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Congress suspends debate on Biden’s certification as mob storm capitol

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Vote to certify Joe Biden’s victory has been suspended as mob of supporters loyal to Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, in an uprising to overturn the results of the November election before Congress finalize Biden’s victory.

As required by the constitution, the joint session of Congress meets to count the electoral votes. The votes will be delivered to the chamber in mahogany boxes and read aloud in alphabetical order of the states, with Mike Pence presiding over the meeting.

At the conclusion of the count, it is the vice-president who finally, formally declares the winner.

The protests interrupted a futile effort by Republicans to reject the certification of the electoral college votes affirming Trump’s defeat, forcing the building to be placed on lockdown.

Hundreds of protesters, many wearing red Maga caps and waving American flags, barreled past security barricades and marched into the Capitol, the seat of American government, where they roamed the halls shouting “we will not back down”.

Outside the building, they clashed violently with police.

In remarks from Wilmington, the president-elect called on Trump to “step up” and “demand an end to this siege”.

“It’s not protest, it’s insurrection,” Biden said. “The world is watching.”

In a video taped from the White House, Trump  instructed his followers to “go home”.

In an extraordinary scene unprecedented in modern memory, officers drew their guns on the floor of the House, where just outside an armed protest faced off with Capitol police. Members of Congress were instructed to wear gas masks as they were escorted from the Capitol to their offices nearby. Staffers were advised to stay in place

After four years of defending and emboldening Trump, Republicans in Congress were facing their most consequential test of loyalty yet: to indulge the president’s attempt to overturn the results of an election he lost, or to uphold the democratic process and certify Biden as the next president of the United States.

In his increasingly desperate bid to cling to power, Trump, who has not conceded, has spent the last several weeks attempting to enlist allies and pressure public officials to overturn Biden’s 306-232 election win.

In the House, where the effort is led by the Ohio congressman Jim Jordan, a top Trump ally, Republicans said the plan was to voice objections to Biden’s wins in six swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

To succeed, an objection must come from both a member of the House and the Senate. Hawley has said he planned to object to the results from Pennsylvania, while Cruz plans to object to the results in Arizona.

All 50 states have certified the election results after a number of closely contested states conducted post-election audits and recounts to ensure their accuracy.

Courts at every level, including the supreme court, have rejected dozens of lawsuits filed by Trump and his allies to challenge the results.

 

Washington imposes Curfew over pro Trump protest

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Washington Mayor, Muriel Bowers has ordered a citywide curfew starting at 6 p.m. (2300 GMT).

Hundreds of pro-Trump protesters converged on the Capitol, where lawmakers were debating the final certification of the presidential election.

Crowd control largely fell to the Metropolitan Police Department, which mobilized all 3,750 officers, the Capitol Police, the Park Police, the U.S. Secret Service, and more than 300 members of the city’s National Guard, according to Washington police chief, Robert Contee and other officials.

Congress was due to confirm Biden’s victory on Wednesday. Many of Trump’s fellow Republicans have promised a stonewalling effort that could stretch proceedings past midnight but was almost certain to fail.

Vice President Mike Pence opened the proceedings in his constitutional role as president of the Senate.

He said in a statement that while he shared the concerns about the “integrity” of the election, it was not correct that he should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally.

The U.S. Constitution does not give Pence the power to unilaterally overturn the results of the election, but he is under pressure to do so from Trump.

In his remarks at the rally, Trump repeatedly made clear his frustration with Pence if he didn’t stop Congress from certifying the result.

U.S Police disperse pro Trump protesters with tear gas

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Police in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday responded with drawn guns and tear gas as swarms of protesters stormed in and sought to force Congress to undo President Donald Trump’s election loss shortly after some of Trump’s fellow Republicans launched a last-ditch effort to throw out the results.

Police evacuated the House of Representatives and the Senate after pro-Trump protesters marched through the halls of Congress, forcing both chambers to suspend deliberations as they were meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November 3 election.

Video showed police deploying tear gas inside the building.

The chaotic scenes unfolded after Trump, due to leave office on January 20, addressed thousands of protesters, repeating false claims that the election was stolen from him due to widespread election fraud and irregularities.

Lawmakers had been debating a last-ditch effort by pro-Trump lawmakers to challenge the results, an effort that was unlikely to succeed.

