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NGO Advocates Transparency In Nigeria Counter-insurgency Process

Published

3 years ago

May 28, 2021

A Non-governmental Organization (NGO), Centre For Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has advocated for transparency in the process of counter-insurgency efforts in the country.

Mr Yunusa Ya’u , The Executive Director, CITAD made the call during the presentation of two books on corruption, insurgency and hate speech on Friday in Bauchi.

The two books presented are titled; The Compromised State, ‘How Corruption Sustains Insecurity In Nigeria’ and the ‘Context And Content In Hate Speech.

He said there was a need for transparency in all processes of the counter- insurgency efforts in order not to shield any corrupt practice.

“It’s imperative to investigate and prosecute all corrupt cases to regain citizens’ trust and reduce excessive.

“Prompt payment of entitlement and remuneration of security agencies should be looked into.

“Prompt response to information by Community members on suspected cases like activities of the terrorists would go a long way,” he said.

Ya’u also expressed dismay over prevalence of hate speech among the diverse people of Nigeria, adding that it has made it impossible for communities to collectively rise up and confront the challenges bedeviling the country.

He explained that the books were meant to highlight the challenges of insecurity, corruption and hate speech in the nation.

According to him, the three issues were the major constraints facing the country which the government has been unable to surmount.

He pointed out that all parts of the country experienced one form of insecurity or another, citing insurgency in the north east, banditry in north west, kidnappings and robbery in other areas.

“The second problem mitigating the development of the nation is corruption. Fight against corruption should be intensified so that things could improve for the better in Nigeria.

“Proliferation of hate speech has also led to crises and violence in the country,” he said.

He added that hate speech divided the country and prevented countrymen from addressing their problems as atrocities were attributed by hate speakers to some section of people instead of viewing them as national issues that should be tackled collectively.

He noted that the NGO intervened by highlighting the problems at stake and proffering possible and workable solutions to the problems.

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Man, 38 Escapes Assassination Attempt In Benin

Published

9 months ago

July 22, 2023

Editor

Innocent Omoruyi

By Omokha Andrew

A 38-year-old activist, Innocent Omoruyi, narrowly escaped assassination in the early hours of Wednesday, July 19, 2023 as his residence at Obe Community,Sapele Road in Benin city was attacked by yet to be identified gun men.

The attack which eye witnesses say was viciously executed on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 bore the markings of a dreaded cult group terrorizing Benin City, the state capital.

The Obe, Sapale Road incident, it was learnt, happened soon after Omoruyi left the house to attend to matters of interest some few metres away from his home.

The assailants were said to have shot sporadically in their frustration as residents scampered for safety.

However, Omoruyi escaped unharmed.

One of the eye witnesses who craved anonymity said: “The felons apparently went for the kill, weilding guns and other dangerous weapons. “We are shocked that they didn’t see Innocent Omoruyi who was just some few metres away from home when they arrived”.

“How that happened, only God knows and it was obvious that it wasn’t his time to die yet and just before that not long ago his business place on Lagos Street, Benin City was burnt down in the middle of the night by unknown arsonists.

“This sequence of events is not ordinary. We know it’s politically motivated due to the role he played in the last general elections. He has been advised to go into hiding at the moment for his personal safety”, he concluded.

When contacted, the police Public Relations Officer Chidi Nwabuzor said he was yet to get any information as regards the latest incident. He promised to feed our correspondent with relevant details as soon as they become handy.

Our information source however revealed that the matter has already been incidented at the Love World Police station on Sapele Road, Benin city.

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Nigeria To Earn Over $4bn Revenue As FEC Okays Concession Of Abuja, Kano Airports

Published

11 months ago

May 18, 2023

Editor

Nigeria will earn over $4 billion in nominal revenue as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday okayed the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, to the Corporacion American Airport Consortium, a Luxembourg-based company.

James Odaudu, the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the Council also approved that the Federal Ministry of Aviation would be renamed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.

The statement noted that the company would make combined upfront payments of $8.5 million for the concession of NAIA and MAKIA.

He added that the development would spur evidential growth within the Nigerian aviation industry.

“In alignment with the Aviation Roadmap, approved by Mr President on 18th October 2016, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace is delighted to inform all stakeholders, both local and international, and the media, that the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano has been approved by the Federal Executive Council,” the statement said.

In December 2022 and January 2023, Corporacion American Airport Consortium was announced as the preferred bidder for the airport’s concession after scaling through a series of evaluations of technical and financial bids.

Nominal revenues mean income not adjusted for inflation and decreasing purchasing power.

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Russia Expelled From Council Of Europe Amid War With Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2022

Editor

The Council of Europe says it has expelled Russia with immediate effect after 26 years of membership because of the Ukraine war.

The Committee of Ministers took the decision in a special session, the rights body announced in the French city of Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had already declared its withdrawal from the Council of Europe after it had taken steps to exclude it.

On Tuesday evening, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted unanimously in favour of Russia’s exclusion.

Russia joined the Council of Europe on Feb. 28, 1996.

Together with the formal notification of the withdrawal, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe also received information from the Russian Federation on Tuesday about its intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the leaders of the Council of Europe once again condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

They expressed their solidarity with the Russian people, who continue to belong to the European family and share its values.

The body said it would continue to stand by Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.

The Council of Europe monitors the observance of human rights in its 46 member states and is not part of the European Union.

The body reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago by suspending Russia’s membership, this decision was considered historic.