Government Yet To Unfreeze Our Bank Accounts Since Oct 2020

 Activists linked to the #EndSARS protests have said the Post No Debit restriction placed on their accounts by the Central Bank of Nigeria has yet to be lifted.

The CBN had in October 2020 asked banks to freeze the bank accounts of about 20 individuals involved in controlling #EndSARS funds.

The affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Gatefield Nigeria Limited, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise, Mosopefoluwa Odeseye and Adegoke Pamilerin Emmanuel.

Others are Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon and Idunu A. Williams.

The #EndSARS protests, which held for 13 days in various parts of the country, called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police and urged the government to carry out general police reforms.

Donations were received in various currencies, including naira and dollars using Flutterwave to provide food, medical care and legal aid to protesters.

However, the donation link was disabled. The donation was subsequently moved to Bitcoin.

Speaking with PUNCH, Odeseye said she was also denied issuance of passport by the Nigeria Immigration Service who informed her she had been blacklisted and asked to proceed to Abuja.

She said, “But before then, a friend reached out to me that why couldn’t we put out information that we wanted to make food for the protesters at Alausa and I said okay. Immediately, a few people reached out and they asked for bank details and all of that , people started sending in money to support the project; that was how I got involved in the protest.

“One of those days, one or two people needed to send money to me and they couldn’t send it and their accounts were not restricted. They wondered what was wrong with my account. (There was) no formal form of communication by the CBN.

“I didn’t find it funny, I didn’t commit any crime. So I felt very horrible and wondered why I was blacklisted. So as we speak now, my bank account has not been released to me yet, I don’t have my passport yet.”

Also speaking, Israel, a pharmacist, who was in charge of the #EndSARS medical team in Port Harcourt, said, “It’s being three months now and I cant even have access to my money; the money is just there, the money I have worked for in all my life. I have people that depend on me, I have my family, my mum, my dad, siblings. I can’t even take care of my self, my family. I am sure other people who have their accounts frozen by CBN have the same issues too.

“For three months, it’s being a terrible experience, I have to beg people for money. But it’s not my fight, I have to continue this fight. We have to be resilient and resolute about this issue. Why should they come and clamp down on an innocent Nigerian like me?

“I was in charge of the medical team in Port Harcourt and we had people donating for medical supplies, food, water, ambulance services and these donations were made directly into my account and of course these donations had EndSARS descriptions so I think that was how they were able to flag my account.

“I was trying to make a debit transaction on my account and noticed that there was a restriction. So, I visited a branch of Access Bank in UNIPORT, and the branch manager sent a mail to the head office. The response to the mail was that there was a directive from the CBN to restrict the account.

“The lady was surprised and even asked me if I had any issue with the CBN."

UNILAG denies charging N50,000 for online classes

 

The management of the University of Lagos has denied charging N50,000 for online classes.

Head of the Media Unit of the university, Mrs Olufadeke Akinleye, however, said the institution would commence online classes on the announced date due to the second wave of COVID-19.

But a few days after the institution released its revised academic calendar, a report surfaced online that the students are expected to pay N50,000 for classes.

The university in a statement, titled, ‘Disclaimer: UNILAG resumption is absolutely free’, said, “The Management of University of Lagos wishes to inform all students, parents and the general public, that a notice on the internet purporting that returning students of the University of Lagos are to pay a sum of ₦50,000 for online lectures and examinations, is FALSE and should be disregarded.

All students are to commence online lectures on Monday, January 25, 2021 at absolutely NO COST.

“In the future, it is advised that our esteemed stakeholders and interested individuals kindly check the official University of Lagos website and official social media platforms for verified information about the University.”

Plateau State University ASUU Commences Indefinite Strike

 The Plateau State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has commenced an indefinite strike action, Insidenaija reports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ASUU chapter said it embarked on strike due to insecurity, poor infrastructural development and arrears of earned allowances for its members amounting to over N215 million.

Insidenaija gathers that Dr Pamson Bentse, chairman of the union in the university, disclosed this on Friday, January 15, in Jos.

He said the decision to proceed on strike was reached after its congress meeting, held at the University’s main campus, in Bokkos.

