LAGOS – Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have restated their commitment to suppressing the smuggling of drugs and other harmful pharmaceuticals.
Speaking at the resumed destruction of tramadol and other prohibited/fake drugs worth N14.7billion at Oke-diya dumpsite in Sagamu, Ogun State, Chairman of the joint committee, Victor Dimka told journalists that smugglers will continue to suffer huge economic losses if they continue with such importations
Dimka, who is Comptroller Enforcement at Customs Headquarters, described the seizures made in different parts of the country as a proof of uncompromising commitment to enforcement by Customs and NAFDAC officials.
He reiterated the charge by Comptroller General of Customs , Col. Hameed Ali(Rtd.), to all officers of the service to shun compromise and strictly enforce the law on anti- smuggling.
He also commended the level of cooperation customs is receiving from NAFDAC, Nigerian Army and other government organizations, describing it as a good example of inter-agency cooperation between sister government outfits
“This destruction is in continuation of the exercise we started 24th July 2019 involving 58 containers of illicit drugs seized by our men. After the Lagos exercise we shall be going to Port Harcourt and Kaduna to continue with the destruction” he said.!
Dimka added that the volumes of drugs seized so far are capable of causing health hazards and damages to addicts who consume them abusively.
Loading… Speaking earlier at the event, Comptroller General of Customs, who was represented by ACG Zone A, Mrs Katharine Ekekezie, blamed importers of the drugs for several drug induced sicknesses like cancer, renal failure and heart failure
She urged Nigerians to distant themselves from the drugs that are capable of destroying lives and endanger the country while advising importers to bring in things permitted by law.
Also speaking at the destruction site, Representative of the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Pharmacists Joseph Asikpo ,a Deputy Director, described some of the seized drugs as medicines produced in contravention of approved dosages .
He narrated the adverse effects on consumers to include contracted pupils, extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, slowed heartbeat, weak muscles and loss of consciousness which could lead to death. Asikpor added that they could also cause neurological toxicity, respiratory failure and cardiac disturbances.
In another development, Western Marine Command of Service said it intercepted boats conveying smuggled 466 bags of 50kg parboiled rice and 272 cartons of poultry products.
Controller of the Command, Olugboyega Peters told journalists in Lagos that the seizures were made within two weeks of his resumption.
Peters said his officers will continually increase their patrol on waters to prevent smugglers from accessing the Nigerian markets through waters.
Indications emerged on Thursday afternoon that the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai has travelled to Awe in Nasarawa State to visit the dethroned emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. Middlebelt Repoters gathered from security sources that the Governor left Kaduna on Thursday morning to visit Sanusi. Our correspondent could not confirm this from the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Musa because his phones were unreachable. The source also said he could not confirm when El-Rufai will be back in the state.
RT HON. GAGDI HARPS ON UNITY AMONG NIGERIAN MARITIME OPERATORS.
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi has called on Maritime operators within the Eastern Naval Command to close ranks with the Nigerian Navy in order to achieve maximum security of Nigerian waterways.
The lawmaker made the assertion while chairing the stakeholders meeting of maritime operators within the Calabar axis, after a two-day oversight visits to all naval formations in the command.
Representatives of NIMASA, NPA, Customs and other maritime logistics security companies operating within the command have in different submissions, eulogised the recent achievements of the Nigerian Navy that boosted activities within the command’s areas of responsibility and testified that activities in the area have returned to normalcy, with activities of militants in the creeks reduced to near zero.
Responding to questions from newsman after the stakeholders meeting, Rt Hon Gagdi expressed satisfaction with the activities of Nigerian Navy, which restored his hope in agencies of government to optimally perform their assigned responsibilities.
According to him, the exceptional success story of the Nigerian Navy, in both operational duties and project execution is world class that must be encouraged through Legislative enactments and appropriation. He says a legislative enactment to fuether strengthen the relationship between navy and other agencies of government operating in Nigerian waterways by clearly defining roles that won’t cause needless overlaps is a necessity which the committee would present in no distant future.
He described the navy as their proud child whose performance, without even been provided with basic needs, is heartwarming and expressed optimism that with better funding and legislation, the force will compete comfortably with any navy in a developed country.
