The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • Fubara directs investigation of collapse of two-storey building in Port Harcourt

    Fubara directs investigation of collapse of two-storey building in Port Harcourt

    Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, on Thursday, ordered an immediate investigation into the collapse of a two-storey building at Rumuoke Street, off Okilton junction in Ada George road, Port Harcourt.

    The two-storey building under construction collapsed early on Thursday morning, injuring four persons.

    The governor, in a statement by his media aide, Boniface Onyedi, said the state government must find out the immediate and remote causes of the incident.

    Fubara, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Projects, Engr Emeka Woke at the inspection of the collapsed building, charged the relevant government agencies to immediately fish out those involved in the project.

    He also vowed that anyone found culpable will be made to face the law.

    The statement reads: “The Ministry of Urban Development is to take immediate action by conducting site investigations and site inspections

    “The destructive testing and non-destructive testing of collapsed structural elements to establish their strength by the determination of the yield strength of the reinforcements and sieve analysis of the soil at the site, to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the building collapse.

    “If there is any compromise by those involved in the project, they will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”

    Ripples

  • In blow to Sunak, UK court rules Rwanda deportation plan unlawful

    In blow to Sunak, UK court rules Rwanda deportation plan unlawful

    A British court has ruled that the government’s controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful as the African nation cannot be considered a safe third country.

    An activist blocking a road leading away from the Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre
    Several charities and human rights groups have criticised the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda [File: Henry Nicholls/Reuters]

    In a major setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has pledged to deter people from arriving across the Channel in small boats, three Court of Appeal judges on Thursday said the “removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda” would be “unlawful”.

    “The deficiencies in the asylum system in Rwanda are such that there are substantial grounds for believing that there is a real risk that persons sent to Rwanda will be returned to their home countries where they face persecution or other inhumane treatment,” judge Ian Burnett said, but added that he, himself, disagreed with the other two judges on this point.

    The United Kingdom government has been planning to deport asylum seekers to the East African country as part of a 120 million pound ($148m) deal to deter people from crossing the English Channel from France in small boats.

    Asylum Aid director Alison Pickup said many of her clients were breathing a sigh of relief.

    “Some of them have experienced torture, they’ve had very traumatic journeys, and have been waiting for over a year to find out if they will be able to make a case in the UK – or if they will be sent to Rwanda, a country they know nothing about,” Pickup told Al Jazeera.

    She added that the ruling will “hopefully give them that reassurance of safety”.

    The government has said it will appeal against the decision.

    The Rwandan government said that while the matter was one for the British courts, it took exception to the judges’ conclusions.

    “Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world and we have been recognised by the UNHCR and other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees,” said government spokesperson Yolande Makolo.

    Sunak under pressure

    As well as fighting against criticism from his own right-wing party and the public on migrant and refugee arrivals, Sunak is dealing with stubbornly high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.

    Sunak made “stop the boats” one of his priorities and hopes a fall in arrivals might help his Conservative Party pull off a win at the next national election.

    The Rwanda plan was announced in April last year, but the first deportation flight was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which imposed an injunction preventing any deportations until the conclusion of legal action in Britain.

    In December, the High Court ruled the policy was lawful, but that decision was challenged by asylum seekers from several countries, along with human rights organisations, who blasted the plan as “cruel”, “inhumane” and “neo-colonial”.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman in April said Rwanda was a safe country for the resettlement of asylum seekers but declined to set any deadline for the first deportations there.

    The government has put forward a series of bills aimed at curbing migration that have been strongly criticised by civil society.

    In March, it proposed a contentious new law that would allow authorities to deport people arriving on its shores via small boats across the English Channel that divides the island from France.

    Several charities and human rights groups criticised the plan – known as the Illegal Migration Bill – saying it criminalises the efforts of thousands of genuine refugees.

    More than 45,000 people entered by crossing the channel in 2022, according to government figures – a jump of more than 17,000 from the previous year’s record.

    Aljazeera

  • 150 arrested in second night of French protests after 17-year-old shot dead by police

    150 arrested in second night of French protests after 17-year-old shot dead by police

    Police stations, town halls and schools were set alight across France on Wednesday, the second night of protests following the fatal police shooting of a teenage boy that was captured on video.

