NIGERIAN NEWS BLOGGERS

Obasanjo to doctors: Don’t strike at patients’ expense.. Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday told medical practitioners in Nigeria to always consider the conditions of their patients before embarking on industrial actions. He spoke at the National Executive Council  (NEC) meeting of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMD) held in Abeokuta. He urged the practitioners to take patients’ conditions more paramount in their quest  for better welfare. " My position is that since the care for your patient is a major ethical issue of your profession, abandoning them to go on strike is even more unethical. You should fashion another way to show your displeasure and not doing so at the expense of your patients,” he said. Obasanjo further called for the resuscitation of the old central medical store system in order to boost availability of drugs in the country.  The Secretary to the State Government       (SSG),

Two brothers beaten to death for open defecation Two children were beaten to death in India for defecating in the open, police said Thursday, underlining the violence sometimes unleashed to enforce Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship cleanliness drive. The children from the Dalit community, India’s lowest social caste previously known as “untouchables”, were on their way to their grandfather’s house in the Shivpuri district in the central state of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. “It was early morning and they had stopped to attend to nature’s call” when they were attacked, police inspector general Raja Babu Singh told AFP by phone. “The kids were taken to the hospital but they succumbed to their injuries.” Two brothers had been arrested, one of whom appeared to be “mentally unsound”, Singh added. Modi is set to declare India free of open-air defecation on Wednesday, coinciding with the 150th birthday of independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, who also campaigned vigorously

Kogi poll: I won’t step down for moneybags – Bamaiyi Ahead of the November Governorship election in Kogi, Mr Umar Bamaiyi of the All Blending Party (ABP) says he has no plan to step down for moneybags and any candidates contesting the election. Bamaiyi stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos State on Thursday. According to Bamaiyi, he will not be intimidated by moneybag politicians to jettison his governorship ambition or support the PDP candidate as reported by some sections of the media. Bamaiyi said the mandate he was pursuing was sacrosanct to the development of the state, as such reports of his adoption of a consensus candidate was untrue. He said there was no plan or any arrangement for him to step down for any candidate, advising that such report should be disregarded. “I have a passion to fix Kogi, which has been there since I was younger. I am working on how this state can achieve the desired greatness. “I am propelled by the appalling s

Five rescued from kidnappers in Osun Five people among those abducted by the suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ajeoku Village, Obokun Local Government area of Osun State have been rescued. Two of the abductees, who were said to be heading towards Osogbo, were however shot and are said to be receiving treatment at a private hospital in Imesi Ile. A security source present who preferred not to be named, said among those rescued were three siblings and two others. The source added that five persons made up of four male and a lady are still being held. Former chairman of Obokun LG, Mr. Sunday Ojo-Williams, told our correspondent that those abducted were being held inside Olua Forest, adding that efforts were on to rescue others in the custody of the abductors. Osun State Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, Deji Aladesawe, whose men were part of the rescue team, in a chat, said some people have been rescued, though he could not give the exact figure

NASS must pass bill on VAT increase before implementation, Falana tells FG Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to propose a Money Bill to the National Assembly before the implementation of the increase in Value Added Tax. Falana in a press briefing in Abuja said that the National Assembly erred by inviting the Minister of Finance and the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service to clarify issues of VAT increment. According to him, provisions of the constitution states that the President ought to have presented a Money Bill to be passed by the NASS before the increment. “It’s illegal. Under a democratic dispensation, you cannot impose tax or increase tax without a law made by the National Assembly or the State Assembly as the case may be.  “In this case, it has to be realised that we are not under a military dictatorship. “By virtue of section 59 of the Nigerian Constitution, any increase, levy or tax will have t

Nigeria: Govt Sets Up Inter-Agency Committee to Recover N5trn Amcon Debt After issuing several threats and warnings without compliance, the federal government has swung into action by inaugurating an inter-agency committee to recover over N5 trillion Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) debts. The chunk of the debt, the government said, is owed by only 20 individuals and organisations. The fresh move to recover the huge debt was announced in Abuja, yesterday, by the senior special assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande. In a statement, he issued on the development, Akande said that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who inaugurated the committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, tasked the members to deploy their expertise in the assignment. The committee is headed by the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye. Osinbajo said t

