Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Saturday 4th January 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 04/01/20
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El-Zakzaky’s Followers Accuse Sokoto Governor, Tambuwal, Of Keeping Mum Over Attack On Members By Police
Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have accused Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, of complicity in the killing of their colleagues during a protest in the state.
The sect revealed this in a letter dated January 3, 2020 and addressed to the governor.
The group described the silence and insensitivity of Tambywal as approval of brutal attack on the group and reckless use of state power by security agencies.
The letter reads, “We regret to write to report to you the unfortunate and avoidable violent attack by the Sokoto State Police Command on the group on December 27, 2019.
“This irresponsibility, which marked the resurgence of reckless use of force against an endangered minority group in the state is undoubtedly the result of the inconsiderate attitude with which our letter of September 3 was treated.
“Your indifference thus represents your silent approval. This is unbecoming given the growing concerns for security and peaceful coexistence in the state.
“Your timely intervention at this time of complex security challenges facing the state and the nation at large becomes obligatory.”
The movement described the use of live ammunition by the police on protesters including women, children, and the aged as crude and primitive.
Police in Sokoto had on Friday last week opened fire and killed members of the group during a protest to demand the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
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Fire Destroys Shops, Goods In Bayelsa Community
Scores of shops and goods worth several thousands of naira have been consumed by fire at Amasoma community in Southern Ijaw Council area of Bayelsa State.
An eyewitness told SaharaReporters that the inferno started around 5:00pm on Friday and that no one has been able to ascertain how it started.
When contacted, spokesperson for the police in the state, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident but said the command was awaiting details from the Divisional Police Officer of the area.
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E2%80%99s-fake-wedding-ministers DSS Arrests Suspected Mastermind Of Buhari’s ‘Fake Wedding’ With Ministers
The Department of State Services has arrested one Kabiru Mohammed for being the mastermind of the photos and videos of President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, suggesting that he was planning to marry the women.The DSS, while parading Mohammed, said it received a petition from Ahmed to investigate the photos and videos and uncover the persons involved in the circulation of such materials.Spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said the secret agency arrested the suspected culprit and he had confessed to creating and circulating the video.He warned Nigerians against the spread of false news on the social media because victims of such fake news experience untold pains.The suspect, who spoke in Hausa language, told journalists that he is a member of the Kwankwasiya political movement in Kano.He added that he is a supporter the President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress.
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E2%80%99-widow-expresses-optimism-over-husband%E2%80%99s-burial-holding-january-25-urges-step Lulu-Briggs’ Widow Expresses Optimism Over Husband’s Burial Holding On January 25, Urges Step-son To Meet Court Conditions
Seinye, widow of Founder of Moni Pulo Limited, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, on Friday said that the January 25 burial date of her husband was still achievable.
She made the statement while reacting to the alleged cancellation of the late billionaire’s burial earlier scheduled for that date by her step-son, Dumo, and other members of the family.
In a statement by her spokesperson, Oraye St. Franklyn, Seinye said she believes that the burial was still achievable because the pre-conditions given to Dumo by the Ghana High Court before the release of the late oil mogul’s body for burial were not difficult to meet.
The Ghanaian Police and government mortuary have been in charge of the body until certain conditions are fulfilled by the family.
The statement reads, “Dr Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs believes that Dumo’s hurried and unilateral cancellation of the burial of his father for the fourth time is indicative of his unwillingness to lay him to rest.
“She however maintains that the cancellation is unnecessary and that the excuse that her appeal of the high court judgment is responsible for the postponement is untrue and grossly misleading.
“Dr Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs repeats that her appeal was made because Dumo without fulfilling any of the three pre-conditions imposed on him by the court had gone to the mortuary to pick up the body of her husband without her knowledge.
“She views that action as part of a plot to fabricate false evidence supporting Dumo’s contrived allegation of her killing her 88-year-old husband whom she cared for and loved for more than two decades.”
In a court document seen earlier by our correspondent, part of the conditions given before the release of the body of the late billionaire include that the delegation led by Dumo, a traditional chief, will convey the body of the deceased to Nigeria, and would have two representatives of the widow, who in this instance is also the plaintiff.
The document also stipulated that Seinye would not be made to suffer or undergo any cruel, inhumane or barbaric customary practices when the body arrives Nigeria and that she would be allowed to attend her husband’s burial.
The widow further said that if all conditions set by the court are met by her step-son and other family members, she would withdraw her appeal against the judgment so that the burial can still hold on January 25 as initially planned.
In his response to the matter especially the delay in the release of his father’s body for burial earlier, Dumo, through his spokesperson, Uche Woke, had said that all the family wanted was for things to be done the proper way as stipulated by law.
He said, “Pastor Seinye claims that she has done an autopsy and that she is in possession of the report, but the coroners court in Ghana where she is holding her husband’s remains ordered for an inquest because as they found out from the Ghana Police Service, the police guidelines were not followed and no such autopsy report has ever been sighted by the police authority.