    Second night of rioting in Nanterre between young people and the police following the death of a 17-year-old following a roadside check, in Nanterre on the night of 28 June 2023 to 29 June 2023. Wednesday’s unrest saw 150 people arrested. It followed a chaotic night Tuesday during which 24 police officers were injured and 40 cars burned in several Paris suburbs, French authorities claimed, prompting them to deploy 2,000 extra police officers in anticipation of a second night of demonstrations.

    Government officials were quick to condemn Wednesday’s destructive unrest. President Emmanuel Macron said the violence was “unjustifiable” – the same word he used to describe the killing of the young boy named Naël – while Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called it “intolerable.”

    The violent scenes that played out two nights in a row have raised concerns that Naël’s death could lead to a level of unrest and rioting not seen since 2005, when the deaths of two teenage boys hiding from police sparked three weeks of rioting and prompted the government to call a state of emergency.

    The video has sparked a similar level of shock and anger across France, touching a particular nerve among young men and women of color who feel that they have been discriminated against by police. A 2017 study by the Rights Defenders, an independent human rights watchdog in France, found that young men perceived to be Black or Arab were 20 times more likely to be stopped by police than their peers.

    Many of these individuals are simply “tired,” journalist and racial equality activist Rokhaya Diallo told CNN.

    “People know and have been speaking about police brutality and have not been heard,” she said.

    Authorities appear to be bracing for a third night of violence. Darmanin said that 40,000 officers would be mobilized Thursday night – including 5,000 in Paris – to quell further unrest.

    All government ministers have been asked to postpone non-urgent travel and remain in Paris due to the protests, a government source told CNN on Thursday. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity citing French professional norms.

    Protesters burn garbage bins and block a street during a protest in Paris on June 29.
    Protesters burn garbage bins and block a street during a protest in Paris on June 29. Fiachra GIBBONS/AFP/Getty Images

    Video of the shooting in the Paris suburb of Nanterre surfaced on social media shortly after the incident took place Tuesday morning. The clip shows two police officers standing on the driver’s side of a yellow Mercedes AMG, one near the door and another near the left front fender. As the car attempts to drive away, one officer is seen firing his sidearm.

    The bullet that hit Naël pierced his arm and chest. After fleeing the scene, the car crashed into a stationary object at a nearby plaza. The 17-year-old victim was later pronounced dead and the officer who allegedly shot him was placed in custody. The teen was in the car with two others at the time of the incident. One passenger in the vehicle was taken into custody and later released, while another, who is believed to have fled the scene, is missing, authorities said.

    The local Nanterre prosecutor, Pascal Prache, said Thursday that the officers testified both drew their weapons and pointed them at the driver to dissuade him from restarting the engine. The officer who fired his weapon said, according to the prosecutor, that he was scared the boy would run someone over with the car. However, Prache said it is believed the officer accused of shooting and killing Naël may have acted illegally in doing so. The officer has since been put under provisional detention for voluntary homicide.

    Prache said that Naël had been known to authorities for a previous “breach of rules,” but it is not clear what law or orders that pertains to. The teen was expected to appear before a juvenile court in September.

    Protesters in Nanterre, west of Paris, on June 28.
    Protesters in Nanterre, west of Paris, on June 28. Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images

    Macron and other government officials, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, have called for patience to allow the criminal justice system to run its course.

    “We need calm for justice to carry out its work,” Macron said Wednesday. “We can’t allow the situation to worsen.”

    Rallying public support and goodwill, however, is likely to be difficult for Macron’s government given how much political capital it spent in the first half of 2023 pushing through unpopular pension reforms, which sparked months of mostly peaceful mass protests.

    Acknowledging the government’s massive unpopularity, Macron gave himself 100 days to heal and unite the country. That deadline is up on July 14, France’s national day.

    Addressing allegations of institutional racism in France is particularly challenging given the country’s unique brand of secularism, which seeks toensure equalityfor all by removing markers of difference, rendering all citizens French first. In practice, however, the vigorous adherence to French Republicanism often prevents the government from doing anything that would appear to differentiate French citizens on the basis of race, including collecting statistics.

    Racial and religious data, where available, typically comes from private institutions, and extra care is typically taken by politicians to avoid circumscribing racial motives to state institutions.

