It is too early to start impeaching Presidents in Nigeria, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has warned those plotting President Muhamamadu Buharis impeachment.

The plot to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari would not augur well for Nigerias democracy, he said.

He told members of the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly, NLSA, who paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday that disagreements are vital components of democracy.

There is no President that will not get impeached because of interest groups.

Cautioning against the plot, Gowon explained that disagreements remained hallmarks of democracy and such be settled amicably.

Impeachment is not necessary the option to disagreement .

Gowon spoke against the backdrop of the submission of a report on motion for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over the purchase of $496 million Tucano Aircrafts without legislators approval.

He called on the different groups in the North to come together to project a common front, adding that too many groups could send wrong signals to other parts of the country.

We need to come together as a people.

The Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum and the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly should come together or we would end up polarising the North.

Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, the Chairman of the Forum and former Presidential adviser, in his remarks, said the group was committed to sustainable peace and harmonious co-existence of all ethnic nationalities,

Gowon is the former head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. He took power after one military coup dtat and was overthrown in another coup.

He prosecuted the civil war from 1967 to 1970 and reunited Nigeria.

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday in Abuja said its voter register was not substantially used for the Feb. 10 Kano State local government election, where underaged voting allegedly occurred.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the Commissions Investigation Committee report on the alleged participation of underage persons in the election.

INEC on Feb. 21 set up an investigation committee chaired by a National Commissioner, Mr Abubakar Nahuche.

The committee was to look into the allegations that underage persons voting in the election, using the register of voters given to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) by INEC, as prescribed by law.

Yakubu said though the commission did not receive any formal complaint on the matter, the committee was set up to address concerns that could create doubt about voter register in preparations for 2019 general elections.

The chairman said that the committee had since submitted its report, while INEC carefully considered and accepted its finding and recommendations.

Base on its terms and reference, there are four key points in the findings and recommendations of the committee, which may be summarised as follows:

KANSIEC requested for and received from INEC the Kano state register of voters for the elections.

The register was produced for use for the elections. However, the register was only sighted in a few polling units. In other words, the register was not used in most of the polling units.

In fact, accreditation using the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) largely did not take place.

Given that the register was substantially not used to accredit voter before voting.

It is logical to conclude that if underage voting occurred in the election, it was not due to any presence of underage registrants on the register of voters.

However, after examining some of the images in circulation, the committee found that they have been available long before the Kano Local Government elections.

The few images and video clips from Kano show no accreditation of voters or any relationship with the register of voters.

Yakubu added that the committee also recommended that there was need and ample room for collaboration between INEC and all stakeholders to continue to update and improve the national register of voters.

This according to him, was important to eliminate all ineligible registrants from it, including dead persons, aliens and underage registrants.

It also recommended that INEC should work with the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to ensure continuous improvements in the quality of all elections conducted in Nigeria.

He said since 2011 general elections, the Commission had been updating the register in accordance with the law, saying the current commission believed that it inherited a register that met a high standard of biometric registration.

Let me reiterate that this commission is convinced that we now have a dependable register, even if it is not perfect.

We believe that it is a huge national asset, easily the largest database of Nigerians in existence today containing over 70 million entries of names, addresses, photographs, ten fingerprints, telephone numbers etc.

Yakubu implored all Nigerians to see the register as national asset and work with the commission to continue to improve it, considering that there were few if any perfect voters roll anywhere.

Yakubu also listed some of the efforts by INEC to continue to update the register and remove ineligible entries from it including presentation of the copies of the register to political parties.

Only recently, on Feb. 28, we gave each of the 68 political parties a copy of the register containing names of the 3.9 million new voters registered in 2017.

We urged them to use the register not only to reach out to voters, but also to check whether there are ineligible persons on the list and draw the attention of the commission to them.

Unfortunately, since this commission was inaugurated in 2015, there has not been a single report from any political party of ineligible voters on the register.

Yakubu noted that INEC had also been working with the Nigerian Immigration Service to eliminate aliens from the register by confiscating PVCs from aliens who were not entitled to vote.

