TheNewsGuru

Tag: Citizens

  • PANDEF knocks Buhari: Citizens angry, frustrated under your watch

    PANDEF knocks Buhari: Citizens angry, frustrated under your watch

    The leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Thursday berated the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government for leaving its citizens far too long in “anger and anguish”.

    The PANDEF National Chairman, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd.), made the assertion during a virtual world press conference, which was streamed via Zoom from Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Thursday, to mark the country’s 60th independence anniversary.

    Nkanga said, “PANDEF feels the anger and anguish in the land, and the various protestations are expected. People are not happy with the way things are going in the country, with worsening insecurity, unemployment and harsh economic strains on populace.

    “We are in the middle of a mist; no one can predict what comes next. We can either work together in unity and respect or sink as a country.”

    He noted that the level of injustice being perpetrated against some sections of the country, the Niger Delta region, in particular, was unprecedented.

    Nkanga further stated, “President Muhammadu Buhari needs to demonstrate and reassure Nigerians of the government’s sincere commitment to the wellbeing of all Nigerians; North, South, East or West; irrespective of religion and ethnicity.”

  • China, U.S citizens top list of five million migrants in Nigeria in 2019

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) revenue generation increased by 60 percent year-on-year to N62.6 billion in 2019, according to latest figures published by the Federal Ministry of Interior.

    The figure was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, while presenting the 2019 Annual Report of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja on Tuesday, May 6.

    The annual report is a document containing vital data and information which Nigeria consults for national planning, decision making, research work, education and business development for both the public and private sectors.

    In a statement signed and released by the public relations officer (PRO) of the service, Mr Sunday James, on Wednesday, the agency said N59.7 billion of the 2019 turnover was used as expenditure and this brought the net revenue to N2.9 billion.

    The agency also recorded a 13 percent increase in offshore revenue which amounted to $41.8 million compared with $36.4 million that was published in full year 2019.

    According to the statement, the migration statistics for 2019 showed that China ranked the highest in immigrants into the country.

    Following the Asian country among the top 10 countries with the highest number of migrations into Nigeria were India, Ghana, Lebanon, and the United States of America (USA). Other countries were Niger, Germany, Italy, South Africa, and Cameroon in that order.

    The number of migrants into Nigeria on 2019 were 5,019,970 of which 7,518 persons came through the seaports, 1,379,459 persons through land borders, and 3,632,993 arrived through the airports.

    The statement also disclosed that the total number of visas issued in 2019 was pegged at 130, while the total number of passports issued is 1,198,274.

    According to the NIS report, the movement of persons into and out of Nigeria are as follows; 2,206,558 arrivals and 2,537,966 departures respectively.

  • COVID-19: Canada evacuates 137 citizens from Nigeria

    COVID-19: Canada evacuates 137 citizens from Nigeria

    The Canadian Government on Monday evacuated 137 of its nationals out of Nigeria over the coronavirus pandemic.

    According to Immigration sources, the Canadians were flown out of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA) Lagos aboard an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 aircraft flight ET8201 with registration number ET-ALO.

    The aircraft took about 11.29 hours to Abuja to pick other evacuees slated for the flight.

    Besides the 137 evacuees, the aircraft had 11 crew members.

    Details shortly…

  • Xenophobia: Nigeria to commence evacuation of citizens Wednesday

    The evacuation of Nigerians in South Africa will commence on Wednesday, it has been learnt.

    Air Peace has made an offer to airlift those who are willing to return home following the recent attacks on Nigerians and their businesses by South African.

    Prince Ben Okoli, president, Nigeria Citizens Association, South Africa (NICASA) said all efforts are geared towards evacuation of those who are ready to come back home.

    Though he was unable to put figure to the number of affected Nigerians, Okoli however said the figure is in hundreds as many have lost their means of livelihood and nothing to fall back to.

    The association, he said is however still pushing ahead for the demand of compensation as there are sufficient available to them that the attacks were premeditated and orchestrate.

    He also noted that normalcy is gradually returning, there is no longer tension, or violence against any set of people. The violence and hostility have ceased.

    “So many Nigerian have been affected by this and lots have been highly distressed and nothing to fall back to. So some of them affected have decided to call it quit to go back to Nigeria.

    “Presently, we are collating the data of Nigerians that are to be evacuated back to Nigeria because the first batch will be leaving sometime early next week.

