The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this while answering questions from State House journalists at the end of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I think even Twitter itself two days ago gave what I will call a progress report on our talks with them, and I think if I want to quote them rightly it has been productive and quite respectful.
“And as to the qualifying word for when or how soon, I want to assure you that the time that Twitter operation has been suspended, between the time it has been suspended, and when it will be restored is by far, much, much shorter.
“That I can assure you that it is by far in other words, if the operation has been suspended for about 100 days now, I can tell that we’re just actually talking about a few, just a few more days now,” he said.
Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter on June 4, two days after the microblogging site took down a controversial tweet by Mr Buhari.
A group, Global Peace Foundation has called on leaders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and government agents to immediately begin reconciliation and forgiveness in the South East region to mitigate the losses being incurred as a result of the separatist agitations.
The group in a statement made available to ABN TV on Wednesday titled, ‘An Urgent Call For Forgiveness And Reconciliation – Before It Is Late’ the group observed that even though disagreement sometimes occur, forgiveness and reconciliation is however the way to go.
In the statement signed by Bishop Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, Board Member, GPF and Global Peace Award Recipient (2013), the group said the people of the region are passing through pains and trauma as well as deaths while their peace are being threatened.
“It is said that “when brothers fight to death, a stranger inherits their property”
“I make reference to this insightful adage in view of the agony we have all witnessed over the years; the pain and trauma that many people have gone through, and the various ways the lives and properties of our people in the South Eastern part of Nigeria have been negatively impacted.
“The very essence of our human existence has been threatened by a perpetuation of injury, violation and scarring of our land; and we appear to be a people at war. It is painful to see these level of broken or fragmented relationships everywhere, as it is leading us on a path of self-destruction.
“I therefore call for forgiveness and an attempt at reconciliation by all persons. If this does not happen- and happen fast- we shall all pay heavily for it and our children will not forgive us! The time to act is NOW!” Dr. Onuoha, the President Vision Africa appealed.
The organisation said each group both government and non-state actors claiming to be acting on behalf of the people of the region and defending their welfare, calling for key players to be brought to the dialogue table.
Highlighting the need for true forgiveness, the organisation says at the dialogue table, there is need to relinquish all moral indignation, give up the desire for retaliation, and focus on the urgent need to regenerate our relationships.
It says, “As we break the Kolanut of peace, signifying our mindset is tuned to allow peace to reign; may this cognitīve process give us a fuller understanding and recognition of what hurts the other, and together agree on how to address our individual differences while acknowledging and dealing with the past.
“We can do it, knowing fully well that there is no government that wants to manage an unstable/ungovernable society. Let us come together and extract commitments from every aggrieved party, as we frankly confront this hydra-headed enemy that threatens us.
“In a family we all quarrel. Even the tongue and teeth sometimes have misunderstanding. The leaders of IPOB must see the pain on the faces of our people and be willing to forgive anyone they feel have offended them. The state actors should also look for a way of forgiving the agitators and treat everyone as members of the same family who have their ways of expressing themselves in protest to perceived injustice.
“We must release or let go of justifiable emotion and retaliation related to the event and dismantle all enemy images and misrepresentations that demonize the “other”.
“I plead with all parties, in God’s name, to halt the trampling of rights immediately, and take steps to healing our land.”
As the traditional festival of Igba Ekpe of Akanu Ohafia ancient kingdom, Ohafia local government area of Abia state holds today 15th September 2021, the Odu Ugwuonyiriegbe Mbazueke of the community, HRM Ezieogo, Mba Odo Okereke JP, has said the annual festival avails the people opportunity to revive its tourism advantage.
According to the Royal Father, the hospitality and tourism life of the people which they are known for is gradually fading off, insisting that the ekpe traditional festival which coincides with the new yam festival will be a veritable platform to revive it.
Speaking with ABN TV on Wednesday shortly before the commencement of the festival, the traditional ruler underlined that before the advent of Christianity, the ekpe festival was used to mark the end of the traditional year.
“This is the period when people get married, celebrate, rejoice, have family meetings and all kinds of social engagements.
“Most often, new wives are taken, young women are led to having spouses. Incidentally the advent of Christianity changed the calendar.
“From this period to December, significantly we want to celebrate our own end of year festivities, marked by the new yam festival in all of Ohafia and old Bende ancient Kingdoms.
