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Folarin Kehinde

Party Crisis: Court Restrain Babayo Misau, others from Parading Self As Party Leaders

by Folarin Kehinde December 6, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The crisis rocking the Bauchi State All Progressives Congress, APC is yet to be over as a Bauchi State High Court has ordered that Bauchi State All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairman, Babayo Aliyu Misau and all his executive chairman to stop parading themselves as his executive

The Court noted that they should stop parading themselves in whatsoever manner or means, as or acting in whatever capacities or names, as the Bauchi State Executive Officers, pending the hearing of the substantive suits, already filed before the Bauchi State High Court.

The suit filed by a Chieftain of the Party, Hassan Mohamed Sheriff, gave an interim order restraining the All Progressive Congress (APC), The Chairman Bauchi State Chapter of APC Screening And Selection Committee, , Maimala Buni (Acting APC National Chairman), Hon.Min.Alhajiadam U Adamu, (Chairman, Bauchi State APC Extended Stakeholders Committee), Rt.Hon.(Barr.) Yakubu Dogara, (Member, Bauchi State APC Extended Stakeholders Committee) whether by themselves agents, privies, cohorts and representatives In whatever capacity from administering oath of office and/or according the Defendants/Respondent recognition as the Bauchi State 1st Defendant’s Executive Officers pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed before the Bauchi State High Court.

The court document seen by this medium read thus; in a suit number BA/294/2021 filled by Alhaji Hassan Mohammed Sheriff , the Plaintiff/Applicant against the Defendants/Respondents who are the All Progressive Congress (APC), The Chairman Bauchi State Chapter Of APC Screening And Selection Committee, , Maimala Buni (Acting APC National Chairman), Hon.Min.Alhajiadam U Adamu, (Chairman, Bauchi State APC Extended Stakeholders Committee), Rt.Hon.(Barr.) Yakubu Dogara, (Member, Bauchi State APC Extended Stakeholders Committee), Bauchi APC, Chairman, Babayo Aliyu Misau, and all the Bauchi APC State Executives elected during the last Congress.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Kunaza Hamidu after listening to H. B Ghide ESQ with Zainab Zwall ESQ who moved in terms of the motion paper ordered that; “THAT an order of Interim injunction is made retraining the 6th-42nd Defendants/Respondent from parading themselves in whatsoever manners or means and/or acting in whatever capacities or names called as the Bauchi1 State Executive Officers of the 1st Defendant pending the hearing of the substantive suit already filed before this Honourable Court.”

“THAT an order Is made restraining the 1st -5th Defendants/respondents in the Interim, whether by themselves agents, privies, cohorts and representatives In whatever capacity from administering oath of office and/or according the 6th-42nd Defendants/Respondents recognition as the Bauchi State 1st Defendant’s Executive Officers pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed before this Honourable Court between the parties.”
The Matter is adjourned to 13th December 2021 for hearing.

It would be recalled that Bauchi State All Progressives Congress, state congress has snowballed into crisis has brought about the emergence of two factions, during the just-concluded State Congress. One of the factions led by Basayo Aliyu Misau is believed to backed by the Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu while the second faction led by Sunusi Aliyu Kunde is backed by Hon. Yusfu Maitama Tuggar, Nigerian Ambassador to Germany.

December 6, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Former Army Chief, Mohammed Wushishi is Dead

by Folarin Kehinde December 5, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

A former Chief of Army Staff, Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi (retd.), is dead.

Wushishi, who hailed from Niger state, was said to have died on Saturday at a hospital in London, according to a statement by Mary Noel Berje, spokesperson for the governor of Niger.

Governor of Niger, Abubakar Bello, was quoted as expressing sadness over the development and sympathised with the family of the deceased.

Part of the statement read, “Niger state Governor and Chairman North Central Governors Forum (NCGF) Abubakar Sani Bello, has sympathised with the people of Wushishi local government area, Kontagora Emirate and the entire Nigerlites over the death of an elder statesman Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi (Rtd).

“The Chairman North Central Governors Forum said government and people of Niger State are indeed saddened by the demise of the Former Chief of Army staff who coordinated the activities of elder statesmen in the state over the years and made immense contributions to the peace, growth and development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

“The Governor maintained that even after active service, late Gen. Wushishi continued to offer useful counsel that helped in the development of the society.