    “Well we have it on a good record that they will be leaving on Wednesday.”

    On compensation, he said that the South African Government has remained adamant, they have not acknowledge it as xenophobia. They continue to call it criminality and we do not understand why they continue to push the narrative of criminality since it is very obvious and plain and simple for even illustrates to understand that this is purely xenophobic. So in the area of compensation, like their President had said that they are not going to give compensation but we are going to push for that because we have a good ground for compensation because these attacks against our people were uncalled for and totally unprovoked. We look at it as an attack that as something that was orchestrated, we are not actually pointing a figure at an individual or a group but of complicity. Those are the areas that our legal advisers are looking at.”

    He maintained that the union was going to see the agitation for compensation to its logical conclusion as the people have worked very hard to establish themselves and suddenly, their hard work for sixteen to eighteen years destroyed overnight and that is something that is not acceptable to us as a community.”

    On role of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s special envoy, Okoli said they have been able to boost the moral of the Nigerian community in going about their normal business without fear of molestation or attacks.

    We have actually regained some strength knowing that our government is backing and supporting us, especially this time. So we are no longer afraid because we believe that so long we are doing the right thing and legal and food standing we have nothing to fear.

    We want to thank President Buhari for the steps he has taken. The special envoy did cone to us and push the case of Nigerians. We are very grateful and that k him for what he has done so far.

    He also commended the gesture of the Management of Air Peace for offering to airlift Nigerians back home.

    Also an Abuja based lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo has offered to provide legal services should his assistance be needed.

    He said as a nation, this ugly incident must not be allowed to repeat itself again.

    “The unfortunate xenophobic is a fallout of the calamity that befalls the third world, particularly the old colonies of colonial masters. I’ve said it before, we need to be compensated, for the pillage not only of our resources but our brains, knowledge, attitude, altitudes, culture and values. It’s why we hate ourselves, we attack and killed ourselves because we’ve being programs to such, anything African and black is abhor. Don’t you see the way some bleached their skins.

    On a serious note Xenophobic attacks in South Africa stems from the standpoint of misplaced anger, hatred on the part of South Africans towards other Africans most especially Nigerians. It is sad and appalling that South Africans failed to advert their minds to their not too long history of apartheid for which Nigerian played a key role in ending.

    “This unexpected behaviour cannot be justified in the face of unprovoked attacks that Nigerians received lately in the hands of their South African counterparts. These attacks must be condemned in its entirety because it is not reflective of the true spirit of Africa.

    “This is selfish, non-Pan African and barbaric. The attacks are capable of having a spill-over effect on the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement which is in force between 27 African Union member states. Hostilities between the two biggest economies Africa are capable of causing this. Data at present has shown that South Africa is one of Nigeria’s top five export destinations as the country exported goods with total value of ¦ 325.5 billion within the period. Currently over $60 billion trade volume has been affected drastically within few days of the Xenophobic attack.

    “We must not allow this to happen again.

    “I urge the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN to immediately start legal action against the South Africa, predicated on Nigeria’s ratification of the protocol to the African charter on Human and People’s Rights on the establishment of and African Court on Human and Peoples’ Right which was signed on May 29, 2004.

    “The mandate of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Right is to monitor respect for human rights on the African continent in line with the instruments. It is elementary principle of international law that a state is entitled to protect its subjects, when injured by acts contrary to international law committed by another state, from whom they have been unable to obtain diplomatic action or international judicial proceedings on behalf of its citizens.

    “Thus the Federal Government must toll the path of law and order to protect the rights of Nigerian Citizens in South Africa affected by the Xenophobic attacks in order to get justice for the gruesome violation of their fundamental rights in South Africa.

    “The court is empowered to hear cases brought against African states for failure to respect human rights. It is able to issue binding judgments in such cases and where violations are found, may award compensation and other remedies to victims.

    “While it suffices to commend the court on its various decisions ranging from its declaration that the mass deportation of hundreds of Gambians workers by Angola was a violation of their rights to freedom of movement, liberty and right not to be treated in an inhuman and degrading way to its decision that the detention incommunicado without trial of at least 11 journalists by Eritrea was a violation of the journalists’ right to freedom of expression, right to liberty and fair trial, however, it is quiet sad that despite the well-considered decisions of the court, some member-states have refused to comply with the decisions of the court. Well I hope the reverse will be the case in the instance.