Bentse explained that the union had been pressing for these demands for the past three years, but nothing had been done to address them.

He also complained about the absence of a Governing Council in the university in the past year, saying it is not healthy for the growth of the institution.

Bentse added that students are not safe on the campus because the university is not fully fenced.

He said: “We have pushed for these demands for the last three year, but it fell on deaf ears and this afternoon, with the approval of our National Executive Council (NEC), we declared an indefinite strike."

Fire Engulfs Ijesha Market, Surulere In Lagos (Photos, Video)

 

A huge fire resulting from a suspected power surge, on Saturday, January 16, destroyed 12 shops at Ijesha area of Surulere in Lagos, Insidenaija reports.

The Ag. Head, Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, made the disclosure while responding to inquiries about the incident, which occurred around 6.30pm.

“A distress call was received from 1, Market Road, Ijesha Street, Surulere, at about 18:31hrs today. Isolo and Bolade Fire Stations were promptly detailed to rescue the situation and they completely put out the fire at the incident scene,” Adeseye said.

She further explained that on arrival at the location, the firefighters discovered that the 12 shops, which were attached to a residential building, had been severely burnt.

While disclosing that investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire, Mrs. Adeseye stated that no injury nor death was recorded and the fire was completely extinguished around 21:03hrs.

She urged Lagosians to remain cautious with the use of electrical gadgets and ensure qualified electrical engineers are engaged to fix faults to forestall such occurrences in future.

Reps Oppose School Resumption, Propose Three-Month Postponement

The House of Representatives has faulted the Federal Government for giving schools the go-ahead to resume on Monday despite the increasing cases of COVID-19.

The House said government officials did not consult the relevant committees of the National Assembly, contrary to their claim that all relevant stakeholders were consulted before arriving at the January 18, 2021, resumption date.

It, therefore, demanded postponement of resumption for three months, where necessary safety measures weren’t put in place and compliance with protocols low.

Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, disclosed these in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday.

“They did not consult us; at least in my committee, nobody from the ministry spoke to me. I have been in Abuja. And I am not sure that they spoke to any of my members. They just don’t see us as part of the critical stakeholders,” he said.

Ihonvbere, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Saturday, on behalf of his committee, opposed the Monday resumption date.

The statement was titled “School resumption: Are we truly prepared?”

It read, “The Committee on Basic Education and Services, House of Representatives, has received with concern the decision of the Federal Government to reopen schools on January 18, 2021.

“We are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under, schools were closed; but now that it hovers well above 1,000 infections daily, schools are being reopened. Why are we rushing to reopen schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure our children?”

2023: Governors intensify plot to hijack APC, PDP

 Some serving and former governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear set for a major confrontation ahead of the 2023 polls, authoritative political sources revealed on Saturday.

On one side are the incumbent governors who, party sources said, are tightening their grip on the APC and the PDP with a view to determining who gets what, including the presidential tickets of the two parties.

On the other side are the ex-governors who feel marginalized but are determined to remain relevant in the scheme of things.

Sources said the ex-governors are already holding consultations on forming a hybrid mega party from the two leading parties.

The ex-governors are reaching out to some serving governors to secure their buy-in for the planned party.

Although details of the budding party are still being worked out, investigation by The Nation revealed that APC and PDP governors have gone far in seizing the souls of the parties.

While the APC governors, a few ministers and some stakeholders have succeeded in the first stage of their plot by putting in place the Buni Caretaker Committee, the PDP governors are said to be watching their steps.

More of the plan of the APC governors is expected to unfold before or during the National Convention of the party in June, sources said.

According to findings, the arrowheads of the governors’ plan have been meeting intermittently in Abuja on the direction they intend to take the party in 2023.

There were fears last night that the new shape of APC may “lay less emphasis on pre-merger parties.”

It was learnt that some of the governors believe the “conditions precedent for the 2014 merger are no longer obtainable.”

It was gathered that the affected governors are lobbying stakeholders to “dispense with the 2014 coalition because new elements, including those from the opposition PDP, are massively defecting to APC.”

