Trump REFUSES To Take Part In The Next Debate

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October 8, 2020

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu yesterday made a last-minute move to ensure issues about Biafra is debated by the Vice presidential candidates of the Republican, senator Mike Pence and that of the Democrat, senator Kamala Haris at a Vice presidential debate held at the early hours of yesterday.

In a press statement released by Kanu, it explained that he sent a questionnaire to the moderator of the debate, Susan page, Washington bureau chief of US Today, requesting her to throw the floor open for discussion on the incessant extrajudicial killings in Nigeria.

According to Kanu who gave his reason for his action said he believed America is respected all over the world and therefore capable to handle the situation in Nigeria.

Kanu while explaining said “America’s history of defending the human rights of the persecuted and the oppressed around the world sets the nation apart and is why we, Biafrans, continue to work with our supporters in the United States to hold the Nigerian government accountable for its violent actions.

“Unfortunately, the atrocities that are occurring on a daily basis, including state-sanctioned killings of Christians, Jews and other religious minorities in Nigeria, are going largely unnoticed by the international community.

“That is why we would urge the moderator in tonight’s debate to ask Vice President Pence and Senator Harris specific questions about how their administration would address the growing violence targeting Christians and Jews specifically in Nigeria, often at the hands of Boko Haram and Fulani militants.

“The Nigerian diaspora in the United States knows that when its government speaks, the world listens, and when the United States acts, innocent lives can be saved.

“It is time for the U.S. to speak and it is time for the U.S. to take action. And it should all begin on Wednesday when the candidates can describe how they view America’s role in the world and whether they will continue to carry out their nation’s unmatched legacy of protecting the defenceless by confronting powerful evil forces.” Kanu stated.

Part of what Kanu sent to the moderator corroborating his claim on violence in Nigeria also reads “For more information please see the materials chronicling human rights abuses perpetrated against Biafrans in Nigeria that were sent to Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions at the United Nations.

“The information was provided for possible inclusion in a report on Nigeria, which is expected to be released later this year. Ms Callamard visited Nigeria in 2019 to investigate reports of violence and injustice against innocent Nigerians.” The statement concludes.

BREAKING! Abducted Port-Harcourt Lawyer Rescued

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October 8, 2020

Bisola Paulette Ajayi, the Port-Harcourt based lawyer kidnapped over the weekend has been rescued.

Rivers Police spokesperson CSP Nnamdi Omoni confirmed her rescue.

Details shortly…

https://abntv.com.ng/2020/10/only-university-lecturers-on-ippis-will-be-paid-buhari/

Only University Lecturers On IPPIS Will Be Paid – Buhari

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October 8, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that members of the Association of Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will get salaries.

He stated this on Thursday in his annual speech to the joint session of the two chambers of the National Assembly which is currently ongoing.

In the highlight of the 2021 Appropriation budget being presented to the National Assembly, he explained that all sectors of the economy would get attention in 2021 budget allocation, but reiterated the Federal Government’s position on payment of salaries of University lecturers, saying that those lecturers who were captured in the IPPIS will continue to draw their salaries without any hitch.

He advised the leadership of ASUU to understand the position of the government, which he believes would remove fraud from the educational institutions.

President Buhari earlier arrived the National Assembly at about 11.00 am and was received by the joint session of the two legislative Chambers.

Details later……

https://abntv.com.ng/2020/10/well-support-igbo-presidency-in-2023-sarkin-hausa/

We’ll Support Igbo Presidency In 2023 – Sarkin Hausa

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October 8, 2020

The Hausa community in Cross River State has assured Ohaneze Ndigbo that they support the quest for somebody in the South East to become the President of the country in 2023.

The Supreme Leader of the Hausa and Fulani communities in the state, Alh Salisu Abba Lawan, who gave the assurance when members of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Cross River paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in his palace at Bogobiri area Calabar, noted that this is the first time Ndi Igbo is leading a powerful delegation to his community.

He recalled that virtually all major groups in the country have produced President since the return of democratic rule in 1999 except the East, maintaining that as we approach 2023 we should look in the direction of Igbo to lead the country in the interest of justice.

Alh. Lawan said: ‘Let me thank the Ohaneze Ndigbo for coming to strengthen the bond of friendship between Hausa and Fulani communities and the Igbo brothers living in the State.

‘We cannot claim to have a country that belongs to all of us while leaving a major component part out of the leadership of this country. I am assuring you that Hausa and Fulani communities in the state would be educated on why an Igbo should be allowed to be President of the country in 2023,’ he said.

According to him, the country must forge ahead and forget issues that brought about the civil war, regretting that since Gen Aguiyi Ironsi held power for six months after the first military coup, no Igbo has led the country.

While appreciating the enormity of talents that abound in Igboland, Sarki Lawan applauded the approach of Igbo living in the State, noting that members of his community would be sensitized and the new relationship.

On his part, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the State, Barr Ugorji Nwabueze, who led the Igbo delegation, said it was important for the two tribes to understand that justice demands that the north support the aspiration of the Igbos to lead the country in 2023.

