Folarin Kehinde

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has exposed those behind the series of bandit attacks in some parts of the country.

According to him, banditry and kidnappings associated with parts of the country were being sponsored by powerful Nigerians engaged in acts of illegal mining in the country.

Alake disclosed this on Tuesday when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals to defend the Ministry’s 2024 budget estimate.

The minister said those he described as “heavy and powerful Nigerians” were actually the ones behind the insecurity in areas of the country with solid mineral deposits.

He said the government was identifying those individuals and will take appropriate action against them as part of efforts to ensure that the areas are secured for investors who have shown interest in investing in the solid minerals sector in the country.

He said: “One discovery that we have made is that a lot of these insecurities and banditry associated with this sector are sponsored by illegal miners.

“These are not your artisan miners. They are not the people who pick gold on the ground. These are heavy and powerful individuals in our country. They are Nigerians and not foreigners.

“Yes, you can see foreigners as symptoms, but they are not the basics. Nigerians are the powers behind those foreigners that you see on the streets. We are identifying them and employing various strategies, both kinetic and non-kinetic

“The non-kinetic with that artisan miners, I gave them an ultimatum that they should form themselves into cooperatives because every Nigerian has a right to life and necessities and if the government cannot provide these necessities, we cannot push them into the bush.”

He said his ministry has encouraged the small-scale miners to form themselves into cooperative societies, adding that as of the last count, about 50 of such cooperative societies have been formed.

He disclosed that with the creation of the Ministry, they embarked on a sensitisation programme aimed at drawing the attention of the world to the solid minerals deposit in the country.

He said as a result of such a drive, foreign investors have begun to make enquiries about the possibility of investing in the sector.

According to him, the ministry has identified about 44 key solid mineral deposits in the country which have global demand, pointing out that out of this number, the ministry has singled out seven for particular attention because of their importance.

President Bola Tinubu has declared fresh war on banditry and terrorism in the country, adding that Nigeria will not lose the battle against insecurity under his watch.

Tinubu made the declaration at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, in Maiduguri on Monday.

The president was in Maiduguri, the erstwhile epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency to attend the annual Chief of Army Staff Conference.

The president challenged the military to remain apolitical in the discharge of their duty.

Reflecting on the recent accidental bombing in Kaduna, he sympathised with the victims, assuring them that the Federal Government will not abandon them.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Ajuri Ngelale, the president promised to provide succour for victims of insecurity in Borno State.

He said: “This is my most sacred responsibility and the trajectory of the larger effort shown by the ratio of victory over defeat has been sliding well in our favour since the new administration assumed office.

“We are not satisfied yet. We are not satisfied until we reach the end of insecurity in Nigeria. “

President Tinubu said under his watch, security would remain a top priority, adding that it will not be limited to battlefield concerns.

He said: “We will provide better amenities and benefits to our gallant armed forces and their families. We are committed to this and this is factored into the 2024 budget. We will ensure that our administration reflects the grateful heart of the Nigerian people in the way we treat those who make the ultimate sacrifices.”

The President sympathised with the families of victims of the bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, lamenting that most of them tragically lost their lives while reciting the Shadada during their observance of Maulud, a central statement of faith for practising Muslims.

He added: “They were Nigerians of profound faith and in the moment of the tragedy, they were reciting the Shadada. God Almighty comforts their families as their nation grieves their passage into glory. May their souls rest in eternal peace.”

The Vice President, who last week visited Tundun Biri, the village hit during the bombing mishap, on behalf of the President, announced the Federal Government’s plan to rebuild the city at take care of the families of those killed.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum acknowledged the steady improvement in security, hailing the collaboration between the security agencies and his government.

He said: “We have seen the close working relationship between our state and the security agencies. The results are speaking for themselves. We remain committed to the achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the fight against insecurity anywhere it exists in Nigeria.

We thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. We will continue to give all required support to the Nigerian Armed Forces,” Governor Zulum said.

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji El-Kanemi urged the President to fight the infrastructure battle in areas that have been ravaged by insurgency over the years.

He said: “We seek the revival of the Lake Chad Commission to provide succour to the large communities in the Lake Chad’s surrounding areas. We seek power projects and job creation initiatives for our unemployed youths.

Governor Zulum has been performing beyond what is humanly possible but his resources are limited. Please assist him.”

