Falana: Why Family Members Of Lekki Victims Are Afraid To Speak

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says family members of those affected by the shooting at Lekki toll gate have refused to speak about the incident “because of the environment under which we operate”.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who said the military is “known for lies and deception”, said there must be justice for the victims of Lekki shooting.

He spoke at a virtual #endsars meeting organised by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, on Wednesday.

Narrating how the Nigerian Army “covered up” the reported killing of 347 Shi’ites in Zaria, Kaduna state, in 2015, Falana said the Lekki incident must not be swept under the carpet.

Soldiers had reportedly opened fire on the Shi’ites during a procession at a time the convoy of Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, was passing.

Although the army claimed few Shi’ites were killed in the incident, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and a panel set up by the Kaduna state government said the casualties were more than 300.

Speaking at the meeting monitored by TheCable, Falana accused the army of lying about the incident in Lekki, saying nothing should have warranted soldiers’ presence at the protest venue.

“Nobody should believe the military, it has a history of lies, fraud and deception,” he said.

“Just in December 2015, the same chief of army staff claimed there was a traffic jam in Zaria and the big man wanted to move.

“And because of that traffic, he got soldiers from the first division in Kaduna to mow down hundreds of Shi’ites. And what was the explanation? That the Shi’ites wanted to assassinate the chief of army staff, and so his boys had to save him and in the process, they repelled these Shi’ites who had guns and about six or seven people died.

“But in a commission of enquiry set up by the Kaduna state government, we were told that indeed, 347 Nigerians were killed by the military; no autopsy, no postmortem, nothing whatsoever.

“Their bodies were taken away in the dead of the night and given a mass burial. And people will ask you, ‘if anybody lost his child in Lekki, why can’t they come up?’ Who has come up in the case of Zaria? Because you must understand the environment under which we operate.”

The senior lawyer also said some of those injured in the Lekki shooting “had to forcefully discharge themselves.”

According to him, the injured protesters were told in a hospital that they were going to be held liable for the riots in town, “and so, everybody had to move.”

#nairaland

Two Serving Commissioners Fingered In Vandalization Of Calabar South


Two serving commissioners in Governor Ben Ayade’s government have been fingered in last weekend vandalization and looting of properties at the headquarters of Calabar South local government of Cross River state. Reports say the council lost properties worth over N500 million to the raid.

Anonymous sources at Anantigha community, where the council headquarters is located, said the two Commissioners had visited the now ramshackled edifice shortly after the destruction and looting.


“On Saturday, 24th of October at about 7pm, the hoodlums numbering over 300 and some in keke Napep, carrying 20 liters of fuel made their way to the council headquarters, singing war songs which suggested that they were mobilised by some serving commissioners to loot the council and set it ablaze to give the impression that the sitting Chairman, Mrs Esther Bassey, was not popular.

“They wore steel helmets and illuminating vest, broke into the chairman’s office and carted away newly installed furniture, air-conditions and other valuable items,” our source said.

The eyewitness account further said the irate youths armed with guns, matchets and other dangerous weapons moved over to the Legislative Chambers and the administrative block where they looted tables, air-conditions , fridges, safes, chairs and other personal items.



“They were chanting, ‘clear from our way, we are out to kill and dump the corpse for Esther Bassey…we would have liked to burn down the council but for pity just loot and go.”

According to him, the two Commissioners, at about 7pm same day, drove to the vandalised council headquarters and sued for peace but urged them to keep up the pressure against the bad government of Calabar South.

Also speaking, top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Calabar South, Asuquo Etim, said “the attack on the council is not ordinary but masterminded by some influential people in the government of the state. In all the vandalisation, looting and burning of government and private properties in Cross River,it was only Calabar South headquarters, out of the 18 councils in the state, which was affected.

“There is more to it and I believe it may not be unconnected with the fall out of the tussle that led to the emergence of the sitting Chairman and other officers and the power play on who controls affairs of the council. For me the Calabar South Council Chairman, Hon Esther Bassey, has performed predictably well in terms of governance and this crisis is unnecessary but just sheer selfishness and ego”.

Etim advised all to sheath their sword for the interest of peace but advised the state government to caution the vandals and their sponsors to focus on the collective development of the state rather than running from pillar to post.

When contacted, the Calabar South Council Chairman, Mrs Bassey, confirmed the attack on the council and put the properties destroyed at over N500 million. She however said she was not actually suspecting anyone but called on all hands to be on deck to move the council area forward.

