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Buhari Lists Economy, Poverty, Seven Others Top Priorities in Next Three Years

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja listed nine policy issues that will be the major focus of the remaining three years of his administration.

According to him, between now and 2023 when he will complete his second term of four years, he will channel time, energy and resources towards growing the economy, fighting poverty, improving access to quality education, healthcare and enhancing productivity, among others.

Buhari, while receiving letters of credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners of eight countries at the State House, Abuja, said the priority areas were geared towards dictating people-focused policy directions of the federal government in the next few years.

“In our efforts to achieve a realistic domestic and foreign policy, as well as national development, we have identified the following nine priority areas to guide our policy directions over the next few years,” he said.

A statement by his media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, listed the nine priority areas to include: building a thriving and sustainable economy; enhancing social inclusion and reduce poverty; enlarging agricultural output for food security and export; attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products and expanding transport and other infrastructural development.

Others are: Expanding business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation; expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians; building a system to fight corruption, improving governance and creating social cohesion and improving the nation’s security.

Buhari said efforts were being made to sustain Nigeria’s position as a profitable investment destination with unequalled incentives in all sectors.
He listed a large market and flexible tax system as areas of focus that investors from various countries could explore.
The president described Nigerians as the “nation’s most prized assets,” saying the priority areas have already been captured in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

He described the ERGP as a medium-term initiative pioneered by the federal government to restore economic growth and development through the resourcefulness and resilience of citizens.
He appealed to the envoys to maximise the opportunity of their deployment in the country to improve on Nigeria’s relations with their respective governments and people.

“I have no doubt that you might have prior and in-depth knowledge of Nigeria’s huge potential, which you will hopefully see for yourselves. I, therefore, urge you to go around the country, see things for yourselves and report to your home governments. This is important as you all are representatives of both your sending and host states,” he said.

Buhari added that Nigeria supported various principles of international law, cultural diversity, the sovereignty of nations and valuable relations among nations without discrimination.

He explained that Nigeria does not discriminate among nations irrespective of their sizes as every nation is respected in its own right.
Nigeria is also ready to respect and relate with every country in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, he stated, while enumerating areas of cooperation where Nigeria is ready to be involved.

“Nigeria strongly supports joint action to ensure a democratic and fair world order based on strict respect for the norms of international law, the United Nations charter, recognition of the unquestionable value of cultural diversity, national sovereignty, and the right of all countries to decide their future freely, without external pressure.

“Nigeria does not divide its partners into big and small; we value and respect every country, and with every country, we are ready to pursue dialogue, as well as build cooperation on the basis of equality and constructive mutual respect.

“These include our cooperation in strengthening regional, continental and global peace and security, resolving complex issues, settling conflicts, as well as addressing dangerous threats to mankind, among which include terrorism, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, human trafficking, cybercrimes, poverty, communicable diseases and epidemics,” he said.

According to the statement, the Ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria, Hocine Latil, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said each of them conveyed greetings and their home governments’ agenda to Nigeria.

He said Nigeria was always focused on resolving conflicts in Africa and simultaneously not failing in its domestic matters.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we thank you for receiving us. We know that your schedule is tight. As the giant of Africa, you are always focused on resolving conflicts in the continent, while taking care of your domestic issues as well,” he stated.

Besides Latil, other diplomats who presented their letters of credence yesterday were Luong Quoc Thinh of Vietnam; Dr. Benson Alfred Bana of Tanzania; Traore Kalilou of Cote d’Ivoire; Abakar Saleh Chahaimi of Chad; Jamal Mohammed Barrow of Somalia; Brahim Salem El Mami Buseif of Sahrawi Arab Republic and Mohammed Alibak of Iran.

Ronaldinho Released From Paraguay Detention After Five Months

A Paraguayan judge ended the house arrest of former Barcelona player Ronaldinho Gaucho on Monday, freeing the way for him to return to Brazil and end a more than five-month ordeal that began when he tried to enter the country with an adulterated passport.

A judge in Asuncion agreed to a “conditional suspension” of charges, effectively clearing the player of any responsibility for the crime but ordering him to pay $90,000 in costs, which would be given to charitable organizations.

