Nigeria Times – Page 518

Group raises concern over Niger Delta pipeline security contracts

A civil society group on the platform of Conduct and Due Process Group has raised an alarm that the peace and tranquility enjoyed by the residents of areas where oil production facilities are situated may soon come to an abrupt end if the conflict between the two directors of a pipeline security surveillance company are not settled.

The group said its intervention is to attempt to contact the conflicting parties in the interest of the Niger Delta communities where the oil production facilities are located.

In a statement signed Tuesday in Abuja by the chairman, Conduct and Due Process Group Comrade Adediran Raymond, the civil society group has been observing a situation that could quickly result in a conflict that would send the Niger Delta region into the dark age where conflicts and pipeline vandalism was rife.

“Our organization has been closely watching the tug of war between the founders and directors of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited which has spilled over the pages of newspapers. While this might seem like a mere internal conflict, it poses a greater threat to the stability of the oil producing areas, national oil infrastructure and the nation’s oil revenue as a whole.

“What people probably don’t know is that Ocean Marine Solutions Limited formerly known as Ocean Marine Security Limted is a company paid by the Federal Government to provide surveillance and security services for its oil facilities and it is arguably the largest pipeline security surveillance contractor in Nigeria.

“A conflict of this nature could be devastating for the nation’s economy if we do not step in immediately and that is because of the caliber of the parties involved.

“On one hand there is Dr. Tunde Ayeni and on the other there is Captain Idahosa Okunbo. These are two powerful men, so in the event that this conflict gets out of hand and the company is destabilized, the pipelines they were meant to protect would be left vulnerable and prior security arrangements would be nullified.

“The truth of the allegations flying around has not been fully understood; however, in the interest of the stability of the Niger Delta region and the security of state-owned oil infrastructure, we have decided to intervene.

“Conduct and Due Process Group will attempt to contact the conflicting parties in this regard but, failure to reach a resolution from one of the parties involved, we shall presume such party to be acting against national interest and breaching national peace, therefore engaging our capacity to pursue this matter strictly in the interest of national peace and stability.

“As a civil society group the purpose of our intervention in this matter is to ensure that the interest of the people and by extension the interest of the nation comes first at all times, he reiterated,” the statement said.

Don’t use sanctions against Nigeria, UK House of Lords told

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has warned the House of Lords in the United Kingdom against promoting terrorism with its call for sanctions on Nigeria.

According to the centre, such sanction would truncate Nigeria’s democracy and ultimately enhance terrorism.

The CALSER made its stance known at a press conference on Sunday in Abuja in response to alleged killings targeted at Christians in the North.

In her address, CALSER’s President/ Convener, Prince Ajibola said the UK lawmakers’ move is laced with mischief and an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the Nigerian government.

Ajibola noted that the letter to Dominic Raab, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, House of Lords is meant to create discord between Muslims in Nigeria and Christians.

She noted that Christians are not the only victims of the killings as Muslims has also been targeted.

Instead of promoting a “religious sectarian debate” and terrorism, Ajibola urged the UK lawmakers to support Nigeria to overcome its current challenges.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, however, called on the international community to join hands with Nigeria in tackling terrorism rather than placing senseless sanctions against the country.

The centre also advised the lawmakers calling for sanctions against Nigeria to put a stop to their actions and offer their apologies to the country.

Read full address below:

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio Economic Rights ( CALSER) has expressed their indignation at the call for UK sanction on Nigeria by some members of the United kingdom house of Lords. For we know that, “to be feared is to fear, because no one has been able to strike terror into others and at the same time enjoy peace of mind.” The recent calls over the killings of Christians in the North are obviously sightless and intolerably frivolous. We consider this as an odious attempt to stultify democracy and cause disharmony.

Indeed, terrorist organizations have “harvested” the globalization process to improve their methods of operation. They often refrain from using factory-made explosives, for example, and instead use materials that can be easily obtained from local sources (such as ammonium nitrate).

And, ironically, locally-made materials are being used with greater frequency to achieve terrorist objectives. Perhaps the best example of this is the fact that even the well-known Al Qaeda (AQ) used locally-sourced American-made materials (Boeing airplanes) to destroy American targets on September 11 on America soil.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio Economic Rights having dissected the issues raised and canvassed by some members of the United Kingdom house of Lords, wishes to state that their stand is laced with mischief and an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the government of Nigeria. It worthy of note that most of these terrorist organizations have local and international backings; they disseminate vital information to them on having a good strategic plan, and also help in funding, so that they can procure standard equipment and machineries of war.

It is pertinent to note that it is misleading and unfair for Intersociety and other agencies to infer that only Christians has been the major victims of this attacks by reporting adulterated and exaggerated figures, just to stir up religious intolerance among the peaceful citizens. Report has it that many of the casualties of the terrorist attacks in the northern part were of the Islamic faith.

We therefore say that, reducing the act committed by this terrorists to a religious sectarian debate is an irresponsible act that should not be encouraged by anyone or nation.

It is imperative that the members of parliament who made this calls be aware of the influence and power they possess in parliament. They should therefore exercise this power towards promoting peace in Nigeria rather than create discord and hostility. What Nigeria needs from the UK aren’t sanctions, but rather support towards overcoming the current challenges the country is faced with.

