Buhari backs ECOWAS on 12 months transition plan in Mali [Sun]
President Muhammadu Buhari has backed the rejection of Mali junta’s request for a military-led transitional body to rule for three years by the Heads of State and Governments of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He further charged the military leadership to be flexible in their negotiations by putting the interest of all Malians and the harmony of the sub-region into consideration. He made his position know on Friday at the third extraordinary summit of ECOWAS on the socio-political crisis in Mali, which held virtually.
The President charged the military junta in Mali to set an acceptable timetable for return to democratic government, since the country cannot afford to stand alone in the sub-region.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari in his remarks said from the briefings presented by the Special Envoy, former President Goodluck Jonathan, it was clear that the regional body’s engagements with the new military leadership in Mali were yet to achieve the desired results in several key areas.
“I am, however, personally happy to hear of the release from detention of the former President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who is reported to be in good condition. The disposition of the new leadership to free the remaining senior officials is noted as this should contribute to the renewed sense of belonging to the Malian people.
“With regards to other areas being negotiated, Nigeria believes that the people of Mali and the military leaders need to appreciate the fragility of their country and the imminent danger which it poses to the citizens of Mali as well as the ECOWAS sub-region,” he said.
Buhari while stressing the need for the military leadership to be flexible in negotiations said: “For the people of Mali, specifically the leadership, embracing Democracy and Good Governance is crucial to the country’s political stability. Mali cannot therefore afford to stand alone, hence the need to come to terms with the realities of an acceptable and workable transition compact that inspires the confidence of all Malians.
“Meanwhile, I urge the military leadership to consider: the immediate release of all the remaining senior Government officials in detention, without pre-conditions; a transition process, to be completed in not more than 12 months, and which shall include the representatives of Malian stakeholders.
“This is a critical consideration for the new government to enjoy the cooperation and collaboration of regional and international community, and to allow the easing of sanctions imposed on Mali.’’
President Buhari also emphasized the need for Mali’s Constitutional Court to work hand in hand with all the Malian stakeholders to ensure an early and hitch-free return to a democratic government through free, fair and inclusive election.
According to him, “In this connection Nigeria will, alongside ECOWAS, provide necessary logistics support to facilitate the conduct of elections to re-establish democratic governance in Mali.
“As I conclude this intervention, let me thank once again, the Mediator, Dr Jonathan, as well as my colleagues in the sub-region, who have continued to demonstrate sincere commitment to the resolution of this crisis. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the good people of Mali.’’
President Buhari commended the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic for convening the extraordinary summit.
The President also condoled with Alassane Ouattara, President of Cote D’ivoire, on the loss of a close aide, Mamadi Diane. Among declarations of the summit adopted by ECOWAS leaders were that the transition government in Mali must be led by civilians, and that the return to constitutional order should be concluded within 12 months.
Malian military was also encouraged to focus on securing the country, faced with severe security threats from its northern part, instead of an incursion into governance.
Insecurity: Amotekun commanders draw redline for Miyetti Allah vigilantes [Sun]
- Stay away from South East, Ohanaeze, IPOB, INC warn as govs react
As Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore deploys its vigilantes to protect herdsmen and their cows across the country, heads of regional security network in Southwest states, codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ have drawn redlines the cattle breeders private security operatives must not cross in the interest of peace.
Pro-Igbo groups like Ohanaeze, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and Igbo National Council, INC have however handed an outright ban on the deployment of the Miyetti Allah vigilantes in the entire South East while the Benue state internal security network has also warned it would not have anything to do with the herders. This is even as South East governors are billed to discuss the implication of this development on the security architecture of the region in their next meeting. The Miyetti Allah Vigilance group was formally launched on July 25, while its operatives currently undergoing training are scheduled to be deployed across 36 states of the country any moment from now, according to their leader, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo.
In Oyo state, Gen Ajibola ‘Kunle Togun (retd), the Chairman of Amotekun Corps, declared that the outfit will not cooperate or work with the Miyetti Allah vigilante group under any guise. The former Director, Directorate of Military Intelligence and ex-Deputy Director-General of the State Security Service, told Saturday Sun in Ibadan, that Miyetti Allah is not the Federal Republic of Nigeria that has the power to deploy security personnel across the country.
Togun stated that deploying vigilance group across the country by a non-state actor is illegal and rubbish, adding that the people of Oyo State and indeed other southwest states do not want Miyetti Allah security operatives. According to him, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Adegboyega Oyetola(Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos), would not toy with the idea of welcoming Miyetti Allah vigilantes to their states. I have no business with Miyetti Allah Vigilantes. They are not a state. So, how can they come and have vigilantes across the country? As far as I am concerned, that is illegal, and I am not going to cooperate with them. Of course, I don’t think my governor, the governor of Oyo State, and I don’t think any governor in the South West is going to have them in their states”, he stated.
Would he prefer the Miyetti Allah vigilantes restrict their operations to the north and stay off southwest? He answered: “I am not going to comment on that; that is not my business. As far as I am concerned, I don’t think any governor in Yoruba states is going to welcome Miyetti Allah vigilantes in their states. If any other state agrees with them, good luck to them.”
