Obasanjo’s membership card had expired, says PDP

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Read Time:1 Minute, 33 Second

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday said that the membership card torn by former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently was an expired card that no longer qualified him as a member of the party.

   The party also stated it’s readiness to capture the South We‎st geo-political zone and win the March 28 presidential election convincingly.

   PDP National Secretary, Wale Oladipo, while receiving a delegation of students mobilization group for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, stated that Obasanjo’s membership card was among the expired cards the PDP leadership had already isolated for destruction.‎

   Oladipo said: “Baba is over 80 and my mother is around Obasanjo’s age and when you reach that age, you do things that only you can explain. Secondly, you will see that Baba did not tear our card. He asked somebody ostensibly to do the tearing and I am assuring you that the card that was torn was not the current PDP card. The current PDP card is signed by Mu’azu and Prof. Wale Oladipo. So the card he tore was the one signed by the former PDP Acting National Chairman, Kawu Baraje, which we were going to destroy anyway.”

   And expressing confidence that Jonathan would record a convincing victory‎, PDP National Deputy Chairman, Uche Secondus, said the party would shock the opposition in the South West by achieving an unimaginable level of victory in that zone.

   “‎If you look well, the projects commissioned by President Jonathan in the last few weeks were in the South West including two power projects.” 

   He mentioned the Lagos-Ibadan expressway as one of those projects in the South West that could sway votes in favour of the President.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Photos: Fayose Claims Buhari had his ‘London’ interview at Transcorp Hilton Abuja

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Read Time:2 Minute, 56 Second

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state yesterday took some journalists to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja to prove that the photo of APC Presidential candidate, Gen Buhari, having an interview with Kemi Fadojutimi on 'All Eyes on Africa' TV show was actually conducted in Abuja and not in London like his media aides claimed.

Fayose took the journalists round suite 881 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel where he said the interview with Fadojutimi actually took place in. He compared the sofa, paintings, table lamp, the flower vase, the lighting points and DSTV magazine in the suite with what was published in the papers.

 

According to him, Nigerians deserve the truth from her leaders and he promised to tell Nigerians the truth. Gov Fayose said contrary to what the APC is saying, General Buhari is at the Cavendis Square in London

"Buhari is on the sick bed at Cavendis Square, London. They should come out and say so. I am not wishing him dead but we have a duty to always speak the truth. The APC have been trying to cover it up by not allowing him travel out but the man knows he is sick and so, he decided to go for medical check. But my argument is that General Buhari is old, even to govern a state. Governing this country needs energy and strength. We don’t want a president that will be inside the house and other people will hijack that government from him and start governing Nigeria as if it is their personal property.

They will need to educate the people to read between the lines. I am not against General Buhari, there must be a leader at a given time, but the fact remains that he is frail and not strong enough to run the affairs of this country.” he said Asked whether he sent people to spy on Gen Buhari and his team in London, Governor Fayose said "They are entitled to whatever they say. I have said to you, they can’t find answers to a lot of things that I talked about. I come with facts, publish them in newspapers. At General Buhari’s age, I don’t need to run after him. We are playing politics, I need to present before Nigerians facts and figures. My prayer for Buhari is that he should live long in good health.

And I want to tell you that anybody claiming that I have sent anyone after General Buhari in London is only running his mouth because they can’t find answers to questions begging for answers when I present them to the public. They claimed that they don’t want soldiers for elections; when they win election soldiers are good, but when they lose even when their candidates have conceded, they say soldiers are bad. For them to be doing propaganda I said General Buhari cannot be president because he is being promoted by propaganda. If it’s by vote, General Buhari will not win. I’m telling you again, mark it. I’ve always told you when I left office that I will come back. I didn’t say it a month to election, I’ve been saying it a long time ago that I will come back as governor of Ekiti State. I’ve never said anything politically that failed, General Buhari will not win this election" he said

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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How polygamy makes wise men unwise

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Read Time:6 Minute, 42 Second

You must have seen many families torn apart over inheritance issue. The embarrassing news that emanates from such families sometimes makes you feel ashamed on their behalf. The culprit is usually polygamy or a second marriage.

Polygamy was fashionable and profitable in the days of yore when the conditions were right. Might was right then; therefore, a polygamous man had many children, especially sons, that would serve as an army in times of intimidation or aggression. Farming was the major occupation, and many children translated to a higher yield and wealth. Women were meant to be seen and not heard. So, a man could do as he wished and the wives dared not complain.

