24032021 - Insecurity threatens 2023 elections, Ortom tells Buhari

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34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 Kidnapping and closure of schools: Surest bomb for the destruction of Nigeria (1) IN recent times, news media across the country have been replete with stories of incessant kidnappings and closure of schools. From these reports, it is clear that students and teachers at all levels of education – primary, secondary and tertiary – are not immune from the danger posed by armed invaders. Right from the widelyreported kidnapping of female students in Chibok community by members of the Boko Haram terrorist group on April 15, 2014, it does not seem that the incidents of kidnappings are waning in the country. Due to this, many state governments have resorted to the closure of schools as the first and immediate response to kidnappings. Therefore, I will consider some of the reported incidents of kidnapping and schools’ closure, and the effect on education and the country. Some reported incidents of kidnapping & school closure: PM News issue of March 11, 2021 gave a caption as follows – Kidnapping: Niger Government Closes All Public Secondary Schools. It reported thus: The Niger State Ministry of Education has directed closure of all public secondary schools for two weeks to enable the state government asses security threats and and its impact on schools. The schools would be closed between Friday, March 12 and Friday, March 27, according to the state Commissioner of Education, Hajiya Hannatu Salihu. The commissioner noted that the closure will give relevant security agencies the time and opportunity to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of all public secondary schools in the state. The decision to close schools in the state came after an emergency consultative meeting with the leadership of the Association of the Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Association of Model Islamic Schools, AMIS, Executive Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, NSUBEB, Heads of Education Agencies, Directors of the Ministry and other stakeholders of the sector. The closure of schools came in the light of recent abduction of students at the Government Science College, in Kagara community of the state few weeks ago. On March 17, 2021, Withinnigeria News under the headline, "Kidnapping: Kaduna Closes All Schools in Kajuru LGA" reported thus: Kaduna has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state following continuous attacks on schools by bandits… Last Thursday, 39 students were abducted when gunmen invaded the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Afaka, Igabi LGA of the state. The students were later seen in a video clip receiving heavy beatings from their abductors, calling on government to pay the ransom to secure their release. Another report, Newdawnngr, gave the following headline, February 27, 2021, "Kidnapping/Abduction: Zamfara Govt Orders Closure of Boarding Schools". It reported that: The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, on Friday, ordered the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state following the abduction of 317 female students in Talata Mafara Local Government Area. The governor gave the directive in a special state broadcast on the abduction of the students at Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, saying it is a trying moment for the state. “I wish to assure everyone that we are wholly committed to ensuring a speedy rescue of our dear schoolgirls and reuniting them with their families" . He said police helicopters and other search and rescue operatives have been deployed to the area where the abducted girls are believed to be, adding that members of the public, and most especially the parents and guardians of the students, would be kept informed of developments in the efforts to rescue them. “As we are making efforts to strengthen security around our schools, I have directed the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools across the state," the governor said. The effect of kidnappings and school closure on education: As I earlier observed, there seems to be no reduction in the reports of kidnappings, so much that experts have predicted a rise in the number of out-of-school children due to More proactive steps have to be taken to secure schools from bandit or terrorist attacks and to stop the kidnapping of students incessant attacks on schools particularly in the North Central and Northwestern Nigeria. According to a report by Blueprint, an expert noted thus: Never in history has the education industry in Nigeria been so threatened by insecurity like its current state. The attacks on schools often have adverse effects not only on students, educators, parents and educational institutions, but also on the government and the society at large. The rising cases of kidnapping incidents at schools in Nigeria show how vulnerable schools in northern Nigeria have become for bandits and kidnappers. It means that kidnappers, bandits, terrorists or whatever name they are called, have declared war on the education sector in the North and in extension on the future of our students and country. When a teacher goes to school and is not guaranteed of his safety, it will affect his performance. Schools being shut down completely will impact negatively on the education sector, the system. The number of out-of-school children will continue to rise because parents whose children are back from bandits will begin to think otherwise and will not want them to go to school. The children will then begin roaming the streets and in the future, these children will be recruited into c r i m i n a l activities. More proactive steps have to be taken to secure schools from bandit or terrorist attacks and to stop the kidnapping of students. This is because if the emerging trend of kidnappings, especially students’ abductions are allowed to continue, it will not only consume our education sector, but also the future of our country. Our children and teachers deserve to learn and teach under a peaceful atmosphere devoid of any form of fear or intimidation either by kidnappers, bandits or terrorists. In another interview, Blueprint also reported thus: Everyone has the right to education. It is unfortunate that the fragility in the North is derailing education which is fundamental to the socioeconomic growth and development of the region and its ability to compete in the global economy. Following the incessant attacks on schools in the northern part of the country, certainly, the gains of the past in term of enrolment, retention and completion or graduation are being eroded. It will balloon the outrageous figure of out-of-school children in Nigeria. This is because no one wants to suffer the trauma of having his/her children abducted in the name of getting education. The number of street children/Almajirai will also increase. Child marriage will automatically rise with its nasty attendant implications like VVF and maternal mortality and morbidity among other issues. Unfortunately, with this trend, Nigeria cannot actualize the SDGs 2030 target. Another expert noted thus: Given the pace at which bandits attack schools, government and private proprietors will be forced to shut down schools, intermittently, and then for much longer. Parents on the other hand will also be reluctant to send their