When asked what he would do if the Miyetti Allah insists on deploying its vigilantes to Oyo and other states in the South West, Togun stated: “No governor in Yorubaland is going to allow them. How can they insist? The owners of the state don’t want them. How can they insist? Who are they? Are they government? They have no cause to do all the rubbish they are doing.”
In Osun, the Director General of Operation Amotekun, Comrade Amitolu Shittu told Saturday Sun that the deployment of Miyeti Allah vigilantes is a welcome development provided they will not operate beyond their boundaries in the South West.
Shittu said “there is nothing wrong with their deployment as long as the mission is to strengthen the security of lives and property. What we don’t want in the South West is hooliganism and vandalism and if at any time it is discovered that the Miyetti Allah vigilantes are frustrating our people, we will stop their operation. I am of the view that their own vigilante group will help prevent cattle rusting, kidnapping and rape which reign most in the north. It is also my belief that their own vigilante will help prevent invasion of our farmlands by cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen. I will encourage them to operate in the states of the South West, but with caution. They must adhere strictly to all our rules, especially the rules guiding security in the South West and also function in line with our dictates.
“However, failure to adhere to the rules will be dangerous, counter productive and tantamount to abuse of our security system. And, this we shall resist as a people of common interests. We want unity in Nigeria, but this should not be on the alter of disrespect for our own people.” Although the Director General of Ondo State Security Network also known as Operation Amotekun, Mr Adetunji Adeleye said he was not aware of the launch of the Miyeti Allah vigilante group, he however said the state will act in line with other South West states on the matter. His counterpart in Ekiti State, Brig-Gen. Joe Komolafe (rtd), said, ” if the aim of the launching of their Miyetti Allah vigilantes is in tandem with our own operation then we will cooperate, but if it is not in tandem, there is no way we can cooperate. If what they are launching is in tandem with our own operation then there is no problem, all we are after is peace and security.”
Benue will have nothing to do with Miyetti Allah vigilantes
Commander of the Benue state owned Livestock Guards, Linus Zaki has said that the security outfit would abide by the decision of the state government not to have anything to do with the Miyetti Allah vigilantes. The state governor, Samuel Ortom had earlier insisted that Fulani vigilantes will not operate in Benue State under any guise. A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase said the desperation being exhibited by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore (MAKH) to float a security outfit across the country clearly shows that the group has an ulterior motive.
Speaking to our correspondent in his office on Wednesday, the Livestock Guards’ Commander wondered what Fulani vigilantes would be doing in Benue when there’s a law against open grazing in the state. The governor has said no Fulani vigilante will operate in Benue and that is the position of the Livestock Guards too. We don’t have cows loitering about in Benue because we have a law in Benue against open grazing. I don’t think they will come here at all and if they come, I don’t think they will have anything to do because we don’t have any cows here. We in Benue have nothing to do with Fulani vigilante group,” Zaki stated.
Steer clear of Igboland, Ohanaeze warns as South East govs take a stand
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned the Miyetti Allah Hore Kautal to steer clear of any part of Igboland with their vigilante group. Ohanaeze said the group should first deal with the high level of insecurity in the north before thinking of securing elsewhere. This is as the South East Governors’ Forum is billed to discuss the issue in their next meeting. The Director General of South East Governors’ Forum, Prof. Simon Ortuanya told Saturday Sun that the Forum must have a stand on the issue if they eventually take off with the vigilante group.
He said, “I think the South East Governors will have a position on that, but they have not developed a position yet but I am sure when I talk with the Chairman there will be a position of the South East in respect to that.”
But Ohanaeze through the Acting Secretary General, Uche Achi-Okpaga described the plan by Miyetti Allah to send their vigilantes to Igboland as an insult and affront on the sensibilities of Ndigbo. Achi-Okpaga who is also the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo said, “That thought is pedestrian as it is derogatory. Perhaps, they know our terrain better than we do and that is why they will leave the North where there is high rate of insecurity to come and secure us here that we have relative security of lives and property. It is a complete insult and affront on our sensibilities. Let them maintain security in their region first before thinking of elsewhere. “Recall that few months ago the Inspector General of Police (IGP) came to the South East and parleyed with our governors and stakeholders on the establishment of community policing. May be they want to stop the IGP to start their own.
“We call on our governors, stakeholders, traditional rulers, town unions and indeed all and sundry to be on alert to ensure that aliens are not brought in, in the guise of vigilante, to come and hatch insecurity in our region. We had coexisted with herdsmen here for uncountable years until recently when the reckless, dastardly and dare devil criminals or bandits masquerading as herdsmen surfaced. As a result, we cannot entertain, in the entire South East, any form of such infiltration. It is better that the Miyetti Allah stops making such statements capable of triggering off more hate speeches and pockets of violence here and there in the country. No region in Nigeria, including the North, will allow aliens to come and watch over them as vigilante. That will be suicidal.”
We’ll chase Miyetti Allah vigilantes back to their land- IPOB
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vowed that it will chase any vigilante group sent to Igbo land by the Miyetti Allah.
