Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Ibrahim Idris
Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Ibrahim Idris
By Peter Usman
Abuja (Nigeria) – The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Medical, AIG Kaumi Ahmadu, says the organisation does not enlist Albinos because the nature of duties poses considerable hazard to Albinos, especially due to their peculiar visual, skin and other problems associated with condition of their health.
AIG Ahmadu who was speaking with newsmen after appearing before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions at the National Assembly in Abuja, also said the same applies to persons with other forms of disabilities across the country .
He explained that police job would be dangerous for Albinos owing to the fact that most operations are done under the sun, which he said were not conducive for the Albinos.
According to him, “Albinos have photo-phobia and strabismus, as few of their visual challenges and susceptibility for skin cancers, as a result to the defect in the production of the protective skin pigment melanin”
Considering these challenges, the AIG suggested to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to consider job placements for Albinos in other organisations where they will run with less risks.
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed two policemen and abducted four expatriates, comprising two Canadians and two Americans, in Kagarko local government area of Kaduna state.
The two policemen were security escorts attached to the foreigners, who went to Kafanchan to inspect a project being handled by their company.
A staff of the company who did not want to be named, said the expatriates, along side the two police escort had left Kafanchan heading to Abuja through Kagarko when they were ambushed by the gunmen.
According to him, “The Americans and Canadians were in Kafanchan to see a project, but on their way back, they were ambushed by gunmen who opened fire on them. The two policemen were killed while the Canadians were abducted,” the source.
Similarly, an indigene of the area said the gunmen ambushed the vehicle of the foreigners along Jere-Kargarko road at about 7pm local time on Tuesday, while they were returning to Abuja from Kafanchan.
According to him, the two policemen who were attached to the vehicle were shot dead during an exchange of gun fire with the gunmen, who later took away the four foreigners to an unknown destination.
Police spokesman in Kaduna, Mukhtar Aliyu confirmed the incident, saying, “the kidnappers killed 2 police escorts and abducted the four expatriates.”
Members of Peace Corps of Nigeria, a voluntary organisation
Members of Peace Corps of Nigeria, a voluntary organisation
By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) – The Nigeria Police Force says the order proscribing the existence and operations of Peace Corps of Nigeria is still in force in the country.
Force Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood said in a statement that, “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to innuendos and misinformation created by some media reports on the closure of the office of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in Jabi, Abuja.
“it is incumbent on the Nigeria Police Force to inform the public that on the 28th February, 2017, the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in a Joint Operation with the personnel of the Military and the Department of State Service embarked on an operation to halt and rid the country of illegal/unlawful security outfits constituting National Security Threats, Threats to Protection of Lives and Properties of Nigerians across the country and those illegal security outfits found engaging in obtaining money and properties under false pretense, Advance Fee Fraud and wide spread extortion of huge sums of money from thousands of unwary Youths and their parents/Guardians throughout the country under the guise of recruitment.
“It is also evident that in 2013, Federal Republic of Nigeria official Gazette dissolved and proscribed illegal Security outfits such as Nigerian Maritime security Agency (NMSA), Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Petroleum Security and Safety, Peace Corps of Nigeria and other quasi illegal security outfits.
“It has been observed that some of these proscribed illegal security outfits and the Peace Corps of Nigeria are still operating outside the mandates and purposes for which they were registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“It is in furtherance of the above that the Nigeria Police Force, the personnel of the Military, Department of State Service, had in a joint security operation entered the Head office of the Peace Corps of Nigeria on the 28th February, 2017 situated opposite Jabi Lake, Utako District, sealed off the building and effected the arrest of one Mr. Akor Dickson, the Leader of Peace Corps of Nigeria and Forty Nine (49) others for investigation in the interest of public safety and security.
“They were promptly arraigned in court for prosecution on criminal offences of Obtaining Money and Property under false pretence, Operating illegal Security Outfit, Money laundering, Advance Fee fraud and other related offences which are still pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“It would be recalled that on the 14th of April, 2011, the Peace Corps of Nigeria under the same Akor Dickson, prior to the Presidential Election in 2011, with brazen impunity and total disregard to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act did deploy some of its personnel for the conduct of the General Election, but were prevented by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from functioning as a security outfit or disguising as Election Observer/Monitoring Group covering the Election.
“It is factual to state that the Federal High Court, Abuja recently delivered a judgement that the premises of the Peace Corps of Nigeria located in Jabi should be unsealed but the Nigeria Police Force in the interest of National Security and Public Safety, promptly appealed the judgement and filed Stay of Execution at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.”