Some of the APC governors are allegedly not bothered that “the reforms being put in place may lead to the sidelining of the founding fathers of the party.”

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From the look of things, APC governors are calling the shots and they are pushing ongoing reforms to take control of the party.

“They are being backed by some powerful ministers and a few ex-governors who felt shortchanged in the primaries for the 2019 elections.

“In fact, some governors, who were initially suspicious of the reforms in the party have seen the handwriting on the walls and have started retracing their steps to join forces with those who sacked Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led NWC.

“Some of these governors now backing reforms also have their second term ambition at risk if they are not part of the moves to seize the party.

“So far, from the scheming of the APC governors, the June National Convention may alter the pre-merger agreement which led to the formation of APC.

“The governors may largely influence the choice of the new NWC of the APC.”

Another source said: “I think what is playing out is that the governors’ bloc in APC is trying to be stronger and more powerful than the party. It is a replica of what obtained when PDP was in power.

“They have the war chest and they will control the delegates to the National Convention. What they need is to dictate the pace in APC.”

Other sources said some of the “founding fathers of APC and critical stakeholders are” watching development in the party with an eagle eye.”

“Since President Muhammadu Buhari, some governors and ministers were part of the merger talks, they are waiting for whether or not the pact will still subsist,” one of the sources said.

Continuing, the source said: “APC has a unique model which the governors cannot alter overnight under the guise of reforms.

“The Caretaker Committee, led by Governor Mai Mala Buni, has given assurance of fairness and sustainable reforms in the party. We are eager to see the outcome of its ongoing repositioning of APC.”

It was learnt that a similar scenario is playing out in PDP.

A few PDP governors are suspicious of the reforms in the party being pushed by Governors Nyesom Wike, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and a few others.

Part of the reforms is to sack the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Prince Uche Secondus.

It was gathered that the jostle for the presidential ticket of PDP is making some governors to ask for the “reorganisation” of the party.

It was learnt that some influential ex-governors, past political office holders and founding fathers of PDP have vowed to checkmate Wike and others.

A member of the National Caucus of the party said: “I think our major challenge in PDP is the desperation of some governors to hijack the party. Some of these governors were nowhere in 1998 when the party was formed.

“They don’t talk of the ideals of the party. They don’t care about the future of the party. All they are after is taking over the party structure for selfish purposes.

“Our founding fathers have realised this and they will resist it. At worst, those governors will leave PDP for us and seek shelter elsewhere.

Investigation confirmed that “new developments in APC and PDP” accounted for the search for a “hybrid” party.

Although ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha dropped hint of a new party at a function in Port Harcourt, it was learnt he only let out ongoing consultations by some governors, ex-governors and political leaders.

“I think a new party may emerge from the coalition of forces in APC and PDP,” said a source familiar with the development.

“A lot of covert talks/permutations are ongoing. This year is crucial and I think by the last quarter of the year, the nation may witness new dimensions,” a former governor said.

Some other political sources said the group plotting the birth of a new party comprises former governors, former House of Representatives Speakers, serving and former National Assembly members as well as a number of other prominent politicians from the two leading parties.

The group is already reaching out to some other political groups, including the Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), Congress of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum and some civil society organisations across the country. One source said: “At a recent meeting in Abuja, it was agreed that the door of the group should be opened to more aggrieved persons from the APC and the PDP who have been signifying interest in joining the coalition.”

One of the promoters of the new group, whose primary objective is to break the alleged monopoly being enjoyed by the APC and PDP, said in Lagos, yesterday, that a former governor from the Southeast, a former senator who also governed a state in the Northwest, two former Speakers of the House of representatives from the north as well as two current principal officers of the National Assembly, are among the prime movers of the ongoing move for a new platform ahead of 2023.

Speaking to The Nation on the development, a chieftain of the NIM, otherwise known as the Third Force, confirmed the development.

He said the Third Force was recently invited to a meeting in Abuja by promoters of what he described as a ‘brand new political coalition, different from the APC and the PDP.”

He said leaders of the movement, who attended the meeting, were yet to brief the whole house on the discussions.

“But I can confirm to you that there is a move to bring the opposition in Nigeria together ahead of 2023,” he said.

