Farmers kill two in Benue, dump bodies in bush

A 25 - year - old farmer, Sunday Abah , was on Tuesday remanded in prison on the orders of a Makurdi Magistrates ’ Court, reports PUNCH
Abah is standing trial on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
When the case came up for mention , the plea of the accused person was not taken for lack of jurisdiction.
The prosecutor , Insp . Abraham Akule , told the court that the case was reported at Otukpo Police Station by the Caretaker Chairman , Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Ijache Udeh , on April 9 , 2016 .
Akule said that the complainant sent his boys namely, Oche Okopi and Adakole Baba, all male of Ondo Ogobia village to his farm , but they were attacked on the way .
He further said that the attack was led by Ijache’ s younger brother , Benjamin Udeh , one Ocholije Ogah and others armed with guns and other
weapons.
The prosecutor said that the victims were shot in their heads and they died instantly .
Akule said the attackers then took the bodies and threw into the bush along Ondo Amala village in Otukpo L . G . A . road .
He said during police investigation , Benjamin Udeh and Ocholije Ogah were arrested and arraigned before Chief Magistrates ’ Court 6 .
Akule said upon further investigation , Sunday Abah was later arrested in connection with the crime while others were still at large.
He said investigation into the matter was still ongoing and prayed the court for another date for mention .
Akule said the offences contravened Section 97 and 222 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State 2004 .
The Magistrate, Mrs Franca Yuwa adjourned the case till Feb. 6 , for further mention .

Ruggedman Blasts Blackface For Condemning 2face-led Anti-govt Protest

As controversy continues to trail the plan by Innocent Idibia, 2Face, to lead an anti-government nationwide protest, rapper, Ruggedman, has attacked Blackface for condemning the plan, reports PREMIUM TIMES.
2Face’s former band mate in the defunct “Plantashun Boys” crew, Blackface, had earlier shared a post by a Lagos-based lawyer and rights activists, Bunmi Awoyemi, on social media condemning the proposed protest.
The post which was titled “Lets Educate the illiterate as he leads the protest”, read: “I read Tuface Idibia’s verbal tirade in Vanguard in which he said he will be leading a protest against Buhari on the 5th of February for among other things not paying salaries of civil servants.
“I think he needs to be educated about the efforts of the Buhari administration…”
In conclusion, the post said “We your fans want to assure you that if you go ahead with this protest we will reevaluate our support for you and it may be downhill for you afterwards. Rethink your actions and reflect deeply.”
Ruggedman has however expressed disappointment on the move by Blackface who used to be a close friend to 2Face to share the post.
He wrote this: “BLACKFACE FACE WHAT’S REAL @blackfacenaija you be my guy and @official2baba na my guy but I will tell you that this your move right here is very disappointing. You sang hardlife and all when things were even a bit bearable, but now that things are really messed up you have kept quiet. But here you are mouthing off over a 2Face move? Guy you fall my hand. Talking about educating people.
“First of all, it is not a protest being led by 2face. He said he saw the post and thought to lend his voice to it. Something a few other artists and people have done.
“So, you knew about all the governors embezzling funds and yet you said nothing. But you are quick to shout now because 2face name has come out on something. But you make it too obvious you have something against 2face and you should have let all this go by now. NIGERIANS are suffering and you are just monitoring 2face…”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has said the command was aware of a proposed demonstration by 2face.

Mr. Owoseni said this on Monday while addressing journalists in Lagos.

In his address on the protest, the police chief said although his command was yet to be officially notified, he assured that the police would not allow unscrupulous elements to hijack the protest.

2face, the African Queen crooner, recently took to his Instagram handle, @official2baba, calling on his fans and followers to join in the nationwide protest scheduled for February 5

Ortom To Those Wishing Buhari Death: "Go And Confront God"

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has called on those wishing President Muhamamdu Buhari dead to go and confront God.
He stated this Monday night when he paid a solidarity visit to the Acting president, Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Ortom is the first governor to publicly declare his support to the Acting President in a manner so unusual since President Buhari jetted out on January 19, 2017 for holiday 
While condemning the rumored death of president Buhari, Ortom also believed it was the Will of God for the president to be in charge of Nigeria’s affairs at this time.
He said: “Well, today is to pay solidarity to the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to pledge my loyalty and best wishes to him and to wish Mr. President, who is on vacation, good health and safe return back to continue to lead us. And we pray that God will continue to help this administration that came at a time that Nigeria is passing through recession occasioned by bad leadership by past administration.
"And to say that those that are wishing Mr. President death should go and confront God who brought Mr. President to be President of Nigeria. It wasn’t his making".

Reps To Increase Fuel Price By N5

Nigerians may pay additional N5 on petroleum price if the current National Roads Fund bill before the House of Representatives is passed into law, reports DAILY TRUST
The N5 increase is part of recommendations of a technical committee set up by the House Committee on Works, chaired by Rep Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu).
The technical committee, chaired by Chris Okoye, was in November given the task of drawing a report to be reviewed and considered by the House.
The National Road Fund, when established, is to serve as a repository of revenues from road user-related charges and other sources for financing to be managed and administered for routine and periodic maintenance works on Nigerian roads.
Thus, as part of the sources for the fund, the committee recommended that “fuel levy of N5 chargeable per litre on any volume of petrol and diesel products imported into Nigeria and on locally refined petroleum products.”
Other sources the committee recommended include, toll fees not exceeding 10 percent of any revenue paid as user charge per vehicle on any federal road designated as a toll road; international vehicle transit charges; inter-state mass transit user charge of 0.5 percent deductible from the fare paid by passengers as well as surcharge of 0.5 percent chargeable on the assessed value of any imported vehicle into the country.
The other sources of funding as recommended by the committee are lease, license or other fees which should be 10 percent of the revenue accruing from such or other fees pertaining to non-vehicular road usages along any federal road; grants and loans and gifts of land, money or other property.
The fund is to be managed by a governing board with a managing director as the head of the fund.
However, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) opposed the recommendation on the N5 fuel levy. The institute, which was part of the technical committee, submitted a minority report to the House works committee

Big Brother Naija contestant, TBoss shows off her pierced nipples on TV (PHOTOS/VIDEO) 18+