According to the publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, it maintained that the Miyetti Allah security outfit, will meet their waterloo if they are deployed to the East. Powerful said “We know their mission; contrary to the lies they are feeding the gullible public with, they are rather coming to fulfill the order by their father. But we assure them that they will meet their waterloo in the entire Biafra land. We want to declare in unmistakable terms, that no Miyetti Allah vigilante is needed or will be allowed to operate in any part of Biafra land . They may operate in other parts of Nigeria but not on any Biafra soil.
“IPOB is ready for them irrespective of the sophistry of those backing them. We are very formidable and fully ready to defend our land against these vampires. We don’t need them, and will never give them any inch of our land. We shall repel them and chase them back to the Sahel. How can we allow globally recognized terrorists and those who rape and maim after butchering others to police our communities? This can never happen. However, it will be in their interest to restrict their operations to the core North where they came from, and don’t venture to step into Biafra territory, otherwise, they will regret it. We once again assure all Biafrans not to panic but to remain calm as we get ready to usher in our Sovereign State coming very soon. We have all it takes to secure all Biafra borders.”
INC vows to stop Miyetti Allah vigilante in S’East
In the same vein, the Igbo National Council (INC) has vowed to resist the Miyetti Allah vigilante from operating in the Southeast zone. The National President of INC, Chilos Godsent advised the Federal Government to stop them, insisting that their action is capable of constituting a national risk. Godsent noted that Miyetti Allah deployment of its vigilantes to other parts of the country could result to a clash with other various vigilante groups. He said “the Igbo National Council had earlier warned the Federal Government on the implications of the Miyetti Allah plans to infringe on the security rights of other nationalities in Nigeria and the potentials of this plan as threat to national security.
“Again, the Igbo National Council worldwide has also before now warned the Miyetti Allah to restrict the operations of its vigilante outfit to North West and North East regions of Nigeria to avoid clash of operations of the different vigilantes in other parts of the country. We therefore reaffirm our resolve to vehemently resist any attempt to attack and invade any community of the Igbo nation through the criminal and fraudulent disguise of the Miyetti Allah vigilante operations.
“The Igbo National Council is determined to strongly mobilize the entire Igbo race to stand up and defend the territories of the Igbo nation against any form of attack and invasion by the Miyetti Allah vigilante. We are calling on the communities in and around the Igbo nation to step-up and strengthen the enforcement of Operation Ije Aga in their various communities.
“We therefore once again call on the leaderships of the various communities in the Igbo nation to strongly equip their community vigilantes and mobilize them to start keeping vigil as it has been the tradition of the herdsmen to enter their enemy territories at night and attack the communities as far they can go.”
We‘ll no longer tolerate harassment of Nigerians in Ghana, FG warns [Sun]
■ Lists offences by Ghanaian authorities against Nigeria
The Federal Government, has said it will no longer tolerate harassment of Nigerians in Ghana. This is even as the government listed acts of hostility by Ghanaian authorities against Nigeria.
Amongst them were the seizure and demolition of properties owned by the Federal Government in Ghana which the government said, were serious breaches against the Vienna Convention, including the deportation of 825 Nigerians.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government’s position in a statement made available to Saturday Sun in Abuja.
The government’s reaction also followed series of maltreatment of Nigerian traders in Ghana, leading to forceful closure of their shops.
Mohammed stated that the Nigerian government was deeply concerned by the incessant harassment of its citizens in Ghana and the progressive acts of hostility towards the country by Ghanaian authorities, and will no longer tolerate such.
“In this regard, the Federal Government is urgently considering a number of options aimed at ameliorating the situation. The Federal Government has been documenting the acts of hostility towards Nigeria and Nigerians by the Ghanaian authorities. These include: Seizure of the Nigerian Mission’s property located at No. 10, Barnes Road, Accra, which the Nigerian Government has used as diplomatic premises for almost 50 years. This action is a serious breach of the Vienna Convention.
“Demolition of the Nigerian Mission’s property located at No. 19/21 Julius Nyerere Street, East Ridge, Accra, another serious breach of the Vienna Convention. Aggressive and incessant deportation of Nigerians from Ghana. Between January 2018 and February 2019, 825 Nigerians were deported from Ghana.
“Closure of shops belonging to Nigerians. Over 300 Nigerians shops were locked for four months in Kumasi in 2018; over 600 Nigerian shops were locked in 2019 and, currently, over 250 Nigerians shops have been locked,” Mohammed said.
The government also listed other acts of hostility to include: “Residency permit requirements for which the Ghana Immigration Service has placed huge fees, far higher than the fees charged by the Nigerian Immigration Service. These include the compulsory non-citizen ID card (US$120, and US$60 for yearly renewal); medical examinations, including for COVID-19 which is newly-introduced (about US$120), and payment for residency permit (US$400 compared to the N7,000 being paid by Ghanaians for residency card in Nigeria). “Outrageous stipulations in the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act. When the Act was initially promulgated in 1994, a foreigner is required to invest at least US$300,000 by way of equity capital and also employ 10 Ghanaians. This Act has now been amended twice, with the 2018 GIPC Act raising the minimum capital base for foreign-owned businesses to US$1m. Though targeted at foreigners, it seems GIPC’s definition of foreigners is Nigerians. The GIPC Act also negates the ECOWAS Protocol.
