National News

Killings: Lawmakers knock Buhari, President meets security chiefs

Published

3 years ago

July 29, 2022

Killings: Lawmakers knock Buhari, President meets security chiefs

The opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly on Thursday said there was no going back on their plan to impeach the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, if he failed to resolve the insecurity in the country within six weeks.

The lawmakers, consisting of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance members, contended that insecurity had reached the peak under Buhari’s regime.

They spoke about the same time that the President was meeting the nation’s security chiefs under the auspices of the National Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This happened as bandits again raided Pinau village in the Wase Local Government of Plateau state and killed six persons.

But restating their six-week ultimatum to the President at a press briefing in Abuja, the opposition lawmakers said they were tired of the worsening insecurity in the country and could no longer keep quiet over the state of the nation.

Addressing journalists after a closed-door session, the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu said they were ready to fight the President ‘tooth and nail until the insecurity issues had been resolved.’

Elumelu said, “They (Senators) have given six to eight weeks for Mr. President to address the insecurity that is, of course, affecting this nation, and I want to also join on behalf of my colleagues, also to say that upon the expiration, we will proffer ways of ensuring that we will gather all the signatures.”

Buttressing his Senate colleagues, Elumelu said that the ultimatum was beyond the issue of the opposition party but a unanimous agreement between the lawmakers.

He said, “And let me make it clear. Those who are thinking that it is only the issue of the PDP or the minority caucus, no. Many of our colleagues under the bipartisanship are affected. Many of them are affected. So, they may not be speaking but we may be speaking for them. And when the time comes, everyone will come out.”

Elumelu also responded to the comment by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Wednesday night where he described the impeachment threat as “performative and babyish antics”, stating that time would show the President the reality.

Elumelu said, “I heard somebody this morning saying it is a laughable attempt. Perhaps, when the action starts, the person will find out that it’s not a laughable action. It’s real and we will not stand to allow this nation to collapse. We think that it is high time the insecurity of this nation is addressed.

“The nation has been awash with what happened yesterday (Wednesday) in the Senate where our colleagues had to walk out in protest as to the state of the nation as regards to the issue of insecurity in the nation. Concurrently, even though we did not do it exactly the way they did it, we also drew the House attention as to what is happening in Nigeria, most importantly in FCT.’’

Elumelu further lamented that the problems of the country were too enormous and if they didn’t rise to the occasion, the nation was on the verge of collapsing.

He said, “ And of course, we also have the issue of oil theft which has risen, now making it difficult for us to earn income from oil revenue.

“And these and many others are the reasons we are joining our colleagues in the Senate to ask Mr. President to address the insecurity of this nation within six and eight weeks. Otherwise, we will find the constitutional means to ensure that we serve him an impeachment notice.’’

Senate Minority leader

Earlier, the Senate Minority leader, Philip Aduda also noted that they were not rescinding their decision to impeach the president if he failed to meet their demands.

He said, “Our actions yesterday (Wednesday) were spontaneous from the issues that were raised on the floor of the Senate. I am sure that members of the press must have interacted with our various colleagues to know that this issue is not just about the PDP caucus but it is a bipartisan issue.

“We all agreed that the security architecture is failing and there is a need to salvage it immediately and we also agreed that we must issue; for some who do not know, the issue is to issue an impeachment notice to the President because the primary responsibility of the government is the protection of lives of the citizens. Once that is not done, then, there is a problem.”

The senator further said that they had invited their colleagues at the house to further explain things to them and know where they stand on the issue.

Also, the Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Gershom Bassey, said that they were committed to ending the security issues in the country, and if the President didn’t solve the challenges, they wouldn’t have a choice but to use the constitution.

“This six-week (ultimatum) is just the last straw; we have been giving this recommendation, motions, and budgetary support since 2018. We have been talking about insecurity since 2017,’’ he noted.

Also, the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial district, Senator Francis Fadahunsi said that the senators including some from the ruling party, had agreed on serving the impeachment notice but some people were still trying to serve their personal interest and were resisting the decision of the Senate.

The PUNCH on Wednesday reported that Senator Smart Adeyemi of Kogi West, Senator Bulkachuwa Muhammed of Bauchi North and Senators are the APC senators who have openly declared their support for the President’s impeachment.

