Boko Haram Forces One Million Children Out Of School – UN

Violence in northeast Nigeria and neighbouring countries targeted by Boko Haram has forced more than one million children out of school, leaving them prey to abuse, abduction and recruitment by armed groups, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

More than 2,000 schools in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger remain closed due to the conflict and hundreds have been looted, damaged or destroyed, said the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF.

While hundreds of schools in northeast Nigeria have reopened in recent months, insecurity and fear of violence are preventing many teachers from resuming classes and discouraging parents from sending their children back to school, according to UNICEF.

Boko Haram is mostly based in northeast Nigeria but the militant group has this year intensified its campaign, setting up camps and launching attacks in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger in its drive to carve out an Islamist caliphate.

“Schools have been targets of attack, so children are scared to go back to the classroom,” UNICEF’s West and Central Africa regional director Manuel Fontaine said in a statement.

“Yet the longer they stay out of school, the greater the risks of being abused, abducted and recruited by armed groups.”

More than 400 schools have reopened since October in Nigeria’s Borno state, birthplace of the six-year insurgency waged by Boko Haram, more than 18 months after education was halted in the wake of an attack on a school in neighbouring Yobe state which killed 59 students.

Yet in Cameroon’s Far North region, which has been struck by a string of suicide bombings in recent months, blamed on Boko Haram and often carried out by young women, only one school out of the 135 closed in 2014 has reopened this year, UNICEF said.

While the majority of schools in northeast Nigeria have been able to resume classes, many classrooms are severely overcrowded as some schools are still being used to house people who have been displaced and are seeking shelter from the conflict.

Displaced teachers have volunteered to teach, and several schools have doubled the number of classes to provide education for those uprooted by conflict as well as local children.

Hassan Modu, principal of a recently reopened school in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, said the pupils were calm, and happy to be back despite the “traumatic situation”.

“It is important to provide education for these vulnerable children – the future generation of our country – who would be targets for Boko Haram if they were not in school,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Maiduguri.

Even before the conflict, Nigeria had the highest number of out-of-school children globally, more than 10 million, said the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Buhari To Present 2016 Budget To National Assembly Today

All is set for presentation of the 2016 national budget to the National Assembly on Tuesday, Lai Mohammed, Nigeria minister of information and culture confirmed this to journalists after a meeting of the cabinet, the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday afternoon. 

Mohammed who addressed journalists in company of Senator Udo Udoma, the minister of national planning said the President will present the budget to a joint session of National Assembly at 10:00 am on Tuesday.

But both ministers declined to answer questions on the proposed budget which related to the continuous fall in the value of naira, the estimated price of barrel of crude oil and stricter control being imposed on access to foreign exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The Minister said the President will address all questions relating to the budget in his speech at the National Assembly.

“The details of the budget will be presented by the President tomorrow (on Tuesday) at 10:00 am. Everything will be there in his budget address. The President will address a joint session of the National Assembly tomorrow (Tuesday),” said the Minister. 

Udoma had after a meeting on 7, December announced that the President Muhammadu Buhari cabinet had agreed on a N6 trillion budget for 2016. The budget was N1.4 trillion higher than N4.6trillion 2015 budget while the $38 benchmark oil price was 28 per cent lower than $53 used benchmark oil price in 2015 budget. 

The budget is also based on an estimated exchange rate of N198 to the dollar.

I Will Transform Petroleum Sector In One Year – Kachikwu

Dr Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum, has promised to bring about fundamental change in Nigeria’s oil sector in 360 days.

He gave the promise on Saturday when All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Delta, led by Mr Jones Erue, the party chairman, visited him at his country home in Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North LGA.

“The country’s oil sector will experience a turnaround such that the refineries will work effectively and products will be made available to the people at an affordable price within 365 days,” he said.

He said that as a technocrat, he came to give his best to turn the petroleum sector around for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The minister, however, called for ideas from the public on best ways to achieve successes in the sector, adding that he was not an epitome of knowledge.

“I came in as a technocrat to give my best to transform the oil industry, but I will welcome ideas from willing and capable Nigerians to build this sector,” he said.

Kachikwu advised the APC to carry others along and give them opportunity to make contributions for the development the country.

In his remark, Erue congratulated the minister on his appointment and used the occasion to highlight some of the challenges facing the party in the state.

