The Principal of Government Science Secondary School, Nassarawa-Eggon, and three other officials have been suspended for one month for meting out corporal punishment to some students.
The state Commissioner of Education, Mr. Tijjani Ahmed, who confirmed this to Northern City News on Thursday in Lafia, said the state government had banned corporal punishments in public schools across the 13 local government areas and 18 development areas of the state.
Ahmed explained that the decision followed the beating of some students of GSS, Nassarawa-Eggon, the video of which had gone viral in the social media.
He said, “We have constituted a committee to investigate the matter and report to the ministry in the next one week to enable the ministry to take appropriate action.
“Already, three staff members of the school including the Principal have been given a one-month suspension over their involvement in the corporal punishment pending the report of the committee set up by the ministry.”
He explained that the ministry had also written to all public schools informing their managements of the ban on corporal punishment.
He further warned teachers meting out corporal punishment to students to desist “as anyone caught would face disciplinary action.”
The education commissioner stated that “even if teachers would want to punish students for any offence, it should be minor punishment.”
He added that the government would continue to respond to the challenges facing the education sector in the state.
When our correspondent visited the school, the suspended school officials were not on duty, but it was gathered that the management had decided to stop punishing students who resumed late to avoid sanctions.
The white, horse-drawn carriage, preceded by a royal trumpeter in brown Ankara attire, carefully wove its way through the crowd.
The other vehicles in the convoy – three black sports utility vehicles and a limousine – moved slowly behind the carriage.
An Agere performer – a masquerade-like man moving on stilts and donning green buba and sokoto made of ofi fabrics – guided the procession.
The spectacle was scintillating. As soon as the convoy came into view and the crowd got a glimpse of the personalities inside the vehicles, a loud and long ovation erupted from the confines of the expansive stadium.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Aare Ganiyu Abiodun Adams, alighted from the royal carriage, and the crowd as well as the scores of cameramen and photographers, became nearly uncontrollable. It took the efforts of dozens of security agents to lead the two men of the moment and their entourage, including Ayinba Mojisola, Aare Adams’ wife, to their seats at the high table, where several men and women of means were already seated.
And as both the king and the generalissimo leisurely strutted to their seats, Ajobiewe, the popular Yoruba griot, launched into a long panegyric of the Alaafin’s pedigree and the heroics of his ancestors.
“You are the son of death whom death must not touch; you are the one that kills and the victim’s parents would return, in trepidation, to express gratitude,” Ajobiewe told the revered monarch.
The bard also sang the paeans of Gani Adams, narrating how the National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) had been fighting to promote Yoruba interests and how he truly merited the generalissimo’s sceptre.
Date was Saturday, January 13, 2018, and venue was the Durbar Stadium, Oyo, the once powerful capital of the old Yoruba Empire. It was the final and most anticipated lap of an event that had dominated public discourse in recent times. It was the day Gani Adams would be installed the new Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin.
The event was billed for 11am, but as early as six that morning, all roads leading to the stadium were already very busy. By eight, getting inside the stadium had become a herculean endeavour. Security agents, made up of hundreds of police personnel, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others, supported by hundreds of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) guards had a hectic time controlling the crowd and ensuring that only identifiable guests were allowed inside.
But that Saturday wasn’t the start of the coronation process. The journey actually began on Sunday, October 17, last year, when the Alaafin proclaimed the then Otunba Gani Adams the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo. The monarch said that the new commander of Yoruba military forces would be installed on January 13.
Oba Adeyemi had, in the proclamation letter, described Gani Adams as a distinguished son of Oduduwa and a Yoruba man in whom there is no guile.
“He is equipped by God with the vitality of youth, the agility of the long distance runner, unblemished patriotism, and the wisdom of Solomon. His antecedents in the promotion of Yoruba culture are unquestionable and he has a clear vision of where the nation should be, in its cultural reawakening, both at home and overseas.