    “On a general level, people tend to think there is no racism in France. And it’s one of the reasons people are so angry, because they feel and experience racism on a daily basis,” said Diallo, the anti-racism activist. “Despite that, they still face institutions, public discourse, and media which still say that there is no racism and that the race debate does not belong in France. And that’s the reason people are so angry and so outraged.”

    Government officials have so far not broached questions of racism in the police. Leaders of opposition left-wing parties have focused their criticisms on police violence rather than racism. Government spokesman Olivier Veran told CNN affiliate BFMTV that anger against the state itself, however, is unjustified.

    “It is not the republic that killed this young man,” Veran said. “It is one man who must be judged if the justice system deems it necessary.”

    CNN

  • NERC awaits President’s approval on planned tarrif increase, to engage stakeholders

    NERC awaits President’s approval on planned tarrif increase, to engage stakeholders

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, is awaiting the approval of President Bola Tinubu before a new tariff regime is made public.

    The review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO, which happens twice a year, is expected to lead to a rate increase following the devaluation of the Naira with the flotation of the national currency.

    An impeccable source at the Commission told Vanguard, yesterday that the review has been concluded and the result sent to the President for approval. The source who declined to be named said “Everything is ready.

    By Friday this week, we will know if this increase will happen on July 1 or August 1, as some people have suggested.

    “The truth is that the increase will happen, if not the government will have to pay for the shortfall. I don’t think there is a budget for it and without the increase, the industry will struggle to survive”, the source added. Providing more insight, he disclosed that a stakeholder meeting involving the Commission, operators and consumers has been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week where all issues arising from the tariff hike will be discussed.

    Checks by Vanguard confirmed that President Tinubu’s, Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen would likely lead the government’s decision on the electricity tariff review and all other reforms in the sector.

    Last Friday, she met with top government officials at the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja where she was said to have put forward her vision for the power sector.

    Already, some consumers said they would attend the planned stakeholders meeting expected to throw up issues, including the rising cost of operations, inflation and foreign exchange for discussion.

    Meanwhile, the Electricity Distribution Company, DisCos said the upward tariff review would encourage investment, leading to the supply of additional power to consumers.

    Similarly, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN also noted that the implementation of the nation’s Electricity Act would also be enhanced because of the new tariff.

    In its position paper obtained by Vanguard, the association stated: “As an advocacy Association, MAN has always pushed for the need to charge cost-reflective electricity tariff to avoid extortion of our members. Fortunately, it is of great delight that this new Act fits like a glove as it will help actualize a cost–reflective tariff considering the healthy price competition it will bring between the states and private investors.”

    However, the President, of Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Mr Kunle Olubiyo, in a note to Vanguard, noted that much value has not been given to consumers despite several past tariff reviews.

    He said more investment should be channelled into the capacity expansion of critical power grid infrastructure and network improvements in order to upscale efficient service delivery, quality of supply and customer satisfaction in the post-privatized Nigerian power sector.

    He also said: “Government should address matters relating to domestic gas obligation, appropriate gas pricing and gas to the domestic market should be sold in local currency (Naira) for use by gas to power generation power plants.

    “Government should provide tax incentives, fiscal and non-fiscal incentives and access to long-term low-interest single digits credit facilities to indigenous meters assembling plants/local meters manufacturers in order to strengthen their production capacity.

    “End users of electricity in Nigeria should be given the opportunity to buy pre-paid meters off the shelves. Conversion of the post-paid meters used by maximum demand metered customers who are bulk users into pre paid maximum demand meters in order to enhance energy accountability and customer-centric, customers’ satisfaction & value for money.”

    Vanguard

  • Kaduna: Police parade 503 suspected bandits, kidnappers, recover arms

    Kaduna: Police parade 503 suspected bandits, kidnappers, recover arms

    The Police in Kaduna State have arrested five hundred and three (503) suspects for various offences ranging from banditry, armed cattle rustling,culpable homicide, vandalization of rail tracks and other related crimes.

    Among the suspects include one Ismail Mohammed of Maijere Village Saminaka in Lere local government area of the state who kidnapped and later killed his brother, Kabiru Mohammed after collecting N120,000 as ransom from the family.

    Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarter , the spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Muhammed Jalige told reporters that the suspects were arrested between May to June 2023.

    He explains that four AK47 rifles, three revolver pistols, two pump action guns, two thousand eight hundred (2,800) railway slippers, and nine stolen vehicles of different brands were recovered from the suspects.

     

    Other recovered items include Two Tricycles, Two Hundred and nine Rounds of AK47 Live Ammunition, One Hundred and Twenty Nine Rustled cattle and Eight Sheep,

     

    The police spokesman also said that the noticeable peace and tranquility currently enjoyed in Kaduna State is a pointer to the fact that the command is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to protect the lives and properties of the people of the state.

    He assured residents that the Kaduna Police Command is determined to ensure that criminal elements are denied the space to carry out their nefarious activities across the state.

    Channels TV

  • Navy reshuffles appointments of senior officers after new CNS assumes office

    Navy reshuffles appointments of senior officers after new CNS assumes office

    The Nigerian Navy has reshuffled the appointments of top senior officers comprising 56 Rear Admirals and a Commodore.

    The appointments are coming after the assumption of office of the Acting Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, who was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

    This reshuffling was made known in a statement by the Director of Information at the Nigerian Navy, A.O Ayo-Vaughan, which was made available to Channels Television on Thursday.

    According the statement, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole formerly the Director of Logistics, Defence Space Administration, is now appointed as the Chief of Communications and Information Technology, Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral Alexander Bingel formerly Director Combat Policy and Tactics is now the Director of Logistics, Defence Headquarters.

    It further disclosed that, “Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, formerly Director Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Naval Headquarters is now the Chief of Defence Civil Military Cooperation, Defence Headquarters while Rear Admiral Kennedy Ezete formerly Director Project Monitoring, Defence Headquarters, resumes as the Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters.

    “Rear Admiral Livingstone Izu, who was the Director Manning at Naval Headquarters is the new Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral Musa Madugu, formally Deputy Director Special Operation Forces at the Defence Headquarters has been appointed as the Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordinance Depot.

    “Rear Admiral Daupreye Matthew, the erstwhile Director of Innovation and Concept Development, Naval Headquarters is now the Director of Training, Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Zakariya Muhammad, the former Director of Training, Naval Headquarters has been reappointed Chief of Training and Operations.

    “Rear Admiral Emmanuel Nmoyem has been reappointed Director Human Rights Desks at the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shettima formerly Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command moves to Defence Headquarters as Director of Plans.

    “The former Director of Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, has been appointed the Chief of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje who was the Director Equipment Standardization and Harmonization, Defence Headquarters has been appointed Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited.

    “Rear Admiral Sulaiman El-ladan, who was the Chief of Naval Engineering, Naval Headquarters is now at the Defence Research and Development Bureau at Defence Headquarters as the Director Marine Research, while Rear Admiral Idi Abbas formerly Director of Operations, Naval Headquarters is now reappointed Chief of Naval Safety and Standards.

    “Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi, the immediate past Director Communications at Naval Headquarters takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command while Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande formerly the Commandant Naval War College Nigeria has been appointed Director Operations, Naval Headquarters. Rear Admiral Istifanus Albara formerly the Head ECOWAS Maritime Security Coordination Centre, Abidjan moves to Naval Headquarters as Navy Secretary while Rear Admiral Clement Atebi has been reappointed to Naval Headquarters as the Director Audit. Rear Admiral Samson Bura formerly Director Search and Rescue, Defence Headquarters is now the Director of Logistics at the Defence Intelligence Agency while Rear Admiral Umar Chugali formerly Director Cyber at the Defence Space Administration takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command.

    “Rear Admiral Oluwole Fadeyi has been reappointed Director Record Returns and Analysis, Naval Headquarters, likewise Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire reappointed Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command.

    “The new postings also saw Rear Admiral Eugenio Ferreira reappointed Commander Operation DELTA SAFE, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan formerly Director of Policy, Naval Headquarters redeployed to Naval War College Nigeria, Calabar as the Commandant, while Rear Admiral Baratuaipri Iyalla formerly Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command reappointed Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Oghara.