The letter to Dominic Raab, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, House of Commons, London tends to slander the Islamic Religion and its appurtenances. It only serves to create discord between Muslims in Nigeria and Christians. Nigeria has suffered a lot from inter-tribal and inter-religious wars for a long time. The signatories to that fallacious letter should have been aware of the growing tensions between the two religions in the country and would have done well to avoid any offensive innuendos that might stir up hostility in the country.

The statistics stated in the petition were grossly exaggerated. They claim that over 34,400 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009 by both Boko Haram and Fulani Militia. This is obviously inaccurate as they are merely claims by organizations that are yet to prove these facts. These are figure blown out of proportion in order to put this administration in bad light.

Let us be cognizant of the fact that Christians are not the only ones attacked by these so-called Islamic Militia and Fulani Militia. Muslims are also victims of this senseless terrorism. There have been several proven cases of Islamic women and children being kidnapped and raped by these terrorists, yet, they weren’t mentioned in the petition. This is a clear attestation to the fact that these members of parliament involved had mischievous intentions of sowing discord and disharmony and attempt to defame the Islamic religion.

It was also stated that Nigerian security forces had committed crimes against humanity which according to the petition include: murder, rape, enforced disappearance and other cruel treatments. This is a big insult on the brave and noble men of the Nigerian armed forces who have given their all towards ensuring the protection and safety of the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens. The petition also accused the Nigerian armed forces of crimes such as unlawful imprisonment and conscripting children under the age of fifteen years into armed forces. This is laughable as every good citizen of Nigeria is aware of the fact that the minimum age for enlisting into any division of the Nigerian Armed Forces is 18 years. This has been the law and till date, it hasn’t changed.

The petition made reference to the publication of a new report by Nigerian human rights group, Intersociety. The reports and statistics regarding the scale of human rights abuse in Nigeria were gravely aggrandized and uncorroborated. A matter as delicate as this shouldn’t be based on unproven reports and publications.

CLASER therefore calls on these members of the UK house of Lords to identify any Nigerian under the age of eighteen who is currently serving in any unit of the Nigerian Military. I also call on them to prove these baseless claims of theirs stated in their petition. It is very unfortunate that the members of the United Kingdom House of Lords are less informed of the challenges and oppositional threats being faced by the present administration in Nigeria. They have left the right focus of looking deeply in the root-cause of terrorism, but are swayed by the counter-effect being manifested.

This current administration has been faced with several challenges left behind by past administrations, and has had to correct years of failure of past administrations. Majority of the £2 billion bilateral aid given to Nigeria by the UK was egregiously misappropriated by members of the previous administration. If members of the UK parliament are concerned with how the funds were spent, then they should question members of the previous administration. They should look into the reports of how the funds were managed, that is if it was even penned down into report.

Many Nigerian citizens might be suffering from human rights abuses, but sanctions are not the answer. They are merely instruments of state policy. The idea of placing sanctions on Nigeria deliberately labels the government as a rogue one that must be ‘punished’. If we go down memory lane, we discover that placing sanctions against a country barely has any substantial impact. Instead, it just makes matters worse.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to seize this opportunity to call on the whole world to join hands with the country Nigeria in tackling terrorism rather than placing senseless sanctions against the country which already dealing with a lot of challenges.

We consider the call for sanction against Nigeria in the same despicable manner the world has greeted the invasion of US capitol congress chamber, which was an assault that was fueled by more than four years of poison politics spreading deliberate misinformation, sowing distrust in the system, and pitting Americans against one another, and we ask that such should not rear its ugly head in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

CALSER is calling on the members who are calling for the sanctions against Nigeria to put a stop to their actions and offer their apologies to the President of Nigeria, members of his administration and the country’s armed forces who they have so ignorantly slandered.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights also use this opportunity to thank the president and the Nigerian armed forces for their selfless efforts in combating insecurity and promoting peace in the country despite the many challenges they are faced with. We say kudos to a job well done.

2023: Zoning won’t count in Ebonyi, AESID insists

Ahead of 2023 governorship election in Ebonyi state, some indigenes of the state under the platform of Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) have said that competence and credibility will determine who emerge the next governor and not zoning.

The association implored Ebonyi people to continue to study the records in and out of office of any contender and place same side-by-side with the prevailing challenges facing the state and seek out for only those who can reverse the negative indices.

In a statement signed and released to newsmen on Sunday by its President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, urged the people to ignore “paid political permutators, jobbers and hatchets men mislead, misdirect or misinform Ebonyi people as they battle to choose a credible and competent leader who would take-over the baton as Governor David Nweze Umahi’s successor.”

The association was reacting to an opinion piece by one Sunday Okwerike- one of the Izhi youngsters on social media who lamented that the rest of Ebonyians should probably leave the battle of Umahi’s successor in 2023 to only his Izhi clan.

But while responding to the development, the AESID said Ebonyi people will also not support to be elected into the office of Governor in 2023, any leader or persons who have records of having been used particularly by the Umahi administration to dispense mindless violence on Ebonyians with many of such leading to deaths of the young and elderly.