“The programme usually starts first week of August when the traditional new yam festival kicks off with Ndi Eze Ji, that is those who harvest the yam first and they are the ones that plant first.
“After the ceremony, one month later, the whole community goes out to confirm that the yam is ready and the celebration begins” he said.
In the area of security, the traditional ruler assured that the hunters and vigilantes as well as the youths have capacity to ensure the security of every participants.
He emphasised that no weapon of any sort will be paraded during the festival, adding that all COVID-19 protocols will be duly adhered to.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee on Tuesday set up a National Reconciliation Committee.
A former Nasarawa State Governor and Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Abdullahi Adamu, was named as Chairman while Otunba Moses Adeyemo is to serve as Secretary.
This was contained in a statement titled, ‘APC CECPC Chairman Appoints Adamu, Akume, Dogara, Chime, Adebule, Others into Party’s National Reconciliation Committee,’ signed by the National Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
It read in part, “The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the composition of a National Reconciliation Committee for the party.
“Members of the committee include: Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, former Jigawa State Governor, Ali Saad Birnin-Kudu, Alh. Suleiman Argungu, Dr Oluranti Adebule and Dr Beta Edu.
“A date for the inauguration and terms of reference for the party’s National Reconciliation Committee will be communicated.”
A motorist, Kayode Oluwatomi, has allegedly beaten a tricycle operator, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, Mr. Kola Adeyemi, to death in Ilorin, Kwara State, after the latter broke the parking light of his Honda Bullet car.
According to PUNCH Metro the incident happened on Monday around 5pm in the Gerin Alimi area of the metropolis.
Our correspondent learnt that Adeyemi, aka Daddy Samuel, hit the car, with number plate, BX 954 AJL, at the back, breaking the parking light, valued at N2,500.
A witness, who did not identify himself, said the tricycle rider begged to pay N2,000 for the damage, but the motorist rejected the money.
“An argument ensued as the motorist slapped the tricycle operator with an object believed to be a charm and he slumped. The Keke Napep man was confirmed dead at the Garin Alimi Hospital, Ilorin,” the witness said.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident.
He said, “One Ganiyu Adebayo, the Vice Chairman of the Tricycle Riders Association, Garin Alimi/Asa Dam Unit, Ilorin, reported at the Budo Nuhu Police Station that around 4.50pm, a tricycle operator, Kola Adeyemi, of Boluwaji area, Egbejila, IIorin, hit a Honda Bullet car driven by one Kayode Oluwatomi, a staff member of BYC consultant firm, Irewolede area, Ilorin, at the back and broke one of its parking lights, valued at N2,500
“The said tricycle operator begged to pay N2,000 for the broken light, but he refused. An argument ensued and the driver slapped the tricycle operator, and he slumped. He was confirmed dead at the Garin Alimi Hospital, Ilorin, while the driver has been arrested and undergoing investigation. He will be charged to court as soon as our investigation is completed.”
Indications emerged yesterday that the Beninese woman, who allegedly had three children for her son and has been sexually involved with another son of hers, has been deported.
The woman, Fati Sime was deported along with her first son, Adamu with whom she allegedly had three children.
However, the second son, who reportedly caught his brother in a sex act with their mother in their farm in the Kiama area of Kwara State and out of jealousy provoked a fight that opened the scandal, has remained on the run.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, had arrested Fati and her son on the allegation of incest.
The arrest followed a complaint made by the district head of Mose community in Kaima Local Government Area.
Spokesman for Kwara State Command of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi confirmed that the incestuous relationship between Fati and her son, Adamu had resulted in the birth of three children.
That is besides the 11 children she had from her husband, Adamu’s father.
Afolabi, while confirming the deportation of the incestuous duo said: “Fati and her first son, Adamu, were deported with directive of the Commandant after the investigation and handed over to the Benin Republic operatives at the border.
“But during investigation, the first son, Adamu confessed that he has been having carnal knowledge of his mother for seven years.”
Recall that the second son had in a fit of jealousy provoked a fight when he discovered his mother and brother engaged in a sex romp in their farm.
According to a source, the discovery by Adamu’s younger brother provoked a fight, which later attracted the attention of other farmers around.
“This later led to the arrest of Adamu and Fati by the operatives of the NSCDC in Moshe Gada outpost in Kaiama. Boni, however, escaped and he is still at large,” the source added.