In an interview with newsmen, Ayiri Emami, a chieftain of the APC in the state, said the minster remained the leader of the party in Delta.

He said that chieftains of the party came to felicitate with Kachikwu on his appointment.

Insurgency Will Soon Be History, Says Senator Accused Of Sponsoring Sect

Senator Ali Ndume

Senate Ali Ndume, who is accused of sponsoring Islamist sect, Boko Haram, has expressed confidence that insurgency in the North-East will soon become history following renewed commitment by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the menace.

Ndume, who is also the Senate Majority Leader made the statement on Saturday in Abuja in an interview with NAN.

The senator spoke to NAN shortly after presenting certificates to 100 internally displaced women, who had undergo three months training in tailoring.

The beneficiaries were part of the 400 women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in a camp in Karu, a satellite town in the FCT.

The camp has a population of 1, 214 IDPs.

Ndume said: “By God’s grace this thing – insurgency will come to pass; it has happened before, it is happening now and will come to pass; it will be history one day.

“We are hopeful that they – IDPs will return home as soon as possible; there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“We thank God that in spite what we are going through; the spirit of our people is still high.

“We are trying to survive; we are trying to make a living in spite the situation.”

The senate leader thanked the Federal Government, NGOs and other organisations that had supported the IDPs.

Mr Sunday Waba, the leader of the Karu IDPs camp, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for defeating the insurgents.

“We thank the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his commitment to defeat the insurgents and the gallant Nigerian military, who sacrificed their lives to fight these evil people (insurgents).

“We are hopeful that next year by the first quarter, God willing, we will start moving back to our various villages.

“We will return rich because we have acquire skills,” he said.

Mrs Lydia Ashifa, one of the women, who benefited from the training, thanked Ndume and other lawmakers from their area, who came to their assistance.

“We are happy, we are very grateful. We will re-elect him (Ndume) again,” Ashifa said.

Esther Joseph, another beneficiary of the training, said she was happy to be trained as a tailor.

She said that when she returns home, she would be a proud employer of others.

Mrs Rashida Fagbai, who described herself as volunteer from Lagos, commended the organisers of the training and called on well meaning individuals and organisations to come to aid of the IDPs.

She said that she met some IDPs a couple of weeks ago and realised that something must be done to assist them.

She said that she and other volunteers came to Abuja to present the IDPs with gift items they mobilised in Lagos.

Appeal Court Judgement: Wike Heads To Supreme Court, Sues For Peace

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has instructed his lawyers to appeal Wednesday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld the nullification of his election and ordered a fresh governorship election in the tate within 90 days.

In a statement issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Governor Wike stated that he disagrees with the judgment, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by challenging the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court.

Governor Wike called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers State to remain calm as justice will be done at the end of day.

He assured the people of the state that he will use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate they freely gave him, hence his decision to approach the Supreme Court for further adjudication.

The governor said that he still remains the duly elected governor of Rivers State pending the determination of his appeal by the Supreme Court.

Governor Wike assured the people of Rivers State that all ongoing development projects will continue while his administration will continue to promote the security of lives and property across the state.

Mrs Ibim Semenitari former Commissioner for Information and Director Media and Publicity of Dr Peterside Campaign Organization, in her first reaction merely paraphrased Psalm 121 by saying “Lifting up our eyes to the hills. Seeking justice at the feet of Jesus. Victory for our slain colleagues. Justice for Dakuku Peterside and team.”

Chief Freddy Ichegbo, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Council in a telephone interview amidst jubilation at the background said: “You can hear the jubilation at the background. The mood of the people is that the stolen mandate must be returned. God and man are lovers of justice. The victory at the Appeal Court has long been expected. Have you not observed what has been happening in the past few days?”

Asked if he is aware that Governor Wike still has the Supreme Court as his last port of call to seek justice, Ichegbo said: “We know all that but one thing remains clear: at the tribunal the mandate was nullified, at the Appeal Court the mandate has been affirmed to be a stolen mandate. Justice is of God. A stolen mandate is a stolen mandate. It must be returned to the rightful owners. We are waiting.”

On his part, Olatunji, a resident of Port Harcourt, recalled: “When Governor Wike came to my street in Mile 2 Port Harcourt to campaign he said ‘Forget about me, make sure President Jonathan wins because when he does, I go hold Amaechi and Dakuku. We will lock all the Airport and Seaports and I will flog them on the streets of Port Harcourt. Now who has the key to the airport and seaports? Who may likely be arrested today? Watch what you say when you have the advantage because you never know what can happen.”