“Since his days in OPC, formed to defend Yoruba interests at a very critical period, at a time the Yoruba needed it most, he has been going all over the world, promoting the language and the tradition of Yoruba people through his OPU. He has been promoting our festivals through his Olokun Festival Foundation. All these made him the natural choice for the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo, the generalissimo of the Yoruba nation.”
Culture
A masquerade and his attendants created a scene at the event. As he drifted to and fro inside the stadium, making some guttural sounds, his attendants followed him with massive heaps of fodder with which they attempted to set the masquerade on fire. They persistently torched the masquerade’s costume, yet it never ignited.
Devotees of assorted Yoruba religions were also there in their numbers, each clothed in traditional regalia. And sundry artefacts with Aare Gani Adams’ name inscribed on them were also on sale.
Seclusion
Although last Saturday was the coronation day, the process didn’t start that day. The pre-installation rites started on Wednesday, January 10, when the Kakanfo-designate was received by the chairman of the planning committee, an Oyo prince and retired Methodist Bishop, Ayo Ladigbolu. He was thereafter taken into seclusion somewhere in Oyo, where the rites typically done on the traditional generalissimo were concluded. The process was concluded on Friday evening when the new Aare emerged at the palace, accompanied by a number of women clad in red. The new Kakanfo was clothed in white, as usual, with a red wrapper draped around his body, and a dark scarf covering his head. He was also clutching an embroidered white sceptre.
Oyo agog
On Saturday, Oyo Town was filled to the brim. There were gridlocks in virtually all roads in the town, as thousands of people trooped in from all over the country and beyond. Motorists, apart from very important personalities like the governor, had to park their vehicles at an open field close to the stadium. Around the gate was a chaotic, rowdy atmosphere, with people struggling to enter the stadium.
Durbar Stadium itself donned an animated mien. Operatives of the various security outfits, OPC guards and other protocol officials had taken position inside and outside the stadium since early in the day. Well-decorated large tents, marked for different categories of dignitaries, stood on the field. In the different tents were politicians, monarchs, who came to the event from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo and other places, members of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) from Europe, Asia and North America. Members of the OPC and OPU, both led by the Kakanfo, had their own tents. Other dignitaries took their seats at the stands.
In the interim, while the crowd awaited the arrival of the chief host and Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, different cultural troupes from South-West states performed, to the admiration of many.
Shortly after, the chief host, Governor Ajimobi, arrived for the event, and the programme commenced with traditional prayers by Sango and Ifa priests, led by the Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon.
In his welcome address, chairman of the planning committee, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu explained why it was necessary to have an Aare Ona Kakanfo at this time. He traced the history of the office, noting that it was created in the 16th century by Alaafin Ajagbo to serve as the commander of the Yoruba army. The Alaafin subsequently appointed one of his friends, Kokoro Gangan, from Iwoye, in the present Benin Republic, as the first generalissimo.
The retired bishop also dismissed the myth that the title always brought misery and ruin upon its holders. In his words, the Aare Ona Kakanfo title was not a death certificate: “A former Kakanfo, Ojo Aburumaku, died in his house; he wasn’t at the warfront. Aare Latosa also did not die at the warfront. They died in their homes.”
He urged all Yoruba sons and daughters to support the new Aare in his efforts to bring back the values and ethos once cherished across Yorubaland.
No regrets appointing Adams
Also in his speech, the Alaafin debunked the belief that past Aare Ona Kakanfos all suffered violent deaths.
Said the monarch: “This is the last Aare Ona Kakanfo I am to install. The myth that every Aare Ona Kakanfo in the history of Yorubaland dies a violent death is not your portion. Your appointment would make a positive history and you will not be a victim of the violent death.
“The appointment of Gani Adams is deliberate because I considered his immense contributions to the socio-cultural development of the Yoruba people. I am deeply convinced that Gani Adams is up to the task of discharging the responsibilities of being an Aare Ona Kakanfo. The vast majority of people here to witness the installation means absolute acceptance of Gani Adams by the people. I have no regrets appointing Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo.”
