Admin

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Benue State government solemnly laid to rest 17 victims of a recent brutal attack by armed bandits on Mbakyor community in Mbalom Council Ward, Gwer East Local Government Area.

The harrowing incident, which occurred on the night of March 7, 2024, claimed the lives of 19 individuals, including a retired Army Officer and a young boy.

With two victims already interred due to rapid decomposition from the heinous acts, the remaining 17 were honored in a mass burial ceremony.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode, delivered a poignant funeral oration, condemning the tragic spectacle and emphasizing the urgent need for community vigilance.

He advocated for the formation of vigilante groups, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.

Expressing profound sadness, Governor Alia pledged relentless efforts by the government to address the security challenges plaguing the state and urged unity in combating insecurity.

In the wake of the attack, lawmaker Elias Audu criticized the perceived inefficiency of security agencies, questioning their response despite the availability of attack helicopters during the three-hour onslaught.

He commended Governor Alia’s swift actions, including the distribution of Easter aid to the bereaved families.

Prof. Vitalis Tarhule, President of the Masev Development Association, underscored the government’s duty to safeguard lives and property.

He highlighted previous attacks in 2014 and 2018, totaling 40 lives lost, and urged the establishment of a security post in Mbakyor to deter future violence by armed herdsmen.

As Benue mourned its fallen, calls echoed for proactive measures, community vigilance, and decisive government action to prevent further bloodshed and ensure the safety of its citizens.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a heartfelt address marking the conclusion of Ramadan, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called upon all citizens to unite and recommit themselves to the profound task of nation-building.

Emphasizing the collective responsibility of shaping Nigeria’s future, President Tinubu likened the nation to clay, sculpted by the hands of its people.

“We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire,” he affirmed.

Speaking specifically to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, President Tinubu stressed the importance of unity in action. He described the holy season as a time of “total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.”

Extending his greetings to Muslims both within Nigeria and across the globe, President Tinubu offered prayers for the acceptance of their supplications and sacrifices by Almighty Allah.

Through a statement issued by his spokesperson, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the president expressed his hope that the lessons, blessings, and joys of Eid al-Fitr would endure beyond the festivities, shaping the nation’s path forward.

As the nation celebrated Eid al-Fitr, President Tinubu concluded his message by extending warm wishes to all Nigerians, invoking a spirit of unity and prosperity for the nation.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has reappointed Yusuf Shuaibu Imam, famously known as Ogan Boye, to his former post as Special Adviser on Youth and Sports.

This decision comes amidst a flurry of eight other new appointments, which encompass a variety of key roles within the state administration.

Ogan Boye’s reinstatement comes with a controversial backdrop.

He was previously dismissed from his position alongside a Commissioner due to alleged threats directed at the Elections Petition Tribunal Judges in the State.

However, Governor Yusuf has decided to reinstate Ogan Boye and renominate the Commissioner, who was recently confirmed by the State Assembly for reappointment.

The fresh appointments, as announced by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, introduce a mix of seasoned professionals into critical positions.

Notable among these appointments are Prof. Ibrahim Magaji Barde as Special Adviser for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Dr. Abdulhamid Danladi as Special Adviser on Diaspora II, and Engr. Bello Muhammad Kiru will be the Special Adviser on Water Resources.

Dr Nura Jafar Shanono has been reassigned from his role as Special Adviser on Water Resources to become Managing Director at the Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA), signalling a strategic shift within the administration.

Additionally, Baba Abubakar Umar has transitioned from Special Adviser to Executive Secretary of the Private and Voluntary Institutions Management Board.

Rounding out the new appointments are Nasir Mansur Muhammad as the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Aminu Hamidu Bako Kofar Na’isa and Engr. Mukhtar Yusuf as Deputy Managing Directors for KNARDA and WRECA respectively.

The Governor’s spokesperson stated that these appointments take immediate effect and are part of Governor Yusuf’s commitment to ushering in a new era of progress and development for Kano State by entrusting capable individuals with key responsibilities.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a prominent cleric based in Sokoto, made headlines on Tuesday as he led his followers in observing the Eid prayer.

This move came in defiance of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, which had declared Wednesday as the official Eid day, marking the end of the 2024 Ramadan fast.

Contrary to the NSCIA’s announcement, Sheikh Lukwa insisted that the crescent moon signaling the beginning of Shawwal, and hence Eid, was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday.

He justified his decision to hold the Eid prayer on Tuesday by citing reports and a verified video clip from Niger Republic’s council of Ulamah authenticating the moon sighting.

According to Lukwa, adhering to the teachings of the Holy Prophet necessitated following the declaration made in Niger Republic.