    “Rear Admiral Kohath Levi formerly Chief Staff Officer Naval Doctrine Command resumes at Naval Headquarters as the Chief of Naval Engineering, while Rear Admiral Bashir Mohammed formerly Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters is now the Director Project Monitoring, Defence Headquarters.

    “Rear Admiral Julius Nwagu formerly Director Campaign Planning, Naval Headquarters is now appointed Commandant Defence Intelligence College. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu has been reappointed Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, while Rear Admiral Mike Oamen who was the Director Veterans Affairs, Naval Headquarters is now the Chief of Naval Transformation at the Naval Headquarters.

    “Also, Rear Admiral James Okosun has been reappointed Commandant Nigerian Navy Engineering College, Sapele, Rear Admiral Ayodeji Olugbode formerly Managing Director Admiralty Maritime Services Limited, takes over as Hydrogragher of the Nigerian Navy, while Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu formerly Director of Ships Design and Acquisition at the Naval Headquarters has been appointed as the Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    “The immediate past Commander Naval Drafting, Rear Admiral Habilla Zakaria resumes Headquarters Naval Doctrine Command as the Flag Officer Commanding while Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly Managing Director Navy Exchange Limited, is now the Director of Logistics, Defence Space Administration at the Defence Headquarters.

    “The erstwhile Chief of Accounts and Budget, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Kasimu Bushi has been appointed Managing Director Navy Hotels and Suites Limited while the immediate past Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan resumes Naval Headquarters as the Chief of Policy and Plans.

    “Rear Admiral Abdulmajid Ibrahim, former Director Peace Keeping Operations, Naval Headquarters is appointed Director Defence Transformation at the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu former Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command takes over as the Commandant National Defence College, Abuja.

    “Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, formerly the Director Marine Engineering, Naval Headquarters is appointed Managing Director Navy Building and Construction Company Limited, while Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed who was Director of Recruitments Resettlement and Reserve, Naval Headquarters has been appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Space Administration at the Defence Headquarters.

    “Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong formerly the Director of Weapon Engineering, Naval Headquarters resumes as the Admiral Superintendent Naval Shipyard Limited. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Abdul-rasheed Haruna has been reappointed as the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Eastern Naval Command while Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim who was Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Limited has been appointed Managing Director Admiralty Marine Services Limited.

    “Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade, the outgone Admiral Superintendent Naval Shipyard Limited assumes office as the Director Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral John Mamman is reappointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Western Naval Command likewise Rear Admiral John Okeke is reappointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Central Naval Command. Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude, the former Fleet Commander Western Fleet resumes Naval Headquarters as the Director of Plans.

    The redeployment also affected Rear Admiral Peter Zakaria formerly Director of Arms, Naval Headquarters now appointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Logistics Command and Rear Admiral Sunday Atakpa who is reappointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Naval Training Command.

    “Rear Admiral Abdul-hamid Baba-Inna, formerly the Director of Legal Services, Naval Headquarters is now Director of Administration, Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral Patrick Effah, formerly Director of Maritime Domain Awareness, Naval Headquarters is now the Director of Naval Intelligence.

    “Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, who was the Deputy Director Defence Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser assumes office as the Director of Training, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, the immediate past Director of Personnel Release at the Naval Headquarters takes over as the Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

    “Rear Admiral Olusegun Soyemi, formerly the Director Monitoring and Evaluation Analysis, Naval Headquarters is appointed Director of Policy, Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral Abraham Zipelle, formerly Commandant Defence Intelligence College now moves to Naval Headquarters as the Director of Manning. Furthermore, Commodore Omotola Olukoya, who was the Commander Central Pay Office resumes as the new Chief of Accounts and Budget, Naval Headquarters.”

    Channels TV

  • Reason Cannabis is criminalized in Nigeria but not in US, UK, Others – NDLEA

    Reason Cannabis is criminalized in Nigeria but not in US, UK, Others – NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday defended the criminalisation of marijuana use in Nigeria as opposed to several other countries such as the US, UK, and Canada.

    The Secretary, NDLEA, Shadrack Haruna, who was a guest on Wednesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, said there was “a lot of misconception” about decriminalising the use of drugs.

    “You travel to Canada, you travel anywhere, and you say, ‘They’ve decriminalised marijuana or cannabis and we’re using it,’” he said.