“He said the death of Gen. Wushishi has created a vacuum that can only be filled by Allah, pointing out that the society will miss his wise counsel which are most needed now in overcoming the numerous challenges that have bedevilled Nigeria in general.

“The Chairman, NCGF, prayed Allah to forgive all the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Aljahna Firdausi as well as give the entire people of the state and close associates the fortitude to bear the great loss.

“This loss is for all Nigerians considering the very many contributions the deceased has made in uniting the country as a soldier and ensuring its growth and development.”

General Wushishi was born in 1940 in Wushishi, Headquarters of Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State. Wushishi joined the army on 21 April 1961, and attended the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna, and then the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot in the United Kingdom.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 12 January 1962 He later attended the United States War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

He served as a member of the United Nations Peace Keeping force in Congo in the early 1960s. He was appointed Deputy Commandant, Army School of Infantry in July 1975.

He served as Federal Commissioner for Industries (January 1975 – March 1976) and was a member of the Supreme Military Council from 1976 to 1978. He was Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from October 1981 to October 1983 during the Shehu Shagari administration.

He was required to retire on 3 January 1984, after the 31 December 1983 coup in which General Muhammadu Buhari came to power. After retirement, he entered business. He became chairman of the board of directors of UAC of Nigeria, retiring on 1 January 2010 at age 70.

December 5, 2021 0 comments

Health

Omicron: Resident Doctors urges FG to Re-enforce Travel Ban

by Folarin Kehinde December 5, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Association of Residents Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urged the Federal Government to re-enforce the national guidelines for COVID-19, to secure the nation and Nigerians against the dreaded Omicron variants.

The Chapter President, Dr. Nnamdi Nd-Ezuma, who made the call in Abuja urged the government to list some of the endemic countries so that passengers coming into Nigeria from those countries would be properly screened. He said government should also ban travel for Nigeria to the affected countries.

Ezuma lamented that the COVID-19 protocols have been relaxed to the level that people are no more complying with the non-pharmaceutical measures put in place by the government.

“We have a new COVID-19 variant that is in South Africa and if it is in South Africa, your guess is as good as mine that Nigeria is not so far from it.

There were some set down rules that were laid before now; travel bans and restrictions, use of face mask, avoidance of overcrowding.

Even those that have been vaccinated are still being infected. When the virus was still in China, at a point, we had to shut down our boarders and now it is in South Africa. Government should look into it,” he said.

December 5, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Prison Break: In one year, Nigeria Records over 5000 Escapee – Report

by Folarin Kehinde December 1, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

In the last one year, 5,238 inmates have escaped from various prisons across Nigeria, according to report.

There have been 15 incidents of jailbreaks within that period, and eight of those were successful.

The prison break in Jos on Friday is the latest of such jailbreaks. Authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service said eight inmates have been recaptured.

The breakdown of security across the country has led to a surge in frequent prison breaks, kidnapping and banditry.

Here are some of the cases of prison outbreaks in Nigeria in the last one year and the events around them.

Edo
October 19, 2020: The deputy comptroller of correction in charge of Oko Prison, West Amayo, said at 9 a.m., an attempt to break into the jail was repelled. The attack was unsuccessful.

October 21, 2020: Two days after the Oko Prison attack, the Benin Prison located along the Benin-Sapele Road was attacked by hoodlums.

A total of 1,993 inmates escaped from the two facilities.

April 15, 2021: Joint forces from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, and the Nigerian Correctional Service stopped a jailbreak attempt by inmates at a facility at Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area.

October 29, 2021: A fight broke out among inmates at the Benin Medium Security prison on Sapele Road in Benin City, and some of them made efforts to escape, but the intervention of security agencies restored peace to the facility.

Ondo
October 22, 2020: Almost 58 inmates were released from the facility in Okitipupa local government of Ondo State, after thugs broke in. The attackers destroyed properties belonging to the prison and injured staff on the premises.