#orientdailynews

Two Serving Commissioners Fingered In Vandalization Of Calabar South

Two serving commissioners in Governor Ben Ayade’s government have been fingered in last weekend vandalization and looting of properties at the headquarters of Calabar South local government of Cross River state. Reports say the council lost properties worth over N500 million to the raid.

Anonymous sources at Anantigha community, where the council headquarters is located, said the two Commissioners had visited the now ramshackled edifice shortly after the destruction and looting.


“On Saturday, 24th of October at about 7pm, the hoodlums numbering over 300 and some in keke Napep, carrying 20 liters of fuel made their way to the council headquarters, singing war songs which suggested that they were mobilised by some serving commissioners to loot the council and set it ablaze to give the impression that the sitting Chairman, Mrs Esther Bassey, was not popular.

“They wore steel helmets and illuminating vest, broke into the chairman’s office and carted away newly installed furniture, air-conditions and other valuable items,” our source said.

The eyewitness account further said the irate youths armed with guns, matchets and other dangerous weapons moved over to the Legislative Chambers and the administrative block where they looted tables, air-conditions , fridges, safes, chairs and other personal items.



“They were chanting, ‘clear from our way, we are out to kill and dump the corpse for Esther Bassey…we would have liked to burn down the council but for pity just loot and go.”

According to him, the two Commissioners, at about 7pm same day, drove to the vandalised council headquarters and sued for peace but urged them to keep up the pressure against the bad government of Calabar South.

Also speaking, top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Calabar South, Asuquo Etim, said “the attack on the council is not ordinary but masterminded by some influential people in the government of the state. In all the vandalisation, looting and burning of government and private properties in Cross River,it was only Calabar South headquarters, out of the 18 councils in the state, which was affected.

“There is more to it and I believe it may not be unconnected with the fall out of the tussle that led to the emergence of the sitting Chairman and other officers and the power play on who controls affairs of the council. For me the Calabar South Council Chairman, Hon Esther Bassey, has performed predictably well in terms of governance and this crisis is unnecessary but just sheer selfishness and ego”.

Etim advised all to sheath their sword for the interest of peace but advised the state government to caution the vandals and their sponsors to focus on the collective development of the state rather than running from pillar to post.

When contacted, the Calabar South Council Chairman, Mrs Bassey, confirmed the attack on the council and put the properties destroyed at over N500 million. She however said she was not actually suspecting anyone but called on all hands to be on deck to move the council area forward.

#orientdailynews

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Six Nations: England scrum-half Willi Heinz out of match with Italy


Scrum-half Willi Heinz has been ruled out of England's Six Nations finale against Italy with a leg injury.

Northampton's Alex Mitchell, 23, has been called up, with Wasps' Dan Robson and Leicester's Ben Youngs already in the 36-man group.

Uncapped Mitchell had been named in an earlier England training squad.

England could seal the Six Nations title with a win against Italy on Saturday if the result of France v Ireland goes their way.

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"We'll see how he recovers this week," England defence coach said of Heinz's "soft-tissue injury".

"It's important that we get on top of it. Soft-tissue injuries can be very tricky so you can't afford to be too hasty."

Youngs, 31, is set to earn his 100th England cap on Saturday, while Robson will be hoping to win his third.

Gloucester's Heinz was a surprise inclusion in head coach Eddie Jones' 2019 World Cup squad but has since become an England regular.

The 33-year-old joins a growing list of unavailable players, with Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, club-mate Jack Nowell, Saracens' Elliot Daly, Leicester fly-half George Ford and Harlequins prop Joe Marler also out of the game in Rome.

Northampton lock Courtney Lawes and Sale centre Manu Tuilagi are long-term absentees.

Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer - who flew to Japan as injury cover for Heinz ahead of the World Cup final - continues to be overlooked by Jones despite his impressive recent Premiership performances.

Jones will name his team to face Italy on Thursday.

#bbcsports

Ekweremadu Gets International Parliamentary (IPC) Appointment

The International Parliamentary Congress, IPC, has appointed former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as its Chief Coordinator for Africa.

The appointment was conveyed to Ekweremadu in a letter by the Secretary-General of the IPC and member of the Pakistani national parliament, Senator Muhammad Ali Saif. The letter was dated October 26, 2020.

“We are proud to inform you that the Honourable President of the IPC has nominated your good self as Chief Coordinator Africa with immediate effect.

“IPC endeavours to promote parliamentary dialogue and oversight of Climate Change and Food Security; Human Rights; Peace, Security, Conflict Resolution and Interfaith Harmony; Trade, Investment and Development Corporation; Health Research; Standardisation, Quality Control, Human Development; and Observation of Elections across the world.