Big Brother Naija contestant, TBoss is currently trending on twitter. Why? She showed off her pierced nipples as she was undressing in the presence of other contestants in their locker room. See the photo below

WATCH VIDEO HERE

PHOTOS BELOW 

Governors Defection To APC: I Spoke Too Early — Rochas Okorocha

FOLLOWING rebuttal from South East governors who Governor Rochas Okorocha had suggested would dump the opposition and join the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Imo State government has said he may have spoken about it prematurely. He had been reported to have said that he was in touch with three serving PDP governors in the region and they would soon be joining the APC. But in a swift reaction, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors including Dave Umahi of Ebony State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State as well as Willie Obiano of Anambra State elected under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) denied that they would defect to APC. Obiano had in his reaction alleged that Okorocha had not provided the kind of leadership in Imo State to inspire any governor to join his party, saying: “The question should be, has Rochas Okorocha provided an inspiring leadership for the people of Imo State under APC? So, why would any governor in Nigeria heed Okorocha’s call? Okorocha is an example of what a leader should not be.” Reacting to the governors’ denial while speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with acting President Yemi Osinbajo in his office, Okorocha said he may have spoken too early because the governors were not yet ready to defect. “I don’t think it is true, but if it is true it is probably because it is not time. It could be because I spoke when they were not yet ready,” Okorocha said. On the question of his leadership acumen, the Imo governor said: “It is not about Rochas Okorocha, I am a governor.” On the call that Ndiigbo should produce the President in 2019, he reiterated that the South East should aspire to the presidency after the Muhammadu Buhari’s era. According to him, “What I do know is that Ndiigbo should talk about presidency after President Muhammadu Buhari. “I think we should support this government. President Muhammadu Buhari has a tenure to work for four years or Eight years according to the zoning arrangement and everybody should follow the zoning although I am not an advocate of zoning.” He expressed confidence that the APC was becoming stronger in the South East as stakeholders were rebuilding the party. Okorocha stated: “The APC as a party is strong in the South East. We are trying to rebuild the party and redefine leadership so there will be no confusion. “As to whether the APC in the south east is in disarray as the case has always been, we want to have a united party in the south east. We are hopeful from all discussions that about two governors will be joining us in the south to strengthen the party. “Right now, we have agreed that Sen Ken Nnamani should take a lead of the party in the south east to enable us have a common understanding along with other leaders like Chief Jim Nwobodo.”

Source:  Tribune

Whatsapp To Introduce ‘live Location Tracking’

WhatsApp is working on a feature you’ll love, this will track the live location of members, allowing users to track the location of their contacts in real time
In December last year, WhatsApp added the features to revoke and edit the sent messages in a beta version testing. The feature is currently available on WhatsApp beta for the iOS 2.17.1.869 but not available on the normal platform.
The “Live Location Tracking” is a new feature already introduced to some beta testers but will soon be roll out to both Android and iOS platform
According to available information, the features will work on WhatsApp beta version 2.17.3.28 for iOS, 2.16.399+ on Android and will be disabled by default.
The Live Location Tracking can be kept on for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or indefinitely.
This could come in handy if you’re supposed to meet with your family at a certain location and time, and you want to see how far away from the destination they are.
And if you don’t want anyone to track your movement, The live streaming can also be disabled so that no one can learn where you are at any given time.

Diesel, aviation fuel prices’ll fall in two weeks – Marketers

The pump prices of diesel and aviation fuel will fall in the next two weeks, oil marketers have said.
They also confirmed that the Federal Government was currently subsiding the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, adding that marketers were owed over N305bn by the government.
Speaking during a live television programme monitored by THE PUNCH in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, stated that although diesel had been deregulated, the cost of the commodity and that of aviation fuel would come down in two weeks’ time.
Total, Mobil, Oando, MRS and Forte Oil are members of MOMAN.
Olawore said, “Arising from the meeting with the government last week, there is a committee that is working on ensuring that diesel and aviation fuel come in at a price that is affordable. The NNPC is bringing in more diesel and the arrangement is that they are going to ensure that we get forex to also bring in diesel.
“I can’t say for sure and won’t say in a couple of days, but give it one or two weeks, everything should come down.”

Olawore

He confirmed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had been the dominant importer of all the white products, because the marketers could not access forex at the official rate despite assurances from the Central Bank of Nigeria. He added that they were getting a dollar at about N460.
Olawore said, “In practice, we are not getting forex. But the committee, which has some top brass of the CBN, was directed by the Presidency last week to ensure that forex is obtained at a level that will enable us to bring in products.
“Up until today, we don’t have forex, but there is an arrangement to give us, which is why I’m confident that maybe in one or two weeks, the prices of diesel and aviation fuel will come down. We are hoping that we will get forex at maybe N305 to a dollar and that will mean that we can bring in the products, and this will crash the prices.
“For diesel, there is no price ceiling, but then, it is not going to be at the current price of about N280 per litre. By the time we come into it, the price is going to come down. The NNPC is working hard but we are not yet there, which was why we argued that we should join in bringing in the products.”
Olawore stated that major oil marketers were not selling and would not sell the PMS above N145 per litre, adding that they got the product from the NNPC, because majority of the dealers did not import products as a result of forex challenges and other sector issues.
According to him, any marketer that wants to import petrol must get forex at about N248 to a dollar in order to be able to sell the product at N145.
“If you are bringing in the PMS on your own and you want to sell at N145 per litre, then your forex should be in the region of N248. That is what will enable you, because the cost of the product and the forex rate determine the landing cost,” Olawore said.
When asked if subsidy had crept in again, he replied, “The truth is that there is subsidy. But the fact is that it is being absorbed by the government. They said there was no more subsidy before, but in May last year when the price was put at N145, the landing cost was such that we could sell at N145.
“In fact, we could even sell slightly below that price, which was why there was a band of N135 to N145. But since then, the indices have changed. Crude price has risen and the products prices have also gone up, as well as the forex rate. These are the main factors.”
On whether the marketers were considering to invest in refineries, Olawore said no, adding that this was because of the inherent challenges in the business at present.
He said, “Not really and the reason is simple. The moment you fix prices, you discourage investment. When the prices were fixed in May last year, it didn’t take long before the forex regime took a bad turn. So we believe that is one of the reasons.
“Our investments were also curtailed by the fact that our cash flow was severely affected in the sense that the over $1.1bn that the government owes us is still outstanding. So, if we don’t have this money how do we invest? As a matter of fact, we find it difficult to keep the workforce.”
The executive secretary explained that price control by the government was a major reason why major oil marketers had not been able to build refineries in Nigeria since they started operating in the country.