Despite the NSCIA’s assertion and the earlier stance of Saudi Arabia authorities, Lukwa remained steadfast in his belief, leading prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30 am.

This event underscores the ongoing debate and differing perspectives within the Muslim community regarding moon sightings and the determination of Islamic holidays.

He was qouted to have said, “If we can accept that of Saudi Arabia, why can’t we agree with that of Niger Republic which is nearer to us.

“I am not saying all Nigerian Muslims must observe their Eid prayer on Tuesday but we have no moral justification not to observe our prayer on Tuesday because the new moon was sighted by our neighbors.

“And remember there is no fasting on Sallah day, it is prohibited,” the imam stated.

Lukwa has been defying Sultan directives, accusing the monarch of forcing Muslims to accept the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia which he believes is against the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The cleric however, challenged any scholar with a contrary view to a public debate.

Bello Hussein Adoto

The tragic deaths of two students and the injury of 23 more at the botched distribution of palliatives at Nasarawa State University on Friday is a disturbing addition to what has been a troubling period for undergraduates in Nigeria.

Just last Friday, nine students of Federal University Gusau regained their freedom after spending over 170 days in terrorists’ captivity. On Thursday, three medical students of Abia State University died in a road traffic accident while returning from their seniors’ induction.

Unlike these other tragedies, however, the Nasarawa stampede could have been envisaged and prevented. The successful distribution of similar palliatives at the University of Ilorin shows us how we can do things differently.

Following subsidy removal and the attendant inflation in the country, several state governments distributed palliatives—foodstuffs and stipends—to ease the economic burden on citizens. Some states like Kwara and Nasarawa recently extended the palliatives to students in their tertiary institutions.

The initial distribution of the palliatives across institutions in Nasarawa state was peaceful. A government statement released after Friday’s stampede noted that previous distributions were “a huge success.” Students got two 7.5 kg bags of rice and 5,000 naira each.

However, events leading to the stampede at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, points towards a mismanagement of crowd control by the organizers responsible for distributing the palliatives. According to media reports, the palliatives were scheduled at the university convocation square until students arrived in large numbers and disrupted the distribution.

“After our arrangement for the distribution of palliatives to the students which was to hold at the University’s convocation square, they (students) suddenly arrived at the venue in their numbers and overpowered the security,” said Yunusa Baduku, National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association, in a Punch Online report.

He added that the students “broke through the gate into the Convocation square where the bags of rice was to be shared,” leading to the stampede that consumed the two students and injured many more.

Sadly, such chaos is not new. In February, the Nigerian Customs Service had to suspend its sale of seized bags of rice after seven people died at one of its centres in Yaba, Lagos. Some two years ago, 31 people died at a stampede at the King’s Assembly in Rivers state church during the distribution of palliatives to church members; seven more were injured.

Although the state governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, was quoted as calling the tragedy “a needless stampede,” the state could have prepared better for it. Distribution events, especially those intended to provide aid or relief, tend to draw large crowds, making effective crowd control essential.

In Unilorin, for instance, where students received palliatives—cartons of noodles—from the Kwara State government, distributions were such that students did not have to gather in their numbers at the arena or use vouchers.

The government sent the palliatives to the university, who distributed them to the faculties. From the faculties, they were distributed to departments, where class representatives from each level went to retrieve the packages for their class. It was as seamless as public distributions go.

I suppose the Unilorin model could help other tertiary institutions plan more effectively. The university leveraged student associations and divided the population into manageable chunks. Such divisions made it difficult for hoodlums to gatecrash, as the class reps knew their colleagues. The strategy also eased accountability.

While I admit there is a risk of student representatives appropriating the palliatives or shortchanging their colleagues, this is more manageable than asking a crowd of desperate undergraduates to gather for government handouts.

A departmental or level advisor can be mandated to coordinate the distribution, even if he has to be paid or receive palliatives, too. It is not likely that the coordinator will conspire with the student reps to loot the palliatives. In the rare event that that happens, then so be it. Nigeria students have suffered enough than to die in avoidable stampedes.

Adoto writes from Ilorin via bellohussein210@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has shattered previous revenue records by collecting an astonishing N489,614,095,022.15 in the first quarter of 2024.

This figure marks a staggering increase of over 100% compared to the N212.5 billion collected during the same period in 2023. 

The announcement came through a press release from the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abubakar Usman, on Saturday, April 6, 2024. 

Commander Babajide Jaiyeoba, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, hailed this achievement as a significant stride towards reaching their ambitious target for the year.

With a target set at nearly N2 trillion for 2024, Jaiyeoba emphasized the pivotal role of compliance in achieving this objective. 

