The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded 27.9 percent female participation in peacekeeping operations.
This is against the 17 percent benchmark stipulated by the United Nations for gender mainstreaming.
General Musa stated this in his welcome address at the Defence Headquarters Gender Mainstreaming Conference 2023 with the theme “Building capacity through gender mainstreaming to meet security challenges.”
Details later…
[Leadership]
The Christian Association of Nigeria has said it paid N250 million ransom to bandits before they released the 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, who were kidnapped in July 2021.
The State Chairman of CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, made the revelation during a visit to Governor Uba Sani.
Hayab, who led the parents and family of Treasure Ayuba, the last Bethel student who escaped from captivity about a week ago, on a courtesy visit to Governor Sani, said there is the need to clear the air on the erroneous information being circulated that it was the student that opted to remain with the bandits.
He said: “There was nothing like that as the boy does not look like someone who would take such a decision.”
He said the bandits took several measures for Ayuba not to be released. including twice snatching those that took ransom money to them.
Hayab told Sani: “A total sum of N250 million was paid as ransom to rescue the 121 students.
“Today, we gather here with a mix of feelings: relief, joy, and gratitude.
“We are here to welcome back Treasure Ayuba, the last of the kidnapped students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, marched out while in their sleep in the school hostel and kidnapped on the night of 5th July, 2021 by bandits.
“To the knowledge of CAN, over N250 million was paid as ransom to get the 121 kidnapped children out from their captors, but for Treasure, his story became a heartbreaking one, further made worse by distorting the truth that the boy did not want to leave the den of the kidnappers.
“For the avoidance of doubts, CAN is aware of the firm efforts made by the boy’s family, relations and well-wishers to get him back home.
“To add salt to injury, on more than one occasion, the kidnappers abducted the persons sent with the ransom to get Treasure out of their hands, making his stay become an infinite time of agonising pain until God intervened.
“Accordingly, on Thursday, 2nd November, 2023, I received a call from Treasure’s parents that the boy returned home safely after being in the hands of his captors for 28 months.
“Treasure’s miraculous return is a moment of triumph, not just for Treasure and his family, Bethel Baptist High School Kaduna, the Baptist family, Kaduna State, and Nigeria, but for all humanity in general.
“Treasure’s abduction, along with his fellow schoolchildren, remains a painful reminder of the challenges we face as a nation.
“The kidnapping of school children and students from a school facility is a stark harsh reality of the threats to our educational institutions and the safety of our young ones.
“The abduction shook us to our core, leaving us with a profound sense of urgency to bring an end to the atrocities perpetrated against the citizenry, the state, the nation at large and humanity in general.
“Today, as we stand here, welcoming Treasure back into the loving arms of his family, the church, people of goodwill and the government of Kaduna State, we are reminded of the resilience and determination that defines us as a people irrespective of religious affiliations or ethnic origin.”
Governor Uba said: “We are going to support him (Ayuba) in every way to ensure his reintegration into the society.
“I will speak with the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development to provide him with psychosocial treatment to try and erase the impact of the two years he spent with the bandits.
“We have taken steps to safeguard our schools and ensure that our schoolchildren have their education in a conducive atmosphere.
“We will set up a security committee in all schools, ensure the deployment of KADVIS (Kaduna Vigilance Service) to all our schools, secure our schools by building fences round the school among other measures.”
[EagleOnline]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday morning arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend Saudi-Africa Summit holding tomorrow, Friday.
In the summit, President Tinubu will underscore Nigeria’s commitment to attracting more Foreign Direct Investment and expanding business partnerships, strongly reinforced by his administration’s ongoing domestic economic reforms.
Also, discussions at the first Saudi-Africa Summit will revolve around supporting joint actions, enhancing political coordination, addressing regional security threats, and facilitating economic transformation through research and the local development of new energy solutions, all while bolstering cross-sectoral investment cooperation.
The President was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman; Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu.
Others are the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mallam Jalal Arabi.
[NaijaNews]
Bitcoin is at an 18-month high amid reports that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a six-day deadline to approve or deny ETFs starting today.
Bitcoin price briefly touched $36,700 during the London trading session on Thursday. Bitcoin’s value has increased about 31% in the last month and 93% in the past year.
Other well-known digital assets are also in the green, with ether up 20% last month.