NYSC: 63 service firms scale bidding process

File Photo

Sixty three firms yesterday, scaled through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) bidding process for private security guards and cleaning services.
They are to provide vital services at the NYSC Headquarters, Abuja as well the state offices of the institution nationwide.
The successful companies emerged at the bid opening ceremony held at the Conference Hall, Yakubu Gowon House, NYSC Headquarters in Abuja. Director of Procurement, NYSC, Mr Yakubu Jok, announced that at the close of bid, 39 contractors were cleared for the cleaning services while 24 contractors were cleared for security services.
According to Jok, the NYSC had always tried to satisfy the conditions of the Procurement Act by giving contractors the opportunity for reactions during any bid process which was to ensure transparency.
“In the NYSC we want, as much as possible to follow due process as contained in the Procurement Act, since there is no reaction from the contractors, it is clear that the contractors are satisfied with the process and that there was transparency as required by law.”

2019: FG unveils solar-powered electronic voting machine

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Federal Government  appears set to tackle key challenges in the electoral system as it has  developed   a solar-powered electronic voting machine, reports NEW TELEGRAPH.

The device, which  has a cloud-based election result collation system,  was produced  locally by the National Agency for Science  and Engineering  Infrastructure (NASENI) in Abuja.

Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna who unveiled the voting machine Monday  at a ceremony in Abuja, said it was developed using cloud based computing system and would address most of the current challenges in the country’s electoral system.

More coming ….

Five oil firms implicated in Diezani’s $153m scandal

Diezani

Five oil companies have been linked with the $153million seized from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, reported by THE NATION
The chief executives of the oil firms are believed to have gone underground to evade arrest, prompting investigators to believe that they may have opted to forfeit the cash.
But the source of the cash sparked a row last night following claims by a suspect that the $153million was sourced by the former minister from the five oil firms and not the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The suspect said the $153million was another tranche of funds mobilised under the table by Mrs Alison-Madueke from oil companies for the re-election of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
The board of NNPC is likely to meet in Abuja to get “a full briefing” on the cash scandal.
Justice Muslim Hassan of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on January 6 ordered the seizure of the cash which, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), was stolen from the NNPC’s accounts and stashed in some banks.
The oil companies whose identities remain unknown “so as not to jeopardise the investigation were allegedly involved in how the funds were wired in exchange for some concessions.
“It is however indisputable that the oil companies collaborated with Diezani and acted on her instructions to haul the cash to one of the banks which distributed it to others,” a source close to the investigation said.
“ EFCC detectives have succeeded in cracking how the funds were channeled and distributed. “Detectives are on the trail of the chief executives of the five companies. One of them was allegedly traced to London and we are expecting his arrest anytime from now. The EFCC and UK authorities have closed in on one of the oil chiefs in London,” the source said, pleading not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the media.
On the source of the $153million, one of the suspects said came from the oil firms’ chiefs and not the NNPC accounts.
Another source said: “The suspect said only the oil chiefs could explain where they got the $153million.
“The suspect insisted that the cash was not from NNPC’s accounts. The suspect said this was why the ex-minister had the audacity to raise some posers for EFCC on the     cash.
“But irrespective of the source, the EFCC had uncovered the slush funds and none of the oil firms’ chiefs has come out to claim it. They are even distancing themselves from the money. They prefer to forfeit the money than being brought to justice.”
Mrs Alison- Madueke last Saturday faulted EFCC’s findings that the $153million was stolen from NNPC’s account( s).
In a statement from London, she said: “In the face of the obvious falsification of facts and misinformation, it is only right and proper that the EFCC should publish the details of the $153.3million lodgments, the bank account numbers and the account beneficiaries, showing proof of my link to them.
“Having also alleged that the said $153.3million was ‘wired’ from NNPC, the EFCC should also publish details of the NNPC accounts from where the said $153.3 million was taken from, with proof that I authorised such a transaction/transactions acting either in my private capacity or, as The Honourable Minister of Petroleum.
“Let me state for the record that as Minister of Petroleum, the operation and management of NNPC finances were outside my purview as outlined in both the Petroleum Act and the NNPC Act.
“The only involvement I had in NNPC finances was in terms of statutory matters, where the Petroleum Act prescribed that as minister, there were certain duties or actions which I had to perform or take in relation to NNPC.

State enguages 2,968 vendors for Buhari’s school feeding programme

The Ogun State government has engaged no fewer than 2,968 food vendors for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s homegrown school feeding programme,

NEW TELEGRAPH reports that Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed this at St Paul’s Demonstration School, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, during the flag-off of the once mid-day free meal for Primary 1 to 3 in public schools across the state.
Amosun, who was represented by his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga stated that the scheme would be implemented in the 1,554 primary schools in the state.
He, however, noted that the programme would commence simultaneously in 874 schools for the first phase. The governor, who described the scheme as “landmark,” commended Buhari for his commitment, resilience and statesmanship in ensuring it took off for the wellbeing of Nigerians regardless of tribe, religion and party affiliation.
He said: “There is no doubt, this is an intervention designed to eradicate poverty in our households as the women will make additional income from taking on catering businesses in their communities on weekends and when schools are off.
The utensils have been obtained via a single soft loan facilitated by our administration, and repayment will be through the earnings of the vendors.”

