Ukraine Conflict: We Will Defend Ourselves- -Zelenskyy by Ada Nkong

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia could start “a major war in Europe” any day now, and called on Russians to oppose it.

In a late-night address, he said he had unsuccessfully sought talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I initiated a telephone call with the president of the Russian federation. Result: silence,” Mr Zelensky said.

He said Russia had almost 200,000 troops and thousands of combat vehicles on Ukraine’s borders.
And switching from Ukrainian into Russian, Mr Zelensky made an emotional appeal to Russians to reject an attack, saying they were being lied to about Ukraine.

“Who can stop (the war)? People. These people are among you, I am sure,” he said.

Ukraine’s leader said his country was ready for a Russian attack, vowing: “If they [Russia] attack, if they try to take our county – our freedom, our lives, the lives of our children – we will be defending ourselves.”

“As you attack, it will be our faces you see, not our backs,” the Ukrainian president said.

It came as Russian troops, ordered into Ukraine’s two rebel-held regions, were reportedly edging closer to the border.

Moscow said the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine had asked for military support.

Airspace restricted over Ukraine
Early on Thursday, Ukraine said it had restricted civilian flights in its airspace due to “potential hazard”. The move followed warnings from the conflict zone monitor Safe Airspace, which said planes risked being shot down unintentionally or affected by cyber attacks.

It was not initially clear if the notice amounted to an outright ban on civilian flights. It is due to expire at 2359 GMT on Thursday, unless extended further.

Russia has also issued a civil aviation notice warning that it is closing virtually all of eastern Ukrainian airspace on the border with Russia, according to a monitoring group.

The Open Source Intelligence Monitor says no “limit or ending time” has been provided so far by Moscow.

The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency session from 02:30 GMT to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Ukraine has declared a state of emergency and told millions of its citizens living in Russia to return home. The 30-day emergency status allows authorities to adopt heightened security measures, including curfews.
Source: BBC

HURIWA To Buhari – Declare killer herdsmen in Benue Terrorists now

HURIWA To Buhari – Declare killer herdsmen in Benue Terrorists now

…says security agents must arrest militiamen terrorising Benue communities, calls for prosecution.

By Clement Nwabuko

Markurdi – Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria(HURIWA), on Wednesday, condemned the brazen act of Fulani herdsmen who invaded some communities in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, forcibly displacing autochthonous dwellers to plan permanent settlement.

According to Joseph Anawah, a community leader and former media aide to an ex-governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, the herders invaded the communities with more than 1,000 cows and settled at the Tse Azaye, Tse Agah, Tse Getim and Tse Iosun communities in the Tombo ward.

Anawah said, “They are so hostile and do not want anybody to come close to them. The residents, on sighting the arrival of cows, started packing out of their villages for the fear of the unknown.

“When the kindred Head of the Mbaifu community,  Gbamga Nengem, visited their settlement to know their mission in his community, they told him clearly that they had come for settlement and any attempt to evict them, either by the host community or government agencies, would invoke their anger and they would be left with no option but to resort to physical and open confrontation.”

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, urged security agents to arrest the militiamen terrorising the North Central state and prosecute them forthwith to send a clear signal that forcible takeover of land won’t be condoned.

HURIWA condemned the resurgence of the heinous activities of Fulani herdsmen in Benue and called on federal authorities and security agents to act fast to stop the menacing trend.

The group noted that the growing killings by aggressive killer Fulani herders have reached an alarming decibel and the regime of the President Muhammadu Buhari must act swiftly if indeed it does not covertly support the acts of the vicious herders.

Just last Saturday, suspected herders killed three persons in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue while returning from a burial. Killings, abductions and rape have been steadily recorded on a daily basis in the state since 2015 when Buhari took over the seat of power. 

As though emboldened by Buhari’s tribal affiliation to them as a Fulani man, the herdsmen attacked Governor Samuel Ortom last March in what was a clear assassination attempt, with the governor saying herdsmen numbering about 15 attacked him in his farm at Tyo-Mu community, near Makurdi, the state capital. He attributed the attack to his campaign against killer herdsmen, who had been attacking farmers in the state and other parts of the country.

A group, the Fulani National Movement had said it carried out the attack on Ortom. The group disclosed that 11 of its members were involved in the assassination attempt on Ortom, noting that a technical error aided the governor’s escape, adding that he would not escape next time.