Ugoji, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade on non-Indigenous, promised that an Igbo leadership at the highest level would be beneficial to all components parts of the country.

According to him, ‘unity demand that justice is done to the Eastern part of the country.’

BREAKING: WTO Confirms Okonjo-Iweala In Final Race For DG

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 8, 2020

The World Trade Organization is set to have its first female leader after Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee made it through Thursday to the final run-off, a WTO spokesman announced.

They saw off competition from Britain’s Liam Fox, Kenya’s Amina Mohamed, and Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad al-Tuwaijri in the second round of the battle to become the next director-general of the WTO.

“Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Korean minister Yoo Myung-hee will advance to the third and final stage of consultations,” WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell told reporters at the global trade body’s headquarters in Geneva, following a meeting where the news was announced to member states.

“The third stage will run from October 19 to October 27,” he said, with a winner to be announced before November 7.

The initial pool of eight candidates to replace Brazilian career diplomat Roberto Azevedo, who stepped down as WTO chief in August a year ahead of schedule, was narrowed down to five in last month’s first round.

Rather than straightforward elections, the WTO eliminates is leadership candidates through a process of consensus and preferences.

Okonjo-Iweala and Yoo’s candidacies received a boost earlier this week when EU member states officially threw their weight behind them.

Okonjo-Iweala, 66, served as her country’s first female finance and foreign minister and has a 25-year career behind her as a development economist at the World Bank, eventually becoming its number two.

She is also on Twitter’s board of directors and is a special envoy for the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 fight.

If she emerges triumphant from the final elimination round, she would not only be the first woman but also the first African to lead the global trade body.

Yoo, 53, is meanwhile currently serving as her country’s first female trade minister, following a career in trade diplomacy and foreign affairs.

Whoever is handed the job, in the end, will be taking over an organisation mired in multiple crises, and struggling to help members navigate a severe global economic slump triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Already before the Covid-19 crisis hit, the organisation was grappling with stalled trade talks and struggling to curb tensions between the United States and China.

Falz, Runtown, Other Celebrities Lead #ENDSARS Protests In Lagos (Photos)

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October 8, 2020

Nigerian celebrities including Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz; and pop star, Runtown have joined voices calling for an end to police brutality and extra-judicial killings.

Big Brother Naija Reality Television Stars, Elozonam Ogbolu and Prince Enwerem are also a part of the protest which is taking place in various locations across the country.

The protest started on Wednesday with youths gathered at Ikeja Underbridge displaying placards and sharing videos and photos using the hashtag #LagosProtests. They vowed to continue the protest for the next three days.

Elozonam of Big Brother Naija with other protesters calling for an end to SARS

On Thursday, the second day of the protest, the youths besieged Police Headquarters in Ikeja and marched to Lekki Toll Gate.

Falz and Runtown can be seen in videos leading the protest and chanting EndSARS! EndSARS!

The popular artist also went live on their official Instagram handle showing videos of them at the protest.

Falz, Runtown, and Prince had earlier tweeted on Wednesday announcing that they will be a part of the protest demanding total disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

“Tomorrow morning we move out for the #EndSARSprotest ! We are not out to cause trouble, but our voices must be heard! 10am we link up at the Lekki toll gate. #EndSars,” Falz tweeted.

Tomorrow morning we move out for the #EndSARSprotest ! We are not out to cause trouble, but our voices must be heard! 10am we link up at the Lekki toll gate. #EndSars

— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) October 7, 2020

Also in Abuja, the protesters demanding the total disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad besieged the force headquarters.

The campaigners sat on the Shehu Shagari Way, shouting ‘EndSARS,’ while paralysing vehicular traffic. They also wielded placards with the same inscription.

See below Tweets containing pictures and videos from the protest…

We are live #EndSARSProtest #EndSarsNow #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/jcAfh0Dnpe

— Dr PamPam | Omo Iya Ologi (@UnclePamilerin) October 8, 2020

On-going #EndSarsProtests at the @NigeriaPolice headquarters, Abuja.

Since yesterday till now, Lagos protesters have been on the streets without returning home. #LagosProtestsAgain

Nigerians are saying NO to criminals in Police uniform. pic.twitter.com/T1B7IBwIij

— Tope Akinyode (@TopeAkinyode) October 8, 2020

These are the people that deserves to be celebrated in Nigeria, they are the real celebrities, my celebrities and true heroes and their efforts shall never be in vein !!!! ✊?✊?✊?#LagosProtestsAgain #EndSARSProtest #EndSARSImmediately pic.twitter.com/wfb4vTzCeH

— Dora The Explora ? (@simbzzz) October 8, 2020

If you stay on the mainland join us at Ikeja under bridge as we march again for day 2 of #EndSARSProtest #LagosProtestsAgain pic.twitter.com/kZKgRBxv4W