Today, all that has changed. Any man who goes into polygamy today because of religion, tradition, or wealth-creation may be creating a family he will be ashamed to behold from the land of the death, if dead men could see the happenings in the world.

Today, the only “good” thing about polygamy is that it offers men the opportunity to have a variety of sex partners. The more the wife of their youth gets older, the more such men go for younger women with fresher body and firmer breasts. Even in their 60s and 70s, many men still long for girls in their teens and 20s. Who will blame them? After all, our laws still permit that.

Sadly, while men are free to marry as many wives as they like, women are not given that liberty. Many of our societies even frown at the idea of widows remarrying, let alone marrying younger men, so as to also have access to fresh blood like their male counterparts. One thought there was some truth in the saying: What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. But we live in a society where different laws apply to men and women. Talk of the animal farm where all animals are equal but some are more equal than the others!

But beyond the non-modern features of polygamy, it has made many of our great men to create chaos in their homes while they are alive or after their death. In spite of the traditional or religious laws that govern inheritance in polygamous families, other extraneous matters usually set those laws aside and create an unjust scenario that leads to contention and bitter rivalry among siblings and co-wives that sometimes last for decades or generations and even lead to bloodshed.

But there are men who are not polygamous but still end up creating a family that is torn apart by rivalry over inheritance or injustice. Most times, these men are divorcees or widowers. When such a man remarries, he usually goes for a young wife that bears children for him. Try as much as he can, he cannot stop the young wife from turning his heart away from the children of the divorced or deceased wife. The young wife gives the man companionship, food, care and sex. And because the wife is usually much younger than the man, he goes the extra mile to prove to her that he is a better lover and is better in bed and care than any young man she could have married. The woman takes advantage of that and continues to manipulate the man to focus all attention on her and her children. Gradually, he begins to pay little or no attention to the children of the first wife. The children of the first wife naturally feel angry, and a gulf develops between them and their father.

When it is time to write his Will, the woman close to him at that period is the new wife. Directly or indirectly, she exacts pressure on him that makes him Will most things to the young wife and her children. He either cuts the children of the first wife off or gives them only the basics to fulfil all righteousness. And immediately after the man is buried, the Will is read. Enmity starts, followed by litigation.

Even though men see this ugly scenario in other households, some still drag their families into it. The thinking of every man is that he is smarter than the man who got into trouble. Men never learn from history because they believe that they are smarter and that their case will be different.

My belief is that when a man gets divorced or loses his wife, he should not just focus on what will make him happy but also on what will make the children happy and safe. It is unjust to father children and not take care of them adequately, no matter what problems a man has or had with their mother.

I know some thoughtful men who lost their wives and decided to marry their wife’s sister, so that the new wife would not treat their children of the first wife like strangers or enemies. But they did not succeed. It is inborn in women to treat their children better than other children. It is pure natural instinct. She may be considerate and caring, but try as hard as a woman can, she will most likely not treat her children and even her sister’s equally. There must be times she will take her own children into the inner room (behind closed doors) to give them a delicacy that other children will not be given.

There are men who got widowed and decided not to remarry until their last child got admitted into a university. That is great sacrifice. Their thinking is that they don’t want to have a young wife that will distract them from paying attention to their children in their formative years. But they still run the risk of having their young wife influence their Will unfairly.

No man should bank on his wisdom. Women have enormous powers. They can make men who have led countries and conquered nations look foolish. Ask wise man Solomon. Ask Antony of Rome what Cleopatra caused him. You know other names.

The solution is to bury one’s desires and think of the good of the children. When a man loses his wife, especially after they have had their desired number of children, he should focus on raising the children first. And whenever he decides to remarry, he should not be thinking of pointed breasts and figure eight in his next wife. It is better if he gets a woman who has passed her child-bearing age, a woman who sees the man’s children as hers. Both of them can jointly raise the children as theirs. A companion is better than a sweet sixteen. Just like people adopt children whose parents they don’t know, let the new wife adopt the children as her own and treat them truly as hers. They can call her Mummy, if she treats them like her children. Peace will reign in the home while the man is alive and after he is gone.

I will consider myself a failure if I create a rancorous home in which my children become mortal enemies because of the injustice I have left behind.

Even though nobody loves to be treated unfairly, adults must also learn to create their own wealth instead of fighting over the wealth their parents created. It is good that parents bequeath children with inheritance but it is not a right. A man can decide to Will his property to charity and leave a little for his children.