“This time, the move is not from one party or group, but from different people and groups dissatisfied with the bullying we are being subjected to by both the APC and the PDP.”

Biden to sign executive orders rejoining Paris climate accord and rescinding travel ban on first day

 President-elect Joe Biden plans to sign roughly a dozen executive orders, including rejoining the Paris climate accord and ending the travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries, on his first day in office, according to a memo from incoming chief of staff Ron Klain.

He'll also sign orders halting evictions and student loan payments during the coronavirus pandemic and issuing a mask mandate on all federal property in an effort to either roll back moves made by the Trump administration or advance policy in a way that was impossible in the current administration.

One of Biden's most common campaign trail promises was to tackle an issue on his first day in office -- a pledge he usually made to either contrast himself with President Donald Trump or highlight just how important he believed an issue to be. These promises were made on everything from climate change to immigration to foreign policy, and many are reflected in Klain's Saturday memo, which was first reported by the New York Times.

"During the campaign, President-elect Biden pledged to take immediate action to start addressing these crises and build back better," Klain writes. "As president, he will keep those promises and sign dozens of executive orders, presidential memoranda, and directives to Cabinet agencies in fulfillment of the promises he made."

Beyond executive actions in his first days in office, the memo outlines that Biden plans to send Congress a large-scale immigration plan within his first 100 days in office. The plan would offer a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrations currently in the United States.

Biden rolled out his first legislative priority this week, announcing a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that included direct payments to Americans. Biden made clear during a speech on the plan that he wanted it to be the first issue Congress takes up after he is inaugurated on January 20.

The memo makes clear a key part of Biden's overall strategy includes getting Congress to act on his legislative priorities, something Biden ran on by highlighting his relationships with Republicans in the Senate. The focus is an acknowledgment that only so much can be done via executive order.

"Full achievement of the Biden-Harris Administration's policy objectives requires not just the executive actions the president-elect has promised to take, but also robust Congressional action," Klain wrote.

The day after Biden is inaugurated, according to Klain, he will "sign a number of executive actions to move aggressively to change the course of the COVID-19 crisis and safely re-open schools and businesses, including by taking action to mitigate spread through expanding testing, protecting workers, and establishing clear public health standards."

And on January 22, Biden will direct his Cabinet agencies to "take immediate action to deliver economic relief to working families bearing the brunt of this crisis," Klain writes.

The flurry of action is meant to show Americans that Biden is not wasting any time taking control of the coronavirus -- something the Biden transition has been intently focused on. But the scope and breadth of the topics Biden will address also highlights the extent to which Democrats believe the incoming administration will have to be focused on multiple issues at once to be successful.

From January 25 to February 1, Klain writes that Biden will issue orders on everything from directing his government to buy American products to beginning to fulfill promises to reform the criminal justice system.

During that week-long period, Biden will also order the federal government to determine how to reunite children separated from their families at the US-Mexico border, as well sign additional orders aimed at tackling climate change and expanding access to health care.

"Of course, these actions are just the start of our work," Klain writes. "Much more will need to be done to fight COVID-19, build our economy back better, combat systemic racism and inequality, and address the existential threat of the climate crisis. But by February 1st, America will be moving in the right direction on all four of these challenges — and more — thanks to President-elect Joe Biden's leadership."

Political pressure on Biden

Because Biden routinely promised to take action on "Day One" of his administration, hosts of interest groups and advocacy organization have put public pressure on Biden to live up to his promises.

"There is a lot riding on Biden ending the ban on the first day of his presidency because this is something he has campaigned on," said Iman Awad, national legislative director of Emgage Action, an advocacy organization for Muslim Americans. "With that, we understand that we are facing so much during this political moment: A current president making this transition nearly impossible, the insurrection, and the pandemic. Nevertheless, Muslim American communities are hopeful that the Biden Administration will fulfill that promise, despite the crises happening."

For climate change activists, Biden's promise to take swift action on an array of climate issues was a key part of why progressives rallied around Biden once he cleared the Democratic field, said Jared Leopold, co-founder of Evergreen Action, a group of former staffers to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who ran for president in 2020 focused almost entirely on climate change.