wards and children to school; while teachers and other caregivers will be reluctant to report for work. The overall consequence will be empty schools, and gap in the education of children. Children will be left idle, and restless, since they cannot even be engaged with the livelihood practices of their parents due to insecurity. Poverty will increase, social cohesion within the homes and the communities will be stretched, and there will be increase in anti-social behaviour among children, with both children and their parents developing mental health issues. All of these will make recovery more tedious, and take longer even when security and safety are restored. Unfortunately, the impact will not just be on the North-west, or Northcentral; the impact will eventually be national and nationwide. People will tend to leave insecure places for relatively more secure places, and the inequality with respect to the conditions of living and existence of residents and the new influx of those seeking refuge from insecurity will potentially be destabilising for their new place of refuge as well. To be concluded… :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews $1.5bn: PH refinery'll run for another 15 years —NNPC GMD •Says new refinery may cost $12bn By Obas Esiedesa ABUJA—THE Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has explained that the Port Harcourt Refinery would operate for the next 15 years after its rehabilitation at the cost of $1.5 billion. Kyari who defended the cost involved in the rehabilitation of the refinery, pointed out that building a new one may cost up to $12 billion. The Federal Executive Council had last Wednesday approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the moribund refinery, a decision that has been criticized in several quarters. But the NNPC in a statement on Tuesday explained that the scope of the contract goes beyond just turn around maintenance of the refinery to entail replacement of key components of the plant. Kyari described the approved rehabilitation contract of the 210,000 barrels per day capacity refinery as a worthy undertaking embarked upon after diligent consideration and in strict adherence to industry best standards. He explained that in arriving at the decision to award the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to Tecnimont spA of Milan, Italy, after a competitive bidding process, the Corporation observed an unprecedented level of transparency and due diligence By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY—EDO State govern ment, yesterday, evening destroyed the residence of former deputy governor, Dr Pius Odubu situated at Dennis Osadebey Avenue GRA in Benin City. The property was occupied by the younger brother to Odubu as at the time of the demolition. Also destroyed were properties belonging to a former Secretary to State Government, SSG and present member representing Owan Federal Constituency, Professor Julius Ihonvbere and that of a sports marketer, Mike Etemuagbo. Odubu described the incident as unfortunate, adding the matter was already before the court of law after the government announced the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy, which he said he read in the news. "The information came to me this afternoon (yesterday), March 23, that my property situated at Dennis Osadebe Avenue had been brought down by agents of the government on the directive of the governor. "Before now, my attention was which consists of a governance structure and tender process that included key independent external stakeholders. He said: "We have people saying why not build a new one; why will you repair an old refinery with 1.5 billion dollars? "The fact is available even by Google search, what it takes to build a refinery of this status today. It will be difficult for the country to build a new refinery as it will take four years for it to commence production. "It is around $7 billion and $12 billion to construct a refinery of this nature (Port Harcourt refinery). This is the estimate you see in public space and there are things you do outside the construction battle-limits like the utilities that are never accounted for when estimates of this nature are done. "Typically, there is an additional 25 per cent cost for construction battlelimits, so, when you say a refinery can be built at $7 billion or even $10 billion, also think of that 25 per cent", he added. He continued: "With today's estimate, you cannot build a refinery at any cost below these amounts, that means that the option you have is to scrap this and build a new one, and we all know that we don't have that resource. "If we start a new refinery of this nature today, it can't work in less than four years; therefore, it means we will continue to import petroleum products in the next four years or more". Obaseki's bulldozer pulls down ex-Edo dep gov, Odubu, Ihonvbere, Etemuagbo brought to a publication in the media in January that the C of O of my property had been revoked without prior notice given to me. "I went to court in the matter and I am surprised that after they were served, the government still went ahead to bring down my house with a bulldozer. "My younger one was in the house when it was brought down and they did not give them notice nor allow him to remove any of their properties before destroying the place," he said. Wife of his younger brother, Mrs Precious Odubu, who narrated the incident to newsmen, said, "The way they came in, not through the main gate, I was afraid and asked about their mission and they told me that they want to demolish the house and if there are children in the building, they should be brought out. "Without even waiting for my response, they just brought in their buldozers and started destroying the house without allowing us to remove our properties," she stated. At press time, there was no official response from the state government. Leading Ladies Africa pushes for gender parity, gets Appzone support By Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor WOMEN-FOCUSED Non-Prof it Organisation Leading Ladies Africa has said that the panacea for Africa's economic growth is to give women a fair share in the leadership of the economies. The group which condemned what it described as gender imbalance in the scheme of things in Africa said African leaders must let women take adequate share in leadership of the continent. The group in a statement said it must continue on its goal of strengthening the continued push for gender equality, parity and inclusion for African women. Amplifying the group's internal diversity and inclusion drive, it initiated a Leadership By Design Summit, which seeks to address and proffer solutions to the most pressing challenges women face in business, workplace, and leadership fields. The event is billed to hold March 27, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Oniru, Lagos. Meanwhile, a leading FinTech Software Company, Appzone Group has thrown its weight behind the summit, saying it understands the importance of fostering a society where women and men are treated as equals. Group Chief Marketing Officer Appzone, Efosa Aiyevbomwan said: "As a Pan-African brand with a global outlook, we're excited to partner with Leading Ladies Africa because we understand the importance of cultivating a workforce and society that is truly diverse and inclusive, fostering a continued sense of equity for women and other minority groups.