But no matter a man’s attainment in world affairs, creating enmity in his family over inheritance is not a sign of wisdom. Every man must strive from the morning of his marriage to leave a peaceful home behind.

Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Court grants Fani-Kayode leave to travel abroad

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Read Time:3 Minute, 31 Second

Rejects documents in support of proceeds of rent

A FEDERAL High Court in Lagos Tuesday granted leave to former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, to travel out of the country to attend to ‘urgent and crucial personal matters.’

   Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia granted the leave following an application for same prayers by Fani-Kayode in a short ruling.

   Fani-Kayode is facing money laundering charges and is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) represented by Mr. Festus Keyamo.

   In her ruling, the judge said the applicant must write a letter of the intention to travel to the Attorney General of the Federation and copy the Registrar of the court.

   She also ruled that the applicant must not exceed 31 days in any of such travels.

   Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia however, refused to admit as exhibit, a property document tendered by Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, who is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.

Defence witness, Mr. Kola Olapoju, the administrator of a property belonging to late Remi Fani-Kayode, father of the defendant, tendered a document, accompanied with receipts of payments made by tenants in the property.

According to the witness, the money allegedly paid into Fani-Kayode’s account with Inland Bank, was not from the Ministry of Aviation but the proceeds of rent paid by tenants occupying his late father’s house.

EFCC’s counsel, Festus Keyamo, objected to the tendering of the document in court, arguing that, both the document and the receipts of payments allegedly made by tenants in the house, were not duly stamped.

Justice Ajumogobia subsequently refused to admit the document as exhibit.

Hearing continues in the matter today.

Fani-Kayode was arraigned before Ofili-Ajumogobia on 40 counts bordering on money laundering to the tune of about N100m.

   The EFCC alleged that when he was Aviation Minister and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Fani-Kayode, at various times carried out several financial transactions and dealt in cash in excess of N500, 000 without going through any financial institution.

   The anti-graft agency said the alleged offence contravened Sections 15(1) (a) (b) (c) (d) and 15 (2) (a) (b) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2004.

   But Fani-Kayode had pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which the prosecution was asked to open its case and adduce evidence in support of the allegations.

   However, at the closure of the prosecution’s case on July 10, 2014, the accused on August 5, 2014 submitted a no-case application, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him and thus prayed the court to dismiss the charges and set him free.

   Ruling on the no-case application on November 17, 2014, Ofili-Ajumogobia dismissed 38 of the 40 counts and discharged Fani-Kayode on the charges.

The judge, however, said the accused would need to prove his innocence in respect of counts 25 and 26 of the charge.

   The counts read: “That you, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on or before September 20, 2006, while serving as Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a transaction exceeding N500, 000 which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1m, which sum was further paid into your personal account number, 103450252601 with First Inland Bank Plc Apapa branch, now FCMB, through one Supo Agbaje, your administrative staff, now at large.

   “That you, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on or before September 20, 2006, while serving as Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a transaction exceeding N500, 000, which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1.1m, which sum was further paid into your personal account number, 103450252601 with First Inland Bank Plc Apapa branch, now FCMB, through one Supo Agbaje, your administrative staff, now at large.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Lamido justifies decision to remain in PDP

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Read Time:2 Minute, 50 Second

I never planned to leave party, says Niger gov

JIGAWA State ‎Governor, Suleiman Lamido, declared Tuesday that his refusal to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with governors Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State and three other governors was guided by his commitment to fight for the national interest.

   Speaking with journalists shortly after a meeting with the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, Lamido also denied reports that his meeting with Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State recently was to prepare for his defection to APC.

   Kwankwaso had said on Monday that Lamido betrayed the G7 group by refusing to defect to the APC as agreed.

   But Lamido in response to Kwankwaso’s remark said: “I am a betrayer, confirmed. I betrayed them. I did, yes. I am aligning myself to what he (Kwankwaso) said. I am aligning my answer to what he said. Go and find out from him. I betrayed them in national interest.”

   On his meeting with Amaechi, Lamido said: “You see, me and Amaechi are very good friends, PDP or no PDP, we are Nigerians how can I go to APC.”

   Kwankwaso had accused Lamido of betraying the group of five PDP governors who left the party following their disagreement with the party.‎‎

   He said: “Everyone knows that Governor Lamido was part of us, he was the leader of the group. He took us to a certain height before choosing otherwise and we were all surprised by his final decision.