The age of the lady involved in the incest has, however, not been given.
A group of anti IPOB protesters in Tuesday stormed the National Assembly complex in Abuja where they accused the Senator representing Abia South, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe of having nothing to show as constituency project after his near 16 years in the Senate.
The protester led by one Chukwuka Ofoegbu alias IjeleSpeaks accused the Senate Deputy Leader of having a political romance with the proscribed group, challenging him and other representatives to speak up against the activities of IPOB in South East region.
They were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions at the Assembly complex.
The protesters while accusing the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB of killing more than 1,000 persons since it began its weekly sit-at-home protest in South East zone in solidarity with its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu challenged Abaribe to deny his support for the group.
Ofoegbu insisted that South East region is not known for bloodshed as well as the massive destruction currently witnessed there.
Another protester challenged Sen. Abaribe to show his constituency projects instead of anchoring his support on a proscribed group, saying Ariaria market which falls within the Senator’s constituency is in dilapidation following years of neglect.
They wondered why the Abia South senator and his family members are not members of IPOB which he allegedly supports.
The group exonerated Fulani herdsmen from killings in South East region especially Imo state insisting that the perpetrators are Igbo people.
Jolly Phonics team cutting anniversary cake in Abuja Tuesday
The Universal Basic Commission, UBEC has applauded an education-centred non governmental organisation, Universal Learning Solutions, USL for the innovation, Jolly Phonics it has deployed in ensuring that children learn to read and write with minimal challenge at an early stage.
Jolly Phonics team cutting anniversary cake in Abuja Tuesday
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at an event to mark the fifteenth anniversary of ULS, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, , Dr. Hamid Bobboyi said Jolly Phonics programme which is a fun and child-centred approach to teaching synthetic phonics has since its introduction into the Nigerian basic school in 2006 become a veritable tool that makes teaching interesting.
Dr. Bobboyi who was represented by Obasi Patience of Teachers Development Department noted that since UBEC in 2012 entered into a partnership with Universal Learning Solutions, the organisation has through its Jolly Phonics programme helped in improving literacy development of basic education learners, adding that the Commission has supported in inclusion of the programme in basic across the country.
“In the year 2015, based on the reports from the UBEC field officers in the States, where the training were conducted, the UBEC management included Jolly Phonics as a mandatory training in the TPD. So far the federal government using the TPD funds has trained P1-P3 teachers in Basic Education Sub-sector.
“Permit me to also reiterate that, the Commission having found the Jolly Phonics programme relevant to its objective of improving literacy development of basic education learners has over the years supported its inclusion in the basic education curriculum in basic schools across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, whilst also ensuring that our teachers are trained and retrained on the Jolly Phonics pedagogy to be able to effectively teach learners to read and write.
“Let me say I personally find the Jolly Phonics pedagogy interesting and enjoyable. Its approaches are stimulating and enriching, it combines a range of teaching methodology that effortlessly allows learners associate learning with fun. You will agree with me that while we have to ensure that our learners in basic schools learn to read and write with little or no supervision, we equally have to make learning fun for them; hence, Jolly Phonics provides such opportunity” he said.
The Executive Secretary also commended ULS for the feat it has achieved over the years and for working with the Commission to achieve the UBE goals, noting that the learner will not be able to make meaningful contributions to the society without being able to read and write.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Chijoke Okwelle in his remarks applauded the contribution of ULS to literacy development through its Phonics project, noting that it has introduced an interactive and learner-friendly approach to achieve significant success to raise future leaders who can contribute to the development of their society.
Represented by the Head, Early Grade Reading, Mr. Razaq Adeyemi Badmus, Executive Secretary said, “As a key player in the training of teachers for the Basic Education level, the contribution of ULS to literacy development, through its Jolly Phonics project cannot be elusive to the NCCE. As a matter of fact, ULS in its literacy campaign established and found for itself a niche.
“This is because, at a point when the consistent dwindling standards of literacy was almost becoming a nightmare, partly because the conventional methods and approaches are not interactive and learner-friendly in nature, the positive change of narrative by Jolly Phonics through its remarkable successes, came to reinstall the hope of many education stakeholders.