Tinubu applauded the Shehu of Borno for supporting Borno State government, the Federal Government in maintaining peace and stability, promising to enhance the involvement of traditional institutions in ensuring stability at the grassroots.

A Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt has declared Rt. Hon. Ehie Edison as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Edison is backed by the state Governor, Sim Fubara.

The court also issued a restraining order preventing Hon. Martins Amaewhule, who is allegedly backed by Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, from further claiming leadership of the assembly. Dumle Maol was also restrained from parading as the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.

In addition, the court also warned against the use of Thugs and Police officers to forcefully gain access to the Assembly Complex.

This verdict comes amid a heated political battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.

On Monday, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal divisions within the PDP. The defectors, led by Amaewhule, had previously initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara before the intervention of President Tinubu ultimately stalled the process.

Commentators believe the defection is primarily motivated by the lawmakers’ loyalty to Wike and his desire to maintain his political influence in Rivers State.

Recall that Wike has previously accused Governor Fubara of attempting to dismantle his political structure within the state.

However, during a recent meeting with traditional rulers, Governor Fubara said he would not “surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage”.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is set to embark on another medical leave of absence starting Wednesday, December 13th, 2023.

This follows an initial leave earlier this year for treatment of an undisclosed illness.

During his absence, Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will take over the reins of the state as Acting Governor.

Reports suggest that Governor Akeredolu will travel to Germany for further medical treatment, with concerns mounting about a potential worsening of his condition.

Though the specific illness remains unconfirmed, he is said to be receiving treatment for leukaemia and undergoing chemotherapy.

More to follow…

As the yuletide season approaches, air passengers travelling to the South Eastern part of Nigeria are confronted with sky-high ticket prices, surpassing N500,000 for return trips.

While routes like Lagos-Abuja, Lagos-Port Harcourt, and Lagos-Uyo have maintained pre-yuletide fares, airfares to South Eastern destinations have surged significantly.

Monitoring various airlines, it was observed that return tickets from Lagos to Anambra on Air Peace are priced at N533,600. Similarly, Lagos-Enugu and Lagos-Owerri return tickets are at N343,200 and N533,600, respectively.

United Nigeria Airlines charges N441,000 for Abuja-Anambra return trips, while Lagos-Anambra, Lagos-Enugu, and Lagos-Owerri tickets cost N520,500, N441,000, and N520,500, respectively.

Dana Air, which solely services Owerri in the Southeast, offers return tickets during this period for N400,000.

Despite the exorbitant prices, airlines have reportedly sold out their seats for the festive season.

The surge in airfares has been attributed to factors such as inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, airlines facing trapped funds, and soaring costs of jet A1.

During peak periods like yuletide, travellers opt for expensive airfares due to insecurity, preferring air travel over land transportation.

Speaking on this, Olumide Ohunayo, Secretary General of the Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI), noted that current exchange rates justified the escalated fares.

He emphasized that ticket prices globally are influenced by demand and timing of purchase, and Nigeria’s domestic market adheres to similar principles.

However, Ohunayo predicted a return to average fares by January, highlighting the need for airlines to secure more aircraft leases to meet high demands during the season.

His words: “The airfare is justified because we are in the festive season and any passengers who didn’t buy a ticket three months ago will pay the N350,000 one way fare.

“The same aircraft, some passengers will pay N80,000, N100,000 because they have planned their travel ahead. If you are travelling anywhere in the world at this period, the ticket goes up astronomically.

“Aviation products are always in dollars and Nigerian airlines earn in Naira, however, with the current exchange rate, the airfare we are seeing now is not unexpected.

“What we can encourage is to see if we can have more airlines or the fewer airlines available can get wet lease aircraft to augment high demands during this season.”

Supporting this sentiment, the former commandant of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), attributed the increased fares to the depreciation of the Naira against the Dollar and the quadrupled cost of aviation fuel.

Ojikutu advised the government to categorize airports based on passenger traffic and enforce operators to deposit forex charges into a central bank account, ensuring transactions are in Naira equivalents.

“The dollar rate against the naira is about thrice what it was about 12 months ago so also is the cost of aviation fuel four times what it was six months ago so should you expect the air fares not to be less than thrice what it was six months ago?

“Note that costing of aviation services is globally rated against the Dollar and should justifiably reflect the Economic reality,” he noted.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Taiwan have confirmed the first malaria fatality in 18 years, marking a rare incident.