Data shows that about $50 million in liquidations occurred in a four-hour period during the early hours of trading in Asia, creating a “short squeeze” that sent prices higher.
Short selling is an unusual condition that causes a rapid increase in the price of any asset – A short squeeze occurs when the price suddenly increases and the short seller exits their position, leading to a flywheel of buying.
In contrast, Bitcoin struck in the following hours and skyrocketed to nearly $37K. After a brief rejection, the asset issued another price increase that took it to the same level late last night.
However, this time, the bulls were more persistent and pushed the crypto market valuation even further.
Buying pressure increases sharply as it is reported that the US Securities and Exchange Commission opened discussions with Grayscale Investments on the details of the company’s application to convert its GBTC into crypto sport ETF
The SEC’s approval of one or more ETF applications is highly anticipated by the crypto industry, which sees the moment as an important milestone that could ease everyday investors’ exposure to technical asset numbers.
Grayscale has been in contact with both the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets and the Division of Corporate Finance since winning the case, said the person, who requested anonymity because the negotiations remain confidential.
Grayscale has long had a relationship with the SEC due to the existing Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, but when they sought to launch an ETF that would carry crypto assets directly, the agency refused.
A battle in US federal court ensued, ending with a panel of judges finding that the SEC had refused “arbitrarily and capriciously” and the court ordering the agency to remove his refusal
The court’s ruling was finalized last month, sending the application back to the regulator.
However, Bitcoin miners are smiling as Bitcoin transaction fees reach 5% per month.
According to data from the statistical resource BitinfoCharts, the average BTC transaction fee has reached nearly $6 since November 7.
The supply remains limited, with long-term holders continuing to accumulate Bitcoin with impressive speed.
Glassnode data also highlighted that the spending behavior of short-term holders suggests that a change in the character of the market has now occurred with prices above the $30,000 mark.
This isn’t really surprising as this is also considered a key level in my quarterly outlook.
[Nairametrics]
‘They were looking for aspirants with ATM’ – Bode George accuses NWC of PDP for 2023 election defeat
AdminFormer Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has criticised the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for failing to secure victory in the 2023 presidential elections.
George made the statement while speaking to journalists in Lagos.
He faulted the NWC for deviating from the established procedures designed by the PDP’s founding fathers for conducting primary elections and congresses, stating that it is important to return to these established processes to improve the party’s chances in future elections.
“Having worked at the national secretariat for 10 years, the problem that resurfaces in every electoral period is very simple. It started during the period of Uche Secondus, and I wouldn’t like to undress my party publicly. It is a monumental crisis, but very simple to handle.
“The way the founding fathers designed the handling of primaries and congresses, they altered it; I won’t say more than that,” Bode George stated.
“But that is the major issue plaguing the party. You know our party is not owned by an individual, but some people play and pretend as if they are working for the party. Those are the issues that we will discuss when we get back in the inner chambers of our party and we must change them. That was the methodology used when I was there and there was no crisis.
“A typical example is the primaries in Lagos either governorship; they will send people who don’t live here and who have no business here to come and conduct primaries. How can somebody from outside know your house more than you and by the time they land rather than allowing people to vote, they will be looking for the aspirants and they become their Automated Teller Machine, ATM.
“And once they finish, they will run back to the national organising department to affirm the person they supported. But I won’t expand more than that, and that is the major crisis which you see because, if you go to the bottom and do your primaries at the wards and local government levels and create division at that level, how can you fight the outsiders.”
George called for a reconciliation committee to address these issues and pave the way forward for the PDP. He stressed the importance of conducting a thorough review of the party’s experiences in each state during the 2023 elections.
“There should be no short approach; sweeping everything under the carpet is a foolish way to do it. We must set up a committee that will go around the country, move state by state, and make inquiries about their experiences, what happened to finances, and the political aspect. How were the primaries conducted in each state? Who did what?”
[DailyPost]
Passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja are currently stranded and unable to continue their journeys due to an ongoing protest by labour unions.
The protesters are reportedly members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
This is following the recent attack on the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.
The PUNCH reports that aviation unions across the country jointly declared the suspension of all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from every airport in Nigeria.
More details to follow…
[Punch]
The Pan Yoruba Socio-political group, Afenifere, berated the National Assembly on Wednesday for approving and procuring vehicles worth N160 million for its members despite the economic hardships experienced by Nigerians.