The police assured that the Force is a law abiding organisation and would definitely obey the outcome of the appeal pending determination in Court and the exhaustion of all legal processes in this matter.
A group of 20 retired Nigerian military personnel honoured by an NGO in Kaduna
By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) – As Nigeria marks Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Womanhood Foundation of Nigeria, has honoured 10 soldiers and 10 Air force personnel for their selfless service and contribution to nation building.
The Director of the NGO, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar, told newsmen in Kaduna, north west of the country, that the ex-service men have contributed immensely to the continued corporate existence of Nigeria.
She added, ”You are the reason why we are living in peace and harmony in Nigeria and that is why our organisation decided to come and honour some of you, ex-war veterans for selfless service which is aimed at uniting the people of Nigeria.”
Maryam explained that most of them have participated in International peace mission, War, settling communal and ethnic – religious crisis in different parts of the world, adding that they have contributed immensely for the return of peace and harmony in most of the peace missions they participated.
She called on the federal government to give free scholarship to the children of the ex service men and also free medical treatment to all the ex-war veterans for their contribution in bringing peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Responding on behalf of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association of Nigeria, Warrant Officer Yusuf Usman, rtd, expressed gratitude to the NGO for remembering them and enjoined others to do same in their humanitarian services.
According to Yusuf, ”Defending the integrity and fame of Nigeria in all our international peace missions is our goal, and we have restored peace in so many African countries and other parts of the world.“
He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Army in the North-east for the battled with Boko Haram, while calling on federal government to always support them with all they need, in other to defeat insurgency.
Yusuf called on Civil Society Organisations and other Non-Governmental Organisations to always find means of taking their humanitarian assistance to communities, while calling on the state and federal governments as well as wealthy individuals to support the retired war veterans in order to improve their living standards.
30KVA Bio-gas powered unit, supplying electricity to Rije community and Kuruji community, both in the Kuje axis of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory
30KVA Bio-gas powered unit, supplying electricity to Rije community and Kuruji community, both in the Kuje axis of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory
By ‘Seyifunmi Adebote
Abuja (Nigeria) – By converting poultry waste into 30KVA power unit, Rije community and Kuruji community, both in the Kuje axis of the Federal Capital Territory have blazed the trail for championing clean and green energy in Abuja, thanks to the Power Africa project.
Playing host to over 1200 indigenes, who otherwise may not have access to the power supply from the national grid, Rije and Kuruji community have Ajima Farms and the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) – Power Africa Project to appreciate for installing a 30KVA waste-powered station recognised as ‘Biogas Mini-Grid Project.’
The Biogas Mini-Grid Project runs on agricultural waste, mainly from poultry. With a capacity of 30KVA: 20KVA in Riji community and 10KVA in Kuruji community, the facility currently provides adequate power for 87 homes and companies many kilometres away from the main grid.
The project, constructed by Ajima Farms, through funding from the USADF Power Africa project in 2015 is maintained by sufficiently trained youths in both communities, hence, creating direct employment for 14 residents while the services of a dozen more are indirectly engaged.
According to the project director, Mr. Kabiru Ademoh, “statistics reveals that a large percentage of the country is off-grid, estimated at 60%. Since getting this group of people to connect to the major grid is difficult, expensive and time-consuming; seeking alternatives energy sources would aid development and ease the livelihood of people in a fast advancing world, hence, it should be keenly explored”.
In a bid to expand this novel project, Ajima Farms hopes to organise series of workshops and seminars on Waste2Watt to bring to the limelight more green energy innovative ideas, position start-ups for international visibility and change the psyche of people towards appreciating what would ordinarily be called ‘waste’.
This will inadvertently combat climate change and its adverse effects which the world’s attention is drastically shifting to. Furthermore, it serves as a clear pointer to drive some of the Sustainable Development Goals.
‘Seyifunmi Adebote is an environmentalist and youth advocate. He writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, northeast Nigeria
Gov Ibrahim Dankwambo (in blue) with Grand Khadi Gombe State, Khadi Abdullahi Maikano, with Contractor at shariah court project side
By Ahmad Umar
Gombe (Nigeria) – Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, northeast of the country has said the building of Sharia Court of Appeal and Library Complex is to put in place institutions that would facilitate good governance.
Dankwambo stated this on Monday while speaking with Journalists shortly after inspecting the ongoing projects in Gombe metropolis.
