NIGERIAN NEWS BLOGGERS

An independent panel of experts, headed by former Irish president Mary Robinson, has cleared the beleaguered leader of the African Bank of Development (AfDB) of corruption, according to a report obtained by AFP. Akinwumi Adesina, 60, a charismatic speaker known for his elegant suits and bow ties, became the first Nigerian to helm the AfDB in 2015 — but a 15-page report earlier this year claimed that under his watch the bank had been tarred by poor governance, impunity, personal enrichment and favouritism.   The panel of three experts, led by Robinson alongside Gambia’s Chief Justice Hassan Jallow and the World Bank’s integrity vice president Leonard McCarthy, cleared Adesina of all charges alleged by whistleblowers.    “The Panel concurs with the Committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against the President and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the Committee,” Monday’s report concluded.   The African banking institution and Adesina — who is t

The Federal Government has declared Thursday 30th and Friday 31st July 2020 as Public Holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir Celebration, the Islamic festival of sacrifice. Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola announced this in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja and signed on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Georgina Ehuriah. The minister while making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslim faithful and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on the occasion. He called on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country especially as the world is witnessing global health challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic. Aregbesola who “assured that the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to battling the scourge wi

Twelve new Parliamentarians across Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal and Mali has been sworn into the ECOWAS Parliament seating for its Second Extraordinary Session, held virtually.   The newly sworn-in Members of Parliament are Hon. Califa Seidi (Guinea Bissau), Hon. Prince Yormie Johnson (Liberia), Hon. Woraye Sarr (Senegal), Hon. Ibrahim Yara (Mali), Hon. Amadou Diepkile (Mali), Hon. Mariam Kagnassy (Mali), Hon. Siaka Batouta Bagayoko (Mali) and Hon. Dieminatou Fomba (Mali), respectively.   Receiving the newly sworn-in MPs into the Parliament, Hon. Sidie Tunis, Speaker ECOWAS Parliament, admonished them to emulate the track records of the outgone members of whom they are replacing and also challenged them to defend and represent the people of the community, as well as the Community Parliament at all time.      

The Nigerian Police Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba has confirmed the arrest of two police officers, Assistant Superintendent of Police Tijani Olatunji and Inspector Gboyega Oyeniyi, for harassing a lady in Ibadan, during the cause of their operation. According to DCP Frank Mba, in the statement, preliminary investigations by the force showed that the policemen who are attached to Area ‘A’ Command, Lion Building, Lagos, were on legitimate investigation, trailing the suspect, who was traced from Lagos to his house in Ibadan, where he was arrested.   Amnesty International (AI) had described the action of the Police Officers in the trending video as a violation of the young woman’s human rights, particularly her rights to dignity and called for Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to thoroughly investigate the case.   One of the policemen, identified only as Wyclef, filmed himself interrogating Towobola and the suspect. SOURCE: VANGUARD

VICE Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Northern Nigeria, Pastor John Hayab, has questioned the moral right of President Muhammadu Buhari to travel to Mali to mediate in the political crisis there, when his home country is in a bigger crisis.   Hayab said that the perennial killings, especially in Southern Kaduna and in the Middle Belt generally required the urgent intervention of the president.   Speaking to Arewa Voice against the backdrop of the recent killings in Kagoro, Southern Kaduna, Hayab who doubles as the Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter of CAN, said that Christians were mainly the target of the gunmen. He urged the government to desist from seeing the killings from the perspective of herders/farmers clashes and go against the criminals head-on.  He said: “You know very well that no sick man ever gets cured if he lives in denial. If you have a problem and admit you have a problem, then you will be given the right medication.    “The problem with Nigeria is that o

As part of efforts geared in the fight of the ravaging Pandemic,  the Economic Community of West African States is set to improve as well as develop local production of Medicines (The Traditional Herbs) . Addressing MP's at a virtual joint committee meeting on Macroeconomic Policy and Research/Administration, Finance and Budget/Health of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Mamadou Traore, ECOWAS Commissioner for Industry and Private Sector Promotion, disclosed that the need to develop the capacity for local production of vaccines in the countries is now.  Traore stated that following the closure of various country boarder as an anti COVID-19 measure, the availability of medicines across Region was minimal.  "When the  the countries closed their borders there was no way for us to get medicines from elsewhere, we needed to have indigenous products to use. So today we need to be able to develop the capacity for local production in the region. "With regard to the standardization of CO

Kano state Executive Council has ordered the cancellation of traditional Sallah festivities of the oncoming Eid-el-Kabir in the state as part of the effort to consolidate on the successes achieved in the fight against COVID-9 and the relaxation of lockdown in many states of the federation. The council, after deliberations at its weekly meeting held Tuesday however, granted the conduct of Eid congregational prayers across the state under strict observance of safety protocols, which are also to be supervised by government officials.   Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, the state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, says “all the five Emirs in the state would go to the Eid Prayer Ground in their respective domains in motor vehicles, while there would be no visit to Shettima House, gathering for Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nassarawa and other traditional outings in the Emirates. “Government would assist in the provision of safety materials that included face masks and h

