14 Students, One Teacher Dead in Texas Elementary School Shooting . By Ada Nkong

14 Students, One Teacher Dead in Texas Elementary School Shooting . By Ada Nkong

Fourteen students and one teacher were killed in a shooting Tuesday morning at a Texas elementary school, Gov. Greg Abbott said.

The suspected shooter, who might have had a handgun and rifle, was fatally wounded by responding law enforcement, he said.

The incident was no longer active Tuesday afternoon. The suspected shooter was 18, authorities said.

Initial accounts indicated 13 children were taken to the emergency room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital after the shooting at Robb Elementary, according to a Facebook statement and hospital CEO Tom Nordwick. Two were transferred and one is pending a transfer, the CEO said in a phone call.

In addition, two people were pronounced dead prior to arriving at the hospital, Nordwick said. Their names and ages were not released.
University Health said in a tweet that it was treating a child and a 66-year-old woman who is listed in critical condition. The condition of the child is not yet known.

A University Health spokesperson said she could not confirm if the patients are shooting victims, but added their injuries are related to the shooting at the school.

The suspected shooter was taken into custody just after 1 p.m. local time, the Uvalde Police Department announced on Facebook. No other details, including the suspect’s name and the number of those injured, were disclosed.
News of the suspect’s capture came less than an hour after the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District announced on Twitter that there was “an active shooter” at the elementary school.

“Law enforcement is on site. Your cooperation is needed at this time by not visiting the campus. As soon as more information is gathered it will be shared,” the tweet said.
Source: NBC News

Why We Invaded Okorocha’s Maitama Home – EFCC

Why We Invaded Okorocha’s Maitama Home – EFCC

Abuja – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has given reason why it’s operatives invaded the home of Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The Commission said the move followed the refusal of the former governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.

Recall that the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 24, 2022, arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former governor to effect his arrest.

The Commission disclosed this via it’s Facebook page on Tuesday shortly after the news of his house’s siege by the EFCC went viral on social media.

EFCC had on January 24, 2022 filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion against Okorocha.

The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.

At the last adjourned date, March 28th, 2022, Justice Ekwo before adjourning until May 30th, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter”.

In the circumstances, the Commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.

Engaging Journalists To Promote Reconciliation, Reintegration And Transitional Justice Will End Cycle Of Violence – NHRC

Engaging Journalists To Promote Reconciliation, Reintegration And Transitional Justice Will End Cycle Of Violence – NHRC
  • …Takes them on project training

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stated that engaging journalists has become necessary to promote the whole idea of Reconciliation, Reintegration and Transitional Justice as this will bring an end to the cycle of violence, particularly in the North East where insurgency and counter insurgency measures have occasioned the need for peace building in various communities.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN) who stated this in Yola, Adamawa state during the opening ceremony of a training programme for Media Practitioners on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in three North East states, namely Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, noted that Chapter 2 of the1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) recognizes the role of media in national discussion.

The Executive Secretary who was represented at the occasion by the Project Coordinator, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna recalled that journalists were earlier engaged in Media Advocacy and Messaging last year, adding that the job is not over since the media still have more work to do in telling the affected communities and victims that they are not abandoned.

Continuing, the Chief Custodian of Human Rights in Nigeria restated that engaging journalists has become necessary to promote the whole idea of Reconciliation, Reintegration and Transitional Justice in such a manner that the offended communities and victims could begin to see the rational for forgiveness and apologies, from the victims and repentant Boko Haram combatant respectively.

This, according to the Executive Secretary, will bring an end to the cycle of violence and enable the society to have peace and move forward.

The NHRC Boss therefore stated that the media remains “an essential partner in promoting reconciliation and transitional justice in the North East, saying that no effort should be spared in building the capacity of media professionals to embrace and perform this role effectively”.

“The Pilot Project was to initiate community-led process for nonjudicial transitional justice and reconciliation as a foundation for reintegration and post conflict recovery in the North East”, Ojukwu added.

