Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the plan of both the federal and state governments on police reform will be a game-changer in ensuring an end to impunity.

The plan include investigating police brutalityas well as providing compensation to victims of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the Vice President made the pledge on Thursday when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, an American government delegation.

The delegation comprised the US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Bob Destro; US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Conflict Stabilization Operations, Denise Natali; the Counselor of the US Department of State, Thomas Brechbuhl.

The Charge dAffairs, US Embassy, Kathleen FitzGibbon and Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, were also at the meeting.

According to the Vice President, no fewer than 13 states including Lagos, have established Judicial Panels to seek justice and to compensate those whose rights have been breached.

He said that the President had already supported the decisions of the National Economic Council (NEC).

NEC on Oct. 12 resolved on the immediate establishment of State-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings to deliver justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units.

Osinbajo said that NEC also agreed on the provision of monetary compensation to victims and prosecution of erring officers.

While responding to the concerns of the US government on instances of impunity in the country, the Vice President noted that the efforts were part of the Nigerian governments commitment to implement extensive police reforms.

Headded that the establishment of Judicial Panels of Inquiry nationwide would further ensure that the Police and other security agencies ensured the protection of human rights of citizens.

The concerns around impunity are some of the concerns that informed the establishment of Judicial Panels of Inquiry across states. Each state is now required to establish judicial inquiry that will look into cases of impunity, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killingsespecially by law enforcement agents.

Aside from two representatives of Civil Society groups, these Judicial Panels will have youth representatives and a representative from the National Human Rights Commission, among others.

Each State is also required to have what is called the Special Security and Human Rights Committee to ensure that law enforcement and security agencies protect the Human Rights of citizens.

Government is paying attention; the point we are making is that protests are a means to an end, but they cannot be the end; we are very optimistic that what we have put in place would eventually yield the best possible results for us, he said.

The Vice Presidentalso highlighted what he termed false narratives about Nigeria, including the herder-farmer crisis, especially in North Central states and the politics behind the allegations.

Osinbajo said the herder-farmer crisis was exacerbated mainly because of land and resources struggle than from the misinterpreted Christians-versus-Muslim narrative.

Members of the US delegation from Washington DC offered to collaborate with the Federal Government on the issues, a suggestion welcomed by the Vice President hoping that such cooperation would create better understanding of the issues. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Regional Office for Africa located in Brazzaville, Congo, says there are over 1.6 million confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases inAfrica.

The UN health agency gave the update in its regional official Twitter account @WHOAFRO.

WHO stated on its dashboard that there were over 1.6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases on the continent, with more than 1.3 million recoveries and 40,000 deaths cumulatively.

South Africa, Ethiopia and Kenya are countries with highest number of reported cases.

According to the dashboard: South Africa reported 708,359 cases and 18, 741 deaths; Ethiopia had 91,118 cases with 1,384 deaths, while Kenya had 46,144 reported cases and 858 deaths.

Meanwhile, WHO Regional Office in a statement posted on its website said that the new approved antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, would significantly boost testing capacity.

The UN health agency said that many African countries had struggled to test sufficient numbers to control the pandemic, with only 12 in the region reaching a key threshold of 10 tests per 10, 000 people per week, during the past month.

The statement quoted Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, as saying; they have also often fallen short when compared to other countries of a similar size in a different region.

For example, Senegal has significantly boosted its testing capacity, but is testing 14 times less than the Netherlands. Nigeria is testing 11 times less than Brazil.

The widespread use of high-quality rapid testing in Africa can revolutionise the continents response to COVID-19 pandemic. The new, antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests will help meet the huge testing needs in Africa,.

According to the statement, most countries in the region conduct polymerase chain reaction or PCR tests, the gold standard, which require laboratories, reagents and experts, limiting COVID-19 testing mostly to large cities.

People can wait from 48 hours to more than 10 days for results, as they are sent for laboratory verification.

The new rapid tests are easy to use, cheaper than PCR tests and provide the results in just 15 minutes to 30 minutes, enabling countries to decentralise testing, it said.

The statement quoted Moeti as saying that most African countries were focusing their attentions on testing travellers, patients or contacts, and estimate that a significant number of cases are still missed.

With rapid testing, authorities can stay a step ahead of COVID-19 pandemic , by scaling up active case finding in challenging environments, such as crowded urban neighbourhoods and communities in the hinterlands, it stated.

WHO stated that rapid antigen tests were an addition to PCR tests, not a replacement for them, and recommended tests that would be above 80 per cent accurate.

They are more reliable in patients who are symptomatic, with a high viral load, or a lot of virus in their upper respiratory tracts.