   “But, if there is anybody who would criticize our exit, it shouldn’t be Lamido and the Niger State governor. After all, our judgment would decide the outcome of the general elections.

   “However, we know that PDP is no longer the monster it used to be, and I tell you they are ready to do anything to have someone like me who was considered as an irritant back in their fold,” Kwankwaso declared.

No plans to dump PDP   

Meanwhile, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has debunked claims that he planned to dump the PDP for the APC, saying that at the time he led the G-7 group, the objective was to resolve leadership problem in his party and not to leave the party.

   A press statement in Minna on Tuesday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel A. Ebije, insisted that at no time did he contemplate dumping his party for APC.

   The governor was responding to a report credited to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano claiming that he was privy to the G-7 decision to decamp to APC.

   Although he said he would always respect members of the G-7 for their position against impunity in the party at that trying period, he, however, maintained that the decision to leave PDP for APC was not on the agenda of the group except individual decision of members.

   Aliyu however said he has no regrets in leading a group that brought sanity to the PDP at a time the party was passing through difficulties, adding that their effort was indeed nationalistic and a reflection of maturity of Nigerian democracy.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Reps to probe Mbu’s alleged order for police to kill in retaliation

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Read Time:3 Minute, 30 Second

THE House of Representatives Tuesday directed its panel on Police Affairs to investigate the alleged threat by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Joseph Mbu that his officers would kill in retaliation, if any of his men is killed during the coming elections.

  A member of the House, Ali Madaki, had in a motion on the floor yesterday urged the House to direct the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to prevent Mbu from playing any role during the general elections.

  Specifically, Mbu had allegedly issued a threat, and directed his men at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, that for every policeman killed during the March and April general elections, 20 civilians should be killed in retaliation.

  According to reports, Mbu explained that since policemen are also human beings, they should be ready to take revenge on any violent group(s) that might attack them or other innocent citizens.

  “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them, but don’t shoot first. If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence.

“If hoodlums or touts decide to be lawless, carrying knives, carrying illegal firearms and shooting at my policemen, if they shoot at my policemen and they are a hundred or 200, my policemen will not be looking at them. They will reply back in self-defence,” Mbu was quoted to have said in the alleged directive to his men, justifying the threat on the ground that his personnel are also human being.

  Madaki, who considered the statement credited to an officer of Mbu’s status as unbefitting, was however challenged by another member, Linus Okorie via a point of order to the effect that his prayers before the House was judgmental, and had breached the constitutional rights to fair hearing for Mbu, who is currently the AIG in charge of Zone 2.

  Arguments both for and against the two opposing members momentarily stalled the proceedings of the House, until the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided advised the sponsor of the motion, Madaki, to amend the prayers to the effect that the relevant committee of the House be mandated to investigate the allegations, and report back to the House, a suggestion the lawmaker conceded to before the motion was adopted.

  Madaki had in the motion he titled; “Violation of the constitution and disrespect to the Rule of Law by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Mbu Joseph Mbu” wanted the police authorities to take other disciplinary measures against the AIG.

  Also yesterday, a brawl was averted on the floor of the House when an aggrieved member, Gerald Alphonsus Irona (PDP Imo), moved to attack the Majority Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP Oyo) over alleged neglect.

  The development temporally stalled proceedings and forced an abrupt executive session where, it was gathered, members discussed the matter during the meeting which lasted for one hour.

 At first it could not be established what had transpired between the duo, but trouble started when Irona was sighted moving menacingly to accost Akande-Adeola at her allotted seat before he was prevented by the Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor, and other members intervened to avert a fisticuff.

  Fight now averted, a visibly frightened Akande-Adeola was sighted as she left her seat and was seen walking to meet with the presiding officer, Emeka Ihedioha, at his post where they both conferred in hush tones.

  While the drama played out, Irona was heard threatening at the top of his voice to embarrass the Akande-Adeola, just as some members, including Ogor and the Majority Whip, Ishaka Bawa who formed a circle around him, were seen pacifying the aggrieved lawmaker.

  Irona, it was learnt, had gone to accuse the Akande-Adeola at the commencement of session of failing to extend to him the several invitations meant for PDP caucus members in the House.

