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Arewa youths demand sack of service chiefs or face mass protest

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A northern group, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, said following the killing of 67 rice farmers in Borno State, President Muhammadu Buhari must sack his service chiefs or face mass protests from youths.

President of the group, Zaid Ayuba, said this at a news conference in Kano.

The Group said killings, kidnapping, and banditry have become a common occurrence in northern Nigeria but the killing of Zabarmari farmers has made continued retention of security chiefs intolerable.

The group threatened to mobilise youths to the streets if the president fails to act.

Sixty-seven rice farmers were killed by insurgents in Borno penultimate Saturday igniting nationwide condemnation of the deteriorating security situation in the country under the watch of the president.

NCC Directive: Mobile Network Operators Ordered to Suspend Sale of New SIMs, Registration

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The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed Mobile Network Operators to immediately suspend the sale and activation of new SIM cards to allow an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.

The Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement on Wednesday, said it was absolutely necessary for operators to comply until the audit exercise had been concluded.

According to him, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, directed the commission to embark on an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.

He, however, said an exemption might be granted following approval from the Federal Government through the commission.

He warned that non-compliance with the directive would be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.

Adinde said the audit would help to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise.

The director explained that the objective of the audit exercise was to ensure compliance to set quality standards and requirements by mobile network operators.

According to him, the directive became necessary in view of the preponderance of pre-registered SIMs with the attendant security implications associated with the use of same to facilitate criminal activities.

FIFA Legends unite to encourage players, coaches and officials to recognise, resist and report match-fixing

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FIFA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have joined forces today, International Anti-Corruption Day, for a new campaign encouraging football to speak out against match-fixing and to raise awareness about FIFA’s confidential reporting platforms.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football, and the subsequent economic uncertainty and the higher integrity risk faced by many players and clubs around the world, the new joint campaign by FIFA and the UNODC aims to raise awareness amongst players, coaches and officials about the confidential platforms available to report approaches by suspected match-fixers and to encourage anyone in football who may have been approached to come forward.

Coinciding with International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, which this year aims to highlight the need to “Recover with Integrity”, the joint campaign features messages from a range of FIFA Legends, including Sun Wen, Iván Córdoba, Luke Wilkshire, Wael Gomaa, Stipe Pletikosa, Clémentine Touré and Bibiana Steinhaus, who encourage everyone in football to recognise, resist and report any approach to fix a match via FIFA’s confidential reporting platforms.

To submit a confidential report, which will be handled in the strictest confidence by FIFA’s dedicated integrity experts, visit fifa.com/bkms, download the FIFA Integrity App or contact integrity@fifa.org.

Recognise. Resist. Report. If you are approached by a suspected match-fixer, speak out confidentially via fifa.com/bkms, the FIFA Integrity App or email to integrity@fifa.org

Cristiano Ronaldo says playing Lionel Messi is a ‘great privilege’

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Cristiano Ronaldo says it is a “great privilege” to play against Lionel Messi and he never considered their relationship as a rivalry.

The two forwards, considered two of the best players of all time, came up against each other once again on Tuesday night in Juventus’ 3-0 win at Barcelona in the Champions League.

The former Manchester United star stole the limelight on this occasion as his brace from the penalty spot helped the Serie A champions overcome the 2-0 loss they suffered to the Catalans in October and claim top spot in Group G due to a superior head-to-head record.

Messi and Ronaldo crossed paths several times from award ceremonies such as the Ballon d’Or to El Clasico showdowns during the Portuguese’s stint at Real Madrid, but the latter insists there’s never been bad blood between them and the press is responsible for fueling the controversy.

Emmanuel Amuneke: I’m good enough to be Super Eagles head coach

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Emmanuel Amuneke has rejected Nigeria Football Federation’s job offer as Super Eagles Assistant coach under Franco-German gaffer, Gernot Rohr.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup winner in Chile 2015 was emphatic when he spoke with Complete Sports from his base in Spain, querying the rationale behind the offer for him to work under anyone despite his high coaching pedigree.

A Winner of the African Cup of Nations in 1994 and Olympic Games Soccer gold in 1996, Amuneke had previously rejected NFF’s Technical Director job which is now held by his former Super Eagles teammate, Austin Eguavoen.

The 1996 Africa Footballer of the Year is currently the Sporting Director of Egyptian Premier League side, Msr El Makkasa.