Plateau attack

Confirming the latest bandit attack, residents of Pinau community said the hoodlums arrived in the area around 3:pm on Wednesday, shooting sporadically, which led to the death of the six persons while many others were injured.

Garba Kasuwa, who escaped the attack, said the bandits came in large numbers on motorcycles carrying heavy guns.

He said “Before the arrival of the bandits, hundreds of residents of the community had already fled because of the fear of being attacked and that is why the casualty figure is not much. The few ones that remained, some were killed; about six of them. The bandits on arrival asked people to lock themselves in their rooms.

“They broke our shops and stole food items and other properties. They also kidnapped some people. The situation is pathetic.”

The Spokesman for the Military Taskforce, Operation Safe Haven in charge of maintaining peace in the state, Major Ishaku Takwa, however, said that troops of the taskforce had been deployed in the community to restore calm.

Before the attack , the residents of the community had raised the alarm over their safety following the withdrawal of soldiers from the area, a development that forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes to neighbouring villages.

“I will call you later on the incident because I’m right now in a meeting with the Force PPRO”, the police public relations officer of the Plateau state command ,Alabo Alfred told The PUNCH in Jos, when contacted.

In a related development, the Defence Headquarters has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, not to panic on account of the terrorist attack on the Presidential Brigade Guards on Sunday in which eight personnel were killed.

The incident led to the hasty closure of schools by the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, sparking apprehension among residents.

But speaking at the bi-weekly briefing on troops’ activities on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko claimed 30 terrorists were killed during the attack on the troops.

He added, ”Troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Force Battalion in conjunction with the air component of ‘Operation Whirl Punch’ conducted a clearance patrol around Bwari general area between 24 – 26 July 2022. Troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages.

“Consequently, about 30 terrorists were neutralized and their enclave and hideout destroyed. Ground troops also recovered six motorcycles, two AK47 rifles, one fully loaded LMG magazine, amongst others, during the mop up.”

Reacting to allegations that troops were benefiting from the ransoms paid by abducted victims, the Director, Defence Information Major General Jimmy Akpor said the military high command was unaware of the development.

Meanwhile, the commander of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria in Bwari area council, Titus Awyebemye, killed during the attack on the presidential Guards Brigade has been buried on Thursday.

CAN warns

Also, the outgoing President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has admonished the President to holistically address the security challenges in the country.

Ayokunle, who stated this during a valedictory church service held in his honour in Abuja on Thursday, stressed that the insecurity in the country was no longer a child’s play.

Commenting on the security situation, the presidential candidate of the PDP and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has assured the people of Zamfara State that rescue is on the way.

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd), while speaking with journalists after the National Security Council meeting, said the President and the security agents were aware of the dire security challenges facing the country.

Monguno said, “We are in a very difficult situation and the Council understands. Mr President understands people’s concerns about the growing insecurity. But I can assure you that there’s no straight cut and dried method of dealing with this thing unless all of us embrace each other.

“I know people are weary, people are tired, people are beginning to gravitate to other places for self-help. The truth is that help is rooted in everyone working for the other person.”

According to him, the Security Council has agreed on new strategies to curtail the menace, assuring Nigerians that there will be a renewed momentum against terrorism.

He explained: “Again, the members of the armed forces have made a commitment that in the coming weeks, they have already started working on a new strategy to deal with these snippets of violence.

“And they’ve given their word, their commitment to the President that there will be a change in momentum, regardless of the fact that there might be certain institutional limitations which they face. But they understood the enormity of the responsibilities.”

The NSA also revealed that Council will soon conclude its special investigation on the July 5 Kuje Correctional Center attack and would punish those who, by neglect of duty, allowed the massive escape.

“Council is in the process of winding up the Special Investigative Panel on the Kuje incident. And the idea is to come up with recommendations, hold those who are supposed to be held accountable for their deeds and to ensure that this type of thing never ever, ever happens again in this country,” Monguno stated.

Citing last Friday night’s attack on the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade, the NSA argued that no country can win an asymmetric warfare without the help of its citizens.

Monguno argued that the casualties could have been avoided if citizens were more generous with information.