Sadly, till date, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and other security and intelligence agencies are yet to bring members of this callous group to book.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “Killings have resumed with the resurgence of invasion of Benue State by armed Fulani herdsmen. Since 2015 when Buhari came in till now, over 5,000 Benue State natives have been killed by armed Fulani herdsmen.  However, for all of these killings and destructions of farms and houses, churches, killing of priests and worshippers, there is no single suspect in jail for these heinous crimes because the federal government is unwilling to order soldiers, DSS and police to arrest and for Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute them for these mass killings.

“In fact, the President has rather listed Governor Ortom as persona non grata for demanding action and justice for his people. At several times the Benue State government carried out mass burial including the burial of over 100 natives killed at a time by armed Fulani herdsmen and yet these terrorists are freely moving about.

“The governor almost got killed but for good fortune that he escaped. police said the attempted killers who shot at the governor were arrested but this is false because for a year now, not one person is prosecuted. Federal government has continued to sweep these killings under the carpet.

“The AGF must also begin the process of declaring killer herders as terrorists just like bandits. Killer herdsmen must be prosecuted for their atrocious acts. When impudence goes unchallenged, the aggressor becomes emboldened. HURIWA, therefore, calls for the immediate arrest of the marauding herders who displace Benue original residents from the Logo LGA. There must also be judicial actions against these killers who are roaming freely in the streets of Nigeria because the Federal government does not wish to arrest or prosecute them. 

“Already, HURIWA has filed a complaint at the International Criminal Court in The Hague Netherlands over it. HURIWA will also be filing another fresh petition this week because for seven years, the Federal Government has tolerated the killings and postured itself as a Fulani herders’ sympathiser.”

Senate passes bills to establish Orthopaedic hospitals in Kwara, Osun

Senate passes bills to establish Orthopaedic hospitals in Kwara, Osun

…Approves Fed. University Teaching Hospitals in Akure, Gusau 

By Clement Nwabuko

The Senate, on Wednesday, passed a bill to amend the Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act to provide for the establishment of two Federal Orthopaedic hospitals in Kwara and Osun States. 

Also amended was the University Teaching Hospitals Act LFN 2004 to provide for the establishment of two Federal University Teaching Hospitals in Akure and Gusau, respectively. 

The bills were tagged “University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards, etc) Act, 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and “Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act, Cap O10 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2022”.

The passage of the bills followed the consideration of two separate reports by the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary). 

In his presentation, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central), said the bill to amend the Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act was to provide for the establishment of the Orthopaedic Hospital Patigi; and Orthopaedic Hospital Obokun, Osun State.

“The Federal Orthopaedic Hospital when established in Patigi, Kwara State and Obokun, Osun State will provide services such as diagnosis and treatment from traumatic events such as accidental falls, car accidents, sports injuries and other emergencies. 

“It will also bring healthcare closer to the people at reduced costs compared to private hospitals and drastically reduce health tourism. 

“In addition to the above advantages, it will deter patients from patronising traditional bonesetters who enjoy patronage in the absence of a specialised orthopaedic hospital. 

“The Orthopaedic hospital will be affiliated to the University of llorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State to provide specialised orthopaedic treatment and medical services”, Oloriegbe said.

The lawmaker, in his second presentation, explained that the amendment to the University Teaching Hospitals Act sought to provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital; and the Federal University Gusau Teaching Hospital.

According to him, the amendment bill also seeks to amend the First Schedule to the Principal Act to include and give legal backing to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia. 

Airfare hike: Senate demands urgent rehabilitation of federal roads 

Airfare hike: Senate demands urgent rehabilitation of federal roads 

By Clement Nwabuko

Abuja – The Senate has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, declare a State of Emergency on the nation’s federal roads. 

The upper chamber, also urged the federal government to immediately make good its indebtedness to FERMA in order to enable the agency carry out its primary responsibility of rehabilitating federal roads, especially in the face of the astronomical increase in airfares. 

These were resolutions reached on Tuesday by the Senate, following a point of order raised to draw its attention to the increase in airfare and the implication for Nigerian roads. 

Rising under Order 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, Senator Gershom Bassey, lamented that local airfares in Nigeria have risen by 63 per cent in response to a spike in the price of aviation fuel and attendant cost of operation.

According to him, the rise in airfare has pegged the minimum Economy Class ticket at around N80,000 for travellers buying a one-hour, one-way economy tickets.

He expressed worry that the increase in airfares would increase the pressure on the neglected and dilapidated Nigerian roads and further worsen their state.

The lawmaker noted that the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had a budgetary approval of just 20 percent of the funds the agency requires for the rehabilitation of about 35,000km of federal roads in 2022.