“The precautionary measure of arrest is lifted, there are no more restrictions placed by Paraguayan justice,” Judge Gustavo Amarilla told the court.

Ronaldinho, who wore a black t-shirt, hat and mask in court, remained expressionless and with arms crossed following the judgment.

The football star plans to leave the Paraguayan capital Asuncion for Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday morning on a private plane, Federico Gonzalez, an advisor to the Paraguayan presidency who also runs the government advisory service on coronavirus-related travel restrictions, told a local radio station.

The charismatic striker, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup, was arrested on March 6 along with his brother and business manager Roberto Assis when they tried to enter Paraguay with adulterated Paraguayan passports.

They were held in jail for 32 days before being released into house arrest in a top Asuncion hotel after paying $1.6 million in bail.

According to documents seen by Reuters, prosecutors in the case said they found “no elements to prove that (Ronaldinho) directly participated in obtaining the irregular documents.”

The brothers have repeatedly maintained their innocence with their lawyer calling their detention “arbitrary, abusive and illegal.”

Ronaldinho last played professionally in 2015, including for Brazilian clubs Atletico Mineiro, Flamengo and Fluminense, but remains hugely popular with global football fans.

He won the World Cup as part of the Brazilian team in 2002 and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. He was also named FIFA world player of the year in 2004 and 2005.

World Health Organization Declares Africa Polio-Free

THE World Health Organisation (WHO), has certified Africa free of the wild polio virus, after Nigeria, the last country in the continent did not record a single case three years in a row.

“African Region is officially declared free of wild polio! Congratulations to all countries, partners & health workers,” the WHO said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The African Regional Certification Committee (ARCC) had on June 19 certified Nigeria free of the virus disease, three decades after battling poliomyelitis.

The Africa Regional Commission for Certification of poliomyelitis eradication (ARCC) is an independent body appointed in 1998 by the WHO Regional Director for African to oversee the certification and containment process. It is the only body that can certify that the Africa region is free of polio.

The WHO estimates that 1.8 million children in Africa have been saved from life-long paralysis from wild polio, before attaining the polio-free status.

However, despite the announcement, a vaccine-derived strain of the disease can still infect people where there is only partial vaccination and results in the same symptoms as the wild form might continue to circulate in Africa.

Vaccine-derived poliovirus cases can occur when the weakened live virus in the oral polio vaccine passes among under-immunized populations and eventually changes to a form that can cause paralysis.

DR @MOETITSHIDI: “THE ERADICATION OF WILD POLIOVIRUS FROM THE AFRICAN REGION REMINDS US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN #UHC, IN PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE TO OUTBREAKS, & IN MAKING OUR SOCIETIES MORE EQUITABLE, PARTICULARLY FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.#POLIOFREE #RC70AFRO

— WHO AFRICAN REGION (@WHOAFRO) AUGUST 25, 2020

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa advised that a continual vaccination will prevent a resurgence of a similar virus induced by the vaccine according to a Reuters report.

“We must stay vigilant and keep up vaccination rates to avert a resurgence of the wild poliovirus and address the continued threat of vaccine-derived polio,” he said.

The 16 countries in Africa that are currently affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks include Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia.

Speaking on the development, President Muhammadu Buhari remarked that he has fulfilled his pledge to rid Nigeria of the indigenous wild poliovirus.

President Buhari spoke during the online event where WHO declared Nigeria and the rest of Africa polio free.

He noted that he had promised Nigerians that he would not hand over a Nigeria with polio to his successor, and has fulfilled that promise.

“This is indeed a truly historic event. I recall shortly after assuming office in 2015, I made a pledge to Nigerians that I would not bequeath a polio-endemic country to my successor,” Buhari said.

“This certification is, therefore, a personal fulfillment of that pledge, not only to Nigerians but to all Africans.”

He congratulated the entire continent and the African Union leadership for the achievement.

“At a time when the global community is battling with the COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement strengthens my conviction that the requisite political will, investments, and strategies, as well as citizens’ commitment, will flatten the pandemic curve.

“I can affirm the commitment of all African leaders in this course of action. We must guard this achievement jealously and ensure that we take all necessary steps to prevent the resurgence of this deadly disease.”

