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Delta clarifies airport concession, approves construction of more roads

Delta State Government on Thursday said Asaba International Airport was not sold but only concessioned for 30 years to make for its adequate upgrade into a world-class airport, by the concessionaire.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting of the State’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba.

Aniagwu said that under the concession agreement, the concessionaire would inject about N30 billion into the upgrade of facilities at the airport.

According to him, the concession became necessary as the daily operation of the airport would be effectively managed by private investors.

He disclosed that the process leading to the concession was transparently and objectively done in the overall interest of the state as it would impact positively on its economy.

The commissioner said the consortium that would manage the airport had the needed experience and expertise to effectively run the airport.

He also stated that the council approved the construction and rehabilitation of some roads across that state.

Some of the roads are Akeye Street and Ovedje Close both in Okumagba Layout, Warri South Local Government Area; Ajaji/Ofili/Nwaomu Road in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area as well as the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Obi Ugbe Road in Asaba.

Aniagwu pointed out that the need for heads of agencies, commissioners and directors in the state to strictly enforce the COVID-19 protocols was emphasised at the council meeting, adding that the state government would be very strict in enforcing the protocols.

Giving more insight into the concession of the Asaba airport, Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Sylvester Monye, said that the decision, which took five years to achieve, was to turn Asaba into a commercial hub.

Monye said that under the concession agreement, the state government would get N43 billion as royalty, in addition to about N80 billion the government would also earn from the exercise as revenue.

He disclosed that the loss hitherto being incurred by the state government in running the airport had now translated into an asset through the concession.

While saying that no state in the country had the financial capacity to run an airport, the governor’s aide stated that the concessionaire “has all it takes to effectively and efficiently run an airport to international standard’’.

On the bills for the upgrade of three tertiary institutions in the state to universities, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, said the signing of the bills by Governor Okowa was a boost to the take-off of the institutions.

According to Muoboghare, with that, Delta State now has four universities, two colleges of education, two polytechnics and a school of marine technology.

He explained that the schools were meant to create space for Deltans to acquire tertiary education.

He disclosed that the funding of the schools was captured in the 2021 Budget of the state, adding that the schools had the capacity to take off as universities.

 Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has accused the Federal Government of not doing enough to secure the release of victims abducted at Government Science College, Kagara.

When he received Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, at Government House, Minna, on Thursday, the governor said the state has been left to handle the rescue on its own.

Although he admitted that the Federal Government sent a delegation to the state and also deployed 300 mobile policemen to the state, Bello said his administration has been left to shoulder the financial responsibility.

“So where is the support? At the moment we have not seen any Federal support here since this incident occurred. Yes we had a delegation that came to commensurate with, but we are left to ourselves,” he said.

Bello, who is optimistic about the release of the victims, said the state government has already made a commitment to the people to rescue the abducted school children and will do everything possible to ensure their release.

“We will use whatever means and resources available to make sure the children return home safely. We don’t have exact day and when these children will be released but I am sure that it will happen very soon,” he said.

Last week, gunmen had broken into the school, where staff and students were kidnapped.

Earlier, the Senator called on the Federal government to as a matter of necessity establish a joint security committee in the state and other troubled parts of the country to be able to have the representatives of all the forces in the state.

“This will fast track getting back these innocent Boys and girls as quickly as possible. We sympathize with you and we share in your grieve at the moment. We know what you are going through and this why I am calling on the Federal Government to try to set up a joint security committee in your state to be able to have the representatives of all the forces stationed in the state to compliment the existing command in the state,” he said

 The Office of the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, yesterday differed on the deployment of the Fifth Generation in Nigeria.

They spoke in Abuja at an investigative hearing on the status of 5G network in Nigeria, organized by Joint Senate Committee on Communications, Science and Technology, ICT & Cyber Crimes and Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases.

While Pantami said Nigeria was ready for the deployment of 5G; the ONSA expressed concerns about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the network’s equipment.

ONSA Director of Communications, Bala Fakandu, said: “We’re aware that the deployment of 5G will come with different types of equipment and so we understand that the stakeholders in the telecommunications industry will make effort to ensure that they upgrade their systems in order to meet up with the new technology.

“But we’re concerned about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the 5G network equipment. That’s one of the key concerns we’ve and this will make the infrastructure highly susceptible to eavesdropping, tracking, cyber attacks, military and industrial espionage and other malicious activities by foreign actors.

“We urge the Honourble Minister to carry the office along in the development of the policy so that we could have a robust framework to take care of this areas.”

