Month: September 2022

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has disassociated the association from reports that it has reached a truce with the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, on his choice of a Muslim as his running mate.

In a statement released by CAN on Monday, September 5, 2022, CAN distanced itself from the reports that they have endorsed same-faith ticket.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement released on his behalf by his spokesperson, Luminous Jannamike, described the reports as untrue.

Part of the statement reads, “For the records, CAN took a position against the same-faith ticket imbroglio under the leadership of Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, its immediate past national president, and as a matter of fact, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stands on that same position.”

“While CAN may not agree with every decision taken by politicians and political parties, it respects their rights to reach conclusions on issues that affect their electoral fortunes so long as they accord with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act (2022).”

Tinubu, a Muslim presidential candidate of the ruling party had chosen Senator Kashim Shettima, also a Muslim, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election. This political decision has earned CAN’s outrage and multiple criticisms.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, said there was no rift between Muslims and Christians in the country.

Bishop Kukah said this while responding to questions on TVC News Breakfast Show on Monday, September 5, 2022. He said Nigeria’s problem is irresponsible leaders who weaponize religion as a tool of exploitation and oppression.

“There is no problem between Christians and Muslims. There is a problem with irresponsible leaders who don’t want to govern properly, irresponsible religious leaders who have now seen religion as a tool of oppression, instead of a tool for liberation.

“This has been the thrust of my argument because these are two areas of study. With all sense of modesty, I have spent a good part of my life studying theology and studying religion and society,” Bishop Kukah stated

Bishop Kukah, while commenting on the role of religion and ethnicity on Nigeria’s politics, also said the leaders have failed at building governance that prioritize the affairs of the citizens.

He explained, “If you are watching a football match or any game at all, that’s why there are referees. If the referee does not do what needs to be done and allows supporters to jump onto the field, you can see for yourself that referees are punishing coaches who overreach themselves by stepping even if it is just one inch, into the field. They are punished; sometimes they are taken off the pitch.

“Now, this is really what a state is supposed to be because, without the state, it will be all of us against each other. And that is why the state is called a leviathan. You put so much power so that the state can protect us. The Nigerian state has proved itself to be incompetent, grossly malfunctioning, unwilling to commit to the welfare of citizens as the principal basis of governance.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has announced the suspension of proposed excise duty on telecommunication services.

The minister stated this at inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee on Excise Duty for the Digital Economy Sector.

Pantami, in a program Monday in Abuja, described the tax as overburden for the telecommunications sector.

He added that he personally rejected the policy and advised President Buhari to reject it for the effects it would have on digital economy.

Pantami, who kicked against the policy, said the National Assembly members were not even consulted.

He added, “The introduction of excise duty in the telecommunication and information and communications technology industry would jeopardise the successes already recorded within the industry.”

Pantami sabotages government efforts – Ahmed

The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had accused pantami of sabotaging government efforts.

She said, “Against the comments by Isa Ali Pantami, honourable minister of communication and digital economy, concerning the five percent excise duty hike on telecoms services, it is worth noting that there was a circular stating the planned hike which was addressed to the communication minister and other relevant ministries and agencies of government.

“The circular Referenced No. F. 17417/VI/286, dated 1st March 2022, and titled “Approval for Implementation of the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments” was addressed to different ministers, including the honourable minister, communications and digital economy and and other heads of government agencies.

“In view of the above position of Prof. Pantami, there could be the question of whether he was absent in the whole process that resulted in the Finance Act, which is a product of both the National Assembly and Federal Executive Council (FEC),” the statement reads in part.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Reports from Lagos have disclosed that Dr Idris Salako, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, has resigned.

At the time of filing this report, the reason for his resignation was not known as he did not mention it in a letter to the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

However, some people believed that Saloko’s resignation must not be unconnected with the recurring collapse of buildings in the state.

The Daily Really gathered several buildings have collapsed in the state, including a 21-storey building on Gérard road in Ikoyi, Ikoyi, that collapsed last year in November.