The president appreciated the strong partnership and collaboration displayed to deliver this success.

He promised the global community that Nigeria will “sustain the momentum and leverage on the lessons learnt from the polio eradication to strengthen our health systems, especially primary healthcare and prioritise health security”.

AGF, Malami Denies Sponsoring Bill To ‘Control’ EFCC, Says Possesses Sufficient Powers Already Under The Law

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice does not need the tinkering of the current Economic and Financial Crime (Establishment) Act 2004 to enable him to regulate the Institution and could therefore not, in anyways, seek to sponsor any bill for “more powers to control the commission”.

This is contained in a statement issued by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday 25th August 2020.

It is trite to say that by virtue of the extant laws of the land as well as rules and legislations governing the conduct of the governmental operations, the Attorney-General of the Federation has indisputable statutory powers to regulate the operations of the commissions without recourse to any additional legislations.

Section 43 of the EFCC Act has made it abundantly clear that “the Attorney General of the Federation may make rules or regulations with respect to the exercise of any of the duties, functions or powers of the Commission under this Act”.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice believes in the doctrines of separation of powers as an epitome character of the democratic administration and could not, therefore, meddle into the affairs of legislature for megalomaniac sake.

It is a global practice in democratic societies that the legislature may at their discretion and as deem fit, spearhead the amendment of existing legislations in order to accommodate certain exigencies occasioned by contemporary realities and the need to improve performance to achieve best practices without any prompting from external organs of the government.

At the moment, the priority of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is to see to the effective execution of its statutory mandates of supervising all the parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Justice in a way that make them function in the best interest of the general public, which constitutional responsibility he is engaged by President Muhammadu Buhari to discharge.

Buhari Approves 1 Year Tax Waiver For Import Of Electricity Meters

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To make electricity metres affordable for Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a one-year deferment of the 35 percent import adjustment tax imposed on Fully Built Unit (FBU) electricity meters HS Code 9028.30.00.00.

Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed requested approval to support the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in rolling three million electricity meters, which is under the meter asset provider (MAP) framework.

Earlier, the 35 percent import adjustment tax, which was approved in 2015 on the importation of FBU electricity meters, attracted a 10 percent import duty rate under the ECOWAS CET.

According to Ahmed: “The 35 percent levy was imposed on the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to encourage local production, as well as protect investments in the local assembly of electricity meters.”

She noted, “an important feature of the MAP regulation is a gradual upscaling of the patronage of local manufacturers of electricity meters with an initial minimum local content of 30 percent with the potential of significant job creation in the area of meter assembly, installation and maintenance.”

In applying to the President to defer the 35 percent levy, Ahmed stated “the application of the 35 percent levy on electricity meters – HS Code 9028.30.00.00 has created a significant challenge to the smooth implementation of MAP scheme of NERC”.

Though the 35 percent levy has been in existence since 2015, the MAP regulations by NERC in 2018 to bridge the current electricity metering gap, did not factor the 35 percent levy in arriving at the regulated cost of electricity meters to end-users (consumers).

It was also noted that electricity consumers have embraced the opportunities presented by the MAP regulations and signed off to pay for electricity meters at the regulated prices approved by NERC.

A total of six million consumers have so far indicated an interest in electricity meters.

According to the Finance Minister, “some of the approved investors under the scheme have also, prior to the implementation of the appropriate HS Code 9028.30.00.00 for the importation of electricity meters, proceeded to import a significant stock of meters for rollout. This is in line with the timelines issued by NERC and the service level agreement agreed with the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs)”.

In view of the local content for sourcing of electricity meters, the Minister stated: “It is approved that 50 percent of the current demand for electricity meters be considered for importation at the ECOWAS CET import duty rate of 10 percent zero levies”.

This, she said, “is to immediately bridge the gap between the demand for electricity meters and local supply”.

It is also envisaged that this will provide protection for local electricity meter manufacturers and the opportunity to ramp local capacity in the production of meters.

Create Wealth For Yourselves By Investing, Don’t Rely On Your Wages — Ex-Lagos Deputy Gov, Femi Pedro Urges Lawyers

A former deputy governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro has called on lawyers in the country not to rely sorely on their wages but also to create wealth and have a positive wealth mindset.