Bassey observed that the sum of about N850 Billion naira that is to accrue to FERMA by virtue of the 5 percent User charge on pump price of petrol, diesel and international vehicle transit charges provided for in Section 14 of FERMA (Amendment) Act No.18 of 2007 is still being owed FERMA by the Federal Government.

“The humongous debt owed FERMA by the Federal Government has hampered the effective discharge of FERMA’s primary responsibility of road maintenance and rehabilitation”, he said.

Why Kano will host Nigeria’s biggest rail station – Amaechi reveals

Why Kano will host Nigeria’s biggest rail station – Amaechi reveals

By Clement Nwabuko

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says Kano State will house the biggest rail station in the country.

The minister said this when a delegation from Kano, led by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, visited him in Abuja to discuss the rail and Dala inland dry port in the State.

“We have two major projects we want to do in Kano the first being the standard gauge from Kano to Kaduna.

“We are applying to Kano State Government to give us land to build the biggest station in Nigeria.

“It is the biggest station because we are combining two rail lines.

“The first is the Kano-Maradi which will empty in Kano and then the second one is Kano-Kaduna which will also empty in Kano.

“Don’t forget, the station we are building in Kano will be the station that will take passengers from Lagos to Kano.

“If you combine Kano-Maradi and Lagos-Kano, you will know that the volume of passengers you will get in a week will be about a million passengers.”

According to the minister, there will be expansion in the concept of the Kano station which is largely the same framework as the lagos station but has more space.

He said the visit of the Kano delegation was also to delebrate on the Dala inland dry port which was already at an advanced stage.

Amaechi said that the ministry’s delegation would, on March 5, visit the site to ascertain the level of work and how the ministry could support realisation of the project.

In his remarks, Ganduje said that the State Government had contributed about N2.5billion to the dry port project to ensure its speedy completion and commercialisation.

“We are investing about N2.5billion; we are providing access road; we are providing also other social amenities just to contribute our own quota.

“That project was conceived 20years ago but never materialised until during our time.

“So I want to make sure that this project is a reality and, in order to do that, we have to provide enabling environment, contribute our own quota.

“So we are happy with the developers because they have gone far and we are happy with the honourable minister of transportation because he has given maximum cooperation in assistance to see that the Kano State Dala inland dry port is a reality.”

Ganduje said that the project would lead to economic development for Kano and its neighbouring States as well as for Niger Republic, Cameron and Chad, among others.

Air Accidents Victims’ Day: NASS Empathises with Families

Air Accidents Victims’ Day: NASS Empathises with Families

By Clement Nwabuko

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the Air Accidents Victims’ Day, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji on Sunday joined other members of the Aviation Community in empathising with the families of air accident victims in the country.

Statistics released by Air Accident Investigation Bureau, (AIB) to mark the International Day for air crash victims and their families as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization, (AIB)showed that Nigeria lost about 2,036 lives to air crashes from 1969 to date.

Honourable Nnaji said, ” My heart goes for the families of the victims and l want to assure them that those our loved ones did not die in vain as aviation sector has made significant improvements in securing our airspace with modern facilities to minimize air accidents.

Honourable Nnaji further assured that, ” as the legislature, we will continue to do our best in strengthening the various agencies of the aviation sector through legislation and appropriations of funds to give our people a deserving air transport sector”.

The Aviation Committee Chairman also observed that the recently passed Bill for the establishment of National Safety Investigation Board when signed into Act would give birth to family assistant unit which would provide counselling and other relevant supports to the families of accident victims.

Honourable Nnaji further stressed that by the commemoration, “we are reminded of what we must do and what we will continue to do to minimize air accidents and make our skies safer.

“I do hope that the next year’s remembrance will be more elaborate and more inclusive because it is an important event that calls for sober reflections from the airlines, service providers, the regulator and even the passengers as well as the equipment manufacturers “.

Enactment of NRIC Bill 2022 will cure current socio-ecomomic ills bedeviling Nigeria – ASURI

Enactment of NRIC Bill 2022 will cure current socio-ecomomic ills bedeviling Nigeria – ASURI

By Clement Nwabuko.

Abuja – The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), has said that the enactment of NRIC Bill, 2022, will undoubtedly be amongst the most important legislations of the National Assembly since independence because it will change the narrative of Nigeria as world’s poverty capital and current socio-economic ills bedeviling Nigeria and threatening to tear it apart.”