“Media war against Nigerians in Ghana. The negative reportage of issues concerning Nigerians resident in Ghana by the Ghanaian media is fuelling an emerging xenophobic attitude towards Nigerian traders and Nigerians in general. The immediate fallout is the incessant harassment and arrest of Nigerian traders and closure of their shops.
“Harsh and openly-biased judicial trial and pronouncement of indiscriminately-long jail terms for convicted Nigerians. There are currently over 200 Nigerians in the Nsawam Maximum prison in Ghana alone.”
The government further said it wanted to put on record, the fact that even though over one million Ghanaians are resident in Nigeria, they are not being subjected to the kind of hostility being meted out to Nigerians in Ghana. Also, Even though the main reason given for the seizure of Federal Government property at No. 10, Barnes Road in Accra is the non-renewal of lease after expiration, the Ghanaian authorities did not give Nigeria the right of first refusal or the notice to renew the lease. By contrast, the lease on some of the properties occupied by the Ghanaian Mission in Nigeria has long expired, yet such properties have not been seized.
“Nigeria has time after time demonstrated its fidelity to the long cordial relations with Ghana. But indications, especially in recent times, are that Nigeria’s stance is now being taken for granted and its citizens being made targets of harassment and objects of ridicule. This will no longer be tolerated under any guise. In the meantime, the Federal Government wishes to appeal to its citizens resident in Ghana to remain law abiding and avoid engaging in self help, despite their ordeal,” Mohammed stated.
Akpata, SANs kick as northern lawyers form parallel NBA [Punch]
The newly sworn-in President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata; and some other Senior Advocates of Nigeria have condemned the move by northern lawyers in the country to form a parallel association.
Some lawyers of northern extraction had, on Friday, formed the ‘New NBA,’ following the recent controversy that trailed the withdrawal of an invite to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as a guest speaker at the association’s conference.
The breakaway group, in a statement by two lawyers, Nuhu Ibrahim (Convener 1) and Abdulbasit Suleiman (Convener 2), explained that the formation of the ‘New NBA’ was aimed at protecting their interests as enshrined under Section 40 of the constitution.
But the NBA president, in his inaugural speech on Friday, described the secession moves within the association as unfortunate and called for unity.
Akpata said, “I am not unaware of very recent events and agitations that have tended to divide our Bar along regional and religious lines. This is rather unfortunate for an egalitarian Association like ours.
“The Bar that I want to lead, henceforth, is one that is united on all fronts and that recognises that our diversity is, perhaps, our greatest strength. I plead with all Nigerian lawyers to bear this philosophy of unity in mind as we commence a new journey together today.”
In the same vein, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, noted that, although any group of persons could form an association, due to the right to freedom of association, the factionalised NBA might not stand the test of time.
Oyetibo said, “I can’t condemn any group of people who want to form an association because there is freedom of association and it’s their constitutional right.
“But the NBA has been in existence since the beginning of time and still remains the main focus of Nigerian lawyers. Whether it (New NBA) will stand is another thing.”
He maintained that there was only one association of Nigerian lawyers acceptable to everyone.
“What are their goals? What are their motives for setting up a faction? For now, all lawyers belong to the NBA.
“The NBA remains the official body acceptable to all lawyers, but if a sectional group arises, it can only remain sectional.”
Another SAN, Yusuf Ali, said, “It is normal in an organisation to have disagreements but it is not every disagreement that must lead to disintegration or factions. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Even as much as I have my own reservations, it does not mean that we now have to engage in the balkanisation of the association of the body of lawyers in the country.
“We should not allow our differences, particularly on ethnic and religious issues, to undermine our unity.”
Similarly, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who spoke at the handover of the NBA leadership on Friday, advised aggrieved members against forming an alternative association, vowing such a move would be resisted.
Ozekhome said, “So, drop all these issues of trying to form an alternative Bar, whether you call it new NBA or progressive NBA, it’s not going to work.
“The reason is that when you begin to create a different Bar, calling it, for example, Northern Bar or new Bar, then people, very soon, are going to start calling for Southern Nigerian Army, Southern Nigerian Navy, Western Nigerian Air Force, Eastern Nigeria Tax Authority etc; where are we heading to? That is nothing but balkanisation of Nigeria and God forbid.”
The development comes barely a week after the NBA dropped el-Rufai from its line-up of speakers at the NBA virtual conference held between August 24 and August 26.
A petition to stop the Kaduna governor from attending the conference, which was started by a lawyer, Usani Odum, had garnered over 3,400 signatures on Change.Org as of 6 pm on Thursday when the NBA tweeted its decision to uninvited el-Rufai.
The NBA, in a tweet on April 20, said, “The National Executive Committee of the NBA at its ongoing meeting resolves that the invitation to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning Committee be withdrawn and the decision communicated to the governor.”