He said Gombe State operates two courts, the High Court and Sharia Court, adding that the state lacks Sharia court of Appeal since its creation in 1996.
The Governor explained that the court should have been in place as soon as the state was created in 1996, but previous state administrations might have faced certain challenges .
“These are institutions that are supposed to have been built on the day of the creation of the state. It’s our responsibility to ensure that government is well established first and then the take-off of democracy would be assured,” he said.
Dankwambo described the standard of the work as satisfactory, stressing that by the adjustment done to some of the designs by the contractor, they have shown professionalism.
“We are anxious to complete the project because it started a long time ago. We will make sure everything possible to mobilize the consultants and contractors to ensure its completion in good time. The target completion time is five or six months and we will make sure we strictly adhere to that time limit,” Dankwambo said.
The contractor handling the project had told the governor that the work was presently at 45 percent completion.
At the ongoing Dukku Road Township Roundabout, Dankwambo commended the state Ministry of Works for supervising the project as well as the contractor for the quality of work. “I’m sure this will stand the taste of time.”
Dankwambo expressed the need to compensate house owners in the area to enable the expansion of drainages to contain the volume of flowing water.
He however warned against encroaching on the already acquired land assuring that government has perfected plans to construct shops there.
The governor urged traders in the area to be patient with government, stressing that some of them might end up being beneficiaries of the shops.
“We need to upgrade and modernise the environment so that it would be healthy for all of us,” he said.
As discussions about Climate Change and its effects across all spheres increases, there is an urgent need to refocus Nigeria’s approach to Climate Action. One of the plausible ways will be to ensure homes, companies and all stakeholders understand the meaning of ‘Carbon Footprint’ and how they contribute to it.
Carbon footprint, simply put, is the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted as a result of an individual’s daily activities; otherwise explained, your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which were induced by all your activities in a given time frame. Therefore, reduction of carbon footprint is largely dependent on making eco-friendly choices.
Individuals, groups, and organizations should become increasingly conscious of the total set of greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide equivalent) caused by their actions.
Among many other actionable methods, here are five (5) ways of reducing our carbon footprints and addressing Climate change:
1. Be Energy Efficient (Use Safe Energy Options):
Among the 17 goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), goal 7 seeks to promote affordable and clean energy. In many African communities, availability is affordability. In some parts of Nigeria, to meet energy needs, indigenes use energy sources like candles, kerosene lamps and carbon-emitting lanterns. In more remote areas, people encroach on forest areas to harvest firewood without the slightest remorse for not replacing them.
While these practices cannot be overturned overnight, efficient use of these resources is advised. Wood dust and briquette are good alternatives that can increase wood usage efficiency and reduce the constant need for firewood to meet cooking needs.
In the urban area, due to the shortage (or absence) of power supplies, many households depend on fossil fuel to meet their energy needs not because it is the cheapest but the most available means.
Now those daily activities such as cooking using kerosene, firewood or methane gas for cooking, as well as, use of petrol or diesel for generators and cars surges the carbon footprint of an average Nigerian household, how can we act differently?
In this case, deliberate actions borne of knowledge can make the difference by:
1. Using energy saving bulbs and switching off electrical appliances when not in use
2. Use energy-efficient (rechargeable) appliances e.g. torch, fan, inverters
3. For individuals and organizations that can afford to install solar energy inverters in their homes; this is the most enjoyable energy source void of noise, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide pollutions.
2. Dump Refuse Cautiously:
An average taxi driver or passenger after drinking water from a sachet (nylon) or a plastic (bottle) will throw the flaccid cellophane or pet bottle carelessly to the street. I remember correcting one; his response was “The government will clean it”. I smirked in disbelief because he seemed not to have an iota of guilt about his sordid action.
Solid wastes, especially non-compostable wastes, are sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and when not well managed poses serious challenges to environmental and human health status in form of soil, air, and water pollution. Unfortunately, many of these materials (non-compostable waste) will outlive us as they are non-biodegradable. The best practice as an individual is to help minimize the level of pollution caused by solid waste by not disposing of indiscriminately, exactly what the #PickThatTrash campaign seeks to achieve.
By extension, some Nigerian entrepreneurs are already leveraging on the solid waste sector to create sustainable businesses through the 3R approach – Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, while encouraging citizens to turn waste to wealth through waste management and recycling.
More of this should be encouraged across the African continent if we truly will reduce our carbon footprints.
