By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday urged Kaduna State indigenes to cooperate with government and security agencies to secure peace and harmony, stressing that development will only take place when energies are collectively channelled to building, instead of destruction of lives and property.

“We must live together as brothers and sisters because without peace, development cannot take place,’’ the President noted at virtual opening of the Fifth Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit, with the theme KADInvest: Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Innovation.

“I wish to commend the efforts of the Kaduna State Government to establish its credentials as one of the new investment destinations of choice in Nigeria. These efforts have received just recognition in the response of the business community which has put in new investments in the state.

“This is a further affirmation of the ranking of the state as Number One for Ease of Doing Business by the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2018. I call on the Kaduna State Government to keep up these laudable efforts and surpass the impressive results already attained,’’ President Buhari said.

He noted that the success of state governments in attracting investments, creating jobs and increasing their internally generated revenues would be critical to the development of the entire country.

“Therefore, I am impressed that the Kaduna State Government has from inception used KADInvest as a serious platform for showcasing its investment potentials. The state’s commitment to consistent implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Charter is exemplary, including its ability to increase its Internally Generated Revenue to N44bn in 2019 from N13bn in 2015 without hiking tax rates. This is very laudable.’’

The President congratulated the Kaduna State government for making KADInvest a regular fixture on the investment calendar, held annually since 2016.

“It is a fitting statement of the resilience of the Kaduna State Government that it is able to host the 2020 edition amidst the severe disruptions to the normal order caused by Covid-19. This is the sort of determined focus that can help the country to navigate the challenging consequences of the pandemic.

“It was my pleasure to commission the Olam Hatchery and Feed Mill project in 2017, about 18 months after the ground-breaking was done at the first edition of KADInvest in 2016. It is commendable that investors like Tomato Jos are creating jobs in the agribusiness sector, taking advantage of Kaduna State’s prioritisation of agriculture.

“I also note with delight the success of new investments in renewable energy like Blue Camel and tractor assembly and the revitalisation of poultry farms across the state. The ongoing development of iron mining and steel processing capacity in the state through investments by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited is especially commendable.’’

President Buhari said the Federal Government will continue to support efforts to attract job-creating investments.

“We believe that much can be done at the sub-national level to drive human capital development and expand economic opportunity. I note with delight the massive investments in infrastructure upgrade Kaduna State is executing through the urban renewal programmes in Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria.

“Given the track record since 2015, I have no doubt that the Kaduna State Government and its private sector partners will take full advantage of the economic windows that are being opened by Federal Government investments such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline.

“The state government should afford full cooperation and support to cross-border federal projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway.’’ (dailyasset)

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has told the protagonists of the proposed Oduduwa Republic to stop using fake Islamic organisations to camouflage as Muslims.

The human rights organization urged Nigerians to be wary of fake Islamic groups masquerading and declaring support for the secessionists.

This was revealed by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a press statement issued on Wednesday.

“The protagonists of the proposed Oduduwa Republic are desperate. Their desperation has reached a crescendo where they have resorted to dishonourable actions.

“This should jog the conscience of honest Nigerians. There is nothing wrong to have differences and disagreements. It is also normal to have ambition. But what is abnormal and ignoble is to pursue your ambition by hook or crook.

“Those in the irredentist Oduduwa Republic camp have descended so low that they use fake Muslim names and counterfeit Islamic organisations to issue statements in order to confuse Nigerians.

“Their plan is to deceive Nigerians and the rest of the world into believing that Yoruba Muslims are with them in their secession bid. This is not politics. It is outright dishonesty. It is not only cowardly, but ignoble, despicable and condescending. It should be condemned by all men and women of honour.

“Those behind it should be ashamed of themselves and those still supporting them should realize by now that they are being led by the nose.

“We urge Nigerians and the outside world to wake up to the antics of shenanigans masquerading as leaders of Yoruba self-determination groups.

“Yorubas are known to have great qualities of honesty and transparency. That is why the average Yoruba man, based on established Yoruba norms and values, is proud to be called an ‘Omoluabi’, i.e. a man of honour.

“But the reverse is the case with the self-acclaimed leaders of the present Yoruba irredentists. They are another cup of tea entirely.

“They are prepared to get their reckless and ill-thought-out ambition by fair or foul means. Instead of using superior logic to convince Nigerians, they tell lies at will to confuse the gullible. They forge names and concoct counterfeit organisations just by snapping their fingers.

“All these are in an effort to deceive the public. Our question to them is very simple: what kind of ‘republic’ do you want to establish with falsehood? Why must you resort to deception, lies and false propaganda? It is sheer mischief, nothing else.

“This is where Nigerians have to choose: should we follow liars and mischief makers or should we queue behind men of honour and truth? The devil you know is always better than the one you do not know. We may not have gold or silver today, but we will never deceive you with lies or half-truths. Unless you are a certificated gambler, it is too dangerous to follow liars to terra incognito.