According to Obinna Okeke, “the low life ranting Wike is finally thrown out the way he came. I’ve always said that he’s a learner in politics. He assumed Governorship seat through federal might now he has lost it through Federal might. Lesson: Never bite the finger that fed you. 

The dude has recorded many losses lately from failing to stop Amaechi’s Ministerial appointment to losing at election tribunal, then losing at the Court of Appeal, and in his bid to stop the tribunal from sitting outside Rivers State. Now he’s lost his appeal on tribunal judgement. He had better return to Patience Jonathan’s kitchen to pound yam and wash her panties to see if she could help him secure a councillorship seat in Bayelsa.”

Joseph Torubeli said: “Turn the decision of the people of Rivers many times, they’ll stand up to support the one they like. All those that are betraying Rivers people will one day wake up to see the realities, but by then it will be too late. Wike is the people’s choice. Come let’s vote him again.

According to Lawal Abdullateef, “the Court of Appeal has confirmed that there was no election in Rivers State. Wike should start packing his things from Government House and stop collecting loans.”

Akem AkemWell said: “I’m not from Rivers State but let me sound it categorically and emphatically loud and clear here and now that, even if the Appeal Court did not uphold his victory up to the apex court of the land, and INEC conducts a fresh gubernatorial election in Rivers State a million times, Barrister Wike will emerge victorious. I’m saying this on the basis that the process is allowed to take place without any bias from all quarters.”

On his part, Onyenwere Ukeje said: “No tears for Wike and the PDP, even if I am not pro-APC and will never be. Both APC and PDP are birds of the same feathers. The right thing must be done always.”

Ambode’s Convoy Arrests Traffic Offenders

Lagos State Governor’s convoy arrested persons driving against traffic at Ijora, on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

In line with the commitment of his administration to ensure law and order in the state, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday apprehended motorists, tricyclist and motorcyclists driving against traffic in Ijora Olopa area of the state in breach of the State Road Traffic Law.

The Governor’s convoy, which was driving from Lagos Island en-route Carter Bridge to Ikeja, also accosted some other motorists while committing the traffic offence on Apogbon Bridge.

Among the vehicles arrested include a black Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 666 DK; metallic coloured Lexus SUV with registration number LSR 995 BT; black Toyota Corolla with registration number AKD 911 DC; and yellow Mitsubishi taxi with registration number YE 819 KJA.

Other vehicles arrested included commercial buses with registration numbers BDG 242 XQ, JJJ 126 SC, LSD 824 XC and truck belonging to Gafista Concepts Limited, a private PSP operator with the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA). The truck was with registration number BDG 708 XJ.

A white Toyota Hilux belonging to the Lagos State Water Corporation was also arrested.

While being questioned by journalists in Lagos House Ikeja, the offenders admitted to driving against the traffic and breaching the law, explaining that they were forced to pass one way due to traffic gridlock.

Kogi Gov Tussle: Okun Indigenes Vow To Back Faleke

James Faleke

Indigenes of Okunland under the auspices of Okun Development Association (ODA) South West Zone, have reiterated their unalloyed support for the mandate given to Audu/Faleke by the people of Kogi State.

They stated this during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, wouthwest Nigeria.

Chairman of the association, Chief Akere Owoniyi, berated self-styled leaders and elders in Okunland over their stand on the governorship debacle.

“We have noted the meeting convened by Chief Clarence Olafemi in consultation with Senator Dino Melaye and Kogi West APC chairman, Chief Sam Asagun on the situation the Kogi State election debacle has foisted on the people of Kogi State. The conveners of this ignoble gathering have merely confirmed the open secret that their actions are not motivated by genuine love for the people but about satiating ambitions that are grossly inordinate,” he said.

Expressing their desire to align their position with the Audu/Faleke ticket, Owoniyi further stated: “The genuine stakeholders of Kogi West at a meeting held on December 8 in Kabba, made our position clear on our unpreparedness to accept the position of the National leadership of the APC; and we have assured Hon. James Abiodun Faleke of our unalloyed support to actualize the mandate given to him by the people of Kogi state.”

