24022021 - Banditry designed to 9 destroy Nigeria — GOVS

More documents

Recommendations

Info

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 LAUNCHING: From left; Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Okafor; MD/CEO, Esso Properties Ltd, Mr. Smith Ezenagu and Com. Nweke Oliver at the launching of Berry Prime Estate, Agu-Awka and Sunray Estate, Amansea Awka, Anambra State at Parktonian Hotel, Awka, Anambra State. Uzodinma, Ohanaeze differ over military invasion of Orlu •As Uzodinma explains why he invited military •It's another war —IPOB By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Steve Oko OWERRI—APEX Igbo so cio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has decried the use of force by the military in Orlu to tackle the Eastern Security Network, ESN, even as the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma,yesterday, explained why he invited the military to the state. President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor on Monday, expressed dismay on the use of force, intimidation and violence in the crisis in Orsu in Orlu zone of Imo State, adding that it will amount to national catastrophe. According to him: “The use of the violent method will lead to a synchronised national crisis and ultimate disintegration of Nigeria and this too must be avoided”. The Ohanaeze leader who spoke on Monday when his team visited the traditional ruler of Amaifeke in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, said that those who preached or preferred military solution to Nigeria’s problem were equally a threat to Nigeria’s unity as those enemies they were fighting. He said: “Nigeria is in a precarious situation and a great caution must be taken by the leadership to avoid events that have the capacity of incrementally aggravating or opening more threats of national crisis.” He stated that insecurity in the country was real and should be treated as a matter of national emergency. Obiozor, however, thanked the South-East traditional leaders for their role in maintaining peace in the zone, adding that the Orlu senatorial zone was relatively the most peaceful in the country. In his reaction, Eze Okeke, who is the chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers thanked God that peace had eventually returned to Orlu. He said that the recent crisis between the Eastern Security Network, ESN, of Indigenous People of Biafra and the military started from the #EndSARS riots. The monarch said: “It is surprising to people that this crisis is happening in Orsu in Orlu zone. It should have taken place in the bush instead of the town. We don’t want war but peace.” Why I invited military to Orlu —Uzodinma Explaining why he invited the military, Governor Hope Uzodinma yesterday, said the military came to Orlu as the situation at hand was beyond the capacity of the local arrangement. Governor Uzodinma, who stated this after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said it was the responsibility of government to protect lives. Speaking with State House Correspondents after meeting with the President, the Imo State governor explained that his decision to invite the military was to douse the uprising in Orlu district, adding that his action was precautionary especially with the experience and the destructions that followed the #EndSARS protests. He said that the situation in Orlu region of the state had gone beyond what could be handled locally, hence his invitation to the military. According to him, “On the issue of bringing the military to Imo State,you would recall during the #EndSARS protests that a lot of properties were damaged in Imo State, police stations were burnt down, soldiers were killed and their rifles removed from them. “And immediately after the #EndSARS, we thought it was over but issues of kidnapping began, where you know, a Catholic Bishop was kidnapped who was killed. And these militants came out and begin to shoot. We’ve lost lives, market women were killed, old women were raped in Orlu area of Imo State and they visited this serious terror on the citizenry. “And I came here (presidential villa), pleaded with Mr. President for his support and he sent additional support by sending in more police. The military also came in and that is where we are. “It was on my invitation that the military came. And I did that because I know the situation was beyond the local arrangement. We needed help and the help was given to us. “And as I speak to you, the situation has come down to normal. People are now going about their businesses and those caught will soon be charged to court. And all those military riffles from the army, the police, AK 47, and so on, were recovered by the people that came. “We are a government. It is our responsibility to protect lives and we have the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police. We had security challenges and we invited them to go to work." Governor Uzodinma has been under serious attack that he brought the military to crush the people he was supposed to protect, unlike some of his governor colleagues who are negotiating with bandits to solve their security problems. But he denied the insinuation, saying that he used the security personnel he invited to restore peace and normalcy. “I don't know what you mean. I told you that our initial intelligence and the efforts to control the sporadic shootings in Orlu that led many to death, innocent women in the market being killed by a group of people that we were