From Kokoro Gangan to Gani Adams
Shortly after, the real installation was done. Oba Adeyemi invited the over 400 Yoruba monarchs at the event to move to the centre of the pitch. Then the monarch, along with the Aare, walked with magisterial gait to the enclosure where 15 calabashes had been arranged, each symbolically belonging to a past Kakanfo. With the monarchs watching the proceedings, Aare Adams picked the 15 calabashes one by one, paid homage to the owner and the Alaafin, and then proceeded to bless the Yoruba race and himself. He beseeched God to let peace reign in Yorubaland during his term. He then listed the names of the past Aare Ona Kakanfos, Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye (Benin Republic); Oyapote of Iwoye (Benin Republic); Oyabi of Ajase (Benin Republic); Adeta of Jabata; Oku of Jabata; Afonja of Ilorin; Toyeje of Ogbomoso; Edun of Gbogun; Amepo of Abemo (Benin Republic); Kurunmi of Ijaiye; Ojo Abururuku of Ogbomoso; Latosa of Ibadan; S.L. Akintola of Ogbomoso; and MKO Abiola of Abeokuta.
After successfully carrying the 15 calabashes, the crowd rewarded the new Aare with a standing ovation. The new Aare was then clothed in a new coat – the harvested skin of a leopard, which he proudly donned atop his white agbada. His head was also garlanded with the generalissimo’s coronet.
In his acceptance speech, Aare Adams informed the gathering that his installation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo was a challenge that had made all past challenges seem like a child’s play.
Said Adams: “The epoch-making event of today is symbolic, as 2018 marks the 558th anniversary of the installation of the first Aare Ona Kakanfo – Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye.
“It is of interest to note that the military, political, traditional and cultural symbolism of the title to the Yoruba Empire, about 600 years ago, is still of strategic importance in the 21st Century. This attribute reveals the uniqueness of the Yoruba race and shows that so much is still expected of the occupant of the post, despite the fact that physical and armed wars are no longer the order of the day.
“The import of the office still stands: protection of the interests of the Yoruba race, both within the country and everywhere people of the race exist.”
Asserting that the preservation of the Yoruba culture would be his first assignment, Aare Adams regretted that people of other races were more interested in the culture that the owners. He promised that his tenure would be tailored towards building bridges of unity.
“Inasmuch as the focus of my struggle has changed over the years, from the heady days of the OPC to the spread of our culture through the formation of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), which is now in 79 countries, the Olokun Festival Foundation, Gani Adams Foundation and many others, this new responsibility, despite my age, has unwittingly forced the stature of a statesman on me. I promise to live up to that calling.
“In this regard, I will work with our traditional rulers, grassroots leaders and have good rapport with all stakeholders, no matter the differences of the past, for the unity, progress and advancement of Yorubaland and Nigeria.
“The office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo will project the Yoruba culture and tradition by promoting and sustaining our identity globally. Also of strategic importance to me is research and documentaries to sustain the ideals of our founding fathers,” he said.
He pledged to give scholarships to Yoruba sons and daughters and also collaborate with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure adequate security across Yorubaland. He also promised to launch an Aare Ona Kakanfo Foundation and a website to document facts about the office and its past holders. He appealed to the federal government to quickly fix some of the critical roads in Yorubaland. These include Lagos-Ibadan, Oyo-Ilorin, Lagos-Badagry, Sagamu-Benin, Badagry-Lusada-Sokoto, Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo, Osogbo-Ilesa, Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Lokoja and Lagos-Abeokuta roads.
He advocated restructuring as a key factor for development in Nigeria, adding that every person that loves the growth and development in the country should support restructuring.
“I appreciate all the persons present here today for the celebration of my installation. I am deeply grateful for the support ever since I have been proclaimed as the Aare Ona Kakanfo. I promise not to let anyone down,” he said.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Toye Arulogun, said the appointment and installation of Aare Gani Adams by the Alaafin was in order. He prayed that the tenure of the new Aare would be peaceful and bring more peace and unity to Yorubaland.
Among the dignitaries at the event were top politicians, members of National Assembly, state lawmakers, past governors, eminent businessmen, over 400 royal fathers, union leaders, OPU delegates from 79 countries, OPU members and hundreds of others.