Vice President Mike Pence, who had presided over the joint session of Congress, was escorted from the Senate.

Capitol Police told lawmakers in the House chamber to take gas masks from beneath their seats and prepare to put them on. Officers at the front door of the House chamber had their guns drawn as someone attempted to enter the chamber.

Officers ordered people in the chamber to drop to the floor for their safety.

Election officials of both parties and independent observers have said there was no significant fraud in the Nov. 3 contest, which Biden won by more than 7 million votes in the national popular vote.

Weeks have passed since the states completed certifying that Biden, a Democrat, won the election by 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232.

Trump’s extraordinary challenges to Biden’s victory have been rejected by courts across the country.

Trump had pressed Pence to throw out election results in states the president narrowly lost, though Pence has no authority to do so.

The certification in Congress, normally a formality, was expected to stretch for several hours as some Republican lawmakers mounted an effort to reject some state tallies, starting with Arizona.

Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell denounced the effort, saying “the voters, courts and states “have all spoken, If we overrule them, it would damage our republic forever.”

Senate Democratic Leader, Chuck Schumer called the challenges “an attempted coup” and said, “The Congress does not determine the outcome of an election. The people do.”

Outside the Capitol, members of militia groups and far-right groups, some in body armor, mingled with the crowds. Protesters chanting pro-Trump slogans overturned barricades and clashed with police.

On Twitter, Trump called on protesters to stay peaceful.

Kwara Governor eulogises the late thespian Orisabunmi

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Kwara State Governor,  AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has described the death of Folake Aremu, a thespian popularly known as Orisabunmi, as the end of a glorious era in the film-making industry.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor joined the rest of the country, especially Kwara people, to mourn the death of the great Orisabunmi whom he described as one of the prides of the state on the continental artistic stage.

The governor recalled her exploits in the 1980s through early 2000s when she beautifully depicted the great African subculture in the Yoruba movie industry.

According to the statement, her pacifist roles and the bravery she exuded in most of her appearances were quite legendary and would be sorely missed.

The Governor described Orisabunmi as one of the ‘last men standing’ in the tradition she represented in the Nollywood.

The Governor commiserated with the family of the deceased and the entire Nollywood community.

“The Governor prays to the Almighty God to console her family for this huge loss, and to forgive her shortcomings.”

Nnenna.O

CACOVID: Osun distributes palliatives to religious communities

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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No less than 6,200 (Six Thousand Two Hundred) bags of rice have been distributed to members of the Muslim and Christian Communities by the Osun State Government.

The exercise was in continuation of the distribution of over 40,000 10kg bags of rice donated to the state by the Private Sector Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID) with a view to cushioning the effects of the Coronavirus.

Receiving the stimulus package in Osogbo, the state capital, the leadership of the Muslim and Christian Communities commended the government for reaching to the grassroots through the religious leaders.

The Assistant Secretary, Osun Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Clement Fayemi, lauded Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for prioritising the welfare and well-being of the citizens.

Fayemi who described the gesture as timely and rewarding noted that the initiative would go a long way to meet the critical need of the vulnerable at the grassroots.

He applauded the style of distribution adopted by the State, which according to him had facilitated the inclusion and incorporation of religious groups in the mode of distribution of the palliative.

READ ALSO: Special Public Works Programme is palliative for youths – Minister

In the same vein, the Mufasir of Osogbo, Alhaji Maroof Ishola, expressed profound gratitude to the donor for counting the adherents of the two faiths worthy of the palliative.

Ishola appreciated the state government for taking into cognisance the vulnerable individuals among the populace.

He pledged, on behalf of the religious bodies, to ensure the palliatives get to the needy in all the Local Governments.

In a remark, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, expressed satisfaction at the positive feedback from the citizens.

Olaonipekun applauded the government distribution template that was designed to accommodate every segment of the population in the distribution exercise.

 “The template we adopted gives room for proper monitoring and evaluation of the exercise and this has really helped us to evaluate the strength of the distribution so far”.

The commissioner promised government commitment to continue with the planned-distribution until the last bag is released by the CACOVID.

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Governor Tambuwal Flags-off World Bank assisted Multi-Billion Drainage Project

Mosunmola Ore
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The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has flagged off the multi-billion naira water storm projects to curtail different rates of environmental factors.