“To support IPC in achieving the noble cause, your influence, experience and goodwill shall help cover the whole of African region, enabling the IPC to directly partake in projects for general welfare of African nations and to uphold democracy”, the letter read.

Meanwhile, Ekweremadu, who is also Nigeria’s sole member of the Malta-based International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, the legislative arm of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, has accepted the appointment.

The former Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, while pledging to work for the realization of the laudable ideals and objectives of the IPC, was optimistic that the world would benefit immensely from the rising influence of parliaments in global affairs.

“I, therefore, accept the appointment with utmost sense of humility and appreciation, mindful of the fact that injustice, repression, poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, and weakening of democracy and its values in any part of the world equally holds severe consequences for the rest of the globe, hence we must all come together to work for the good of all”, he added.

FEC Approves ₦2.9 Billion For Printing Of Question Papers, Others


The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved N2.9 billion contracts for the printing of sensitive and non-sensitive examination materials.

The council also approved N1.6bn for the rehabilitation and upgrade of some roads within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The decisions were taken at the council’s meeting presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Adamu said the printing contracts were awarded to a group of eight printers.

According to the minister, the materials are meant for the Basic Education Certification Examination, the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, and the National Common Entrance, adding that “because of the recent disturbances, we have postponed the examinations that have not taken place.”

Bello, on his part, said the roads to be rehabilitated are located in the satellite towns of the FCT.

He said the council approved N900,294,304.75 to fix the roads in Gwagwalada Area Council while N719,407,086.38 was approved for the Kwali Area Council rural roads.

According to him, the Gwagwalada contract was awarded to Messrs Teleview International Nigeria Limited with a completion period of six months while that of Kwali was awarded to Messrs Sahabi Liman Sons Nigeria Limited also for a completion period of six months.

Meanwhile, before the meeting went into a closed session, the President administered oath of office on Isa Kwarra as the Chairman of National Population Commission.

Other members of the commission who also took oaths of office are: Ibrahim Mohammed, (Bauchi); Ayodeji Ajayi (Ekiti); Joseph Kwai Shazin, (FCT); Garba A. Garba (Jigawa); Bala Banya, (Katsina); Razaq Gidado, (Kwara); Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, (Lagos); and Ali Agara (Nasarawa).

Others are in Muhammed Dottijo, (Sokoto); Mai Mohammad (Yobe), and Muhammadu Rini (Zamfara).

#endsars

EndSARS: Governor Ugwuanyi Inagurates Panel On Findings, Compensation

Gov. Ugwuanyi sympathises with families of #endsars victims

…Inaugurates panel on findings, compensation

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, conveyed the sympathy of his administration to the families of private citizens and security personnel who lost their loved ones to the unfortunate violence and criminality precipitated by the hijack of the otherwise peaceful #endsars protests by miscreants.

The governor also conveyed his administration’s compassionate consideration to private citizens and security personnel who suffered grievous bodily injuries during the mayhem as well as private citizens’ properties and security infrastructure.

Gov. Ugwuanyi made the solemn expressions when he inaugurated the nine-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry he constituted on Tuesday “to determine the loss of lives and/or other grievous bodily injuries to private citizens and security personnel as well as destruction of properties of private citizens and security infrastructure in Enugu State resulting from the hijack of the #endsars protests by miscreants”.

The governor who expressed gratitude to God for the significant return to normalcy in the state, gratefully acknowledged the wise counsel of the traditional rulers, religious leaders and stakeholders “who in the heat of the mayhem, lent their voices to the call for restraint and responsible citizenship”.

He also applauded the youth for rising “in defense of our coal city”, adding that “the freewill cleaning of the post-protest debris on our streets by volunteers and donors is deeply appreciated”.

According to him, “Our administration has elected to mitigate the pains of the loss of lives of private citizens and security personnel, their grievous bodily injuries and destruction of properties of private persons and security infrastructure occasioned by the hijacked #endsars protests”.

Disclosing that he constituted the panel pursuant to Executive Order No. 04 of 2020, dated 27th October, 2020 “made in exercise of my powers under Section 4, Subsection 1 of the Commission of Inquiry Law Cap. 24 of the Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004”, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed confidence that “the members of this panel have the expertise and gravitas for this assignment”.

He therefore enjoined residents of the state to avail the panel the cooperation and support for expeditious delivery on its mandates, and remain vigilant and peaceful.

Members of the panel, which has sixty days to conclude and submit its report include - Justice Fredrick Obieze, (Rtd.) - Chairman; Professor Frank Ezugwu (Provost, ESUTH College of Medicine) - Member; Professor Agozie Ogbodo (Dean, Faculty of Law, Godfrey Okoye University) - Member; H.R.H. Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu(Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa Nike) - Member; Professor Ngozi Ejionueme (Head, Department of Marketing, ESUT) - Member.