The foremost Yoruba group’s position was contained in a communique issued at the end of its meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State. The group expressed that the lawmakers are insensitive to the current suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
In the communique signed by the Secretary-General of the group, Chief Sola Ebiseni, it was stated that there was no justification for the procurement of the vehicles, and the lawmakers should focus on fixing the roads across the country instead of purchasing vehicles for themselves.
The communique read: “Afenifere refuses to appreciate the calls for more sacrifices from Nigerians by the government, which members continue to maintain obscene and ostentatious lifestyles.
“It is most preposterous that members of the National Assembly are approving vehicles worth N160 million Naira for themselves because of the deplorable state of Nigerian roads, as if the responsibility to fix the said roads rests with the taxpayers.
“The Executive is unable to convince the people of the need for a yacht worth billions of Naira beyond ostentatious living. The costs of fuel have risen prohibitively, and the exchange rate of Naira is climbing astronomically without any verifiable economic policy.”
Afenifere also expressed displeasure with the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment on the 2023 Presidential election, stating that “Afenifere viewed with dismay the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which ratified the irregularities, particularly in the Presidential Election.
“Unfortunately, by the Supreme Court’s decision, the electoral reforms achieved through the agitations of Nigerians for quality control through technological devices and the billions of Naira spent on infrastructure in that regard have now gone to waste.”
Regarding the alarming insecurity and the resurgence of cattle herders’ menace, the group observed, “the alarming resurgence of insecurity caused by the activities of armed cattle herders terrorizing farmers, killing people, maiming, and raping women, has made some host communities uncomfortable living with these killer guests.
“While Afenifere appreciates the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country of their choice, it is essential to ensure that such citizens live in peace with their hosts and respect their culture and economic prosperity.
“Afenifere reiterates our opposition to open grazing of animals and reaffirms a preference for ranching as the world’s best practice of animal husbandry. There is no better time than now to consider that state governments be allowed to play greater roles in the security of their states by establishing their internal policing mechanism.”
The group reiterated its stance on the call for the restructuring of the country, stating, “the need to restructure Nigeria using the reports of the 2014 National Conference and the APC/El-Rufai Committee on Federalism as the irreducible template.
“Afenifere remains committed to the ideals and principles of true federalism. We are proud of our decision and efforts on the 2023 Presidential Election and remain convinced that it was the right step towards a united, secure, and prosperous Nigeria and its continued corporate existence.
“Nigeria is a federation of entrenched ethnic nationalities that has failed to evolve into a nation because of the deviation from the foundational principles of federalism.
“Unless Nigeria is ruled based on true federalism, which guarantees inclusiveness, fairness, egalitarianism, justice, and a sense of belonging to all its constituent groups, it will remain a mere geographical expression with no sense of common nationalism and patriotism.
“In this connection, the only way forward is to change the military-imposed constitution now and re-enact a constitution in line with the foundational federal principles.
“Afenifere calls on the civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that the Federal Government immediately sets the necessary modalities in motion in this regard.”
Those present at the meeting included Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Leader), HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Deputy Leader), Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chief Supo Sonibare, Chief Pekun Awobona, Chief Segun Ojo, and Dr. Gbola Adetunji, among others.
[tribuneonlineng.com]
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Appoints Twenty Federal Commissioners of The National Population Commission (NPC)
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of twenty (20) qualified Nigerians to serve as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC) with nine current Federal Commissioners being appointed to a second term in office:
(1) Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke — Abia
(2) Dr. Clifford Zirra — Adamawa — Reappointed
(3) Mr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke — Anambra — Reappointed
(4) Barr. Isa Audu Buratai — Borno — Reappointed
(5) Bishop Alex Ukam — Cross River
(6) Ms. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba — Delta
(7) Dr. Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu — Ebonyi
(8) Dr. Tony Aiyejina — Edo — Reappointed
(9) Mr. Ejike Ezeh — Enugu — Reappointed
(10) Mr. Abubakar Damburam — Gombe — Reappointed
(11) Prof. Uba Nnabue — Imo — Reappointed
(12) Ms. Sa'adatu Dogon Bauchi Garba — Kaduna
(13) Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa — Kano
(14) Hon. Yori Afolabi — Kogi
(15) Hon. Olakunle Sobukola — Ogun
(16) Hon. Temitayo Oluseye Oluwatuyi — Ondo
(17) Sen. Mudashiru Hussain — Osun — Reappointed
(18) Ms. Mary Ishaya Afan — Plateau
(19) Mr. Ogiri Itotenaan Henry — Rivers
(20) Mr. Saany Sale — Taraba — Reappointed
The President charges the new and returning NPC Federal Commissioners to successfully implement all measures taken by his administration to produce and effectively appropriate accurate population data with which lasting solutions to Nigeria's socio-political and economic challenges can be conclusively developed and executed.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 8, 2023
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has decried the rate of insecurity in some parts of the country as a result of the attacks by some armed herdsmen on farmers.