Nigeria, UAE renew bond on internal security Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to continue to work collaboratively to build the capacity of security agencies under Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior. The ministry made this known in a statement by Mr. Mohammed Manga, Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Interior on Monday. According to the ministry, the collaboration is part of efforts to strengthen internal security in Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. Manga said that the two countries renewed the commitment on Monday in Abuja when the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Fahad Altaffag visited the Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Speaking during the visit, Aregbesola notes that strengthening the relationship between the two countries which had existed for years, would further boost the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration at ensuring the security of lives and property of Nigerians. “Collaboration on

ECOWAS Parliament ready to discuss 2020 Draft Budget, Condemn Xenophobic Attack Ifeanyi Valentine, Monrovia The 2 nd Extra Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament has opened in Monrovia, capital of Liberia with Speaker, Rt. Honourable Moustapha Cisse Lo expressing readiness of Parliament to discuss the 2020 budget of the Community. Speaker Cisse Lo who gave the indication in his opening address said the agenda of the extra ordinary session was to adopt Parliament's draft Budget, for 2020 financial year, as well as the revision of Rule 13 of the Rules of Procedure of the Fourth Parliament devoted to the Inaugural Session. He said that in accordance with the Parliament Rules of Procedure, and in the light of the budget circular of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Mr. Jean Claude Kassi BROU, an Ad-Hoc Committee was set up to prepare a preliminary draft of Parliament's Budget for the year 2020. “The Report of the said Ad Hoc Committe

President George Weah seeks active Collaboration among ECOWAS Parliamentarians Ifeanyi Valentine, Monrovia. The President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. George Manneh Weah has called for an active and unrelenting collaboration among members of the ECOWAS Parliament. The Liberia President while speaking at the opening ceremony of the second extra Ordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament in Monrovia, the Republic of Liberia, said that there is a dire need for Parliamentarians to join efforts in moving the Region and solving various problems affecting the Region. President Weah who recalled his days as a member of the ECOWAS Parliament urged parliamentarians to lay legacies that will not be forgotten through hard work and dedication. He said, “i Still Recall My Days In The ECOWAS Parliament And warm reception I receive when I was inaugurated as member of the ECOWAS parliament, i was receive not only as a colonist, but as a brother and friend, the relationship bu

ECOWAS Parliament Swears in New Deputy Speaker from Nigeria Ifeanyi Valentine, Monrovia   Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase (Nigeria) has been sworn into the Ecowas Parliament seating for its Second Extra Ordinary Session in Monrovia, Liberia. The newly sworn in MP replaced the former 1st Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun, who lost his seat at the Nigeria Parliament. Similarly, in a unanimous agreement among Nigeria Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, as well as other members, the ECOWAS Parliament has on this day the 16th of September, 2019, sworn in Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase as the 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Buhari better than our son, Atiku ―Northeast APC The Northeast chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), saying the defeat of their son and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Atiku Abubakar shows that the president is ‘far better’ than their son. Addressing newsmen at the APC national secretariat after a closed-door reconciliation meeting of all aggrieved members of the party before, during and after 2019 general elections, the North-east National Vice Chairman of the party, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, said the outcome of the judgment at the tribunal was expected. “All the cases canvassed by the opposition are things that we all know”, he said. He said, “even though Atiku is our son, but we know who is the best.” “I don’t want to pre-empt the court but for me, they (PDP) are frivolous, because you cannot look at an Army-General who ser

ECOWAS Parliament seeks collaborative actions in solving transhumance, herdsmen crisis  Ifeanyi Valentine, Monrovia.  The Law making body of the Economic Community of West Africa states, ECOWAS Parliament, has called for a collaborative effort of all stakeholders in solving the problem of transhumance and conflict of herdsmen and farmers across the sub region. This call was made following the conclusion of the three days Parliamentary Seminar on Transhumance and Intercommunity conflicts in the ECOWAS Region, held at Monrovia, Liberia. Stakeholders including national governments, regional organizations like the ECOWAS Commission, Regional and National Legislative Assemblies, Farmer and Livestock Organizations, Private Sector, and Civil Society Organizations were urged to join hands in solving this menace that has eaten into the Region.  The Parliament after the three days interactions with resource persons and extensive debate stated that transhumance and the conflict between