    “I must also add that this’s a case that I’ll be available if my service is sought to do pro bono poblico.”

  • U.S. warns citizens of ‘impending attacks’ in Uganda, Tanzania

    The United States embassies in Uganda and Tanzania have issued warnings about “rumours of impending attacks” in areas frequented by foreigners.

    According to the embassy in Kampala, “There are rumours of impending attacks in areas frequented by expats within East Africa, including Uganda.’’

    The warning was issued on Thursday, a day after the embassy in Dar es Salaam issued a similar security alert.

    Both alerts said the embassies had “no substantiating evidence of the threat or information on the timing,” but said people should avoid crowds and stay alert.

    While Uganda and Tanzania do not suffer regular attacks like Kenya, which is often subjected to deadly attacks by Somalia based militant group al-Shabaab because they have not been immune.

    “In 2010 there were bomb attacks in Kampala at venues screening the World Cup final killing over 70 people and injuring many more. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility and threatened further attacks in the region,” Britain says on its official travel advice page.

    Britain says that “terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks,” on Tanzania, but adds that Tanzania hasn’t suffered a major terrorist incident since the bombing of the US embassy in 1998, dpa reports.

  • Banditry: Zamfara Govt denies knowledge of killing of innocent citizens

    …as NAF commences investigations into alleged killing

    Zamfara State Government has denied official knowledge of innocent citizens allegedly being killed during air strikes on suspected bandits camps by the air component of Operation Sharan Daji.

    The denial was made by the Secretary to the Government, Prof. Abdullahi Shinkafi when he received a high powered investigation team from the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) headquarters in Gusau on Friday.

    “The report making rounds in some media outlets that civilians were killed during air strikes by personnel of the NAF in some parts of the state is not the official position of the state government.

    “l did not receive any official report to this effect, but only got to know about it in the media.

    “Instances of collateral damage are not supposed to go public but should be discussed in order to avoid future occurrence,” he said.

    The SSG said the information was “an observation from the Council of Chiefs which needs to be substantiated.

    “It is an observation by a group of stakeholders that needs to be ascertained,” the SSG maintained.

    He said, “this is not the time to share blames but we must all come together to cooperate with the security agencies to see an end to the problem of armed banditry and other security challenges facing the state.”

    Prof. Shinkafi who said that the bandits now occupied very large portion of the state in the deep forest, also explained that they smartly used their informers to evade arrival of security men at their identified locations.

    He advised communities in the state to stop concealing the bandits but rather give credible information to the security so that they would be stopped from executing mayhem on them.

    He assured that the state government would continue to facilitate all the needs of the security agencies so that they could succeed.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, AVM Idi Lubo, said members were in the state to investigate the report that innocent civilians were killed by NAF personnel who were alleged to have been striking the wrong targets in the fight against bandits.

    “l want to make it clear that in the Air Force, especially during armed conflicts, we work under the guidance of certain rules of engagement and precision before moving against suspected targets.

    “We are here to ascertain the veracity of the allegations because when people we are trying to protect rise against us, it is not a good development, especially when we know that these pilots and other personnel put their own lives in the line.

    “The NAF is deploying all latest technology in order to be certain of existing suspicious threats before we strike.

    “We will visit the said attacked communities and sympathize with the people if the allegations are true because as humans we cannot be completely right at all times.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state’s Council of Chiefs, a fortnight ago, alleged that the air component of the on-going Operation Sharan Daji in the state shelled wrong targets and killed innocent people.

  • Yuletide: US, UK warn citizens, insists Boko Haram may bomb Abuja, 12 northern states

    The United States and the United Kingdom have issued stern warnings to its citizens in Nigeria, especially those resident in the North and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to avoid crowded places as dangerous insurgent group, Boko Haram may carry out its bomb threats during the yuletide.

    The two missions in their security advice cautioned their citizens against all but essential travels to Bauchi, Zamfara, Kano; Kaduna; Jigawa; Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Yobe states during the Yuletide.

    The two countries stated that the risk of terrorist attacks was still high in the run-up to and throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

    “Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) area during this period. You should avoid places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people,” the UK mission said in the updated travel advisory on its website.

    The same security warning was also echoed by the US mission, which asked Americans to review their personal security plans and avoid the states listed in the travel advisory.