The group noted that the criminal activities of the bandits against farmers raised the need for the creation of state police to enhance proper security at the grassroots level.
This was contained in a communique issued by the Secretary-General of the association, Chief Sola Ebiseni, and made available to our correspondent in Akure on Wednesday. The communique was issued at the meeting of the group at the residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo in Ogbo Ijebu, Ogun State.
The communique partly reads, “Afenifere observed the alarming resurgence of insecurity occasioned by the activities of armed cattle herders terrorising farmers, killing, maiming the people and raping women for which some of the host communities are no longer comfortable living with the killer guests.
“While Afenifere appreciates the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country of his/her choice, it is important to stretch and ensure that such citizens live in peace with their hosts and respect their culture and economic prosperity.
“Afenifere reiterates our opposition to open grazing of animals and reaffirms preference of ranching as the world’s best practice of animal husbandry. No matter is better than now to consider that state governments be allowed to play greater roles in the security of their states by establishing their internal policing mechanism”
On true federalism, the group called on the federal government to adopt the report of the 2014 Confab or the Nasir El-Rufai Committee on Federalism to restructure the country and change the 1999 constitution.
The group stated,” Nigeria is a federation of entrenched ethnic nationalities which has failed to evolve into a nation because of the deviation from the foundational principles of federalism. Except Nigeria is ruled based on true federalism which guarantees inclusiveness, fairness, egalitarianism, justice and a sense of belonging to all its constituent groups, it will remain a mere geographical expression with no sense of common nationalism and patriotism.
“In this connection, the only way forward is to change the military constitution now and re-enact a constitution in line with the foundational federal principles. Except this is done now and quickly all the errors that occasioned the type of electoral shenanigans witnessed during the 2023 general elections and the technical judgement by the Supreme Court legitimising the same will fester ad infitum.
“Afenifere therefore calls on the civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that the Federal Government immediately sets the necessary modalities in motion in this regard. Afenifere further endorsed the resolutions of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum to which Afenifere belongs, on the need to restructure Nigeria using the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the APC/El-Rufai Committee on Federalism as the irreducible template.”
Aviation unions in Nigeria on Wednesday directed their workers to withdraw services to all public and private Owerri flights (both inwards and outwards) with effect from midnight.
The unions said the strike is indefinite until otherwise directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
The unions are the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
The directive by the aviation unions was in compliance with the joint session National Executive Council (NEC) session of the NLC and the TUC on Tuesday.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero was attacked in Owerri, the Imo State capital, last Wednesday just before a planned protest in the state to press the state government to heed the demands of the workers in the state.
The NLC and the TUC had since ordered shutdown of essential services in Imo as protest for the attack on Ajaero and declared a nationwide strike effective November 14, 2023.
In a strike notice to aviation workers on Wednesday, the five bodies ordered their members to withdraw services to all inwards and outwards Owerri flights.
The strike notice was co-signed by NUATE General Secretary, Ocheme Aba; ATSSSAN Deputy General Secretary, Frances Akinjole; ANAP Secretary General, AbdulRasaq Saidu; NAAPE Deputy General Secretary, Umoh Ofonime; and AUPCTRE General Secretary, Sikiru Waheed.
“In addition, the person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State is hereby declared persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he purges himself of bestial tendencies. Our unions will make further efforts through our international affiliations to blacklist Hope Uzodimma worldwide.” The notice partly read.
“Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri are hereby directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight today (08/11/2023) as directed by NLC and TUC.
“By this notice, the airports’ managements, airlines operating into and out of Owerri, intending airport passengers into and out of Owerri, and the general public are hereby advised about this situation so as to be forewarned.”
