02062021 - Attacks on INEC offices won’t stop 2023 polls —BUHARI

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8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 WORLD MILK DAY CONFAB — From left: GM Operations, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Dairy Development, John Olayiwola; President, Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria, CODARAN, M. D. Abubakar; Senior Programme Manager, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Audu Grema, and Dairy Development Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Dairy Development, Samson Akinade, during the CODARAN World Milk Day Conference in Abuja, co-sponsored by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. Insecurity: <strong>Attacks</strong> on INEC offices won’t stop 2023 polls — Buhari •Says we’ve given enough time to those trying to destroy Nigeria By Johnbosco Agbakwuru A BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that attacks on offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, nationwide, especially in the South East, will not stop 2023 elections. He also threatened that the federal government had given enough time to people plotting to destroy the country by promoting insurrection and burning down critical national assets, warning that very soon, a rude shock awaits those who want his administration to fail. President Buhari, who stated this when he received briefing from chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the First Lady Conference room, Presidential Villa, Abuja, promised to meet all the demands of the commission for the 2023 elections. He said the attacks on INEC facilities would not stop elections and his determination to leave office in 2023 to avoid any insinuation suggesting that he would want to extend his tenure. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, stated that the INEC boss briefed Buhari on the series of attacks on the commission’s facilities across the country. The statement quoted the President as saying: “I receive daily security reports on the attacks, and it is very clear that those behind them want this administration to fail. “Insecurity in Nigeria is now mentioned all over the By Henry Umoru & Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA — -THE Senate yesterday threatened to issue an arrest warrant on officials of Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, and 54 other government agencies for refusing to honour its several invitations. Disclosing this yesterday in Abuja during the meeting of his Committee, Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo South, said members of the committee were angry and disappointed that the arrest warrant had become imperative because these agencies of government had vehemently refused to attend their meetings to answer to queries on how they spent money appropriated by the Senate. Urhoghide mandated the committee secretariat to write the agencies involved to appear latest next week Tuesday, warning that failure to do that would lead to the Senate invoking a section of constitution against the agencies. Urhoghide, who raised the issue of NSTIF, said the agency had over 50 queries to answer, adding it was obvious that the agency was running away from investigation. He said: “We have just directed the Secretariat of the Committee to write to the erring ministries agencies and department of government for the last time, asking them to appear before us as from next week. “We are going to invoke Section 89 of the Constitution, which is bench warrant of arrest to be issued on them to compel them to appear. “Why will the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund come to tell us that they have a new management? For how long do they want the management to be in place before they can appear? “They know that government is a continuun? NSTIF has over 50 queries. It is obvious that they are running away, they don’t want to come and give account. “Today, the Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency, and the Rural Electrification Agency and NSITF are all supposed to be here, world. All the people who want power, whoever they are, you wonder what they really want. Whoever wants the destruction of the system will soon have the shock of their lives. We’ve given them enough time.” President Buhari recalled that he visited all the 36 states of the country before the 2019 election, “and majority of the people believed in me, and the election proved it.” He promised to continue leading the country in accordance with constitutional provisions, adding that those misbehaving in certain parts of the country were obviously too young to know the travails and loss of lives that attended the Nigerian civil war. “Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand. We are going to be very hard sooner than later,’’ he said. The President said the service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police had been changed, “and we will demand security from them.” bringing the total number of errant agencies to 56. “We are giving them till next week Tuesday to appear or we issue warrant of arrest on them to appear. They came for appropriation and they don’t want to account for the money they collect.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday said that the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, has passed through financial hemorrhage in the last few years. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, stated this in his speech at the inauguration of the reconstituted board of the NSITF at Old Banquet Hall, Abuja. The minister advised the new management to untie the Fund from the tethers of stagnation and lead a rewarding change. He said: “If there are some corrupt elements remaining in NSITF, I sound a warning, your days are over. It is important for me to draw the attention of the new management to the financial hemorrhage the NSITF has passed through in the last few years and the imperative of a new direction as contained in On the dangers posed to future elections by the burning of INEC facilities, President Buhari said he would give the electoral commission all it needs to operate, “so that no one would say we don’t want to go, or that we want a third term. There will be no excuse for failure. We’ll meet all INEC’s demands.” In his briefing, Prof Yakubu said that so far, there had been 42 cases of attacks on INEC offices nationwide, since the last general election. “The 42 incidents so far occurred in 14 states of the Federation for a variety of reasons….Most of the attacks happened in the last seven months, and they are unrelated to protest against previous elections. ‘’From the pattern and frequency of the most recent attacks, they appear