The ‘New NBA,’ on Friday, cited the controversy over the withdrawal of the invite to the governor, saying, “What has been happening recently has exposed the inability of the NBA to manage and contain the heterogeneity of its members, as well as their various interests. Its penal powers have been deployed discriminately on the basis of ethnicity and regionalism.
“As a body of lawyers, who have undergone training towards ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights and liberties, the NBA is supposed to live above sentiments, regionalism and discrimination on any basis and of any kind.
“Therefore, the NBA cannot afford to be seen not to be upholding the rights and freedom of its own members, if at all it should be seen to be practising what it preaches. As the Hausa saying goes, ‘Idan Kura tana maganin zaho, ta yi ma kanta (If a hyena has a cure for diarrhoea, let her use it for herself).’”
Helicopter two minutes from Lagos airport before crashing –Air Traffic Controllers [Punch]
- Rotor blades stopped mid-air before accident –Eyewitness
- How pilots manoeuvred to avoid crashing into school –Businessman
- Buhari, Tinubu, Obaseki mourn as three crew members die
The helicopter that crashed on Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos State, on Friday was about two minutes to reach its destination at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.
Two air traffic controllers confirmed this in separate interviews with our correspondents on Friday.
This is just as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu; and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State joined Nigerians to commiserate with the families of three crew members who died when the helicopter crashed into a fence separating two houses at 16A, Salvation Road.
The residential area was a centre of attraction on Friday, receiving a mammoth crowd that thronged the scene of the ill-fated Bell 206-3 aircraft with registration number 5N-BQW belonging to Quorum Aviation.
While the two crew members died on the spot, the survivor in a critical condition later died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
An air traffic controller at the MMA, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorised to comment on the incident, said the chopper took off from Port Harcourt, Rivers State and was about two minutes to reach its destination at the local wing of the airport when it crashed around 12.30pm.
The source said, “The helicopter is a Bell 206. The crew did not report any form of distress except that the pilot at some point requested to know if there was rain on the field. He was informed negative at the time. It was unfortunate that the helicopter came down just about two minutes to landing at the airport.”
Another senior ATC, who works at the Radar Section of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, also disclosed that the crew did not inform the Control Tower that they had any issue before the crash, lamenting that the helicopter went off the skies barely two minutes to landing.
He added, “It is sad for the aviation industry. The aircraft could not make it to the airport even though it was just about two minutes to landing.”
Two of the crew members died on the spot and their corpses taken to LASUTH Morgue while the survivor said to be a technician was rushed to the LASUTH Emergency Unit.
But the spokesperson for the Accident Investigation Bureau, Mr Tunji Oketunmbi, later confirmed to one of our correspondents that all the three crew members had died.
He said, “I can confirm to you that the third person has died.”
Rotors stopped mid-air before crash –Eyewitness
Eyewitnesses narrated moments the helicopter lost balance and began to descend uncontrollably before it eventually crashed into a wall.
A resident, who runs a laundry outfit in the neighbourhood, Essien Aniedi, told one of our correspondents that he was on his way to a customer’s house when he saw the plane hovering above.
He said the helicopter would have crash-landed in a public secondary school but it struggled on until it collapsed on the building fence – some distance away from the school.
He recalled, “I noticed that the rotors of the helicopter had stopped working and the pilot tried to manoeuvre around Opebi Senior Grammar School. He probably did not want it to crash in the school. You know SS3 pupils are currently sitting WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examination). It eventually crashed on the fence and two crew members died instantly. People quickly went to the scene to rescue the third person. None of the residents was injured.”
For a tyre repairer, Seun Bucknor, it was a close shave. He said he was running an errand for his master when he noticed the helicopter lowering dangerously to the ground and struggling to fly.
He said, “I saw the helicopter falling sideways. It nearly touched my head because it was close to the ground. It was God who saved me. Few seconds after, I heard the sound of the crash.”
A septuagenarian, Mrs Comfort Awosile, whose house was close to the affected fence, said the disaster would have been monumental if the helicopter had crashed on the roof.
“The helicopter landed between my house and my daughter-in-law’s house. I was reading my Bible when the whole thing happened. I heard a loud sound that I had never heard in my life. Smoke was coming out. We thank God it did not affect anybody,” she stated.
AIB begins investigation on the crash
An investigator from the Accident Investigation Bureau, Anthony Diapyre, disclosed at the scene that the helicopter’s black box had yet to be recovered, noting that several factors could have resulted in the crash.
He said, “We have seen what has happened but we don’t have the details for now. All we know for now is the registration of the airplane and the owner is Quodrum Aviation. We are trying to recover the black box.
“Investigation will look at different situations and tell us exactly what happened. We are going to make recommendations after investigation and all stakeholders, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will be involved.”
An official of the NCAA, Ahmed Abba, said the agency would implement recommendations made by AIB when the investigation of the crash was completed.
The acting coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, stressed the need for aircraft and marine vessels to have a ‘COSPAS SARSAT’ alert system.