Governor Tambuwal disclosed this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, when he flagged-off of the project in the state capital.

According to him, the projects was part of the State government commitment to the remediation of the intra-city Mabera Storm Water Management Project (MSWMP), the sum of N1,033,044,900 was paid to the World Bank since 2017.

“I have engaged in series of consultations with the relevant stakeholders to enable the project get to its current level.

“The work might have seemed long in coming but the procedures for the project are very cumbersome, elaborate and time consuming, as they have to conform with international best practices,” the Governor said.

He assured that when completed the MSWMP “will be one of the best drainages in the metropolis, which will have capacity to evacuate and channel all the run off from these areas and by God’s grace, the chapter of referring the area as “Tsunami” will be closed.”

Going down memory lane, the Governor recalled that “the people of Mabera and environs… have, for quite long time been experiencing the problem of annual flooding,” a situation that has been exploited “to discredit our administration, even though, they are fully aware that the problem was not created by our government.

“It is a commonly known fact that Mabera flooding predates my tenure as Governor. It has been in existence since the beginning of Mabera Area,” he added.

“We have over the years shared your pain and predicament on the enormous losses and inconveniences you have been enduring. Let me therefore use this opportunity to applaud your patience during this trial, especially in spite of sustained insightment and provocation before the commencement of this project.

“Those following the issue of Mabera flooding would agree with me that, it has generated so much discussion. And, I wish to express our sincere appreciation for a section of the opinion that was out of genuine interest and concern for the plight of the residents of this area. This indeed, is clear proof that democracy is working in Sokoto State,” he added.

He further added that “while successive past administrations had not succeeded in resolving the matter, we showed commitment and determination to construct first class drainage infrastructure in the area.

“That we are standing here today is a testimony to the fact, that our promises are not mere election gimmick but are made with the full intent of achieving them and consolidating the gains of democracy for our teeming populace,” he assured.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Environment, Sagir Bafarawa, said the MSWMP after undergoing ‘rigorous scrutiny’
and clearance from the World Bank, will span “18.5 kilometers drainage of drainage capacity that cut across Mabera-Jelani, Mabera-Iddi, Nakasarin-Barebari, Nakasarin-Magaji, Salame and Trade Fair areas” of the Sokoto metropolis.

The project, explained the Commissioner, is intended to amend the “constant flooding of the environment.”

He explained that the world bank project is in collaboration with state government to mitigate the effect of flooding and other environmental factors.

Bafarawa urged the affected community to cooperate with the constructing firm for the smooth execution of the projects.

FCTA arrests dispatch riders for violating traffic laws

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has arrested over 50 dispatch riders for riding against one-way and beating traffic lights within the city centre.

Alhaji Wadata Bodinga, the Director, FCTA Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), made the disclosure while briefing newsmen shortly after conducting a round of the arrested motorcycles on Wednesday in Abuja.

Bodinga warned that the conduct and activities of dispatch riders in the city would no longer be acceptable by the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the motoring public.

He revealed that the directorate had received a lot of complaints about the conduct of some dispatch riders within the city and” we have seen it too”.

” We are here to display the dispatch riders that we arrested for either riding against one-way in the city or beating the traffic lights.

” As you may observe that the number of dispatch riders has increased within the city, probably because of the COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging not only Abuja or Nigeria but the whole world.

” Because of their door-to-door services (dispatch riders) which can actually ease people that are staying at home to be able to deliver some of their needs.

” But equally, you can agree with me that their activities and conduct on the road is no longer acceptable. We have received a lot of complaints about their conduct and we have seen it too.

” Just between Tuesday and today Wednesday, over 50 motorcycles and dispatch riders have been arrested for various offences.

” Because majorly they are the major culprit of this beating of traffic and riding on one-way in the city which is not acceptable because they are trading with their own safety and the safety of other road users,” Bodinga said.

He said that the directorate had directed all the people arrested for following one-way and those beating traffic to go for an emotional evaluation at the recognised hospital in the FCT.

The director said that the enforcement was a continuous one, adding that all the Area Commands are detailed to ensure that traffic rules and regulations must be respected in the city.