“Today, with this onerous intervention in literacy, many of our school managers at the primary level are beginning to rejoice and boast of young learners who, on graduation, can read and write effectively, thus empowering and setting them on the path that will allow these future leaders of tomorrow to be able to contribute meaningfully in resolving challenges which directly affect them.”
Founders of ULS, a couple Gary and Naomi Foxcroft expressed gratitude for the success the Jolly Phonics has achieved in the last 15 years.
Going memory lane, the couple recalled how the project which started at a rural school in Akwa on 2006 grew to become the largest and most effective English literacy project in Africa through the collaboration of inspirational individuals and groups.
The couple who were represented by the Country Director ULS, Mr. Patrick Uzu expressed happiness that Jolly Phonics project in Nigeria has inspired the philanthropy behind its expansion to a further 22 countries in Africa and Asia, acting as a beacon of hope that brighter times may be ahead.
Mr. Uzu noted that the impact of this programme on the literacy skills of the pupils in public schools has been very encouraging.
He expressed the readiness of the organisation to sustain the impact it has made in the 36 states of the federation and FCT in ensuring that pupils are able to read and study on their own.
According to Mr. Uzu, ULS has also trained no fewer than 150,000 teachers nationwide for this project, targeting 10 million children.
He said early childhood development which seeks to catching them young equips the pupils with skills to read, understand, and write before they get to primary four.
Mr. Uzu while highlighting the issues of teachers transfer as well as unavailability of reading resources as major challenges of the project expressed gratitude to UBEC for making available workbook for smooth running of the programme, adding that more is still needed.
Dr Ramatu Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, cautioned youth corps members against influencing their postings to their preferred places of assignments.
Aliyu gave the advice when the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) led by the FCT Coordinator, Alhaji Abdul Suleman, visited her office in Abuja .
The minister urged the corps members to desist from influencing their posting to rural communities to their places of interest.
According to her, corps members are not only needed in rural communities but gained more recognition in hard-to-reach communities.
“Corps members responsiveness to the plight of the people depicts a very high quality of leadership, that is missing among our youths.
” So in essence, it is in those rural areas that offer you the opportunity to show your leadership qualities.
“It is only in those remote areas that you can think out of the box for the benefit of the people. These are areas that often lack portable water, and other social amenities.
“Seeing the condition of the people can give you the necessary push to come up with ideas on what to do for the benefit of mankind, “she said.
Aliyu said that Garki and Wuse environments, would not offer corps members the opportunity to think of what to do.
” So for you to get all the latitudes to hit the ground running, you have to serve in rural communities. Please, I urge you all not to work your ways to be redeployed,” she said.
Aliyu gave them the assurance that the FCT would continue to serve as home, to all corps members posted their for the youth service scheme.
Earlier, the NYSC FCT Coordinator, Alhaji Abdul Suleman, said that the 2021Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course had commenced as scheduled.
Suleman said the corps members had been exposed to the COVID-19 preventive protocols, adding that the camp officials and the entire camp community had been screened.
He said that a total of 1,340 corps members had been registered and sworn in by the representative of the Chief Judge of the FCT.
The coordinator said that the corps members had so far, exhibited a high level of discipline and resilience.
Suleman commended the FCT’s administration and the community, for providing the enabling environment for hosting the orientation course.
Recall that the highpoint of the event, was the presentation of an artwork, by a youth corps member, Okon Lawrence Idim, to the minister
SOME leaders of the All Progressives Congress under the aegis of Ihyarev APC leaders in Benue State, on Tuesday, appealed to Governor Samuel Ortom to revive the existing ranches in the state and lease them out to interested citizens.
Leaders of the group, who met in Makurdi, applauded the open grazing prohibition law of the administration but advised the governor to rehabilitate ranches at Ikyogen in Kwande, Aondona in the Raav Gwer West Local Government and Igumale in Ado.
This was contained in a statement signed by a former Speaker of the State Assembly in the aborted third republic, Stephen Tsav and five others.
Members of the group noted that the committee had provided a roadmap that would engender peace in the state.
They also advised that the governor should hold a meeting with his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdulahi Sule to work out a security arrangement that would ensure the protection of lives and property of citizens and residents of their shared borders.
The statement read in part, “We do acknowledge that there had been sporadic incidences of conflicts between the Fulani herders and our farming communities predating our generation and the present administration of Governor Ortom which were seasonal and immediately settled through dialogue and compensation.”