Pedro said this can only be done by embracing investment opportunities that can give them extra income within the rules of the legal profession.

The former deputy governor made this comments as guest speaker in a Webinar titled ‘Money Matters and the Lawyers’ Wellbeing’ organised by Lawbreed Academy an educational and training arm of Lawbreed Limited the authorized publishers of the Official Law Reports of the Supreme Court of Nigeria( Supreme Court Reports- S. C. Reports)

The event was organised to enlighten lawyers on how to create and handle enduring wealth, it’s management and living a balanced life.

In his presentation, Otunba Pedro noted that though the legal profession, has its peculiarities, and is guided by rules of professional conduct which spells out certain restrictions and boundaries, lawyers have unlimited opportunities to create wealth while advancing their careers.

He suggested that lawyers learn to set aside a certain percentage of their earnings for investment and maintain financial discipline because without this mindset they will continue to remain in the poverty trap.

He said, ‘if you do not invest with a salary of N50,000 a month you will never invest with a salary of N5 million a month because it’s an habit and if you don’t have that habit you will be spending everything that you have even if you are the managing partner of your firm”.

“You can have money and still be in the poverty trap because money is not wealth. A lot of people in our society have money but they are not wealthy because that money is liquid it can disappear at any time”.

“There is a world of difference between having money and being wealthy. Wealth is a state of being materially prosperous. When you are wealthy you have a feeling of empowerment you are in control of your life and you can tell if you are wealthy when you have ownership of wealth instruments“.

“If you have real estate investments you are wealthy, if you have equity shares you are wealthy, if you have fixed deposit you are wealthy because all this create incomes for you.

“I encourage lawyers to find their passion by doing something that they are committed to, that can give them money within the rule of the profession,” he stressed.

In his opening address, the Chairman of Lawbreed Limited, Mr. Layi Babatunde (SAN) said lawyers are taught more about their responsibilities to others, such as the litigants, clients, and the court but were hardly taught how to live a balanced life.

“What I realize is that if a lawyer is financially stressed and challenged and he cannot plan his life and that of his family even the entire justice system suffers.

“So we leant about the rules of court practice, about professional ethics, how to make submissions and how to write opinions but we did not learn how to build capacity, how to build wealth in the proper manner and how to sustain this wealth.

“We did not also learn how to take care of our health and our wellbeing,” the senior lawyer stated.

Other panelists on the Webinar were Mrs. Jesmine Onyeukwu, a Canadian based productivity consultant and performance coach and Mrs Toyin Aralepo an accountant and founder Africa Finance and Strategy Hub.

Mr Femi Falana , SAN; in his intervention enjoined lawyers to expand their horizon beyond local practice, highlighting the vast opportunities provided by the ECOWAS Court and the ICC.

A cross-section of lawyers joined the webinar, including senior lawyers like Yusuf Alli SAN, Femi Falana, SAN, Dele Adesina SAN, Segun Odubela, SAN, Wale Adesokan SAN, Olumide Akinboro SAN, incoming National Secretary, Joyce Oduah, Richard Ahonarogho, FIDA Lagos Chair, Phil Nneji and Wada O Wada , Former NBA Young Lawyers Forum Chair .

The DCEO, Lawbreed, Mrs Adejoke Layi-Babatunde thanked the facilitators and attendees promising them of more to come

It Costs N2m To Destroy One Container Of Tramadol ― NAFDAC

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The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye has revealed that to destroy a container load of Tramadol cost the agency between N1m and N2m.

This is even as she revealed that NAFDAC has taken the fight against the importation of substandard and fake products to India and China, where two Clean Report Inspection (CRI) Agents were removed because they indulged in facilitating illicit drugs to Nigeria.

Disclosing this on Tuesday when she hosted a virtual media parley with the print media, the NAFDAC DG explained that for seven years when the agency was not at the ports, importers of fake and substandard drugs were having a field day bringing in dangerous products into the country.

According to Mrs Adeyeye, “Don’t forget that for seven years, we were not at the port and importers of dangerous drugs were having a field day. Our children were going wacko due to drug abuse that was almost becoming a normal thing in this country.