He said, “This will help us to get to the scene of crime early. We are still investigating whether it has such equipment on board. We are working with aviation industries to facilitate this. There was no explosion from the crash as claimed. A resident who witnessed it said there was smoke and aviation fuel was leaking from the aircraft.”
General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said post-traumatic assessment would be carried out on the residents and buildings within the scene of the crash site would be subjected to material testing.
He added, “We worked with all the stakeholders and despite the fact that the incident occurred at a residential area, our operation was swift, prompt and effective.
“The wreck would be taken to the AIB premises for proper investigation. The vehicles affected would be taken to the Airport Police for proper investigation. We will also fumigate this place and ensure the safety of the people.”
Buhari, Tinubu, Obaseki, aviation company condole with victims’ families
Meanwhile, the President on Friday commiserated with friends and relatives of victims of the helicopter crash.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President prayed to God to console the bereaved and heal the injured.
The statement titled “President Buhari condoles with families of Lagos helicopter crash victims,” read, “President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with families, friends and associates of victims of the Bell 206 helicopter operated by Quorum Aviation which crashed Friday into a building in Opebi, Lagos State.
“While the nation awaits report of investigation into the accident by aviation regulatory agencies, the President prays that God will console the bereaved families, grant peace to the souls of the dead and speedy recovery for the injured.”
Also the APC national leader, Tinubu, in his condolence message, sympathised with families and friends of those who lost their lives in the crash and called on the aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the crash
“He wishes the survivor of the crash soonest recovery,” a statement signed by Tinubu’s aide, Tunde Rahman, added.
Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in a press release titled ‘Helicopter crash: Obaseki condoles with Sanwo-Olu, Lagos government over crash,’ prayed that God should grant the families of the deceased the fortitude to “bear this irreparable loss.”
Quorum Aviation Limited in statement conveyed its condolences to the deceased’s families and urged members of the public to await the outcome of AIB’s investigation.
The statement tagged ‘Press release’ read in part, “We have been made to understand that nobody in the building, nor in the vicinity was injured for which we are grateful.
“In accordance with aviation regulations, the AIB has taken over the investigation process. We hereby ask members of the public to await the outcome of the investigation.
“We hereby express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the crew who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident.”
Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade’s fans clash over superiority [Punch]
It’s no longer news that two of Nigeria’s biggest female songsters, Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade are not particularly close and often pitched against each other in the entertainment industry.
Although Alade shut wagging tongues when she performed during Tiwa’s concert ‘Everything Savage’ at Eko Conventional Centre, in 2019, their diehard fans have not buried their hatchets.
In a series of tweets on Friday, fans of Alade claimed that Savage often blocked Alade’s fans on her Twitter page because she’s ‘envious’ of the latter.
The topic soon became a trending topic on Twitter as fans of both entertainers not only bared their fangs at one another, but also compared their idols in terms of albums sales, beauty, sold-out concerts and YouTube views. Views expressed by the fans of both women indicated how much love they have for them.
@Mychukwuebuka9 tweeted, “They swore Yemi Alade will not rest for them on this street. We have also sworn to return the favor, in 100 folds, and we ain’t backing out… The worst album of the year, by a female artiste. After all the hype and PR, the auto tune, fake voice and vocals are the most annoying. Yet people will compare that to Yemi Alade. Go and stream woman of steel album and see natural voice and good music.’’
Another fan, @MrOdanz, wrote, “DJ Cuppy dropped an album this year and it competed with Burna Boy and Fireboy’s album on the trend table. Zlatan and Kizz Daniel both dropped an album this year and barely anyone noticed them Tiwa Savage should go and work harder and stop blocking Yemi Alade’s fans on Twitter.”
@Tee_Classiquem1 also wrote, “Yesterday, I tried to click on Tiwa savage’s handle to hype her album, only for me to realise I have been blocked already. My only offence was asking a simple question, you don’t see Yemi Alade or Dj cuppy going around blocking every critics on their page.’’
@OGCarterMillz wrote, That I’m pissed at Tiwa Savage doesnt mean I’m now a fan of Yemi Alade. Yemi still sings trash.’’
@AyoMide49070276 also wrote, “Tiwa Savage is bigger than Yemi Alade with everything. Yemi Alade always sings like someone in the burial ground.”
ECOWAS Leaders Reject 3-year Rule For Mali Junta [Leadership]
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave his backing to the declaration by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), demanding a 12-month transition process to civilian rule in Mali.
Buhari who joined other ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments in a virtual meeting charged the military junta in Mali to set an acceptable time table for return to democratic government, since the country cannot afford to stand alone in the sub- region.
Talks between a delegation of West African envoys and the military officers who overthrew Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita had ended without a deal on how the country should return to civilian rule following last week’s coup.
Mali’s military junta had put forward a plan for a soldier-led transitional body to rule for three years and agreed to release the ousted president.
The regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediation team had met the junta but no concrete agreement was reached. The coup leaders previously said they would stage elections “within a reasonable time”.
The proposal was reportedly presented during negotiations between the rebel soldiers and West Africa’s regional bloc late Sunday.