    “But of course, you have different species of marijuana and in those countries, they have very good policies; very good enforcement and measurement standards which they have to follow.”

    Haruna explained that there are different species of cannabis grown worldwide.

    “The species they have, which they say they have decriminalised in some of those countries, are those without Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active ingredient that makes one to be something else,” he said.

    “We have cannabis that is far, far more potent, almost 45 percent, 100 percent Tetrahydrocannabinol. We can’t compare it to what they’re saying they have decriminalised.”

    In those countries, enforcement is strict, he explained, arguing further that not so many countries, including the US, have “actually said we have decriminalised some of these drugs. None, including the UK”.

    According to the NDLEA secretary, the UK used to allow the importation of cannabinol, which he said is used for some kinds of medical treatment.

    “But of late, they have also restricted it because they’ve noticed the increasing content of cannabinol in that particular oil,” he said.

    Haruna said while some argue for its commercialisation in Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that the harmful impact of cannabis outweighs its benefits.

    “Some people are saying, ‘We make a lot of money from it.’ But it is not money we are looking for. We are looking for the health of the nation. We’re looking for the well-being of individuals,” he said.

    “But they are talking about the commercialisation of drugs and all those things. To me, it is a misconception, which of course the media should come out against it because we know that it’s something that is wrong for this country.”

    Channels TV

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Ebonyi’s Nwifuru calls on Nigerians to work for development of nation

    Eid-El-Kabir: Ebonyi’s Nwifuru calls on Nigerians to work for development of nation

    Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Wednesday called on Nigeria leaders to put aside parochial interest and work towards ensuring that the county gets to the pinnacle of development.

    He made the call in a message during this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

    According to the Governor, “For the country to attain greatness, our Leaders should at all times preach peace and unity and display love towards one another irrespective of religious and political affiliations”.

    Governor Nwifuru enjoined Nigerians to emulate prophet Ibrahim by extending hands of kindness to their neighbours.

    “As you celebrate today, I want to appeal to you to remember the downtrodden who need your help. You must strive to give them a sense of belonging. You must also use this solemn occasion to reflect on the life of prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice and obedience to Almighty Allah.”

    The Governor who used the occasion to appreciate Muslims in the State for their steadfastness, pledged to re-dedicate himself to providing selfless service to residents of the State, irrespective of religious affiliation.

    He further urged Muslims to continue to pray and support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in the task of moving the nation forward. Ends

    Vanguard

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Tinubu, Obi, Atiku Felicitate Muslims

    Eid-El-Kabir: Tinubu, Obi, Atiku Felicitate Muslims

    …Tinubu Reassures Security, Economic Reforms

    President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have felicitated with Nigerian Muslims as they join other faithfuls around the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

    In their separate messages obtained by Pacesetter, the trio preached messages of hope for the country.

    Tinubu in a statement entitled, “We Must Multiply Our Good Deeds”, personally signed by him on Tuesday, described Eid-el-Kabir as a festival of sacrifice and total obedience to Allah as exemplified in the exceptional action of Prophet Ibrahim.

    While urging Muslim faithfuls to multiply good deeds with kindness to their fellow Muslims and others by helping and supporting the weak and vulnerable, he noted that he’s aware of the security and economic challenges being faced by the country.

    The President, however, assured that the problems are not insurmountable, adding that he’s working day and night with his team, fleshing out solutions, to reform the economy and remove all impediments to growth.

    Tinubu said, “As we immerse ourselves in the joy of this moment and celebrate, let us remember those who may not be as fortunate like us. Coming as the end of religious activities spanning the first ten days of the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah, Eid-el-Kabir enjoins us as Muslims to show mercy and compassion to our fellow humans.

    “There is no greater sense of duty ever recorded in history outside the ennobling example of Prophet Ibrahim in offering his only son Ismail as sacrifice to Allah. The best way by which we can demonstrate this example is in how we conduct ourselves in relation to our fellow citizens and in our duties to our beloved country. We must imbibe and manifest those values inherent in Prophet Ibrahim’s life, namely; complete devotion to Allah, tolerance, patience, perseverance, selflessness, love and compassion.