In his opening remarks, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Adamawa state, Samuel Yaumande Esq commended the NHRC for chosing the nonjudicial process to pursue the issue of reconciliation, reintegration and transitional justice in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, advocating that the project must be owned and supported by the communities, in order for it to work effectively.

The Adamawa state top government Official who declared the training open also tasked journalists to be at the centre of promoting the peace project even as he promised that relevant department of his Ministry would be willing to work together with any partner that supports reconciliation and peace building in the state.

Similarly, in her goodwill message, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Humanitarian Services, Adamawa state, Aishatu Bibi Umar Rilwanu stated that security is one of the major priorities of the state government, and that serious efforts are being made by the goverment to ensure that displaced persons are successfully reintegrated into their various communities.

Several papers were presented at the event which was attended by scores of journalists. They include Presentations on the Transitional Justice Project : Milestones, Plans and Expectations (Labaran Babangida, NHRC), Framing Speech: Role of Media in Peace Building, Reconciliation and Transitional Justice in Post Conflict Societies in West Africa (Dr. Chukwuemeka Eze, Executive Director of West Africa Network for Peace building), Transitional Justice: Meaning and Approaches (Hilary Ogbonna, Senior Human Rights Adviser, NHRC).

Others are Role of the Media in promoting people centred approaches to reconcilation and reintegration in post conflict North East (Dr. Jude Momodu, Director, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology and Building Community Confidence and Resilience in the Process of Reception and Reintegration of Deradicalised Ex- Boko Haram and other Returnees (Dr. Saheed Owonikoko, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adamawa University).

The project is being carried out with the NHRC with the support of the UNDP and European Union.

States Groan Over Delayed Revenue Sharing, FAAC Meets Today

States Groan Over Delayed Revenue Sharing, FAAC Meets Today

Abuja – The Federation Account and Allocation Committee meeting initially scheduled for last week will now hold on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Chairman of the Finance Commissioners Forum, David Olofu, and the Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Fidelis Tilije, disclosed this in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Monday.

But Olofu, who is also the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, added that the delay in holding the FAAC meeting had affected the activities of many states including payment of salaries and capital expenditures.

FAAC, which is headed by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and whose members include state Commissioners of Finance, states’ Accountants – General, Accountant – General of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance meet every month to share revenues among the federal, state and local governments.

The FAAC meeting was scheduled to hold on Wednesday and Thursday last week, but the Federal Ministry of Finance, in a statement on Wednesday by its director of Home Finance, Stephen Okon, said it had been postponed indefinitely.

The postponement of the meeting, which the ministry said was due to certain circumstances came a few days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, over an alleged N80 billion fraud.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, announced an indefinite suspension of Idris without pay.

When contacted on Monday, Olofu, who declined to comment on Idris arrest, said that the delay in the sharing of this month’s allocations had affected most of the states of federation of meeting their obligations.

He stated, “We are holding FAAC meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, adding, ‘the delay has affected government activities.

“We have cash group plans at states, those cash group plans have not been met, so that has put in the cooler all plans of cash group and they have yet to be met including payment of salaries and capital expenditure because over 28 states in the country rely on federal allocation except Lagos and Rivers. In fact, no other states again, all other states depend on allocation,” Olofu said.

On his part, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode, said the delay in the FAAC meeting brought to the fore the need to ensure fiscal federalism.

The commissioner, who said that Nigeria was producing less crude than OPEC quota and spending heavily on pipeline security and infrastructure, said, “Despite the huge spending on security, we are still unable to secure our pipelines, we can see heavy theft of crude oil, that should concern anyone.

“Despite significant investment in agriculture, agriculture is still growing at 3 per cent per annum. We should be asking questions about how do we invest in storage and irrigation which are the big drivers of productivity in agriculture, which is the mainstay of our economy. These are conversations we should be having.

“We should be having conversations about how do we decentralise our grid infrastructures, how do we put in the grids that we need to deepen and increase electricity generation. We need conversation around even fiscal federation – is the current revenue sharing formula the right one?