A former member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Sulieman Dan Iyan Gora and two others have been detained by a Magistrate Court sitting in Kudape, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The Lawmaker and his cohorts, Alhaji Gayi and Madakin Yeshi, were ordered to be remanded for alleged extortion and threat to the live of one Hajiya Safiya Umar, the complainant. The Magistrate,  Lama Tattara Theophilus said while delivering judgement after the matter was read and cross-examined  pronounced the Lawmaker and two others  guilty of the offence According to the judge, a  bail condition ranging from a fine of  N1m was slammed on each of the defendants while only a recognise traditional ruler, with international passport would be eligible for their bail. Before the ruling, counsels to the complainants, Barristers Haruna Iliyasu and Sambo Vungjen, had submitted that the matter be adjoined to the 13 of August 2020. When journalists sought to hear from the parties involved in the m

    The Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ),  is developing modalities to  harmonize academic degree s, curriculum  and certificate equivalence in West Africa   due to the growing internalization  of education and culture in the region .   This formed part of discussions at the Joint Committee meeting of the Committee on Education, Science and Culture and the Committee on Communication and ICT of the ECOWAS Parliament held virtually. Addressing Parliamentarians, Mrs. Rachel Ogbe, Principal Programme Officer on Education of the ECOWAS Commission, speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner on Education, Science and Culture, stated that ECOWAS seeks to achieve a number of specific objectives, the first being to develop regional criteria for the harmonization  of pre-university qualifications, in particular the period of study, content of curricula, qualification assessment and other prerequisites for the establishment of equivalence of Member States’ accreditation syst

The West African Health Organization (WAHO) has called on ECOWAS Parliamentarians to champion the inclusion of Domestic Health Financing Fund in the budget of Member States which will serve as support in the fight against COVID-19 Pandemic across Region. Prof. Stanley Okolo, Director General of WAHO made this request while addressing Plenary at the opening of the Parliament virtual Second Extraordinary Session. Okolo stated that for West Africa to handle health essentials, there is a need for Member states to strive in implementing the Abuja declaration on allocating 15 percent of National Budgets to the health sector as it will go a long way in acquiring COVID-19 Vaccines and other facilities.     Underlining the efforts of WAHO in the struggle against COVID-19, Okolo said that WAHO before emergence of the pandemic had set up a disease surveillance and preparedness Architecture. “We have what we called national public health institutions in all our countries, we set up referen

President of the ECOWAS Co urt of Justice , Edward Asante , has expressed deep concerns  over non- referrals from the Courts of Member States. Delivering a goodwill message  at the opening of the second extraordinary  Session of the ECOWAS Parliament held virtually , the Justice Edward   lamented   that the Court has never in its history received any  referrals from any Member State  emphasizing that these referrals help in strengthening and development of  community law. Edward said, “ Just like the Parliament, the Court also has the power to entertain referrals under its original mandate as the principal legal organ of the Community ; “ In this role, the Court is required to ensure the observance of law and the principles of equity in the interpretation and application of the provisions of the 1993 Revised Treaty and all other subsidiary legal instruments of the Community ; “ Under Article 10 of the Protocol on the Court, it is vested with the power to issue in advisory capacity, a l

The Second Extra Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament has opened virtually with Speaker, Honourable Sidi Tunis expressing readiness of Parliament to discuss referrals from the ECOWAS Commission reflecting the views and interest of citizens across Member States.  The Speaker of the 5 th  Legislature of the Parliament, Hon. Sidie Tunis, who gave the indication in his opening address said that this particular session is not only extra ordinary in name, but even in conduct, noting that the agenda of the extra ordinary session is essentially to consider some important referrals from the ECOWAS Commission as it has to do with the implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Community Levy among others. Tunis said, “To consider these important referrals from the ECOWAS Commission, relevant Standing Committees would work assiduously to ensure that the views of the people are reflected in the decisions taken; “As usual, the Commissioners and technocrats from the relevant directorate of the ECO

CHIEF of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai on Monday said that over 90 percent of kidnappers, bandits and armed robbers operating in the country are Nigerians. The Chief of Army Staff also said that if Nigerians resolve to end banditry in the shortest time, it would end even as he said that terrorism and kidnapping had been an age-long security challenge in the country. Briefing State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Gen. Buratai said there is the need for the citizens to be involved in sharing information with security personnel.  He also pleaded with the media not to be giving undue publicity to the criminal elements, saying that the publicity the bandits and terrorists get embolden them to perpetuate their dastardly act.  Recall that last month President Buhari in a meeting with Service Chiefs and other security heads had warned that he would no longer tolerate escalation of inse

Pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries in the Oregun area of Lagos State, Reverend Chris Okotie, says online church service, which has become the order of the day due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is unscriptural. He argued that Christians must physically gather together to be able to truly worship God. Okotie, in a sermon, titled " The COVID-19 Mystery" maintained that the novel disease is a satanic conspiracy to challenge the power of God by keeping Christians out of the church. Okotie said, “We are dealing with one of the most sinister conspiracies in human history. What we call the online church is absolutely untrue, because for you to be in church, you have to be ecclesia, which is translated from the Greek word, ec, which is out, and the word caleo, called out. “You cannot gather unto God until you are called out. That’s why Israel was called out of the world. So, this thing, this phenomenon that we are talking about, the Internet and cyber churches,