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Terrorism: We’ll not rest until peace is fully restored, IDPs returned – Buhari

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By Gistflash

June 17, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured citizens of Federal Government’s presence in fighting terrorism to the end and ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are fully returned to continue normal life.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari gave the assurance during his official visit to Borno on Thursday.

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Buhari, who was in Maiduguri to appraise the security situation and inaugurate some development projects, commended Gov. Babagana Zulum for resilience and relentless efforts in rebuilding the state.

”We will never rest until peace is fully restored and all displaced persons are resettled in their home communities.

”I will never forget in my life that during my career as a politician, Borno State is where I got the highest percentage of votes, more than 90 per cent!

”The least I can do for you is to continue the relentless effort to fully restore peace to this state, the North East region and the country as a whole,” he said.

The president attributed recent successes recorded by the military against insurgents and terrorists at Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza to careful planning, infusion of new equipment and other war materials as well as quality military leadership.

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“I am very happy to be here in Borno State once again. I consider Maiduguri and Borno State to be my home since this is the place where I cut my administrative and political teeth, when I first arrived here as Military Governor 46 years ago.

“While I am happy to return home, I am not happy that this visit is not a normal, peacetime home-coming.

”I am here today first and foremost to appraise the security situation in Borno State and the North East region in order to move full speed ahead and conclude the work of restoring permanent peace to the region.

“The attacks launched by cowardly terrorists against military and civilian targets last month and in previous months were a pointer to us that the work of defeating insurgency and terrorism and of restoring permanent peace to this region is not yet over.

“We will not rest until all the millions of Internally Displaced Persons are able to return and resettle in their homes and rebuild their shattered lives,” he said.

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The president said all the Service Chiefs that were appointed this year either served as Theatre Commanders or were part of the command’s operations at one time or the other.

“All of them are therefore personally familiar with the challenge of insurgency.

”I fully expect them to bring this wealth of personal experience to bear as we move to end this scourge once and for all.

“No doubt, these successes owe a lot to the role played by volunteers of the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes.

”These good people include women, who are making huge sacrifices and patriotic contributions to our peace-restoration efforts,” he added.

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Buhari noted that many servicemen and women as well as youthful volunteers had paid the supreme price in the fight to rid the communities and the country of terrorism and insurgency, appreciating their gallantry and their sacrifices.

He assured their loved ones that the sacrifices will not be in vain.

“I must also acknowledge the very important role and the sacrifices made by parents, guardians and other loved ones amongst the people of Borno, the North East region and the country as a whole, who support their sons, daughters, husbands, brothers and sisters in going to battlefields to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and its peace.

”I thank and commend them for their resilience and assure them success is in sight.

“It was a mark of our appreciation for this sacrifice made by Borno State’s volunteers that the Nigerian Army was authorised to enlist hundreds of volunteers from Borno into the Army.

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”I urge the people of Borno, the North East region and Nigeria as a whole to sustain this cooperation with the military and the other security services.

“Both must see each other as being on one side in order for us to succeed,” he said.

The president said the late President Idris Deby of Chad played a major role in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region, urging his successors to work hard in restoring democracy to the country.

He also urged him to support the processes of bringing peace to the region.

Buhari said the recent appointment of Amb. Babagana Kingibe, an illustrious son of Borno, as Special Envoy to Chad and the Lake Chad Basin, was intended to accelerate the restoration of democratic stability in Chad Republic.

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The president added that the appointment was also meant to enhance cooperation among all the countries of the Lake Chad Basin.

“Let me also assure the people of Borno and the North East that we have taken decisive measures to safeguard IDPs and refugees who recently returned from Cameroon and Niger Republic.

”They are engaged in the task of rebuilding their communities after more than a decade of war and terrorism.

“It was part of these measures that I gave approval for the Federal Government to build 10,000 resettlement homes in Borno State. 4,000 of these homes have already been completed.

”Furthermore, I approved for constant release of food intervention by Nigerian Customs Service and the North East Development Commission in order to support displaced persons.

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“I have directed these agencies to sustain and deepen this support. I also wish to specially commend His Excellency,  Gov. Babagana Zulum for his tireless efforts in directly supervising the distribution of food and economic empowerment to IDPs in all local government areas,” he said.

The president noted that the effort at alleviating the suffering of displaced communities would hamper the evil attempts of terrorists and insurgents to recruit fighters and spies from IDPs and other vulnerable populations through the use of paltry material incentives.