"Taking over the presidency from Donald Trump is like taking over the lease from a frat house: The cleanup task list is staggering," Leopold said. "The task for Biden is two-fold: first, clean up Trump's damage, then take action on the bold climate plan that science demands. Biden ran on the strongest climate plan in American history, and he has a clear mandate to enact it immediately by executive and legislative action."

And LGBTQ activists, like Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David, said it is critical for Biden to show clearly at the outset of his administration that he is committed to rewriting actions taken by the Trump administration.

"I do expect that the Biden-Harris administration will take affirmative steps within the first day or so of taking office to satisfy their campaign pledges," David said in an interview with CNN, highlighting the need to "ensure that the rights of LGBTQ students are enforced under Title IX."

"My goal is to make sure that the civil rights of LGBTQ people are protected, that Joe Biden meets his campaign promises and fulfills his campaign promises to the community," said David. "And all of my expectations lead me to conclude and based on conversations that I've had, that they are going to be taking those steps to make sure that they meet their campaign obligations and promises."

Apostle Paul Okikijesu 2021 Prophecies: Crisis In Aso Rock, A Governor Will Die -

Apostle Paul Okikijesu of the Christ Apostolic Miracle Ministry has claimed in a series of prophecies that God revealed to him there will be a serious crisis in Aso Rock.

According to him, the said crisis will shake the entire nation and affect every soul in the country.

He said there will be a great misunderstanding between the Fulani herdsmen and Niger Delta people.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: A looming crisis will burst in Aso Rock between January and March 2021. It will have a widespread effect; it will shake the Nation and make people to tremble,” he said in the prophecies made available to DAILY POST.

“Thus says the Lord: People should pray seriously for Aso Rock, because of the crisis that can make every soul in Nigeria to be worried. Write this period down, that is what will happen and there is nothing that can be removed from it, says the Lord God of hosts,” he said.

He further said that a 2023 presidential aspirant will pass on.

He also predicted the death of a sitting Governor, while a woman will take over after much crisis.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: One of the 2023 Presidential aspirants is about to leave this world, and rest permanently. Three of them are presently sick and they are being treated. If one of them dies, the remaining two sick aspirants will be afraid.

“A male governor will die and the Deputy Governor who is female will assume the position of the Governor of the State.

“Thus says the Lord: They will agree that the woman who is the Deputy Governor should be the Interim Governor. It will be like the case of Jonathan and Ya’radua.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: The people of Niger-Delta will flare up between February and March 2021.

“Certain things will manifest that will cause great misunderstanding between the people of Niger-Delta and the Fulani Herdsmen,” he added.

Cindy Okafor Survives Car Accident On Her 25th Birthday

 BBNaija's Cindy Okafor survived a car accident on her birthday on Wednesday, January 13, IgbereTV reports.

Cindy turned 25 on Wednesday. She was driving from her birthday dinner with some friends in her ride when they had the accident.

The collision was so strong the airbags in her car came out.

Fortunately, she came out unhurt.

She wrote on her Instagram handle:

''My 25th can never be the end of me.. I'm fine and safe, including the people with me in the car..
A few bruises but nothing major,
God I thank you"

https://youtu.be/jTNBmvDxkgE

55-Year-Old Man Arrested For Raping 7 Teenagers In Jos

 The police in Plateau state have arrested a 55-year-old man, Abdulhamid Sale, pictured above for allegedly raping seven teenagers in Bukuru community of Jos South local government area.

A youth leader in the community, Aliyu Hassan, said the suspect was arrested after one of the mothers of his victim reported the matter to members of the vigilante group in the community.

“The arrest of the suspect came after a report by a mother to one of the victims to the vigilante group in the area that she saw her daughter with a phone and felt that something was wrong.

After a thorough investigation, we found out that the phone was given to the girl by the said Abdulhamid Sale, and further checks revealed that he raped seven girls, mostly 13 years old in Kugiya area of Bukuru, who are mostly hawkers, by luring them with as little as 50 Naira, and small Tecno Phones''Aliyu said

Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Gabriel Ubah, said the suspect is in the custody of the police and would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the matter is concluded.