Benue Man Commits Suicide After Impregnating Younger Sister

Adoka, a district in Otukpo community was on Monday thrown into confusion following the death of a young man identified as Inalegwu (other names withheld).
The deceased reportedly drank poisonous substance suspected to be insecticide after he allegedly put his younger sister whose identity was given as Ene in a family way.
DAILY POST reported that the young man, believed to be in his 20s has been an object of ridicule in the village following his incestuous act.
A source told our reporter that the incident has thrown the community into serious confusion.
“He was accused of impregnating his own blood sister. People have been mocking him since the incident happened and he has been crying,” the source said.
Asked if he accepted being responsible for the pregnancy, the source who would not want his name mentioned, claimed the deceased neither denied nor accepted impregnating his sister but insisted that he owed nobody any explanations over what transpired between him and his sister.
“Inas did not really come out to deny the allegation because it was his sister that informed the villagers that she was pregnant for him.
“Ene caused the whole problem because she was always in the habit of sleeping in the same room with her brother Unclad,” he added.
The Benue State Police PRO could not be reached for comment at the time of this report.

Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara diverted N630m - Group alleges

 Four principal officers of the National Assembly have been accused of committing financial fraud totaling the sum of N630m.
According to Sahara Reporters, those involved in the alleged fraud include; Senate president, Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; and his deputy, Lasun Yusuf.
The accusation against the four members was made by an advocacy group, Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN), which said the four principal officers of the National Assembly executed the fraud by pressuring and using the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide them with accommodation.
This is in spite of the fact that the monetization policy of the federal government bars all agencies from using taxpayers money for to meet personal demands of public officers outside the provisions of the law.
Sahara reporters, citing independent investigation it conducted by CATBAN, reports that in March 2016, the four principal officers of the National Assembly allegedly approached the management of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide them with residential accommodation with a plan to allegedly divert money through accommodation requests.
The group said the requests were approved within 48 hours and followed with fund disbursement, an indication of the desperation to quickly get the money.
It alleged that the four principal officers then presented companies that doubled as estate agents and property owners for the exercise.
According to CATBAN, the companies used were Gogetit Investment Limited, which used a Zenith Bank account to receive the money, Legendark Consult Limited, which used a Guaranty Trust Bank account to receive its own share, and Pitch Global Services, which has an account domiciled with Heritage Bank.
CATBAN said it found that the sum of N630,125,499.90 was fraudulently paid by the FCDA for phoney renting, renovation and furnishing of four properties as official residences for Messrs. Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara and Lasun.
It alleged that Saraki and Dogara, presented residential properties owned by them as rented houses, Ekweremadu and Lasun did not present any residential property, but collected their share of the money.
CATBAN said the discoveries made during its investigation have put a huge question mark on the integrity of the National Assembly leadership and brought into sharper focus the sweeping corruption afflicting the country.
In other news, Bukola Saraki has said he does not have a problem with the new mega party as long as it will push country’s economy forward.
Saraki speaking in an interview aired on Channels TV, said: “If the mega party will see us pushing Nigeria’s economy forward, I don’t have problem. Like I have said to many people, my focus now is on the economy.”
On the mistakes the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) had made, Saraki said: “It’s been tough. There are many things we should have done differently; we didn’t manage the success well in the early stage. But it’s a learning curve.”
“Here is a party that hasn’t been in power for so many years. But we are making progress. I mean look at the budget process. Compare now to last year, you will see that the process is better, and it’s going to get better as we go on.”

Unity in Criminality: Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa Men Behind Imported Riffles

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 661 pieces of pump-action rifles from China, concealed with steel doors and other merchandise goods, which came in through Lagos port. Pictured are the suspects; Mr Oscan Okafor (an importer), Mr Mahmud Haruna (a clearing agent), Mr Sadique Mustapha (accompanying the consignment to its destination).
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Alli, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Monday in Lagos.
Alli said that the Federal Operations Unit, while on patrol, intercepted a Mark truck with registration number BUG 265 XG conveying a 40ft container with the number; PONU/825914/3 along Mile 2 Apapa Road, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the consignment was cleared from Lagos port.
The comptroller-general said the truck was immediately taken to F.O.U. premises for physical examination and 49 boxes containing 661 pieces of pump action rifles concealed with steel doors were revealed.

Police Shut State Assembly

The crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly continues on Monday morning as police shut the Assembly premises.
This was to prevent a fracas which would have occurred at the Assembly between factions loyal to Hon. Malachi Coker and Hon. Jumoke Akindele who are laying claim to the speakership seat.Coker’s faction impeached Akindele last Friday evening but the woman insisted that she remain the speaker because her removal did not meet the constitutional requirement.
The Nation learnt gathered that the legislators in Coker’s camp gained entrance to the Assembly premises as early as 6:00 a.m.? on Monday
Coker immediately sat on the speaker’s seat in readiness for the day’s plenary.
The Akindele’s faction later stormed the Assembly and the embattled speaker personally challenged Coker that he has no right to sit on the speaker’s seat.
But Coker told her she is no longer the Assembly speaker because she had been impeached.
This caused altercation between the two factions.
Police operatives led by the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, who were already at the Assembly premises to prevent breakdown of law and order, stormed the House chamber and ordered the lawmakers including the workers to leave the place immediately.

Nigeria customs intercepts rifles concealed in 40ft container in Lagos

Nigeria Customs Service intercepts a huge cache of pump action rifles concealed in 40ft container in Lagos. 49 boxes containing 661 pieces of Pump Action Rifles found inside the container seized in Lagos on Monday by the Nigerian Customs Service.
Customs FOU while on patrol intercepted a Mark truck wt reg. no. BUG 265 XG conveying a 40ft container (PONU/825914/3) along Apapa Rd, Lagos, The truck was taken to F.O.U. premises for examination & 49 boxes with 661 pieces of pump action rifles concealed with steel doors were revealed.
According to the customs boss, "Investigation has commenced & I've directed that dragnet should be wide enough to fish out all persons involved in this importation‘’ -CG Customs
Arrested suspects are: Oscan Okafor (an importer), Mahmud Haruna (a clearing agent), Sadique Mustapha (leading arms to its destination), also the CG Customs says the Customs officers involved in the clearance of the containers ARRESTED, already in custody of Comptroller Mahmud Haruna of FOU Zone “A’’.