Pantami said his ministry had conducted the first trial of 5G in Nigeria on 25th September 2019 and was in the process of compiling its final position.

“And most of compiled position will be part of my draft national policy which will be presented at the Federal Executive Council.

“The position is that we’re almost at the final stage. So now, Nigeria is ready for 5G as long as we address the major challenges,” he said.

He noted that so, far no negative impacts had been established from the research and trial carried both locally and at the international level.

He assured that there was no link between 5G and COVID-19 and any other disease.

“The only issue being raised usually is about radiation. But people don’t realise that the radiation of 4G more harmful than that of 5G.

“The radiation of microwave oven at home is more harmful than that of the 5G. The radiation of even the smart phone itself is even more harmful than that of 5G,” he added.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the Senate would only approve the deployment of 5G network only if the security and safety of the citizens are guaranteed.

 Sequel to recent developments in our state over the status of the hijaab in public/grant-aided schools, the state government has consulted widely with thought leaders and leaders of both Muslim and Christian communities with a view to clarifying issues and reaching a consensus.

The last of such meetings was held on Wednesday February 24, presided by His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

At least 10 schools of interest were earlier shut down to maintain peace and public order as well as prevent mischief makers from taking undue advantage of the development. 

The state government has considered submissions of all major interest groups on the matter. It has also thoroughly considered the education law of Kwara State, the prevailing court judgments and current global trends of multiculturalism in evolving a consultation-based decision that will bring lasting peace and understanding to our communities. The government has also paid particular attention to the ‘declaratory’ nature of the subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal and their purports.

Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab, and directs the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to come up with a uniform hijab for all public/ grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools. Any willing schoolgirl with the approved (uniform) hijab shall have the right to wear same in public/grant-aided schools.

Also, the government affirms the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship. 

The government hereby directs that the affected 10 schools should reopen to commence classes on Monday 8th March 2021. 

Similarly, the government has carefully noted submissions regarding ownership of grant-aided schools and related issues. While the status of these schools is the subject of judicial determination, this and other related matters will soon be subjected to a technical committee to advise accordingly. The government reassures all members of the public that it will act in good conscience at all times.

The government asserts that there is no victor or vanquished on the hijaab question. It urges the two faith communities, especially the leaders, opinion moulders and media personalities to act with restraint and great responsibility in their public utterances and actions, and continue to live in peace and harmony with one another. The government commends all the thought and religious leaders on both sides for their forbearance, understanding and commitment to peace. 

Prof Mamma Sabah Jibril 

Secretary to the Kwara State Government

February 25, 2021

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According to a report by SaharaReporters, some Boko Haram insurgents have attacked the 3 Battalion Base in Rann in the Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State,

The Nigerian Army confirmed this on Thursday.

The terrorists invaded the base in eight gun trucks and engaged the troops for hours on Tuesday during the attack, the Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, stated in a release.

He said several members of the terrorists were killed while four of the gun trucks were destroyed, but he did not mention the casualties suffered by the military.

“Members of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province criminals mounted on eight gun trucks, motorbikes and foot soldiers attacked own troops of 3 Battalion deployed in Rann, Kala Balge LGA. The troops held their ground and instantly destroyed one Boko Haram gun truck.

“With swift air support during the attack, the terrorists lost the initiative and had to scamper for safety due to heavy aerial bombardments while additional four gun trucks were destroyed as several of their members were killed while others fled with fatal gunshot wounds.”

While reacting to an earlier report of insurgents’ attack in Goniri, he noted that three soldiers were killed while two others were injured.

SaharaReporters had on Tuesday reported the insurgents led these attacks and more in Yobe State, only a day after the Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Attahiru Ibrahim, visited troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Borno State, and assured that the military would tackle the insurgency headlong.

“The communities in Geidam, Yobe State, were attacked by Boko Haram and ISWAP who broke into shops and looted foodstuffs and drugs. The insurgents attacked Geidam and forced the residents of the surrounding villages to flee. The terrorists have turned the communities into their stronghold.

“They operate from at least eight communities,” a military source said.

It was learnt that apart from Geidam, the terrorists had also established strongholds in Tarmuwa and Yunusari Local Government Areas in Yobe.

During his visit, the army chief who was at the Special Army Super Camp in Ngamdu had noted that the insurgency war would soon end.

Sokoto Chief Magistrate Court has charged three young men for circulating nude video of a girl on social media platforms.

The suspects include one Aminu Tafida – son of the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Social Investment, Umar Abubakar and Mas’ud Gidado who appeared on the charge sheet, as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants.