    “At the moment, our country is going through some challenges especially with our struggling economy and simmering security challenges. While I acknowledge all of these, I want to assure you that they are not insurmountable. I am working day and night with my team, fleshing out solutions. We have started with the decisions taken so far, to reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth. As we embrace the present challenges, we must face the future with vigour and Renewed Hope with the confidence that our tomorrow shall be better and brighter. I wish you all a happy Sallah celebration.”

    Atiku emphasises patience

    On his part, Mr Atiku said the significance of the festival is “the profitability of being patient with God in our affairs as human beings, and most especially, as Muslims.”

    He also enjoined Nigerians to follow the footsteps of the prophets, “especially Prophet Mohammed, which means that we must live our everyday life as a sacrifice, not just for our families, but the communities where we find ourselves.”

    “Nigeria is currently in need of prayers. We must continue to ask God Almighty to show His blessings upon the country and to elevate Nigeria to a path of peace, harmony, and prosperity,” he added.

    Peter Obi’s message of hope

    Also, Mr Obi charged Nigerians not to allow the prevailing hardship and provocative attitudes of leaders in the country to affect their faith in God.

    He urged Nigerians to devote themselves to the values that unite and bind all citizens in love while permanently putting behind all divisive tendencies.

    He said: “An intense prayer for our dear country has become very necessary more than ever before as our nationhood is in dire need of divine intervention to survive.

    “Our economy is already under severe stress, the currency is losing value daily, unemployment and inflation rising at unprecedented speed, and people living in multi-dimensional poverty are increasing by the day.”

    Mr Obi therefore implored Muslims not to despair and “miss the essence and meaning of Eid-el-Kabir festivity and the divine succour it brings, assuring us that there is always a light at the end of eve ry tunnel because a new Nigeria is possible.”

    Pacesetter/Premium Times/Arise News

  • UK Expresses Willingness to Partner Enugu Govt for Mutual Economic Benefits

    UK Expresses Willingness to Partner Enugu Govt for Mutual Economic Benefits

    …As Mbah makes case for restoration of visa centre to Enugu

    The governments of the United Kingdom (UK) and Enugu State will partner for the mutual economic benefits of the UK and the state, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, and the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, have stated.

    This was even as Dr. Mbah has sought the technical assistance of the UK government as well as the restoration of UK visa facilitation center to Enugu to boost trade, business, and other relationships between the UK and Enugu State.

    Both men made this known during a visit by the UK High Commissioner to Governor Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday.

    Speaking during the visit, Dr. Montgomery, who expressed his support for the investment and economic growth drive of the new administration in the state, recalled that the UK had partnered with Enugu State for over 20 years on issues like public health sector reforms, education, power sector reforms, among others.

    “So, we are interested in continuing that partnership. I have been reading the press and the ways you have been seeking to already put your stamp on reforms and your ambitions for the state.

    “I am here to listen, learn, and understand more about your priority and that of your new government to explore areas of further collaboration.

    “I understand that very important reforms are currently being made in Nigeria, trying to put the economy back on track and on a higher growth path.

    “We really hope that the South East and Enugu State will see more opportunities coming from the economy in the coming years.

    “There might be some short-term pressures and volatility to manage, but we can see the prospects for a higher growth path for Nigeria.

    “The UK is very interested in exploring partnerships on trade and investment and I have come to Enugu to understand your agenda and to explore those areas of potential partnership going forward”, he stated.

    Speaking, Governor Mbah, who went down the memory lane on what he described as Enugu’s consequential roles and place in the history of Nigeria, said the state was eager to take back its preeminent place.

    “We have also shared an ambitious vision to the people of Enugu State on where we could get to in terms of our economy. One of the things we said to them is our ambition to transform Enugu to become a premier destination for investment, business, living and tourism. And we also have plans to eradicate poverty in the state, which is currently higher than the national average.

    “This is why your visit to us today is quite remarkable because we believe it is not a journey we can go alone. We need partnerships. We need collaborations in order to achieve that. Interestingly, we have a history of partnership with the UK, just as you have alluded to”.

    On the need to restore the British Council and the UK visa facilitation centre to Enugu, Mbah emphasised: “I have told you some of the historic roles Enugu had played in the history of the South and there could be no better place to site a visa facilitation centre than Enugu. So, we are looking forward to that to boost trade, investment, and cooperation between the UK and our state”.