“The children and the family of High Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs are not satisfied with that result given the obvious one-sided situation that tacitly excluded key persons and denied transparent monitoring from the opposing end.
“The children and family members reserve the right to seek for a transparent autopsy; and they are emphatic about having everyone including Pastor Seinye Lulu-Briggs tightly involved to ensure that the proper things are done.”
According to findings by our correspondent, the matter has left many high-ranking figures in Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State where Abonnema, the hometown of the Briggs falls under, deeply troubled.
Many observers, who had advised the family to close ranks and resolve the matter, view the situation as an unfair treatment and disrespect for the late O.B Lulu-Briggs, who touched lives through various acts of philanthropy during his lifetime.
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E2%80%93muric Christians Enjoy More Holidays In Nigeria Than Muslims –MURIC
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC
The Muslim Rights Concern has claimed that Christians in Nigeria enjoy more holidays than Muslims in the country.
MURIC made this assertion in a statement released on Friday by its Director, Ishaq Akintola, in reaction to an earlier claim by the Christian Association of Nigeria that Christians were being persecuted in the country.
Akintola said, “CAN claims it is being persecuted but fails to substantiate its allegation in concrete terms.
“However, the last holiday of Wednesday, January 1, 2020 which is an annual event has exposed CAN.
“Nigerian Christians enjoy the New Year holiday on January 1 every year even without asking for it because that was the arrangement made by the British colonial master. But CAN still claims ‘persecution’ even though it is placed at an advantaged position.
“But when the Muslims’ first day of the year comes (1st Muharram), there will be no holiday. When will CAN put itself in the Muslims’ shoes? Or rather when, indeed, will the Nigerian Government give Muslims what the colonial masters denied them but gave Christians? When will the Muslims get justice in this country? Here is persecution of Muslims that even CAN cannot deny.
“Christians have five out of the eight holidays enjoyed by Nigerians. Muslims have three only. Yet CAN claims persecution. Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year Day, Easter Monday and Good Friday are all for Christians. We dare CAN to deny it. Are these not concrete privileges enjoyed by Christians?
“CAN knows that it is the Muslims who are denied certain fundamental human rights but it is determined to maintain the status quo. The modus operandi adopted by CAN to ensure that Muslims never get their rights is to perpetually cry out with claims of persecution and also to oppose every attempt to give Muslims their rights.
“MURIC will not be deterred from pursuing Islamic liberation theology to a logical conclusion in Nigeria. We assert clearly, categorically and unequivocally that Muslims are in bondage in this country. Why should one group get all the honey in the land while the other is ignored? We demand equal rights and justice.”
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E2%80%98immediately%E2%80%99-after-killing-iranian-general United States Advises Citizens To Leave Iraq ‘Immediately’ After Killing Of Iranian General
The United States has ordered its citizens to immediately move out of Iran after American Forces killed a top Iranian commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad, on Friday.
In a travel advice by the US Department of State on Friday, Americans were told to leave while all consular operations in Iraq has been suspended.
In a post on Twitter, the US said, “Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge US citizens to depart Iraq immediately.
“Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. US citizens should not approach the Embassy.”
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Illegal Structures Under Lagos Bridges Demolished
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The Nigerian Government on Friday began demolition of illegal structures under some bridges in Lagos, a report by News Agency of Nigeria said.
The demolition exercise began with a fence built under the Apongbon Bridge on the CMS-bound carriageway on Lagos Island.
The fence, which was still under construction, had been raised by seven to eight coaches on various sections.
A senior engineer in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mrs Musiliat Aloba, who led a team of engineers and security operatives on the exercise, said she was acting on instruction.
However, there was misunderstanding with the commencement of demolition of fences under the CMS Bridge, which was nearing completion on some sections.
Some workers on site, who tried to resist the demolition, argued that it was a legal project which had an approval.
But Aloba said, “When you conceal the bridge, nobody can see what happens under. The Federal Government has lost so much money due to burnt bridges.”
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World Cannot Afford Another Gulf War, United Nations Tells U.S After Killing Of Iranian Military Chief
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Friday said that the “world cannot afford” another Gulf war, following the killing of Iran’s top military commander by a United States strike.
“The secretary-general has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf.
“This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf,” a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.
The United States announced early Friday that it had killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Quds Force, in a strike on Baghdad’s international airport.
Enraged by the killing of Soleimani, spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Brigadier-General Ramezan Sharif, told the United States and Israel earlier on Friday that their momentary joy will be turned into mourning.
“Certainly the momentary joy of the Americans and Zionists will not last long and will turn into mourning,” Sharif said.
“The Israelis and Americans have committed a blatant crime at odds with all international regulations and laws and they should rest assured that they will receive a tough response,” he promised.
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Adamawa Governor Condemns Rising Boko Haram Attacks In State
Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has condemned rising spate of Boko Haram attacks in the state.
Boko Haram terrorists had on Thursday night launched an attack on Michika town, a community formerly under the tight grip of the insurgents.