“The names of fake Islamic groups like Yoruba Jamatru, Yoruba Islamic Organisation (YISO) and Yoruba Muslim Community have been used to deceive the general public. We alert the press and the good people of Nigeria that these are all fake groups conjured by the secessionist camp.

“Observers of the religious circle in the South West will note that notable Islamic organisations that have been speaking for Muslims in the region are the umbrella body for all Islamic organisations in the zone, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), the Companion, The Criterion, The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), FOMWAN, NASFAT, QAREEB, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), The Muslim Congress (TMC), The Ansaruddeen Society, Nawairudeen Society, MURIC, the Movement for Islamic Cultural Affairs (MICA) and a few others whom space cannot allow us to mention here.

“Most of these Islamic organisations have issued statements rejecting the Oduduwa Republic but the irredentists want to distort history by making forged statements using faceless Islamic organisations.

“This is criminal. We advise journalists to seek clarification from MUSWEN whenever any new group comments on the matter in order to avoid vicarious liability. MUSWEN is our umbrella organization in the South West and all Islamic groups in the South West are registered under it.

“We assert clearly, categorically and unequivocally that none of the so-called Islamic groups which have issued statements in support of a Yoruba Republic are known to us.

“They are fifth columnists created by the separatists with the aim of dividing the Yoruba Muslim community. But they have failed. It is not an Islamic organization if it is not an Islamic organization.

“The Yoruba Ummah is one, virile and indivisible. We therefore charge the Nigerian press to handle the Oduduwa Republic matter with utmost professionalism. The wheat must be separated from the chaff. This is not the time for yellow journalism. Neither is it the time for sensationalism.

“Statements issued by groups that are hitherto unknown in Christian, Muslim and traditional Yoruba circles should be checked and cross-checked. Media houses who publish statements made by fake groups will be held responsible for such statements. A certified journalist is expected to check the source of his or her information. The press must take responsibility.

“Those who allow the name of Yoruba Muslims to be used freely and irresponsibly will answer to Yoruba Muslims because we are going to make sure that we forward reports of fake statements to the security agents and legal action will be taken where necessary. The sources of those statements will be traced and all those involved will have questions to answer. This society must be sanitized.

“There must be consequences for irresponsible and mischievous statements and publications capable of causing the breakdown of law and order in the society. Yoruba Muslims have Allah-given fundamental right to enjoy freedom from molestation, harassment, intimidation and coercion from any quarters. MURIC will do everything possible within the laws of the land to guaranty this right.

“MURIC appeals to Nigerians, particularly the Yoruba people, to shine their eyes. These liars and forgers are advocatus diaboli whose only desire is to cause chaos in society.

“The Yoruba say ‘Omo ti o ba puro yio jale’ i.e. a child that tells lies will soon start stealing. Those who are now misleading you with lies will definitely steal all your money if ever Oduduwa Republic becomes a fait accompli.

“They are not to be trusted. They are making noise today because the tap from which free naira and dollar used to flow has been closed. We assure Nigerians that the agitation will die a natural death when the man they love to hate ends his tenure in 2023.

“To cut a long story short, we warn those agitating for the establishment of Oduduwa Republic to stop deceiving Nigerians by using Muslim names and fake Islamic organisations to issue statements.

“The Nigerian press has a duty to ensure that fake and faceless groups are not allowed to use it to cause disaffection in the society. Media houses are advised to publish only what they can be proud of as members of the noble profession,” he said.

There is intense confusion amidst wild spread condemnation moment after officers from police headquarters in Abuja stormed Ezi Umunya, and whisked away a prominent commuter leader Chigozie Nweke.

Ezi Umunya is a community located in Oyi local area of Anambra state.

The arrest of Nweke on Monday September 21, 2020 by a team of two police officers under Gabriel Alegbu has been described as “politically motivated” by the natives of the community.

Nweke had been drawn in a leadership tussle with Shedrach Obinna over the chairmanship of Ezi Umunya Welfare Association, the town’s grassroot governance structure.

According to an eyewitnesses, the officers from the Force CID headquarters took Nweke to the Divisional Police Station in Nteje, Oyi local government area, to sign off procedurally before whisking him off to Abuja Monday.

Divisional Police Officer at Nteje, S.P. Ogbonna, affirmed that officers from the Force CID arrested Nweke on allegations of defaming the character of another factional leader of the Welfare Association.

Efforts to release Nweke on bail have so far proved abortive.(blueprint)

By Jonathan Ugbal

The new legal year for the Cross River judiciary began on Monday without the usual pomp and pageantry.

This is because there is a vacancy in the administrative court where the Chief Judge sits.

The State has been without a Chief Judge for 20 days now due to differences between the Governor, House of Assembly and the Nigerian Judicial Council.