    Mbah also explained that the state would host the Investment and Economic Growth Stakeholder Roundtable scheduled for September to herald the Enugu State Diaspora and Investment Forum planned for April 2024 to showcase the investment potentials of the state and therefore solicited support towards developing those potentials.

    The governor equally sought the technical assistance of the UK government in the areas of power to develop and build the Enugu electricity market and the consequent regulatory commission, as power had been devolved to the Concurrent List in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

    He further solicited the support of the UK government in developing Enugu State as a special agro-allied processing zone in line with the administration’s manifesto and the state’s listing by the FG for the purpose

    “We are also interested in the private-sector-led green economic transformation where we obviously believe that we can participate in renewable energy so that most of our catchment power requirements can actually be attended to. So, the emphasis is on technical assistance and support”, Mbah stressed.

  • Gov. Mbah congratulates Muslims, Nigerians on Eid-el-Kabir celebration

    Gov. Mbah congratulates Muslims, Nigerians on Eid-el-Kabir celebration

    …calls for sacrifices, collaboration on religious harmony, peace

    Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has felicitated Muslim faithful across the state, Nigeria and the world at large over this year’s Eid el-Kabir celebration commemorating Abraham’s sacrifices to God.

    Mbah, who called on both the Muslim Ummah and other Nigerians to make uncommon sacrifices for the development of the country, further urged them to sustain the spirit of the Sallah celebration which encapsulates peace, love, unity, progress, neighborliness, development and nation-building, even as he promised that his administration would run governance of inclusiveness, encourage religious harmony and forge a common front for the wellness of the society.

    In a statement made available on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mainstream Media, Dan Nwomeh, the Governor further assured that the peace and security of the citizens irrespective of religious leaning would be his administration’s priority.

    He stressed that the Muslim Ummah, and indeed all Nigerians, should learn some good lessons from the sacrifice made by Abraham by being their neighbours’ keepers, adding that Christians, Muslims and others have been co-existing harmoniously in the state, which his administration would continue to consolidate.

    “Let me thank the Almighty Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, for this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration by our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State, Nigeria and the world at large.

    “This year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration has ushered in peace, unity and progress symbolizing the beginning of a new journey of greatness in the annals of our state and country. It has its spiritual significance which all Muslim Ummah must not abandon in the course of this celebration. The Sallah celebration has taught us unconditional sacrifices for our family, neighbours, and our society. It has taught us that peace costs nothing but remains priceless. It has given clues on how to live in harmony with people around us.

    “Our dear Enugu State, unarguably, remains the most peaceful state in terms of religious tolerance and freedom of worship. We intend to build on this strong pillar of peace in our administration to ensure religious inclusiveness across board.

    “As we mark this year’s Eid el Kabir, I urge Nigerians to continue to pray for enduring peace in our state and country in general, see government and governance as a collective responsibility, assist our security agencies in preventing crimes by reporting unusual and strange activities in our neighborhoods, and join hands in the ongoing nation-building,” part of the statement reads.

    The Governor also reassured Enugu residents of his desire to transform the state through industrialisation, robust development policies and projects that would lift the citizens out of the pit of poverty, provide jobs for the youths, empower the vulnerable, and promote gender inclusiveness.

    The statement further wished Muslim faithful a happy Sallah celebration and Allah’s protection throughout the period of festivity.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tinubu returns to Nigeria; meets with Buhari in London

    Tinubu returns to Nigeria; meets with Buhari in London

    President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday evening, landed in Lagos from London, just in time for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations scheduled for Wednesday.

    Tinubu’s Presidential Jet touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, where he was give a warm welcome from a crowd of eager supporters eagerly awaiting his arrival.

    The journey marked the end of his week-long trip to Paris, where he participated in the New Global Financing Pact Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

    Additionally, Tinubu made a brief stop in London, United Kingdom for a private visit.

    Tinubu, Buhari meets in London

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, in London, United Kingdom.

    The outcome of the meeting between the duo is not yet known as the details of their discussions were not made public.

    However, some presidential aides released pictures of the meeting on social media.

    Leadership/Daily Trust