“First, AESID wishes to assert that the number one criteria which we implore every Ebonyian and lover our dear State to seek out in any intending aspirant or candidate is COMPETENCE and CREDIBILITY which would ultimately translate into such a leader’s capacity to reverse the numerous growing negative statistics and economic woes that the current government of Umahi has brought upon our dear State.

“Apart from the incontrovertible fact that there has never been a time when the rest of the zones in the State allowed only aspirants and candidates from a particular part of the State to seek the Governorship office in keeping with the so-called unwritten charter of equity, power as such pundits and analysts should be made to know only comes from above and it is never given but taken.

“Much more than the zone of an aspirant, AESID would, we reiterate implore Ebonyi people to continue to study the records in and out of office of any contender and place same side-by-side with the prevailing challenges facing the young State and seek out for only those who can reverse the negative indices.

“We, as a group has variously raised the alarm over the rising poverty in the State which has placed us in a woeful third position among the 36 States of the federation and whoever wish to succeed Umahi must not only be worried about this ugly trend but have the feasible prognosis to proffer credible solutions to them.”

According to Oluchukwu, the government of Engr. Umahi has remained a family business with capital flights being the order of the day.

“Governor Umahi boasts that he knows even the costs of production and supply of ordinary nails, all because he is the sole supplier all to and by himself and his family. This is why the government has placed higher premium on concrete roads, flyovers and decorative water fountains cum lights over and above the economic survival of a greater number of Ebonyians. Come 2023, Ebonyi people should choose, follow, support and elect a leader who would run an all-inclusive government that would see humans as humans and not as machines.

“It is our firm believe that the economic prosperity of Ebonyi people is more important than the antiquated zoning of political positions that would not afford us to put our best foot forward as Umahi’s successor in 2023. More so, our people will not elect any leader who has shown manifest greed and looting of previously or presently occupied public office, neither would we encourage them to support anyone hanging on the shoulders of any leader who has vaults in his massive country-home wherein he’s been saving looted public funds.

“Only people with records of genuine love and peace for all Ebonyians who have not shown manifest discriminations should be supported and elected into office in 2023.

Finally, we caution politicians against any sponsored divisive articles or positions that may cost Ebonyi the opportunity of redeeming its vanishing image and glory caused by Umahi’s rapacious greed, selfishness and extremisms against our people. AESID rather urge Ebonyi people to remain watchful, vigilant and determined to right the many awful wrongs of the Umahi administration despite Party and self-interests come, 2023 elections.”

Capitol Hill and a salute to Nigerian Military

By Philip Agbese

Quite incredible! In a twinkle of an eye, four persons kissed death during and in the aftermath of the invasion/desecration of Capitol Hill by pro-Trump extremist supporters. Capitol Hill, America’s most powerful symbol of democracy and civil authority, transmuted into an artefact of sorrows, wails, death and blood.

It is an understatement to say, the world is stunned to its marrow! Trump protestors defiled every moral sanctity and the gods of American democracy. They audaciously despoiled the serenity and sacredness of Washington DC, America’s federal capital with reckless impunity.

Enraged American rioters violently broke police barricades to access the Capitol Hill building, smashed window windowpanes, doors, attacked and sparred with security agents so brazenly. The sinister motive was to fart on America’s democracy by disrupting the ceremonial Congress confirmation of President-elect, Joe Biden. The demonstrators schemed to snatch the ballot boxes of the joint Congress session before the gavel descends in the authentication of Joe Biden. They crudely sought to re-enact the Nigerian scenario of inconclusive elections.

But American Police were impatient. They tolerated the remonstrators only for a while. Their gentlemanliness in the face of provocation in line of duty soon dissipated and hobnailed anger. It led to unimaginable security breaches and pandemonium, regarded as the first and worse in American democratic history in over 200 years.

A woman in the crowd of protestors had a bullet pierced through her luckless body. She was fatally shot point-blank, in the chest, in broad daylight and killed right inside the Capitol Hill building by the police. The trigger-puller cop never gave her a chance to confess her sins. Or probably, seek forgiveness from God Almighty, her Creator, before the journey to eternity. She died instantly. Rest in peace, “Madame.” You are one of the unfortunate victims and martyrs of American democracy.

Three others, another woman and two men, also gave up the ghost from the fracas after fruitless battles with life in concomitant protests medical emergencies. What? So, America, the global landlords of democracy and respecter of “law and order,” could have security agents spill blood this carelessly? This is unbelievable! Oooh, American pride nosedived into the odious ditch of partisan extremism akin to familiar African experiences.

The blood of Republican President Donald Trump, America’s outgoing President must have a tinge of African descent. He planned an electoral coup in 2020; but as master of manipulations, he held unto the daisy dais until January 2021, before the coup failed. He must have been a brave man in negativity. He exudes the democratic credentials of most African civilian despots.

Shockingly, though, before the mob violently broke into the Capitol Hill building with the intent of snatching congress ballot boxes, President Trump had urged his acolytes at a rally held in Ellipse park days earlier, never to concede defeat.

A furious Trump yelled; “We will never give up. We will never concede. It doesn’t happen. You don’t concede when there’s theft involved.” And his supporters chanted; “Trump won the election.” That’s the spirit of African modern democrats, in every exactitude. But finally, America and her peoples triumphed against President Trump. The will of the majority of Americans prevailed and it did not matter as Trump puts it, whether the presidential election had been “rigged” by “radical democrats” and the “fake news media.”