A Taiwanese businessman in his 50s, who recently visited Nigeria, succumbed to malaria earlier this month.

According to CDC Deputy Director-General Lo Yi-chun, the individual who returned from Nigeria in late November did not take malaria prevention medication.

Shortly after arriving in Taiwan, he began experiencing symptoms, including fever and chills, consistent with malaria.

Yi-Chun said despite initial suspicion of septicemia and subsequent testing for dengue fever and influenza, the man’s symptoms persisted, presenting characteristics associated with thrombocytopenia, liver issues, and jaundice.

Dr. Lin Yung-ching from the CDC revealed that malaria was later confirmed after carefully considering the patient’s travel history.

He said tests confirmed the presence of Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite, in addition to complications involving brain disease.

He added that treatment for malaria was administered; however, the patient’s health deteriorated rapidly, leading to multiple organ failure, hydrocephalus, and septic shock, ultimately resulting in his death six days after the onset of symptoms.

Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin of the Central Epidemic Command Center emphasized that malaria spreads through infected mosquito bites and exhibits symptoms within seven to 30 days. She highlighted early symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue.

Lo Yi-chun further noted that the fatality rate for cerebral malaria without timely treatment could reach 100 per cent, while with treatment, it remains at 15-20 per cent.

Taiwan has reported five malaria cases this year, all imported, involving individuals aged 20-50.

Four cases were foreign nationals, and one was Taiwanese from Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, and Ivory Coast.

No fewer that 18 pupils of St. James Primary School B, Owo-Ope, Osun State, have been hospitalized over food poisoning allegedly linked with the government’s free school feeding programme.

According to some of the parents, the affected pupils began vomiting and stooling after eating the meal on Monday, December 11.

According to them, the pupils developed complications after eating rice and egg prepared for them by food vendor agents of the O’ Meal programme on Monday.

One of the parents who simply identified herself as Iya Taiye, disclosed that her children returned home weak after vomiting and frequent stooling.

She alleged saboteurs in the school feeding programme, noting that he children are receiving treatment at home.

“I have invited doctor to treat my children. Other parent took their children to hospital but I have a doctor relation who helped me. My children are receiving treatment inside,” she said.

A top source in the school confirmed that over 50 pupils were affected one way or the other over the food poisoning.

He said 18 of the of pupils were hospitalised, adding that government has intervened in the matter.

Meanwhile, Osun State Government through the commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, has ordered full investigations into the reported cases of food poisoning.

He said the matter has been reported to the government by the Special Adviser on O-Meal, Grace Oluwaseyi Ayodele.

He said: “The governor directed stoppage of further food cooking at the affected school pending the outcome of the investigations. The affected cooks in the said schools alongside the Planning officer for the O-Meal programme have also been summoned to a meeting by Tuesday morning.

“The governor has directed enforcement of food standard and control as well as the auditing of the O-Meal structure to forestall future occurrence.”

“The government is settling the medical bills of the affected students as narrated by the Chairman of the Local Government Education Authority, Mr Nathaniel Ojetola. The LGEA Chairman who was at the forefront of the intervention efforts disclosed that a total number of 18 students were treated and discharged.

“The total student population of the school is two hundred while one hundred and three are within the population receiving food from the O-Meal Programme. A government delegation is also visiting families of the affected students.“

Bandits, on Sunday, attacked Gbaupe, a rural village behind ACO Estate Lugbe, along the Abuja Airport Road, where 12 people, including a 9-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, were kidnapped.

According to an eyewitness, two of those abducted escaped as they were being arched into the bush behind the village.

He said one of the men taken away was dragged out without a shirt or footwear.

Men of the local Vigilante were said to have engaged the kidnappers but were overpowered due to superior firepower.

As of the time of this story, it was learnt that the kidnappers had yet to contact the families of the victims.

Speaking to Vanguard under the condition of anonymity, a resident disclosed that the kidnappers, who numbered up to 15, operated from 12.15 a.m. to 2.46 a.m.

He said, “The kidnapping incident happened in the early hours of yesterday, December 11th December at Gbaupe village behind ACO Estate, Airport Road Abuja. Twelve people were kidnapped, including three young people and women. Two men later escaped.

“One vigilante was killed. The kidnappers were about 15 in number. They operated from 12.15 a.m. until 2.46 a.m., firing sporadically. The kidnappers are yet to make contact with the family. This is the 3rd incident this year.”