#EndSARS:Widows of Slain Police Officers Receive Compensation from Lagos Governor

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Families of the six Police officers killed in different parts of Lagos State during the EndSARS protests hijacked by hoodlums, have received a cheque of N10million each from the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

It was an emotion-laden moment for the widows of the slain Police officers, all of whom could not hold back the tears as they received cheques from the Governor. Some guests, especially women who were also overtaken by the emotion, wept uncontrollably as they watched families of the late Police officers mount the stage one after another to receive the modest compensation from Lagos State Government, after the gruesome killing of their bread winners.

It was a difficult task to get an almost inconsolable Anato Edward, widow of the late Yaro Edward, an Assistant Inspector of Police who was killed while on his legitimate duty, to speak on behalf of the other families.

To Governor Sanwo-Olu, Anato merely found courage to say: “Thank You for what you have done for us. I am very grateful.”

The compensation without any iota of doubt brought back bitter experience as widows of the slain Police officers and the children were in sober mood throughout the entire programme. After receiving the 10 million Naira compensation, the widows and their children could not control their emotion when Governor Sanwo-Olu further announced scholarship for all the children of the deceased officers. The scholarship offer would cover each of the children from their current academic stage to the university level.

Tears of joy and perhaps of sorrow rented the air. Governor Sanwo-Olu and some other eminent personalities had the onerous task of calming the women down.

The presentation of the N10million cheque to the deceased families and scholarship to children of the late Police officers during the 14th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security organised by Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) last Thursday was in fulfillment of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s promise to the Lagos Police Command during his visit to the police personnel after the EndSARS protests.

The slain Police officers whose families received a cheque of N10million each are late Yaro Edward, Assistant Inspector of Police (ASP), Inspector Ayodeji Erinfolami, Sergeant Bejide Abiodun, Inspector Adegbemiro Aderibigbe, Inspector Samson Ehiboh and Inspector Igoche Cornelius.

During Governor Sanwo-Olu’s visit to the police command on Thursday October 28, he promised that Lagos State Government would not abandon the police for their role in protecting lives and property in the State, and further boost the morale of officers after the EndSARS protests. The Governor said the Government would take care of the family members of the officers killed in the violence that trailed the EndSARS protests.

As parts of the measures put in place to heal the wounds of the police officers lynched in the State, the Governor also directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board to immediately award scholarship to the children of the slain officers, up to the university level.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also promised that Police officers serving in Lagos would get life insurance from the State Government, with a directive to the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Rasaq Balogun, to establish the modality with the police leadership in the State.

During the visit, the Governor also approved the request to upgrade Police Cottage Hospital in Ikeja, directing the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, to inspect the facility for the required upgrade.

In addition to donating two 150KVA generating set to the police, Sanwo-Olu said the Command Headquarters would be connected to the State’s Independent Power Project (IPP) for constant power supply. He also promised to build two additional two-stories building at the Lagos State Police Command for additional offices for the personnel.

“As your Governor, I have come here to take full responsibility for the loss you have suffered in terms of logistics. Through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), we will be replacing the police operational vehicles burnt in the violence. We have bigger plan for all the police stations burnt down. We will look for the funds and build befitting stations that will set the standard of what police stations should be,” he promised.

Speaking during the town hall meeting on security, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the brave and gallant officers of the security agencies, especially Police officers who paid the supreme price and those who were wounded during the EndSARS protests in the cause of duties, for their dedication to duty and commitment to the eradication of crime in Lagos.

He said the officers have exhibited uncommon boldness and courage in the performance of their duties, noting that Lagos State will continue to appreciate their sacrifices and will be eternally grateful for all they did.

The Governor, who described the late Police officers as heroes, said the deceased sacrificed their lives to secure lives and properties in Lagos State. He said the compensation was government’s modest reward for their gallantry, noting that the gestures from the State Government would help the families to heal from the loss.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also assured that safety and security would never be compromised in the State, saying nothing will deter his administration from protecting the lives and property of the residents now and in the future.

He said: “As the Chief Security Officer of Lagos State, my solemn promise to all law-abiding citizens is that Lagos State will always be safe for them. We will stop at nothing to flush out all criminal elements whose sole aim is to foment chaos and perpetrate crime. Let me sound this note of warning; there is no hiding place for criminals and bandits in Lagos State.

“At the 2021 Budget presentation on November 10, I stated that the Lagos State Government will commit N9.16 billion to social protection, in order to critically address other contributors to crime like substance abuse, youth unemployment and poor education. We believe that it is easier to prevent crime than control it.