Liberia vice President seeks ECOWAS Support for women in Politics  Ifeanyi Valentine, Monrovia  The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia has called on the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to support women in politics. Speaking at the conference for ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians (ECOFEPA) and other women political and civil society leaders held in Monrovia, Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor said that the stories of women being intimidated and victimized for seeking public office have become a trend. She said ECOWAS have a unique role to play in uplifting the politics of women as they hope for a sub-regional framework for protecting women seeking to get involved in business and national level politics. “We hope to see you propose an ECOWAS protocol stating norms for the protection for women in politics. We also want to see you establish effective monitoring systems and interventions to protect genuine cases of women politicians in danger” Taylor said. Sh

NIPSS seeks ECOWAS enhancement of Regulation on Transhumance across Region.  Ifeanyi Valentine, Monrovia. The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies of Nigeria (NIPSS) has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to harmonize and enhance the implementation of transhumance regulation between member states. This is in the bid to integrate the traditional stock routes used by different pastoralist clans, customary transhumance corridors and grazing areas. The call was made in a presentation delivered by Ambassador Usman Sarki, Directing Staff of NIPSS, on the Nigerian Legislation on Transhumance and management of disputes between herdsmen and farmers at the Parliamentary Seminar on Transhumance and Intercommunity conflicts organized by the ECOWAS Parliament, convening in Monrovia. Amb. Usman said that there is a need for ECOWAS to develop a Twenty-year Plan for Transhumance Risk Mitigation and Reduction with a view to creating t

ECOWAS urge member states to adopt regulations on livestock and pastoralism Ifeanyi Valentine,  Monrovia In the bid to curb incessant farmers and herders crisis as well as other intercommunity crisis which occurs in several member states, the Economic Community of West African State, (ECOWAS) has called on government of member states to implement the regulations on livestock and pastoralism across the region. This was indicated in a presentation on the ECOWAS Legal framework on Transhumance and intercommunity conflict management presented by Dr. Fouad Mohammed representing the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, ECOWAS Commission at the Parliamentary Seminar on Transhumance and intercommunity conflicts,  holding in Monrovia, Liberia. Fouad stated that Pastoralism is an essential component of the West Africa state economy; hence there is a necessity for it to be regulated in other for It provide high-value and at same time reduces conflict and insecur

ECOWAS Parliament to Tackle Transhumance and intercommunity conflict across its Region. Ifeanyi Valentine, Monrovia  The Law making arm of The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament), has averred its commitment to tackle Transhumance and Intercommunity conflicts in the ECOWAS Region.   Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Honourable Moustapha Cisse Lo, while speaking during the opening ceremony of the Parliamentary Seminar on Transhumance and Intercommunity Conflicts in the ECOWAS Region hosted in Monrovia, Capital city of Liberia; stated that the sub region has been plagued by various crises for more than a decade. He said the most worrying is the terrorism that is rampant in many Member States, citing the case of farmers and herdsmen attack across the Region.   The Speaker recalled that on 26 April 2018 in Abuja, a specific meeting of Ministers responsible for Security and Agriculture/Livestock was held, preceded by a meeting of ECO

How Diezani Alison-Maduke Lost $40-Million Jewellery Including 419 Expensive Bangles To Buhari Regime The Federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos has granted the final forfeiture of the $40-Million worth of jewellery seized from Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, to the Nigerian government. Justice Nicholas Oweibo ordered the final forfeiture on Tuesday. He said the former Minister failed to show cause why the jewellery should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had argued that the expensive jewellery were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. An investigator with the Commission, Rufai Zaki, in an affidavit put before the court insisted that the jewellery were beyond the former Minister’s “known and provable lawful income". The investigator further said that findings by the EFCC showed that she s

COZA: Busola lists Ashimolowo as  in rape case against Fatoyinbo An FCT High Court may subpoena the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, as he has been listed among the witnesses Busola Dakolo will be using to establish her case in the suit against the Senior Pastor of Co mmonwealth of Zion Assembly, Biodun Fatoyinbo. Mrs. Busola Dakolo, wife of Nigeria’s inspirational singer, Timi Dakolo, had sued the Founder and Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Biodun Fatoyinbo, over a rape allegation. The FCT High Court in a writ of summons obtained on Monday by the  News Agency of Nigeria,  dated September 6 and served on Fatoyinbo, ordered the accused to appear before it within 14 days of the service or judgment may be given in his absence. “You are hereby commanded that within fourteen (14) days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service you do cause an appearance to be entered for