not able to identify. Preliminary intelligence reviewed where they were in a bush. Our local police and local military who went there and confronted them were repelled. “So, we discovered that the people had serious fire power. And that, of course, Nigeria is a federation, Imo State is a federating unit and all over the world, you have provincial police, you have federal police. So, there was a need for me to report the situation and that I did and we were supported to deal with the situation. “It is not about crushing anybody and those that came didn't do any crushing. Those that came through their intelligence identified where these people were and I can tell you, all the people were arrested, all the rifles recovered are intact. The people are under interrogation, not even one soldier or one of those militants died in the process. “I must commend DCP Abba Kyari for a brilliant job he did. So, let anybody politicize it. But I have a responsibility to protect the lives of my people.” On his meeting with the President, he said he informed Buhari about the progress on the effort to tackle insecurity. “I informed Mr. President that we were already making progress. And of course, you know, the President is a very peaceful man. “The federal government maybe negotiating with the Boko Haram but God knows that if I have the opportunity to see any man who is taking lives, I will confront the person head-on. That is why we are government.” No personal issues with Okorocha —Uzodinma Governor Uzodinma also dismissed allegations that he has a personal score to settle with his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha and denied there was an assassination attempt on the former governor. “Who will assassinate him? I don't know about any attempt to assassinate Okorocha. What I know is that I have no personal issues with Okorocha. “You will recall that before I became the governor, the Ihedioha's administration set up a judicial panel of inquiry to look into acquisitions and allegations of lands, converting government lands to personal property and then removing private lands from individuals and giving to other individuals. “The judicial panel of inquiry chaired by a judge met and they concluded the job and a white paper has since been raised. You know institutions and agencies that are involved with implementation are doing their job. “And the only thing I know is that few days ago, the former governor went with his thugs to one of the properties sealed by government. You people saw it, it was was live. He went there with thugs himself physically, wounded the policemen there, wounded the Civil Defense Civil people, the Civil Defense officer is currently in the hospital and then broke in . “Of course, you must have heard him saying that he is richer than government and that he is above the law. I am not directly involved. It is a position taken by government. There is a difference between governor and government. “The government of Imo State sealed a property. And I think that if there is anything anybody considered that is not right, the person should go to court to address the issue and not to take laws into their hands. “I remember that under Ihedioha, there was a recovery committee chaired by one Jasper Ndubaku. When they tried to visit Okorocha’s house, they were beaten to a stupor. And the same man who did that is now also doing the same thing and almost killed the man who did it during his time. “So, I don't want to go into that matter because government is a serious business and I'm very serious. I don't even have enough time to run the affairs of the state. “But people should know the difference between being a governor and the government decisions and policies. “And you know, we took oath to protect the rule of law, to protect our laws and we shouldn't be part of any arrangement to violate our laws", he said. It's another war —IPOB In his reaction to the military raid , the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu said that the Orlu military raid marked the beginning of the second Nigeria/Biafra war and vowed to mobilise the people in defense of their ancestral land "no matter the consequences". He said that besides statesponsored persecutions and brazen infuriating marginalisation and exclusion against Biafrans, killer herdsmen and terrorists have continued to raid communities in the region unchallenged by the security agencies. " Herdsmen will attack us, rape our women, destroy our farms, kill our farmers and nobody will arrest them but when we try to defend ourselves, government will come after us rolling out the tanks and using their helicopter and gun boats", he fumed. Kanu explained that the incessant unprovoked genocidal attacks by herdsmen and the docility of the Nigerian authorities gave rise to the formation of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, to protect the hapless Biafran locals against terror. But he regretted that instead of going after the perpetrators of the heinous crimes against innocent citizens, the Nigerian State rather chose to declare war against a mere vigilante volunteer group. " If defending our ancestral land against conquest by Fulani Janjaweed invaders will take me to the Hague, I am ready to go to the Hague", Kanu thundered. " The world has the indicting report by the UN Reportuer against Nigeria but they have not done anything. Do we have to wait until we are all killed before we defend ourselves?" Kanu expressed shock that the world had helplessly