“Consequently, in order to guarantee sustained peace and security, we will embrace a deliberate and determined approach toward crime prevention and the preservation of law and order. Nothing will deter us from protecting the lives and property of Lagosians now and in the future. Safety and security will never be compromised in our state.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagosians to join in upholding the security of the state, as the security agencies and the government could not do it alone.

The governor stated that even as the government takes bold actions to secure the state, it is the duty of all Lagosians to ensure that they do nothing to jeopardise the peace, safety, stability and security of the state.

The Governor also urged Lagosians to remain vigilant and report all suspected attempts to disrupt law and order to the appropriate authorities.

Responding to the good gestures of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the widows and children of the Police officers who were murdered during the EndSARS protests in different parts of Lagos commended the Governor for the N10million donation and the scholarship award.

The beneficiaries commended the governor’s gestures, saying the compensation would help in wiping off their tears and brighten their hope that their children can achieve a great future as envisioned for them by their late fathers.

Mrs. Olamide Erinfolami, the widow of ASP Ayodeji Erinfolami praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for the N10million donation and also urged the Governor to fulfill his promise for continuity of the education of the deceased children.

“When I heard the information about my husband’s death, I didn’t feel good. I was very sad. It was somebody from Maiduguri that called me to inform me; the Police didn’t inform me officially about my husband’s death. Somebody from Maiduguri called me that my husband was shot. I wasn’t myself when I heard the news and I felt so sad.

“I am from Ekiti State; I don’t live in Lagos. I want to say thank you to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. I want him to also fulfill what he promised that he is going to do for our children,” she said.

Mrs. Funmilayo Aderibigbe, the senior wife of the late Inspector Adegbemiro Aderibigbe, who could not hold her tears while speaking to journalists after receiving the N10million cheque, also hailed the governor’s gesture.

Ayotomiwa, one of the three children of late ASP Ayodeji Erinfolami also appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for giving him and his siblings scholarship to continue their education after the demise of their father. “Thank You Governor,” he said.

Speaking at the town hall meeting on security with the Governor, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the new Board of LSSTF has resolved to sustain the previous achievements made by the Board and to significantly improve the security architecture in Lagos State by seeking to attract the required resources and by providing a strong leadership and vision for safety and security in Lagos State.

He therefore urged individuals and organisations to contribute to the Security Trust Fund for security of lives and properties in Lagos State.

“I believe that our security architecture will benefit from being driven by more advanced technology, well trained personnel and robust equipment. But all these require adequate financial and material resources.

“We therefore need to act urgently by making donations to the Fund to ensure that we secure our state from those that mean us harm. The Fund welcomes all donations in cash and kind,” he said.

The Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, also implored people to make their donations and commitment to the Security Trust Fund.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said the Command in the last one year arrested hundreds of criminals for various offences such as cultism, murder, armed robbery, drug peddling, raping, impersonation, vandalism, defilement and gender related issues, and recovered many of weapons, psychotropic substances and stolen properties.

Odumosu while stressing the need for crime-free society, implored all Lagosians to continue to continue to be law abiding and particularly obey all traffic rules and regulations including traffic lights.

Akosile is the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

By the power of God, Trump’ll be sworn in as 46th US President on Jan 20, 2021 – Fani-Kayode

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Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has refused to give up on Donald Trump after being defeated by Joe Biden in just concluded United States of America election.

Femi, an ardent supporter of Trump, disclosed that the state of Texas filed a lawsuit directly with the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging the election procedures in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on the grounds that they violated the Constitution.
He seized the opportunity to pray for his friend ‘Trump’, calling on God to grant the state of Texas victory in the said case.

Kayode who made his prayer public via his facebook handle, insisted that Trump would be sworn in as the 46th US President on Jan 20, 2021.

Brexit: Boris Johnson says a good UK-EU trade deal ‘there to be done

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Mr Johnson had time to take part in PMQs in Westminster before heading to Brussels this evening.
Boris Johnson has said “a good deal is there to be done” with the EU on trade – but says the bloc is currently insisting on terms which no prime minister could accept.

Mr Johnson spoke at Prime Minister’s Questions before travelling to Brussels for final talks with EU President Ursula von der Leyen, just says before the transition period ends on 31 December.

Responding to a question from his Brexiteer colleague Sir Edward Leigh, he tried to assure his colleagues a “good deal is still there to be done” with the EU.

But, outlining the difficulties currently facing the final talks, he added: “Our friends in the EU are currently insisting if they pass a new law in the future which we don’t comply, they have the automatic right to punish us.

