Nigeria: Tangale Chiefdom Applauds Dankwambo Over Road Projects

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04/11/2016

Gov Dankwambo — Gov Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, Nigeria

By Iliya Kure

Kaduna (Nigeria) — The Tangale chiefdom in Gombe State, northeast Nigeria has expressed appreciation to Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, over State Executive Council’s approval of construction of roads in the chiefdom.

State Commissioner for Works, Mohammad Santana, Thursday announced Council’s approval of N8.7 billion road projects in the state, including the ones in Tangale Chiefdom.

In an interview with AFRICA PRIME NEWS, the Mai Tangle (paramount ruler of the Tangale people), Abdu Buba Maisheru II, said the road when completed will open up the area which had remained enclosed due to difficult terrain.

He described the announcement of the projects approval as commendable, saying, “by this act, the Governor has demonstrated his love for the Tangale people.

“The road will further boost commercial activities and strengthen movement of people, goods and services.

“We shall come out enmass when he (the Governor) come to flag-off the road construction work,” he said.

The roads include the 29.7 kilometres Ladongor – Kwiba – Amtawalam – Pobawure – Sabon Layi – Kulkul – Ayaba road, awarded at the cost of N3.1 billion with a completion period of 24 months.

The other is Dongor – Ayaba – Tudu Kwaya road awarded at the cost of N3.8 billion with a completion period of 18 months.

“I feel very happy as Mai, this is development coming to my domain,” he said.

Media reports say Dankwambo had made a campaign promise to construct these roads in his first tenure as a Governor, but could not deliver on them – despite winning bloc votes in the area. He is now in his second term.

Why INEC Should Improves On Card Readers’ Database

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Africaprimenews

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03/11/2016

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to improve the use of technology in conducting elections by having a full proof database in card readers which would give way to the realization and usage of electronic voting system in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

This according to the Executive Director of the League of Democratic Women, Mrs. Rebecca Sako John, would solve the problem of ballot snatching; multiple voting as well as enable electorates cast their votes conveniently from any location.

Mrs. Sako gave the advised recently in Kaduna during a town hall meeting organized by Leads-Nigeria in collaboration with Actionaid to discuss survey findings of the 2015 National and states’ elections.

While presenting the survey results, she explained that one major innovation which contributed to the success of the 2015 elections was the introduction and use of smart card reader which has increase the level of public confidence on the electoral process; adding that, for INEC to make it more effective, the card readers must have a comprehensive data base just like what the bank has to prevent irregularities such as multiple voting among others and make it a full-proof process.

She said, “The bank are able to have a full proof process using technology to prevent people from just withdrawing monies from anywhere; INEC should borrow that idea and get ICT professionals and services to give them full proof process, where people cannot use the same finger print to vote multiple times because technology can detect that – it is a major area we needs reform,” She said.

Mrs. Sako also decried the low turnout of voters in the last elections, saying the 2015 elections has the lowest turnout since 1999, attributing it to voter’s apathy. Other downside of the elections she pointed out includes the use of hate speech by politicians and their supporters; failure of card readers, inadequate voting materials, low women contest, cancellation of votes, late voting, delay in arrival of election materials and security breaches among others.

“Factors that led to an improved 2015 elections include, redefined electoral process by INEC in its continuous voter’s registration, issuance of permanent voters card; election observation, anti-violence campaigns, peace accord, use of social media to disseminate results”.

She however called on the electoral body and civil society organizations to look at areas of low outing and carry out more civic/voter’s education especially at the grassroots to encourage active participation of citizens in electoral processes.

The survey results also recommended a review and amendment of the electoral act which would allow more participation of women, youths and People with Disabilities (PWDs) in elections; while electoral bodies both at national and state level should make a special arrangements of polling/voting units for PWDs such as special ballot for the blind, separate queues, shades or quick attention to avoid them been discriminated upon.

The town hall meeting was aimed at disseminating survey results to stakeholders and the public, so that the lessons could be use to engage relevant stakeholders and improve on future elections.

Participants at the meeting includes; representative of INEC, Kaduna state independent electoral commission, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressive Congress (APC), members of different Non-governmental Organizations and stakeholders from six Local Government Area of Kaduna state (Sanga, Lere, Sabon gari, Kaduna North, Zogon Kataf and Kajuru).

Gender Justice In Nigeria: Traditional, Religious Leaders Critical – Stakeholders

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Africaprimenews

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03/11/2016

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By Bashir Bello

Lagos (NIGERIA) — Traditional and religious leaders have been identified as key players towards promoting gender justice in Nigeria

Voice for Change, Key Influencers Lead, Denis Onoise stated this in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, at a two day conference tagged “Men For 50/50” – a meeting that brought 300 men (participants) drawn from Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna States where the group is currently working in.

Onoise said the traditional and religious leaders are influential people in the society who can change and put end to violence against women.

He said the group is working closely with the senior citizens because it is sensitive to the big role they play in the society and the country at large.