Plateau SUBEB Clarifies Issue of Alleged Commissioning of 6 Classrooms in Pilot Sci Sch. Sabon-Gida Langtang South LGA
11th March, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
MISREPRESENTATION OF FACTS ON THE ALLEGED COMMISSIONING OF TWO BLOCKS OF SIX CLASSROOMS AT THE PILOT SCIENCE CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL SABON-GIDA, LANGTANG SOUTH LGA OF PLATEAU STATE: A REJOINDER BY PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD
Our attention has been drawn to a face book post credited to the Former Minister of Youths and Sports development, Barr. Solomon Dalung alluding to an organized recommissioning of two blocks of classrooms at the Pilot science Central Primary School Sabon-gida in Langtang South LGA of the State.
Putting the record straight: The State Universal Basic Education Board is by the edit establishing it the custodian of all public primary schools in the State and serves as the policy implementation agency in the management and regulation of the schools in accordance with International best practices.
Consequently, since the advent of the present administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong in Plateau state, deliberate measures have been put in place, in the face of other challenges, by his government towards uplifting the education sector, especially at the level of basic education delivery to the children of the state. These conscious efforts culminated in the Plateau SUBEB providing over one thousand, four hundred and sixty (1,460) newly constructed blocks of classrooms in addition to the ones renovated in communities cutting across the three senatorial zones of the State within the last four years.
It should also be established that Langtang South within this period got the following allocations; construction and renovation of 41 blocks of classrooms, over 3040 tables and chairs, 1 Hilux vehicle for monitoring, a motor cycle and other learning materials including sports equipment.
One other critical role of the Board is that of canvassing and attracting partnership from spirited individuals and organizations to augument government’s effort. This is a practice that is well known all over the world and is being encouraged, due to the huge investments required in funding education. Hence the UBE slogan “Education for all, is the responsibility of all”. So it was nothing strange that individuals that included the Former Minister offered a helping hand to his community in that direction. However, it also follows that, the Board deserves to be officially informed before, during or after such interventions are made by any individual or group, which was not the case here.
Now, what really transpired. The Board relates very cordially with Education Secretaries who are considered its watchmen at the Local Government Education Authorities, which is equally in line with the provision of the edit establishing the Board.
A month ago, during one of the Board’s management meetings with the seventeen Education Secretaries, three of them from Barkin Ladi, Mikang and of course Langtang South, reported of some interventions in their areas of jurisdiction by certain groups and individuals. This attracted commendation from members of management, though the donors identities and project locations were not known at the time.
To that end, the three concerned Education Secretaries where requested to furnish the Board with details upon which they did as follows:
Mikang LGEA: Construction of a block of 3 classrooms/office/store and furnished with 25 sets of dual desk at LEA primary school Pakbut, Garkawa.
Barkin Ladi LGEA: Construction of two classrooms block with an office and the purchase and installation of computers and printers, by Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute at Gashish facilitated by Chief Dr. Jonah Madugu (Dan Masanin Jos).
Langtang South: Construction of 2 blocks of combined six classrooms at Pilot science Central Primary school Sabon-gida, by Hon. Barr. Solomon Dalung.
Consequent upon receiving the information above, management decided to send representation to formally receive the three projects and not to commission as being alleged. In addition to the takeover of the projects, management delivered to all three donors letters conveying government’s appreciation for their kind gestures.
At the three project sites, representatives of the donors were on hand which included Hon. Solomon Selcap Dalung’s proxy, the Ponzhi Sabon-gida HRH Bamaiyi Magaji Fakdul who did not only convey Hon. Dalung’s apology for being absent at the brief ceremony for ill-health but in return appreciated the SUBEB team for coming to carry out the exercise. Other dignitaries at the occasion were the Local Government Council Chairman, represented by the supervisory councilor for Education Barr. Nansak Nimsel, while the Education Secretary coordinated proceedings.
During the brief ceremony, it is on record that no reference was made to the “Lalong Legacy projects” which of course was not necessary. The “Lalong Legacy project” are entirely separate interventions not only limited to the school system but encompasses the health sector. The projects are well designed and are being constructed to provide an enduring legacy not just for the government but the inhabitants of the State.
Of the three projects that were taken over, two had actually been put to use at the time of our visit and they are the ones at LEA Pakbut and Kuzen in Gashish. The one at the Pilot Science Central Primary school Sabon-gida was not in use because the donation was not accompanied by furniture as is the tradition in all intervention efforts of SUBEB/UBEC.
