FG officially asks UN to recover, return looted assets to Nigeria. by Okechukwu Nnodim

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) Nigeria has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on the Use of Beneficial Ownership Information and Data Disclosure to identify, track, recover and return assets looted or stolen from developing countries. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced this while addressing the 9th Session of Conference of State Parties in progress in Sharm EL Sheikh, Egypt. He explained that the draft resolution was submitted jointly with the support and partnership of five other developing countries, namely, Kenya, Pakistan, Peru and Saudi Arabia. A statement issued in Abuja by the Deputy Director/Head Communications and Advocacy, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Obiageli Onuorah, said Malami informed the UN Convention that Nigeria had put in place institutional structures and legislations to protect its resources. The minister conveyed Nigeria’s appeal to the Conference of State Parties of the UN Convention Against Corruption to consider the draft resolution on its merit in view of its strategic importance in recovering looted assets from developing countries. This came as NEITI announced that a National Beneficial Ownership Register would be inaugurated by the agency and the Corporate Affairs Commission in January next year. The NEITI boss explained that under the joint inter-agency collaboration with the CAC, the beneficial ownership register filled with facts, information and data on who owns what in the oil, gas and mining sectors would merge with CAC beneficial ownership portal that covered all registered companies in Nigeria. PUNCH.

Group accuses Obasanjo of raising tension, heating polity

The Save Nigeria Movement has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of inflaming passion and raising tension in the country through his recent statements. The group made the accusation at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, December 2021, urging the former president not to jeopardize the security of the country. Addressing journalists at the briefing, Rev Solomon Semaka, Convener of the Save Nigeria Movement, alleged that Obasanjo has decided ”to embark on another round of divisive consultations conversant with his character.” He continued: ”Media reports further indicate Obasanjo plans to co-opt past heads of state, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and some respected elder statesmen among which is a former federal commission, Pa Edwin Clark into the massive drive to divide the country. ”All these antics are in a bid to discredit President Buhari’s administration efforts having surpassed former president Obasanjo’s two terms in office both as military and civilian head of state. ”Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s antecedents are scary if allowed to fester. The Save Nigeria Movement is deeply concerned that Obasanjo would choose to inflame passions and raise tensions at this critical point in time when the federal government is consolidating on security. ”Former President Olusegun is urged to reconsider his personal agenda as it can only jeopardize national security. To this end, the Movement is suspicious of the former president and calls all Nigerians to speak in one voice against him. ”The Save Nigeria Movement is inclined to caution the former president to have a rethink if his personal intentions will not promote peace and unity in the country. ”This appeal is also a word of caution that should Obasanjo be bent on heating the polity and raising tensions, Nigerians will know who to hold responsible and demand the law to take its full course.” Rev Semaka said the group expects nothing but selfless service to the nation and moral support from people like former Obasanjo and not fanning the embers of disunity. He added that Obasanjo has no moral right to be dissatisfied with the modest achievements of the Buhari administration, ”especially when he could not do better when Nigerians gave him the opportunity twice as military and civilian head of state.” He further stated that ”Nigerians are proud of what President Buhari is doing to rescue the nation from the grip of people like Obasanjo who designated the country as a free zone for corruption for more than a decade. ”Nigerians from all walks of life are proud of the modest achievements recorded under the Buhari administration. From road infrastructure to massive social welfare packages and a historic recapture of territories hitherto held by insurgents and bandits. ”At least President Buhari has not mobilized soldiers to demolish communities and kill scores of innocent Nigerians like Obasanjo did in Odi, Bayelsa, and Zaki Biam, in Benue states respectively. ”President Buhari administration in all sincerity has admitted to challenges and taken steps to secure the nation, all the government needs now is wise counsel and moral support as opposed to acts that could jeopardize existing efforts in peace and security of the country. ”The whole world is watching and will join us in solidarity to hold anyone who would be responsible for acts that breach national security.” Vanguard

‘Abuja metro station to resume operations soon’ By Gbenga Omokhunu

The Abuja Metro Train Station will soon resume operations, Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Transport Secretariat, Zakari Dobi, said on Thursday. It was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I was told that the place was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “But I felt that it was not enough to leave the place dirty. “We are going to meet internally and ensure that we clean the Metro Station and see possible ways for operations to resume as quickly as possible. “I think the major aim of every administration is to generate revenue,” he said during an inspection.