Separately, the two sides meeting in the capital, Bamako, said Keita – whose return to office had been initially demanded by ECOWAS – no longer wished to resume duties.
The ECOWAS delegation met the 75-year- old former president, who was held at the military barracks in Kati, near the capital, Bamako.
However, in his remarks at the third Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS on the socio-political crisis in Mali, President Buhari said from the briefings presented by the Special Envoy, former President Goodluck Jonathan, it was clear that the regional body’s engagements with the new military leadership in Mali were yet to achieve the desired results in several key areas.
“I am, however, personally happy to hear of the release from detention of the former President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who is reported to be in good condition. The disposition of the new leadership to free the remaining senior officials is noted as this should contribute to the renewed sense of belonging to the Malian people.
“With regards to other areas being negotiated, Nigeria believes that the people of Mali and the military leaders need to Buhari appreciate the fragility of their country and the imminent danger which it poses to the citizens of Mali as well as the ECOWAS sub-region, “the President in a statement by his special adviser media, Femi Adesina said.
He added that the military leadership should be flexible in negotiations by putting the interest of all Malians and the harmony of the sub-region into consideration.
“For the people of Mali, specifically the leadership, embracing Democracy and Good Governance is crucial to the country’s political stability. Mali cannot therefore afford to stand alone, hence the need to come to terms with the realities of an acceptable and workable transition compact that inspires the confidence of all Malians.
“Meanwhile, I urge the military leadership to consider: the immediate release of all the remaining senior Government officials in detention, without pre-conditions; a transition process, to be completed in not more than 12 months, and which shall include the representatives of Malian stakeholders.
“This is a critical consideration for the new government to enjoy the cooperation and collaboration of regional and international community, and to allow the easing of sanctions imposed on Mali.’’
President Buhari also emphasized the need for Mali’s Constitutional Court to work hand in hand with all the Malian stakeholders to ensure an early and hitch- free return to a democratic government through free, fair and inclusive election.
According to President Buhari, “In this connection Nigeria will, alongside ECOWAS, provide necessary logistics support to facilitate the conduct of elections to re-establish democratic governance in Mali.
“As I conclude this intervention, let me thank once again, the mediator, Dr Jonathan, as well as my colleagues in the sub-region, who have continued to demonstrate sincere commitment to the resolution of this crisis. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the good people of Mali.’’
President Buhari commended the chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic for convening the Extraordinary Summit.
The President also condoled with Alassane Ouattara, President of Cote D’ivoire, on the loss of a close aide, Mamadi Diane.
Among Declarations of the Summit adopted by ECOWAS leaders were that the transition government in Mali must be led by civilians, and that the return to constitutional order should be concluded within 12 months.
Malian military was also encouraged to focus on securing the country, faced with severe security threats from its northern part, instead of an incursion into governance.
The 15 member nations of ECOWAS sent a high-level delegation to Bamako on Saturday to press its demands for the “immediate return to constitutional order
The bloc has suspended Mali from its decision-making institutions, shut borders and halted financial flows with the country.
Security crisis While last week’s coup met with international condemnation, thousands of opposition supporters celebrated the president’s removal in the streets of Bamako, and the coup leaders said they “completed the work” of the protesters.
The coup followed months of protests calling for Keita to step down as public discontent with the government grew over alleged corruption, persistent economic woes and worsening security in large parts of the country where affiliates of al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) are active.
Mali has struggled to regain stability since 2012, when ethnic Tuareg rebels and loosely aligned armed groups seized the northern two-thirds of the country, leading former colonial power France to intervene to temporarily beat them back.
Nigeria Vows To Support MNJTF
Meanwhile, despite being at what he calls “The low ebb of resources caused by COVID-19 and fallen oil prices,” Nigeria will continue to provide support for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in N’djamena, Chad Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured.
The President, in a statement by his special adviser on media, Femi Adesina, spoke, yesterday, at the State House, Abuja, while receiving Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, executive secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission and head of mission, MNJTF.
President Buhari said: “Despite paucity of resources, security of Nigeria and that of her neighbours must have pride of place; so, I will consult with all the relevant officials, and we will do our best.”
Ambassador Nuhu gave the President updates on the proposed recharge of Lake Chad, which he said was one of the priorities of Lake Chad Basin Commission, “and for which he (President Buhari) has great passion,” informing that the governments of China and Italy were of great support, and positive action should commence soon.
He also commended countries which had contributed troops to MNJTF, adding, however, that kinetic military approach alone would not eradicate insurgency, and emphasis must also be placed on the root causes, particularly poverty.
Divergent Views Trail Factionalisation Of NBA [Leadership]
Lawyers have expressed divergent views over the factionalisation of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), following the decision by some lawyers from the northern part of the country to form a new association known as the New Nigeria Bar Association (NNBA).
However, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former commissioner of Justice in Abia State, Chief Away Kalu, has expressed confidence that the NBA is not going to split despite the ongoing crisis rocking it.
Kalu, who is also a professor of law, in a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND said the association is a body recognised by law and therefore cannot break.