    The two countries had issued the security advice ahead of the December 1 Id el Maulud holiday, which passed without any eventualities. This had made some members of the public assume that the threat was over.

    However, the US Embassy Information Officer, Russell Brooks, said the warning would stand till the end of the year, adding that it was not limited to the last public holiday in the country.

    The embassy had issued a warning thus: “The US Mission remains concerned about potential attacks in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Yobe; travellers are urged to avoid those states through the end of the year.”

    “If you construed the warning as referring to last Friday’s holiday (December 1), you are mistaken,” Brooks stated.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the police had also on Friday said the plot by Boko Haram to bomb Abuja and other states was real. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Sadiq Bello, however, said the police would work with other security agencies to make sure that the threat was not actualised.

    It was gathered that the police had deployed undercover operatives in strategic locations in the FCT to foil any terrorist plot.

    Security sources stated that agencies were also stepping up intelligence gathering and surveillance of dark spots which suspected Boko Haram members might infiltrate to carry out their dastardly act.

    The police, however, warned Nigerians to avoid extravagance and any act capable of exposing them to unnecessary attacks during and after the festive season.

  • Zuma: Remove statue, apologise to Nigerians, concerned citizens tell Okorocha

    From Ogu Gbuaja, Owerri

    Few days after South African President, Jacob Zuma, paid a two-day visit to Imo State (last weekend), scores of Imo people and South Africans have continued to criticize the action of the Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha to erect and unveil the South African leader’s bronze statue.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the controversial statue was erected at a high brow area at Ikemba Ojukwu Centre axis of Owerri capital city, at an estimated cost of N520 million.

    Those who spoke on the issue wondered why a state that is paying workers 70 percent of their salaries, and yet to pay over 30 months arrears of pensions among the myriad of liabilities, should embark on such ‘wasteful venture’ for a President that has over 800 corruption charges pending in the South African courts.

    They, however, urged the governor to quickly apologize and demolish the statue.

    Sources close to the state government confided in TheNewsGuru.com that about seven of such statues of yet-to-be unearthed persons have been erected waiting to be unveiled by the governor.

    However, despite the public outcry, the governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said he owed nobody an apology for erecting the statue.

    He opined that those accusing the governor are his political opponents who did not see any good future dividends that would be recorded as a result of the visit, the statue and road named after Zuma, including a chieftaincy title of ‘Ochiagha Imo State’ (War commander), conferred by the monarchs in Imo at the palace of the chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in the state, Eze Sam Ohiri, at Mbari Street, Owerri.

    Many persons, including Imo civil and public servants and retirees, who spoke on the issue on Thursday, condemned the governor for taking such sole initiative.

    The critics include a former aide to Okorocha and former member who represented Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Uche Onyeaguocha; other social critics as Elder Mathew Okorie, Engr. Ikechukwu Obodo, Chika from Mbieri, Mbaitoli, Friday Ekpo, Da Maraokwe, from Uzoagba Ikeduru, Pastors Chinedu and Elija Iwuchukwu, and Victor Ugochukwu Nwosu; and Alloysiuos Ibeakor, from Ibeasiegbe.

    Onyeaguocha, likened Okorocha working in tandem with Zuma, as alleged corrupt persons to milk Imo dry more, urging the South African leader to quickly go back to his country and face corruption charges hanging on his nake.

    Ibeakor, said: ”Though we cannot condemn him, Okorocha, outright, I would advise the governor to retract that statement. ”

    Iwuchukwu said: ”We demand apology from him. We are not against the governor honouring or welcoming anyone, but the size of money to built such a thing. If that statement is credited to him, it means that the governor I’d greater than Imo people who voted for him.”

    In his comment, Maraokwe posited: ”He owes no one apology, but one day he will owe apology to God.”

    Nwosu, noted: ”He (Okorocha), should listen to the masses.”

    China said: ”Our governor has seen himself as demigod, ascribing himself as God is wrong. If a man does anything without recourse to those who voted him.”

    Tony remarked: ”A tree does not make a forest. That assertion has been proved wrong that a tree has made a forest. Somebody voted for him. I believe God is watching and a day of reckoning is coming.”

    Okorie, in his submission, said: ”It is wrong for Okorocha to say he owes no one an apology. He should not be Eze Onyeagwalam (King to says no one should tell me). I am not speaking for any political party, APC, PDP, APGA or anyone.”