Nonetheless, four Americans paid the supreme price, in partisan-induced protests, which morphed into violence. The deaths came because the rioters resorted to violence, overwhelmed and overpowered the police with barbaric or undemocratic force.

President Trump supporters were ravenous. They pulled down the American flag at the Capitol Hill and replaced it with Trump’s flag. It was an audacious and very determined assault on American democratic heritage. The cops on duty could not stomach it anymore and everyone had to contend with his unwarranted or senseless bellyache. Security agents did the needful; they resorted to aggressive force to restore public law and order; much as the dignity of nationhood.

America, like Nigeria, are all democratic nations. The haters of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration campaigned vigorously about the imaginary violation of human rights of Nigerians in the #EndSARS protests. This was even after the demonstrators turned violent, in killings and arsons. The pro-#EndSARS exponents or promoters condemned and faulted every action of Mr. President in containing the violent protests, but were blind to the contraventions of the violent demonstrators.

The godfathers of #EndSARS protesters foraged everywhere to find conjured evidence to smear and taint the Buhari Presidency over the protests but found none. Unrelenting, the #EndSARS agitators feebly held unto the Lekki Toll Gate alleged shootings by soldiers of the Nigerian Army. They spun a serial web of fake news and tales, claiming various casualty figures from shootings which irritatingly resisted conformity.

The target was to rub mud on President Buhari’s face for alleged abuse of the basic tenets of democracy and also, nail the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. TY Buratai over counterfeit claims that soldiers shoot and killed unarmed and defenceless protesters at Lekki. But their surfeit of crafted tales got them more confused than the personalities they desperately sought to malign or defame and it faded with time.

History is a silent bookkeeper and humanity’s reminder of events. Today, the same Nigerians who falsely whined over fictitious tales of Lekki shootings, copiously citing America’s perfectness, have been nicely shamed by the episode of Capitol Hill’s violent invasion by protestors in America. But the innocent are always vindicated, if not by man, certainly, by God Almighty.

Gen. Buratai does not joke with unprofessional conduct by soldiers. He has a special and unfading passion for Nigerians. He perceives every Nigerian as a member of his larger family and treats everyone in the course of his duties like his blood brother or sister. That’s why the COAS is very impatient with any confirmed trace of human rights abuses of Nigerians allegedly perpetrated by soldiers on special assignments anywhere in the country.

It explained his instant establishment of the novel Human Rights Desk in all Army Divisions in the country. Under his leadership, soldiers accept the civil summons and appear in conventional courts to defend themselves over charges of alleged human rights violations. Nigerian soldiers are very conscious of the strictness of the Army Chief on human rights violations and dare not provoke his sensibilities in this direction.

Soldiers assigned to restore public law and order at the Lekki Toll Gate also performed the assignment professionally and creditably. They imposed peace without firing a shot at any protester. What propels the passion of Nigerian soldiers today is shared humanity with all Nigerians. It is conspicuous and it is verifiable. Soldiers performed this difficult assignment professionally and commendably.

Therefore, the shadow of innocence which hovers on their heads is the divine reason for their exculpation from the malicious and vindictive persecutions by troubleshooters in Nigeria, as exemplified by the latest Lekki incident. Those who assemble in dark chambers to concoct all manner of lies and instigate public hatred on soldiers have never succeeded, but rather end up disgracing themselves.

Nigerians should count themselves lucky to have been gifted with a brilliant, humane and compassionate soldier like Gen. Buratai as leader of the Nigerian Army at this point in history. Those who intentionally oppose or seek to disparage him may be understandably blind to the substance of his leadership. But events and time would continue to exonerate and upraise him.

The outside world also appreciates Gen. Buratai’s modest contributions to the Nigerian Army; like millions of other impartial and unbiased Nigerians. This is why Gen. Buratai’s initiative to have a Human Rights Desk for the Nigerian Army in every Army Division has paid off. It is beneficial to both Nigerians and the country, visible in improved foreign relations. Nigeria has become a beacon of hope to other nations on how the military should best handle violent protests.

If an enraged cop in a violent protest milieu could shoot point-blank at the chest of a woman in America; what would have been expected of soldiers in Nigeria under the same scenario? But Gen. Buratai has tamed them; they are no longer the brutish and cruel personnel of the days of yore, but a decent and patriotic Army of global acclaim.

May the malicious campaigns of the #EndSARS promoters and acolytes against the COAS and soldiers keep chorusing requiem songs for the antagonists. A big salute to the Nigerian Military, especially, the Nigerian Army.

Agbese is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom.

FCMB’s MD Not Father of My Kids, Moyo Thomas recants

Mrs Moyo Thomas, the lady at the centre of the infidelity and paternity allegation against Adam Nuru, the Managing Director of First City Monument Bank, who is now on leave, yesterday broke her silence, saying on no occasion did she tell her deceased husband, Tunde that he was not the father of her two children.

The scandal blew open when a group of people, who identified themselves as friends of the deceased alleged that Moyo informed her late husband that their two kids belonged to her boss, Nuru. They also claimed that the trauma led to the death of Tunde.