Following the withdrawal of invitation of the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el- Rufai, as speaker at its just concluded annual general conference, a splinter group known as New Nigeria Bar Association (NNBA), emerged.
Since the announcement of the new group, there have been mixed reactions from legal practitioners.
Reacting to the development, Kalu said the recent withdrawal of invitation to the Kaduna State governor as panellist at the 60th annual conference should not be a reason for the split of the association.
He said, “The withdrawal of the invitation of Kaduna State governor as panellist at the conference should not be seen as sectional. For you to accuse the NBA of sectionalism, you need to know how many speakers were invited and where they come from. You need to know the geographical spread of the invited guests and panellists. Except that is done, the accusation of sectionalism is baseless.
‘’The NBA is not going to split, it is a recognised body both locally and internationally. The withdrawal of an invitation should not be a sole cause of anger’’.
Another senior advocate, Mr. Ahmed Raji, on his part called for caution.
According to Raji, the leadership of the NBA should listen to their complaint and find a way out in the interest of the association.
‘’Whatever the grievances are, it is not good for the image of the NBA. If those who are in support of the NNBA decides to for a new group and the majority accepts it, why won’t it work?
‘’They have to listen to what the new group are saying and find a way of resolving the crisis. To save the image of the NBA, they should listen to them because they can decide that they don’t want to be part of the association because the constitution guarantees freedom of association.’’
A Kaduna-based senior lawyer, Abdul Balogun, described the crisis in the umbrella.
We’ll No Longer Tolerate Harassment Of Nigerians In Ghana – FG [Leadership]
The Nigerian Government has expressed deep concern over the incessant harassment of its citizens in Ghana and the progressive acts of hostility towards the country by Ghanaian authorities declaring that it will no longer tolerate such.
In this regard the minister of culture and tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the federal government is urgently considering a number of options aimed at ameliorating the situation.
He said the federal government had been documenting the acts of hostility towards Nigeria and Nigerians by the Ghanaian authorities.
According to the minister, These include the seizure of the Nigerian Mission’s property located at No. 10, Barnes Road, Accra, which the Nigerian Government has used as diplomatic premises for almost 50 years. This action is a serious breach of the Vienna Convention.
“Demolition of the Nigerian Mission’s property located at No. 19/21 Julius Nyerere Street, East Ridge, Accra, another serious breach of the Vienna Convention.
“Aggressive and incessant deportation of Nigerians from Ghana. Between January 2018 and February 2019, 825 Nigerians were deported from Ghana.
“Closure of shops belonging to Nigerians. Over 300 Nigerians shops were locked for four months in Kumasi in 2018; over 600 Nigerian shops were locked in 2019 and, currently, over 250 Nigerians shops have been locked.
“Residency Permit requirements, for which the Ghana Immigration Service has placed huge fees, far higher than the fees charged by the Nigerian Immigration Service. These include the compulsory, non-citizen ID card (US$120, and US$60 for yearly renewal); medical examinations, including for COVID-19 which is newly- introduced (about US$120), and payment for residency permit (US$400 compared to the N7,000 being paid by Ghanaians for residency card in Nigeria).”
The minister continued: “Outrageous stipulations in the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act. When the Act was initially promulgated in 1994, a foreigner is required to invest at least US$300,000 by way of equity capital and also employ 10 Ghanaians.
“This Act has now been amended twice, with the 2018 GIPC Act raising the minimum capital base for foreign-owned businesses to US$1m. Though targeted at foreigners, it seems GIPC’s definition of foreigners is Nigerians. The GIPC Act also negates the ECOWAS Protocol.”
The minister also said that the negative reportage of issues concerning Nigerians resident in Ghana by the Ghanaian media is fuelling an emerging xenophobic attitude towards Nigerian traders and Nigerians in general.
Mohammed affirmed that said the immediate fallout of these acts by Ghana is the incessant harassment and arrest of Nigerian traders and closure of their shops.
The minister also decried the harsh and openly-biased judicial trial and pronouncement of indiscriminately-long jail terms for convicted Nigerians.
There are currently over 200 Nigerians in the Naswam maximum prison in Ghana alone.
The minister said that the federal government would like to put on record that even though over 1 million Ghanaians are resident in Nigeria, they are not being subjected to the kind of hostility being meted out to Nigerians in Ghana.
Also, he said even though the main reason given for the seizure of federal government property at No. 10, Barnes Road in Accra was the non-renewal of lease after expiration, the Ghanaian authorities did not give Nigeria the right of first refusal or the notice to renew the lease.
“By contrast, the lease on some of the properties occupied by the Ghanaian Mission in Nigeria has long expired, yet such properties have not been seized,” he said.
The minister said Nigeria had time after time demonstrated its fidelity to the long cordial relations with Ghana.
He, however, averred that indications, especially in recent times, are that Nigeria’s stance is now being taken for granted and its citizens being made targets of harassment and objects of ridicule.
“This will no longer be tolerated under any guise.
“In the meantime, the federal government wishes to appeal to its citizens resident in Ghana to remain law abiding and avoid engaging in self-help, despite their ordeal,” he added.