It was learned that the traumatic incidents had led to the deaths of a number of innocent souls, including the owners, as of last year November in Ikoyi.

On Sunday, 4th September 2022, the seven-storey building under construction on Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lagos, collapsed, killing four persons and leaving four others injured.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has, however, accepted the resignation of Dr Salako.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government has said that the current incessant security problem has been the greatest challenge bedevilling the country since the civil war.

Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, stated this on Monday, 5th September, 2022 in Abuja during a joint security conference.

He said the security challenges “have been daunting, from terrorism to banditry to kidnapping to separatist violence to crude oil theft to armed robbery and sundry crimes.

“It’s undoubtedly the greatest challenge to the peace and security of our great nation since the civil war from 1967 to 1970.”

“But thanks to the purposeful leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, we can say, I want to repeat, that the worst is over and peace and security are gradually returning to the land.

“Please don’t misunderstand or misrepresent this assertion. We may still witness isolated cases of security challenges here and there, but it will not be on the scale that we have witnessed in the past.

“We want to use this opportunity to salute Mr President for his leadership. When many threw their arms up in the air and felt it was all over, President Buhari remained resolute.

“When many called for the use of foreign mercenaries to tackle the challenges, especially terrorism and banditry, President Buhari never wavered in his belief in the ability of our gallant men and women in uniform to rise to the occasion, and rise to the occasion they did.

“Some said the security challenges have overwhelmed the military, but the military has now demonstrated that no group of ragtag criminals can ever overwhelm them.

“Terrorists and bandits and co can run but cannot hide, and this has been demonstrated by the arrest of those who attacked a church in Owo. These criminals can run but cannot hide, as we have seen in the decimation of the cowards who ambushed the Brigade of Guards troops in Abuja.

“I am sure you will hear from my colleagues how our military and other security agencies have been decimating the top echelon of ISWAP and Boko Haram, how armed bandits camps and resources have been destroyed, and how the capacity of IPOB/ESN has been substantially degraded,” he stated.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

A Northern Nigerian digital skills learning centre, Engausa Global Tech Hub, will admit students and commence its September classes next week Monday.

This is contained in a short announcement posted on its official Facebook page Sunday.

“New Engausa Global Tech Hub classes will begin on Monday 12th November 2022 Insha Allah,” the post reads.

The classes, largely delivered in the Hausa language, focus on teaching skills like video editing, blogging, graphics design, web design and Android dev., social media literacy, and digital marketing.

Others are installations (CCTV, solar panels, electric fencing, and Intercom) and smartphone repair skills.

The training costs twenty-five thousand naira (N25,000) and lasts for a period of five weeks.

In order to register, interested applicants are advised to click www.EngausaHub.com or call any their phone numbers.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old Pastor, Israel Adebayo, for allegedly raping a 14 year-old member of the choir in the church.

The Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this Sunday, said another pastor had been caught in the act of alleged rape.

Oyeyemi said another 48-year-old pastor, Michael Abiodun, was also arrested Friday for allegedly defiling and impregnated a 12-year-old member of his church at Owode Egba in Obafemi-Owode LGA.

He added that the pastor is tue General Overseer of “The Beloved Chapel” situated at No. 9, Iyaniwura street, off Owonikoko street Agbado area of Ogun state.

However, the mother of the victim stated that while she was away from home for treatment of an ailment, her daughter went to the church.

She added that, “But she ‘fell’ into the hands of the Pastor who lured her into his room and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.”

Oyeyemi told journalists that, “On interrogation, the Pastor who admitted defiling the victim pleaded for forgiveness. According to him, his family and that of the victim are so close, but he didn’t know how and why such thing happened to him.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect would have been arrested long ago, but the mother of the victim frustrated the move because she doesn’t want to offend her Pastor.

“But when the victim continued bleeding from her private part since the incident which happened October 2021, she was left with no other option than to allow Police come into the matter,” he said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Kano State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has urged the state gubernatorial candidates to put their differences aside and work towards the development of Kano.

