November 26, 2021

[GIST] Boko Haram Will Soon Recruit From Nigeria’s 14million Out-Of-School Children – Obasanjo

[GIST] Boko Haram Will Soon Recruit From Nigeria’s 14million Out-Of-School Children – Obasanjo

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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that the about 14million out-of-school children in Nigeria could turn to Boko Haram recruits in the next 10 years.

Obasanjo, who lamented the increase in number of the out-of-school children in Nigeria, described them as potential Boko Haram terrorists.

This was contained in his statement while addressing participants at the presidential youth mentorship retreat held at Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo explained that with about 14million out-of-school children roaming Nigerian streets, no one needed an oracle to know the children would turn to criminals and terrorists in the coming years.

The former President said, “A situation today where we have 14million children that should be in school that are not in school; does anybody need to be an oracle to tell that 10 years or 15 years from now, those will be where you will recruit pure Boko Haram.

“So, if you deal with Boko Haram by stick today; in few years’ time the situation will be worse because we are talking about security, it will be worse. So, if we are talking of insecurity, where should we begin? If we are talking of poverty where should we begin? It is education.

“Somebody said if everybody is educated, who will be a servant and I said if everybody is educated, then we will get a better servant than you should have got from those that are not educated.

“If I was a Yoruba leader, I would not have succeeded as I succeeded for Nigeria, I might have succeeded for the Yoruba. Your brother from South-East is right, I believe that every Nigerian is more respected in the committee of nations if Nigeria remains.

“Don’t let us deceive ourselves; will people still respect us because of our population, 200 million people, you cannot just waste them, even when I go out, people will say you Nigerians are not at the table. That is true, we are not at the table when we should be at the table.

“I have no regret for fighting for the unity of Nigeria and if it comes up tomorrow that it should be done and I have ability to do it, I will do what I have to do. I believe that the last thing is not in our fighting for the unity of this country; it is in subsequent leadership that we have.”

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[GIST] #EndSARS: Unlike Buhari, Gambian President Vows To Act On Report Detailing Torture, Abuses Suffered By Citizens

[GIST] #EndSARS: Unlike Buhari, Gambian President Vows To Act On Report Detailing Torture, Abuses Suffered By Citizens

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The Gambian President, Adama Barrow, on Thursday, received a three-year report compiled by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which details the human rights abuses, torture and killings of citizens under a former leader, Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year dictatorship.

Barrow at the State House in The Gambia made the promise, saying, “My government will study the Report carefully for appropriate action. Thereafter, the Government will inform the general public of its position in a White Paper.”

The Gambian President’s position is in stark contrast with that of Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, under whose administration the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry released the report of #EndSARS victims and killings perpetrated by the Nigerian Army, particularly at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos State.

Buhari, while receiving the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinkens, had said his government would see what action to take after the states concerned had acted on the reports by the panels.

This came days before his Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, launched an arsenal of attacks and desperate blackmail against the #EndSARS panel report, saying the victims were fictitious and the report was full of “recycled lies.”

In contrast, in The Gambia, the commission to investigate human rights abuses in the country wrapped up a sweeping three-year public inquiry into former president Jammeh's dictatorship and was commended by the president at a public event on Thursday.

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) delivered its report to President Barrow nine days before an election in which the exiled Jammeh urged his supporters to vote for an opposition coalition.

Nearly 400 witnesses testified before the TRRC, including both victims and perpetrators.

"To forgive and forget with impunity the violations and abuses would not only undermine reconciliation but would also constitute a massive and egregious cover-up of the crimes committed," the commission said in a statement.

According to Reuters, in all, 240-250 people died at the hands of the state or its agents, the commission said. It recommended that the "persons who bear the greatest responsibility for abuses" be prosecuted but did not name anyone.

Barrow or his successor has six months to decide how to respond to the report, which was not made public.

In his speech obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, the Gambian President said, “Many African countries have established Truth Commissions, in one form or another, to provide a platform for victims of human rights abuses to relay their stories, hold perpetrators accountable and determine reparation packages, where necessary.

“The Gacaca Courts of Rwanda is an example. Despite the genocide, the people have reconciled their differences, and are now working together to develop their country.

“Here in The Gambia, the Commission was mandated to get to the bottom of human rights abuses, uncover the truth to guarantee a clear historical record of what transpired in our beloved country and submit recommendations on reparations for deserving victims.

“Through the TRRC, Gambians now know what happened on Gambian soil in the past. Although we have decided as a country to unearth the truth, our desire is to create a path for healing and reconciliation, with the goal of co-existing peacefully as Gambians.

