BREAKING: Twitter Has Reached Us For Talks, Says FG By Muideen Olaniyi

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Wednesday, disclosed the readiness of the popular social media giant, Twitter, for engagements with the...

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Wednesday, disclosed the readiness of the popular social media giant, Twitter, for engagements with the Federal Government. Citing interference, the Federal Government suspended the operations of the microblogging site on Friday. US demands immediate reversal of Twitter ban Trump hails Buhari, asks more countries to ban Twitter Speaking with State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), Mohammed said Twitter had reached out to the government seeking high-level discussion to resolve the issue. He said that he got the message on Wednesday morning. The minister stressed that the microblogging platform was suspended because it provided an avenue for people threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. According to him, the owner of Twitter helped to fund the recent #EndSARS protest while allowing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, use the platform to call for the killing of policemen. He said Twitter failed to take down Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so. Mohammed listed conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter including that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern. Apart from Twitter, he said other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram must be registered in the country. He said freedom of speech has not been stifled by the suspension of Twitter as Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. He dismissed the notion the suspension is not effective, wondering why Twitter is losing money as a result of the action if such view is genuine.

Buhari receives first made-in-Nigeria cell phone By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has taken delivery of the first ever Nigeria-made cellphone called ITF Mobile. The product was presented to him by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, just before commencement of the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Introducing the product to the President, Adebayo said it was produced by the Electrical/Electronics Technology Department of the Industrial Training Fund’s (ITF) Model Skills Training Centre, using locally sourced components. “Twelve indigenous mobile cell phones produced by the Model Skills Training Centre of the Industrial Training Fund; an agency under Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment was launched. “It gives me great pleasure, Mr President, to present you with one of the phones,” Adebayo said. Also before the start of the FEC meeting, Buhari also presided over swearing-in ceremony of a Commissioner each for the National Population Commission (NPC) and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). Those sworn-in were Wakil Bukar as Commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCC) and Mohammed Dattijo Usman as Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC). Bukar is to replace the FCC Commissioner from Bauchi State while Usman replaces the NPC Commissioner from Niger State. Representatives from the two States died recently. President Buhari is presiding over the FEC meeting at the conference room of the First Lady’s office. Those attending the meeting physically are the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari. Others include Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Finance, Zainab Ahmed; Justice, Abubakar Malami; and Industry, Trade and investment, Niyi Adebayo. The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and other Ministers are participating in the weekly cabinet meeting from their various offices in Abuja.

How we were recruited by IPOB to train over 4,000 ESN members –Ex-soldiers. by Jesusegun Alagbe

Three soldiers dismissed from the Nigerian Army for various offences –Linus Owalo, Godswill Steven, and Chinasa Orji – have said they trained over 4,000 Eastern Security Network members after the Indigenous People of Biafra made them mouth-watering, including overseas training. The suspects also claimed that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, promised them that “when” the State of Biafra was achieved, they would become military generals in the new country. However, the suspects said they discovered that all the promises IPOB made to them were lies, adding that since helping the proscribed secessionist group to train ESN members, none of the promises had materialised. Saturday PUNCH learnt that Owalo, Steven, and Orji spoke after their arrest by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force. ESN, regarded as IPOB’s armed wing, has been accused of violence in the South-East, including attacks on government facilities and killing of security agents. Saturday PUNCH gathered that the trio were rounded up after the IRT, acting on intelligence, raided ESN’s hideouts in Imo, Anambra, and Delta states, as well as Abuja. It was learnt that Owalo, a 32-year-old father of two, was enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 2013 and attached to 102 Guard Brigade Battalion, but was dismissed in 2019 from the army for deserting. His colleagues, Orji and Steven, were also enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 2015 and 2017, respectively, and were trained at 133 Special Force Battalion. But were both dismissed in 2020 and went to join the ESN to train its members in Abia and Delta states. Confessing, Owalo, an indigene of Yala Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State, said, “I was enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 2013 and posted to the Guards Brigade Headquarters, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. But in 2019, I was absent on duty and the army authorities arrested me. I was charged and subsequently dismissed from the service. He said he was later contacted by the IPOB and moved to a forest in Abia State, where “I trained over 4,000 ESN members. This was in October 2020. I also met some other dismissed soldiers of the Nigerian Army at the ESN camp. Three months into the training, I was redeployed to the ESN camp in Delta State. All this while, they didn’t allow me to speak to Nnamdi Kanu. I was just talking to his boys. I was used and brainwashed by IPOB.” Read Also Residents flee as troops invade IPOB’s security network’s camp in Imo Over 100 civilians not supporting IPOB’s ESN killed – Commander CAN condemns Igbo youth killings, indiscriminate arrests Another suspect, Steven, a 33-year-old indigene of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, said he joined the Nigerian Army in June 2017 and was attached to 133 Battalion, and eventually deployed in Maiduguri, Borno State, in 2018. Steven said he was dismissed from the army for deserting his base, explaining that he left his base because he sustained injuries at the battlefront but was not allowed to go for treatment. He said, ““I eventually dismissed by the Nigerian Army and accepted IPOB’s offer. I was paid N100,000, which was twice the salary I was earning at the Nigerian Army. I travelled to Abia State, where Orji and I took oaths to be loyal to Nnamdi Kanu. We trained ESN in combat and special forces manoeuvring.” Steven said he eventually left the ESN camp when it became clear that the promises made to them were not materialising. The third suspect, Orji, 23, said he was dismissed by the Nigerian Army in 2018 after attending the burial of his elder brother, a soldier, killed on August 22, 2018, against the order of his superiors. He said, “My bosses refused to give me a pass to attend my brother’s burial, so I travelled without permission. When I returned to base, I was arrested and detained. “While in detention, I started chatting with a friend who told me that Nnamdi Kanu needed my service to train IPOB militias. He told me that Kanu was ready to pay me twice the money I was earning in the army. I accepted his offer after my dismissal.” Copyright PUNCH.