Kangiwa, was discharged by the court as there was no offence linked to him.

The suspects were earlier arraigned on charges ranging from an act of gross indecency, abetment, sale of obscene book and printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory, which the Prosecuting Officer, ASP Samuel Sule said were contrary to sections, 60(2), 377, 262, 48, 171, 173 and 379 of the Sokoto State Penal Code, 2019.

However, Chief Magistrate Shu’aibu Ahmad, in his ruling, said after carefully and painstakingly studied all the essential ingredients for the offences, a prima facia case was established against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants and as such the court would frame new charges against them.

The new charges as read by the Chief Magistrate were abatement, Obscene or Indecent act and sales of an obscene book which were punishable under section 48,171 and 173 of the Sokoto Penal Code and triable by this court.

Video

Magistrate Ahmad explained that the suspects saved and circulate an 18 seconds nude video of one Fatima Shehu on social media platforms such as Whatsapp and Instagram.

When the new charges were read and translated to the defendants in their native language of Hausa, they all pleaded not guilty.

However, counsel to the 1st defendant, Barrister Almustapha Abubakar and that of the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Barrister Shamsu Dauda, urged the court to recall PW1,2 and 3 for further cross-examination which was granted.

Magistrate Ahmad adjourned the case till March 3, 2021, for the recalling of the three witnesses.

 My dearest Jagaban,

You know very well that I have always liked and respected you. You will also recall that a few years ago I warned you that everything that is being done to you today would eventually be done to you given the choices you made at the time.

I bear you no malice or ill-will but in view of what is happening in your political party and given the fact that your good friend, co-conspirator and collaborator, President Muhammadu Buhari, has finally thrown you under the bus and dumped you, I am constrained to write the following.

The bitter truth is that you predicted NOTHING and you saw NOTHING. The only thing you saw were your own vain delusions and insatiable greed and the only thing you felt and that moved you was your blind ambition.

You sold your body, spirit and soul to the enemy and betrayed your people even though we warned you over and over again that those you were dining with were far smarter and far more astute than you.

Yet even though all the signs were there you dismissed our concerns, vilified us, treated us with contempt, demonized us and sought to destroy us.

Now the chickens have come home to roost and the writing is on the wall. The signs are there for all to see. You betrayed and sold Lagos. You betrayed and sold the South West. You betrayed and sold the South East. You betrayed and sold the South South. You betrayed and sold the Middle Belt. You betrayed and sold the North East. You betrayed and sold the North West. You betrayed and sold the Muslims and you betrayed and sold the Christians.

Simply put you betrayed and sold EVERYTHING and EVERYONE in Nigeria just to feed and satisfy your psychotic obsession and compulsive ambition.

Like Icarus the Greek, you flew too high and too close to the sun with your wax wings, puffed up and fuelled by your hubris and pride and now you shall meet your nemesis. The spiritual wound that has been inflicted on you is irreversible and terminal and there is no going back.

The dark clouds that lie ahead of you are thick, ugly, frightful, violent and impassable: you cannot make it through them safely or survive them. Your enemies have dug a pit for you and you have already fallen into it.

They have finally stripped you naked, grabbed you by your balls and taken everything from you.

You have lost your mystique, honor, glory, self-respect, following, clout, pride, reputation and so much more. You have also lost control of the political party that you conceived, formed, nurtured and built. The APC was your baby and now they have taken it from you and are set to kill it.

They fooled you, used you, dimped you and humiliated you and now they are going to expose you, rubbish you, malign you, break you, crucify you, investigate you and utterly crush you.

You dreamed of being Vice President in 2015 and you failed. You are dreaming of being President in 2023 and you will fail.

In all your plans what you failed to appreciate is that God alone rules in the affairs of men. You refused to acknowledge or accept the fact that the Presidency of Nigeria can only be given by God and He gives it to whom He deems fit by prophecy and divine decree.

It is not about money and power and if it were Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, who had neither of the two before being respectively elected as President, would never had made it.

It is about God and God alone. It is for Him alone to give. It is about His purpose, His will, His counsel, His plan and His glory.

He OWNS the Presidency and the minute any man or woman attempts to usurp His role and think that he or she can buy it or manoeuvre his or her way into it by the usage of political intrigues, guile, sagacity, wisdom, power, knowledge, money or anything else, the Lord disqualifies and rejects him.

Such a person will fail woefully and may even end up losing everything he or she values and cherishes in his futile quest.