JAMB to raid cyber cafes across Nigeria

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, says it is embarking on a national raid of cyber cafes, ahead of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Head, Media and Information, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos that the exercise would be jointly carried out with the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

He said the raid was meant to smash the operations of some syndicates operating cyber cafes to print fake UTME registration numbers and application documents to prospective candidates.

According to him, four suspects have already been apprehended in Ekiti for printing and selling fake registration documents for the 2017 examination.

“This development is an eye-opener that same could be happening in other parts of the country.

“We shall, in collaboration with the NSCDC, commence a national raid of all cyber cafe in the country, any moment from now.

“We will not fold our arms and watch some elements defraud Nigerians, parents in particular, who desire education for their children.

“These persons arrested in Ekiti were holed out in their cyber café, where they have been carrying out their illegal activities and had defrauded prospective candidates to the tune of over N10 million.

“We had a synergy with NSCDC, which led to the discovery of serious illegal manipulation of JAMB registration forms, numbers as well as admission letters,’’ he said.

Benjamin warned prospective candidates against poor handling of information regarding the sale of the registration documents to avoid falling prey to the activities of the suspects.

“We had warned severally that we had yet to commence the sales of the 2017 registration documents, and that candidates should be patient because we are putting finishing touches to the entire examination process.

“This is because we want to tackle all the hitches that had been associated with the examination in the past years and make it almost 100 per cent hitch-free.

“As soon as this is achieved, and we are set to roll out the registration documents, we will do massive sensitisation.

“Candidates must realise that no cyber cafe is authorised to do any form of registration, as candidates who defy this warning are doing so at their own risk,” he said.

(NAN)

Revealed: How VP Osinbajo runs Nigeria as Acting President

This would not be his first shot at discharging the functions of the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is not also the second. It is Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s third, since May 29, 2015. He is fast learning the job and also proving himself a dependable ally of Mr. President. In Nigeria, despite the sacred dictates of the constitution, sitting presidents are not usually known to be generous transferers of the powers of their office to their deputies; instead, they choose to delegate such powers to their Chief of Staff or a “Kitchen Cabinet” Minister. But that has never been the case with the present administration. 

Keen observers of Nigeria’s political experiment since the return of democracy in 1999 would recall that the scenario hardly existed between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Atiku Abubakar. Such was still not the case between the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and his former deputy, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

VP Osinbajo

 If it ever existed, it was between Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo. But in the present regime, delegating the presidential powers to a deputy has never been a big deal for President Buhari who has always done that. In the course of his service to the nation in the Fourth Republic, he has had to publicly transfer the powers of his office to his vice. 

FIRST TIME OUT

 First was in February 2016 when the President took some five days off for a vacation abroad. While the vocation lasted, Osinbajo held sway as Acting President. For the period, he oversaw the day-to-day running of the affairs of the country. 

The second time Osinbajo was also made the Acting President was in June, 2016 when the President also announced a vacation to London to attend to an ear infection. For the 13 days Buhari was abroad Osinbajo effectively fitted in the shoes of his boss. 

Amongst the major tasks he undertook were the meeting with governors of Niger Delta states and the Service Chiefs on the threats of the Niger-Delta Avengers to bomb government buildings in Abuja,.

 It was also during that time that he inaugurated a Task Force on Rice and Wheat production. That was not all – the launching of Home-grown School Feeding Programme was also done. On a sad note, it was the lot of Osinbajo to issue condolence messages on the demise of ex-Super Eagles Coaches, late Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shuaibu. 

Chairing the meetings of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, and the National Economic Council, NEC – he is constitutionally empowered to chair the latter – had become almost a norm by this time. 

THE FIRE THIS TIME 

Yet, on January 19, 2017, another opportunity availed itself for the Vice President to act as President. Interestingly, Osinbajo was made Acting President while he was in far away Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, WEF, summit. Upon his return on Friday, January 20, the Acting President journeyed straight to Ibadan, Oyo State, for a function. Coming back to Abuja, the seat of power, later that evening, he received updates and briefings on the situation in The Gambia where Nigerian troops were stationed to give effect to the transition from the recalcitrant Yahya Jammeh, to then President-elect, Mr. Adama Barrow. 

Osinbajo also took briefings from a number of cabinet ministers. On Monday, Jan 23, he chaired the Second Presidential Business Forum which held at the Old Banquet Hall, located within the precinct of Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. Kicked off last September, the Forum is a platform to engage and interact with the private sector operators to keep them abreast of government’s economic policies, programmes and activities.

 The Acting President, at the meeting, underscored the need for full public/private partnership in the salvation of the sick economy. He said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome you all to this second quarterly business forum. The last one was held in Sept 2016.

 This is the first this year and we will ensure it keeps running. The main plan of our economic plan is the sustenance of the robust private sector partnership. Indeed, it is our strong belief that sustenanable economic growth is only possible if it is private sector led and a great deal of attention has been paid as you will possibly find in sustaining private sector leadership, especially in the plan of economic recovery and growth plan 2017, which is to be launched next month.

 The pivot of that plan is the private sector-led recovery growth and plan. So, this Forum is an important one for engendering the continuous engagement that this partnership will entail.” Tuesday, Jan 24 was yet another busy day for Osinbajo. He launched the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME Clinics in Abuja. Organised in-conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the programme is designed to not only to sensitise operators of Small Scale Enterprises, SMEs in Nigeria on the best business strategies, but to also assist them financially to grow their businesses.

 Abia and Kwara State governors were amongst various dignitaries in attendance as the programme was billed to be replicated in the 36 States of the federation starting with Abia. One take-away from that event that also held at the Old Banquet Hall was Osinbajo’s displeasure with the activities of most revenue generating agencies of the federal government that delay registration of SMEs and inadvertently, stifle the growth of the SMEs. 

Earlier that same day, he had presided over the meeting of Presidential Enabling Business Council, PEBEC, where a decision was taken to begin the evaluation of various options that would eliminate hitches in the Nigerian business climate. On Wednesday, Jan 25, the Acting President presided over the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting in Abuja. Of course, this was not his first time. It can only be the umpteenth time. Curiously, Wednesday ended with a stinging controversy. 