He pledged that INEC would continue to collaborate with the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FORSIECON) toward establishing robust pathways to improving the quality of all elections conducted in Nigeria.

As we have consistently promised Nigerians, as a commission, we shall continue to be open to criticisms, accept shortcomings and take bold corrective steps whenever necessary.

Fielding questions from newsmen; Yakubu said that the commission spent little over N100 million for the failed recall of Sen. Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District.

The substantial part of it went to the payment of ad-hoc staff and logistics. He also disclosed that the commission was not creating new polling units ahead of the 2019 general elections, as there was no time to do so.

The logistics and arrangements for doing so cannot be accommodated before the 2019 general elections.

Source: NAN

A Kogi State High Court, Lokoja, has given an interim order that Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, be moved to the National Hospital Abuja, for further treatment.

Justice Nasir Ajanah, gave the order on Friday after the senators lawyer, Mike Ezekhome (SAN) sought for his bail.

On Thursday, police stretchered Melaye before a Senior Magistrates Court, and charged him with supplying illegal arms to two suspects,to commit various crimes in the state.

In Abuja on Wednesday, the embattled Senator was charged with causing damage to government property, attempted suicide and escape from lawful custody.

His lawyer argued by virtue of Section 97 of the Penal Code, the offence is bailable.But Chief Magistrate Suleiman Abdulahi denied the bail application and ruled that Melaye would remain in police custody for the next 39 days.

The case was then adjourned until June 11, 2018.

Police Melaye had taken possession of Melaye since he was recovered from a private hospital in Abuja after he jumped out of a moving police vehicle on April 24 while being conveyed to Lokoja Kogi State, for trial.

The police then moved him to the National Hospital, from where the police said he was discharged on Wednesday, for the first trial in Abuja.

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

In a bid to curb the transmission of preventable diseases, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa is to partner the World Health Organisation (WHO) to take hand washing campaigns across Nigeria and Africa.

Mrs Toyin Saraki, Founder-President of the Foundation disclosed this when she led a team on a courtesy visit the Abuja office of the WHO mission in Nigeria.

Saraki, the Devex Global Health Champion, was received by Dr Wondi Alemu, WHOs Representative and Head of Mission in Nigeria,

The launch of WBFAs campaign follows the UN Secretary Generals call to action on WASH in healthcare facilities in March and coincides with the WHOs Save Lives: Clean your Hands campaign day, which takes place on 5th May each year.

The 5th of May is also International Day of the Midwife, with the theme this year being Midwives leading the way with quality care.

Speaking at the event, she said that her foundation had recognized that many diseases could be prevented if people take to hand washing.

She insisted that the amount of time and resources spent on curing diseases could rather be used for advocacy for hand washing so that the diseases are prevented before they occur.

She disclosed that her foundation is gong to commission a team of young hand washing advocates that will take the campaign to schools across Nigeria.

We will be inaugurating a team of young Nigerians as hand washing advocates so that they can go to schools to sensitise many on the importance of hand washing.

Our midwives will also take the same campaign to hospitals and primary health centres to educate mother on the importance of hand washing.

In the next one year we can measure the impact of the campaign. Washing your hand with clean water prevents diseases.

Here in Nigeria, the WHO found that 29 per cent of healthcare facilities do not have access to safe water and toilets, whilst a WaterAid survey revealed that half of primary health facilities do not have hand washing facilities in delivery rooms.

Pregnant women and newborns are thereby placed in huge danger and at risk of sepsis, which is a leading cause of death in hospitals.

As the Founder-President of the WBFA, I work with our midwives to ensure that mother and baby are safe from birth through to age.

Without adequate WASH facilities, however, midwives all over the world are unable to safely carry out their crucial work and to lead the way with quality care.

Our target is for the 198 million Nigerians to be saying wash, she said.

Is his remark, the WHO Country Representative, Wondi Alemu said that the WHO was really impressed by the many interventions by the Wellbeing Foundation.

He said that the activities if the foundation going beyond just health care and hygiene to general wellbeing, adding that he is particularly impressed by the foundation.

He commended the foundation for the new campaign, saying that with good strategies, the impact of hand washing could be tremendous.