While the SUBEB still maintains its position of showing gratitude to all donors, it is expedient to note that, the Sabon-gida Pilot Science Central primary school requires more attention from both the government and those who were direct beneficiaries of the school by being mentored there. The representative of Hon. Solomon Dalung attested to this position when presenting his remarks and that the school needs more support. He requested for a perimeter fence and water supply for the school. The project in Kuzen has a complete set of computers and accessories for which the pupils have commenced use. That of Pakbut, though without computers, all classrooms are fully furnished.
We wish to state here that the statement credited to the Hon. Former Minister, is not in tandem with what actually took place in Pilot Science Central Primary School Sabon-gida. The management of the Board duly acknowledged that the project was built and donated by him, for which encomium was poured on him. It is not fair to misrepresent facts for personal gains against a Board whose only mission there was to express the appreciation of government.
We also feel that those who were there at the occasion especially the community leaders should have given Hon. Solomon Dalung a balanced commentary of what took place on that day. However, for the avoidance of doubt, activities that characterized our visits to the various communities were these donated projects are sited was aired in the News bulletin of PRTVC of Wednesday 3rd March, 2020, I am sure this can be confirmed.
The Board is not in competition with any individual or group but it is desirous to see that on-going efforts of the Lalong administration which has changed the face of public schools within its life span is sustained. These efforts have resulted to the rising profile of the State in national examinations. Evidences of these abound of the children in our public schools being adjudged the best in the country based on reading, writing and numeracy by the Universal Learning Solution of the United Kingdom. The state contingent represented Nigeria in an International debating competition in India, 2019. Other laurels that have been won include Spelling Bee and the Mathematics National Competition trophies including a host of others. The Board wishes to state categorically that, the construction of storey buildings as classroom models as mentioned by the Former Minister does not take away the pride of the state in achieving academic successes. The two states mentioned as being credited for the model classroom structures are not anywhere near Plateau state in academic excellence. Perhaps, it may be necessary to comprehend the indices of educational inputs for achievable outcomes. We call on all to support these efforts of government while equally welcoming any constructive criticisms that will add value to the process of building a new and virile plateau state.
Signed: Richard Jonah, Head Public Relations, Plateau SUBEB.
A bill, 2020 (SB. 387) for an act to establish Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT) Kanam scaled through First Reading in Senate today 10/ March/2020 courtesy of Sen. Dimka, Hezekiah Ayuba of Plateau Central.
The functions of the Institution once established shall include:
a) to provide full-time and part-time courses in Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Technology, Applied Sciences, Management Sciences, and other fields of study leading to the award of Ordinary/National Diploma, Higher National Diploma, and certificates in specialized programs;
b) to provide facilities and encourage research in all areas of focus to aid the development of Nigeria in the areas of industry, commercial, Technology, and Engineering etc;
c) to arrange conferences, seminars and study groups relevant to the fields of learning specified in (a) above;
d) to perform such other functions which in the opinion of the institute, may serve to prom it objectives;
e) to provide a well develop an articulate technical education through consistent research, development and constant contact with renowned institutions and appropriate industries;
f) to provide appropriate training and vocational dexterity for a self reliant and focused Nigerian students, and also to provide industrial skills for those who want to be employers of labour or gainfully employed;
g) to perform such other functions as in the opinion of the council, may serve to promote the objectives of the institute; and
h) to carry out other activities as necessary and expedient for the full discharge of any of its functions pursuant to this bill.
By the special grace of God, it is our hope and prayers that this bill will be passed into law as well assented by President Muhammadu Buhari before the end of this 9th Assembly.
May God give our Distinguished Senator and other critical stakeholders from the Zone and the state at large the capacity to pursue this bill to its logical conclusion.
Thank you.
ND Shehu Kanam Senior Legislative Aide to Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Ayuba Dimka of Plateau Central and Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs Narcotics.
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE LEGAL TEAM OF MALLAM MUHAMMADU SANUSI, II, CON ON HIS ILLEGAL DETHRONEMENT, DEPORTATION AND BANISHMENT TO NASSARAWA STATE BY THE KANO STATE GOVERNMENT
Gentlemen of the Press, a very good afternoon. I thank you for coming to our offices this afternoon for the purpose of this press briefing on behalf of our client Muhammadu Sanusi II who was yesterday morning, the 9th day of March 2020 deposed as Emir of Kano by the Governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who claimed to have acted on a resolution of the Kano State Executive Council.
This action is our view is illegal and unconstitutional. The Kano State Emirate Council Law which was recently enacted by the Government of Kano State does not give the State Executive Council or the Governor of Kano State the powers to unilaterally remove the emir.