According to him, “Your roles as senior citizens in this matter is to help us endorse our messages relating to preventing violence against women, that women can be leaders and women can make rules. And that is where we want you to come in, because we believe the young people listen and look up to you that when you make statements, everybody follows.

“You can help the people make decisions. You need to help them understand that there have been misrepresentation and misinterpretations of the Holy Books.

“No religion promotes violence against women and we want the traditional and religious leaders to dwell more on these areas.

“Already, we have traditional leaders who have keyed into some of these things. They included women in their cabinets,” he said.

He said the essence of the conference was to provide an avenue to strengthen the ties between the Religious and Traditional leaders, men’s networks and purple club as well as development of a common platform of men committed to and taking action on gender justice.

Meanwhile, a partner and Kano State Coordinator of Young Men Network Against Gender Based Violence, Emmanuel Gabari described the event as a welcome development which will go a long way to address issues relating to the stereotype, discrimination and violence against women as a lot of minds needs to be disabused.

Borno Governor Request For Spies To Uncover Sexual Molesters, Drug dealers, Traffickers In IDP Camps

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Africaprimenews

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02/11/2016

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The Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima, has‎ revealed plans to write letters requesting the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to deploy female and male undercover detectives to all IDPs camps in the State to uncover sexual molesters, drug dealers, child traffickers and prostitutes for prosecution.

This action was taken as a result of the recent report released by the Human Rights Watch alleging that some security officials in IDPs camp sexually harass the female IDPs.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Isa Gusau noted that, Shettima made this known when he received a delegation from the National University Commission in his office who visited the state to assess the infrastructures at the proposed Borno State University on Tuesday.

According to the Governor, the deployment of undercover agents will be a permanent measure to curtailing the menace in addition to the urgent need for investigation of the reported issue of sexual harassment.

The statement noted; “Today, as Governor of Borno State, there is no issue that gives me headache like the unfortunate by-products of IDP camps. Our citizens were violently sent out of their houses and communities, it is their fundamental rights to be provided alternative accommodation with food and health care service. Sadly and very sadly indeed, the IDP camps have become avenues that horrible stories of sexual slavery, prostitution rings, drug peddling and other social vices are emanating from.

“Only yesterday (Monday) there was a report by a Human Rights group alleging incidences of sexual abuses by some Federal and State workers in some of the IDP camps. This is highly condemnable. Apart from investigating these claims and arresting culprits which is absolutely necessary, I am going to write letters to the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the DSS, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and may be the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, requesting all of them to deploy female and male undercover detectives to all our camps to permanently spy on anyone involved in sexual harassment, any form of prostitution, drugs trafficking, possible child trafficking and even the allegations of diversion of food items meant for IDP’s.

“I would want these detectives to report their findings to their security establishments and whoever is found wanting should be picked up without notifying me so long as there is verifiable evidence to prosecute him or her.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am tired of applying the element of persuasion in handling the issues of IDP’s; we need to wield the big stick. The problem with managing the IDP camp is that you are dealing with a population of two or more local government areas in one location and you cannot imprison them by restricting or stopping them from leaving the IDP camp in the day time.

“I strongly believe there are cases of sexual harassment but some of the women may be consenting to sexual advances largely due to extreme poverty and loss of value system. We have to instill sanity into the IDP camps and I hope we will not end up having human rights activists telling us we cannot deploy undercover detectives into IDP camps due to one form of rights violation or the other. Desperate situations call for desperate measures. Sexual harassment of female IDPs is a desperate situation.

“None of us here is beyond becoming an IDP if Allah decrees and none of us would fold arms if his or her daughter is in position to be sexually harassed, so we must act now,” the Governor said.

Nigeria Takes Moral Re-Birth Campaign To Police

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Africaprimenews

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02/11/2016

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Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has taken the country’s re-orientation campaign, tagged ‘Change Begins With Me’, to the police saying it is in recognition of the critical role the institution can play.

President Muhammadu Buhari launched the campaign September in Abuja.

He made the presentation to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Deputy Inspectors-General, Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police.

“This is very important because the police, by virtue of its duties, is a critical stakeholder in this campaign,” he said, describing ‘Change Begins With Me’ as a Pan Nigeria Campaign that has no coloration whatsoever – whether it is political, religious or ethnic.

“It is a campaign for all Nigerians, with the sole objective of achieving a paradigm shift in the way we do things. The campaign is based on one principle: Each one of us must be the change we want to see in our society,” Mohammed said.

The Minister, who had earlier joined the IGP in decorating some
newly-promoted AIGs, urged the critics of the campaign to endeavour to understand it before casting aspersion on it.

He added, “Contrary to the misconception in certain quarters, this campaign was designed to start from the very top, right from the President, the Vice President, Ministers and other top government officials, and then cascade down to all Nigerians.

“Therefore, those who have said the campaign is aimed at saddling only the ordinary citizens with any burden have been unduly hasty. They should have at least waited for us to roll out the campaign before criticising it,” the Minister said.

He commended the police for their efforts at ensuring the security of lives and property, urging them not to be discouraged by criticism.