This is a very impressive foundation, I am impressed the way you have expressed it and also eager to implement it.

The choice of the target is good and we believe that if we manage to reduce the infection transmission, we will definitely bring down the way infections are acquired.

I will like to assure you that WHO, not only the country office but the whole WHO is supporting this mission.

Personally I have interacted with Director of WHO whom you are one of her advisers, and I can assure you that the WHO will be supporting your foundation.

We have all reasons to back you up, personally I commit myself to this foundation to make sure that I and my colleagues support you in the areas where you want us to engage, he said.

Source: NAN

A man accused of plotting to kill British Prime Minister Theresa May pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges in a London court on Friday.

Naaimur Rahman is accused of planning to detonate an explosive device at the gates of Downing Street to gain access to Mays office and kill her in the ensuing chaos.

He appeared by video link at Londons Old Bailey central criminal court, ahead of his trial which is due to start in June.

Rahman has been accused of conducting reconnaissance on Downing Street and planning to use a bag fitted with an explosive device in preparations for committing attacks against persons in the United Kingdom, according to a charge sheet.

Rahman, who was arrested in November, is also accused of helping another man, Mohammad Imran to join the Islamic State militant group by recording and sending him a sponsorship video.

Imran pleaded not guilty on Friday to a charge of planning to travel to Libya to join Islamic State, possessing the video made by Rahman, conducting research into travel options and having terrorist publications.

Rahman, from north London, has said he is British-Bangladeshi, while Imran has said he is British.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian police today declared wanted four of the gangsters who participated in the bloody bank robbery incidents in Offa on 4 April, releasing simultaneously their photographs, while in action.

The images provided were the clearest, since the incident exactly a month ago.

The police said the Kwara State Government has also promised a N5 million bounty for information about the suspects, and they listed the hotlines to be contacted as 08062080913, 08126285268,08032365122,07056792065,08088450152.

It was the latest update provided by the police, following the arrest of 20 principal suspects earlier and the recovery of two Beretta Pistols, bullets, phones and SIM cards of some of the victims.

All the suspects are cooperating with the Police in the investigation into the incident. Currently, some of the other gang leaders and principal suspects at large are being identified and their pictures obtained for further investigation, Assistant Commissioner of police, Moshood Jimoh said.

Police asked for public help to apprehend the gangsters still at large and said they have also been placed on INTERPOL Watch list and Red Alert.

Other sister security and safety agencies are equally implored to arrest them and hand over to the nearest Police Station or Formation across the country or avail the Police with any information they may have or come across about these suspects, Moshood said.

Source: NAN

By Isaac Ukpoju

Mr Yahaya Bello, the new commissioner of police in Nasarawa State, assumed office on Friday, according to the commands Police Relations Officer, Mr Kennedy Idirisu.

Idirisu told newsmen on Friday in Lafia that the new commissioner, who replaced Mr Bello Ahmed, was commissioner in charge of election planning and monitoring at the Force Headquarters, Abuja before his deployment.

He said that Bellos predecessor, Bello Ahmed, had been deployed to the Ekiti State command.

Idirisu said that the police boss joined the force in 1984 and had previously served as ACP, Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID) in Edo, Kaduna and Panti, Lagos States respectively.

Source: NAN

By Mustapha Sumaila

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Friday arrested one Hafeez Abdulsalam, a suspected trafficker in the South-West who specialises in trafficking young girls to Saudi Arabia.

NAPTIPs Assistant Director of Intelligence, Investigation and Monitoring, Ms Tina Ugwu told NAN after the operation that Abdulsalam had been on NAPTIPs watch list and that he usually brought girls from various states to Abuja before sending them to Saudi Arabia.

Ugwu said that the hotel used by the syndicateAmazonia Guest House at Dagri in Gwagwalada, FCT had been sealed up, while the Manager of the lodge was nabbed.

From our findings, Abdulsalam is a major recruiter of young girls to Saudi Arabia and Dubai because he has been on our Osun states office watch list.

The investigation is still ongoing, we will study all the things we recovered from the hotel and then charge the suspects to court she said.