    Obodo, opined: ”President Zuma has not contributed anything to the development of Imo State. This is a state where workers, pensioners and masses are crying and this man is honoured. Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory has not been honoured. It is wrong. It is wasteful. What had Zuma done to Imo State that he should be built a statue and name a road after him? He should apologize to Imolites and remove that statue. Men should learn to control their libido. I think that man should be punished for that offence he has committed.”

    In tweets, some South African residents, Leo Barriers Barnard and Phiri James Gordon, said they were saddened by the honour.

    Gordon said: ”The most corrupt country in the world honours one of their own.”

    Bernard noted: ”Why don’t they just take Zuma? We will donate him to Nigeria with a year’s supply of pap in vleis…

    Muzi Nsibande: ”The most corrupt president in the African continent is honoured with a bronze statue in one of African’s most corrupt country Nigeria.”

    Charles Ernest Doller, twitted: ”Too many drugs that killing our South Africa and shame on Zuma for his honour with his corruption 782 or maybe more during 2017.”

  • ‘Nigeria going through difficult times because of the actions of some citizens’ – Saraki

    …Urges Nigerian pilgrimages in Mecca to pray for the nation and President Buhari

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Thursday said Nigeria is passing through a difficult phase of nation building, economic recession, rising insecurity and threat to its corporate existence as a nation due to the actions of some citizens.

    In view of this, Saraki called on Nigerian pilgrims currently performing this year’s hajj to pray for the nation.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said “a prayer for your country and her leaders is as important as asking Allah to grant you your personal wishes.”

    The Senate President, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for hajj, also asked Nigerians to use the occasion of the significance of Arafat Day holding today, Thursday, to pray for the quick recovery of the nation’s economy and good health for President Muhammdau Buhari.

    The statement read: “The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day pilgrims gather at the plain of Mount Arafat, at the outskirt of Mecca, praying and supplicating to the Almighty Allah.

    “Arafat Day was also the day Islam was perfected and approved for mankind by the Almighty Allah. The gathering is expected to consist of nearly two million faithful from across the world.

    “Today our country is passing through a difficult phase of nation building occasioned by economic recession, rising insecurity and threat to our corporate existence as a nation by actions of some citizens.

    “The health of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, is also of national concern to all, and every opportunity must be utilized to pray for his continuous recuperation for him to continue to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.

    “It is, therefore, not only advisable but necessary for our pilgrims to seize this rare opportunity the Arafat Day offers to offer prayers for our nation to overcome these challenges and for all development plans and policies initiated by government to start yielding fruits but that we as citizens should rededicate ourselves to the service of our country.

    “Our people back home should also join in the prayers on the Arafat Day as Muslims believe that wherever you are on this special day, if you supplicate to the Almighty, he will answer the prayers.”

     

  • Sallah: Aregbesola subsidizes price of rams to N45,000 in Osun

    The Osun State Government on Monday unveiled the selling of rams at between N45,000 and N80,000 to citizens of the state ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir.

    The government plans to sell no less than 648 rams which had been fattened, bred and vaccinated in the past two months to its citizens.

    The Managing Director of Selema Oloba Ranch in Iwo, Osun State, where the rams were fattened, Mr. Sola Omidiran, said the state government bought them from various states in Northern Nigeria some months ago

    He said during the fattening, the rams gained additional 15kg to their original weight, thus enhancing their capacity and body shape to provide more beef to buyers.

    “We can assure buyers that we will give them value for their money. We have the rams in four different categories and they go for different prices.

    “We have those within the Bronze category that weigh between 25kg and 30kg. Each of them goes for about N45,000.

    “Those that fall within the Silver category weigh between 31kg and 36kg. Each of them will be sold for N60,000.

    “Those in the Gold category weigh between 37kg and 43kg and they will be going for N70,000 each.

    “Those that are in the Platinum category weigh between 44kg and 50kg and each of them will sell for N80,000,” Omidiran said.

    He said that the company had gone into partnership with some online stores to help market the animals.

    “In a bid to enhance our marketing strategies, we have partnered varying online stores through our website, www.selemafarmfresh.com.

    Omidiran said aside from the rams, they also have goats, cattle as well as condiments such as fresh tomatoes, onions, and pepper for sale and can be found on the website.

    The project was part of the Osun State Government’s Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Programme meant to boost the rearing and selling of livestock in the state.

     

    (NAN)