The day ended with a wicked rumour that Nigerian Governors were pressuring on Osinbajo to resign his office amidst the rumoured fears of concerns for President Buhari’s health. But his office through the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, in the Vice President’s Office, Sen. Femi Ojudu, quickly dismissed the resignation threat in a statement. 

Thursday, Jan 26, the Acting President performed a function at the National Defence College, NDC, Abuja, and later at noon took off to Abia State to launch the first phase (State-wise) of the MSME. He returned to Abuja later in the evening. Friday, Jan 27, the Acting President was also seen in his office. But it was unknown if he had any functions that required media coverage. 

At least, not at 5:30 pm when this piece was being written. The Man, Osinbajo Apart from ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo who was lucky to rule Nigeria as a military man and later elected President for two terms, former President Goodluck Jonathan who was within the corridors of power for 16 years; served as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, Acting President and President, and President Buhari who, like Obasanjo, ruled the country militarily and now elected President, Osinbajo is another lucky Nigerian. 

His political profile may not be as rich as those mentioned above but he got lucky, becoming the Vice President of Nigeria from just nowhere – only having served as commissioner for justice in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. This is because, Buhari had run for the Number One office in the land for three consecutive times without luck. 

But Osinbajo, a Pastor of the Redeemed Church of God, RCCG, got elected with Buhari at his fourth shot at the presidency. The Acting President is also a Professor of Law. He’s adjudged to be cerebral but to many people, Osinbajo is very carries his professorial calling one step too many in politics (meaning there is too much talk coming from his office) Osinbajo is a workaholic as well as the typical Lagosian who wouldn’t stay outside of the city for weeks. 

Sunday Vanguard had observed that most times, he leaves his office as late as 10 pm. Sometimes also, he returns to the office to perhaps, clear his table. Unlike what characterised the Obasanjo/Atiku Presidency, Sunday Vanguard is yet to notice any face-off between him and his boss. In fact, the feeling is that he’s totally loyal to President Buhari. 

This informed why he has been allowed to represent the President in many fora both within and outside the country. Should there be problem between them, many believe that such would have been influenced by external forces. 

But at the moment, he’s Buhari’s Man but not his Man Friday. Religion Is Osinbajo a religious man? Yes, he is. To him, prayer is key and that’s why the Acting President spares time to pray. But just as the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, had to confront him last Friday, it was asked whether the Acting President has for one day shown compassion on his people in the face of the violence unleashed by some criminals on Christians by keeping a disturbing silence as Christians are being slaughtered; to which his office said he will always defend the rule of law..

Source: Vanguard News

Magu: Senators demand new report from DSS

A week after President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the Senate and cleared the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, of corruption, members of the Senate have called on the Department of State Services, whose report indicted the nominee, to issue another report to clear him.

According to the lawmakers, the decision by the Senate was based on the DSS report, which accused Magu of corruption and malpractice.

The senators also sought to summon the Director General of the DSS to explain why the agency’s report indicted Magu while another probe by President Muhammadu Buhari cleared him.

The DSS had concluded in the security report that confirming the nomination of Magu by Buhari as EFCC chairman would cause a setback for the anti-corruption drive of the current administration.

Speaking to our correspondent on Thursday, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (Imo North) said the DSS boss should tell the Senate the circumstances surrounding the report which indicted Magu.

He said, “I am of the opinion that the DSS should write us or the director general should be invited to come and either own up or reject the report. He should tell us why an agency would issue such a security report if its content wasn’t true.”

Senator Adesoji Akanbi (Oyo South) also said not only should the DSS issue another report to clear Magu, the secret service should apologise to the Senate for misleading the lawmakers.

The lawmaker pointed out that the same agency, whose report indicted Magu, should clear him. He recalled that every senator went through security screening before being sworn in, adding that a clearance by the agency was necessary to fully become a senator.

But Senator Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) said the Senate would work with the first report by the DSS, without asking for a new one to clear Magu.

He noted that the initial rejection of Magu’s nomination by the Senate was based on the first report. He said now that the President had told the Senate to continue with the confirmation process, the lawmakers would work with the only report sent by the DSS.

Also, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South) pointed out that Buhari did not nullify the DSS’ report on Magu. He said the President only re-nominated the EFCC boss. He added that the President’s letter would be treated on merit, since he failed to include another security report to clear the nominee.

When contacted, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, however, declined to comment on the implication of Buhari’s letter on Magu’s confirmation. He said the Senate would subject the letter to legislative process and a decision would be taken on it.

Read more at: The Punch

FG approves $1.2bn for Kano-Kaduna rail project

The Federal Government has approved $1.2 billion for the construction of the Kano- Kaduna standard gauge railway project. Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this in Kano on Saturday, when he visited Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the Government House, Kano. He said the Federal Government was negotiating with China EXIM bank to finance the project.
The minister said the Federal Government would provide about 100 locomotives for narrow gauge rail that would run through Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Funtua and Gombe to improve the economy.

“Before the end of June, Lagos-Kano narrow gauge rail would have more locomotives that would run through Lagos, Port Harcourt, Funtua, Kano and Gombe states in order to boost the economy,” he said. Amaechi, however, thanked the governor for his efforts and the role he played during the last National Assembly election in Rivers where the party won one senatorial seat and four House of representative seats.
Responding, Ganduje, said Kano-Kaduna standard rail project would save the road from total collapse, saying that the state government recently signed a $1.8 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm to construct light rail in the state capital. He added that the light rail project would give a mega city outlook similar to other cities across the world.

Read more at: NewTelegraph 

Man Destroys Bible As A Revenge For Destruction Of Shrine In Anambra By A Priest

According to reports,a young man has destroyed the Holy Bible as a revenge for the destruction of a shrine at Ekwulobia by popular priest Rev.Fr Ebube Muo Nso.