In a statement by his Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, Governor Fintiri said, “We condemn in strong terms the resurgence of terrorist activities, more especially the attempted attack on some communities in Michika and Madagali which occurred on Thursday.
“We commend the gallantry exhibited by the military in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups who were able to repel the insurgents.
“We appeal for calm in the affected areas and also assure the people that the military is on top of the situation working in their interest.”
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Blanket Border Closure Is Hurting Traders In Onitsha, Kano, Ladipo And Nnewi By Churchill Okonkwo
The long history of smuggling of legal and illegal items across Nigeria’s artificial and often porous borders is pervasive and well known. To curb the flooding of the Nigerian market with good, check smuggling and boost revenue, some citizens have long called for the government to close all its land borders. These Nigerians have argued that the positive effect, especially on agricultural products like rice and revenue generation, will be remarkable.
One of the prominent Nigerians that called for the border closure was a former senator from Bayelsa State, Ben Bruce. On May 11, 2015, Senator Ben Bruce tweeted, “National Assembly must force the FG to ban the importation of rice, wheat, and chicken. It drains our forex and Nigerians won’t die if we don’t eat imported rice.”
More than four years after Senator Bruce’s call, the Buhari’s administration closed the Nigerian land borders. There has been some success; the local economy is booming; poultry farmers are smiling and local fuel consumption has reduced drastically due to reduced smuggling.
Even with these huge successes, the present blanket border closure has some unintended negative consequences on law-abiding traders across Nigeria. The truth is that even when the advantages of the border closure far outweigh any disadvantages, Nigerians, especially traders that depend on the cross-border trade of their goods that is not harmful to our economy should not be punished indefinitely and unnecessarily. There is thus the need to objectively scrutinise the present blanket border closure.
Suffices to say that not all cross-border trade is illegal. To this end, the Nigerian Government should put measures in place to restrict the importation of products that are harming our local economy especially the agricultural sector, without a blanket restriction of goods in and out of our borders.
From a small shop owner at Nkwo Nnewi that relies on his trading partners from Niger republic to the textile small shop owner in Kano that depend on his partners from Togo, the border closures have had particularly negative consequences on their income. The shutdown has hurt supply chains and N1.7bn in daily trade at some of the busiest Nigeria markets. These are traders that deal with everyday products that are not produced locally and do not have alternatives.
Without a doubt, the long history of weak border enforcement, stretching decades, corruption, and perhaps, lack of coordination of economic policies have been hurting the Nigerian economy and revenue generation. At the same time, now that the Nigerian borders will remain closed in the foreseeable future, one will expect that the government will come up with a strategy to reopen the borders while enforcing restrictions.
Given the sheer number of people engaged in cross-border trade and deriving their livelihoods from it on both sides of the border as well as the ineffective policing of that trade, the success of its closure is up for debate.
If the bachelor runs from his duties, the morning’s ashes (from last night’s fire) still await him: Supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari who wants him to truly have a legacy in the agricultural sector must not run away from their responsibility to criticise, constructively, the present border closure of his administration. That’s the only way the government will gradually ease out of the present blanket closure with effective and improved policy.
While Nigerians and international investors are investing heavily in the agricultural sector, the government should come up with medium and long term plans to raise productivity. State ministries of agriculture should start building strong agricultural industrial towns as models for the country. Scaling up these agricultural towns with needed infrastructures will allow Nigerian farmers to invest in modern farming equipment, including planting machines and pesticide-spraying equipment.
The closure of Nigerian borders and hopefully the implementation of policies that will impose heavy tariffs on imported agricultural products, when borders are reopened, should serve as fresh motivation for Nigerian farmers to expand efficiently. If we succeed in effectively preventing smuggling across our borders and boost local production, many other African countries will copy our model.
President Buhari recently said that he has not given any date for the reopening of Nigeria’s land borders. Status quo remains until the situation that necessitated the closure improves, he added. Fair, but it is time to start addressing the unintended consequences of the border closure.
The closure is not sustainable and while it lasts, it hurt tens of thousands of petty traders in Kano, Onitsha, Lagos, and Nnewi. No matter how irrelevant one might believe that is, it is a fact that cannot be disputed.
The apparent benefits from the closure of the border are clear. However, the blanket border closure is hurting traders and should be reviewed. The border closer should be implemented in such a way that everyday Nigerians struggling to make end meet are not punished indefinitely.
If the Nigerian customs can effectively seal our land borders including previously unmanned entry points used for smuggling, what will it take for the government to allow entry of goods that are not on the “watch” list?
Is it possible to achieve the aims of border closure without hurting traders?
The answer is yes. What we need is a closed-open border that will allow traders dealing with legitimate goods and products that are not harmful to the local economy to thrive. President Buhari should show more visible support to the plight of these traders across Nigeria. That’s what leadership is all about.
We are all Nigerians and together, we can multiply our success as Nigerians.
On Twitter @Churchillnnobi
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