Continues from Page 5 contest this, we will contest that. “For me, I want us, as leaders of this country, who have taken oath of office, let us abide by those things we have said, work together as a team, leave politics aside, leave ethnicity aside, then secure the country, Nigeria. We have no other country than Nigeria. “Today, we cannot go to Cameroon or Senegal or any other country and claim responsibility, so my appeal to everyone is to ensure that we work together. Security matters are not just for the security agencies alone. We as people who are being led, have a responsibility, we who are leaders, have a responsibility. “It is only when we team up that we’ll be able to surmount this challenge. But I think there shouldn’t be room for people who are creating problems for us. We have a constitution, we have laws of the land. If people are found wanting, they should be cautioned, they should be arrested, prosecuted and let the right thing be done.” ‘Let’s protect the constitution’ Speaking on the protection of the constitution, Ortom appealed for the provisions of the constitution to be protected to enable equity, fairness, and justice in the country. He criticized the issue of impunity in the country which he said had been allowed to fester, and urged the Federal Government to immediately prosecute anyone found culpable of breaching the law. On the question of reports alleging that attack on his convoy was a pseudo-claim, the governor appealed to Nigerians not to politicize the issue of attempted assassination on his person. Naira appreciates N409.80/$ in I&E window By Elizabeth Adegbesan The naira yesterday appreciated to N409.80 kobo per dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the window dropped by 33 kobo to N409.80 kobo per dollar from N410.13 per dollar on Monday, translating to 33 kobo appreciation of the naira. The volume of dollars (turnover) traded in the window yesterday rose by 28 percent to $33.11 million from $25.88 million on Monday. vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews Insecurity threatens 2023 elections, Ortom tells Buhari He reiterated that the attack on his convoy by about 15 gunmen suspected to be herdsmen while on a visit to his farm, was not stage-managed. While asserting that he had done nothing wrong to enact an anti-open grazing law beneficial to the state, he said the demand by the cattle breeders association, Miyetti Allah, to repeal the law would be impossible to fulfill, having passed through due process. Ortom, who prayed that what happened to him should not be experienced by anyone else, commended other governors, colleagues for standing by him during the attack. Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen last Saturday attacked Governor Ortom at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/ Gboko road in Makurdi Local Government Area of the state. Ortom, who described the gunmen as ‘herdsmen’, said about 15 of the attackers trailed him to the river bank where he was on foot. Attack on Ortom, indication of anarchy — Reps Similarly, the House of Representatives yesterday condemned the attack on the governor and asked security agencies to go after the perpetrators. The lower chamber condemned the incident when the matter came up during yesterday’s plenary presided over by the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila. It described the attack on the governor as an indication of anarchy and full-scale lawlessness in the country. The House, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for promptly ordering an investigation into the incident. It also called on the security agencies to ensure that those involved were brought to justice, to serve as a deterrent to others. The resolution of the House followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kpam Jimin Sokpo, who represents Buruku Federal Constituency of Benue State and 11 others. Presenting the motion, Sokpo raised concerns about the worsening spate of violent crimes and insecurity across the country, ranging from cultism, armed robbery, armed herdsmen attacks, bandit attacks, armed militia attacks, to Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism. He expressed worries that “on Saturday, March 20, 2021, some gunmen suspected to be killer herders, ambushed and opened gunfire on the convoy of the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom at Tyo-Mu, a distance of less than 20 kilometers from Makurdi, the state capital.’’ He explained further that the attackers, numbering over 15, wielding sophisticated weapons and dressed in black, had trailed the governor from the farm but were repelled by the security details attached to the governor who had to run for over one kilometer to safety. In his contribution to debate on the motion, Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta), warned that if the violent herdsmen were not stopped as fast possible, Nigeria might soon begin to import basic foods as cassava. “If care is not taken, we will soon be importing yams, cassava and garri into the country, to feed our people, because our people in the grassroots, are no longer going to their farms, because of attacks from herdsmen,” he warned. Adopting all the arguments, the House collectively condemned “the armed attack and assassination attempt on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State by unidentified gunmen on the 20th March, 2021”. Though the House commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt response and for immediately ordering an investigation into the attack on the governor, it also resolved to call on the Department of State Services, DSS, and