Others are Rev. Emmanuel Edeh (CAN Chairman in Enugu State) –Member; Chief Frank Maluze (Chartered Estate Surveyor and Valuer) – Member; Comrade Modester Onwuha (Vice-President, SUG, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus) - Member; Barrister Ben. Chinedu Oloko (Private Legal Practitioner representing the Youths) – Member and Mr. Charles Abugu (Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service) – Secretary.

The panel’s terms of reference include “to identify private persons and security personnel who lost their lives and recommend compensation that may be paid to their families” and “to identify private persons and security personnel who sustained grievous bodily injuries and recommend compensation that may be paid to them”.

Other terms of reference are “to determine private properties and security infrastructure destroyed and recommend compensation and/or remedial measures” and “make any recommendations arising out of the evidence, considerations or findings of the Administrative Panel in relation to the matters set out in paragraphs a – c above that the panel considers appropriate”.

Responding on behalf of other members, the panel’s Chairman, Justice Obieze (Rtd.), thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for the confidence he reposed in them and promised that they will discharge their duties creditably and in accordance with the law.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

#endsars

#amokelouis

Approaches To Handle Dating When things Are All Not Going Great

Playing with his or her feelings. We all know that after a break-up, we do not get to move on right away. We still love our ex even if we are not with each other any longer. The approach also of a lot of is to play with that feeling of being aware of that your ex nonetheless loves you by either snobbing her or giving her the cold shoulder. This does operate to get ex back due to the fact it gives him or her the impression that you had moved on.

We can read totally free partnership guidelines every day but how we adhere to up on them really tells the story. You need to have to take time with your lover and make it top quality. It can be with others on a night out of dining and dancing or it can be anything as basic as lying on the couch, cuddling and watching a movie.

The third type of adore reading is done by a live psychic either on the telephone or by email. Depending on the psychic these can be great. Uncover a psychic that you like and research that person. See if you can uncover any good evaluations on them ahead of you take their really like guidance. Discovering a creditable psychic can be hard, but not not possible. The reality that they could be supplying a cost-free reading is generally their marketing tool to hook you in for a full reading that fees funds. That’s okay as you could get the answers you want in your quick little free adore reading.

Get in Shape. Aside from maintaining your thoughts occupied, you also need to have to preserve your self physically busy. And working out or performing aerobics will assist do the trick. Try to stay physically active. It will resonate with your outlook. Consequently, when you begin to look and really feel very good about oneself, you can simply move on and bounce back right after the failed partnership.

Loved ones members are nicely-meaning, but not constantly the very best supply of advice. Some can actually give out of a heart of adore, tips that no-a single else can give. And some even with very good intentions, can see things totally wrong, and unintentionally dish out damaging advice.

Providing a character in a brief story a name from yet another story is a excellent way of influencing how the reader will interpret that character’s place in a story. It can also be used as a subtle way of foreshadowing a character’s fate. Now you probably can’t get away with naming a character Job or Athena unless you have a quite, extremely great reason. But Abraham and Isaac are both familiar adequate names that bring to thoughts Biblical associations.

When a man and lady 1st fall in love, their romantic feelings for every other are typically based on infatuation, which is an inordinate belief that the object of one’s need can readily meet all of one’s partnership wants. Infatuation soon fades. It need to then, if the feelings of romance are to continue, be replaced by the understanding that your mate is certainly carrying out his or her very best to meet your relationship wants. As its basis changes from infatuation to information, romance remains pleasurable and thrilling. It also becomes more calming and comforting with no the obsessive component of infatuation, with its uncertainty and anxiousness. For romance to continue in a marriage beyond the infatuation stage, each and every companion just requirements to get up to speed in meeting the relationship wants of the other.

The second step to healing yourself is to call the individual that hurt you and let them know that even though they have hurt you, you have forgiven them. When you have accomplished these very first actions you will begin to feel far better and free from torment. At times in life we forget about ourselves and what matters most in life. You might tend to naturally feel of the particular person you love above all items. In order to actually adore and forgive we should get God’s love 1st.

We have a tendency to idealize relationships simply because of the honeymoon phase. We feel we should often really feel so loved and loving and at 1 with our mate. But that phase doesn’t final. It can’t last. A connection is not meant to be the supply of all our happiness and enjoy. There are other journeys in life we have to take.

#relationshiptips

Bode George: Lekki Toll Gates Should Be Dismantled

Lekki tollgates. He said this at a press briefing recently.

Watch video here