Jaiyeoba underscored the importance of adhering to established protocols, including the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, government import/export prohibition lists, Common External Tariff, and Federal Government-approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

He stated that diligent compliance not only ensures smoother operations but also unlocks a myriad of benefits for all stakeholders. 

Expressing gratitude to the Officers and port stakeholders for their cooperation, Jaiyeoba called for sustained compliance from both government and private sector entities.

He urged all stakeholders within the Apapa Port to continue supporting the Customs Service in fostering an efficient and rules-based system for import/export cargo clearance. 

“I will continue my weekly engagement of stakeholders at various levels to sustain the tempo of our achievements and consolidate on the gains from regular enlightenment of every member of the port community,” said Jaiyeoba, highlighting the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration. 

In his address, Jaiyeoba reiterated the role of the Apapa Command in realizing the NCS’s annual target of N5.7 trillion for 2024, stressing the collective responsibility of all involved parties. 

Furthermore, Jaiyeoba outlined the benefits of compliance, including the recently launched Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program.

He noted that honest declaration not only enhances reputational integrity but also expedites cargo processing, reduces costs, and mitigates the risk of penalties or seizure. 

As the Command gears up for the second quarter of 2024, Jaiyeoba expressed confidence in surpassing previous achievements.

“As we step into the second quarter to end the first half of 2024, I am convinced we will do better in revenue collection, facilitate more trade through our port, and prevent smuggling under any guise,” he affirmed.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has advocated for leaving the decision on abortion rights to individual US states, a move that deviates from his previous wavering on the highly controversial issue.

In a video shared on his Truth Social network, Trump expressed his stance, stating, “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both.”

He stated that whatever decision states make regarding abortion rights “must be the law of the land, in this case, the law of the state.”

This declaration comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Trump’s position on abortion, exacerbated by conflicting reports.

In February, The New York Times published an article suggesting Trump favored a 16-week national abortion ban but refrained from publicly addressing it to avoid alienating socially conservative supporters.

The backdrop against which Trump’s statement emerges is the landmark 2022 US Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade, the case that had established the federal right to abortion.

The ruling effectively transferred the authority over abortion laws to individual states, resulting in a patchwork of regulations across the country.

While some states have implemented near-total bans on abortion, others, like Maryland, have reinforced abortion rights through legislation.

Many conservatives have been advocating for a national ban to supersede state laws favoring abortion rights.

However, public opinion leans towards supporting abortion rights, with extensive polling indicating that a majority of Americans believe abortion should be legal in most cases.

Approximately half of the states have enacted measures to safeguard access to abortion services.

Trump’s presidential rival, incumbent President Joe Biden, has consistently supported abortion access despite being a devout Catholic.

Democrats have framed Trump as the driving force behind attacks on reproductive rights and have vowed to restore Roe v Wade if given the opportunity.

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v Wade, abortion rights advocates have achieved success in seven consecutive referendum victories.

Conversely, Republicans have struggled to establish a clear stance on the issue and faced repercussions in the 2022 midterm elections, losing crucial battlegrounds to candidates supporting abortion rights.

In his video address, Trump reiterated his support for exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk.

He also emphasized his backing for in vitro fertilization (IVF) access for couples undergoing fertility treatments.

Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court’s decision effectively grants states the ultimate authority on matters of personhood, potentially impacting various aspects of reproductive health, including IVF procedures.

Trump’s latest stance adds another layer to the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Supporters of Comrade Julious Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), took to the streets of Gudu, Abuja, today to voice their grievances against what they perceive as unwarranted interference by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the affairs of their party.

Dozens of protesters, brandishing placards emblazoned with messages such as “On Abure’s mandate we stand,” “NLC leave Abure alone,” and “Nnawi’ National Convention is valid,” commenced their march from the new Abuja chapter secretariat.

The demonstration follows a recent escalation in tensions between the Nigerian Labour Congress and the leadership of the Labour Party, with the NLC accusing Abure of operating as a sole administrator within the LP. This accusation culminated in the NLC passing a vote of no confidence in Abure’s leadership and demanding his resignation.

The conflict between the two organizations has captured widespread attention and sparked debates regarding the NLC’s authority to intervene in LP’s affairs, as well as the underlying reasons behind their dispute.

Investigations by Vanguard have revealed that the ongoing power struggle between the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party and the Comrade Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress is jeopardizing the future of the Labour Party itself.

Central to the conflict is the battle for control over the party’s structure, with major stakeholders accusing Abure of treating the LP as his personal fiefdom, an allegation vehemently denied by Abure.

Trouble began brewing for Abure shortly after the 2023 general elections, when some party members, led by Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and Abayomi Arabambi, accused him of financial mismanagement. Subsequent court battles resulted in Abure’s leadership being upheld by the Court of Appeal.