3. Reduce Air Travels/Avoid Road Traffic:
Airplanes emit particles and gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, lead, and black carbon which interact among themselves and with the atmosphere. Until petroleum-based aviation fuel is replaced, I strongly suggest we should avoid flying when possible, fly less frequently, fly shorter distances, and fly economy class.
The environmental impact of aviation occurs because aircraft engines emit heat, noise, particulates, and gases which contribute to climate change.
Road users should harness traffic updates – apps and radio program, to circumvent busy routes and find alternatives. Traffic not only wastes time but fuel and increases CO2 emission. Thanks to technology advancement, we have to the rescue, online meeting and conferencing tools options such as WhatsApp, go-to-meeting, Skype, Facetime, etc.
4. Act Intentional and Promote Eco-Friendliness:
The solutions to many environmental issues inherent in Nigeria, and by extension – Africa, is a mind shift from poor environmental actions that were hitherto norms. No matter how insignificant your actions may appear, know that they either increase/decrease your carbon footprint. Here are some worthy of note:
• Do not leave water running when brushing your teeth as such actions would increase energy needed for pumping water.
• When installing irrigation for garden flowers, chose drip irrigation which supplies water directly to the roots over overhead irrigation.
• Make water-efficient choices when purchasing showerheads, faucet heads, toilets, dishwashers and washing machines.
• Embrace locally made products rather than shop abroad.
5. Tell someone – spread the news
Climate change is arguably the biggest threat facing our world at the moment. Perhaps this is a sentiment not everyone shares but the fact speaks for itself. In recent times the world has witnessed mudslide in Sierra Leon, drought in Kigali, flooding in Port Harcourt, desertification and famine in Northern Nigeria, melting glaciers, rising sea level, record-breaking hurricanes torrential monsoon rains in the Caribbean, South Asia and the United States, habitat loss and species migration among others.
No doubt, education is key to achieving the intended mind shift. A lot of people do not have adequate knowledge about climate change and its implication on our immediate environment. In the same vein, our general attitude towards the environment emphasizes our expectations of the environment to self-heal no matter how poorly it is used.
Take it upon yourself today to educate yourself about climate change; educate someone who doesn’t know enough about it; teach children about it and gradually, SDG 13 (Climate action) can be achieved by 2030.
Author’s Note: Putting together this list is quite difficult considering limitations of the alternatives. Truth be told, many (if not all) human actions that threaten the environment are somehow connected to livelihood. On the other hand, if livelihood remains threatened, climate change issues will probably be the least of our concerns.
It is worthy of note that the author has written from a Nigerian perspective; however, it can be adopted by anyone – rich, poor, learned, educated, illiterate – and anywhere across the world.
Ogunjobi Muyiwa is an environmental advocate, he writes from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
President Buhari receives Benue State Delegation led by Gov Samuel Ortom on 15th Jan 2018
President Buhari receives Benue State Delegation led by Gov Samuel Ortom on 15th Jan 2018
By Amos Tauna
President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured that perpetrators of violence in Benue State will be made to face the wrath of the law.
Receiving a delegation of political leaders, traditional rulers and elders of the state led by Governor Samuel Ortom at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari on Monday in Abuja called on the government and people of Benue State to exercise restraint following the recent attacks on some communities leading to killings and lost of property.
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) said in a statement that President Buhari said all those involved in the conflict that culminated in loss of lives would not escape justice, including any illegally armed militia in the state.
The President commiserated with all the victims of the attacks, and the families who lost loved ones and properties, noting that the government would make efforts to ameliorate the situation of all the victims.
President Buhari said relevant agencies had been directed to start catering for the humanitarian needs. “Your Excellency, the governor, and all the leaders here, I am appealing to you to try to restrain your people. I assure you that the Police, the Department of State Security and other security agencies had been directed to ensure that all those behind the mayhem get punished.
“I ask you in the name of God to accommodate your country men. You can also be assured that I am just as worried, and concerned with the situation,’’ he said.
The President told the delegation that his administration had already begun a process of finding lasting solution to the perennial challenge of herdsmen conflict with farmers and communities around the country.
President Buhari said the Inspector General of Police had been directed to relocate to the state to provide security for lives and properties, urging all Benue indigenes to trust the security agencies and report all suspicious cases of movements in the state.
In his remarks, the Benue State Governor said the tension would be reduced with the Federal Government’s intervention to find a lasting solution to the herdsmen attacks. “We will leave here to rebuild confidence in our people,’’ he said.
The Tor-Tiv, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, said his entire domain had been thrown into mourning due to the incessant attacks.
“We want you to put an end to the gruesome situation,” he added.