On electricity supply, Buhari said the administration would continue to make concerted efforts towards guaranteeing energy security to all populace across the nation, saying Maiduguri cannot, and will not be left out.

The president said Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had been directed to expedite the delivery of 50MW power plant in order to ensure the prompt restoration of electricity to Maiduguri and its environs.

“Furthermore, in the light of the current improvement of security in the state, I have also issued directives for the immediate resumption of Oil and Gas exploration activities in the Lake Chad basin.

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”This is part of our overall effort to restore the state back to normalcy.

“One episode we will never forget in our lives was last year’s cowardly attack on defenceless rice farmers in Zabarmari community.

”I have directed the Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI and other security agencies to work out modalities together with Borno State Government and associations of farmers, on ways to improve safe access by farmers to their farms, forests and fishing grounds.

“I have also directed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to accord special support by deploying more agro rangers, through collaboration with Borno State Government, to secure additional farmlands.

”I highly commend the Borno State Government for its initiative in deploying the agro rangers. We will extend to it our full support,” he added.

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He observed that Zulum’s effort at providing facilities that directly impact the livelihood of people, particularly building educational and health institutions, and constructing roads deserved applause.

“I have gone round to commission some of the capital projects executed by Governor Zulum in two years.

”I am very happy with what I saw. The Vocational Training Institute at Muna, in particular, is a very dynamic answer to skills acquisition and job creation efforts.

”Such an effort will ensure that in future, there will be no store of unemployed young minds for terrorists and insurgents to recruit from.

“I was exceedingly happy to commission very laudable capital projects executed at the Borno State University.

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”It is the best answer that the decade-long effort of insurgents to disrupt and destroy modern education in this region has come to naught,” he said.

The president further revealed that he had since directed the Federal Ministry of Health to liaise with Borno State Government and accord the needed support to the ongoing construction of Borno State University Teaching Hospital in the areas of equipment and personnel.

“Finally, let me, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, commend His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, as well as all the other Royal Highnesses and Bulamas at all levels for their very exemplary leadership, patience, determination and wisdom during this past decade when this land was ravaged by insurgency and terrorism,” he said.

The president noted that the fact that traditional rulers now operate from their domains was evidence that peace was being restored to the communities, despite the challenges that remain to be overcome.

“The elders, statesmen, Muslim and Christian community leaders all over this state and region also deserve our thanks and warm appreciation for their resilience, moral leadership and support for the Federal and State Governments during these trying times.

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“I wish to reassure Your Highness the Shehu, all the Royal Highnesses, elders, the Government and people of Borno State and the North East region, of Federal Government’s relentless determination in the search for peace in Borno, the Northeast and the rest of Nigeria, ” Buhari said.

In his remarks, Zulum thanked the President for the relative peace enjoyed in the State, buoyed by the heavy presence of military and security men who have been engaging the terrorists.

“We have witnessed gradual return of peace to Borno State and it is our sincere hope that insurgency will soon be brought to an end,” he said.

The governor said he had already spent 750 days in office, appreciating the president for various developmental interventions, which included infrastructure, particularly the approval of 10,000 units of housing for IDPs of which 4,000 had been completed.

He also thanked Buhari for approval of a Federal Polytechnic in Mongonu after 40 years of creation (1976), urging more security presence so that farmers can return to their major occupation.

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Gunmen Attack Anambra Police Station, Kill Four Officers

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Gunmen Attack Anambra Police Station, Kill Four Officers
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Unknown gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday attacked a police station located in Atani, the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the gunmen launched the attack on the police facility around 1:30 am on Wednesday.

A further report had it that four police officers were killed in the attack.

Since the emergence of Charles Soludo as the Governor of Anambra State there had been series of attacks on police and government facilities in the state.

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Meanwhile, the spokesman of the state police command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, has confirmed the development.

He said, “The hoodlums came around 1 a.m., and unlucky for us, four police operatives paid the supreme price.”

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng on hearing of the attack immediately mobilized men of the command from various units to the area.

“The hoodlums were still there when the CP personally led men of the command to the affected area, and the timely arrival saved the day and the hoodlums were successfully repelled, and the facility was saved.

“We have commenced intelligence already, and we hope to unravel the persons behind the attack.”

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Supreme Court Affirms Six-Year Jail Term For Former Director Of Pensions, John Yakubu

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Supreme Court Affirms Six-Year Jail Term For Former Director Of Pensions, John Yakubu

Supreme Court Affirms Six-Year Jail Term For Former Director Of Pensions, John YakubSupreme Court Affirms Six-Year Jail Term For Former Director Of Pensions, John Yakubu

The Supreme Court has affirmed the six years imprisonment imposed on a former Federal Director of Pensions, Mister John Yakubu, and also ordered him to refund the sum of N22.9b to the Federal Government.