  The development, it was gathered, prompted the aggrieved lawmaker to confront Akande-Adeola, saying his non-invitation was a deliberate action to scheme him out of the party affairs.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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ASUU condemns Falaki’s murder, seeks probe

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Read Time:1 Minute, 54 Second

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities has described the alleged killing of Prof. Ahmed Mustapha Falaki of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria by the Nigerian Police as graceless and unprofessional, calling for investigation to bring the perpetrators to book.

  Falaki, a professor of agronomy and director of Institute of Agricultural Research of ABU, Zaria was allegedly killed two weeks ago while on his way to his home town in Bauchi State by the policemen.

  Rising from an emergency meeting, the Kano zone of ASUU demanded investigation into the incident, insisting that the perpetrators must be meant to face the full wrath of the law.

  In a statement signed by the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr. Rabiu Nasiru, the union also want the Nigerian Police to immediately retract its claims that the late Prof. Falaki and his entourage were members of the Boko haram.

 Also, the “ the Nigerian Police must immediately retract its claims that the late Prof. Falaki and his entourage were members of the Boko Haram and that the retractions must be widely published in national dailies; the perpetrators must be prosecuted; the outcome of he investigation must be made public and officially communicated to ASUU.”

  Falaki reportedly got stuck at Fala village in Tudun Wada Local Government of Bauchi State where he had a flat tyre alongside his younger brother and a driver. It was reported that they were eventually attacked by a gang of gunmen who snatched their car. 

   Soon after the incident they (Professor, brother and driver) were accosted by the Police allegedly pursuing Boko Haram.

Mistaking the professor and the two others for members of Boko Haram, the police were said to have lunched attack on them even after identifying themselves as being on the staff of ABU.

 The Guardian gathered that the lifeless body of the professor was later deposited at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano while his younger brother and driver who narrowly survived the beaten with degrees of injuries were detained at Kano State Police headquarters.

  Shortly after the incident, the Kano command of the Nigeria Police issued a public statement to the effect that a member of the dreaded Boko Haram had been killed and two others arrested.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Insurgency: Sub-regional trade hit in Nigeria’s North East

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Read Time:4 Minute, 13 Second

EXCEPT the security situation improves in the North-Eastern part of the country within the next few weeks, Nigeria may continue to lose out in the benefits of ECOWAS sub-regional trade, especially with the commencement of the Common External Tariff (CET).

    Already, informal sub-regional trade with neighbouring countries like Niger, Cameroun, Chad among others has suffered a huge blow with many manufacturing firms shutting down operations in the region as a result of growing insurgency by Boko Haram.

   With the commencement of the CET among ECOWAS member countries on January 1 this year, implementing the provisions of the tariff has remained unrealistic in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria.

    Specifically, assaults from the terrorist group have affected the free movement at the borders between Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroun; thereby undermining the provisions of the ECOWAS free movement protocol.

   The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) noted that most of the borders in West Africa are porous and there are many ungoverned spaces around the vast boundary lines. 

   Despite enjoying huge informal trade within the borders, the FATF noted that all the countries lack the capacity to effectively monitor the borders and boundary lines which is a vulnerability that can be exploited by terrorist groups to establish training bases for their members, and to transport and distribute weapons, across the sub-region.

  Hitherto, the National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, described the growing insecurity in the Northern region as one undermining the growth of industrial firms in the country as many firms have had to cease operations in the region.

   Indeed, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism had expressed concerns on the need to address the security issues through multilateral cooperation as part of efforts to address cross-border vulnerabilities.

   Research Associate for the Centre, Scott Menner, said, “despite the May 2014 Paris Summit for Security in Nigeria where Nigeria and its neighbours agreed to cooperate on security issues, all of the parties have a long history of failing to establish clear measures for multilateral cooperation to address cross-border vulnerabilities. Some also hold historical grudges from border conflicts. The two major issues preventing effective cooperation are the right of pursuit across international boundaries and intelligence sharing.”

 A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, recently noted that “…the security situation has affected farmland production and that has led to increase in food prices.” 

    Last year, it was not a surprise that Nigeria statistics Bureau raised alarm that food prices escalated to 9.8% in June, and inflation hit 8.2 per cent, the highest in the past 10-month. 

   In a recent publication too by US base independent research body, Brookings, titled The Impact of Conflict and Political Instability on Agricultural Investments in Mali and Nigeria, the effects of conflict on the agricultural sector are largely due to the risk of being attacked by insurgents.

 “People across all value chains feared movement outside protected areas because of attacks by the insurgents, farm workers feared attacks while grazing animals, processors lost workers when families left the conflict zone, and traders began limiting their movements,” it stated.

