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Amaechi Denies Saying Stealing Public Funds Is Done Quietly Under Buhari Government’

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has denied reports quoting him as saying that stealing is done quietly under the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
It was reported that the minister had said in an interview with Daily Trust on Sunday that stealing of public funds under the Muhammadu Buhari-led government is not done in the open.

Speaking on the legacy of the Buhari administration, the former Rivers governor said that the present administration has handled Nigeria’s resources very well.

He said: “I want Nigerians to be honest; can you openly take money in this government? I am not saying whether we are corrupt or not.

“Let us assume we are corrupt, can you openly take money in this government? In the past governments, what happened? You can take money in the streets. Corruption was so pervasive that nobody was talking about it. It was not hidden that people completely and openly displayed their wealth.

“Most of those who did that had nothing to do to show for it. They did not have a carpentry shop, but they were billionaires. They did not hide it; but here, if you are stealing, it is done quietly. I am not saying it is good, it is a sin punishable. In the previous government, you could steal and you won’t be caught. If you were caught, there won’t be consequences. But in this government, if you steal there are consequences,” Amaechi added.

But in a telephone interview with the same media outlet on Tuesday, the minister denied saying that corruption is prevalent under the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

According to the former Rivers governor, he was misrepresented and misquoted in the widely circulated interview.

Amaechi added that the administration has succeeded in curbing impunity and corruption, unlike the previous governments.

He claimed that during the previous government, someone without any means of verifiable livelihood could become a billionaire due to corruption.

Refuse Covid-19 Vaccination And Get Sanctioned – FG Tells Nigerians

The Federal Government has stated that it is considering sanctioning eligible Nigerians who refused to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Speaking on Tuesday during a media briefing in Abuja, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, said the decision will soon be taken following the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.

The NPHDC boss added that the government may punish eligible Nigerians who refused to be vaccinated but put other people that have been vaccinated in danger.

Shuaib added that the Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health are exploring ways of making vaccines more available to all Nigerians.

He said: Nigerians who refuse COVID-19 vaccination“The Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health is exploring ways of making vaccines more available to all Nigerians including federal civil servants and corporate entities.

“Once these vaccines are made equitably available to all Nigerians, then we would need to have a frank discussion about justice, fairness and liberty that exist around vaccine hesitancy.

“If some individuals refuse to take the vaccine, hence endangering those who have or those who could not due to medical exemptions, then we have to apply the basic rule of law which stipulates that your human right stops where mine begins.

“So, you have a right to refuse vaccines, but you do not have the right to endanger the health of others.”

Meanwhile, a federal high court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital has disagreed with Governor Godwin Obaseki on his decision to ban residents of the state who are yet to be vaccinated from entering public places.

The Court in its ruling on Tuesday in a suit with reference number: FHC/PH/FHR/266/2021 filed by Charles Osaretin told the Governor to stay action until some matters are settled.

Naija News recalls Obaseki had declared that starting from the second week of September, people in the state will be required to show their COVID-19 vaccination cards before gaining access to public spaces.

Following his declaration, Osaretin had taken the matter to court and urged the court through his lawyer, Echezona Etiaba (SAN) to prevail on the Governor to maintain the status quo.

After hearing the argument, a vacation judge, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam ruled that all parties should maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, for the enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.

The court also granted the request to serve the respondents by publishing the court’s processes in a national daily newspaper circulating in Nigeria.

The case has now been adjourned till September 10 for a hearing of the substantive motion.

Kidnappers Invade Bishop Oyedepo’s Church In Kogi, Abduct Members

It was learnt the kidnappers invaded the church during the weekend, shooting indiscriminately to scare people away before successfully whisking their victims away.

Three members of the Living Faith Church Worldwide founded by Bishop David Oyedepo have been kidnapped at Osara community in the Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

It was learnt the kidnappers invaded the church during the weekend, shooting indiscriminately to scare people away before successfully whisking their victims away.

The assailants reportedly invaded the church while some members were holding a meeting.

The chairman of the local government area, Joseph Omuya Salami, confirmed the abduction of three members of the church to journalists, through his special adviser on media and publicity, Habeeb Jamiu.

He said the council chairman and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Osara Division had visited the crime scene, and that the council was working with security agents to rescue the victims.

“Even before now, we had a series of meetings with the people of Osara community and entire farm centre. And I told them to restrict every night activities for now, and whoever that want to hold any activity in the night should get appropriate quarters informed and also get their approval to ensure that adequate security is provided, but out of their disobedience, they chose otherwise.

“We all know the security challenges of this country, and the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello is doing everything humanly possible to keep Kogi State safe, protect lives and property. So, all hands must be on deck to strengthen the peace in our various communities,” he said.

20-Year-Old Mother Gives Birth to ‘An Old Woman’

A 20-year-old woman has been left disturbed after giving birth to a baby that looks like an old woman.

The South African woman gave birth to the baby with a rare condition called progeria, a progressive genetic disorder that causes children to age rapidly.

Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is caused by a mutation (change) in the lamin (LMNA) gene.