Lagos
October 22, 2020: An attempt at the Ikoyi facility was foiled by correctional officers and soldiers. During the attack, some prisoners were shot while others tried to breach the gate of the prison.

Abia
October 22, 2020: Another foiled attack occurred at the Afara Umuahia Correctional Centre when a combined team of the Nigerian Army, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the armed unit of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, repelled an attempted jailbreak.

The security personnel fired shots and tear gas in the air to ward off the hoodlums.

Delta
October 22, 2020 : A warder at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Warri, Delta State, was killed during an attempted jail break by the inmates. The main gate and administrative office of the correctional centre was set on fire in an attempt to facilitate the jailbreak.

Imo
April 4, 2021: Gunmen attacked a correctional centre in Owerri, the state capital, and freed 1,844 prisoners. Officials said in all, 84 inmates were returned to the facility.

Bauchi
April 9, 2021: Two officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in Bauchi sustained injuries after a riot at the facility. Five of the inmates were injured in the process, but no inmates were able to escape after the riot.

Kano
April 22, 2021: Security agents foiled an attempted jail break by inmates of Kurmawa Prison located within the Emir’s Palace in Kano.

No casualties occurred but gunshots were fired to scare the residents. The spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kano, Musbahu Lawal, said the attempt was planned by some condemned prisoners.

Kogi
September 13, 2021: Armed men attacked the prison facility in Kabba, Kogi, North-central Nigeria, killing two officials and freeing 240 inmates.

About 114 of the 240 correctional service were recaptured, after the Controller General of the correctional service, Haliru Nababa, gave directives to officers of the service to apprehend the escapees.

Oyo
October 22, 2021: The Abolongo Custodial Centre was attacked and 837 inmates escaped from the facility, but the interior ministry said 262 had been recaptured.

The ministry released the details of the remaining 575 still on the run. It published the photos of prison inmates who escaped from the custodial center.

Jos
July 19, 2021: Four inmates escaped from the Jos Maximum Prison.

November 28, 2021: The most recent jailbreak occurred on Sunday when gunmen stormed the medium security custodial centre, Jos, releasing 262. At least 10 inmates were killed during the encounter and one security personnel also died.

Source: Premium Times

December 1, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: NCDC confirms first case of Omicron variant in Nigeria

by Folarin Kehinde December 1, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Wednesday confirmed the first case of Omicron variant in Nigeria.

The Centre said in line with the routine travel test required of all international travellers and Genomic sequencing at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) through Its National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Abuja–confirmed Nigeria’s first case of the Omicron variant, also known as the B.1.1.529 lineage.

December 1, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Worsening Food Security Hampering Access to Quality Seed – NASC DG

by Folarin Kehinde November 30, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Director General, National Agricultural Seed Council, Dr Olusegun Ojo has said the worsening food security caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered access to quality seed in Nigeria.

Ojo while speaking in Abuja on Monday at the 4th Edition of the Seed Connect Africa 2021 noted that the world is facing great uncertainties considering the COVID 19 pandemic which fueling lots of negative economic growth, failing healthcare systems, disruption to supply chain, collapse food system and worsening food security situations.

“This situation has complicated access to quality seed and other inputs such as fertilizer and agro input thereby disrupting food security situations in many countries and economies”.

Ojo however explained that NASC recognizes this fact and is working hard in collaboration with many of its partners to ensure they create a sustainable and robust seed system in Nigeria and beyond capable of withstanding shock brought about by the Covid 19 pandemic.

“Our task is to work together to tackle the complexity of food value chain challenges for the overall benefits of Agriculture and Nigerians at large”.

“For us in NASC, the need to address challenges in the seed industry is partnership, it is the solution to make us stronger and develop robust seed industry to make Nigeria food secured”. He added.

Ojo further highlighted the achievement of Seed Connect, which include the introduction of plant variety law in Nigeria, now proud to announce that Nigeria now has a plant variety protection law, development of regulations and currently setting up the plant variety law office and the introduction of National Seed Act with the introduction of stiffer penalty and solid foundation,

Others include, the introduction of technology to police the seed industry to wade off adulterators,
introduction of CODEX which enables farmers and other stakeholders to verify the authenticity and geniuness of seed package, current review of the seed policy and commencement of diagnostic certification and setting up of molecular facility in line with international global practices.