And, legal practitioners are not finding it easy as cases will not be assigned reports the DailyNews Newspapers.

“The commencement of new legal year actually started Monday but the normal ceremony that goes with it such as Church service, parades, inspection of guard of honour by the Chief Judge and other activities were not done,” said Mr. Paul Ebiala, Chairman of the Calabar branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.

“The Chief Registrar issued a statement that the legal year has started but the other ceremony were postponed till further notice,” Ebiala noted, adding that: “We are still in that quagmire; assignment of cases will not be done by anybody other than a Chief Judge or acting chief judge.

“What will happen now is that the cases that are pending and that had been assigned will be attended to but the new cases that have been filed are the ones that will be affected because they will not be assigned by anybody for now.”

An annual legal vacation in the state started in July during the second acting term of Justice Maurice Eneji. This elapsed on the midnight of September 2, 2020.

The NJC had last year recommended Justice Akon Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge but, the Assembly refused to confirm her with report suggesting she was not the preferred nominee of Governor Ben Ayade.

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it would start allowing pilgrims to perform Umrah in gradual stages, Mouthpiece NGR has learnt. 

The ministry of interior said the country will gradually resume the year-round Umrah pilgrimage from October 4, after it was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the first stage, “6,000 citizens and residents within the kingdom will be allowed to perform the Umrah per day from October 4”, the ministry said in a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Visitors from outside the kingdom will be permitted from November 1, when Umrah’s capacity will be raised to 20,000 pilgrims per day, the ministry said.

Zamfara Government says it has alerted security agencies to track the whereabouts of over N37 billion refunds on Federal Government projects executed by the state.

The state Commissioner of Finance, Rabiu Garba, announced this while addressing journalists in Gusau on Tuesday.

Mr. Garba alleged that the immediate past administration led by former governor, Abdulaziz Yari might have misappropriated the money.

The commissioner said the amount was initially quoted at over N47 billion as the funds used by the former administration in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 14 federal roads in the state.

“We understood that the cost of the verified projects at the Federal Ministry of Works stood at over N37 billion.

“But when we asked for refunds of the said amount, it was confirmed by both the Federal Ministry of Works and the Debt Management Office that the amount had been paid fully.

“On further investigation, we gathered that the money was collected by the Director-General of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and one lady who also worked in the same place on instructions from former Zamfara government.

“We wonder how people who are not indigenes of the state nor have they ever worked for the state should collect such a colossal amount on behalf of the government and people of Zamfara,’’ the commissioner said.

He assured that the present administration under Gov. Bello Matawalle will do everything possible to recover the money “so that we can use it in the development of the state’’.

But reacting in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, the former Commissioner of Finance in the Yari led government, Muktar Idris exonerated the administration from any wrongdoing.

Mr. Idris said that the immediate past administration constructed the roads at the cost of over N60 billion and claimed the same amount from the Federal Government.

“But a federal government verification committee only approved N37.4 billion refunds which was on completed projects.

“Due to dearth of funds to repay such projects to about 23 states, which stood at over N500 billion, it was agreed at the governors’ forum that the states would collect the refunds in two tranches via promissory notes that would mature in three years.

“The states were to receive 40 per cent in the first instalment, in which Zamfara’s due amount stood at N14.9 billion.

“All the affected state governors also agreed that the director-general of the Governors’ Forum should collect for them.

“I still have the documents with me where we put over N10 billion as discounted from N14.9 billion into our joint account because we needed the money.

“So, we discounted and collected the amount through the Debt Management Office, Mr. Idris told NAN.

He explained further that the second promissory note was for N22 billion which was also discounted to a little over N17 billion.

“All the money had been deposited into the state government’s accounts.

“Zamfara people are free to check and verify these facts,’’ he said.(newsinvestigatorsng)

The Federal Road Safety has confirmed the death of 23 persons at the scene of a petrol Tanker accident that occured at Felele, Lokoja in Kogi State today 

Of the 23, four were burnt beyond recognition 

This is the report as exclusively obtained by CKN NEWS 

FRSC CRASH REPORT FROM RS 8.3 KOGI,  COMMAND

Date: 23/09/2020

Incidence time: 08:30hrs

Report time:08:35 

Arrival time:08:40

Response time: 5min

Route: ZRG-LKJ. Location:

Felele ( by oando filling station.)

People involved: 24

People injured: 1

People killed: 23 ( MALE 10, FEMALE 6 , CM 3, C 4 burnt beyond recognition )

Vehicles involved: 10

1. Vehicle Reg: NA

Vehicles categories: tanker 1, cars 5, tcl 3, mc 2

Causes: SLV, BFL

ACTIONS TAKEN: those killed and injured victim was taken to specialist hospital Lokoja for medical attention. Obstruction clearing is ongoing.