Currently the two tests which WHO has approved for emergency use are the standard Q COVID-19 Antigen Test by SD Biosensor Inc. and the Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device, manufactured by Abbott.

They test for proteins produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Bodily fluids are taken from a nasal swab and applied with liquid to a paper strip, where a dye gives the result.

WHO recommends that rapid antigen tests should be used in four scenarios; in suspected outbreaks where there is no access to PCR testing, including in remote, hard-to-reach areas.

It can be used to trace the extent of an outbreak where at least one case is detected through PCR, including in close-contact settings, such as prisons, among other high-risk groups like health workers and in areas with widespread community transmission, it stated.

According to the statement, globally, 120 million of these tests are being made available to low and middle-income countries through the ACT-Accelerator, a coalition launched by WHO and partners, comprising international organisations, the private sector and philanthropy.

It noted that it aimed to expedite the development, production and availability of promising tests, vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.

The statement added that under the umbrella of the ACT-Accelerator, UNITAID, the Global Fund, FIND and the Africa Centres for Disease Control, would distribute the tests in 20 African countries.

WHO is also supporting countries to procure the tests through the supply portal set up by the United Nations.

The health organisation is also working hand in hand with countries and partners to prepare for the roll out of the rapid tests by deploying technical experts, developing a training package.

It would also be issuing key guidance documents with detailed information on which situation and how to use the tests. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rotimi Amaechi

By Lucy Ogalue

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said that infrastructure and economic development wouldreduce crime and aid better functionality of the security agencies in the country.

Amaechi said this while delivering a lecture to participants of the National Defence College Course 29 in Abuja on Friday.

He recalled how he was able to tackle chaos and unrest among the people during his time as Governor of Rivers by addressing deficits ininfrastructure development.

To create jobs, we had to construct roads and other infrastructure projects. This process saw a lot of people being engaged and insecurity dropped drastically.

In Education, we employed, 13,200 teachers. We set up a Banana Farm with the capacity to employ over 500 persons everyday. This saw a lot of jobless youths being engaged.

In Rivers state, we built over 350 Model Primary Schools, which was not just to improve the standard of education and enlightenment but create employment also.

We built standard Primary Health Care Centres that were acknowledged by news agencies like CNN and Al Jazeera, he said.

According to Amaechi, the security crisis in the State was caused by youths who believed they were fighting for their rights and the even distribution of national resources.

He said they began to bomb pipelines, take crude oil and engage in kidnapping.

Amaechi said as Minister of Transportation,a lot is being done to improve the economy, create jobs for Nigerians and build more infrastructure.

He said the aim was to push the overall growth of the country in different sectors.

We have done a lot in Infrastructure development and employment. The massive infrastructural development in the Railway sector has employed so many Nigerians.

Also, dont forget that in 2011/2012, the out of school children In Nigeria was 10 million which has nowbeen reduced to about 3 million.

In 2013, the cost of Tomato was extremely high, and the then Minister of Agriculture invited me for a meeting and he said to me, can you provide railway transportation from Kano to Lagos?

I called the MD of the Railway to make the trip from Kano to Lagos more regular, and in one week, the price of tomato crashed, he said.

The Ministerfurther gave an insight on the connection between economic development and defence, in the light of security challenges.

He said the only way the army and the police could do their job effectively was when the economy began to grow and people were properly engaged with different activities.

The Army is not supposed to give internal security but the Police is overwhelmed by the crime rate, hence the Army has consistently been rescuing Nigerians.

Economic growth reduces crime and when there is no crime, the Military and Police can rest, Amaechi added.

Responding, the Commandant, National Defence College, Abuja, Rear Admiral MakanjuKadiri, thanked the Minster for gracing the lecture with his presence.

Kadiri also thanked Amaechi for the enlightenment on the role of economic and infrastructure development in curbing crime. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Air Force schools in Nigeria

By George Odok

The 305 Special Mobility Group of the Nigerian Air Force in Calabar has inaugurated the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) Little Angels creche and Kindergarten school.

The school, which would be for children of NAF personnel and the public, was inaugurated on Friday in Calabar by Dr Alfred Mboto, Permanent Secretary of Security, Cross River Governors office, Calabar.

Mboto said that the school which has modern facilities would improve the basic education of the children and sharpen their learning foundation.

The Commander of 305 Special Mobility Group of the Nigeria Air Force Calabar, Group Capt. Abraham Sule, expressed satisfaction with the modern facilities in the school.

Sule said that the school would lay a good foundation for the educational development of the children, adding that the command would continue to support the growth of the school.

Speaking, the NAFOWA Chairperson, Mobility Command, Mrs Asabe Ojeyemi, said that the school was one of the ventures of the association where they impact knowledge on little children from creche to primary six.