“In May of 2018, our officials returned to the ports and gave importers of these illicit drugs a run for their money. Many containers of Tramadol were impounded by NAFDAC and destroyed. To destroy a container of Tramadol, it costs around N1m to N2m.

“Importers of these illicit drugs, when it dawned on them that we are back at the ports, started diverting some of these shipments to neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region. We went after them in these countries and still seized their shipments.

As I speak, five containers of Tramadol meant for the Nigerian market are in the Benin Republic. The Nigerian Ambassador over there is currently making efforts to bring those consignments here for destruction. The NAFDAC Directorate at the port is up and running.

“There was a time I was in the United Kingdom (UK) for a family function and got alerted that 14 container shipment of Tramadol was on its way to Lagos. I quickly called our Port Directorate and alerted them to ensure those shipments do not enter the country.”

On what she met on ground when she resumed as NAFDAC DG, Adeyeye explained that ‘On resumption as NAFDAC DG, I was shocked at the state of decay in our laboratories all over the country.

We have seven laboratories nationwide, and many were in a state of rot. How can we certify drugs and foods when our labs are not properly equipped?

“As we speak, our laboratories have been given a facelift. Now we have some money to buy some detection devices, and this will reduce the numbers of goods that we need to take to the laboratory for examination.

“Last year, I was in India and China to examine some of their laboratories where goods meant for importation to Nigeria are tested.

In these countries, they have Clean Report Inspection (CRI) Agents who certify these products before they are shipped to Nigeria. We had to remove two of the CRI Agents because we found them culpable in allowing substandard drugs to come to Nigeria. We told them in China and India that we don’t want substandard goods in Nigeria anymore.”

Enugu Killings: Abaribe Calls for Judicial Panel of Inquiry

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enate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has canvassed for the setting up of a judicial panel of inquiry by the Enugu state government to look into the reported killing of some youth in Emene, Enugu state last weekend by security operatives.

In a release issued in Abuja on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, the Senate Minority Leader joined other groups to demand for the urgent setting up of a Judicial Panel of Inquiry by the Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The judicial panel, Abaribe said, will help to unravel the truth in the assertions of both the security and other groups on what really happened.

He condemned in very strong terms the killings last Sunday of Igbo youths in Emene, Enugu State by the security operatives saying the constancy of the killings has given room to wide suspicion of a sinister motive.

The ranking Senator also warned that the labelling of every Igbo group as terrorists and the incessant killings of her youths by the security operatives has become one too many and is no longer acceptable to his people.

He said it is disheartening that security operatives seem to derive pleasure at any slight whim to unleash mayhem using the most lethal weapons against unarmed Igbo youths at every turn.

Abaribe further stated that such unsavory, brutal and hateful resort to extreme repression demean Nigeria’s democratic ethos and even questions her unity.

He said: “We are in a democracy where every agency of government, particularly the security apparatchik must adhere strictly to rules of engagement with regards to dealings with the civil populace in such a manner that will be in conformity with international best practices.

“The last time I checked, Nigerians still enjoy freedom to associate freely. Nobody has told us that the Igbo youths meeting last Sunday was a gathering meant to launch attack on anybody. Who will they attack and for what? What Intel informed the police and DSS deployment to the venue of the meeting?

“Incontrovertible reports suggests very strongly that the killings were ignited when the security operatives stormed the venue of that peaceful meeting, not that the youths marched to anywhere to attack anybody. These are the issues that should be addressed at the panel”.

The Minority Leader further said it is even most worrisome that the people will no longer gather peacefully in their own country without being dispersed forcefully or be branded terrorists for no just cause.

The lawmaker stressed that he would not want to believe that the wide card labeling of every Igbo youth group as terrorists is a cover to achieve a predetermined plot.

“Let it not be that we now have an army of occupation in Southeast, working clandestinely to create fears and state of anomie in a region that has remained perhaps the most peaceful in the country,” he said.

He, however, advised the youth to remain calm and not to resort to any form of reprisals, or succumb to provocations that could tempt them to take laws into their own hands, while “we await the official reaction of the Enugu State governor on the matter”.