” This is Abuja and even where the traffic lights are not working our men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force are there to ensure sanity.

” People should be seen to at least obey the traffic lights in the territory and sadly, that is not the case when it comes to these dispatch riders as you can see the results of the operation.”

Bodinga disclosed that the majority of them did not register with the authority as dispatch riders.

” Because they are dispatch riders, we expect that these motorcycles should be owned by corporate organisations, but from the record we have we realise that most of them are just owned by individuals who just decided to put the box and start operation.”

” And they will bring results first. After they have done that then we are going to take them to the Mobile Magistrate Court which had already started sitting.

” After the magistrate session is over then they will equally come for two weeks compulsory training with a formal letter from their various companies and organisations.

” Because all the ones that have organisations, we have drafted a formal letter that we are going to send to their various companies and organisations informing them of the conduct of their drivers.

” And the need for them to bring even their other drivers to bring to them for mandatory training to update them on the traffic rules and regulations.

He, however, said the training was free but they would pay for their various penalties.

Bodinga further said that after the training, the FCTA through the Transportation Secretariat would issue them Abuja Riders Permit but it would be limited to only the areas that motorcycle was allow to operate.

He added that the riders permit would not allow anybody to ride motorcycle in areas not prohibited by the FCTA.

On his part, Mr Ihkaro Attah, the Chairman FCTA Ministerial Taskforce on Traffic Management, said dispatch riders who are allowed to operate in the city are already abusing the privilege.

” They break traffic laws very regularly and it has become a source of worry to the FCT Minister, Mr Bodinga and his men swung into action and clamped down on them.

” We give the directorate pass mark for clamping down on these violators and some vehicles here are also involved.

” They will be going through psychiatrist test to ascertain if they are normal because if something is not wrong with them they must be wrong with something.”

Nnenna.O

Niger State to deploy technology in fighting banditry

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Niger State government says it would deploy the use of technology to enhance surveillance towards bringing to an end the activities of bandits in the State.

The State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello disclosed this in an interview with State House Correspondents, after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the Nigerian leader would give whatever support is needed, to address the problem of insecurity in the State.

He said: “I met the President and first of all I wished him a happy New Year; I also seized the opportunity to discuss matters surrounding the security situation within Niger State.

“Recently, we have been experiencing an influx of bandits from neighbouring states and even though our security agencies are doing their best, I found it necessary to update Mr. President on the situation.

“So, we had a very fruitful discussion and also pledged more support to the state on security matters so that within the shortest possible time we will address the security situation.

“The dynamics of criminal activities have changed. They started with armed robbery then they moved to cattle rustling and then to kidnapping as a means of getting money. But recently the trend has changed, they started burning farms and animals. So, this has given me some concerns and at the same time it has kept me thinking, what is the motive. I am worried because this year most of the farmers did not have the opportunity to go to their farms to harvest even when they planted. So, the bandits torch the farms, they just burn everything.

“This is a serious one because it does not affect Niger alone, it affects the entire country. So, when we are not able to feed our nation, then it becomes a major challenge.”

 

READ ALSO: Kaduna government seeks lasting solution to banditry

 

The Governor, who said the use of local vigilantes has helped a lot in addressing the problem in the State, warned that any traditional ruler found involved in supporting criminals, would be dethroned.

“Let me tell you what has worked so far and we have made a lot of progress. What I have done is that I moved the responsibility of security to the committee level. And at the committee level, they know themselves.

“The vigilantes are controlled by the local government, and sometimes by the ministry, for the government has been doing very well. And for so many reasons, one they are defending their farmlands, they are defending their families.

“It is different when you send someone from somewhere, the enthusiasm to really fight and motivate people to protect their environment is usually better when you deal with locals. Yes, I found the local security at the lowest level very helpful. But again, one major challenge that we found out is that in some cases the locals have adapted to this kind of business (banditry) and that is even more difficult.

“The bandits are being invited by some locals. In fact, we have arrested some village heads. Now if a whole village head invites bandits or harbours bandits, then where are we headed to? The village head is supposed to secure the village.

“So, we are going to be ruthless with any villaBanditryge head found wanting in this regard, because there is no way we can make progress if the traditional institution at the lowest level becomes part of it and I’m in discussions with the Emirs, first-class Emirs to dethrone or strip any village head of his appointment once being caught,” he warned.