Domestic Violence: Addressing The Menace Of Societal Condemnation

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We hear it all the time, especially in this part of the world, Africa and Nigeria in particular! “Don’t go oh, he will just marry another wife” or “who will take care of your children?” It sometimes comes in this manner; “your children need a father!”

This must be a joke! How can a man who takes to brutalising his wife at every opportunity be the father figure that women are supposed to cope with for the sake of their kids? What kind of children will you be raising in such an atmosphere? Sociopaths?

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), children who grow up in abusive homes tend to continue the cycle of violence as they tend to emulate that mode of behaviour, after all they don’t know better. UNICEF’s findings also show that children who are exposed to violence in the home may suffer a range of severe and lasting effects. Children who grow up in a violent home are more likely to be victims of child abuse. Those who are not direct victims have some of the same behavioural and psychological problems as children who are themselves physically abused.

Before I go further, let me give you this free piece of advice, run! If you are in a marriage where you have become a punching bag, run! In fact, run for your life is the best way to put it. You are praying for him, yes but you have to be alive to pray! What if you don’t survive the next “I hit my head on the door”? Or what if the next black eye makes you blind?

Experts say victims of abuse usually develop what they describe as Stockholm syndrome. This is a psychological response which occurs when hostages or abuse victims bond with their captors or abusers. They make excuses for their abusers and try to protect them. These victims end up believing they are always at fault and they deserve whatever their abusers mete out. And of course, the religious folks believe it’s their mandate to remain in the marriage no matter what happens.

This brings us to the recent drama with the Pius Angbo family. The channels Tv reporter was called out by his wife in a video that went viral on social media. In fact, from the behaviour described by the battered wife, Angbo has some psychopathic tendencies. How can a normal human being sit on the stomach of his pregnant wife, or a woman who is still healing from a C-section, repeatedly trying to choke her?

Well, since the reporter apparently has a relationship with Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, there was a public display of reconciliation between the wife and Angbo, the abuser. He reportedly apologised after the governor intervened. This has led many Nigerians to take to social media challenging the act of the governor and calling for the prosecution of Angbo. Some others have renewed the general Nigerian stance of not interfering in marital affairs, since the couple would ultimately settle.

However, as noble as the calls for prosecution of Angbo are, the police generally cannot charge an abuser to court unless there’s a complainant who wants to press charges. The Court cannot also pass judgement on an accused person if such a person is not before it.

The major challenges with prosecuting abuse cases are the factors at play in our society everyday; the parents insist the woman must endure her marriage as her lot in life, friends tell the woman to tolerate, some others insist the woman is the provocateur and so on.

In a chat with Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, she noted that these factors are also seen daily when fathers abuse daughters and the mothers feel compelled to cover up the sick act of their so called husbands. The low rate of reporting and prosecution are as a result of these societal issues.

Emotional abuse is also very common, but since Nigerian women are supposedly wired to endure anything, they take it all in till they eventually explode. For example, Maryam Sanda whose dreams and aspirations have been truncated because she lost it and attacked her husband who she said has been cheating on her to her face. She was sentenced to death and has been appealing her case from one court to the other. Now the question, is remaining in such an abusive marriage worth being on death row, facing more maltreatment and indignity daily?

If she had the boldness to walk away, societal condemnation would have long died down. Social media titans would have long moved on to other trending stories.

Let me say, I am not advocating for break ups in marriages, there are implications on the kids as well. I am stating unequivocally, an abusive marriage is not a healthy union. You can pray and work it out, but leave before you die.

#saynotodomesticviolence

Security Council Ends Mandatory Scrutiny Of Burundi Citing May Elections

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The United Nations Security Council on Monday struck Burundi off its political agenda citing peaceful elections recently conducted in the country.

In a statement presented by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, the 15-member body said the broadly peaceful elections had marked a new phase for central African country.

South Africa holds the Council’s presidency for December. The development means Burundi is close to ending nearly six years of international isolation.

In a statement aired on the state broadcaster government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye said, Burundi has received, with joy, the noble decision taken by the UN Security Council of withdrawing Burundi from its political agenda.

The government of Burundi had stated on many occasions that the country no longer posed a threat to regional peace and security, and demanded that the Security Council end its mandatory reporting on Bujumbura.

In May, Burundi held a presidential election which was won by Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party.

The Council encouraged donor countries which had suspended aid to Burundi to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.

A report by a UN watchdog in September said human rights violations were still being committed in Burundi, including sexual violence and murder.