Report: Nigeria is the 66th country to restrict social media access by Victor Ejechi

Nigeria has been ranked as the 66th country in the world to restrict social media access in the last six years. This is according to a report by Surfshark, a virtual private network service provider company based in the British Virgin Islands. Last Friday, the federal government announced the “indefinite” suspension of Twitter over “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.” The government also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all over-the-top media services (OTT) and social media operations in Nigeria. Twitter’s suspension by the federal government came days after President Muhammadu Buhari’s post on the 1967 civil war was deleted by the microblogging platform. The report, titled “June 2021 Social media censorship tracker,” released by Surfshark, analysed global social media restrictions in five regions – Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania – highlighting the most prominent cases of interruptions and restrictions. It stated that at least 30 countries in Africa have blocked or heavily restricted social media access between 2015 – 2021, especially during elections, protests, demonstrations, or examinations. Gabrielle Racaityte-Racai, communications manager at Surfshark, acknowledged that since the inception of social media, it has over the years become a strong political player that drives change across the world, and governments have been looking for ways to block or censor it. “Social media has established itself as a key political player of its own. However, as its influence grows, so does the governments’ desire to censor it by introducing new laws, restricting access, or blocking social media altogether,” Racaityte-Racai said. “In 2021 alone, they have been eight political cases of internet disruption across the world in Uganda, Russia, Myanmar, Senegal, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh and Nigeria. “In the past, at least 16 countries, Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Togo, Tanzania, Benin, DRC, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Sierra Leone have restricted access to social media due to elections. And at least 7 countries – Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Mali, South Sudan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe – have restricted access to social media in the past due to protests and demonstrations.” The federal government has said it can only restore the operations of Twitter if citizens can use it “responsibly”.

TB Joshua: How he died, his last moments By Precious Igbonwelundu

Prophet Temitope Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) was conducting a church service when he suddenly felt uncomfortable, The Nation has learnt. The popular prophet, sources said, passed away around 2am, hours after he walked to his apartment midway into the service, presumably to get some rest. Born on June 12, 1963, Prophet TB Joshua died six days to his 58th birthday. It was gathered that Joshua had walked out of the church to his apartment when he felt uncomfortable during the service that commenced around 6pm on Saturday. Although it was not clear at what point he left the hall, The Nation learnt he had officiated the service for some hours before he stepped out. His aides and members, it was gathered, thought he was going for a quick break but became anxious when he didn’t return after a long time. The Nation gathered that when he did not return, his aides went to check on him but found him in an uncomfortable/unusual position. A former aide and close family friend of the late cleric told The Nation close relatives and friends were protecting and consoling his wife. Read Also: BREAKING: Popular cleric T.B. Joshua dies at 57 Although the cause of death was not disclosed, the source said the entire place is to be “sanitised”. According to him, the prophet had asked most of his aides to work from home as a because of COVID-19 pandemic. “Those who were left with him were mostly some Britons, a few personal aides, who lived in the premises. “I got a call around 2am that Senior Prophet was dead. I had to quickly get in touch with his family and it was confirmed. ” We do not really have details now but I can tell you he was ministering when he suddenly took ill and left the church to rest,” he said. Confirming Joshua’s death, Lagos Police Commissioner (CP) Hakeem Odumosu said he was officially pronounced dead by a hospital around 3am. Odomuso said: “It is true he is dead. I do not know the cause of his death yet. But the information we have is that he was conducting service, along the line, he felt uncomfortable, walked to his apartment himself and never came back. “His people thought he probably wanted to rest or refresh but when they didn’t see him after a long while, they went in search of him and found him in an unusual position. “The service started in the evening. But it was around 3am that he was pronounced dead by a hospital.” The church said Joshua’s last words to his members were “watch and pray.” He was said to have also reminded them there was time for everything before he left the church hall.

How Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau Died—ISWAP BY SAHARAREPORTERS.

ISWAP confirmed that Shekau blew himself up after refusing to surrender following the invasion of his hideout The Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has confirmed the death of Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Jama’atu Ahlussunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad faction of the group. ISWAP confirmed that Shekau blew himself up after refusing to surrender following the invasion of his hideout on May 19, 2021. This was contained in a message from Abu Mus’ab Habeeb Bin Muhammad Bin Yusuf al-Barnawi, born Habib Yusuf, leader of the terrorists. According to HumAngle, al-Barnawi, in an address on Friday, described Shekau as “the leader of disobedience and corruption.” He said Shekau’s fighters rejoiced over his death, adding that the former terrorist leader, who took over after the death of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf in 2009, was apprehended “in the most humiliating manner.” Speaking in Hausa, al-Barnawi said: “This was someone who committed unimaginable terrorism. How many has he wasted? How many has he killed? How many has he terrorised? But Allah left him alone and prolonged his life. When it was time, Allah set out brave soldiers after receiving orders from Amirul Muminin [leader of the believers].” ISWAP, which broke away from Shekau’s Boko Haram faction in 2016, disagreed with the late extremist leader over his excessive use of force, especially on Muslims in areas under his influence. He stated that the interim leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ordered them to take action on Shekau for deviating and killing “believers.” ISWAP fighters then took their arms, travelled through the Sahara, went into Shekau’s enclave, and engaged in a gun battle with his followers. “Shekau preferred to be humiliated in the afterlife than getting humiliated on earth. He killed himself instantly by detonating an explosive,” he said.

PDP calls for calm over suspension of chairman who criticised Obaseki

Governor Obaseki has been accused of giving preference to former associates in APC in his political appointments. Harrison Omagbon, the acting state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, has called for calm among party faithful, following the suspension of the state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi. Mr Aziegbemi was suspended by the PDP after he accused the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of marginalising the PDP in his political appointments so far and also making moves to sack the party structure in the state. The acting chairman, Mr Omagbon, said in a statement on Thursday in Benin that his task is to unite the PDP in Edo. “My task as acting chairman will be to unite our party and ensure that the unity which our electoral victory bestowed on us is sustained and enlarged to the glory of God,” he said. He said that the suspension of Mr Aziegbemi was to allow for proper investigation into the allegations against him. “Following the recent developments in our great party, I wish to appeal to our teeming members and supporters to first accept our profound regret for the uproar of the last few weeks, as well as the recent developments at the party secretariat. “On behalf of the state working committee, I am deeply sorry. “However, we cannot wish away our party’s sanctity, integrity and pride on the altar of parochial sentiments. “That is why we have set up a committee to investigate and unearth the facts of these allegations,” he said. Mr Omagbon added: “My dear party faithful, we are at a very auspicious time in our democracy. “It is on record that our governor is counted among those delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. “We cannot engender a party culture of corruption and flagrant disregard for the wishes of the people.” The suspended PDP chairman, in a letter he jointly signed with the party secretary in the state, Hillary Otsu, accused Mr Obaseki of marginalising the PDP in his political appointments so far and also making moves to sack the party structure in the state. The duo said the letter was written on behalf of the “expanded State Working Committee of the party”. Mr Obaseki had defected from his former party, the All Progressives Congress, to the PDP where he contested and won the election for his second term. “Edo people voted for PDP and Godwin Obaseki to deliver the dividends of democracy to them. “If he wishes to appoint only his friends and former APC colleagues in his cabinet and sundry positions and leave out the legacy PDP members, so be it,” said Mr Aziegbemi in the letter which was sent to the national leadership of the PDP. (NAN)