Ojeyemi, who was represented by the Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Anietie Nkanang, said that the school places a premium on quality education at an affordable price.

Our schools are spread out all across the Air Force Bases in the country and they are known to have excellent facilities.

It is paramount to note that the most formative years of children between the ages of 0-12 years are the most important and impactful years, hence the need to provide quality education in all our schools.

It is worthy to note that the school we are commissioning today was envisioned and put together at a difficult time when COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the economy and other aspects of our normal day to day activities.

I want to use this opportunity to express our appreciation to the visionary leadership of the NAFOWA National President, Mrs Hajiya Hafisat Abubakar, she said.

The NAFOWA Coordinator in Cross River, Mrs Sarah Sule, said that the association has been renowned for many initiatives targeting women, widows, youths and children.

She said that in line with their motto Service to Humanity, they target various programmes and capacity building initiatives in benefit of their target population.

Todays commissioning ceremony is one of such programmes. Education, especially early childhood education, is very important to NAFOWA.

We believe that once a solid education foundation has been laid, the chances of a successful educational journey is guaranteed, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Hoodlums looting relief materials in llorin

By AbdulFatai Beki

Hundreds of suspected hoodlums on Friday besieged the premises of Kwara Ministry of Agriculture and looted relief materials being distributed to victims of recent rainstorm in llorin metropolis.

The hoodlums, including females and teenagers, carried various dangerous weapons and chanted solidarity songs while looting the items.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the looting disrupted the ongoing distribution of the relief items under the supervision of some officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The NEMA officials, military personnel and some officials of the Kwara Emergency Management Agency took to their heels immediately they sighted the hoodlums.

The relief materials looted by the hoodlums were bundles of roofing sheet, bags of rice, bags of cement, blankets, mattresses, among others.

Mrs Lydia Wagami, a NEMA official who spoke with NAN on Friday, said she could not quantify the relief materials carted away by the hoodlums.

She expressed gratitude to God that everybody in charge of the distribution of the items escaped unhurt.

The hoodlums had earlier looted bags of rice from the Cargo shed at the llorin International Airport and the Nigeria Customs office along Ejiba road in llorin.

NAN reports that the activaties of the hoodlums caused panic among residents of llorin as commercial vehicles were completely off the roads while the looting lasted.

Several pedestrians tracked to their various destinations while some decided to pass a night where they have gone to. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Arik Air

By Yunus Yusuf

The management of Arik Air has announced the resumption of flight operations in and out of Lagos from Oct. 24, following the easing of the curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government.

Mr Adebanji Ola, the Communications Manager of Arik Air, announced this in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

Ola said that the flights across the country will operate as scheduled and passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early to have ample time to complete boarding formalities.

According to him, customers who could not use their tickets during the period of the curfew can modify such tickets at no extra cost.

He said that the management of Arik Air thanked customers for their understanding while the cancellation of flights lasted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline had on Oct. 20 announced the cancellation of all flights across the country after the Lagos State government imposed a 24 hours curfew on the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A COVID-19 palliative warehouse being looted by hoodlums

By Christian Njoku

Hoodlums under the guise of the ongoing #EndSARS protest on Friday looted Cross River COVID-19 palliative warehouse at Bishop Moinagh Street, State Housing Authority in Calabar.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the hoodlums were seen in their numbers carting away bags of rice, noodles, salt and gallons of vegetable oil.

They had earlier in the day blocked the Murtala Mohammed Highway, restricting vehicular movement.

As at the time of this report, men of the Nigerian Police Force, who just arrived the scene, were seen trying to restore order,

However, dispersing the crowd that had built was a herculean task as more and more people were seen trooping to the warehouse despite sounds of gunshot.

NAN also reports that some of the people seen carting away items from the warehouse were heard saying the food is ours but they are keeping it for themselves.

Gov. Ben Ayade has imposed a 24 hours curfew in the state starting from 6 p.m. on Friday.

Residents are advised to observe the curfew as security agents have been mandated to arrest anyone who flouts the order.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

OPC members warn hoodlums in South West

By Yemi Adeleye

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) on Friday called for an immediate stop to the destruction of lives and property in the South-West following the #EndSARS protests.

The socio-cultural group, loyal to its late Founder, Dr Frederick Fasheun, made the call in a statement signed by Chief Wasiu Afolabi, its Deputy President.

Rising from an emergency executive meeting, Afolabi warned that if the violence persisted, the organisation might be forced to roll out its men with a view to guarantee security.

The group lamented over the Lekki Tollgate shootings and the subsequent wanton destruction of lives and property, urging the rioters to withdraw from the streets and end the orgy of violence.

It urged President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately empanel commissions of enquiry at both federal and state levels to investigate, identify and sanction those behind Tuesdays shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki.