God will never share His glory with anyone and He will never support a man or woman that is prepared to mislead, betray and sell his own people down the river just to satisfy his vaulting and insatiable ambition of becoming President.

Yet the signs were there but you refused to acknowledge or accept them.

They refused to give you a formal position in the National Executive. They ensured that some of your key loyalists in the South West turned against you and opposed you.

They refused to accept even ONE of your Ministerial nominees both in 2015 and 2019. They humiliated your protegee who you nominated as Vice President and turned him into a pliant and pathetic little errand boy with no testicular fortitude or shame.

They drove your nominee at FIRS out of office unceremoniously and have placed him under criminal investigation.

They have divided the ranks of your loyalists and turned even your hitherto most trusted lieutenants against you.

They insulted, undermined, marginalised you openly and worse of all they made it clear to you privately that they would NEVER give you power.

All this meant nothing to you and you shamelessly continued to support their evil ways and toe their satanic and murderous line.

Yet if you did not care about what they subjected you to you ought to have at least cared about what they did to Nigeria.

For the last five years our nation and people have suffered because of the calamitious choices that you made and the inexplicable and unconciable alliances that you forged.

You propped up and supported a ruthless, heartless, corrupt, bloodthirsty and cruel regime and tyrant and a President that is clearly beside himself and whose mental and physical faculties reside in another realm and in another world.

Consequently our nation has been utterly and completely destroyed, our economy ruined and our people decimated.

They have been slaughtered, butchered, pauperised, emasculated, humiliated, marginalised, insulted and impoverished.

Hundreds of thousands of them have been murdered in cold blood in their homes, towns, villages and farms and millions have been displaced.

Millions more have been ruined and economically destroyed whilst our country remains weak, divided and the butt of cruel jokes all over the world.

Because of your choices Nigerians are being subjected to persecution, physically attacked, enslaved, humiliated, lynched, scorned, maimed, killed, disgraced, evicted and declared persona non grata both at home and in distant foreign lands whilst our foreign Embassies are being demolished by miscreants and local criminals even in supposedly friendly countries.

I sincerely hope thet one day you will reflect on all this and consider the damage you have done to your kinsmen and compatriots.

Whether you do or not is left to you but one thing that is clear: for the choices you have made, for all you have done and for the sheer wickedness and greed that resides in your insensitive and dark heart you will pay a heavy price both in this world and in the world to come and the Lord will hand you over to your political enemies.

Permit me to conclude by quoting the instructive words of a tweet that I posted just yesterday after I heard about the latest developments in your party. I wrote,

“First Oshiomole is kicked out by the Court of Appeal. Then his preferred replacement, Ajimobi, falls into a coma. Then his arch rival, Giadom, is recognised by Buhari as National Chairman.

Conclusion: it is over for Tinubu. He has been thrown under the bus and retired from politics!”

I stand by those words. Happy retirement my dearest Jagaban: may you live long to see the glory of our country restored and the damage that you have done to our people repaired. Shalom.

Source:- Sahara Reporters

Chief Edwin Clark, the Nigerian elder statesman, has disclosed that he, alongside nine of his family members tested positive for COVID-19.

Clark made this known while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday in Kiagbodo, Delta State.

Narrating his experience in isolation, Clark revealed that he spent two weeks treating the virus before subsequent tests by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) returned negative.

He admonished Nigerians to support efforts by the Federal Government to curb the spread of the pandemic in the country.

Clark disclosed that he contracted COVID-19 after his niece, who visited his Abuja home became sick and later tested positive for the virus.

According to him, he was really worried during that time because of his age and reports about people dying from the virus.

He said: “Sometime last month, I received a call from one of my nieces that she was just coming from Warri. I told her that people in Warri do not observe COVID-19 protocols very well, and I demanded that she stays in the guest house.

“On the third day, my niece became very ill. She was very weak, coughing and said she had malaria. I directed that she should be taken to my clinic. Because of her cough, the doctor asked that she goes for a COVID-19 test.

“The next day, the Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, sent doctors and 24 of us in the house were tested and on Saturday, the result came and nine of us tested positive. Number one on the list was I. I was terribly worried because people had died from the virus.

“Dr. Ehanire contacted the FCT COVID team and they wanted to evacuate me to a good isolation centre, but I insisted on treatment from home.

“ They sent doctors to look after me and the rest who tested positive. I was worried because I have heard of people dying of the virus,” Clark said.

The 93-year-old elder statesman, however, said that he has recovered from the virus alongside nine of his workers and siblings, who tested positive.