Nigeria Police Deny Media Report On Protests Over Postings

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Africaprimenews

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01/11/2016

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Nigerian police has denied a media report which says there was a protest as a result of postings based on tribalism and nepotism.

A statement by its spokesman, Don Awunah, the Force is saying there was no truth in the report.
Find below the Press Release

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a report on page 33 of Vanguard Newspaper of 1st November, 2016 credited to one Joseph SaaterUndu under the caption “Protest greets Police Postings”

2. The report was entirely false, malicious and capable of misleading the members of the public. The story is absolutely a figment of the imagination of the writer; however it is pertinent to educate the writer and set the record straight.

3. It is suffice to state that transfers and postings in the Nigeria Police Force are administrative and routine aimed at enhancing utmost efficiency of the officers and men of the Force for better and effective service delivery.

4. It is utterly misleading to assert that the recent transfers and postings in the Force across the Country were based on witch-hunting, tribalism and favouritism, and that the IGP has flooded strategic command units with his kinsmen from Niger State and vendetta against officers hoping to ascend to higher positions in the Force in future.

5. It may interest the writer and the general public to know that the officer alluded to in the report transferred to the Force Headquarters hails from Niger State, while conversely, the officer posted to Lagos hails from Osun State. How does transferring a man from the same State with the IGP and replacing him with someone from a different state constitutes nepotism? The IGP’s primary interest is Nigeria.

6. Though the reporter admitted in paragraph 2 of the report that the IGP, in consultation with the Police service commission, has the power to transfer or post any officer of the Nigeria Police Force, this in itself has vindicated the IGP and made it abundantly clear that the IGP has not single handedly carried out the postings and transfers of officers for the reasons adduced by the reporter.

7. Consequently, the Force wish to reiterate that redeployments, transfers, re-assignments and secondments are administrative, routine and normal not only in the Nigeria Police Force but in every organization that takes productivity and optimum performance of its personnel very seriously as been observed by the Nigeria Police Force,the IGP and the Police service commission.

8. It is imperative to enlighten the members of the public that Police officers are subject to movements, transfers and postings within the Force and other assignments in the course of their career. Protest in this regard amount to serious misconduct and could attract commensurate sanctions.

9. The Force Public Relations officer did indeed inform the reporter that transfers and postings in the Nigeria Police are administrative and also within the powers of the IGP and the Police service commission. The writer of the story was further referred to Abuja correspondent of his paper and his colleagues who have interviewed the Force Public Relations officer earlier on the same subject matter.

10. The Nigeria Police Force, wish to assure the media of its support and cooperation to ensure crime free society and credible reportage. The print media are implored not to allow the pages of their esteemed newspapers to be used to publish unverified reports and stories that are capable of causing disaffections.

11. The IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni, will not be distracted or deterred from carrying out his statutory responsibilities for the benefit of all Police personnel and the members of the general public that we serve.
DCP DON N. AWUNAH, fsi
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA

Nigeria: Civil Organisations Re-Strategise On Fight Against Corruption

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Africaprimenews

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01/11/2016

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By Iliya Kure

Civil Society Groups in Nigeria are meeting in Abuja this week to discuss issues relating to strengthening of legal framework against corruption in the country.

The meeting, spearheaded by Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption – MIIVOC, with support from Justice for All of the British council, expects Civil Society organisations from across the country in attendance.

Top on the agenda is the strengthening of advocacy strategies for transmission and passage of three bills, namely, the Proceeds of Crime – POCA; Nigeria Financial Intelligence Center- NFIC; Whistle Blowers Protection and Mutual Legal Assistance Bills.

Addressing journalists in Calabar, Executive Director of MIIVOC, Walter Duru described the bills as central to the country’s anti-graft war.

“During the annual Conference on Financial Fraud, Cyber Crime and Cross Border Crimes, held in Abuja in February, 2016, the Attorney General, in his keynote address assured Nigerians that the bills will be transmitted to the National Assembly as Executive bills and eventually passed, while announcing that the Mutual Legal Assistance and Money Laundering bills were already transmitted.

“Till date, nothing appears to be happening in the case of the rest of the bills and nobody is saying anything to the citizens. It is obvious that some enemies of the country are working round the clock to ensure that they are not passed.

“The primary essence of the meeting is to review the situation and agree on steps to be taken to ensure that those that have roles to play live up to their responsibility.”

China Unveils Advanced Stealth Fighter Jet

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Africaprimenews

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01/11/2016

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China on Tuesday unveiled its newest stealth fighter jet with two Chengdu J-20 warplanes at an airshow in the city of Zhuhai.

Hundreds of people, including industry executives turned out to watch as the planes displayed in the skies, receiving wide applause from spectators.

“The J-20 is a sharp sword to defend our country and protect our people,” wrote a Chinese on Weibo chat app.

“I am so excited that it has finally taken to the skies,” another user wrote.

Americans are however claiming that the J-20 fighter is a stolen design from them, adding that it is designed as a rival to F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor — currently seen as the most advanced fighter jets.

Reports say the J-20 may not be deployed until 2018, but observers feel it’s rare for China to display its aircraft at such an early stage.

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