A thanksgiving service to round off Oba Adeyemi’s 47th coronation anniversary and appreciate God for Aare Adams’ installation was held the following day, Sunday, January 14 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Agogo, Oyo City. The new Kakanfo has since returned home to Lagos, from where he would be criss-crossing Yorubaland in fulfilment of his new mandate.
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Notice is hereby given to all the Biafrans in the UK that our Town Hall Meeting shall hold on Saturday 20 January 2018 at our usual venue, Betty Brunker Hall, Gambier House, Mora Street, London EC1V 8EH.
On behalf of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the entire Christian Community here in Nigeria, I welcome you to this press conference in the precious and wonderful name of Our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Since this is our first meeting this year, permit me to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and wishing you a productive and prosperous 2018.
We have invited you here to express our grave concern for the insecurity challenges that have continued to face us as a nation and Christians in particular in our dear country, Nigeria. We make bold to say that Nigeria’s security system has become dysfunctional and that this fact has been exposed by the inability of the various security arms to wrestle to the ground those threatening the existence of Christians and other innocent citizens in Nigeria,
As it is, they have not been able to come up with an efficient and enduring system that can overwhelm the resurgence of Boko Haram, Gunmen and Fulani Herdsmen who are prowling villages, shooting and killing innocent Christians. Instead the IG whenever there is killings going on his men on ground in that particular area will be looking the other way and if asked they will say they are waiting for order from above. The IG will always take side and make statements that are provocative to the people of the affected area. For example, when it happened in Southern Kaduna he said it was a communal clash and refuted the number of people killed. Recently he repeated the same statement in the Benue killings. That is an insult to the Christian community from a leader who is supposed to protect our lives and property. What a shame!
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reviewed the catalogue of horrendous and inhuman attacks on several states and mostly Benue State from 2013 – 2018. The impression has now been firmly established that the Islamists of northern Nigerian have “legalized jihad” in Nigeria.
As if the attacks on Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Yobe, Borno, Nasarawa, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Rivers, Ogun and Oyo States are not enough, the Islamists and their agents have extended their trail of blood and destruction to Bwari in Abuja and Ilorin in Kwara State. On Christmas Day, 2017, Christian community in Bwari, Abuja was attacked; several lives were lost while business locations were burnt down. On New Year’s Day in 2018, Christians observing “watch-night” service in Ilorin were attacked and three Churches burnt. As usual, the Security Agents did not intervene until the attackers had finished their horrendous assignment.
This pattern suggests collusion of the Security Units with the Islamists militia operating under such names as Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, “unknown gunmen”, and “group of vandals”. On 17th January, 2017, the Nigerian Air Force “accidentally”, in broad daylight, bombed a Christian IDP Camp and killed over 200 Christian refugees in Rann, Kala-Balge Local Government in Borno State. In December 2017, an Air Force spokes person confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force sent an Alpha Jet and an EC 135 attack Helicopter to fire “warning” shots at Islamist militia attacking Christians in Numan, Adamawa state, but not to kill them! The villagers were later to report that the Jet actually bombed the Christian villages resulting in the death of over 50 people, while, the Nigerian Air Force said it merely fired warning shots at the Islamist militia attacking the villagers. This is jihad as we cannot understand fired warning shots in the narrative of this attack.
It is clear to the discerning that President Buhari is not running Nigeria according to the dictates of the Democratic values in the Constitution and has no respect for Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy. It is unfortunate that a President that was sworn into office to uphold and defend the Constitution has flagrantly violated the Constitution and adopted Sharia ideology as operational standard.
Having reviewed the situation in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wishes to note that some principal entities appear responsible for the current distress in the nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Buhari was elected on a wave of unprecedented public approval in 2015. Unfortunately, within a few weeks of his election, he started creating the impression that he was in power to serve the interests of his Fulani ethnic group only. Discerning people were quick to note that contrary to his electoral promises, he actually meant to pursue core Islamist agenda. Almost every vital appointment in Security and Education went to Muslims from the North. He did not hide his disdain for the indigenous ethnic nationalities and, at every opportunity, showed preferential treatment to the Muslim North.