THE TRIAL OF EL-RUFAI

Last week the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) dramatically withdrew the invitation it had earlier extended to Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to speak at the 2020 Annual General Conference of the NBA slated for August 26-29, 2020. The charges (emanating from different lawyers including some members of the public) preferred against Governor El-Rufai at the court of public opinion last week, are, inter alia, that since 2015 to date El-Rufai has been fragrantly disobeying court orders; disregarding and abusing the rule of law; adopting a nonchalant attitude to the monumental carnage in Southern Kaduna; threatening people whom he feels are opposed to him. For example, on February 5 2019, El-Rufai threatened the international observers covering the last general elections that if they dared interfered with the elections they would go home in “body bags”.

As at last Friday, the www.change.org/p/nigerian-bar-association-help-stop-nasir-el-rufai-from-speaking-at-nba-agc had collected the signatures of not less than 4, 300 witnesses ready to testify in the charges preferred against El-Rufai. The testimonies of some of the witnesses published online are hereunder stated: “As a lawyer, I join my colleagues in condemning d decision to invite Gov.@elrufai of Kaduna State to address the viral conference of NBA… .” (Nnamdi Asomugha Sr Esq.); “As at today, Southern Kaduna is the most active site of massacres and mass atrocities in Nigeria. Despite this Governor El-Rufai dismissed the atrocities going on in Southern Kaduna as “media hype” (Open Bar Initiative). “For fragrant disregard for the rule of law and disobedience to court orders and for saying that he would give money to the killers in Kaduna to stop their killing, El-Rufai lacks moral right to address lawyers” (Femi Falana SAN)

In his defence, Governor El-Rufai, together with his witnesses, has lampooned the NBA for allegedly being parochial and bowing to pressure from anonymous crowd without giving him a fair-hearing. Citing section 3 (6) of the Nigerian Bar Association Constitution and Bye-Law in their testimony for El-Rufai, the NBA, (Bauchi Branch) faults the withdrawal of El-Rufai from speaking at the conference. It calls on the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) to rescind the withdrawal failure which the NBA (Bauchi Branch) would boycott the 2020 NBA Conference. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) construes the NBA withdrawal of the invitation of El-Rufai as a “declaration of war”. It urges all lawyers from Northern Nigeria to boycott the 2020 NBA Conference. What a prescription for intolerance?” (Abubakar Sani Esq.)

As at last Friday, the www.change.org/p/nigerian-bar-association-help-stop-nasir-el-rufai-from-speaking-at-nba-agc had collected the signatures of not less than 4, 300 witnesses ready to testify in the charges preferred against El-Rufai. The testimonies of some of the witnesses published online are hereunder stated: “As a lawyer, I join my colleagues in condemning d decision to invite Gov.@elrufai of Kaduna State to address the viral conference of NBA… .” (Nnamdi Asomugha Sr Esq.); “As at today, Southern Kaduna is the most active site of massacres and mass atrocities in Nigeria. Despite this Governor El-Rufai dismissed the atrocities going on in Southern Kaduna as “media hype” (Open Bar Initiative). “For fragrant disregard for the rule of law and disobedience to court orders and for saying that he would give money to the killers in Kaduna to stop their killing, El-Rufai lacks moral right to address lawyers” (Femi Falana SAN)

In his defence, Governor El-Rufai, together with his witnesses, has lampooned the NBA for allegedly being parochial and bowing to pressure from anonymous crowd without giving him a fair-hearing. Citing section 3 (6) of the Nigerian Bar Association Constitution and Bye-Law in their testimony for El-Rufai, the NBA, (Bauchi Branch) faults the withdrawal of El-Rufai from speaking at the conference. It calls on the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) to rescind the withdrawal failure which the NBA (Bauchi Branch) would boycott the 2020 NBA Conference. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) construes the NBA withdrawal of the invitation of El-Rufai as a “declaration of war”. It urges all lawyers from Northern Nigeria to boycott the 2020 NBA Conference. What a prescription for intolerance?” (Abubakar Sani Esq.)

