News
Ex-governor, two ministers behind planned protests against us, says EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that a former governor and two former ministers are the arrowheads of the planned protests against it.
The anti-graft agency which on Wednesday alerted the public to the protests restated its advice to ‘’impressionable’’ youths, especially students, against being used by the “looters of our commonwealth.”
It also had a message for parents: ‘’prevail on your children and wards not to join protests against issues they have no clear understanding about.’’
The commission, however, said the support base of the masterminds had been weakened with the withdrawal of 259 civil society organizations from the planned protests.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated these while fielding questions from reporters at a news conference organised by the Strategic Communications Inter-agency Policy Committee (SCIPC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Oyewole said: “Generally and holistically, all of these people that are talking about ending the EFCC, kill EFCC are tangentially affected by the activities of the commission.
‘’We know that our activities are affecting people who have one thing or the other to hide, and we know that it’s natural that they want to fight us.
“And that is why we came out publicly to make it known. We have a responsibility to tell the public.”
“If you have 259 civil society organisations(CSOs) coming out publicly to say that we are not going to support the protests, then their moral base is weakened.
“The CSOs are saying that their intelligence shows that an ex-governor and two former ministers are behind the protests. That is their intelligence.
“We also have our intelligence, but the sum and substance of everything is that the protests are not in the overall interest of the nation. Our youths should be wary so that they will not be recruited and used as cannon fodders in a cause that they don’t understand.’’
Like the EFCC, a group, the Coalition for Transparency and Economic Reforms (COTER), called on parents to warn their children and wards against ‘’thinly-disguised anti-Tinubu protests against the EFCC to avoid regrets.’’
“The major aim of the planned massive protests is to create panic, fear, and anarchy and ultimately scuttle the achievements of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu,” COTER said in a statement by its Coordinator, Adeshina Animashaun.
In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone D, distanced its members from the planned protests.
The association said it stands with the EFCC in the fight against all crimes that tarnish the image of Nigerian youths.
“NANS Southwest hereby disassociates herself from any group of persons, organisations or individuals who plan to water down the efforts of the EFCC.
“We encourage all students and members of the community to refrain from participating in any protests that may arise and to continue supporting efforts to promote accountability and good governance,’’ said NAN’s Zone D Coordinator Alao John.
The anti-corruption agency also received the support of the National Orientation Agency(NOA) yesterday.
NOA revealed that it has mobilised its 4,000 members of staff to track the promoters of violence in the country.
The agency added that apart from activating its civil intelligence network, its 812 offices have been mandated to identify incident spots and individuals involved in the planned protests against the EFCC.
“A group has been recruiting young Nigerians, including students, through social media to protest against the EFCC’s operational activities, particularly in enforcing cybercrime laws,” NOA’s Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu said in a statement yesterday.
“NOA, therefore, urges Nigerians to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest EFCC office or law enforcement agency or reach the NOA through the “Say Something” platform on the agency’s app, Mobiliser.”
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Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria
The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.
Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.
He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.
A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.
According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.
“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.
“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.
Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.
News
Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.
The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.
The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.
The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.
Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.
He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.
He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.
“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.
“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.
“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.
“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.
“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.
“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.
Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.
“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.
“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.
“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.
“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.
He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.
“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.
“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.
Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.
He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.
On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.
The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.
News
Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation
The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.
This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.
The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.
“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.
“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”
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