Flaying Sen Dino Melaye, Owoniyi asserted: “On the issue of party supremacy, it is astonishing that Sen. Melaye who successfully ignored party directives in the National Assembly leadership saga will now be the apostle of party supremacy pontificating on same. There can be no supremacy in injustice.”

According to the chairman, the association reiterates as follows:“That the supposed stakeholders meeting in Lokoja on December 13 and the communiqué issued is not a true reflection of the genuine desires of our people but an apt demonstration of greed and love of filthy lucre by a few individuals under the garb of stakeholders and elders; that the hijacked mandate of the Audu/Faleke ticket is beyond any individual, and we are resolute in support for Hon. James Abiodun Faleke.”

While calling for calm from all Okun residents, Chief Owoniyi also called on the Federal Government to withhold the bail-out fund for Kogi State until the governorship election matter is amicably resolved.

“In view of the fact that the legal avenues are open to Hon Faleke in challenging INEC position, we urge the Federal government particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria to withhold the N50.8 billion bail-out fund due to the state until the legal determination of who the rightful governor of the state is,” he said.

Court Frees Nnamdi Kanu As DSS Withdraws Suit

A magistrates’ court in Abuja has freed the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, following the withdrawal of the charges against him by the Department of State Services on Wednesday.

Kanu was standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to an unlawful society, allegations the prosecutor has withdrawn.

His arrest and detention has sparked wild protests across many cities in Nigeria some resulting in the loss of lives.

Meanwhile, ruling on the prosecutor’s application for the matter to be taken up at the Federal High Court will be delivered on Thursday.

Killing Of Shi’ites In Zaria Must Be Urgently Investigated – Amnesty Intl

Amnesty International has called for an urgent investigation into the shooting of members of a Shi’ite religious group in Zaria, Kaduna state by the Nigerian army, uging that, anyone found responsible for unlawful killings must be brought to justice.

“Whilst the final death toll is unclear, there is no doubt that there has been a substantial loss of life at the hands of the military,” said M.K. Ibrahim, Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria.

“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials.”

As well as the loss of life, security forces arrested many members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including the leader of the group, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning and remains in detention. It is unclear if he has access to a lawyer. Reports suggest that the dead and injured were taken to the military hospital and to the university teaching hospital.

Nigerian security forces have a history of carrying out unlawful killings and other human rights violations. In the course of security operations against Boko Haram, Nigerian military forces have committed serious human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in north east Nigeria.

“An impartial investigation is urgently needed into these killings. Anyone responsible for unlawful killings should be brought to justice. Those in detention must be granted access to medical care as a matter of urgency and either charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released,” said M.K. Ibrahim.

Appeal Court Sacks Wike As Rivers Governor

The Abuja division of court of Appeal on Wednesday upheld the decision of Rivers State Election petition tribunal which nullified the election of Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State.

In a 110-page ruling delivered by Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensem the Court ruled that the election of Nyesom Wike did not conform with the Electoral Act.

The five-man panel of Appeal Court dismissed all grounds of appeal raised against the decision of Justice Suleiman Ambrossa tribunal’s nullification of the election by Wike in favour of his challenger.

Dakuku Peterside, the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the April 11 Rivers State gubernatorial election had challenged the result of the election which he said was marred by malpractices.

Nigeria’s Democracy Young, Yet Virile – Obasa

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday told a visiting senator from the United States that though Nigeria’s democracy is still young compared to that of the US, it has continued to remain strong.

Senator Donzella James, who has won election eight times, represents the Metropolitan Atlanta 35th District of Georgia in the United States of America.

Obasa also expressed the willingness of the Assembly to collaborate with the United States of America in all areas.

The Speaker, who noted that members of the Assembly have visited Atlanta, Georgia severally, noted that the city is like a second home to him and his colleagues.

He emphasised that Nigeria has a lot to learn from the United States, whose democracy, he said is older than that of Nigeria that is less than 20 years old.

According to Obasa, “we believe in participatory democracy in Nigeria and freedom of speech is recognised in our country.

“We are ready to work with you in all areas and we will continue to visit your country and ensure that the closeness between Nigeria and America is strenghtened.”

While addressing Obasa and other lawmakers, Senator Donzella James, a member of the US Senate Committee on Economic Development, Tourism as well as Education and Youth, said she was no longer a stranger to Nigeria and that she has hosted many lawmakers from Nigeria in the United States.