Speaking in Abuja during the Senate Public Hearing on the National Research and Innovation Council (Establishment) Bill 2022, the Secretary General of ASURI, Dr. Theophilus Ndubuaku, called on the National Assembly to amend the Public Procurement Act by removing budgetary allocation to research from under capital projects so that funds meant for research would go straight to researchers and not through contractors.

He condemned the practice of awarding research projects in the nation’s mandate research institutes to contractors.

Dr. Ndubuaku said going by the present statutory provisions, research is grouped together with capital projects and it is only companies that are duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and all other statutory agencies such as Nigerian Pension Commission (PENCOMM) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), among many others, that can bid for research projects as contracts.

“What these companies do is to collect the contract award, remove a good percentage of the contract sum and re-award same to researchers,” he said. “As long as we continue this manner, Nigeria cannot achieve substantial growth.

According to the ASURI Scribe, who is generally believed to be Nigeria’s No.1 advocate for research funding, the only way out is for the National Assembly to rise to the occasion by amending the Public Procurement Act to remove this shame of awarding research to contractors whose only interest is their profit margin.

He argued that the core problem of research funding in Nigeria has been the reliance on budgetary allocations. Quoting the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Ndubuaku, a researcher of over 40 years, said no serious country funds science and technology from budgetary allocations.

Citing the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as an example, he said the impact of this institutionalized funding mechanism is being felt through the nation’s tertiary institutions.

“The Executive Secretary/CEO of TETFund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, has said it openly that 98.5 per cent of capital projects funding in tertiary institutions is through TETFund and there is no reason to doubt him because the result is there for all to see.”

Said Dr. Ndubuaku: “As the leading and indeed the lone voice in the wilderness over the years for institutionalized mechanism for research funding and coordination, as provided by the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation, as represented by the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC). That is the only way out for Nigeria and we are not shifting ground.”

According to him, through NRIC, the nation’s outlay on research funding would increase five times. “By comparison, it is noteworthy that while South Africa (population: 59.3 million) spends 1.5 per cent of its GDP on the funding of research, Nigeria (population: 213 million) spends a paltry 0.22 per cent. It is projected that if and when NRIC comes on board, the nation’s outlay on research funding would increase five times to one per cent of its GDP.”

Noting that the NRIC Bill was not new comer at the National Assembly, he said the surge in research funding was the projection of the 8th Assembly which first passed the NRIC, which was co-sponsored by 60 Senators in 2018. “The Bill was returned to it on 30th August 2018 by Mr. President, citing some grey areas. It was rectified and returned to the Villa in June 2019, but then it was again denied Presidential assent.”

Expressing optimism, the renowned researcher and labour leader told the Senate Committee on Science and Technology that there were positive signals that the Bill would receive Presidential nod this time around.

He said: “Following the sustained advocacy by ASURI and the Civil Society Coalition comprising of over 30 non-governmental organisations, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in a letter dated 30th November 2021, advised ASURI to ‘re-introduce/re-present the Bill to the 9th National Assembly, while monitoring the stages that it passes through and inform the SGF when it is finalized and awaiting Presidential Assent.’”

Going down memory lane, Dr. Ndubuaku recalled that the Council was inaugurated during the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration, adding that its first meeting took place on 6th January 2016, under the Chairmanship of President Muhammadu Buhari and that the Bill only seeks to give legal muscle to the already existing institution so that it can function and fulfill its mandate.

He explained that the missing link in research that the anticipated NRIC seeks to fund is that which will have “direct bearing and impact on the nation’s socio-economic and technological development and not mere academic exercises.”

In driving home his point, he quoted Professor Suleiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, who was reported by an online newspaper to have said that, “Nigerian universities have dwelt too long on teaching rather than research…most of the country’s research is only for promotion and not for addressing societal ills.”

He regretted that in the last 15 years, every effort made by the National Assembly to amend the TETFund Act to extend its funding to research institutes was vehemently resisted and scuttled by TETFund and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

2022 Commemoration of Air Crash Victims and Their families : Stakeholders Restate Commitment to Safety _ Ada Nkong

2022 Commemoration of Air Crash Victims and Their families : Stakeholders Restate Commitment to Safety _ Ada Nkong

The international council on Aviation has mandated all member states to set aside February 20 each year to remember air crash victims and identify with survivors and families of the victims in their healing process.

The President of ICAO, Salvatore Sciacchitano addressing the attendees which included representatives of airlines  said air crashes are a reminder of the responsibility to the traveling public to do more.

The Minister of Aviation Sen Hadi Sirika who was represented by Captain Alkali Talba commiserated with the families of the victims saying the day called for sober reaction.