APC convention: Mustapha proffers solutions to party crisis By Omeiza Ajayi

A national chairmanship aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Malam Saliu Mustapha, has promised to adopt preventive diplomacy in crisis management should he emerge as national chairman of the party in its forthcoming national convention. The Turaki of Ilorin also promised to discourage a fire-brigade approach to party administration, adding that under him, “All plans and programmes of the party would be well thought out, properly marshalled, strategically planned and thoroughly debated before they are implemented.” Speaking on his plan to move the ruling party forward Thursday in Abuja at the second annual public lecture of the APC Press Corps, Mustapha who was represented by Hon. Edwin Osa Ogunbor, said; “APC will continue its approach to politics and have a defined political culture that will have profound impact on the country’s development just like President Muhammadu Buhari is putting in place legacies that will cement the party’s name in Nigeria’s political history. “For us, politics of development will be our focus. It is a new brand of political culture and ideology that places emphasis on smart and good politicking as essential tool for rapid national development. “As APC Chairman, we intend to work for and pursue a larger leadership role for the youth, women and People living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in the party. “We will adopt preventive diplomacy in crisis management. We will manage political crisis by preventing them. We will prevent crisis by constantly looking out for conventional and non-conventional triggers otherwise known as early warning signals across all strata of the party, and nip them in the bud promptly and firmly before they degenerate. “But in the event that conflicts still rear their heads in spite of all, we will be prepared with a bottoms-up dispute resolution mechanism that is independent, dependable, fair and inclusive.” While promising to build on the legacy of Governor Mai Mala Buni-led National Caretaker Committee, Mustapha said from his first day in office, “we will vigorously create and pursue a positive, consistent and confident public image for the party and government working hand-in-hand with political office holders especially in the run up to the 2023 election”.

APC Convention: Mustapha Vows to End Internal Crisis As Party Chairman by Jerrywright Ukwu

Mallam Saliu Mustapha has promised to adopt new measures in crisis management if he emerges as APC national chairman Kwara-born Mustapha is one of the front-line aspirants for the position of APC national chairman ahead of the party's convention Mustapha also stated that the legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari has improved the image of the APC in Nigeria A frontline national chairmanship aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Mallam Saliu Mustapha, has promised to adopt preventive diplomacy in crisis management if given the opportunity to emerge in the party's forthcoming national convention. The Kwara state-born APC chieftain also promised to discourage a fire-brigade approach to party governance, adding that under him: “All plans and programmes of the party would be well thought out, properly marshaled, strategically planned, and thoroughly debated before they are implemented.” Mallam Mustapha says he will ensure a new lease of life within the APC. Photo credit: APC press corps Source: Facebook Mustapha made his plans known while speaking on Thursday, December 16 in Abuja at the second annual public lecture summit of the APC Press Corps attended by a Legit.ng reporter. Mustapha who was represented by Hon. Edwin Osa Ogunbor, said: “APC will continue its approach to politics and have a defined political culture that will have profound impact on the country's development just like President Muhammadu Buhari is putting in place legacies that will cement the party's name in Nigeria's political history. “For us, politics of development will be our focus. It is a new brand of political culture and ideology that places emphasis on smart and good politicking as essential tool for rapid national development. “As APC chairman, we intend to work for and pursue a larger leadership role for the youth, women, and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in the party. “We will adopt preventive diplomacy in crisis management. We will manage political crisis by preventing them. “We will prevent crisis by constantly looking out for conventional and non-conventional triggers otherwise known as early warning signals across all strata of the party, and nip them in the bud promptly and firmly before they degenerate. “But in the event that conflicts still rear their heads in spite of all, we will be prepared with a bottoms-up dispute resolution mechanism that is independent, dependable, fair, and inclusive.” He also promised to build on the legacy of Governor Mai Mala Buni-led National Caretaker Committee, adding that from his first day in office, he will vigorously create and pursue a positive, consistent, and confident public image for the party and government.