Also the commence of third party in seed system with cassava as a pilot which has taken off in kogi, Benue, Oyo, cross river and Anambra.

Migration from manual to electronic seed certification system with national seed tracker, scaling up seed market surveillance and enforcement of seed standards to mention but a few.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar while speaking on the theme of the conference “Strengthening Resilience through partnership for a robust seed system in Nigeria” noted that the importance of seed to a sustainable agriculture revolution is sacrosanct as the growth of the agricultural sector will be hampered without a proper structured seed system to support the industry.

Abubakar explained that over time stakeholders has agreed that seed is a starting point of any agricultural revolution and a panacea for food and nutritional security.

He noted that food security is hinged on seed security and seed security is hinged on solid seed system that’s why we are building policy that is based on seed system to achieve incredible agricultural development in Nigeria.

He added that “to fast track agricultural development value chain, improve efficiency of delivery of seed and other agric input and enhance productivity.

“We have launched the national agricultural road scheme and agro implementation and technical committee.

“Their mandate is to see to the smooth implementation of input and enhancement initiative for the benefits of farmers across Nigeria
considering that the seed component is one that will be closely monitored”.

He enjoined all to join forces together to build strong and sustainable seed deliverable system from research programme to variety release, commercial seed multiplication, seed quality assurance, seed haulage logistics and seed utilization.

He reiterated that working in isolation will make the value chain break and cause unprecedented systemic disruption, in more advanced economy, actors in the seed value chain utilize partnership that’s why they remain resilience over generations.

He thereby encouraged investors to go into seed production as the seed value chain is wide and very profitable.

“Without collaboration, progress will remain a mirage, I expect this forum to allow us discuss profitable programmes to key priority to access and quality seed inter agency cooperation and synergy, issues around plant variety protection, seed business development and other partner issues to actually building a resilient and robust seed industry in Nigeria”. He concluded.

November 30, 2021 0 comments

Headlines Health

EU orders travel ban on 7 African countries to halt spread of new Covid variant

by Folarin Kehinde November 26, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

EU officials holding an emergency meeting over a threatening new Covid variant first detected in southern Africa agreed on Friday to urge all 27 nations in the bloc to impose travel restrictions from that region.

“Member States agreed to introduce rapidly restrictions on all travel into the EU from 7 countries in the Southern Africa region: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe,” European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer tweeted.

November 26, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

There Might be Snakes Lurking in your Water Closets, Here are Six ways to ‘Prevent’ them.

by Folarin Kehinde November 26, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

Following the death of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Personnel Lance Corporal Ogah Bercy, attached to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), who died of complications from snakebite in her toilet at the NAF Base Bill Clinton Drive Abuja.

Questions on how snakes and other reptiles manage to enter our bathrooms and toilets have been raised and asked by many across social media.

Findings reveal that it’s not very common for snakes to be found in toilets. More plumbers have seen snakes under houses or in a roof cavity than in the toilet but however, snakes can get into a toilet through an opening in the sewer.

Sewers can be a hiding ground for mice and rats. Snakes can enter the sewer to get their next meal. They can make their way through a sewer and slither their way through.

When talking about snakes getting into the toilet sink, some people think or assume that there’s already water inside the toilet sink, but according to plumbers, the toilet seat is designed in such a way that the water stays only in the sink and the pipe that leads to the septic tank or soakaway is always empty and free of water.

Most reptiles would find it difficult to jump or enter into the water closets, they always find it easier to enter from the concrete chambers at the back of the house through which sewage pipes get connected and through cracks, under the doors and crevices.

Here are some preventive measures to take which will help in avoiding snake(s) curling up in your toilet bowl;

The best way to prevent a snake from making its way into your toilet is to make your home less attractive to the snake in the first place.