In his address, the commissioner and CEO of AIB Engr Akin Olateru assured Nigerians that industry regulators are committed to offering significant support in case of incidents but more so to preventing them.

“The Bureau has provided family assistance in the recovery of personal effects of victims, identification of bodies, provision of information on accident Investigations, and pathological services, amongst others”.
“AIB has also participated in the commemoration of air crash accident anniversaries.
I believe that irrespective of the scale of an accident, the victims and their families should receive appropriate and timely assistance”.

The DG NCAA Capt Nuhu Musa said the initiative to commemorate the day is laudable and will honor the victims and offer families consolation.

A representative of families of the victims  Mr Eric Briggs expressed appreciation for the event and asked for a more timely approach to communication with family members when a crash occurs.

In Nigeria, between 1969 and now, 2038 lives have been lost to air crashes, 1996 on board and 42 on ground. Though the victims are dead, the families grieve on and bear the pain of their loss long after the incident.

Presidential Ambition: Sack Emefiele Now – NCP

Presidential Ambition: Sack Emefiele Now – NCP

By Clement Nwabuko
Abuja (POINEWS) – The National Chairman of the Nigerian Conscience Party, (NCP) Dr Yunusa Tanko has called on the President, General Mohammadu Buhari to immediately sack the Central Bank, (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele for delving into politics.

He noted that with Mr Emefiele’s failure to disown the viral video of the launch of his support group, he had lost the moral grounds to continue to remain in office as the head of the nation’s apex bank and chief monetary policy adviser.

Dr. Yunusa Tanko in a statement he personally signed said, “Emefiele’s refusal to address the viral video circulating round on the Social media shows Emefiele’s plan to succeed President Buhari in 2023.”

The NCP Chairman further advised the CBN Chief to equally tow the part of honour by resigning his appointment failure which he should be booted out without delay.

The activist turned politician noted that Emefiele could not deny his sponsorship of the group, “because he is fully behind its emergence.

Just last Thursday, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu apparently due to conflict of certain interest backed out of Emefiele Project 2023.”

Dr Tanko who was the presidential candidate of his party in 2019 reiterated his position that a southern president should succeed President Buhari and enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to support the emergence of a southern president for the unity and future of the country.

“This is the position of our party and we also call on well-meaning Nigerians to vote competency, a stabilizer, a man of empathy and do away with ethical and religious sentiments.

“It is important to note that we stand on the part of equity, fairness and justice . We urge Nigerians to keep hope alive by uniting to speak for justice through ballot box in 2023”.

Abba Kyari Cocaine Saga: PSC Suspends Two, Calls for Updates by Ada Nkong

Abba Kyari Cocaine Saga: PSC Suspends Two, Calls for Updates by Ada Nkong

Following the arrest of DCP Abba Kyari over drug related charges, Police Service Commission has suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Sunday Ubua and Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP James Bawa from the exercise of the powers and functions of their respective Offices with effect from Monday, 14th February, 2022.
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According to a statement by lkechukwu Ani, head press and public relations of the PSC, the two Police Officers were working under the suspended DCP Abba Kyari in the Intelligence Response Team of the Force Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force. They were also alleged to be involved in the current cocaine seizure and transfer to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Ani said the Commission’s decision was contained in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, dated 16th February 2022 and signed by Hon. Justice Clara B. Ogunbiyi, retired Justice of the Supreme court and Honourable Commissioner 1 in the Commission for the Honourable Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, retired Inspector General of Police.
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According to Ani ,the Commission in the letter titled “Re- Investigation into seizure and Transfer to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of 25 kilogrammes of Cocaine by the Office of DCP, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Department of Force Intelligence Bureau” stated that in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 030406, the Commission has approved the suspension of the Officers ” until the outcome of the investigation into the allegations levelled against them”

The Commission also directed the Inspector General of Police to ‘note also that DCP Abba Kyari, who prior to this allegation was on suspension, shall remain so until the conclusion of investigations”.
The Inspector General of Police was requested to place on suspension Inspector Simon Agrigba and Inspector John Nuhu in accordance with the Powers of Delegation.
” The IGP is further requested to inform the Commission of the arrest of ASP John Umoru who is currently at large whenever his arrest is effected to enable it take necessary action”.
The Commission also directed the Inspector General of Police to furnish it with information on further development on the matter for necessary further action.
Mr Ani said the Commission is in receipt of a copy of IGP’s letter on the subject matter with Reference number CB: 4099/FHQ/ABJ/Vol16/151 dated 14th February, 2022 and addressed to Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa rtd, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agenc