— Dehkunle of Africa ?? (@Dehkunle) October 8, 2020

Not all heroes wear capes.
Don’t be a self proclaimed activist.
Show your activism.
.
FALZ ??
RUNTOWN ??#LagosProtestsAgain #EndSARSProtest #falz #runtown #thirdmainlandbridge #VPDebate2020 #thursdaymorning #theonlygadgetyouneed #VicePresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/HUJS4lDrdH

— Phat Zaddy (@don_nanex) October 8, 2020

Current location #EndSARSProtest #EndSarsNow #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/UPelC3bU4F

— Pamilerin Adegoke (@UnclePamilerin) October 8, 2020

https://twitter.com/NotJustSalmanPR/status/1314146588923768832

https://twitter.com/NotJustSalmanPR/status/1314144402336632833

Nigerian Police Force Are Funded Enough To Be The Best Police Force In The World – Reps Majority Leader

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October 8, 2020

Mr Ado Doguwa, the House of Representatives Majority Leader, has said the National Assembly does not spare any chance to ensure the Nigeria Police Force gets adequate funding.

However, he noted, how the funds are utilised or disbursed, or whether they get to the officers, is beyond the legislators and for the relevant authorities to explain.

The lawmaker spoke on Channel TV, Thursday morning while addressing issues surrounding new legislation on policing in the wake of perceived atrocities attached to some units of the police, especially SARS.

The Majority Leader said although there were many laws guiding the operations of the police, what the House was working on was a parliamentary intervention to ensure institutional commitment.

Doguwa added that “we are working on giving the Nigeria Police Force a new lease of life.

”We’re working with specialised bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, for a clear-cut, robust and comprehensive statement on what to scrap, strengthen or establish.”

Asked if welfare was part of the reasons some officers were misbehaving, the lawmaker said no.

“In fact,” he added, “our police force has the fund to perform just like the best policing body anywhere in the world.

“I challenge any police officer, from top to bottom, to prove to me that their problem is funding.

“Whether budgetary allocation, virement or supplementary allocation, the National Assembly has always given primacy to security agents’ welfare.

“All the relevant committees are given a standing order not to cut funds meant for security agents.

“Their salaries, allowances, pensions and so on are well taken care of. How the relevant authorities disburse these funds is beyond us.”

Also with Doguwa on the programme was Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins, the 1st Vice President of NBA, who said the problem with the police was not salary or welfare, but a lack of passion for the job by officers.

Aikpokpo-Martins said: “The salary structure in Nigeria generally is poor. So it’s not an excuse. “The problem is that these officers lack passion for the job. They are bitter. Many of them never wanted to be policemen. “But it was the only job available. And then you put a gun in such a person’s hands.”

BREAKING: NASS Will Pass 2021 Budget Before 2020 Ends – Lawan

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 8, 2020

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said the National Assembly is ready to pass the 2021 Appropriation Bill before the end of 2020.

Lawan made this known in his opening remarks before President Muhammadu Buhari was called to lay the national budget before the joint session of the National Assembly.

The Senate President recalled how the parliament promised to pass the 2020 budget before the year ended, which was achieved.

“The National Assembly is ready to pass the 2021 budget before the end of the year, by the grace of God,” Lawan said.

Details shortly…

FEC Approves $3.02bn For Reconstruction Of Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Rail Line

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October 8, 2020

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge.

The cost of the project was put at $ 3 . 02 bn.

The decision was taken at the weekly meeting of the council presided over by the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Amaechi also told reporters that the council approved the construction of a deep seaport at Bonny and a railway industrial park in Port Harcourt, both in Rivers State at the cost of $ 703 . 1 m .

He, however, said the two projects would be at no cost to the Federal Government, saying they will be funded through Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

He said the industrial park would gulp $ 241 . 2 m while the Bonny Deep Seaport will gulp $ 461 . 9 m .

The minister explained, “The Federal Executive Council has approved the award of contracts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern narrow-gauge railway, with new branch lines and transhipment facilities.

“ The council also approved the construction of a new deep seaport in Bonny , under PPP and the construction of a railway industrial park in Port Harcourt.

“ The railway line will be at the cost of $ 3 , 020 , 279 , 549 . The industrial park , which is under PPP, at no cost to Federal Government , will cost $ 241 , 154 , 389 . 31 . The Bonny deep seaport will cost $ 461 , 924 , 369 , at no cost to the Federal Government .

“The Port Harcourt-Maiduguri narrow gauge railway will have new branch lines : from Port Harcourt to Bonny and from Port Harcourt to Owerri are new lines.

“ There is another connecting narrow gauge to standard gauge at Kafanchan. There is a branch line from Gombe or before Maiduguri to Damaturu and Gashau . ”

Still, on PPP, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said the council approved the establishment of the Nigeria Correctional Service Shoe, Garment, and Leather Processing Factories in Aba, Abia State as well as Janguza, Kano State.

“ The benefit, besides the employment of Nigerians, is the opportunity for training of the inmates of our correctional facilities in Janguza, Kano State and Aba in Abia State.

“ The contract for full business skills compliance certificate is given to Messrs LG Investment Limited, a Nigerian company which is partnering with a Chinese company, Full Technology Incorporated from Beijing, China, ” he said.