   Without mincing words, the agricultural sector has become a primary target for militants in need of supplies, as Brookings’s data showed that cash, food and equipment were more likely to disappear. It also added that the danger has made other things like transportation more risky and therefore more expensive, which again put pressure on the economic output.

   Though the authors stated that the impact of Boko Haram on the Nigerian economy is still localized, the instability has had an effect on the agricultural products from the north and has severely reduced cross-border trade with Cameroon, Chad and Niger, Brooking noted.

  Also, it should be pointed that Niger, Cameroon and Chad are yet to survive the serious economies threat posed by the crisis in Central Africa Republic (CAR), Mali, Libya and South Sudan. The series of attacks earlier distrusted trade activities in the various borders. Niger which is currently experiencing food scarcity and ranked one of the lowest nations (187th in 2013 by the United Nation’s Human Development Index) is faced with shaky economic situation and limited basic social services, leaving serious negative impacts on the locals. 

    According to the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) however, Niger ranked Nigeria’s 4th export partner with partner share of 11.08% in 2010 and 5th in 2011 with 5.00% partnership share.

    Though recent figures are updated, movement of goods between Niger and Nigeria remains slow as the region’s landlocked position, desert terrain, poor infrastructure and environmental degradation pose serious challenge in a clime dependent on subsistent farming.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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82 Year Old Woman Kills 2 Teens Who Broke Into Her Home

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Read Time:1 Minute, 37 Second

Police are still trying to piece together the events of Tuesday evening after teens attempted to rob an 82 year old woman and she fired back killing the intruders.

Annabelle Williams, who just turned 82 yesterday, says she was in bed sleeping when she heard glass shattering in another bedroom. Startled, she thought a tree branch had broken the window but she then heard voices. That's when she grabbed her gun.

"I feared for my life, but I wasn't ready to die," she recalled. "I started praying and I asked the Lord to guide my hands" Williams says as she heard the footsteps of the intruders getting closer to her bedroom, she reached into her nightstand and and shot in the direction of their shadows. She struck two of the three intruders, one made it out but was later picked up by police. The other two lay dead in her living room.

Annabelle who is a member of her local neighborhood watch said she has owned a gun for 10 years now, after being mugged once before. "Its a shame you can't sleep at night in your own home where you are supposed to feel safe without being threatened and robbed," she continues. "I purchased the gun hoping I would never have to use it, but I had no idea what they would do if I gave them a chance to get close to me."

Williams fired 5 times hitting one of the teens in the chest and the other in the stomach. Because of their age police are not releasing the names at this time, but are saying the teens died as a result of the gun shot wounds. The third burglar is being held and charged with breaking and entering.

Police have not yet charged Williams, who has no prior arrests, but she was detained and later released.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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C’River State Disburses over N1.7bn to 247 Communities

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Read Time:1 Minute, 41 Second

The Cross River State Government has disbursed over N1.7 billion directly to 247 communities across the state for the execution of various community projects, thereby emerging tops in the World Bank project review implementation progress report on overall performance index in Nigeria.

A document obtained from the World Bank aide memoire and released after an implementation support commission for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP- Nigeria), revealed that the state is leading 25 other participating states on the project in terms of disbursements to grants.

The World Bank explained that the funds released through the State Community and Development Agency was germane for the project to actualise its planned development objective.

It pointed out that such exemplary gesture of the state government had sustainably improved access of poor people to basic necessities of life with majority of them being women and children.

According to the World Bank, the provision of grants to communities is a project requirement and key item in the community development project cycle, which enables communities access needed funds for effective implementation of their projects to improve access to basic services.

The apex bank maintained that Cross River State is among a few states in the country that met its strenuous effectiveness conditions, enabling it to start drawing down from the $200 million International Development Association (IDA) credit.

It added that through the state Community and Social Development Agency, the state had provided funding for 247 approved community development plans comprising; 673 micro-projects distributed across eight sectors of education, environment, gender and vulnerable, health, rural, electrification, social, economic as well as transport and water supply.

The World Bank further lauded the efforts of the Governor Liyel Imoke-led administration for effectively mainstreaming rural development; stating that by any standard, the state Community and Social Development Project was the flagship in Nigeria, whose implementation performance is unprecedented.
Consequently, the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance announced Governor Imoke as the Community and Social Development Project Ambassador in Nigeria.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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