The senator, who came with her team including her Chief of Staff, Ms. Queen Blessing Ituah, APC State Chairman in Pennsylvania, Idris Oluwafemi Rufus and Dr. Eugen Ituah, said she was ready to serve the Lagos State House of Assembly in such a way that her state and Lagos would both benefit from the relationship.

“I feel so proud to be here, if there is anything you want me to do to assist your state, I will be willing to support you. Agriculture is number in the US, especially poultry and we are willing to train your people.

“I would love to see you in Atlanta Georgia for exchange programmes. We do a lot of that with other states in Nigeria and we do exchange programmes for students and others. I also have many Nigerians as my personal staff,” she said.

The senator, who has sponsored and co-sponsored 400 pieces of legislation, told the lawmakers that she was moved to tears when she visited the Badagry Museum in Lagos on Monday, adding that she was convinced that she was from Nigeria.

I Only Collected SUVs From Jonathan, Not $300,000, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has denied collecting $300,000 from the past administration led by Goodluck Jonathan, noting that, he only received SUVs from the government it labelled as a “discredited regime”.

Buhari stated that he received the SUVs because it was in line with the constitution.

Read full statement below:

Our attention has been drawn to reports making the rounds, especially on internet-based media, that President Muhammadu Buhari received $300,000.00 and up to five armoured SUVs from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the aftermath of the attack on his convoy in Kaduna last year.

We unequivocally deny that President Buhari received $300,000.00 or any monetary compensation whatsoever from the Jonathan Presidency or any of its officials, in the aftermath of that attack, or at any other time since then.

While it is true that one armoured SUV and one untreated SUV were sent to the President in the aftermath of the attack, the vehicles were in keeping with his entitlements as a former Head of State under the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (And other Ancillary Matters) Decree of 1999.

Section 3, Sub Section 1 of that Decree provides that three vehicles will be provided for former heads of state and replaced every four years.

There was therefore nothing untoward, illegal or tending to corruption in former Head of State Buhari and Presidential aspirant, as he then was, receiving vehicles, to which he was statutorily entitled , from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

President Buhari had in keeping with his austere, spartan and frugal disposition shunned most of his entitlements as a former Head of State, but was prevailed upon by his supporters to accept the two vehicles for his personal safety in the aftermath of the dastardly attempt to assassinate him.

It is preposterous to think that the President will allow his acclaimed reputation of honesty and incorruptibility to be tarnished by accepting a questionable monetary compensation from a discredited regime.

Boko Haram’s Female Suicide Bombers Often Unaware They Are Carrying Bombs – UN Expert

Many of the young girls Boko Haram sends out as suicide bombers in Nigeria and neighbouring countries are probably unaware that they will be blown up, a UN expert said Tuesday.

Boko Haram jihadists have in recent months increasingly used young women and girls as suicide bombers in northeast Nigeria, northern Cameroon, Chad and Niger, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

Leila Zerrougui, the UN secretary-general’s special representative on children and armed conflict, suggested Tuesday that especially the children used in this way were in many cases not aware of what they were about to do.

“Many of them don’t know that they will be blown up with remote devices,” she told reporters, pointing out many of the girls are as young as 11 or 12.

“I personally doubt that the children know,” Zerrougui said, adding that security forces had informed the UN that the bombs are often set off remotely.

“That means that it is not the person herself who did it,” she said.

Zerrougui lamented that the use of children as human bombs is one of the worst manifestations of an increasingly blatant disregard for the safety and security of minors in conflict situations around the world.

Elsewhere, thousands of youngsters are used as soldiers and children as young as four or five are being used as human shields on battlefields by armed groups like the Islamic State or the anti-Balaka in the Central African Republic, she said.

“This is the worst form where children are really put in danger and their bodies are really used as a weapon,” she insisted.

Zerrougui said that since she was appointed to her position in 2012, she has each year decried an increasingly dire situation for children caught up in conflicts, “and every year (it gets) even worse.”

And 2015 was no exception.

“I can say that 2015 was really a difficult year for children all over the world where conflicts are ongoing,” she said.

The world is currently dealing with six major conflicts, including in Syria and Yemen, compared to one or two normally.

And if you count protracted conflicts, a jaw-dropping 20 are currently impacting the lives of children around the world, she said.

“We have thousands of children killed, maimed, schools attacked and children by the thousands recruited in many places,” she said.

“Children are not only affected, they are specifically targeted.”