watched the Nigerian State use brute force against mere peaceful agitators while on the other hand, dialoguing with and facilitating amnesty and payment of ransom to bandits and terrorists who have not shown any remorse or sign of ceasation to their killing spree. According to him, world leaders ought to have demanded probe of Nigerian leaders including some northern governors and Islamic clerics over their romance with bandits. Don't turn Imo into war zone —Imo PDP By Chidi Nkwopara OWERRI—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State, has strongly condemned what it called "the horrific, violent and bloody battle, which recently occurred in the state, between supporters of Senator Rochas Okorocha and Governor Hope Uzodimma, where they were engaged in a bizarre sporadic shooting over the sealing of Royal Spring Palm Estate hotel by the government." The PDP position which came on the heels of last Sunday's confrontation, was signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ogubundu Nwadike and made available to newsmen in Owerri. His words: "It is highly disgusting that the present All Progressives Congress, APC, government in the state has turned Imo into a terror zone, theatre of war and conflict. In recent times, Imolites have had the most tragic and excruciating experience, ranging from the recent military invasion in Orsu, which led to loss of lives and properties, insecurity and other forms of gruesome attacks, leading to breakdown of peace and order in the state. "The recent violence perpetrated by supporters of Senator Rochas Okorocha and Governor Hope Uzodimma has stirred up tension and apprehension in the state, thereby toppling the atmosphere of saturated peace and tranquility. "It is indeed, highly despicable that under the present administration, Imo State, which used to be the centre and cynosure of public peace and orderliness has turned into a jungle of terror where hooliganism, rascality, thuggery and abuse of the dignity of human peace have become the order of the day. "The APC government in the state has created a Frankenstein monster which haunts the relative peace and social order in the state. Imolites are now living under fear and apprehension and can no more sleep with their two eyes closed." While saying that it was most disheartening that "Imo has become a laughing stock and object of mockery and caricature due to the present psychopathic leadership that is creating unnecessary tension and mortgaging the peace of the state", Nwadike also recalled that only last week, Uzodinma invited the Nigerian Army to Orsu local council area and environs, "on what is purely a failure of intelligence gathering by appropriate security agencies, leading to the death of innocent civilians."
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 — 13 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 CONFERENCE: From left: Mr. Premier Oiwoh, MD/CEO, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, NIBSS, Plc.; Mr. Seye Awojobi, Registrar/ CEO, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and Mr. Niyi Ajao, DMD, NIBSS Plc., during a press conference for the official launching of the e-payment certifications, held at Bankers House, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. PANDEF, Ikponmwen, others lambast Gumi over comments on militants By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South ASABA—PAN Niger-Del ta Forum, PANDEF, former Provost Marshal, Nigerian Army, Brigadier- General Idada Ikponmwen (retd), agitators and other Niger Delta stakeholders, yesterday, upbraided Muslim cleric, Sheikh Gumi, over his claim that rampaging Fulani herdsmen were militants and not bandits. National Publicity Secretary, PANDEF, Ken Robinson, said, "It is unfortunate that the nation should be hearing one absurd statement or the other from this man, every day. It is high time that the media stopped giving him attention. He is nothing other than an eccentric bigot, a paladin of marauders and murderers, dressed in cleric's toga. "It is vexing that he would have the effrontery to say Fulani herders are not criminals but militants fighting for 'their ethnic survival'. What nonsense in a hitherto illustrious country reduced to almost a Lilliputian Republic by a Fulani president. "Nigeria has never experienced the kind of nepotism and prejudice being perpetrated under the Buhari administration, in a constitutional democracy. "Virtually all strategic positions in the nation's public sector, including the military, paramilitary and intelligence agencies are firmly under Hausa-Fulani hegemony. "Oil blocks and marginal fields in the Niger Delta have been mostly exploited by northerners. