Report on Nigeria by the Economist Unfair – Nigeria’s UK Envoy
The recent article by London-based magazine, The Economist, titled ‘Insurgency, Secessionism and Banditry Threaten Nigeria,’ has been described
as unfair by the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola.
The contents of the letter were disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in a press statement.
Mr. Ishola, in his letter, is quoted as saying,
“There has been progress. Nigeria works closely with partners in the Sahel region, Europe and the US on security and intelligence. It is not an accident that the leadership of militant groups is weaker than it has ever been.”
He said, “Nigeria is far from being the only country that faces the challenge of trying to deliver overdue change in a political culture that tilts towards special interests that are often selfish and short-term.”
AU Suspends Sudan as International bodies condemn putsch
The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned the seizure of power in Sudan, and termed it “unconstitutional”.
The AU has, on Wednesday, subsequently
suspended Sudan from all its activities until civilian rule is restored in the country.
The World Bank also decided to suspend aid to Sudan while the European Union (EU) also condemned the “unconstitutional change of government in Sudan,” saying it continued to recognize the transitional government. Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called the coup a “catastrophic development” andb condemned it “in the strongest possible terms.”
Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Monday, ordered the dissolution of the government and declared a state of emergency, sparking widespread international condemnation. Sudanese Security forces launched sweeping arrests of anti-coup protesters Wednesday, in a bid to end three days of demonstrations against the putsch.
Sheath your swords on 7-day sit-at-home order – Ohaneze pleads with IPOB
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has pleaded with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to reconsider the 7 days’ Sit at Home order in the South-East of Nigeria from November 5 to November 11.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the Ohaneze stated that this is to enable the governorship election for Anambra State scheduled for November 6 to hold.
It added that it is important to note that Anambra State is the economic live wire of the South East with an impressive steady growth trajectory and any harm to the state will “create untold disastrous chain reactions and catastrophe for the Igbos.”
Anambra is home to the greatest number of small, medium and large scale industries in the South East, and Onitsha, claimed to be the largest market in West Africa is said to also be the melting pot of Igbo traders and artisans.
Multichoice Africa to pay FIRS $342 million upaid VAT assessment – Tax Tribunal Rules
The Tax Appeal Tribunal, Tuesday, struck out the appeal instituted by South African Company, Multichoice Africa Holdings B.V against the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) for want of diligent prosecution and ordered it to pay up the $342m tax assessment handed over to it by the FIRS.
The tax tribunal held that Multichoice did not comply with Order 3 Rule 6 of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2021, which requires that an appellant to deposit half of the assessed amount it is disputing before it can be heard on appeal and to file along with its appeal an affidavit verifying the payment which the organization also failed to comply with.
There had been allegations that the company had not paid Value Added Tax since inception. FIRS had served notice of unpaid VAT on Multichoice Africa Holdings B.V. and the organization challenged the assessment, filing an appeal at the tribunal.
Enforcement of the payment of the principal sum of $123.7 million being unpaid VAT by Multichoice Africa Holdings B.V. as well as interest and penalty at $218 million, totalling over $342 million is anticipated on the part of FIRS following the ruling by the tax tribunal.
Google, UNESCO PARTNER TO ENHANCE JOURNALISM EDUCATION TRAINING IN AFRICA
The Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education to enhance journalists’ training in Africa was launched, Monday, by Google, the global internet Search Engine platform in partnership with, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO and is aimed at improving journalism education programmes in over 100 journalism institutions in Africa and is expected benefit over 4,000 journalists.
For the UNESCO, with respect to Africa, it was clear that many African journalism education institutitons did not – and indeed may not – have the resources to develop a learning environment conducive to addressing the needs of aspiring and working journalists. In this regard, UNESCO heeded the call from teachers and students alike to build the capacity of journalism schools to enhance the skills and competencies of the next generation of African media professionals.
The UNESCO website states that its support for journalism education is underpinned by a strong conviction that professional journalistic standards are essential to bring out the potential of media systems to foster democracy, dialogue and development. By disseminating information to citizens, the news media enables citizen participation in development and strengthens accountability feedback mechanisms.
According to the President for Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), Business and Operations, Google, Matt Brittin, “The pandemic has changed the way people interact with news and accelerated that shift to digital.”
Ekiti High Court sentence Herder to Life Imprisonment for violence against farmers
A 32-year-old herder, Muhammadu Abubakar, tried and found guilty on two counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.
Parts of charge read , “On April 9, 2019, at Aba Cotonou, Omu Ekiti, in the Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, the defendant did attempt to murder one Chief Samuel Amaa and others. Found in his possession were a gun and cartridges on the same day.” The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, and Section 3 (1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap.R11, Vol.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
A witness and one of the victims (of the four witnesses called by the prosecution), in his testimony before the court, said, “The defendant was challenged while grazing on the cassava farm; he was angry for being questioned. He pulled out his gun and fired at the people who challenged him, but they were fortunate it (the bullet) missed them. He was later overpowered by residents while trying to escape, following which he was handed over to the police.
The judge, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, found Muhammadu Abubakar guilty as charged and on count one, sentenced him to life imprisonment, and 10 years imprisonment on count two.