However, fresh turmoil erupted when the party’s former National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Oparah, publicly alleged that Abure must be held accountable for over N3.5 billion, purportedly received by the party from the sale of forms and donations during the 2023 elections. Oparah’s outspokenness led to her suspension for six months on grounds of bringing the party’s reputation into disrepute.

Currently, the Abure-led NWC of the LP finds itself at odds not only with the NLC but also with the House of Representatives caucus of the party. This discord stems from Abure’s unilateral decision to proceed with plans for a national convention without soliciting input from party stakeholders.

As tensions continue to mount, the future trajectory of the Labour Party remains uncertain, with the specter of internal strife casting a shadow over its viability as a political entity.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Rwanda paused on Sunday to honor the memory of genocide victims, marking three decades since a brutal campaign orchestrated by Hutu extremists tore through the nation, leaving deep wounds as communities turned against each other in one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

The relentless violence, spanning 100 days until the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) rebel militia seized control of Kigali in July 1994, resulted in the deaths of 800,000 individuals, primarily Tutsis but also moderate Hutus.

Despite the immense tragedy, Rwanda has made strides toward stability under the firm leadership of President Paul Kagame, who helmed the RPF.

Nevertheless, the legacy of the atrocities persists, casting a shadow over Africa’s Great Lakes region.Following tradition, ceremonies held on April 7—the day when Hutu militias unleashed terror in 1994—commenced with Kagame lighting a remembrance flame at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a solemn site believed to hold the remains of over 250,000 victims.

Accompanied by somber melodies played by an army band, Kagame laid wreaths at the mass graves, joined by foreign dignitaries, including several African heads of state and former US President Bill Clinton, who had acknowledged the genocide as a grave failure during his tenure.

The failure of the international community to intervene remains a point of regret, with French President Emmanuel Macron expected to express remorse for France’s and its allies’ inaction, acknowledging they could have halted the bloodshed but lacked the resolve to do so.

Kagame is scheduled to deliver an address at a 10,000-seat arena in the capital, where Rwandans will later gather for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of those lost to the slaughter.

The commemoration marks the beginning of a week-long period of national mourning, during which Rwanda will come to a standstill, with flags flown at half-mast. Public music, sports events, and non-remembrance-related television broadcasts are suspended.The United Nations and the African Union will also hold remembrance ceremonies to honor the victims.

Reflecting on the events, Karel Kovanda, a former Czech diplomat and the first UN ambassador to publicly denounce the 1994 massacres as genocide, emphasized the importance of ensuring that the genocide is never forgotten, asserting that the page cannot be turned on such atrocities.

The genocide, triggered by the assassination of Hutu President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, led to widespread atrocities fueled by virulent anti-Tutsi propaganda disseminated through various media outlets.

Countless individuals were brutally murdered, and tens of thousands of women were subjected to sexual violence.Rwanda has taken steps to address the legacy of the genocide, including establishing community tribunals for victims to confront their perpetrators. However, challenges persist, with hundreds of genocide suspects still at large, some reportedly seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

Despite the passage of time, Rwanda continues to grapple with the wounds inflicted by the genocide, endeavoring to ensure that the horrors of the past are never forgotten while striving to build a future rooted in peace and reconciliation.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a clergyman in Ilorin, Prophet Adeniyi James, on allegations of defrauding a member of his congregation to the tune of N3.9 million. 

James, who serves as the General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Freedom City Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry in Ilorin, was taken into custody by the Ilorin zonal command of the EFCC on April 2. 

Dele Oyewale, the head of media and publicity for the EFCC, revealed in a statement issued in Ilorin on Saturday, that the arrest came following a petition lodged by the victim, Oluwole Babarinsa.  

Babarinsa recounted in his petition that during a church programme in 2021, James purportedly had a divine revelation about his (Babarinsa’s) imminent travel abroad. 

According to Babarinsa, James engaged him in a conversation about his preferred destination, to which he responded, ‘Canada’.  

Subsequently, James allegedly informed him of a friend in Lagos who could facilitate his relocation to Canada, albeit at a cost of N1.7 million for processing and an additional N2.5 million for flight tickets and travel documents. 

In his quest to fulfil the purported divine directive, Babarinsa resorted to selling some of his assets and taking out loans, ultimately amassing a total of N3,980,000, which he handed over to the prophet.  

However, despite the substantial sum provided, Babarinsa alleged that James failed to fulfil his promises. 

“The petitioner stated that all efforts and entreaties to the suspect to refund his money yielded no positive result,” Oyewale said, relaying Babarinsa’s frustration with the situation. 

The EFCC spokesperson affirmed that following the arrest, investigations into the matter are ongoing, with plans to arraign the suspect in court upon completion of the inquiry.