to be targeted at future elections. The intention is to incapacitate the commission, undermine the nation’s democracy and precipitate a national crisis,” Prof Yakubu said. Senate threatens to issue arrest warrant on PPPRA, NSTIF, 54 others for shunning probe •Says NSTIF alone has over 50 queries to answer •NSITF passes through financial hemorrhage — FG the directive of the President. “The NSITF must be revitalized and repositioned to fulfill its mandate in accordance with the establishing Act. “Instructively therefore, the new management should not indulge in the sins of the past and must adhere to the statutory conditions of service and remunerations for board members approved by the Minister as enshrined in the NSITF Act. “Besides, procurements must be done as contained in Procurement Act 2007 and Finance Act, Financial Regulations and the extant government circulars especially on threshold of procurement items. “Let’s acknowledge at this juncture the ground zero level on which you are taking over today (Tuesday). In spite your performance will be measured every quarter and annually with the yearly reports and audited accounts to enable the ministry do her own report to the President. “Our measure as supervising ministry is tied to your performance in terms of realization of your mandate and vision. I congratulate you all especially those who held the ship in the past. 11 months which was a trying period even as you recorded an increase of about N7 billion in your contributions when compared to same time last year. “ Constitution Review: Sultan, NTC seek role for traditional rulers By Haruna Aliyu Usman BIRNIN KEBBI — The zonal public hearing on the 1999 constitution review kicked off at the presidential lodge in Birnin Kebbi yesterday with Governor Atiku Bagudu and Sultan of Sokoto in attendance. In his speech,the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Mohammed Sa'ad Abubakar II, said a role in the constitution for traditional rulers was critical for nation building peace, progress and security, adding that traditional rulers over the years were custodians of peace as they can identified easily visitors with bad intention. The monarch further said that every citizen of the country must be allowed to practice his religion without interferance or hinderance. “Muslim women must be allowed to wear their hijabs and Christans too must be allowed to wear their religious By Chris Ochyi ABUJA — About 75 con struction companies have submitted bids for the concession of the 12 Ffederal highways under the Highway Development and Management Initiative, HDMI. It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had in December 2020, received the Certificate of Compliance for the Outline Business Case for the HDMI. Julius Berger PlC, Dantata and Sawoe construction companies were among other notable companies that showed interest in the bidding process at an event held at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing headquarters, Abuja. The Request for Qualification Bid Opening Ceremony signaled the commencement of the Value-Added Concession Evaluation Exercise. symbols,'' the Sultan said. He called on Nigerians to speak truth to power and hold their leaders accountable for their actions and inactions. In his address, the governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, told the gathering that he was in support of any amendment that will guarantee security of lives and property of citizens. He added that, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states were blessed with natural resources which had remained untapped due to insecurity. According to him, the three states are opposed to secession and believed in one Nigeria. Emir of Gummi, who spoke on behalf of northern traditional rulers council, Justice Gummi, corroborated what the Sultan said earlier, and recalled the time of native authority, when traditional rulers were in-charge of conflict resolutions and other vital community issues. 75 companies bid for 12 highways marked for concession In his opening address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Babangida Hussaini, listed the 12 roads to be concessioned under the first phase of the HDMI as: Benin – Asaba,; Abuja – Lokoja; Kaduna – Kano; Onitsha – Owerri – Aba; Shagamu – Benin; Abuja – Keffi – Akwanga; Lokoja – Benin; Enugu – Port Harcourt; Ilorin – Jebba; Lagos – Ota – Abeokuta; Lagos – Badagry; and Kano – Shuari – Potiskum – Damaturu Ḣussaini noted that the Federal Government was committed to a transparent, fair and competitive bidding process for the 12 pilot road corridors earmarked for concession through the Value- Added Concession programme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative, HDMI, Project Life Cycle. WTO, WHO, World Bank, IMF agree on $50bn financing model to end COVID-19 By Victoria Ojeme ABUJA — THE World Trade Organisation, WTO, World Health Organization, WHO, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, IMF, have agreed to spend $50 billion to fight COVID-19 by making and delivering vaccines and treatments. “Governments must act without further delay or risk continued waves and explosive outbreaks of Covid-19 as well as more transmissible and deadly virus variants undermining the global recovery,” the four organizations said in a joint statement yesterday The IMF last month proposed the spending plan, which targets immunizing at least 40 per cent of the global population by the end of this year — up from the 30 per cent goal set by the WHO’s Covax vaccine initiative — and 60 per cent or more by the first half of 2022. The groups yesterday called for the immediate donation of vaccine doses to developing countries. The plan will require additional financing for low- and middle-income countries, with much of it coming from grants and below-market-rate loans, the groups said. It also entails investing to boost vaccine production capacity by at least one billion doses, increasing output in regions and countries that at present make little. The blueprint also urges boosting testing and tracing, oxygen supplies and public health measures, while ramping up vaccination, and the work of the Access to COVID- 19 Tools Accelerator, the campaign led by the WHO and others. The IMF says the plan will save lives and deliver a potential $9 trillion economic boost by 2025. The leaders of the IMF, the World Bank Group, WHO and WTO (Kristalina Georgieva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, David Malpass, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) said governments must act without further delay or risk continued waves and explosive outbreaks of COVID-19 as well as more transmissible and deadly virus variants undermining the global recovery.