“Oil production has dropped to about 1.4 million barrels per day and we are spending hugely on subsidy. Not only are we earning less from crude, we are actually spending more to import refined products. At the end of the day, we are going to end up with the position that subsidy is simply not sustainable and something has to be done.

“, I think, in the spirit of fiscal federalism, the states should be given the choice whether or not they want the subsidy for the refined products being sold in their state.

The Delta State Government has said even though Federation Account Allocation A Committee (FAAC) does not hold its meeting, it will no affect Delta state finance.

The State Commissioner for Finance Mr. Fidelis Tilije, stated this on Monday in an interview with The PUNCH in Asaba, said that there will be FAAC meeting on Wednesday.

Commenting on the delayed FAAC meeting, A political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof Pat Utomi, urged States to create an environment for wealth creation rather than depend solely on the federal allocation.

He said, “States must focus more on creating the environment for wealth creation. If you go back to the late 50s and early 60s, most of the developments that took place in Nigeria are from the subnational governments. They collected the revenues, and send 50 per cent of it to the centre but the military ruined all of that.

“So, Nigeria became more focused on sharing revenues than on the fundamental way of governing, which is the production and taxing earned revenue. Whenever there is no revenue to share, the States are in complete trouble and they become bureaucracies that are unable to manage themselves because they are dependent.

“This is not the way they should function. I have in fact argued that local governments should be restructured as economic development areas rather than political drain pipes where a local government in Ogun will be struggling with the one in Oyo to offer better incentives for businesses to relocate so that they can benefit from the tax.”

A Professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, said that one of the reasons for the delay is likely the recent arrest and suspension of the Accountant-General.

He added that States should stop depending on the federal government and find a way to boost revenue.

Tella said, “I think the delay is caused by the action of the Accountant-General who stole money. He happens to be a major stakeholder in the meeting they are supposed to hold to decide on the allocation. It also exposes the States’ dependence on the Federal Government. That is not good enough because there is no State that cannot take care of itself if they are really working if the governors are thinking out of the box.”

He further said that this delay may lead to States being unable to pay salaries, adding that the States may also owe creditors and contractors, which may affect productivity levels.

“The major delay will be on salary payment. It would also be on paying their creditors and contractors. When this happens, it will likely affect productivity and reduce output,” Tella said.

NEC meeting fails to hold two consecutive months

He stated this as the National Economic Council chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, failed to meet two consecutive months as most members, including contesting 2023 elections intensified their electioneering.

Impeccable sources close to council members who spoke to one of our correspondents anonymously affirmed that there has not been any sitting in April and May. More so, there were no prior announcements of suspension of NEC meetings.

According to the source, “Yes, there have been no meetings for two months now. Also, there was no official communication to members that the meeting won’t be held in the coming months.

“I believe everyone understands that this is an election season and they all moved on with their political activities.”

Punch

Women will be given equal opportunities as their male counterparts, says Amaechi.

Women will be given equal opportunities as their male counterparts, says Amaechi.

Abuja – Leading Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that if elected as the Nigerian President comes 2023, women will be given equal opportunities as men in his administration.
 According to the statement signed by RT Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Media Office made available to Peionews, Amaechi stated this during his consultation visit to Benue, Gombe, and Katsina State.
 He said he doesn’t believe in the 35 percent affirmative action for women in politics because women are more competent and intelligent than men.
Amaechi, however, said that women delegates should get ready to vote him into power after he gets the party ticket. They should be rest assured that his administration would give women equal rights.
 “When we win, women will have equal opportunities as the men; there will not be 35 percent affirmative action for women. No, you are more intelligent than the men. Ask parents; if you have a boy and a girl, the girl develops faster than the boy and is more intelligent; eventually, the boy becomes the Oga of the house by tradition, not because he is more brilliant.
“Amina Mohammed was not selected because she was a woman; she earned it. Women are more qualified than men; whether you believe it or not, in our government, we will include women; just go and vote.
“We will give you opportunities like every other person in Nigeria to serve the country because you are equally qualified. So, there will be equal opportunities for both genders.”
 Speaking to the youths, he said that he became a Speaker at the age of 34yrs, stating that youths should join a party and be more active at the party level.
“I became a Speaker at the age of 34yrs, then there was no “Not too Young to Run Bill,” and I was given the opportunity, if youths are more committed at the party level, they will get more opportunities to serve,” he said.
 Various NGO and women groups had protested over denying women 35 percent affirmative action in party administration, leadership, and specific seats for women in the National Assembly.


