welfare and security for the people, are we having it?”
Daily Post
Ladi, Son of Chief Rotimi Williams, has reportedly died of COVID-19 complication.
Chief Ladi was said to have passed away at about 3:00 am at St Nicholas isolation hospital from Covid-19 complication, despite being vaccinated.
His death was confirmed by his younger brother, Chief Kayode Rotimi-Williams.
“I just lost my elder brother, Chief Ladi Rotimi Williams (aged 74+) to Coronavirus. He passed on at 3am this morning,” he said.