Photos below

DSS invites Apostle Suleman over ‘inciting’ sermon

The Department of State Security Service (DSS) yesterday formally invited the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman for interrogation, four days after its botched attempt to arrest him in Akure.
Suleman indicated last night that he would honour the invitation.
But he also dismissed insinuations that he was inciting one segment of the society against the other or that he hated Muslims and Fulanis.
The DSS, in a letter to  Suleman, whose church is based in Auchi,  asked him to report at its headquarters in Abuja tomorrow  “for an interview by 10am over an inciting statement.”
An attempt by operatives of the agency to arrest  Suleman in his hotel room  in Ado-Ekiti was aborted by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State who rushed to the hotel and took the pastor to the Government House.
Suleman was in the state for a crusade.
A top source said: “The service decided to invite Apostle Suleman to interact with him on whether or not he delivered any hard sermon and what informed it. Such interaction can reveal the mindset of such a person.
“There is no way the security service can be silent on any act capable of breaching the nation’s security.
“After the interaction with him, we will determine the next step. It can be in form of caution, signing undertaking or whatever the law says. It will be preemptive to say anything on the invitation.”
When contacted, Apostle Suleman’s Communications Adviser, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, said: “The General Overseer has received an invitation from DSS.
“Even though the invitation is ridiculous, as a law-abiding citizen, Apostle Johnson Suleiman will honour it.
“We also consider the invitation as an afterthought after the botched attempt to arrest Apostle Suleman.”
Suleman, in a statement yesterday, denied hating Muslims or Fulanis as being speculated in some quarters.
He said he merely asked members of his church to kill herdsmen who move close to the church’s headquarters in Auchi, Edo State.
Suleman said he was moved to make the call based on the mindless killings across the nation by Fulani herdsmen.
He said his driver in Lagos and Chief Security Officer of the church in Auchi are Muslims in whom he has absolute confidence.
Suleman also said some of his friends are Fulanis while a number of his family members are still Muslims, most of whom have benefitted from his philanthropic gestures.
He said: “I have friends as Fulanis. I have members as Fulanis in our northern churches.
“I have a driver who drives me whenever I am in Lagos, he is a Muslim. He has been driving me for years till date.
“I have bought him two cars as well.  If I am not tolerant, a Muslim should not be driving me.
“I discovered that the Chief Security Officer (of our church) was also a Muslim. Yes, he was a Muslim supervising the security unit our church.
“Funny enough, majority of my callers on this issue have been Muslims; they have re-echoed what I said on the tape and do not hold contrary views about it.”
He said that killings by herdsmen must be tackled collectively to save the nation, saying many of them were carrying out too many nefarious activities.
“I do not have issues with the Fulani people; I have seen and read of some good people from there. I have also seen extremely nice Muslims.
“For example, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is a Fulani man and also a Muslim. There was a church that was destroyed in his province, he personally rebuilt it.
“The Fulani people who are very enlightened understand the intricacies in this matter and most of them have been speaking with me.
“Whereas the herdsmen who are the perpetrators of this evil are happy with these developments because it has become a religious problem and this is part of my anger,” Suleman explained.
He went on: “There are still real Fulani herdsmen who are nomads and still taking care of their cattle everywhere.
“They carry sticks around. But these particular (killer) herdsmen carry guns, sophisticated weapons and the likes.
“I have made it clear that my anger is with the Fulani herdsmen and my point is; that no one should lay down to be killed by these people. Only cowards do that.
“And I stand my ground that the herdsmen who are killing should be dealt with.”
Earlier in a separate statement in Abuja on Wednesday, Shaibu said the church “wondered why its General Overseer could be so harassed for merely expressing his opinion on the menace of Fulani herdsmen, when freedom of expression is one of the rights guaranteed by the nation’s Constitution.
“The Fulani militia, masquerading as herdsmen have stated that they are going to kill him.
“Everyone knows that they are armed with AK47 and have already killed over 7000 persons in Nigeria. Women have been raped and houses destroyed.
“Yet, not one of them has been caught or is being prosecuted by the DSS or Federal Government.
“Are we saying that the man should fold his arms and allow the same Fulani militia to kill him?
“Is he wrong to give his security aides orders that they should kill any of the so called herdsmen found near him or his church? Is there nothing like self defence in our law?” he asked.
Shaibu said that the firebrand pastor’s message which may have drawn the ire of the DSS and the Federal Government was directed at the Fulani militia, in the guise of herdsmen,that have openly declared intention to kill him.
Shaibu said even if  the comments made by Apostle Suleman were found to be inciting , as alleged by the SSS, “a government that believes in robust debate as a means of strengthening democracy would simply have invited him for explanation , rather than attempting to kidnap him.
“We expected a more civilized conduct from a government that promised Change.”
“What most people do not know is that Apostle Suleiman’s father was a Muslim. He was born into a Muslim family.
“He has brothers and sisters that are Muslims and enjoy very cordial relationship with them.
“So to brand him anti Islam or anti Muslim is being mischievous or taking apostle’s message out of context,” he stated.

Read more at: The Nation

Seized helicopters belong to Rivers State - Wike

Rivers State Governor  Nyesom Wike said yesterday that he gave his backing to the federal government in handing over the two Bell helicopters imported by the Rivers State government to the Air Force.
The Customs Service announced on Friday that the helicopters were smuggled into the country by an  unknown  person who failed to produce end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in contravention of Section 36 ( 2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act.
The Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. Frank Allanah, put the import duty value of the two helicopters and their  accessories at N9,757,135,240.86k.
He proceeded to hand them over to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at a ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.
However, Wike in a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, in Port Harcourt said he officially wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari asking that the two helicopters  which were bought by the immediate past administration in the state be handed over to the Air Force.
He explained that his decision was informed by the high import duty and the refusal of the federal authorities to grant the State a waiver to clear the choppers.
The governor said that it was unfortunate that security agencies would resort to political propaganda and outright lies, when the facts about the helicopters are in public domain.
His words: “These helicopters were imported by the immediate past administration. When I assumed office, we wrote to the Federal government that it was strictly for security use. What am I going to use armoured helicopters for?
”In any case, where will the Rivers State Government get money at this time to import armoured helicopters? The previous administration imported it because they had the money.
”I went to the federal government to give me a waiver for us to clear the helicopters but the federal government refused.
”I wrote a letter to the president and assured him that the helicopters were meant for security purposes, they should be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force.







”I am surprised that they have started propaganda and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters.  What kind of country are they turning Nigeria into?
”We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters are not for commercial use. They are to be used to monitor the creeks and track criminals.
”I wrote to the president to give the helicopters to the airforce.  It is shocking that the Customs would turn around to claim that they impounded the helicopters.
“The Chief of Staff to the President admitted that I have done well when I wrote the letter to the President.”