But In a statement titled, “Tunde is the Father of My Kids” and made available to THISDAY through her childhood friend, Moyo explained that she had decided to remain silent in the face of the heavy accusation of infidelity and alleged paternity scandal in order to preserve the memories of her late husband, who died on December 16, 2020.

“I have refrained from responding to this matter for various reasons, one of which is to preserve the memories of Tunde who departed to be with his maker on December 16, 2020. Memories, not only to me, but to his children, who are still young, and to everybody who had a relationship with him.”

According to her, “Just like any marriage, Tunde and I had a lot of differences in our marriage, some of which even led to police intervention. But I remain committed to keeping only positive memories of him.

“No one can ever understand what transpired between us or what each of us experienced in the marriage; like they say, it is he who wears the shoes that knows where it pinches. In all of it, I never for once wished him bad. His untimely and sudden death is still a shock to me as it is to many others,” Moyo stated.

Dismissing media reports on the alleged controversy over the paternity of her two children, Moyo said: “On no occasion did I ever tell him he was not the father of our two children. It is therefore deliberate falsehood and certainly malicious to allege and insinuate that I informed him that the children are not his.

“The children still bear his name. Only God knows why he died in an untimely period. It is not in my place, or any one’s place to play God and talk with certainty as to the cause of his death, without proven medical facts.

“Despite our separation, we never allowed our differences affect the relationships we respectively have with the children. He still had conversations with the children like any father will, up until his sudden and unfortunate death. It is quite sad and disheartening to see the pictures of these innocent children splashed all over the internet with very disparaging and weird comments.

“I do wish his family and friends the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss and I ask that we all be allowed to grieve his loss in peace.”

Moyo, pleaded that the family be spared of further media exposure as they mourn the departed husband, ”He has now been laid to rest and we implore all a sundry to please respect our privacy and allow those grieving his loss, including the children and I, to do so in peace.”

The spotlight was beamed on Nuru after supposed friends of Tunde Thomas petitioned the Central Bank of Nigeria and the bank’s board to sanction the FCMB chief for infidelity.

The petition had claimed that Thomas died of depression after discovering that his two children with Moyo, his ex-wife and former employee of the bank, belong to Nuru.

Last week, the management of the bank announced the appointment of Yemisi Edun as its acting managing director after Nuru volunteered to proceed on leave to enable the bank investigate allegations against him.

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US Congress Siege: Global Amnesty Watch says act despicable, calls for retrospection

The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has condemned Wednesday’s siege on the U.S. Congress, describing it as “despicable” and an “assault on democracy”.

In a statement signed by its Director, John Tom Lever, on Thursday, the group said President Donald Trump showed lack of respect for democratic ideals by instigating and urging his supporters to assault the Capitol.

According to Lever, the incident at the Congress affirms the retrogression of democracy in the U.S under Trump’s watch.

The GAW, therefore, noted that it is time for retrospection by the incoming administration led by President-elect, Joe Biden.

He said the new government must improve the country’s internal mechanism to guard against a repeat of the assault in its democracy as carried out by Trump and his supporters.

The Global Amnesty Watch, however, advised the incumbent to seek forgiveness from the American people for bringing democracy in the nation to disrepute.

It added that the actions of Trump remain despicable and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy all over the world.

Read the full statement below:

The Global Amnesty Watch views the events in the United States of America that culminated in the attack on the United States Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump as a most despicable desecration of democracy in the United States of America.

By all indication, President Donald Trump has proved a lack of respect for democratic ideals by instigating and urging his supporters to assault democracy in the United States of America in its over 200 year’s existence.

The Global Amnesty Watch is of the considered opinion that the attempt to subvert the will of the American people by President Donald Trump must be condemned in its entirety.

The Global Amnesty Watch, having followed the events in the United States of America wishes to state that the various actions of President Donald Trump do not reflect the attributes of a leader of the United States of America, which by all intent and purposes ought to serve as a role model in the preservation and entrenchment of democracy all over the world.

Thus, it is our considered opinion that under President Donald Trump, the United States of America has degenerated and therefore cannot continue to posture as an example of democracy in the world.

The unfortunate happenings since the conclusion of the presidential elections in the United States of America have brought out the defects in the model of democracy practised in the United States of America.

This indeed calls to question some of the United States of America’s stance in the preservation and entrenchment of democracy around the world and especially in the African continent.

This much the Global Amnesty Watch has highlighted in some of its reports on the interpretation of the ideals of democracy across the world by some advanced democracies such as the United States of America.

The Global Amnesty Watch uses this medium to reiterate that democracy around the world remains an experiment. Those at the forefront should do well to exhibit sincerity in the criticism of emerging democracies.

The attack on the United States Capitol is indeed blighting on democracy in the United States of America. The incoming administration of President-Elect Joe Biden must begin the process of ensuring that the ideals of democracy are reenacted, and charity must begin at home. Not until this is done, the United States of America should desist from setting standards for interpreting and practice of democracy in the world.

The Global Amnesty Watch further reiterates that democracy has been assaulted in the United States of America. Therefore there must be circumspection and retrospection in this regards by the institutions in the United States of America.

The authorities in the United States of America must improve its internal mechanism to guard against a repeat of the assault in its democracy as carried by President Donald Trump and his supporters.