Such a heinous crime must not be swept under the carpet; or else we shall be nurturing a licence-to-kill mentality in our military men and security operatives as well as open up our civilian citizenry to the abuse and impunity of those supposed to protect us, Afolabi said.

He said that OPC noted with dismay the peaceful conduct of the #EndSARS protesters allegedly hijacked by hoodlums who now found an opportunity to loot, cause mayhem and destroy the economic basis of the region.

Afolabi said: OPC as an organisation will not fold its arms and watch the region turn into the scapegoat of #EndSARS protests.

However, the organisation noted that every agitation must end on the negotiation table and time has come for campaigners to step back and see whether or not the government would fulfil its promise to end SARS and bring about massive reforms in the police.

Afolabi said that OPC supported a peaceful #EndSARS campaign and fully backed the protesters, but condemned the destruction of businesses, particularly in the Southwest.

This, they said, might lead to loss of jobs by those who are gainfully employed in the affected places.

He said that OPC would not tolerate a situation where the Southwest region becomes the biggest losers of the anti-SARS campaign.

Afolabi commiserated with the families who lost their relations, friends and property in the violence that engulfed some states and prayed God to console them and restore their lost property. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos State House of Assembly

By Adekunle Williams

Mr Temitope Adewale, a Lagos lawmaker, says he has earmarked N10 million emergency relief fund for victims of the #EndSARS clash at Fagba area of the state.

Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaye Constituency 1 in Lagos House of Assembly, made this known to newsmen in Lagos on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there was bloody violence, burning and looting in the Ifako-Ijaiye area this week under the guise of #EndSARS protest.

Adewale said that the fund was to give respite to victims of the sad occurrence which claimed many lives in Fagba, Iju and Abattoir areas of Ifako-Ijaye, Lagos

It is with deep sorrow in my heart and in regret I speak with you because over the last decade we have struggled with infrastructure development and now we have burnt down the little we have.

Since the beginning of 2020, we have managed to be our brothers keeper and we survived through the COVID-19.

One Million Boys attack, NNPC Explosion, Iju/Ogundimu Gas Explosion and now the EndSARS clash which metamorphosed to tribal dispute in our community.

Sadly, lives were lost and lots of property were destroyed. The last three days have added another dark day to our history in Ifako Ijaiye.

I have therefore set up a N10 million Emergency Relief Fund as compensation and redevelopment of our community.

This might not be able to adequately compensate for lives lost and property, but would go a long way in rebuilding our community, he said.

Adewale said the fund would be used for renovations of police stations and other security outfits that were burnt down in the community.

He said there would be compensations for the indigent and those directly affected by the clash and crisis as deemed fit by the committee.

According to him, the committee is to be chaired by the Chairman, Community Development Council, Pastor Opajobi Samuel and Co-Chaired by Mr Jacob Dada.

Others are the representatives of the Arewa Community, Yoruba community, Youths and Market Women.

The lawmaker said he would continue to seek a lasting peace within the community and also be with them during the difficult times.

Adewale appealed to the teeming youths and freedom fighters to ceasefire and stop all forms of violence and destruction in the community.

He said: I also want to plead and appeal to our parents, guardians, religious leaders, community elders and leaders, to appeal to their wards, followers and members of the community to embrace peace.

I hereby appeal to the well-meaning residents of Ifako Ijaiye to be part of this and support any way they can by contributing financially and medically.

Let us join hands together in all ways we can to rebuild our community as we have nowhere else to go.

To all our first responders and gallant youths I commiserate with you, I say thank you and God bless you.

Together we shall rise above this unfortunate incident, Adewale added.

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Youths

By Esenvosa Izah

A Civil Society Organisation, the Civil Liberties Organisation( CLO), has urged youths in the country to form political parties capable of winning the 2023 presidential and other levels of elections.

Its Chairman, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos, was reacting to President Muhammadu Buharis Oct. 22 speech.

As long as Oct. 20 is ignored by government, there may not be any lasting or constructive engagement with government.

However, because hoodlums and criminals have taken advantage of the EndSars protests, I will advise the legitimate youths to vacate the streets as they are already doing.

The youths should forge ahead by strategising towards taking political power in 2023, with the ultimate aim of achieving their aspirations and ambitions.

This will include a massive youth sensitisation towards registering and collecting voters cards with 2023 polls in mind, he said.

The chairman commended the new salary structure proposed as part of the police reform.

He, however, called for other welfare packages, including training curriculum review, new police operational laws such as new arms handling laws, among others.

To this end, CLO recommends that the Police College should review its recruitment policy, to include psycho-mental health examination, and raising of educational programmes of the college, Omokhuale said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News