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 — 9 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 INAUGURATION: Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige flanked by the new Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Dr. Mike Akabogu and to the right by Chairman of the board of directors of NSITF, Austin Isere and the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, at the inauguration of the new management of the NSITF at the Banquet Hall of the State House, yesterday. Insecurity: If Buhari, Sultan speak against violence by herders, attacks'll stop — Benue govt •We’re tired of one minute silence in honour of persons killed by bandits, kidnappers, says Senate •Promises to step up interventions to protect Nigerians •Mourns Attahiru, wants military structure named in his honour By Henry Umoru BENUE State government yesterday said that a word from President Muhammadu Buhari , the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111, and Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Aliyu, would put a stop to the deadly attacks of herders on communities across the country. This came against the backdrop of repeated attacks on Benue communities by killer herders which have claimed hundreds of lives and properties in the past few weeks. The call is coming on a day Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the Red Chamber was tired of observing a minute silence in honour of those killed by bandits and kidnappers across the country, following continued cases of insecurity in Nigeria. Recall that hundreds of Nigerians had been killed by armed herders, bandits and kidnappers across the country in recent times. Deputy governor of Benue State, Benson Abounu, who called on the President, the Sultan and Lamido to stop killer herders from their activities, also urged Fulani leaders to speak against the attacks by herders on communities. Abounu, who made the call on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television breakfast programme, yesterday, said: “One very effective response that I seek is a word from the president of this country concerning what is going on, asking the herders to stop these terrible actions of theirs. “I believe this will go a very long way. And also, I put a solemn request to the Sultan of Sokoto, and even to Lamido of Adamawa, who is the worldwide leader of the Fulani, that we need to hear from them. “They (herders) need to hear from them, their own leaders condemning what Senate begins consideration of Buhari’s $6.18bn loan request By Henry Umoru A Senate BUJA—THE has begun the consideration of the $6.18 billion ( N2.3 trillion) external loan request by President Muhammadu Buhari to fund the 2021 budget deficit. President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, yesterday referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Senate Clifford Ordia, PDP, Edo Central, to report back at plenary in two weeks. The action of the Senate president was sequel to the executive communication of 2018 - 2020 by the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, that the Senate considered the request of President Muhammadu Buhari on the approval of Donor Fund Projects under the 2018- 2020 Federal Government External Borrowing( Rolling) Plan. Recall that President Buhari had written the Senate last month, seeking approval of another external loan to the tune of $6,18 billion to fund the 2021 budget deficit. The request by President Buhari was contained in a letter read at plenary by the President of the Senate. According to Buhari, the proposed loan, which is equivalent of N2.3trn, is to finance the 2021 budget deficit of N5.6 trillion. He also explained that the loan would enable the Federal Government fund critical infrastructural projects in transportation, health and education,m among others. Two letters from the President with regard to the approval of external loans were read by Lawan. they are doing and asking them to put a stop to it. “It is a very simple thing but I believe it will be an effective one. We are yet to hear that, the herders are yet to hear that.’’ Abounu also said the body language of leaders of the herders had contributed to the atrocities committed by the herders in Nigeria. “The body language of the leaders of herders in our society today is a very serious issue to be addressed,” he added. Meanwhile, the Senate said yesterday senators were tired of observing a minute silence in honour of those killed by bandits and kidnappers across the country, following continued cases of insecurity. President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who stated this yesterday, said it had become very imperative for legislative interventions that must be stepped-up by the National Assembly to protect Nigerians. According to him, such interventions will be backed by collaborative efforts among the legislature, executive and Nigerians to address the country’s security challenges. Only yesterday, a point of Order raised by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, All Progressives Congress, APC, Delta Central; Senate Majority leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, APC, Kebbi North; Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, APC, Niger North; former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South; Senator Ibikunle Amosun, APC, Ogun Central and Senator Aisha Dahiru, APC, Adamawa Central, led to the observation of a minute silence by the senators in honour of those killed. Lawan said: “Let me observe that we have observed about six one-minute silence and most of it was to pray for the repose of the souls of Nigerians who were murdered or killed by criminals. “It is very important that we step up our legislative intervention in ensuring that we protect the lives and properties of Nigerians to reduce the incidence of one-minute silence. “I believe the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly, working together with the executive and getting the support of Nigerians, can bring the much-needed succour to our people, and that is why we are here.” Earlier, the Senate yesterday had asked the Federal Government to immortalize the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, by naming a military structure in his honour. It also observed a minute silence in honour of the late COAS and 10 others who died in a plane crash penultimate Friday at Kaduna airport. The Upper Chamber also resolved to send a team to the family of the late Chief of Army Staff to commiserate with it. Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a point of order raised by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, All Progressives Congress, APC, Borno South. Ndume, who came under Order 43, said personal explanation was being sought along side his colleagues, in the person of Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Chairman, Senate Committee on Air force, Senator Ibn Na’ Allah. Missing $3.54bn ports’ concession fund: Reps summon NIMASA, NSC others By Tordue Salem ABUJA—THE House of Representatives has invited the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Five Star Logistics Limited, and ENL Consortium to appear before it today over loss of over $3 billion concessions of ports to private players. Both Houses of the National Assembly have quasi-judicial powers under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 constitution to issue summons on all persons and agencies of government concerning public finances and public interest in general. Chairman of the Ad hoc committee on Assessment of all Recovered Loots, Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002-2020 by Agencies of Federal Government of Nigeria for Effective and Efficient Management and Utilization, Daniel Effiong Asuquo, disclosed the decision of his committee yesterday. The committee had announced weeks ago, that it uncovered a loss of over $3billion from the concession of ports in Nigeria by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. Besides, the Green Chamber also reported that another whopping loss of $90.5million dollars to the concessioning of airports’ terminals. Asuquo said at a two-day public hearing: “The major advantage of a concession is that it allows certain public assets (for which private ownership is economically Senate receives Buhari’s request to confirm Yahaya as COAS ABUJA—THE Senate yesterday received a formal request from President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya. The request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and read during resumption of plenary. Buhari in the letter, said Yahaya’s appointment was in compliance with the provisions of Section 18 subsection 1 of the Armed Forces Act 2004. The letter read: “In compliance with the provisions of section Expert worries over rising cases of kidney disorders •Says UBTH has prioritized management By Juliet Umeh A Consultant Nephrologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Dr Ojeh Odije, has expressed worry over the rising cases of kidney failure in Nigeria, noting that the factors aggravating the disorders were also on the rise. In an interview with journalists at the hospital in Benin City, Odije said the ailment was not just wreaking havoc in the state alone but across Nigeria as a whole. He said: “The last population studies we did in a village not far away from here showed that close to one third of the public are beginning to have problems with their kidney and that’s a terrible figure. “I have been more or less with this kidney unit since it started around 1999 and at that particular time, we probably diagnose three or four patients a day. “But what we have now is that in UBTH at times, we diagnose as many as 10 to13 a day. In addition, there are about four dialysis centres in Benin that equally operate at full capacity. inefficient and politically not possible) to be maintained and operated efficiently by private players. “Categories of public infrastructure that benefit from PPP include power generation plants, power transmission distribution network, roads and bridges, sea ports, air ports, railways, inland container depots. Logistics hubs etc. “A case in point is that the Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport Terminal 2 (MMAZ), the domestic terminal of the international airport situated in Lagos and its ancillary facilities were developed under a BOT agreement. ‘’The Federal Government is losing over $90.5 million annually due to the shoddy agreements between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and its concessionaire at both local and international wings of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Lagos. “A similar situation obtains in the maritime sector where the Nigerian government has concessioned 26 ports in Nigeria to private companies. The tenures of the NPA concession agreements range from 15 to 25 years and the estimated revenue to government from the concessions is estimated at over $6.54 billion over the period. ‘’However, J V companies have allegedly only realized an estimated sum of $3billion since 2005 out of the total sum.’ ‘’This investigative hearing will serve as a turning point in the fight against sharp pratices and economic sabotage in the area of lease and concession of Federal Government-owned assets.'' 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, I hereby forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Major General Farouk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “His CV is herewith attached. It is my hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee in the usual expeditious manner.” The new nominee takes over from former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Attahiru Ibrahim, who died in a plane crash near the Kaduna International Airport about two weeks ago. “We used to be able to provide all the services that the town requires but now, we are beginning to find out that there are five dialysis centres working at full capacity as the numbers of patients we are having are on the increase.’’ On why the number of cases was increasing, he explained: “Hypertension, diabetes, other unresolved infections are on the rise; things that weren’t there some years back are on the rise. “A lot of people are now becoming hypertensive at a younger age and that causes close to half of the number of kidney diseases that we have.''
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02062021 - Attacks on INEC offices won’t stop 2023 polls —BUHARI

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