Gawuna, who is the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), said the interest of the state should supercede any individual’s ambition.

This, however, was disclosed in a statement signed Sunday, 4th September, 2022 by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Hassan Musa Fagge.

The statement disclosed that Gawuna made the charge during a ‘One Day Colloquium for Kano and Jigawa States Candidates’ across political parties contesting for various elective offices in the 2023 general elections.

The event was organised by the Kano-Jigawa Professionals Forum (KJPF) held at the Aminu Kano Center for Democratic Research, Mambayya House.

The statement reads: “As stakeholders it is our duty to enhance peace, unity, cohesion and progress among our people. Therefore, we should cooperate with each another and advise should be given to those in government even if you are in the opposition.

“I am delighted you organised this event to give your contribution towards promoting the development of Kano State.

“Even though everyone of us has his own programmes but this 10 years strategic plan report was made by professionals of diverse background therefore I wish to call on all contestants to use it as a platform for guide when elected during governance.”

In attendance during the event were the APC Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate Alh. Murtala Sule Garo and other candidates from other various political parties.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has debunked the claims by a Nollywood actress, Halen Duru, that its personnel invaded her house on Saturday night.

EFCC has denied the claim Sunday on its official Instagram handle, describing the actress as a ‘mere publicity-seeking player, with a poorly-scripted claim’.

However, in viral bloodied video shared by the actress, Duru claimed that she was assaulted by men from the security agency.

Debunking the allegation, EFCC stated, “False and Misleading Video in Circulation on EFCC Operations. The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to an online video trending on Instagram, from the handle of a certain “@iamhelenaduru”, a self-styled actress, purporting, quite mischievously, an assault by operatives of the Commission.

“Checks by the Commission, however, flagged Helen Aduru, an upcoming actress, as a mere publicity-seeking player, with a poorly- scripted claim that has fallen flat in the face of unassailable facts available to the Commission.”

The agency further stated, “In her script, she was quick to include five names of officers she claimed came from the Cybercrime Section of the Enugu Command of the Commission. Characteristically, EFCC’s officers don’t wear name tags nor move around with bulldozer-shaped equipment to pull down security doors.

“Aduru claimed, rather strangely, that she was assisted by a little boy, to a Police Station at 3:44 am but met the station shut. It is important to note that Police Stations are not civil service ministries that “close” in the evening. Even more preposterous is the fact that she never went back, at daybreak, to lodge a complaint.

“More poignantly untenable is the fact that her purported assault of July 21, 2022, which has not been logged nearly two months later at the Police Station, is only being brought to public glare on September 2, 2022!! Such a scene could only stand in a typical Nollywood fiction series.

“Such claims by Aduru, like all other stranger-than-fiction, click-baiting, sympathy-seeking ploys, do not merit a response but for the need to avoid ‘silence is acquiescence’ stance of mischief makers. Deeper checks on the matter only showed that certain blackmailers could be bandying some known names in the Enugu Zonal Command to settle some scores.”

Hon. Ibrahim Tafashiya, the PDP candidate for Kankia Zone in the State House of Assembly for the elections in 2023, has been rescued by police in Katsina State.

According to reports, terrorists kidnapped the lawmaker on Saturday.

The police command’s spokesman, Gambo Isah, stated that the command acted as soon as it received the distress call and intervened quickly.

He added that the PDP candidate was saved by the Kankia Divisional Police Officer, SP Ilyasu Ibrahim, who led the cops under his authority to approach the thugs and engaged them in a bloody gun duel.

In the same vein, the Katsina Police Command reported that it also freed Salisu Gide, the Isa Kaita College of Education’s Registrar, who had been kidnapped along with his wife.

However, “Unfortunately, the police team was unable to rescue his wife from the assailants,” he lamented. But still, the command is still doing its best to secure the nation and free all those in captivity.