Nigeria Police to investigate claims of responsibility of the attack on the governor by a Fulani group. The House, also urged all Nigerians of good conscience and lawabiding citizens to keep Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 — 35 NEWS HOTLINES 018773962, 08052867058 PUBLIC HEARING ON MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS —From left: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, during the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs’ public hearing on incessant malpractices associated with diplomatic postings and deliberate draining of resources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN. faith with the indivisibility, unity and sovereignty of the nation. Afenifere blasts Buhari over insecurity Meanwhile, the Pan- Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday berated President, Muhammadu Buhari over the failure of his government to resolve the nation’s insecurity problems and prosecute perpetraors of Agatu massacre in Benin State in 2018. Afenifere’s new leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who stated this in a statement, titled “Afenifere synpathises with Ortom over attack,” said “President Buhari’s reaction to the development amounted to shedding crocodile tears. He asked the President to “desist from pretending that he was not aware that herdsmen were the perpetrators of most of the killings the country has witnessed in recent time.” Adebanjo expressed displeasure that Buhari’s government could neither apprehend perpetrators of the 2018 Agatu massacre in Benue State nor do anything to stem attack by herdsmen in the state. “Rather than help the people of Benue, the President told an embattled Ortom when he approached the Presidency for help in 2018 to go make peace with his neighbours,” Adebanjo added. The Afenifere leader said the myriad of intractable crises bedevilling the nation appeared to have overwhelmed the President. He said now is the time to give governors full powers to be in charge of security in the states, if insecurity was to be nipped in the bud. “Restructuring still remains the only way out of the doldrums for the nation, if disintegration is to be avoided,” the Afenifere leader said. APC registers 36 million members, vows to remain in power for next 26 years By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA — The Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, of ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it was putting in place mechanisms to assist the party retain power at the centre for at least the next 26 years. National Chairman of the CECPC and governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while inaugurating a 61-member Strategy and Contact Committee, ahead of the 2023 general election. This is even as Jigawa State governor and chairman of the committee, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, said the party has now registered over 36 members in its nationwide membership registration and revalidation drive. He also expressed optimism about the ability of the Buniled CECPC to conduct the national convention of the party latest June. The ruling party is nearly half way into its second term of four years, but Buni said the party was looking at being in power beyond its eight-year tenure. He said: “The constitution of the Strategy and Contact Committee, therefore, is to consolidate the achievements we are making in building a strong party with a solid structure that would accomplish APC to stand the test of time. “Our vision is to provide a wheel that will drive the party to go beyond 6th, 7th and even 8th term of office to effectively implement the party manifesto, improve the lives of Nigerians and remain Nigeria’s leading political party. “This committee is, therefore, very key to our process of transition towards successful congresses and national convention and, to establish a very solid, reputable and reliable future for the party.” “As l said earlier, if you don’t manage your crisis, your crisis will manage you. I am happy to say that the committee is running an all inclusive administration, giving all stakeholders and indeed our members the opportunity to contribute in the onerous task of rebuilding the party." In his remarks, chairman of the committee and governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, urged members of the committee to make the necessary sacrifice and complement the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the CECPC in ensuring that the party continues to be the party of choice for Nigerians. “I note with commendation that many Nigerians have continued to join the party daily and the ongoing registration has further demonstrated the popularity of the party in the country. We are mindful of the time table publicized by the party and our committee shall work assiduously to support the party in delivering on the time table. 36 million members “Initially, we printed forms for only 10,000 members but we got up to 10 million members and now, we have gone to 36 million and that is not even enough. Now, we are printing more because people have seen what President Muhammadu Buhari has done with one slice of the resources the previous administration got. And the support is really tremendous. “It is very feasible. I know the national caretaker committee is committed to delivering in June. And we will support them and do whatever it takes to make sure we deliver by June,” the Jigawa governor added.
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24032021 - Insecurity threatens 2023 elections, Ortom tells Buhari

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