The Global Amnesty Watch has indeed been vindicated by President Donald Trump’s actions, which has been a constant feature in our numerous reports indicating a retrogression of democracy in the United States of America under the watch of President Donald Trump.

It is hoped that lessons have been learnt with the events that culminated in the attack on the Capitol in the United States of America.

The Global Amnesty Watch states that President Donald Trump must seek forgiveness from the American people for bringing democracy in the United States of America to disrepute.

The actions of President Donald Trump remain despicable and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy all over the world.

2021: God will expose Boko Haram sponsors, NIFROP clergymen prophesy

The sponsors of Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements in the country will be exposed this year, some renowned clergymen have revealed.

This was part of the 21 prophetic declarations by the National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) at the opening ceremony of its 21 Days Prayers, Fasting and Intercessory programme for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

According to National Coordinator, Bishop Sunday Garuba, this is a prosperous year, filled with signs and wonders for Nigeria.

Bishop Garuba also prophesied good health for President Buhari; economic boom for the country and a successful year for the military in its fights against all forms of criminal activities.

He, however, assured that the nation shall enjoy resounding peace and tranquillity.

Below are the 21 prophetic declarations:

I prophesy that in the year 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari shall enjoy good health in sound mind all year round. No ailment shall come near his dwelling and that of his family members. I declare that all the evil forces that would in one way or the other make attempts on his life shall be exposed and destroyed by God.
In the year 2021, I declare complete healing in the land where the wrath of God shall visit all those that have a hand in the festering of acts of terrorism and militancy.
In the year 2021, Nigeria shall exit recession and experience sustainable growth and development in all sectors of the economy.
I see strange death in the midst of those who have been fueling acts of violence in Nigeria. Their end shall be a very shameful one that would cause untold embarrassment to their family and friends.
In the year 2021, all those planning to topple President Muhammadu Buhari shall be visited by the wrath of God in such a manner that they haven’t seen before. God has risen a mighty sword against them in Deuteronomy 32:35 “To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”
I see Boko Haram’s defeat in the year 2021. I see the Nigerian Military assisting the people of Borno State to return to their communities.
I see Boko Haram’s sponsors attempting to flee the country but were apprehended by the security agencies and made to face the law’s full wrath.
I see a very popular politician in Nigeria openly confessing for his atrocities against President Muhammadu Buhari for the numerous attempts to undermine his government.
I see a bright light shining upon Nigeria from the East, West, North and South. I see people from all religions and tribes embracing one another, and I see Nigeria defeating its enemies.
I prophesy that in the year 2021 the security agencies shall record multiple successes in the war against terrorism and insurgency in North-East Nigeria. The various militant groups in parts of Nigeria shall surrender and seek for forgiveness from Nigerians.
I declare that in the year 2021, the purveyors of fake news shall be embarrassed that that shall retrace their steps and become advocates of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
I declare that all Nigerians shall experience a turnaround in their various endeavours to the envy of all those that are conspiring to disintegrate the country.
In the year 2021, I prophesy that those external interest that are funding acts of terrorism shall go bankrupt, and their identities shall be known to the whole world.
I declare that the International Criminal Court shall prosecute those groups of Nigerians that have committed crimes against humanity in Nigeria through the fueling of an uprising that would have lead to a change of a democratically elected government.
I declare all-round peace and stability in Nigeria in 2021, and Nigeria shall be a worthy example amongst the comity of nations.
I declare that in the year 2021, no evil forces shall rise against Nigeria and Nigeria shall defeat all its adversaries.
I declare that the world shall acknowledge the economic growth and prosperity in Nigeria in the year 2021.
I prophesy that in the year 2021 world leaders shall recognize President Muhammadu Buhari as a shining example in the entrenchment of democratic principles in the world.
I prophesy that Nigeria shall become a shining example of peace and progress in the world through the sound leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
I declare all-round peace in Nigeria in the year 2021, and Nigerians shall have a reason to celebrate the birth of a new beginning. In the book of Exodus 9:1 “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.”
I prophesy that indeed in the year 2021 all the Pharaohs that have held back Nigeria shall let go and Nigeria shall enter into a realm of unimaginable proportion in Jesus name.

Insecurity: NIFROP commences 21 days prayers for Nigeria, Buhari

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace, NIFROP has commenced a 21 days prayer and fasting session against agents of destabilization and improved security in Nigeria.

The session which is also aimed at ensuring the success of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration kicked off at the Unity Fountain,Abuja with over 500 clerics in attendance.

The Grand Patron of NIFRPP, Archbishop Dr Julius Idiwe in his message at the prayer session said there is urgent need to pray and fast so that Nigeria can overcome the demonic spirits fighting against the peace and progress of the country.

He said, “I am glad to stand before you wonderful people under the Unity Church, and Unity Masjid committed to intercede for Nigeria through our numerous programmes over the years.

“The year 2020 indeed came with its attendant challenges. We are glad that God indeed proved Himself faithful to us through our numerous interventions, and today Nigeria remains a strong and indivisible entity.

“We are also grateful to God that God saw us through despite the challenges the country faced in 2020. It is indeed the mercy of God and the pure heart that the President is using to pilot the nation’s affairs that saw us through the turbulence in the year 2020.

“My brothers and sisters, the bible in the book of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.