More...
President Bola Tinubu recently stopped the implementation of a hike in electricity tariff and insisted that subsidy be paid on power consumed nationwide, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed on Wednesday.
Adelabu also stated that the Federal Government would investigate the legality of the five-year licence extension given to privatised power distribution and generation companies, stressing that the operating licences of the firms would have expired on October 31, 2023.
The minister, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja, further stated that he would sack any non-performing chief executive in agencies under the power ministry, if their non-performance would make him lose his job as minister.
Speaking on the call for a cost reflective tariff, which would lead to a hike in the amount payable for power, Adelabu said, “The power sector is an industry that is very sensitive to any leader.
“You cannot jump overnight and implement the cost reflective tariff. I can tell you that till today the government still subsidises power. Tariff should have been raised months back, but Mr President said until we are able to achieve regular and incremental power supply we can’t touch the tariff.
“So the there is a gap between the cost reflective tariff that we are supposed to charge and the allowed tariff. That huge gap the government is still handling it as subsidy. This affects liquidity in the system, investments and causes so many constraints.”
He noted that the non-implementation of this was actually causing liquidity crisis in the sector, but stressed that the President had refused to allow a raise in electricity rate.
“Now, I never said that it is not yet time to charge cost reflective tariff. Rather, I said cost reflective tariff is supposed to have been implemented months ago because it is the source of liquidity to the system.
“But for political reasons and empathy, you cannot cause additional burden on Nigerians. We just had the removal of fuel subsidy, we are talking about exchange rate skyrocketing, galloping inflation and so many others that bring hardship to the people.
“And Mr President is trying to relieve this hardship through various forms of palliatives. So it is not politically expedient and reasonable to now implement a tariff that is more like dumping the existing tariff.
“We are now paying about N70 (per kilowatt-hour), and it can never be less than N130 or N140 at the exchange rate of today if we are to implement a cost reflective tariff. Because part of the reasons for an increased tariff is the price of gas, which is paid in dollars,” Adelabu stated.
He explained that as at today, 75 to 80 per cent of Nigeria’s power was from gas power plants, “and their raw material is gas. So, once exchange rate goes up, the cost of gas also goes up and it affects the tariff.”
He, however, pointed out that tariff would be increased at the appropriate time, which would be after a lot of sensitisation and communication with the public, adding that there must also be an assured incremental and regular supply.
The minister said the about 4,000 megawatts power generation in Nigeria was shameful and unacceptable, noting that efforts were being made to increase this.
He stressed that any senior official in the ministry and its agencies who fails to deliver would have to leave, as the President had told his ministers that they must perform or be fired.
“I’m using this medium to tell my colleagues who will work with me that if your activity is not supporting my retention, you’ll leave before me. Because for me, I don’t wait to be sacked, the moment I’m not performing, I’ll leave honorably.
“But before I leave I’ll explore every opportunity to ensure I deliver, because this is not personal, this is national and national interest must prevail. So all the players in the power sector must support my vision, so that I can support Mr President’s vision,” Adelabu stated.
The minister maintained that the privatisation of the power sector in 2013 was a mistake, stressing that commercialisation should have been better.
He, however, noted that the Federal Government could still take control of the power distribution companies despite owning 40 per cent stake in the various firms.
He said the government might also carry out a review of the territorial coverage of the Discos, as most of them were handling so large territories and were delivering below expectation.
The minister said when he resumed office, the licences of the privatised power firms which he saw were for 2013 to 2023, but along the line he got to hear that there was an extension by another five years.
He said this was being investigated, adding that the government would sit with the private sector operators to agree on a performance bond which the power firms must meet.
“QThat is what actually matters to us now, but I can tell you that I’ve ordered an investigation into the extension of the licences, (which was) not by this administration. So we want to investigate what truly happened.
“How legally correct was it, how contractually correct was the extension?” Adelabu stated.
Whether Nigeria had started supplying power to Niger Republic, the minister said, “We have not started. We are just messengers, when they ask us to resume, we will resume.”
He said the situation in the affected country was still being monitored by the Federal Government.
According to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, total number of electricity customers in Q1 2022 stood at 10.63 million and 10.81 million in Q2 2022, showing a rise of 1.67 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter basis.