Read more at: The Nation

Confusion and anger as US begins to bar Muslims

Two Iraqi Muslim refugees were detained overnight on Friday at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York as President Donald Trump’s ban on the entry of citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries took effect.
Five other Iraqi passengers and one Yemeni were barred from boarding an EgyptAir flight from Cairo to New York yesterday on account of the ban.
Two US traditional allies -Germany and France – and the United Nations refugee agency and International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed concern over the order as was Facebook (FB) founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg who posted a status update slamming Trump’s action.
Zuckerberg in the emotional posting said: “My great grandparents came from Germany, Austria and Poland. Priscilla’s parents were refugees from China and Vietnam. The United States is a nation of immigrants, and we should be proud of that.”
Scores of Arab travelers in the Middle East and North Africa denounced the order which they called  humiliating and discriminatory.
One of the Iraqis detained at Kennedy Airport, Hameed Khalid Darweesh, had worked on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq for 10 years.
The other, Haider Sameer Abdulkhaleq Alshawi, was coming to the United States to join his wife, who had worked for a U.S. contractor, and young son, his lawyers said.
They said both men were detained at the airport Friday night after arriving on separate flights.
The attorneys said they were not allowed to meet with their clients, and there were tense moments as they tried to reach them.
They have now approached a US court to reverse the Trump executive order closing the nation’s borders to refugees.


Their lawyers yesterday filed a writ of habeas corpus early yesterday in the Eastern District of New York seeking to have their clients released.
Also filed by them was a   motion for class certification which seeks to represent all refugees and immigrants who,according to them, are  being unlawfully detained at ports of entry.
The ban order suspends entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days and has now created a legal limbo for individuals on the way to the United States and panic for families who were awaiting their arrival.
Seven countries -Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen- are specifically mentioned in the ban order.
It was unclear yesterday how many refugees and immigrants were being held nationwide in the aftermath of the executive order.
The six passengers who were barred yesterday from boarding EgyptAir Flight 985 at Cairo airport had valid immigration visas, sources said.
The five Iraqis had arrived in transit from Erbil and were being held at the airport until they could be re-boarded on flights back to Iraq, whereas the Yemeni passenger had arrived at the airport from elsewhere in Cairo, they added.
A report yesterday said green card holders and US permanent resident are not exempted from the ban order.
A UK resident, Hamaseh Tayari,was denied entry yesterday onto a Costa Rica-New York-Glasgow flight because of her  Iranian passport.
Tayari, who had been holidaying in Costa Rica said: “This has really shocked me. We just discovered (what Trump did) at the airport when we went to check in.
“I want people to know that this is not just happening to refugees. I am a graduate and I have a PhD. It has happened to a person who is working and who pays tax.”
Customs and border patrol agents at many airports were unaware of the executive order on Friday evening, said Mana Yegani, an immigration lawyer in Houston, who works with the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Yegani and her fellow lawyers worked through the night fielding calls from travelers with student and worker visas being denied entry into the United States and ordered on flights back to Muslim-majority countries on the list.
Green card holders were also being stopped and questioned for several hours. Officials also denied travelers with dual Canadian and Iranian citizenship from boarding planes in Canada that were headed the United States, she said.
“These are people that are coming in legally. They have jobs here and they have vehicles here,” Yegani said.
At a joint news conference in Paris with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said many of Trump’s decisions worried the two U.S. allies, including new immigration restrictions.
“This can only worry us, but there are many subjects that worry us,” Ayrault said, adding that he would soon invite his future American counterpart Rex Tillerson to Paris to explain Europe’s interests, values and vision of the world.
“Welcoming refugees who flee war and oppression is part of our duty,” Ayrault said.
Germany has taken in more than one million refugees and migrants, mainly from the Middle East, since 2015.
“The United States is a country where Christian traditions have an important meaning. Loving your neighbor is a major Christian value, and that includes helping people,” said Germany’s Gabriel, who was on his first trip abroad since his nomination as foreign minister.
“I think that is what unites us in the West, and I think that is what we want to make clear to the Americans.”
The United Nations refugee agency and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) asked Mr. Trump to continue offering asylum to people fleeing war and persecution, saying its resettlement program was vital.
“The needs of refugees and migrants worldwide have never been greater and the U.S. resettlement program is one of the most important in the world,” the two Geneva-based agencies said in a joint statement.
IOM and UNHCR said that they remained committed to working with the U.S. administration towards a shared goal of ensuring “safe and secure resettlement and immigration programmes,” adding that refugees should “receive equal treatment for protection and assistance, and opportunities for resettlement, regardless of their religion, nationality or race.”
Some 25,000 refugees were resettled in the United States between October and year-end under UNHCR’s program for the most vulnerable, the agency said on Friday.
Mark Zuckerberg, in his status update yesterday on the ban, said: “We need to keep this country safe, but we should do that by focusing on people who actually pose a threat.
“Expanding the focus of law enforcement beyond people who are real threats would make all Americans less safe by diverting resources, while millions of undocumented folks who don’t pose a threat will live in fear of deportation.
“We should also keep our doors open to refugees and those who need help. That’s who we are. Had we turned away refugees a few decades ago, Priscilla’s family wouldn’t be here today.
“That said, I was glad to hear President Trump say he’s going to “work something out” for Dreamers – immigrants who were brought to this country at a young age by their parents.
“Right now, 750,000 Dreamers benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that allows them to live and work legally in the US.
“I hope the President and his team keep these protections in place, and over the next few weeks I’ll be working with our team at FWD to find ways we can help.
“I’m also glad the President believes our country should continue to benefit from “people of great talent coming into the country.”
“These issues are personal for me even beyond my family. A few years ago, I taught a class at a local middle school where some of my best students were undocumented.
“They are our future too. We are a nation of immigrants, and we all benefit when the best and brightest from around the world can live, work and contribute here.
“I hope we find the courage and compassion to bring people together and make this world a better place for everyone.”

Read more at: The Nation