Under President Buhari, the murderous Fulani herdsmen enjoyed unprecedented protection and favoritism to the extent that the herdsmen treat Nigeria as a conquered territory. Rather than arrest and prosecute the Fulani herdsmen, security forces usually manned by Muslims from the North offer them protection as they unleash terror with impunity on the Nigerian people.
The bottom line is that President Buhari failed woefully to protect Nigerians. He wilfully permitted the Fulani herdsmen to operate killing people, destroying communities wholesale, destroying farmlands and turning the entire Middle Belt into “killing fields”, all the while enjoying government protection from counter attack, arrest or prosecution.
By failing to curb the attacks of the Fulani herdsmen President Buhari has failed to uphold Section 14, Para. 2 (b) in the Constitution that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government:”
Through his partial, sectional and discriminatory appointments, particularly in Security and Education, President Buhari violated Section 14, Para. 3 “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”
MIYETTI ALLAH CATTLE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association is supposed to be a business group much like many other businesses and professional groups in the country. However, the MACBAN differs from any other business group in that it combines bloodshed with enterprise.
The Fulani herdsmen are clearly associated with MACBAN and the officials of MACBAN are noted to make very inciting statements before and after the Fulani herdsmen attack vulnerable communities.
In the recent attacks on Benue State, the President of Benue Branch of Miyetti Allah, Garus Gololo said they attacked the communities because 1,000 of their cows were stolen. Even if it was true that cows were stolen, who constituted Miyetti Allah into law enforcement agency, judge and jury to commit wholesale murder?
In another account, Miyetti Allah called a Press Conference in which it stated it would not abide with the anti-open grazing law of Benue State Government. The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Government, Terve Akase believes that the attacks on Benue State on 1st and 2nd January, 2018 were in reaction to the grazing law enacted by the Benue State Government.
Miyetti Allah has openly rejected anti-open grazing bills in Taraba, Plateau and Benue States. In May 2017, the National President of Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo and the National Secretary Engineer Saleh Alhassan openly declared at a Press Conference that the introduction of anti-open grazing bill in some states is a recipe for anarchy. Are we now to conclude that a business group has supremacy over State Governments?
RESOLUTIONS
1. In view of the foregoing, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) calls on all lovers of freedom and democracy in Nigeria to rise against the tyranny of the Islamists, who manipulate the religion of Islam for political and cultural domination. There is difference between Islam and Islamism. While Islam is a religion, Islamism is not a religion but a political ideology. Islamism in Nigeria is based on the Doctrine of Hate and supremacist ideology that the Fulani is superior to the other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. This is what is at the root of the bloodshed and insecurity all over Nigeria. The clannish mentality of the Fulani places every other ethnic nationality in Nigeria as colonial subject or dhimmi (second class citizen), irrespective of religion or culture.
2. Most of the problems in the polity especially the ongoing genocide against Christians in the Northcentral are having religious and tribal undertone hence why the Islamic leaders are keeping mum to the massacre of our members in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, and Enugu states. It is part of the grand agenda to take over our land, with this I have good news for you. “It will not work”
3.
Instead of bringing the leadership of Myetti Allah… to book for being the masterminds of the genocide, top functionaries of the Buhari government are now advocating grazing colonies with a view of granting these criminals free land and government supports.
4.
While the government has taken the battle to Boko Haram terrorists, the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Badoo boys, the Niger Delta Avengers and other groups, the government has not shown any serious willingness to checkmate the murderous Fulani Herdsmen. This to us is a betrayal of the confidence reposed in this government by Nigerians when they voted them into power.
5. We need to know why the intelligence units of all security apparatus that we have in this country has not been able to discover the sources of supply of ammunition to Fulani herdsmen living virtually in the bush.
To restore permanent peace to all the trouble spots in the country, we demand the following;
1. The Myetti Allah organisation should be tagged a terrorist organisation. Its leaders should be arrested and prosecuted for the genocide against the Christian minorities in the Middlebelt.