APC Convention: Fire Brigade Approach Won’t Solve Our Challenges ― Mustapha, Chairmanship Aspirant By Taiwo Amodu

Ahead of next February national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a chairman aspirant, Saliu Mustapha, has said that a sound management practice would drive the change to mitigate crises in the party. Mustapa stated this, on Thursday, while speaking at the annual lecture organised by the APC Press Corps. Represented by Edwin Osa Ogunbor, Mustapha submitted that a new leadership must be proactive enough to foresee the crisis and nib it in the bud. He further maintained that a leadership prepared to accommodate the interests of all stakeholders would inspire a sense of belonging that would douse tension at all levels of leadership. He said: “As APC Chairman, we intend to work for and pursue a larger leadership role for the youth, women and People living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in the party. “We will run a strategic party governance system. We will be clearheaded in our processes with eyes firmly on the future. We will discourage a fire-brigade approach to party governance. All plans and programmes of the party would be well thought out, properly marshalled, strategically planned and thoroughly debated before they are implemented. “We will adopt preventive diplomacy in crisis management. We will manage the political crisis by preventing them. We will prevent crisis by constantly looking out for conventional and non-conventional triggers otherwise known as early warning signals across all strata of the party, and nip them in the bud promptly and firmly before they degenerate. “But in the event that conflicts still rear their heads in spite of all, we will be prepared with a bottoms-up dispute resolution mechanism that is independent, dependable, fair and inclusive. “APC has been in existence for almost nine years during which we have witnessed several positive developments including winning two consecutive Presidential elections as well as the lows especially the one that birthed the current Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni which has done a great job in stabilizing the party. “But we promise to build on what the CECPC is doing by managing all stakeholder interest as best as we could. “We know that it is interest that drives politics and politicking. We recognise the essentiality of both individual and group interest in politics. We equally recognise that proper management of political interest of leaders, stakeholders and members of the party is fundamental to a successful party administration so we shall ensure a delicate balance in managing the varying competing but legitimate interest in the party through dialogue, consensus building, engagement and communication.” Earlier in his keynote address, APC Beyond 2023: The tasks ahead – The Role of Stakeholders,” Osita Okechukwu, who incidentally is the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria expressed confidence that the governing party would still retain its control of the central government in the next general elections given its performance in the provision of social infrastructures across the country. He however called on stakeholders to ensure that internal democracy was restored before the general election. “One will appeal that we candidly for the collective interest of our party to observe Article 20 of the Constitution of our great party, which states interalia, “All party posts prescribed or implied by this constitution shall be filled by democratically conducted elections at a respective national convention or congress subject, where possible, to consensus. Where a candidate has emerged by consensus for an elective position, a vote of “yes” or “no” by ballot or voice shall be called to ensure that it was not an imposition which could breed discontent and crisis.” “In sum, our great party, the APC without prejudice to challenges like palpable insecurity in the land is a comeback party and will surely prevail by winning 2023 presidential election given the solid infrastructural foundation consciously being laid for economic growth and prosperity.”

JUST IN: NSA names groups backing terrorism in Nigeria, Africa. BY AGENCY REPORT

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno, has identified three religious groups as organisations backing terrorism activities in Nigeria and other Sahel countries. Speaking at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja, the NSA listed the groups as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin, JNIM, Islamic and Muslim Support Group, GSIM, and Islamic State in Greater Sahara, ISGS. He said: “Terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to Niger Republic and Burkina Faso. It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region. “In Nigeria, Boko-Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country. “The situation in the Sahel has never been grimmer, extremist violence continues to spread; the number of internally displaced persons (IDPS) is growing; and food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before. The NSA, therefore, urged Islamic preachers and Imams to deploy their vantage positions to canvas support for ongoing counter-terrorism operations. According to him, alliances between the clerics and security forces “should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities”. According to him, the possibility of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) creating an established caliphate to rival Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) countries has been checkmated. This was done through series of concerted and reinvigorated efforts of the countries of the Region. He said the adoption of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches by LCBC countries to stem the conflict had yielded tremendous success. Monguno also said that the adoption of propaganda videos by terrorist groups to project themselves as contending powers in the region was a mere attempt to garner support from sympathisers as they struggled to maintain relevance. According to him, it is assessed that while the groups maintain the long term strategic goal of creating a caliphate, the efforts of LCBC countries will continues to frustrate that goal. “In that regard, it is imperative that Ulamas, Preachers and Community Leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our Security Forces, in order to end this menace. “Just as collaborations between governments are boosting the advance of Security Forces in the fight against terrorism, alliances and group effort like LOPIS should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism-infested communities. “There’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grass root level,” he said. NAN