PUNCH

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ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

Published

3 days ago

February 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is consolidating movement of citizens of West Africa by inaugurating the second phase of the European Union (EU) funded project “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM II)” to advance economic growth.

Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja reiterated the commitment of economic blog to ensure free movement and encourage commerce and economic development in the sub region at the inauguration of the FMM II in Abuja on Thursday.

The event was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the ECOWAS Commission.

The vice-president explained that the FMM is designed to promote the free protocol and movement of persons, goods and services, as vision of ECOWAS for regional integration.

According to her, the initiative would demonstrate renewed commitment to ensure migration governance and regional mobility serve as pillars of development within the sub-region.

Tchintchibidja added that: “During the first phase of the project, we made significant progress in enhancing migration governance, strengthening boarder management and operational license to drive the free protocols.

“We reinforced migration governance, harmonised policies, strengthened border management systems, facilitation of labour mobility and supporting member states in aligning national policies with ECOWAS migration instruments.

“These achievements played key roles in enhancing regional security and economic mobility within our region, however, our work is far from over, benefits of migration must be fully harnessed.

“This requires structured, coordinated approach both at national and regional levels; we are optimistic FMM II will serve as vehicle towards addressing new-migration challenges, while capitalising on emerging opportunities.

“The FMM II will enhance mobility across borders in safe and orderly manner, through specific efforts to ascertain migration governance framework, enhance coordination mechanism, data driven policy making and integrated approaches.”

She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to ensure that migration contribute positively to economic growth, stability and social-coercion in the ECOWAS region.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union (EU), Mr Massimo De Luka, said the five-year project aims to maximise development potential of free movement of persons and migration in West Africa.

He noted that the project would be achieved through support of the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons Protocol and the ECOWAS Common Approach to Migration.

He said: “The basis for cooperation and coordination on improving free movement of persons and migration in West Africa has been established.

“The second phase will deepen the cooperation in enhancing migration governance and at the same time commit to regional integration.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandjé Toure-Litse commended the milestones achieved during the first phase to be in line with ECOWAS mission.

Toure-Litse was represented by Mr Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director, Free Movement of Persons of ECOWAS Commission/Project Coordinator, West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI).

Toure-Litse said, “This milestone reaffirms our collective commitment to regional integration, migration governance and sustainable development, which are core principles that underscores the ECOWAS mission.”

ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

National News

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

Published

5 days ago

February 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

** We’ll be more deliberate in supporting small business owners to grow – VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said that the federal government, working in collaboration with other stakeholders, will be more deliberate in ensuring growth in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space in Nigeria.

To this end, the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has set up a committee to interface with the Central Bank of Nigeria to enhance the financing of small businesses in the country.

This was part of decisions taken on Tuesday at the first meeting of the National Council on MSMEs for 2025 held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking after deliberations by members, Vice President Shettima said the federal government, through its agencies and partners, has the moral burden of supporting growth in the MSME space and facilitating job creation across different sectors for Nigerians.

Reeling out the mandate of the committee, the Vice President said the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in supporting small businesses, evident in important policies and programmes, need to be complemented by stakeholders, especially the private sector.

The committee headed by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, has Ministers of Science and Technology; Women Affairs; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs as members.

Others include the CEOs of Bank of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Agriculture (BOI), Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the representative of NACCIMA and the organized private sector.

In the same vein, Council also approved a loan scheme for MSMEs known as the syndicated de-risked loans for small businesses.

The scheme will be a partnership between state governments and financial institutions aimed at enhancing access to finance for MSMEs at single-digit rates across the country.

Vice President Shettima advised state governments to set up vehicles that are devoid of political interests to drive the implementation of the syndicated de-risked loans for the MSMEs scheme.

“Some of these initiatives are laudable and will need to outlive the present administrations in the States. Regardless of political affiliations, Nigerians must be seen to be the ultimate beneficiaries of these schemes that we are trying to put in place,” the VP stated.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, presented the ‘syndicated de-risked loans’ scheme for small businesses, seeking the cooperation of members and describing it as a game-changing programme to provide affordable and available loans for businesses.

He said the initiative is in acknowledgement of the President’s passion and commitment to the development of small businesses and aimed at providing more jobs for Nigerians.