“This 21- Days Inter-Faith Intercessory Prayers for the Nation and President Muhammadu Buhari in overcoming the demonic spirits fighting against the country and her people is a fulfilment of a divine mandate given by God almighty to us members of the Unity Church and Unity Masjid to continue to intercede for the country and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“For we are all aware that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers in high places. We are aware of this much and why we have convoked this unique programme to usher Nigeria into a new phase of greater glory in the year 2021.

“My brothers and sisters, this programme is indeed necessary for the battle for our dear country’s soul, for we know that the gang up against our country and the President is fierce. But if God is for us, who can be against us? No one.

In the course of the 21 days programme, we shall commit President Muhammadu Buhari to God in prayers for he is indeed a good man whose heart is filled with compassion for the ordinary Nigerians on the street across the country”he said

Archbishop Idiwe said God indeed knows the heart and intents of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the socio-economic upliftment of Nigeria and as such God shall continue to protect and preserve him from the plans of all those that have conspired to discredit his lofty ideals for Nigeria.

“My brothers and sisters, as we commence this special session for Nigeria, we shall begin to see the manifestation of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living as all those in high and mighty places that have vowed to disrupt the peace and tranquillity in Nigeria shall be exposed and disgraced in Jesus Name.

“We must not relent in this task before us in the New Year, for we know that the evil forces against President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria would be ferocious in their attacks in 2021. But I tell you all under the sound of my voice that the wrath of God shall visit them in truckloads in ways too numerous to mention.

“This is indeed the day that Lord has made and we must rejoice and be glad in it. This is also the year of redemption for Nigeria and Nigerians. The year 2021 shall be to Nigeria the year of abundance, peace and sustainable development.

“My brothers and sisters, I want to inform you all that what God has in stock for Nigeria in the year 2021 shall leave the world stunned. Nigeria shall be a force to reckon with in all aspects of life.

“The world shall indeed be baffled on how Nigeria can overcome the activities of bandits and their sponsors. Like a pack of cards, they shall crumble in shame and into the bottomless pit of eternal disgrace.

“My brothers and sisters, we must acknowledge the place of prayers in all our endeavours. We shall pray just like Paul and Silas, and suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed”Idiwe said

He added that at the end of the programme, all the bands that have held Nigeria back shall be loosened, and Nigeria shall enter into a realm of exceeding grace and abundance. The sponsors of acts of violence in the country shall bury their heads in shame. The foreign conspirators plotting to destabilize Nigeria shall lose focus and confusion shall be their lot. They shall see with their eyes the reward for all the evil they have planned against Nigeria.

I beseech us as lovers of God and Nigeria; I prophesy that Nigeria shall overcome its security challenges. I prophesy that the year 2021 shall be the year where the Boko Haram insurgency shall come to an end.

“My brothers and sisters, God works in mysterious ways. And I prophesy that all the commanders of the Boko Haram terrorist group shall be delivered to the Nigerian Military in absolute surrender. I assure you all that God shall send confusion into the midst of the remnants of Boko Haram and their defeat shall be astounding.

“The year 2021 is indeed the year of vengeance for all those against the interest of Nigeria. The book of Ezekiel 25; 17 tells us that “I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon them.”

“Through our prayers, we shall be calling on God to defeat all Nigeria’s enemies, including their collaborators within and outside the country and even those pretending to be friends of the President. Anyone who plans evil for Nigeria shall die in 2021.

“My brothers and sisters, we must also use this occasion to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari, who is indeed a friend of the church. He has displayed this much in his actions and inactions. For President Muhammadu Buhari, he belongs to all Nigerians regardless of religious or ethnic affiliations. President Muhammadu Buhari is a lover of all and a leader that governs with the fear of God.

“It is our firm belief that with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, in the year 2021, we shall have a reason to sing halleluiah to the Most High God. We shall dance and sing for the wondrous things in stock for Nigeria in 2021.

“Therefore, I call on all Christians and Muslims across the country to stand up in unity against the agents and forces against the country and for God to deliver a resounding defeat to them and their sponsors”he said

Sheik Ahmed Hassan in his own message said the love of Nigerians for President Muhammadu Buhari also knows no bound because he is an upright man filled with the fear of Allah (SWT) in all his doings as President of the country.

“His good deeds shall not go unrewarded by Allah (SWT), “he said

“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, Allah the Generous, in His infinite mercy, will multiply the good deeds of His righteous servants up to seven hundred times as much or even more.

“Verily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds, and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed. If he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more. If he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed.

We ought to take advantage of Allah’s mercy in this regard by performing many good deeds. Even good deeds we might see as ordinary, such as sending blessings upon the Prophet or giving the Islamic greeting, praying and interceding for humanity, can be multiplied ten times.

“My beloved, Allah in His infinite mercies shall record our prayers for Nigeria, and President Muhammadu Buhari as complete good deeds and Allah blessings shall abide with us as we embark on 21 days of prayers and fasting for Nigeria and all the evil forces against President Muhammadu Buhari as he pilots the affairs of the country. The forces of darkness against Nigeria in 2020 were disappointed that Allah kept Nigeria united despite their evil plots.