The woman from Libode in Eastern Cape, delivered the baby girl at home two months ago. Local mid-wives including the baby’s grandmother noticed that she exhibited signs that were different from most babies. Her hands are deformed and her skin was wrinkled. She is currently in hospital with her mother.

“When she was in labour we called an ambulance but it took long to come. So she gave birth here at home. But the delivery got complicated and we hired a van to take her to hospital,” the grandmother said.

“We were told there that she’s disabled. I noticed during her birth that there was something strange with her. She did not cry and she was breathing through the ribs. I was shocked because that was strange. Now I hear that people are calling her names. That hurts a lot. If I had means, I would put all of them in jail,” she added.

Photos of the baby have been circulating on social media. Some users likened her to an ape, causing outrage and anger among those who sympathize with her.

Director of children’s rights organisation, Khula Community Development Project, Petros Majola, believes communities need to be educated about this condition.

“Communities must know that the mother did not apply for her baby to be like this. In a woman’s womb, there is no construction or factory that builds babies. People need to embrace this child for who she is,” says Majola.

Medical experts say the genetic condition occurs randomly and is not inherited. Doctor Martha Mayer, a neonatologist at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital says the syndrome is very rare.

“Progeria is a genetic condition that makes the baby age faster. Another thing is that these children also develop heart diseases and their life span is very short. We have never had a child with that condition in this hospital. It is very rare, maybe it happens to one in four or eight million people.”

Progeria affects about 1 in 20 million people around the world and there is no known cure.

Ontlametse Phalatse, who captured the hearts of many South Africans for her brave battle with progeria, died at the age of 18 in 2017.

Sunday Igboho Wins Again, defeats Malami, Nigerian Government in Court

Activist, Sunday Adeyemo alias Sunday Igboho has yet again emerged victorious against the Nigerian authorities in court.

The Nigerian government, Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami have lost another application seeking the vacation of an order by the Oyo State High Court restraining the government from arresting, intimidating, harassing Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho.

The court had also blocked the government from freezing the bank accounts of Igboho.

It was learnt that Justice Akintola on August 4 granted an order of interim injunction restraining the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies from arresting the activist.

Counsel for the AGF, Enoch Simeon had appealed to the court to vacate Judgement on the restraining order

However, in a recent ruling, Justice Akintola said the application by the AGF is against fair hearing and the fundamental human rights of the applicant because it has to do with his free movement.

Akintola refused to grant the application and therefore adjourned the case till September 7 for further hearing.

Buhari: Fulani Planning To Take Over Nigeria, I Have Genuine Proof – Gov Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has maintained he has a document to prove his claims that the Fulani speaking people are planning to take over Nigeria in a similar way the Taliban took over Afghanistan recently.

It will be recalled that Ortom had earlier vowed not to watch President Muhammadu Buhari-led government destroy the country.

The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain also said he is aware of the Presidency’s plot to cause crisis in Benue and make the state ungovernable for him by declaring a state of emergency.

Ortom during an interview with BBC pidgin at the weekend, said he believed the Federal Government is aware of the terrorists which it has termed as ‘unknown gunmen’ in its publications. According to him, Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria have remained committed to their long-time plan to conquer the entire nation.

He stressed further that the Fulani Nationality Movement who claimed responsibility for his recent attack, have boasted that Nigeria is their only country.

Ortom’s face-off with the presidency has included him criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged inability to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.

The governor lamented that terrorism is beginning to take over the country like Afghanistan and other warring countries in the world.

He said, “Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM were the people who attempted to kill me recently. They said Nigeria is the only country that belongs to them. It is written and I have the document.

“I have sent copy of the document to the president, police, DSS. The FUNAM said they wanted this revolution in 1800 but could not achieve it through Usman Danfodio.

“They claimed that they have the power, money, and all it takes to achieve it”.

“The terrorism that we used to hear in far away countries like Afghanistan Iraq and other warring countries has surfaced in Nigeria.

“And as it is, it seems the presidency is in support of what is happening because it is not saying anything.

“Like I always say, if the Federal Government has the power to stop secessionists like Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho then the should have the power to stop banditry in the country too.

“They call the attackers unknown gunmen but for me, I know that they are Fulani people coming to kill us. And the presidency is involved in this agenda.

“The Fulani people have claimed that they want to capture the entire country”, he added.

Just In: Tension As Security Operatives Seals Plateau House Of Assembly Complex

After a heavy combined security personnel sealed the Plateau State House of Assembly in Jos early Monday morning, tensions are rising surrounding the complex.

Mr. Ponven Wuyep, the House clerk, told Blueprint via phone interview that the combined security force had been deployed.

“The OC police at the house woke me up early in the morning, telling me that the police headquarters in Jos had ordered him to seek reinforcement, but he later told me that a major joint security taskforce had been deployed to the House even before he did that.

“I’m on my way to the office to take a look around.”

According to Blueprint, mixed emotions have accompanied the House’s declaration that the people should “practically stand up to defend themselves.”