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has become a 'grazing' ground for a few. "In the last four years, several eminent Nigerians, across the country, including patriotic Northerners, have spoken out against the skewed and lopsided nature of appointments by Mr President. "As we speak, PANDEF national leader and distinguished elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark and 15 other eminent Nigerians are in court over the several violations of the Federal Character Act. "But the administration continues to play deaf and dumb to the protestations and genuine concerns put forward by well-meaning Nigerians, in the interest of peace, equity and justice. "Look at the recent appointments made by the President for the headship of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; the Nigerian Correctional Service, formerly Nigerian Prison Service, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. "And in the face of these irking circumstances, a socalled Sheikh Gumi could imagine asserting killerherders are fighting for their ethnic survival. It then becomes necessary to reckon that the rest of Nigeria needs to be on the alert," he said. No time to play pranks —Ikponmwen Former Provost Marshal, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Don Idada Ikponmwen (retd), told Vanguard: "At a time when all reasonable persons are putting heads together to fashion out solutions to our worrisome security problems, it is utterly disturbing that an otherwise acclaimed religious cleric would speak in this manner. Sheikh Gumi's utterances are diversionary, illogical, inflammatory and provocative." "As most Nigerians know, the killer- herdsmen are simply murderous invaders. Militancy relates only to conscientious believers fighting for justifiable causes." Speaking through the Coordinator, 21st Century Youths for Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience, 21st CYNDAC, self-styled "General" Izon Ebi, campaigners in the oil-rich region said: "Which ethnic survival in the name of killing and kidnapping innocent Nigerians? It's not RUGA and cow rustling anymore. Nigerians know the truth about their agenda. It is a shame that Nigerians are quiet. "It is so unfortunate and disheartening that this government of President Buhari is playing politics with the lives of innocent Nigerians. Is this government taking Nigerians for a fool or what? First, the government told Nigerians that they are mercenaries from Libya and Mali and later blame it on foreign herdsmen because their cows are being rustled." Reacting also, activist, Mr Emmanuel Igbini, said: "It is very unfortunate that AIT did not immediately cut off Sheik Gumi when he started uttering 'destructed words'. He should have been treated exactly the way Tweeter shut out Trump and his lunacy. "He is just seeking attention. It would have been better he did so by going to offer himself freely as a medical doctor at the IDPs in Maiduguri and other parts of Nigeria." Asaba Airport: Delta signs concession agreement with state Airport company •Concessionaire to pay an initial sum of N1bn to the state govt By Festus Ahon ASABA—THE Delta State government, yesterday, signed a concession agreement with Asaba Airport Company to manage and run the Asaba Airport for 30 years. The agreement is coming after five years of negotiations between parties in the concession. The negotiation started in 2016 when Governor Ifeanyi Okowa indicated his intention to concession the airport for better management. The Asaba Airport Company Limited, the concessionaire, is a consortium that has technical partners as sub-concessionaires. They are Air Peace as the Anchor Airline and MRO operator, Multifreight Cargo and Logistics for the cargo and Logistics centre, Arbico Construction Company to build the Business Park, Hotel and Convention Centre, Rainoil Limited and Cybernetic Limited to develop the Tank Farm and provide aviation fuel, and Quorum Aviation Limited to develop the private jet and Helicopter Terminal of the airport. Speaking on the agreement and how it was arrived at, Chairman of Delta State government, Asaba International Airport Concession Committee, Mr Chiedu Ebie, who is also the Secretary to the State Government, said, "The Delta State government is delighted that after an extensive bid process, which spanned five years, with two major consortia emerging in the last round of bidding process, the FIDC-Menzies Consortium was selected as the preferred bidder to operate as the Master Concessionaire. "FIDC is an emerging and fast-growing Nigerian building, construction and civil engineering company. Menzies on the other hand is one of the biggest airports operators in the world. It operates in over 200 airports around the world, showing dominance in most major airports in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Europe and South Africa." Meanwhile, Governor Okowa in his speech at the signing ceremony said that the Concessionaire would "pay an annual fee of N100 million to the state while the agreement lasts. They will also pay an initial sum of N1billion to the state government hours after the agreement is signed." Okowa who enumerated other benefits of the concession of the airport to the people of Delta State praised the efforts of the Airport Concession Committee for making his vision for the airport a reality. Alema bags Warri Voice Award of Excellence Assembly passes bills for establishment of 3 varsities in Delta By Festus Ahon ASABA—DELTA State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed three bills for the establishment of University of Delta, Agbor, Dennis Osadebe University, Anwai, Asaba and Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro. The passage of the three bills which were sent by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, seeking legislative backing of the House for the upgrade of the College of Education Agbor, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro and Delta State University, Anwai Campus to Universities, was done at plenary pre- Edo govt, APC fight over N30bn stormwater project •Security beefed up at Palm House as govt alleges arson attempt By Gabriel Enogholase & Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY—THE Edo State Government and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have