I have what it takes to succeed Buhari as President – Lawan tells Niger delegates

I have what it takes to succeed Buhari as President – Lawan tells Niger delegates

Abuja – The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said on Monday that he has all it takes to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure comes to an end in May 2023.

“I am equipped. I have experience enough, I have what it takes to be Nigerian President after President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office,” Lawan said at Minna in Niger state while addresing the All Progressives Congress(APC) delegates from the state.

Lawan and his campaign team met the State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, the delegates to the upcoming APC Presidential primaries and later paid homage to the Emir of Minna, Dr Umar Farouq Bahago.

According to the statement released by Ahmad Lawan Presidential Campaign Organisation signed by Ola Awoniyi and made available to Peionews, Lawan solicited the votes of the delegates against the background of what he has to offer, his vast experience in governance and the stability that he brought to the parliament.

“For the last three years, I have been the Senate President. I have been able to work very well with all my colleagues regardless of their political parties.

“We have been able to make the Senate very stable, peaceful and very productive and today, we have been able to make so many laws because we are at peace.

“It is that type of stability, that type of peace, that kind of unity that I want to bring into the Villa by the Grace of God next year.

“I am running for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because of what I believe in. For me, mandate is service.

“Having served in the Legislature and having been working with Mr President as the Senate President, I therefore get close to governance, a very good participant in governance at the national level.

“I am equipped. I have experience enough, I have what it takes to be Nigerian President after President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office.

“At my age, and I’m a very young man. I’m only 63 years, in between the old and the new. I believe that I can carry the young. And the young is the centre piece of my policy.

“But first let me tell you what I want to do for us. Security. We all know that Niger state has been at the receiving end of insecurity and I know how hard our friend, our Governor has been working to secure the lives of the people of this state.

“The Federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has been doing a lot. We have conquered the Boko Haram in the north east. But we still have challenges in the northwest, in this part of north central.

“It is my intention to continue to work with our President to fight insecurity in every part of Nigeria until he finishes his tenure by the Grace of God on the 29th May, 2023.

“It is my intention to start to serve as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to build on the succeses that our President would achieve when he will leave office.

“I believe that we need to consider the architecture of our security system. I believe in citizens participation in security. You and I, report what you see to the relevant authourities.They say if you see something, say something. If you see bandits, inform the appropriate authourities.

“I want to see a situation where citizens who volunteer information are protected. I want to see a situation where our traditional rulers, the traditional Institutions play a role in securing our communities. They use to do it before. We can bring them back to do it. There is nothing more important to us today in Nigeria than security. That will be my priority.

“I also want to build on the successes of President Muhammadu Buhari on the economy of Nigeria. I believe that it is still not yet what we want but we are better than many countries.

“Finally, Niger state is an Agricultural state. I want a situation where at least every geo-political zone will have one crop that will be nurtured for production, for processing and for marketing.

“That is to say that it is not enough for us in Niger state to produce yam only. We should produce the yam, process the yam and sell with a higher value.I believe that this is one way to deal with the youth unemployment,” Lawan said.

In his response, Governor Sani Bello thanked the Senate President and his team for the visit.

“I think he has laid out his plans for Niger state for you delegates to consider. So that you give him your mandate to represent our party at the next presidential election.

“I don’t need to say much. You all heard when he started. He has been in the National Assembly since 1999. I don’t think anyone has broken that record yet in Nigeria,” Governor Bello said.

The Senate President was accompanied on the trip from Abuja by former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, Ambassador Sam Nkire, Navy Commodore Mohammed Barau, mni and Engineer Isa Ahmed.