2. President Muhammadu Buhari should overhaul the National Security Council with a view to sharing its membership equally between Christians and Muslims and possibly those who do not belong to either. No religion has a monopoly of competency, commitment and patriotism.
3. We call for immediate replacement of the Inspector General of Police because our security can no longer be guaranteed. We also demand immediate redeployment of all the Commissioners of Police.
Every Nigerian should condemn in strong terms and resist the attempt by this pro-Fulani government that “cattle colonies” shall be established all over the country. This is an insult on all Nigerians. The idea of “cattle colony” presupposes that the Fulanis are colonial masters. How and when one ethnic group transmuted into a “colonial master” over all the other 388 ethnic nationalities in Nigeria is unknown. Besides, after Nigerians roundly rejected “grazing reserves” who are the Islamists trying to deceive with change of nomenclature?
TRUMP’S DECLARATION ON JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL OF ISREAL IS IN ORDER
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is compelled once again, to draw the attention of the Buhari Administration to the non-aligned status of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in international conflicts. We have had cause to express great apprehension when in December 2015, President Buhari, without giving consideration to Section 10 of the Constitution, as well as to the sensitivity of Christians that constitute over 50% of the Nigerian population, led Nigeria to join the Saudi Arabia initiated Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC).
Since then, there have been other disturbing actions of the President internally, that borders on adoption of Islam as state religion in a Secular State. These include the promotion of Sharia Compliant Finance, using State resources, violation of Federal Character Principle in the Constitution by appointing mostly Muslims to head Security Units in the nation, and the inability of the Government to arrest and prosecute rampaging Islamic militias, amongst others.
Recently, Mr. President once again dragged Nigeria to interfere in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict by voting against the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at the United Nations. The non-aligned status of Nigeria demanded that Nigeria should have abstained from voting, either for or against, when the issue came up at the UN.
We wish to place on record, once again, the dangerous and un-statesmanship religious discrimination and partiality that have characterized the President Buhari-led administration. Nigeria is a Secular State and the issue of religion is supposed to be an individual conviction. While the choice of a nation’s capital is a political decision, the objection of the Palestinians to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in this case, has a lot of religious undertones.
Nigeria should have been more circumspect before it dabbles into an issue that has been entangled over the years so that it would not compromise its non-aligned status. Mr. President, Nigeria has a lot of security challenges internally that demand immediate attention and leave no room for the nation to meddle in issues that demand our neutrality.
The Christian Association of Nigeria is placing on record that the negative vote of Nigeria over Jerusalem is not the consensus of the citizens of this country and therefore, it should not be regarded as representing the choice of Nigeria. It is a sectional and unilateral imposition of the President Buhari Administration.
Again and again, Muslim leaders from the northern part of the country have demonstrated inability to respect the secularity of the Nigerian State and leave religion as an individual conviction according to Section 38 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
We demand of the President holistic response to curb the horrendous menace of the Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram, who to all intent and purpose have launched Jihad in Nigeria. These are the issues our President should focus on rather than seek to compromise our non-aligned status that serves our national interest very well.
Thank you and God bless Nigeria.
Rev. Musa Asake, PhD.
The Senate yesterday issued a two-week ultimatum to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, within which to investigate the mass killings in Benue State and arrest the masterminds.
It called on the Attorney-General of Benue State, to immediately prosecute those expected to be arrested by the IGP.In the same vein, there was anger in the House of Representatives over the killings, as majority of the lawmakers berated President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies for failing in their duties to ensure security of lives and property in the country. The Senate sternly warned Idris not to flout its decision, vowing it would ensure that the decision was carried out.
It mandated its leadership to meet with Buhari and ensure that the recommendations were fully implemented without any delay.
A Senate ad-hoc committee on Review of National Security Infrastructure, last weekend, visited affected communities in Benue. It also met with Governor Samuel Ortom, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state.
Senate President Bukola Saraki insisted: “The President must act. Those responsible must be held accountable. Military all the time cannot be the solution.
“Action must begin to happen to show to Nigerians that we are not just talking. We need to ensure that this never happens again. We need to restore hope.”
His deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, who warned of a looming war also called on Buhari to declare a nationwide state of emergency. He contended that with the declaration, the Federal Government would have the leeway to deploy troops to every part of the country, close borders and take drastic actions to tackle the menace.
He declared: “The international and the intelligence community are worried that war is coming to Nigeria. We must not allow this to happen. The constitution says that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and properties. Everyday, we come here to condemn the killings and observe a minute silence.
“When I talk about state of emergency, it is not removing governors. It is to protect lives. I am calling that state of emergency be declared in every part of the country. Egypt has done that. We have come to that.
“It is important for us to have a rethink of creating a state police. Every state should have the kind of police that fits into their system. Nigeria is the only democracy that still has a central police. The states that can provide for it financially should be allowed to do so.”
Former Senate President, David Mark, blamed the problem on failure of intelligence. He said the Federal Government was not proactive in responding to national crises.
He warned that if this issue was not tackled, Nigerians might resort to self-help and take up arms against the state.
Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, wondered why security agencies gave preferences to some parts of the country more than others.
He said as long as governors did not control security apparatuses in their various states, insecurity would persist in the country.
Committee chairman on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Samuel Anyanwu, called on the Federal Government to proscribe herdsmen and tag them as terrorists.
He warned that the government must not play politics with the issue. He said if the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) could be proscribed as a terrorist organisation, despite the fact that they did not carry arms, herdsmen must also be given the same treatment.
Former governor of Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero, called on the Senate to reconsider a bill sponsored by Rabiu Kwankawso on grazing, saying its passage would solve the frequent clashes.
And in the House of Representatives, there was anger as members had a heated debate on a consolidated motion by Gabriel Kolawole and Dickson Takighi on “need for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security in the country over spate of deadly attacks in the country by suspected herdsmen.”
The House resolved to set up a committee to meet with heads of security agencies in the country to ascertain measures put in place to forestall future attacks.
Wale Raji said the police and other security agencies saddled with the task of providing security in the affected areas failed the people.
Afe Olowokere said Buhari did not help matters in the case of killings arising from the attacks from suspected herdsmen.
Sadiq Ibrahim said the herdsmen needed the protection of every Nigerian, noting that the herdsmen lacked the basic comfort others took for granted.
Hassan Saleh said the Federal Goverment failed the people of Benue, “what we are seeing is a big failure. We were with the President yesterday and our take home was nothing.”
Mark Gbillah said: “This administration has failed the Benue people. There is no more respect for the sanctity of human life. That is why our president choose to commission trains instead of coming to commiserate with the people of the state.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Speaker Yakubu Dogara said: “From the senseless killings in Rivers State, to the killing rampages in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Adamawa, Edo and other states; our dear country is now being painted red with the blood of the innocents on account of unremitting bedlam callously promoted by cold hearted merchants of death.
“This House has passed many resolutions on the issue of herdsmen, cattle grazing and cattle rustling. There have also been several resolutions on kidnapping, Boko Haram terrorism and sundry security matters.
“These resolutions are more of a wake-up call to the Executive on its constitutional obligations in governance. The accentuation of violent crimes is a chronic symptom of defects in our security architecture, which we must fix.
“I therefore call on Mr. President to apply maximum sanctions on public officers who are derelict in the performance of their duties.
“We cannot afford to fold our hands and pretend that all is well with our country. We have a responsibility to all Nigerians regardless of creed or ethnicity.
“We expected that with the legislative cooperation given to the Executive arm, to effect an increase in the fuel price from N87 per litre to N145, and based on their assurances, incidents of fuel scarcity would be a thing of the past. “We were also assured that fuel subsidy had come to an end. From recent developments on this subject, except the Executive adduces compelling reasons why the reverse is the case, we will be justified in feeling betrayed.
six persons were feared killed while several others sustained injuries in two separate gas explosions in Lagos State, yesterday.
One of the explosion that occured in Magodo, which snowballed into a massive fire, took place at a facility known as Second Coming gas plant, situated in a densely populated area.
It was gathered that two people died in the Magodo inferno. Some charred bodies found by the perimeter fence of the gas station were evacuated by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) while those that had various degrees of burns received first aid there. Another set of victims with severe burns were immediately moved to the Trauma Centre, Toll Gate for further medical attention.
According to reports, the fire was allegedly caused by gas leakage from one of the trucks inside the popular gas station, which was said to be a destination spot for cooking gas users around the area. It was further disclosed that the explosion was caused when a vehicle with faulty exhaust passed by the station.
Many people were injured following the fire, which immediately spread to other properties in the neighbourhood.
As the dark smoke and flame billowed into sky, men of the Lagos State Fire Service tried frantically to curtail it from spreading further and claiming more casualties. Motorists and pedestrians were also advised to take alternative routes to avert further disaster.
Speaking on the incident, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr Adesina Tiamiyu, said they were alerted at about 7.26 am, and on arriving the scene, it was discovered that the gas plant was on fire.He disclosed that preliminary investigation by the agency revealed that three reserviour tanks used for storage of gas and one 33, 000 litre gas truck in the gas station were engulfed by fire, with a secondary explosion also taking place within the gas station.
“Officials of the Lagos State Fire Service with four fire trucks and the LRU Fire Unit with two fire trucks were able to contain the fire from spreading to adjourning buildings. Other emergency responders on ground were RRS, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Red Cross, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Fire Service,” he disclosed.
He, however, assured that the situation was completely under control, adding that the perimeter of the vicinity was secured and evacuation of people from the scene effected. He also noted that the officials of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) had also completely isolated power supply from the affected area to avoid any other incident.
He stressed that proper investigation would be conducted to ascertain the possible cause of the fire and to also prevent future reoccurrence of “this unfortunate and avoidable incident in the state.”
The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, also explained that the concerted efforts of his team prevented the fire from causing more damages.
Also, an explosion by leaking gas cylinder at an artisan’s shop in Ajara area of Badagry, killed four persons and left several others with severe burns. According to our correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident, three persons, two men and a woman lay dead at the spot.
Six buildings located near the workshop and six gas cylinders were destroyed by the explosion which occurred at about 9:50 am. Officials of the Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Police and other security agencies were on ground to control the situation.
An official of the fire service, Mr Tunde Adeboye, said that they were able to put out the fire quickly, which helped in reducing the damage.
A senior police officer at the scene, who pleaded anonymity, said that four persons died in the explosion.
A witness, Mr Segun Adebunmi, said that the explosion was caused by a leaking gas cylinder at the artisan’s shop.
“It’s a testimony that I’m alive as I escaped the scene by the whiskers,’’ he said.
Another witness, Mr Tope Alabi, said that the explosion destroyed cars that were parked on the street.
“I heard a loud bang and the glasses of cars were shattering and the next thing I saw were human parts littered all over the place. The security agencies responded promptly and contained the situation. So, it didn’t escalate,’’ he said.
A former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke has disclosed reasons why he may contest for the Presidency in the upcoming 2019 Elections.
Duke, while speaking at the 3rd mike Omotosho Annual awards on Sunday, said that he will only initiate his campaign if the circumstances were right.
He encouraged youths to participate in the electoral process adding that ‘Millenials are Protagonists’. He advised them to go and get their Permanent voters Card(PVC) rather ‘loafing around’.
“I hear young people ask why would they spend hours queuing and casting their votes when, at the end, their votes won’t count. I tell them that if when parents conceived them, they never gave up on them considering the high mortality rate; so why would they not take a chance in building this nation?
“We had young leadership at one stage or the other. Even in our first republic, besides the likes of Awolowo and Tafawa Balewa, M. T. Mbu was in his 20s when he became a minister.
“Gowon was 30 when he became the head of state. It comes back to the disaster, therein, because most of them didn’t have experience in governance, which led us into civil war. We need the combination of both.”