“I commend us all for this tremendous sacrifice over the years that have yielded great results to the chagrin of all of those that wants Nigeria to disintegrate. Indeed the prayers of Muslims and Christians who have refused to sell their souls to the devil have continued to keep the country in unity and prosperity over the years.

“My beloved, we must continue to pray for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari in the year 2021. We must pray against those individuals and groups that have been sponsoring acts of violence in the country. This much they did in 2020 without success, and the year 2021 shall be the year where they will meet their waterloo. May Allah (SWT) bring shame and reproach to those that plan evil against President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Allah, Almighty and Glorious, said: ‘When the one who has known Me disobeys Me, I will set up, as an absolute master over him, the one who has not known Me.

“My beloved this is indeed the time for us to pray fervently for our dear country to usher in the year 2021. I tell you all today that at the end of this programme, Nigeria shall indeed experience the mercies of Allah (SWT) that would bring about an astounding regime of greatness in all spheres of our endeavors.

“I tell you all today that in the year 2021, Nigeria shall defeat terrorism. The terrorist and their sponsors shall be exposed and put to shame. Nigeria shall experience peace and sustainable growth and development” he said

Northern group seeks Kukah arrest over comments on Buhari

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has described Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah’s recent
controversial statement as unguarded and open incitement to military coup and insurrection against the
democratically elected government of Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima on Monday, the group
condemned “Kukah’s use of nepotism as weapon of calumny against government and people of
Nigeria.”

The AYCF demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bishop Kukah for what it described as
treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.

In the alternative, the group called on Federal Government to place Kukah on special watchlist for this
open attempt to “set the South against the North in order to destabilize our country and further
complicate matters.”

Shettima, in the statement, took exception to what his group described as “Kukah’s latest role in devil’s
advocacy, as the North struggles to restore peace and enduring security in the region and indeed
Nigeria.”

The statement noted that “such a reckless statement by Kukah betrays something much more sinister
against both the North and the nation as a whole because Nigeria is at a stage that it requires
responsible advice for attaining peace and stability, not deliberate attempt to mischievously compound
our problems.

“If Kukah wants to play politics, he should not do so in the pulpit and he should keep the Bishop’s office
aside and chose any Nigerian political party platform to contest President in 2023 and stop all the
pretences,” the statement said.

It reminded Kukah of the rough road tread by democracy heroes to rid the nation of military dictatorship
at a time when he was nowhere in sight.
“We will not allow opportunists who did make any contribution to scuttle the democracy achieved
through the our sweat and toil and the sacrifice of our liberty,” Shettima said in the statement.

Viral rice video embarrassing, Ebonyi group tackles Umahi

A governance and accountability group, Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora (AESID) has expressed shock, displeasure and downright condemnation over a viral video of bags of rice alleged to have been mistakenly sent to Human Rights Radio, Abuja by the Ebonyi state government as Christmas largesse.

In the said viral video which recently flooded Social media platforms, a yet-to-be-identified and distressed driver who reportedly conveyed the said rice from the Ebonyi State capital, Abakaliki to Abuja where it was meant to be delivered to a serving Federal Director was seen lamenting that his payment for the delivery was stalled because he delivered the rice to the wrong address.

The boss of Human Rights Radio, Abuja popularly known as Berekete family, Ahmed Musa is also seen in the video footages asking the young man never to lament or fidget as he would pay for the rice when and if the state government comes up to make claims.

Musa, who is known as “Ordinary President”, had while asking that the driver be given N50, 000 being payment for job done lambasted the Ebonyi State government for giving out 300 bags of branded 25kg rice to just one rich individual when poor civil servants in the state are living in abject poverty and want.

But reacting to the development through a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by its President Amb. Pascal Oluchukwu, said his group is troubled by what he described as “uncommon but shameful Father Christmas behaviour of Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi and his aides.”

The group said the action has betrayed every logic of compassion “how Ebonyi State government would give out less than 5kg bags of rice per two civil servants in some cases and one bag of the same less than 5kg in others to it’s workers but send a massive 300 bags of rice to just a single Director in the Federal Civil service who ordinarily can afford what to eat this yuletide.

“We also recall that the same Governor Umahi promised civil servants N10, 000 each as their Christmas bonus- a pledge, we reliably gathered is yet to be redeemed as at the time of making this Press release. Yet, the greedy and over-ambitious Umahi is expending our very limited resources on those who may not have need for it just to curry the favour of the northern oligarchs in his new defection enterprise.

“This despicable outing proves our claims right that Governor Umahi definitely orchestrated the abject poverty that is now the order of the day in our dear State. Governor Umahi has no human feelings at all and does not feel any bit the pains and agonies of Ebonyi people.

“We condemn this shameful looting and wastage of Ebonyi’s scarce resources by a man who claims to be a father but has preferred to focus his attention on mere frivolities while using multiple decorative flyovers to deceive some gullible Nigerians. Our people are truly suffering deprivation under the Umahi regime that is battling to convince the world that Ebonyi has become an Eldorado because of his numerous deceptive cosmetic projects.”

The group, however called on the Ebonyi state government to speak up and tender an unreserved apology to Ebonyi people within 48 hours, adding that silence not be golden.

“Finally, we demand more humane approach to governance issues by the Umahi-led administration that has already caused our dear people so much penury. Enough, we believe, should really be enough.”