In his presentation on the state of MSMEs in Nigeria, the DG SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, said the agency was proposing an initiative which was born from a 3-day MSME conference held in 2024.

He said the initiative known as the GROW Nigeria strategy is to provide guidance, resources, opportunities, and the workforce to support the about 40 million small businesses across 8 distinct sectors.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai; the representatives of the Governors of Benue and Katsina States; the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh; Ministers of Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji; Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi; representative of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are the CEOs of Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); National Bureau of Statistics (NBS); the Presidents of NACCIMA and National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

National News

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation

Published

6 days ago

February 17, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation

By: Michael Mike

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen.George Akume has said President Bola Tinubu means well for the nation, pledging to continue to work hard to support the Nigerian leader to achieve his many laudable programmes and vision for the country.

Akume made the promise at the weekend when he was decorated as “Star Associate of President Tinubu,” and Grand Patron of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA),

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the declaration while he was decorated as “Star Associate of President Tinubu” by the National Co-ordinator/President of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA), Hon. Henry Nwabueze, who led a delegation of leaders of the Movement to the SGF ‘s office at the weekend in Abuja.

Akume pledged to continue to support the policies of President Bola Tinubu in his quest to make Nigeria safe and economically viable again.

He also pledged to continue to work hard to support the Nigerian leader to achieve his many laudable programmes and vision for the country.

Nwabueze, on his part said Sen. Akume has given so much in service to Nigeria and in support for the Tinubu Administration that he became the best choice for the position of the Movement’s Grand Patron and the first to receive the award of “Star Associate of President Tinubu,” an award intended for those in diverse fields of endeavour whose very efforts are promoting the vision of Mr. President for a better Nigeria.

According to Nwabueze, a former President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and distinguished Delegate at the 2014 Justice Kutigi Nigerian National Conference initiated by the Jonathan Administration, Sen. Akume represents the Tinubu Administration’s efforts aimed at injecting competence, maturity as well as discipline and hard work in public governance, and thanked the SGF for accepting the two honours, revealing that in the weeks ahead Nigerians would see the advocacy campaigns of the Movement in support of President Tinubu’s efforts at repositioning the country.

He reiterated the advice to Nigerian politicians that anyone who is wishing to contest for the Office of President in 2027 should have a rethink, stressing that there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa in that year.

Nwabueze added that: “The occasion today is a very short one and, therefore, does not require long speeches.

“Let me start by conveying the appreciation of the entire membership of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA), both at home and in the Diaspora, all who have unanimously agreed that the man that has been chosen as our Grand Patron more than fits the bill.

“For several years, even before some of us were born,His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) George Akume,CFR,has continued to serve this nation in diverse capacities.

“Whether as Permanent Secretary or Governor in his native State of Benue, Sen.(Dr.) Akume has for over fifty odd years held the flag of service and servant-leadership that has produced men and women of consummate repute and honour.

“Whether as Senator, Minister or even Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Sen.(Dr.) Akume’s place in the annals of history of our great nation remains one of honour well-deserved and laurels perpetually treasured.

“So, as we stand here today to decorate him as our Grand Patron and Star Associate of President Tinubu,the first in our list for such Honours,we are merely giving expression to what those who came before us saw to enlist him in the Benue Plateau Civil Service of his day,to make him Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Civil Service many years later,to make him Governor,to make him Senator, Minister and, today, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“On behalf of the National Executive Council and, indeed,the General Congress of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates at home and abroad, I, Uche Henry Nwabueze, with the powers tacitly conferred on me by the Constitution of our Organisation, and in the name of the Most High God… Decorate you as Grand Patron of NTCA and as a Star Associate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Your Excellency, the SGF is by this decoration welcomed to function in this capacity with all the rights and privileges attached thereto.

“Accept our humble congratulations,Your Excellency, our Grand Patron,”

The Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates( aka: No Vacancy in Aso Rock 2027) is a registered group of like-minded Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora,who are committed to the promotion of the laudable efforts and programmes of the Tinubu Administration to repositioning Nigeria for greatness

The Movement has membership in all the States of the Federation and the 774 Local Government Councils.

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation