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Osun Panel: Son demands N100m compensation for father’s death

Lateefat Ibrahim
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A petitioner, Olusegun Olaosebikan told the Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings at its resumed sitting on Friday that the killing of his father made him to become a school dropout.

 

Olaosebikan, who approached the panel to seek justice for the murder of his father, said the killing also rendered the family wretched as tangible and intangible properties of the deceased were disposed of to take care of his hospital and other bills following the gunshots he received from a police officer.

 

Narrating his ordeal, Olaosebikan said his late father was shot by the police on January 1st, 2001 when he and the deceased were returning from crossover prayer night to herald the New Year.

Breadwinner of the family
The petitioner in his petition said the deceased who was the breadwinner of the family was gruesomely killed by overzealous officers who were on patrol in Iwo.

 

He said the incident had wreaked havoc on the family as the entire property and personal belongings of the deceased were disposed off to save his life before he finally died.

 

The petitioner, who was crestfallen, said he was forced to drop out of school when he couldn’t afford the tuition fees.

 

“I had to drop out of school when I couldn’t afford to pay the tuition fees. I was studying statistics at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, before the incident occurred.

 

“On that fateful day, my daddy and I were returning from worship centre where we went to pray to herald the New Year when some police officers drove across our path and started shooting. 

 

“It was in the process that my father was shot on the head. We rushed him to the hospital in Iwo before he was transferred to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he spent six months.

 

“On that fateful day, there were five police officers in the patrol vehicle, but the only one I could identify was Olalekan Jimoh, who was not produced to face the law.

 

“Unfortunately, all efforts to keep the deceased alive and save him proved abortive as he died after six years of excruciating agonies.

 

“The incident made me to drop out of school when I couldn’t afford to pay the tuition fees. Not only that, I was unable to stay at school because of his serious sickness and we had to sell virtually all his belongings, including landed property and farm lands to save his life before he finally gave up the ghost.

 

“Though we took the matter to Iwo High Court in 2002, we were forced to withdraw the case when there was a palpable ‘threat to life’ by some top police officers.

 

“We are here after 20 years to re-present the case in line with the government’s directive to forward any petition on police brutality.

 

“I am appealing to the panel to grant all my prayers to fish out the killers and order adequate compensation to the tune of N100million,” he stated.

 

Ruling in the case, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji (rtd.), ordered the presentation of final addresses by the two parties and adjourned the case to March 19th, 2021 for the adoption of the said addresses.

 

The panel, after legal arguments by both counsels to determine whether or not it had the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the petition filed by Mr. Mustapha Muideen and two others whose petitions premised on the gruesome killing of eight out of ten occupants of a commercial bus attacked, robbed and burnt by police officers in Kogi State few years ago, adopted the final address presented by the petitioners’ counsel.

 

The panel also adopted the final address filed by Mr. Wasiu Jimoh against Osun State Commissioner of Police, while cases filed by Mr. Adeola Paul Sunday; Mrs Kafayat Ibitoye &1OR; and Mr. Kehinde Ajibola all against Osun State Commissioner of Police were further heard by the panel.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim

PR Expert seeks Legal Framework for Lobbying Practice

Lateefat Ibrahim
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The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR has called on the National Assembly to amend the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Practitioners’ Act to include the establishment of a legal framework for the practice of lobbying in the country.

Keynote speaker, retired Brigadier General Sani Usman, the Consultant Director of Corporate Affairs and Information at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, proffered the recommendation at the maiden 3-Day workshop of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, in Calabar, Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.

Brigadier General Usman, who spoke on the topic ‘Institutionalising Lobbying in Nigeria As Catalyst for National Development’ also recommended that: “the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture should develop a policy framework for lobbying, promoting its principles, transparency and integrity as public relations function in Nigeria.”

Enhancing participations

According to Usman, lobbying plays a significant role in participatory democratic decisions and policymaking in a presidential system of government and has values closely related to freedom of speech and healthy debate.

He noted that western countries like the United States of America and the United Kingdom have for years institutionalised lobbying and employed the services of lobbyists to influence policies, legislations and more.

The PR expert stated that although lobbying was misunderstood in Nigeria, “the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations should push for the recognition and the establishment of lobbying as essential public relations function and draw up a Code of good conduct on lobbying.”

He averred that lobbying has been used in Nigeria by different cultures and societies in varying forms and context, saying “every culture and society practice lobbying.”

He said lobbying is a form of mediation in which individual or groups seeks support for a particular issue to be deliberated by the community or leader to bring about change of mind or favourable disposition in contentious issues towards another party.

Usman said that to serve as a catalyst for national development, lobbying must be integrated as part of legislative decision and policymaking process in Nigeria.

“It will, therefore, be good if Nigeria imbibes the lobbying culture because of its inherent advantages in enhancing democracy alongside the culture of debate and transparency in governance. Adopting standard rules regarding lobbying in Nigeria will no doubt strengthen its practice and institutionalise it,” he stressed.

He adds that there is need to effectively manage and regulate the practice of lobbying as a specialised public relations function in Nigeria, even as no law or legislation could prevent criminally minded persons or groups from abusing lobbying.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim

 

 

CBN unveils rice pyramids In Kebbi

Mosunmola Ore
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The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has unveiled “the world biggest rice pyramids” in Kebbi State

The pyramids are a collection of nearly 100,000 bags of 70kg rice paddies harvested from various fields of Kebbi state’s farmers who have benefited from the ABP.

The Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele, While leading the ceremony in Zauro, Kebbi State, revealed that the apex bank financed 21,450 farmers for the cultivation of 221,450 hectares in 32 states, through the 2020 wet season CBN-RIFAN partnership.

“The North-West zone with 85,261 farmers that cultivated 120,218 hectares represented 38.5 percent in the total number of farmers and 54.3 percent in the total number of hectares financed”, he said.

Emefiele charged all stakeholders to take advantage of the apex bank’s initiatives to keep stimulating the production of agricultural commodities and, thereby meet the food requirements of the country’s rising population.

“The rhetoric around neglect of previous years will remain part of our history and the best time to correct those mistakes is now and every stakeholder must contribute their quota to guarantee the realisation of these national targets.

“COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns globally have shown that nations only export out of their reserves. Let us start building our reserves now,” he said.

From the inception of the ABP till date, CBN, in partnership with RIFAN and 23 other financial institutions, financed about 3 million farmers across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The farmers cultivated up to 3,647,642 hectares of land across 21 commodities.

In his remarks, the RIFAN president, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, commended the Buhari-led administration for his ongoing efforts to restore the agricultural sector and ensure self-sufficiency in food production.

He further stated that the rice paddies (piled up as the pyramids) will soon be taken to millers who will process and sell the rice at a “subsidised rate” for Nigerians.

 

MTO/AgroNigeria

Nigerians will no longer live in fear – CDS Irabor assures

Ime Njoku
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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor has given assurance that the newly promoted Service Chiefs will ensure that whatever brings fear to Nigerians before now will be a thing of the past.

Irabor gave the assurance on Friday when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after he, alongside other Service Chiefs, were decorated with their new ranks in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He also pledged that the Service Chiefs, in collaboration with other security agencies, would soon restore normalcy to all troubled areas across the country.

“I’m glad you talk about the next big step. Nigerians expect us to bring about peace and security in concert with other security agencies; that we will do.

“We can’t live in fear and we will ensure that whatever brings fear to Nigerians, before now, will be a thing of the past.

“Peace and security is not just the security of the borders alone; it comes with having to build bridges across various divides.

“We, as members of the Armed Forces, will never in any way demand peace and security of our nation in the hands of the terrorists.

“Rather, it is we that will determine the peace and not for us to live it in the hands of the terrorists.”

According to the CDS, what the new Service Chiefs will not do is to give instructions to their subordinates and not do the same.

“What we will not do is to give instructions to our subordinates and not do the same.

“By extension, we will command the troops based on the expectations that we have of them and they will do it according to the expectations that we have of them too.”

On whether the new Service Chiefs will consider a change of strategies in the fight against insurgency, banditry and violent crimes in the country, Irabor said they would review the current strategies with a view to meeting the demands of current security challenges.

“Strategies are not sacrosanct. Of course, there are dynamics that we need to begin to look at, what needs to be reviewed and that is precisely what we are doing currently.

“We’ll review various strategies and of course come up with new ones to be able to meet the demands of the current realities.”

He noted that the President had given them a marching order to restore peace to all troubled areas in the country, saying they will work assiduously to achieve that.

On what Nigerians should expect from the newly promoted CDS and Service Chiefs in the next 100 days, Irabor said:

“No doubt, the next 100 days is not as important as today.

“I believe that as members of the Armed Forces, working in concert with the rest of the security agencies, we will bring Mr President’s expectations to bear in terms of our task.

“But let me also let you know that the inevitable is that Nigerians will indeed experience peace and security across the land.”

Irabor, who thanked the President for giving them the opportunity to serve the nation, enjoined all citizens to partner with the security agencies to ensure peace and progress of the country.

 

Ime N

Report on origins of coronavirus to be issued this month- WHO

Lantana Nasir
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The international investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic’s origins in China will publish its report in the week of March 15, the World Health Organization’s chief has said.

The report was originally due to be published in two stages: an initial summary in February, followed by the full text. However, both will now be released at the same time, said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“I know that many member states are eager to see the report of the joint WHO-led study on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and of course so am I,” he said in a speech to the UN health agency’s member countries on Thursday.

WHO inspectors ‘to scrap interim report’ on probe of COVID origin
All hypotheses remain open on COVID origins.

“The team is working on its final report as well as an accompanying summary report, which we understand will be issued simultaneously in the week of the 15th of March.

Rest assured that when the reports are ready, we will ask the expert team to share the reports with member states ahead of their release, and to brief you on the findings.”

The first COVID-19 cases were reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

The international investigation in the city began only in January 2021 and wrapped up last month.

A team of international scientific experts spent four weeks in Wuhan visiting sites linked to early cases.

Experts believe the disease originated in bats and could have been transmitted to humans via another mammal.

Although the mission to Wuhan failed to identify the source of the virus, the experts were dismissive of the theory that it leaked from a virology laboratory in the city at a news conference before leaving China.

However, when the team leadership returned to Geneva, Tedros said “all hypotheses remain open”.

One of the authors of an open letter calling for a new investigation has said the world is no closer to knowing the origins of COVID-19.

“At this point, we are no further advanced than we were a year ago,” said Nikolai Petrovsky, an expert in vaccines at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, and one of 26 global experts who signed the open letter.

The open letter said the WHO mission “did not have the mandate, the independence, or the necessary accesses to carry out a full and unrestricted investigation” into all theories about the origins of COVID-19.

Lagos Governor commissions Pen Cinema flyover

Ime Njoku
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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned the Pen Cinema Bridge and five arterial road networks in the Agege area of the State.

The long-sought relief from choking vehicular gridlocks has finally come the way of residents who were filled with joy as the Governor formally  opened the infrastructure for public use.

The commissioning marked fulfilment of another campaign promise made by Sanwo-Olu to residents, who daily endured pain in commuting within the axis in the last four years.

The construction of the 1.4-kilometre long flyover was part of the recommendation at the Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti) under ex-Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, as a strategic intervention to achieving significant traffic improvement in the densely populated area.

The last administration created the right-of-way and set up the structural beams; Governor Sanwo-Olu substantially completed civil works on the bridge.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the delivery of the project as a “landmark progress” in the State Government’s drive towards eliminating bottlenecks causing suffocating gridlocks and relieving residents of stress associated with commuting on roads.

Sanwo-Olu said the two-pronged approach, which his administration deployed to deliver critical infrastructure, gave priority to continuation and completion of strategic projects, regular maintenance and construction of new ones in line with the State’s Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP).

He said his Government decided to continue the project, because it was in tune with the first pillar of his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which targets the provision of roads for expedited economic growth and seamless mobility.

“I am delighted to stand before Lagosians today to celebrate the delivery of this landmark project, which again, reflects our administration’s belief in the principle of continuity in governance and demonstrates our commitment to the urgency of infrastructure development and the welfare of our people. The completion of this flyover and five network of roads sends a strong message about our determination to accelerate our futuristic vision for a world class transportation system complemented by a good network of roads for social and economic transformation.

“In order to address the challenge of huge traffic burden, the immediate past administration initiated and commenced the construction of a precast and pre-stressed reinforced concrete of 1.4km dual-carriage flyover and ramp, with road works across the Agege-Pen Cinema Intersection. As of May 2019 when this administration was inaugurated, this project was at about 20 per cent progress. With the delivery of this bridge, which is complemented with traffic signalisation and drainage channels, we have resolved the perennial traffic arising from huge human and vehicular movement from Agege-Pen Cinema Intersection towards Abule Egba, Fagba, Oke Koto and Iyana Ipaja.” he said

Road construction

To achieve a quick turnaround in commuting on the bridge, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that his Government identified and reconstructed five strategic arterial roads with good connectivity to adjoining roads that could serve as alternative bypasses to other routes in periods of heavy traffic.

The Governor said since road transportation remained crucial to economic growth and physical development, he believed the project would inject more life into socio-economic activities of people living and doing business in the area.

He said: “A key outcome from the strategic execution of this magnificent Pen Cinema Flyover project is that our administration has again demonstrated the priority it accords to the wellbeing of our people. It is a true test of our commitment to the Greater Lagos vision and a reflection of the achievability of our audacious socio-economic goals. In the course of implementing this project, we created jobs for about 380 people including engineers, supervisors, artisans and others- a clear indicator of the nexus between infrastructure development and employment generation.”

Sanwo-Olu however pledged that his administration would not relent in provision of infrastructure for coordinated and sustainable development that would help to improve the State’s performance on the Ease of Doing Business index.

Brilliant captain

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had the honour to inaugurate the projects, which he described as “needed catalyst” for the resuscitation of economic activities on the axis.

Tinubu expressed confidence in Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, noting that the Governor had stabilised and brought Lagos back on a focused journey, despite economic turbulence occasioned by Coronavirus (COVID-19) and coordinated destruction of the State’s assets.

The APC National Leader, who described Sanwo-Olu as “a brilliant captain”, praised the collaboration between the executive and the legislative arms in the State.

According to him “This is a commendable achievement by Sanwo-Olu, who has further brought Lagos on the path of progress, given the economic resuscitation this infrastructure will bring on this axis and entire Lagos. May you continue to think and perform to demonstrate excellent results as you have done today.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, said the axis on which the flyover is sited is one of the busiest in vehicular activities in Lagos, saying the bridge would bring back convenience to millions of residents commuting in the area.

 

 

Ime N

Japan extends COVID-19 state of emergency in Tokyo area

Lantana Nasir
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Japan extended a state of emergency in the Tokyo area by two weeks in order to combat COVID-19, prompting a “heartfelt apology” by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

The state of emergency had been set to end on March 7. But 4-1/2 months before Tokyo is due to host the Olympic Games, Suga said there was a need for caution because of the threat from new coronavirus variants and the possibility of cases rising again.

“I am deeply sorry at not being able to lift the state of emergency by the previously-promised March 7. I offer my heartfelt apology,” Suga told a news conference.

Under the state of emergency in Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures, the government has requested restaurants and bars close by 8 p.m. and stop serving alcohol an hour earlier.

People are also asked to stay home after 8 p.m. unless they have essential reasons to go out.

Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures, which make up 30% of Japan’s population, sought the extension because the number of new coronavirus cases had not fallen enough.

Suga said conditions had improved but there were still problems such as pressure on the medical system in the Tokyo area and cases could still rebound. Variant strains of the virus have been found in 19 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, he said.

“In order to protect your lives and livelihood, and to take back a secure and lively life, I ask for your cooperation from the bottom of my heart,” Suga said.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told a video conference of governors of the affected area that the extension was essential.

“We can’t have things rebound now, this is a really important time, and I think we all understand this,” she said. “We’ll keep in close contact with each other and beat the virus.”

 

Kwara Govt reiterates commitment to security of lives, properties

Ime Njoku
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 The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to adequate security of lives and properties of the citizenry in the nooks and crannies of the State. 

 

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Enterprise, Hajia Halimat Aduke Eletu made the commitment while addressing stakeholders on the reformation of market security, environmental sanitation and opening and closing hours at the Ultramodern Market, Adewole in Ilorin.

 

Hajia Eletu advised the stakeholders to be very conscious on the issue of security in the market, especially on the operational hours of opening and closing of the market. 

 

She expressed optimism that this new security arrangement will safeguard the influx of non-traders into the market, with a view to curbbing the rate of criminal activities going on within the market.

 

The Permanent Secretary also cautioned the market association on unapproved shops/kiosks extension and erection of illegal structures on the drainage, warning the traders not to extend beyond the shops allocation given to them.

 

Hajia Eletu further charged the marketers to ensure cleanliness of their surroundings in order to avoid air pollution, contamination and unhygienic environment for the protection of the people within and outside the market. 

 

She, however, stressed the need for the association to be cordial and maintain peaceful coexistence and also form synergy that will bring lasting solution to the environmental sanitation and other issues arising from the market.

 

Kwara Governor appoints seven Special Advisers

Ime Njoku
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The Kwara State Governor,  AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has appointed seven Special Advisers.

The Special Advisers are Rtd. Brigadier General Saliu Tunde Bello (Security); Professor Adekunle Dunmade (Health); Ahmed Yinka Aluko (Special Duties); and Attahiru Ibrahim (Sports and Youths).

The former Special Adviser Political (SAPOL) Saadu Salau, a journalist and Public Relations Consultant is now Special Adviser Strategy while the former Special Adviser Strategy Abdullateef Alakawa is named the new SAPOL.

The Governor has also appointed Mr. Bashir Adigun as Special Adviser Political Communications.

Adigun, a native of Ifelodun local government, is a senior journalist with decades of experience across print and broadcast media industry.

Adigun was until his pick the Controller News and Current Affairs (Northern Nigeria) for the Channels TV and Abuja Correspondent for a leading global newswire Associated Press (AP). He also worked as Reporter/Researcher at the Guardian newspaper.

He is a 1990 graduate of Communications and Language Arts at Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan. He has two Master’s degrees, both from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria —  Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) and Law Enforcement , Criminal Justice (MLC).

Adigun is married with children.

The appointment  is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

Ime N

 

Army University inaugurates 1st Disaster Response Course

Ime Njoku
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The Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State has inaugurated the first set of Disaster Response and Management Course 1/21 at the Tukur Buratai Institute for War and Peace .

The Vice Chancellor Prof Kyari Mohammed, stressed the importance of preparing for disaster in peace time  saying that Disaster Response and Management is topical and apt.

Prof. Mohammed said  the Tukur Buratai Institute for War and Peace was shaving discussions with the government agencies, especially the Borno State government, which desired the introduction of some programmes on stabilization and post conflict and peace building in areas liberated by our Armed Forces.

He gave the assurance that the Institute would be a centre of excellence in research, which would be attained through advocacy, quality research and  relevant policy courses that would be introduced.

The VC said the Institute was offering different courses in areas of specialty such as Counter Terrorism, Cyber Security, Counter Insurgency and Strategic Communication.

He enjoined participants to step down the knowledge acquired, as part of efforts towards building a strong pool of early responders during and after disasters.

The Director Training of the Tukur Buratai Institute for War and Peace, Major General A. B. Adamu, said  the course was aimed at equipping participants with the requisite knowledge to fight disaster.

He said disaster was part of human activities which needed proper training for its proper management.

The maiden course, with 14 participants, from military, paramilitary and MDAs is scheduled to last for four weeks.

Meanwhile, the Director, Tukur Buratai Institute for War and Peace, Brigadier Generall A. Dadan-Garba (Rtd)  applauded the Vice Chancellor for his initiative of transforming the Centre to Institute with expanded mandate, functions and for his special interest in progress of the Institute.

Ime N

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