Let me say this again: The fundamental issue that calls for determination in this public trial is not the person of His Excellency Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Far from it. Neither has it got anything to do with tribe and religion. I agree with the out-going NBA President Paul Usoro (SAN) that the trial of El-Rufai has “no ethnic or religious colouration”. The fundamental issue at stake in this trial is the crisis and bloodletting in Southern Kaduna. Therefore any mudsling and rebellious impulses towards tarnishing the image of Governor El-Rufai are completely misconceived. El-Rufai, ontologically, is a good person. My closest physical encounter with him dates back to his days on the Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspaper. At that time, he stood out for his exceptional brilliance in analyzing national issues. So, Governor El-Rufai is good.

Having said this, I wish to reiterate my earlier comment that the main issue in this trial is the spilling of innocent blood in Southern Kaduna. This is why after 55 years after some 1.5 million Jewish children were killed during the German Holocaust, many are still seeking justice today. This is why after 50 years Nigeria has not made any meaningful socio-political progress because the blood of almost two million Biafran civilians (three quarter of them small children) who died from starvation caused by the total blockade of the region by the Nigerian government is still demanding for justice today. Southern Kaduna is in the grip of gruesome death.

Imagine blindfolding an innocent three-year- old girl and slicing off her head with a machete in Southern Kaduna. On August 16, 2020, Reverend Adalchi Usman of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Unguwan /Madaki, Maro Ward, in Kajuru Local Council was killed when a commercial vehicle in which he was travelling in was ambushed by armed assailants. On 17 August Mr. Bulus Joseph was gruesomely killed on his farm in Sabon Gida Idon, along the Kaduna-Kachia road, in Kajuru Local Council by Fulani militia. On 18 August, Malachy Bobai, farmer and a 16-year-old student Ms. Takama Paul were killed by Fulani militia. I can go on and on. The crisis in Southern Kaduna has been on for ages. El Rufai may be doing his best, but the crisis seems to be getting worse.

Rather than remain sober, El-Rufai is going about making statements that suggest that he is playing politics with the killings. For example, how can El-Rufai dismiss the atrocious killings in Southern Kaduna as “media hype”? Why does he threaten the opposition for expressing different views on the killings?

Governor El-Rufai, undoubtedly, is conscious of his place in history. For now, the people of Southern Kaduna do not think he is doing enough to end the bloodshed. This is why he should do more and mend his relationship with the people today.

UNILAG Governing Council Approves Appointment Of Prof Ogunsola As Acting VC

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Less than 24 hours after she was elected by the Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the Governing Council of the institution has approved the appointment of Prof Folasade Ogunsola, as acting Vice-Chancellor.

Prof Ogunsola, formerly Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), was on Monday elected acting VC by 135 votes out of 167 Senate members that participated in the election. She defeated Prof Ben Oghojafor, Deputy VC (Development Services), who scored 31 votes while one vote was void.

The newly elected acting VC is a professor of Medical Microbiology and first child of Nigeria’s first professor of Geography, Prof Akin Mabogunje, and was also the first female provost of College of Medicine, Idi-Araba.

Ogunsola, the first female acting VC of the 58-year-old institution is from the College of Medicine, Idi Araba, appointed was approved at an emergency council meeting presided by the Interim Chairman, Dr John Momoh.

Dr Momoh is the current President of University of Lagos Alumni Association Worldwide and he was appointed interim chairman of UNILAG Governing Council last night. His first task is the ratification of the election of a new acting VC, Prof Ogunsola.

Our correspondent learnt the governing council meeting was virtual and the only item on agenda is the ratification of Prof Ogunsola as the acting Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG.

The Federal Government mandated the Senate of the university to meet and elect a new acting VC and also directed the governing council to convey a meeting to approve the appointment. The Special Visitation Panel will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu tomorrow and the members will arrive UNILAG on Wednesday or Thursday to start the assignment which for two weeks.

The top management staff of UNILAG told our correspondent that the governing council virtual meeting started at 11:00 am and approved the nomination of Senate acting VC, adding that ‘the meeting was chaired by Dr John Momoh and with the approval, Madam has started work and her major one task will be when the Special Visitation Panel visits the university tomorrow or next.’

He further added: ‘Since yesterday when the news broke of her election as acting VC by UNILAG Senate, she has received many congratulatory messages from colleagues, non-academic staff, family members and even her former and current students.’

Thenigerialawyer