The N22.9b was part of the police pension fund he admitted before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to have been misappropriate

Justice Tijjani Abubakar in a judgment in an appeal filed by Yusuf upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal which in 2018 sent him to six years imprisonment in addition to the refund of the sum.

The apex court held that Yusuf and others engaging in fraudulent practices must be told through court judgments that it is no longer business as usual.

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Sept 26, 2021A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mallam Yusuf Ali, says it is not to late for members of the  National Assembly to revisit the issue of  electronic transmission of election results to ensure credibility.Ali, who made the remarks while speaking in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, said the more credible elections were, the less litigations they will attract.The  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  that the Nigerian Senate had on July 16, passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021, after division among its members on the electronic transmission of results.

The clause 52(2) of the bill gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the discretion to determine when, where and how voting and transmission of results will be done.

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The Senate had ruled out the possibility of having results transmitted electronically when it voted that the NCC, with the National Assembly’s approval, would determine whether INEC could transmit results electronically or not.

Similarly, the House of Representatives, on July 16, passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, maintaining the controversial Clause 52(2) as presented amidst protests, especially by members of the minority caucus.

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Justice Abubakar said that the appeal of the former federal pension director seeking to set aside the six years jail term against him was frivolous and devoid of merit.

He further held that victims of the convicted director deserve restitution which can only be achieved through justice.

Yusuf had dragged the Federal Government before the apex court seeking to overturn the six years imprisonment slammed on by the Court of Appeal.

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The former pensions director, who is serving the six years jail term at the Kuje correctional facility, also asked the Supreme Court to set aside a whopping sum of N22.9 billion he was ordered to refund to the government treasury by the Court of Appeal in a 2018 judgment.

He was sent to prison in 2018 by the Court of Appeal in Abuja upon being found guilty of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N22.9 billion through police pensions.

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Stakeholders task Nigerian youths on good governance, leadership advocacy

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Dr Odiakpo Obire, the founder of Good leadership for Africa, an Abuja based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) said the aim of the awards were to encourage African leaders to take their place as leaders among world leaders.
He said the youths of Africa had what it takes to elect the right leaders into offices as this was fundamental to their future and the success of the country.


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Abuja Nov 5, 2021 (NAN) Stakeholders in governance have urged Nigerian youths to be advocates of good governance and leadership in order to make Nigeria a better place.

They gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the second global good governance awards and summit held in Abuja on Friday.

The theme for the award is “ Good governance mentality for global impact.

Dr Odiakpo Obire, the founder of Good leadership for Africa, an Abuja based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) said the aim of the awards were to encourage African leaders to take their place as leaders among world leaders.

He said the youths of Africa had what it takes to elect the right leaders into offices as this was fundamental to their future and the success of the country.

According to him, good governance and leadership are achievable and controllable by the youths.
“ Good governance and leadership make strong institutions.

“ The Africa and Nigeria of our dreams cannot be achieved if youths neglect accountability and advocacy of good leadership’, he said.

Obire stated that everyone appointed into a leadership position could help achieve a great Nigeria if they put the needs of the masses first and do what was expected of them.

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“ From the Federal Government to the local government, to the appointees to the least held office, everyone has the responsibility to do the right thing, ” he said.

He said democracy in Nigeria is over 22 years and youths had to rise to the responsibility of advocating for good leadership and accountability.

“ Good governance starts from selecting good leaders by the youths, ” he said.

Amb. Louis Temisan, Mayorking Ultimate International Magazine said a lot of people, institutions and NGOs are worthy of celebration because they advocate good governance.

“ People, institutions and NGOs who are staff minded, support youth empowerment, community development deserve all the celebration and recognition, ” he said.

According to him, advocating for and publicising good governance will challenge other lacking leaders to do better in their respective communities.

Amb. Anthony Nwangwu disclosed that good governance should be measured by good directions and steps taken by a leader to ensure life was easy for people.

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He said good governance is not measured by the number of cars a leader has or how much cash they throw around.

Nwangwu said good governance affects every facets of life.

NAN reports that about 30 people from the private and public sectors were recipients of different awards.

Some category of these awards include, award of Excellence in Human resource, award of best security outfit and award of best youth empowerment. (NAN)

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