Details later…

Death of Abdulkarim Na’Allah culpable homicide: Kaduna govt

The Kaduna State Government has described the death of pilot Abdulkarim Na’Allah as “appearing to be a case of culpable homicide”.

Mr Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, stated this on Sunday in Kaduna.

The late Capt. Abdulkarim was the eldest son of Sen. Bala Ibn Na Allah.

Aruwan said the state government has been informed by security agencies that the remains of aircraft Capt. Ibn Na’Allah were found in his Kaduna home.

“In what appears to be a case of culpable homicide, the deceased was found in a bedroom in his residence in Malali, Kaduna North LGA, apparently after having been strangled with a rope.

“A vehicle was stolen from his parking lot by the assailants,’’ he statement said.

The Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident.

The remains of the pilot were buried on Sunday evening at Unguwan Sarki Cemetery, Kaduna.

Aruwan said that in another incident bandits killed one person at Janwuriya, Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

He said Gov. Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep sadness at the incidents as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims.

The governor urged security agencies to conduct vigorous investigations into the incidents and apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Kaduna State Command, Mr Mudasiru Abdullahi, has ordered a full scale investigation into the assassination of a Nigerian Pilot, Mr Abdulkarim Ibn Na-Allah.

Abdullahi gave the order late Sunday in Kaduna in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige.

“I have directed that a full scale investigation be carried out with a view to unraveling the identities of the culprits and bringing them to book,“ the CP was quoted as saying in the statement.

Son of Adamawa Sen. Bala Ibn Na-Allah, the 36-year-old aircraft captain was allegedly murdered in his Kaduna residence on Aug. 29.

“The report has it that the assassins forcefully gained access into the residence of the pilot at Umar Gwandu Road, Malali, Kaduna during the night hours, choked him to dead in cold blood and made away with his Lexus SUV to an unknown destination,“ the CP said in the statement.

2023: Nigerians Have Been Deprived Dividends Of Democracy, PDP Remains The Only Hope For Them – Tambuwal

Sokoto State Governor and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ forum, Aminu Tambuwal has declared that the party is putting its house in order to reclaim federal power in 2023.
He stated that Nigerians have been deprived of dividends of democracy in all states that are not governed by the PDP.

Speaking on Saturday during the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting, Tambuwal added that Nigerians are already tired of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Whenever you hear a major event, activity or commissioning of projects, it is happening only in PDP state,” he said.

He added that “We shall continue to do our best and we assure you of our total loyalty to our party.”

The Sokoto State Governor while acknowledging challenges within the PDP, added that the party is putting its house in order and resolving all contentions ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

“Challenges, disputation, disagreement are a part of life and indeed politics. But what is important is how they are resolved.”

“We have activated all mechanisms that we have in PDP to resolve all of our issues, and as the chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) said, we are there by the grace of God.

“We shall continue to hold together, remain together, because we are the hope of the people of Nigeria and Nigerians are looking forward to PDP, and we cannot afford to fail them.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, had stated that stealing under the Muhammadu Buhari-led government is not done in the open.

Speaking on the legacy of the Buhari administration, the former Rivers governor said if there is stealing at all, then it is done quietly under the current government.

He told Daily Trust in an interview published on Sunday that the present administration has handled Nigeria’s resources very well.

Amaechi claimed that during the previous government someone without any means of verifiable livelihood could become a billionaire due to corruption.

Fulani Vagabonds Making Life Unbearable For Nigerians Will Be Struck With Blindness Within 24hrs – Oyedepo Spits Heavy Curses

The president of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has condemned the activities of bandits, terrorists and other criminals.
Speaking on Sunday, the cleric warned that the blood of the innocent citizens killed by the unscrupulous elements will fight for them.

Oyedepo, a popular critic of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, identified Fulani Vagabonds as those making life unbearable for Nigerians.

He declared that, “The God of vengeance is rising in defence of this nation today.

“You can tell how many destinies have been unsettled by the unsettlement of this nation: Fulani vagabonds making life impossible for local people and do they claim not to know?

“We heard it exposed but I knew it before. Fire from now. You are sons and daughters of the prophet, go invoke the same fire you hear being invoked on this altar. Heaven will answer.

“And the Church became mute; they cut the neck of a church leader in this kind of age. If nothing happens, God has not sent me, but judgment will be ravaging the land from now.

“Many will sleep and never wake up. Many will be struck with blindness in 24 hours.

“Many will be crippled in 3 days. My God is turning the table against the wicked.”

On the 2023 election, Oyedepo stated that Nigerians would not make the same mistake they made in 2015.

He claimed that Nigerians refused to listen to him when he warned against the president government.

“The error this nation made in 2015 will never be repeated forever. The choice of the wicked to sit on the throne of Nigeria will never be repeated. This nation will experience a new order of settlement,” the clergyman said.

“For the blood of many that they have wasted, their generations will pay for it. Every time the Holy Ghost moves on me in this direction, something happens and I know that, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ whom I serve, judgement begins now.”