The reason given in the letter of deposition of the Emir dated 9th March, 2020, was alleged ‘disrespect to lawful instructions from the authorities’. The Emir was also alleged to have ‘refused to attend official programmes and meetings organized by the Government’, As far as we are aware, there has not been any notice of such disrespect ever given to the Emir or querry issued to him for refusal to attend official functions. He was never given any opportunity to defend himself against those charges. Section 13 of the Kano Emirates Council Law 2019 cited in the letter of deposition empowers the Governor to depose an Emir only after due inquiry and in consultation with State Council of Chiefs. We are not aware of such due inquiry nor are we aware that the Kano State Council of Chiefs was at any time summoned to any meeting much less discuss the removal of the Emir or give any advise to the Governor on the deposition. Muhammadu Sanusi II was the Chairman of the Council and if such meeting was summoned, he would have been aware. He would have informed us. In our view the action was patently illegal and unconstitutional and a clear abuse of power.
Be that as it may, the decision to challenge the removal is solely that of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. At this moment no such instruction has been given to us.
Since the deposition was announced, I was at the Palace yesterday afternoon in the company of one of my colleagues to consult with the Emir. We met him in good spirit in company of his family and a few associates. He said to us that he was waiting for the deposition letter from the Government House and was informed that the Commissioner of Police was on his way along with certain government officials. While waiting there was commotion in the private wing the palace as some unauthorized persons tried to gain entry into the family section. This led to some scuffle and teargas were fired by the security operatives.
Normalcy was restored after the unauthorized persons along with armed security operatives retreated from the inner part of the palace. I subsequently, along with my colleagues was able to meet with the Commissioner of Police and other security operatives and with the permission of the emir, they were led to one his sitting rooms where the deposition letter was served on him by an agent of the State Government.
The Emir accepted the letter and decided to acknowledge it personally after writing some Quranic Verses in the Arabic script along with his signature. This was handed over the government official. In the letter of deposition, it was stated that the Emir was to be removed to Nassarawa State. We requested to know if he was under arrest and if so we needed to see the warrant. The Commissioner of Police informed us that he was not under arrest. We informed the Commissioner of Police that was illegal and violation of his constitutional rights to remove to Nassarawa State against his wish. The Emir informed the Commissioner of Police that his friends had sent an aircraft to fly him and his family to Lagos and requested that they should be provided with necessary security to the airport so that he could leave. The Commissioner refused saying that was not their instruction. They were willing to allow the family to leave for Lagos but he was to be flown to Abuja then onwards taken to Nassarawa State. It was clear to us that both the Emir and ourselves were helpless and the police and other security agents were willing to take any measure and use force to achieve their objective. In order not to jeopardize the Emir’s safety or the safety of any member of his family or indeed other persons around, the Emir decided to cooperate and proceed in the vehicles provided by the operatives. We accompanied the Commissioner of Police to the Nigerian Airforce base in Kano where the Emir was put a private aircraft and departed at about 6.40pm. The family subsequently boarded the aircraft arranged by his friends and departed for Lagos about 15 minutes later. Gentlemen, we have not spoken to the Emir since yesterday but we understand they are at their destination somewhere in a remote part of Nassarawa State after driving for nearly seven hours in the night and arrived at about 2.00 am this morning. We understand the choice of location to detain HH Muhammadu Sanusi II was intended to cause maximum trauma and distress. This again is illegal and unconstitutional.
According to instructions we received from the Emir through his Chief of Staff, we are directed to take legal action to challenge the legality of the Emirs detention and banishment. We are of the firm view that this action is illegal and unconstitutional. Section 35 of our constitution guarantees every citizen the right to personal liberty. The basis of the denial of personal liberty are set out clearly in this Section of the Constitution. None applies to the case of the Emir.
The archaic practice of banishment of deposed Emirs, a colonial practice has no basis under Nigerian law or the Constitution. We are totally perplexed at the resort to this practice in present day Nigeria by its political leaders. The illegality of this practice was pronounced by the Nigerian Court of Appeal in Attorney General Kebbi State v. HRH Alhaji Al Mustapha Jakolo and ors 2013 LPELR 22349/CA where the Court pronounced it as illegal and unconstitutional and gross violation of the rights of the Emir. This is what the court said in that case: The banishment and deportation from Kebbi State by the Governor of Kebbi State….of the first respondent to Lafia in Nassarawa State and later to Obi also in Nassarawa State is most unconstitutional and illegal.