One of the victims, who gave her name as Rokibat, 22 from Oyo state told NAN that her aunt in Saudi Arabia told her mother to bring her to Saudi through Abdulsalam to be engaged in Housemaid job.

She explained that she met with Abdulsalam in Osogbo who took her to a hospital for medical checkup in preparation for the journey before she was brought to Abuja.

Another victim, Rodiya 23, from Lagos state told NAN that Abdulsalam who is a family friend allegedly promised to take her to Saudi Arabia to earn a living since she was not doing anything.

Rodiya explained that Abdulsalam took her to a hospital in Osogbo for medical test and then brought her to Abuja to process her international passport for the journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Another victim from Kwara, told NAN that her older sister introduced her to Abdulsalam.

The arrested suspect, Abdulsalam who also spoke to NAN, claimed that the company he worked for known as Western Royal Manpower Solution was legal and registered company known to Federal Government.

The suspected trafficker declined further comments, as 13 women suspected to be victims of human trafficking were rescued.

Source: NAN

The World Health Organisation (WHO), says an estimated seven million people worldwide die every year from outdoor and household air pollution.

The organisation revealed on its Twitter handle @WHO on Thursday.

It said that ambient air pollution alone caused 4.2 million deaths in 2016, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused an estimated 3.8 million deaths the same year.

7 million people die every year from both outdoor and household

WHO (@WHO)

WHO said that new data from the organisation showed that air pollution levels remained dangerously high in many parts of the world as nine out of 10 people still breath air containing high levels of pollutant.

It said that the poorest and most marginalised people bore the brunt of this burden.

It said that this was because air pollution-related deaths occurred in low and middle income countries in Asia, Africa and middle income countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Europe and Americas.

New WHO data: 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air

WHO (@WHO)

WHO estimates that around seven million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air that penetrates deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system causing diseases such as stroke, heart disease and lung cancer.

Other diseases are chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections including pneumonia.

Around three billion people, more than 40 per cent of the worlds population still do not have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies in their homes which is the main source of household air pollution.

WHO has been monitoring household air pollution for more than a decade and while the rates of access to clean fuels and technologies is increasing everywhere, improvements are not keeping pace with population growth in many parts of the world particularly in Sub-saharan Africa, WHO said.

It quoted WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus as saying: It is unacceptable that over three billion people more of whom are women and children are still breathing deadly smoke every day from using polluting stoves and fuels in their homes.

If we do not take action on air pollution, we will never come close to achieving sustainable development.

The organisation said it recognised that air pollution was a critical risk factor for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) which caused an estimated 24 per cent of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25 per cent stroke, 43 per cent chronic pulmonary disease and 29 per cent lung cancer.

WHO said that more than 4,300 cities in 108 countries were now included in its ambient air quality database which collects annual mean concentrations of fine Particulate Matter (PM) such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon.

It said that these pollutants posed the greatest risk to human health and called on countries to reduce their air pollution to annual mean values of 20 ug/m3 (for PM10) and 10 ug/m3 (for PM25).

More countries are measuring and taking action to reduce than ever before. We need to work together to improve air quality

WHO (@WHO)

WHO also called on countries to work together on solutions for sustainable transport, more efficient and renewable energy production and use and waste management.

Source: NAN

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Adamawa Command, says it has commenced intensive surveillance on major routes along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

NDLEA said the move was sequel to the Federal Government ban on the production and importation of codeine into the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Ministry of Health had directed NDLEA offices across the country to ensure strict surveillance of the borders.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Yola, Mr. Yakubu Kibo, NDLEAs Commander in Adamawa, said that the command had taken strategic measures to comply with the Federal Government directive.

As you are aware, Adamawa has porous borders with Cameroon Republican; five of the seven local government areas affected by Boko Haram in the state are directly on the border with Cameroon.

But we have intensified surveillance in collaboration with of sister agencies in these areas to frustrate any attempt to import the substance into the country.

Kibo said that the command recently destroyed over 14,000 tonnes of hard drugs, four tonnes of which were cough syrup with Codeine.

He gave an assurance that the command would frustrate all possible moves to bring the banned drugs into the state and the country in general.

Source: NAN