On a year-on-year basis, customer number in Q1 2022 declined by 1.36 per cent from Q1 2021 (10.78 million), and also fell in Q2 2022 by 2.27 per cent from Q2 2021 (11.06million).
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has directed the deployment of 4500 personnel and 105 vehicles, including tow trucks and ambulances, to Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa states in preparation for the governorship elections scheduled for November 11.
The order was issued by the Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu, through the deputy Corps Marshal, Bisi Kazeem on Wednesday.
The deployed FRSC operatives were instructed to collaborate effectively with the Nigerian Police Force, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other security agencies to enforce restrictions on vehicular movement during the elections.
The personnel were also tasked with clearing road obstructions, conducting rescue operations in emergencies, and maintaining orderliness at polling booths.
The statement reads, “To ensure that the Corps plays an effective role in the elections, the Corps Marshal has directed the deployment of 1500 personnel of the Corps and 35 Vehicles including tow trucks, and ambulances to each of the respective States to strengthen enforcement of restrictions during the entire process of the election.”
The Corps Marshal emphasised the importance of professionalism and urged the personnel to avoid actions that could infringe on the rights of voters.
He called on the electorate to comply with all regulations and restrictions to ensure peaceful, free, and fair elections.
Togo has handed five soldiers prison sentences over the murder of a high-ranking colonel a day after the president’s 2020 inauguration.
At a military court on Tuesday evening, the five soldiers — including the former head of the army — received jail terms of between five and 20 years, according to an AFP correspondent at the hearing.
Lieutenant-Colonel Bitala Madjoulba, who commanded the country’s elite 1st Rapid Intervention Battalion, was found dead in his office in a military base on May 4, 2020, the day after President Faure Gnassingbe was sworn in for his fourth term.
An autopsy found that the 51-year-old, a fervent Gnassingbe supporter whose unit helped crush mass protests in 2017 and 2018, died of a bullet wound.
But the investigators were tight-lipped about their probe, and the death of a figure in the inner circle of the country’s military posed a challenge to the authorities in Togo, where the armed forces have been the cornerstone of power for 60 years.
Seven soldiers went on trial last month for “murder, complicity in murder, complicity in obstructing the course of justice and conspiracy against the internal security of the state”.
General Abalo Kadangha, the former head of Togo’s army, was given 20 years behind bars. Two other soldiers including the victim’s driver received 15 years’ imprisonment and two others five years. Two defendants were acquitted.
Those convicted were stripped of their military status and ordered to pay the state damages of more than $1.6 million (1.5 million euro).
“The conviction does not bring our relative back to us, so we cannot speak of satisfaction. However, we are satisfied that justice has finally been done,” Narcisse Dourma, lawyer for the colonel’s family told AFP.
Togolese media had suggested the crime was the result of divisions within the military, “a settling of scores”.
Opposition figures had criticised the silence of the authorities and called for an independent inquiry.
The late colonel’s home village in Siou, more than 500 kilometres (300 miles) north of the capital Lome, has seen protests demanding greater transparency over his death.
Gnassingbe came to power in 2005 after the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for 38 years. He has since been re-elected in elections that were all contested by the opposition.
AFP
No fewer than 19,000 pensioners in Osun State will be enrolled into the Health Insurance Scheme of the state government.
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, flagged off the programme at the state secretariat in Abere, Osun State, on Wednesday.
In his remarks, Adeleke said: “Today I demonstrate in clear terms my commitment to the wellbeing of our retired citizens. These are men and women who meritoriously served the state. They deserve all the support now that they are out of service. Our administration conducted a situational review of the living conditions of our pensioners.
“We discover that the critical problem is not just unpaid pensions. Even when paid regularly, the bulk of the fund goes into managing health challenges. Our report concluded that almost eighty percent of pensioners’ problem centers around health questions. It was at this point that we decided to address the root cause.”
Speaking, the Executive Secretary, Osun Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Rasak Akindele, assured that all the 19,000 retirees would be enrolled in the health scheme.
Also, speaking, President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Osun State Chapter, Alhaji Ganiyu Salawu, lauded the governor for the kind gesture and acknowledged that it is more appropriate than giving them money.
According to him “Since the creation of Osun State, what happened during this present administration has never happened. As a matter of fact, no government has ever made life better for the retirees like Governor Ademola Adeleke is doing.”