“I am certain that, if we choose to do so, we can live together in peace and harmony, without any form of injustice, and nurture our young democracy in a stable nation where the rule of law prevails in the best interest of all.  

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, under the leadership of the Chairman, Dr. Lamin Ceesay, I commend all the Commissioners, the Legal team, the Secretariat and the whole TRRC team for running the Commission's affairs during its months of work. I thank you all for carrying out this national task successfully.

“In a special way, I thank the witnesses and their families for their fortitude and courageous testimonies. I assure them that my government will ensure that justice is done, but I urge them to be patient and allow the legal process to take its course. That way, justice will prevail, and we will be able to heal as a country and move forward united and stronger, with greater determination.”

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[GIST] Kano Police Remove Married Man, Female Friend Found Dead Inside Car

[GIST] Kano Police Remove Married Man, Female Friend Found Dead Inside Car

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Two people, a man and his female friend, have been found dead inside a car, along Katsina road in the Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.
An eyewitness told Daily Trust that the deceased were identified as Steven Ayika, who was a married man with two children; and one Chiamaka Emmanuel, who was billed to be married in December.

File photo used to illustrate story.
He said the car with tinted glasses was parked in front of Chiamaka’s family house along Katsina road.
The witness said the car was discovered locked from inside with phones of the deceased switched off.
Another witness said police officers discovered the deceased persons in a compromising position.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said their team rushed to scene after receiving a report and rushed the duo to a hospital where doctors confirmed them dead.
“On the 23/11/2021 at about 0450hrs, a report was received that a car was sighted along Katsina Road, Fagge LGA Kano State with two (2) occupants, a male and a female motionless.
“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, raised and instructed a team of detectives to proceed to the scene.
“The team immediately rushed to the scene. Victims, a male and a female inside the back seat of a Sienna Motor Vehicle were removed and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead.”
Kiyawa said on preliminary investigation, the male deceased was identified as Steven Ayika, of Jaba Quarters Kano while the female deceased identified as Chiamaka Emmanuel, of the same address.

 
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[GIST] Policemen Pose As SaharaReporters’ Journalists To Illegally Arrest Former MABISCO Factory Workers Sacked For Protesting ‘N1000 Slave Wage’

[GIST] Policemen Pose As SaharaReporters’ Journalists To Illegally Arrest Former MABISCO Factory Workers Sacked For Protesting ‘N1000 Slave Wage’

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Some former workers of Mayor Biscuit Company Ltd (MABISCO) located at Agbara, Ogun State, have been arrested by policemen who posed as journalists of Nigeria's leading newspaper, SaharaReporters.

The former workers, Usman Yahaya, Bisiriyi Babatunde and Olayiwola Akin were arrested by the police officers following a story by SaharaReporters exposing how the company has been paying its staff members slave wages of N1,000 daily despite working up to 13-hour shifts.

The company owner, Mr Felix King Eiremiokhae, who was not happy with the report ordered their detention.