engaged in a war of words over plans by the state government to probe the multi-phased Benin Water Storm project which the first phase of N30billion, Governor Godwin Obaseki on Monday, said was not designed to work and was a plot to defraud the state. The state government, also said, yesterday, that it had deployed security operatives on Monday night to safeguard the premises of the state Government Secretariat also known as Palm House, in Benin City, following intelligence reports of an arson attempt at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability offices, to destroy critical documents about the N30 billion Benin stormwater project. But a statement by Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Azebamwan, yesterday, dared Governor Obaseki to carry out his threat to probe the project and make its "findings public, so that the very enlightened and informed Edo people would know the truth of the matter." A statement by the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie, said that the government would ensure WARRI—THE Alema of Warri Kingdom, Delta State, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan has been conferred with the prestigious Warri Voice Newspaper Award of Excellence as the 'Outstanding Itsekiri Man of the year.' Editor of Warri Voice Newspaper, Ms Tetsoma Neyin in her address, said that the award conferred on Chief Uduaghan was due to his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Delta State, which was made in specific reference to his timely palliative distribution to Deltans in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world. that it uncovers the details surrounding the project, its execution and also assured that all those culpable were brought to justice. Ogie noted, "Following the commitment of the Edo State Government to probe the N30 billion Benin stormwater project, the state received intelligence of a possible arson at the offices of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, which houses vital documents on the project. "The government immediately deployed security operatives to guard the premises of the Ministry overnight to protect its assets. "We have successfully evacuated these vital documents to a safe location to ensure their integrity and in readiness for a probe." Meanwhile, APC in a statement by Azebamwan said the project was jointly handled by the State Ministry Environment and Public Utilities and Ministry of Works with several commissioners including Ogie, who was in charge of the Works Ministry. He said: "While the project was ongoing, Obaseki as chairman of the Economic Team, regularly accompanied his predecessor to inspect the progress of work after he played the key role of sourcing the first N25 billion from the Capital Market through his company, Afrinvest, which reportedly got N1.5billion commission from the deal.‘‘ The ceremony took place in Warri. Publisher of Warri Voice Newspaper, Mr Femi Odonmeta, while presenting the award to the recipient, called on him to see the award as a stepping stone for greater achievements as well as a challenge to do more by increasing the temple of his charitable work to humanity, for which he is known. Responding, Chief Uduaghan, who was represented by Monday Agbeyi, thanked the Warri Voice Newspaper crew for finding him worthy of the award, noting that the award would spur the recipient to do more for the people of Delta State as well as the media, especially the Warri Voice Newspaper. sided over by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori. Vanguard reports that separate motions for the third reading of the three bills were moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Oboro Preyor and adopted at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Oborevwori. The names of two of the institutions were, however, changed during the Committee of Whole by members in line with law making processes of the legislature. The Delta State University of Education, Agbor, was changed to University of Delta, Agbor, while the Delta State University of Science and Agriculture, Anwai, is now known as Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai-Asaba. The House Committee on Education, had presented its reports on the three bills, where it said rigorous legislative scrutiny was carried out by members on the bills. Chairman of the Committee, Mr Charles Emetulu, explained that some amendments were proposed for the consideration of the House. The Speaker, Oborevwori expressed happiness over the passage of the bills, saying that it would further grow the educational sub sector of the state and commended the naming of one of the universities after the former Premier of the defunct Midwestern region, Chief Dennis Osadebay. The House adjourned plenary to March 9, 2021.
Page 1 and 2: CRYPTOCURRENCY: We acted in Nigeria
Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2
Page 5 and 6: vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguar
Page 11: Vanguard, , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24,
Page 17 and 18: Where federalism works THE world ha
Page 19 and 20: CURRENCY BUYING SELLING US DOLLAR P
Page 27 and 28: •The jetty at the Ogurugu seaport
Page 33 and 34: CHANGE OF NAME SAIFULLAH I, formerl
Page 35 and 36: Continues from Page 5 concessionair
Page 37 and 38: VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2

24022021 - Banditry designed to 9 destroy Nigeria — GOVS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?