Delegates Confirm Ortom As PDP Senatorial Candidate For Benue North-West

Delegates Confirm Ortom As PDP Senatorial Candidate For Benue North-West

Abuja – Delegates from the seven local government areas that make up Benue North West senatorial zone have endorsed Governor Samuel Ortom as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in next year’s general election.

The Governor was in March this year  endorsed as the sole PDP senatorial candidate by the stakeholders from the zone to contest the Senate seat.

Speaking to journalists shortly after he was declared winner by the returning officer for the election at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, Governor Ortom expressed appreciation to the people of the zone for always standing with him.

According to the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur made available to Peionews, Orrom said he was pleased to be given another opportunity to serve the state at the Senate at the expiration of his tenure as governor.

According to the Governor, the people of State, especially the people of Benue North-West, have demonstrated an  uncommon support to him, pointing out that “i have nothing to pay back than to remain their loyal servant, to give all to their service, ” Governor Ortom stated.

The Governor also pledged his commitment to continue doing his best in service to the people of the State, saying “The interest of the people will always be my priority.”

He commended the successes recorded in the conduct of the party’s primary elections into the State Assembly and House of Representatives, stressing that this was the result of the series of meetings and consultations that were held to guarantee the success of the primaries.

While commending the electoral panels for carrying out a diligent exercise, he noted that no aspirant who lost out protested  because the exercise was free and transparent.



Boris Johnson Pictured Drinking at No 10 Lockdown Event by Ada Nkong

Boris Johnson Pictured Drinking at No 10 Lockdown Event by Ada Nkong

Boris Johnson has been pictured drinking at an event in Downing Street during lockdown.

ITV News has published four photos, saying they were taken on 13 November 2020 at a leaving do for the PM’s director of communications, Lee Cain.

The Metropolitan Police have issued fines relating to No 10 gatherings on that date.

A No 10 spokeswoman said the Cabinet Office and the police had had access to information, including photographs.

The BBC has been told that at least one person who attended has been fined by the police. Mr Johnson himself was not.
After the leaked pictures were published, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said the PM had “demeaned his office” and “the British people deserve better”.

She added: “Boris Johnson said repeatedly that he knew nothing about law-breaking – there’s no doubt now, he lied. Boris Johnson made the rules, and then broke them.”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said the images show Mr Johnson “has taken the British people for fools” while the SNP’s Ian Blackford called him a “charlatan and a liar”
Source: BBC

Osaka knocked out in French Open first round by Anisimova

Japan’s Naomi Osaka crashed out of the French Open in a 7-5 6-4 first-round loss to American Amanda Anisimova on Monday.

This is coming a year after her dramatic withdrawal from the clay court Grand Slam tournament amid mental health issues.

Up against 27th seed Anisimova, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka never looked comfortable on her least favourite surface as she struggled to control her powerful game.

The first three games all went against serve in a tense start but Anisimova held to go 3-1 ahead.

A backhand error by Anisimova allowed Osaka to level for 3-3, but a double-fault in the 11th game allowed Anisimova to move 6-5 up and she held serve to love to take the set.

Anisimova broke decisively for 4-3 in the second set as Osaka again double-faulted.

After a couple of match-points went begging, Anisimova finished it off with a stunning backhand winner down the line.

Osaka withdrew from the tournament in 2021 after boycotting post-match media duties for mental health reasons.

The Japanese at that time had revealed she had been suffering from depression for almost three years.

She returned to competitive tennis at the Tokyo Olympics after the saga cast a spotlight on players’ post-match media duties.

AC Milan win Serie A title after 11 years

AC Milan has completed its ascent back to the Serie A summit.

For the first time since 2010-11, the Rossoneri have been crowned Italian champions, outlasting rival and defending scudetto winner Inter Milan for the ’21-22 league trophy.

It has been a humbling decade for Milan, which has seen Juventus win nine straight titles before Inter ended a lengthy title drought last season. 

However, the red side of the San Siro is the one celebrating now, pulling even with Inter Milan for the second-most titles in Italian history, as both trail Juventus’s official tally of 36 with 19.