MABISCO CEO, Felix King Eiremiokhae.
“One man called and told them he is a staff member of SaharaReporters. He said his name was Dotun Ajulo Silver. He said a story done recently about the company by SaharaReporters was done by him. 
“He lied to them that they should see, so that they can give him more documents and evidence about how they were treated by the company. He called and gave an address that they should meet; he told them to come to his office at Ikeja. 
“So this morning, he called and gave them an appointment to meet him but when they got there, they were arrested by policemen. There were four of them that went there, so one of them refused to enter. So the man came out with one other policeman in mufti, but before you knew it, they were arrested and taken to Panti (State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department),” a source told SaharaReporters.
The Publicity Secretary of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers' Rights (CDWR), Chinedu Bosah also confirmed the arrest in a statement sent to SaharaReporters.
The statement read, “Three former workers of MABISCO, a company that manufactures biscuits, were arrested today at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos and are currently detained at Panti Police Station, Yaba.
“They are Usman Yahaya, Bisiriyi Babatunde and Olayiwola Akin.
“They were arrested by policemen who posed as journalists from the Sahara Reporters interested in the poor working condition at MABISCO. In actual fact, Sahara Reporters reported the poor working conditions workers are subjected to on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, with the headline: 'Ogun Biscuit Factory Suspends Workers for Protesting N1000 Slave Wage'.
“The company owner, Mr Felix, who was not happy about the report ordered the arrest of these workers.  
“The arrest took place at No 6 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, the office of Citizens Aid for Social Justice. The secretary who came to pick these workers at the bus stop is one Miss/Mrs Joyce.
“The three workers are currently detained at Panti Police Station for no reason. Kindly call and send protest messages to Mr Felix (MABISCO CEO) on 08171229888 to demand their release. Also, call and send protest messages to Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Commissioner of Police.”
In a story published by SaharaReporters on November 23, some workers accused the management of the firm of subjecting them to inhuman treatment for demanding their entitlements.
The affected employees - many of them casual workers – accused the company of paying them slave wages of N1,000 daily despite working up to 13-hour shifts. 
They slammed MABISCO for refusing to pay their overtime allowances and for failing to remit their pension and taxes deducted from their salaries. 
Some of the aggrieved persons disclosed that the poor working condition at the factory and the inhuman treatment workers were subjected to, had caused many of them to develop ailments that put their health in a terrible state.
"Mayor Biscuit Company Ltd is a slave camp where anti-labour practices and crimes are flagrantly committed.
"Management pays poverty wages to most of the workers. Casual workers who constitute 80 per cent of the workforce are paid N1000 daily while the regularised staff members earn N35,000 monthly. 
"We are made to work overtime from Monday to Saturday (7:00 am to 6:00 pm) without payment of overtime allowances. The working condition is miserably poor as we are denied severance entitlement and other benefits.
"The management recklessly violates Pension Reform Act and consequently denies us our right to a pension. 
"So brazen is the level of violation such that the management deducts workers contribution (8%) and pockets it instead of remitting to the Pension Fund Administrator. The management also does not contribute its own share of the pension which is 10%. This constitutes a gross violation of the Pension Reform Act.
"They also deduct tax from workers' salaries and do not remit to the tax authority and government.
"This situation is affecting many workers emotionally and psychologically, thereby leading to health conditions that put our colleagues at risk," one of the affected had workers said.
Another casual employee of the manufacturing company disclosed that many of their colleagues, who confronted the management over the issues, were either suspended indefinitely or sacked without any form of compensation.
"The management subjects workers to intimidation, harassment and arbitrary sacking and do not pay their earned entitlements. 
"For instance, Musa Ibrahim has been placed on indefinite suspension since May 2019 for requesting his overtime entitlements to be paid. He has not been sacked and his entitlement is yet to be paid.
"This injustice takes place every day. We are treated like slaves just because we are trying to earn an honest living at MABISCO," he had said.
Other workers of the firm, who also expressed anger at the situation, revealed that the leadership of the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees refused to intervene in the matter despite several reports made to them.
A management staff member of the company contacted by SaharaReporters over the issue claimed that most of the workers were using blackmail to extort the company of money and run it out of business. 
"All allegations by the workers are not true. You can check with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant authorities to see if we run a slave camp like they claimed or ever denied any worker their entitlement.
"They are doing this because the company is owned by a Nigerian and they think they can blackmail him into giving them whatever they demand.
"We are a responsible organisation operating under the standard labour laws of Nigeria, we have nothing to hide," the official, who asked not to be named, said.
In August 2019, the company accused workers of causing it N30 million loss after a protest that grounded operations for several hours.
The workers, who stormed the Agbara, Ogun State factory of the biscuit company in several trucks, had attempted to burn down the place but were repelled by policemen from a station nearby.
Disagreements between workers and the management of the company have become a regular feature since that period, it was gathered.

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[GIST] Fuel Scarcity Looms As Nigerian Petroleum Workers, NUPENG Extend Ultimatum By Seven Days

[GIST] Fuel Scarcity Looms As Nigerian Petroleum Workers, NUPENG Extend Ultimatum By Seven Days

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The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has extended the 14-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government by seven days, raising the possibility of fuel scarcity across the country in the coming weeks.
This was contained in a statement issued by the union’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Thursday in Lagos State.


NUPENG had, on November 15, issued the 14-day ultimatum to embark on a nationwide strike due to what it called the non-implementation of an agreement earlier reached with the government.
The issues at stake included; non-payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, among others.
Olawale said that in spite of the various interventions and engagements with government agencies and institutions, issues concerning the welfare of members and unfair labour practices by some oil majors had yet to be fully resolved.
“Leadership of the union is still exercising further patience and restraint to give the ongoing discussions the chances of resolving these issues once and for all.
“The decision of the union to give another seven-day ultimatum should not be misconstrued as a sign of capitulation or weakness.
“Rather, it is a demonstration of our resolve not to inflict unnecessary pains on Nigerians or create any form of artificial scarcity of petroleum products,” he said.
The NUPENG general secretary urged the government and all other concerned entities to take advantage of the extension to do the needful.
“It is our hope that the government does the needful and saves the nation the pains and losses our industrial action will bring,” he said.

 
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