We call on the authorities, in particular the Inspector General, the Director General of Department State Services and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to ensure the immediate release of HH Muhammadu Sanusi II so that he can be reunited with his family.
We are concerned about the personal safety and security of HH Muhammdu Sanusi II and wish to call on all well meaning Nigerians and the International Community to bring their influence to bear to ensure that HH Muhammadu Sanusi regains his liberty immediately and to guaranty his safety and security.
The legal team of HH are working both in Kano and Abuja and unless he is released immediately, we will be taking appropriate legal action.
Thank you
Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, OON, SAN, FCIArb, (UK), FNLI For and On Behalf of the Legal Team.
The second phase of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy oversight visits took them to the Eastern Naval Command, Calabar.
The committee arrived Calabar on Sunday 8th March, 2020 preparatory to its oversight visit to all naval formations within the Eastern Naval Command.
The committee was at the headquarters of the eastern naval command where it was welcomed by the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral DA Adeniran.
The committee Chairman inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Command’s Quarter Guard, before been led to the Command’s Conference room where the committee was briefed on the activities of the command, encapsulating its achievements, challenges and projections.
In his response, the committee Chairman assured that their visit was not to victimize anybody, but to take a genuine assessment of the activities of the command and collaborate in whatever way necessary to assist the command overcome its challenges for optimum productivity.
As the command securing the highest number of oil installations in the country, the committee Chairman assured that the basic needs of the command must be met, so as to further secure the main source of revenue of Nigeria and the mainstay of its economy.
The committee was at Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Victory, where it was received by the commandant, Rear Admiral VC Okeke. The committee was conducted round the jetty.
From there, the committee was led to the Naval Primary School, Ikot-Ansa where it inspected ongoing projects within the school.
The committee was at Naval Referral Hospital Calabar, where it inspected facilities at the hospital and the ongoing interns quarters construction project, a 24 single-room self content apartments. The committee Chairman expressed satisfaction with the quality of work been delivered and advised the site engineer to consider certain safety measures while tiling the lobbies.
The committee was led by the FOC Eastern Naval Command to the Navy Secondary School, Akpabuyo- Calabar, where the Chairman inspected a guard of honour mounted by students of the school, before inspecting the e-library constructed by the command. The committee inspected the hostel accommodation under construction in the school, yo replace the one gutted by fire sometime ago.
Members inspected ongoing building constructions at Atimbo and Akim Naval barracks, both in Calabar before taking their lunch at NNS Victory officer’s mess, where the committee rounded off its visits for the day 1.
Governors of the North East region of Nigeria have agreed to set up regional power generation by supporting the Mambilla Power Project to ensure the economic advancement of the region.
The Governor of Gombe State Inuwa Yahaya disclosed this at a Northeast Governors Consultative meeting in Gombe State Government House.
Inuwa Yahaya said this was part of the resolve of the governors to address the challenges facing the region.
According to him, the governors have agreed to harness the Agricultural potentials of the zone with a view to ensure food security not only in the region but in the country in general.
He said they have also resolved to key into the environmental initiative of the Federal Government in addition to praising the authorities concerned on the ongoing oil exploration in the zone.
The Gombe State Governor said his colleagues who expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the North East Development Commission pledged to provide the necessary support to achieve the desired objectives.
The Governors appealed to the Commission to ensure its projects were executed based on the basic needs of the beneficiaries so as to overcome their challenges.
On security, he said the Governors have directed State Attorney General in their respective states to work together in order to enhance security in the region.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said already the Governors have set up technical committee to ensure the full implementation of all the agreements reached at the meeting.
The next meeting of the North East Governors was scheduled to hold on the 15 of April, 2020 in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state.
Governor Maimala Buni of Yobe state who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the Governors, commended the Governor of Gombe State for hosting the meeting and identified increased activities of insurgents as one of the major challenges facing the region.
Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammad alongside his colleagues of Adamawa, Yobe, Borno and Gombe states attended the meeting while the Governor of Taraba state was represented by his Deputy.
As you celebrate your birthday today, on behalf of myself, my families and well wishers, we join millions of other people to celebrate with you on this special day.
As a father and leader whom we are proud of, we pray for God’s wisdom, good health and more grace as you lead us in the zone and praying that you lead us on the Plateau and Nigeria at large.
We are proud of your work in Plateau Central Zone and in the red Chamber, keep making us proud sir.
Happy Birthday once again our father and leader, Distinguished Senator Nde Hezekiah Dimka.
MiddleBelt Reporters 