Nnenna.O

Special Public Works Programme is palliative for youths – Minister

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Major General Salihi Magashi,rtd, has described the recently launched Extended Special Public works programme as an economic palliative for unemployed youths in the country

He made the statement at the flag-off of the special programme in Kano State North-Western Nigeria.

Kano state which has 44 LGAs, the highest in the country got 44,000 out of the 774, 000 beneficiaries, as each of the 774 local government councils in the nation was allocated 1000 each.

The Minister who launched the programme in Kano said the intervention was meant to quickly address the issue of the pervasive hunger, poverty, environmental degradation and joblessness.

“The programme in this respect will provide necessary economic palliative for the 774,000 unemployed youths, as the beneficiaries are expected to deploy the knowledge/skills acquired to become self-employed after the three months.” 

“With the skills, they can even become employable in the public or private sector,” said Magashi.

 

READ ALSO: Government Flags-off Extended Special Public Works Programme in Kano

 

He said the Federal government will strictly monitor the programme to ensure that its intended objectives are achieved.

He explained that each participating Local Government was responsible for identifying its preferred projects and would ensure that they are executed as planned.

Governor of Kano State Dr. Umar Ganduje commended the programme saying the group of people targeted will help in alleviating poverty in the country.

He said the state shares the same dream with the Federal government and has implemented many programmes to alleviate poverty in the state.

The Governor was represented by his Deputy Dr.Nasir Gawuna.

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Nigerian government empowers 100 citizens with digital tools, skills

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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In efforts to consolidate its gains in jobs creation and empowerment, the Nigerian government under the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has empowered 100 Nigerians with digital tools and skills.

The event which featured the closing ceremony and presentation of Digital tools of the Digital Job Creation Training Programme in Abuja is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic development drive.

In his remarks, Communications Minister Dr Isa Pantami explained that digital skill is not optional but a necessary skill, noting that this is because the IT sector is the key enabler of the economy.

The main point of the event was the presentation of digital tools by the Minister including Laptops, free one year Internet subscription, and cash to 100 beneficiaries.

READ ALSO: Nigerian government restates commitment to job creation

Dr Pantami said Health, Security, Agriculture, Education and other sectors of the economy rely on digital Technologies to strive. Speaking on the significance of the programme, he said that digital skill has become a useful competence across sectors reaffirming that the focus of the world today is on skills rather than certificates.

“This is a digital training organized by The Federal Government under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in order to create more jobs opportunities for our Citizens within and outside the country.

“This is the third one but still we are in the pilot phase, trying to validate the model we have developed. We try to study the existing gaps in the digital world, come up with training to fill the gap. This is what we have been doing, it is all about creating jobs for our Citizens in line with the priority issues of President Muhammad Buhari particularly in the area of economic development.

“Within this period we want to organize Six trainings with a minimum of 100 participants in each Geo-political zones in the Country. When we are comfortable with the training, the same model will be transmitted to all Parastatals; Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone, National Identity Management Commission and others for implementation and to continue with the trainings,” he explained.

Pantami encouraged Nigerians should be patient and be ambitious in digital skill acquisitions.

“To be fair, the only criteria is to be able to read and write, however, the trainings are many, it all depends on the specific training you want to partake. When it is a basic training you only need to be able to read and write, for intermediary training you need the basic knowledge to be available while on advance training you will discover that the requirements, conditions are many, it all depends on the training you want to partake in, but to be fair it is free for all our Citizens,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, in his goodwill message, the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Professor Abubakar Muhammed lauded the Minister for walking the talk by making sure the job creation programme is realised.

Earlier in his opening remarks the Director of Information Communications Technology (ICT), Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Samuel Okoye urged participants to use the acquired digital skills to transform their businesses.

Okoye noted that the training had been able to develop the digital skills of participants in line with the objective of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

He advised the beneficiaries to use the skills learnt to better the Nigerian Society especially the digital space.

One of the participants Saheed Aiyegboka appreciated the Minister for the opportunity, stating that the skills learnt will greatly impact his life.

Similarly, another participant Dorcas Kowa said that she has learned how to operate her business digitally, adding that the opportunity will propel her business exponentially in the internet space.

 

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