Keep windows and sliding doors in the bathroom closed or ensure the screens are fully intact so a snake can’t slide its way in.
Prevent a mouse or rat infestation in your home with the correct rodent protection. Snakes will follow the food trail, so if you have mice or rats near or in your house, get rid of them faster.
Always make sure that all the bushes around your house are properly cleared and well burnt so as to prevent any rodents or reptiles from harbouring around the house.
Another thing you should take note of is to always ensure you fumigate your toilet sink regularly. There are special pesticides that are made specifically for this purpose.
Keep your toilet lid closed at all times and you can also make use of a flat tile to cover your bathroom filter when you’re not in the bathroom so as to stop any further movement of the reptile through the pipes and also ensure that all pipes are well fixed and closed.
Lastly, always make sure you check inside your toilet sink before you sit on it, avoid using the toilet in the dark and public toilets are dangerous to use anyhow. If you must use them, don’t sit directly on them, lift up your buttock slightly above the bowl and be watchful.

November 26, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Quality Control: CFAN move to Address Imminent EU Cocoa Rejection by 2022

by Folarin Kehinde November 25, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The President, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Comrade Adeola Adegoke has expressed worry over the quality of cocoa produced in the country and the imminent rejection of the product by the European Union 2022.

Adegoke while speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at a press briefing in preparation for the 2021 CFAN Summit noted that the EU policy on overdose of chemicals on our cocoa would result to its rejection.

“Our buyers are complaining on quality, they are now threatening Nigeria that they are going to reject our cocoa, that is a very serious issues that would be addressed at the summit.

“We are also looking at the EU policy which says as long as we continue to use chemicals more than the original level, it will be rejected 2022.”

“Are we go wait till 2022, like we did during the beans ban? We don’t need to wait for this, the summit will address this issues”.

Similarly, Adegoke lamented the poor production level of 250,000 metric tones which the country presently produces which is abysmally low compared to other countries.

Explaining, Adegoke said “This very important in our drive, presently, it is unacceptable to us as a stakeholder for Nigeria to have the land, resources and manpower and for us to be producing 250,000 metric tones where ivory coast that does not enjoy the land that we have produces about 2.5 million – 2.8 million metric tones, even Ghana produces 1.5 million metric tones”.

He further explained that the statistics and status quo of Nigeria being the second largest producer of cocoa in the world has dropped, while other African countries are producing in million times, but we are still behind.

He noted that Nigeria is getting it all wrong in area of her productivity per hectare.

“Our average productivity per hectare is rated to be about 300 to 350 kg, where in Ghana and Ivory coast, an average production per hectare is 800-1000kg”.

Adegoke stressed that the summit will address other issues which include issues on national policy on cocoa in Nigeria, land availability for our teeming youth for youth participation and climate change

Others include deforestation, infrastructural gaps in terms of water, light and roads.

Assistant Director, Cocoa Value Chain, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ajayi Olutobaba on his part stated that the summit aim at increasing
Nigeria’s cocoa production, bring back our mills and youth participation in cocoa production, while ensuring job provision and other important activities to boost the cocoa sector.

Olutobaba added that the outcome of the summit is geared towards post-covid action plan in the cocoa sector, adaptable capacity to combat climate change and also sustainable public private partnership in the cocoa sector.

November 25, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Nigerian Sentenced To Death In Malaysia Regains Freedom

by Folarin Kehinde November 25, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

In a rare court judgement, a Nigerian man, Jonas Chimhurumnaya who was sentenced to death in 2018 for Drug trafficking has been acquitted.

His conviction and death sentence was set aside by the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Kuching, Malaysia. Chimhurumnaya was arrested for allegedly trafficking 158.3g of methamphetamine in a car park at Jalan Canna at about 12.05am on June 7, 2016.

He was charged under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952 and punishable under Section 39B(2) of same Act, which carries a death sentence or imprisonment for life and with whipping, upon conviction.

On January 30, 2018 he was found guilty and sentenced to death on by the Kuching High Court. His counsel appealed the High Court’s decision to the Court of Appeal but was dismissed on Oct 23, 2019. He subsequently appealed to the Federal Court.

‘The Star’ reports that a three-member panel led by Datuk Seri Mohd Zawawi Salleh together with Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan and Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli unanimously discharged and acquitted Jonas Chimhurumnaya after allowing his appeal in Zoom proceedings on Thursday, November 11,2021.

Newscredit: Star

November 25, 2021 0 comments

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