Trump bows to pressure, signs $900bn COVID-19 relief bill

By

-

28/12/2020

By Ismail Auwal

After a prolonged delay, President Donald Trump has finally succumbed to pressure and signed the $900 billion stimulus bill on Sunday.

The bill package contains “providing coronavirus emergency response and relief”.

In a speech he made at Florida, Trump said, “I am signing this bill to restore unemployment benefits, stop evictions, provide rental assistance, add money for PPP (Paycheck Protection Programs), return our airline workers back to work, add substantially more money for vaccine distribution, and much more.”

The relief package, which was first passed by Congress on December 21, extends those benefits as well as others set to expire in the days ahead.

But for days, Trump had refused to put his signature on it, calling the bill a “disgrace” and catching both Democrats and Republicans off guard with his complaints, which came after months of negotiations.

The turnaround came after a day marked by calls from all sides of the political spectrum for action to avert an economic and social disaster, especially for America’s vulnerable populations.

We did not apologize to Buhari over invitation – House of Reps

By

editor

-

28/12/2020

0

By Ismail Auwal

The House of Representatives has denied a widely circulated report that it has tendered an apology for inviting President Muhammadu Buhari to address its plenary about the rising insecurity in the country.

Some media houses (not Sahelian Times) had reported that the House of Representatives has dropped its invitation bid and even apologized to the President for the embarrassment such invitation might have caused him.

However, reacting to the report in a statement titled “Clarification on Apology to the Presidency”, the House through its Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Kalu, disclaimed it, stressing that it would never apologize to anyone for doing its constitutional duties.

“It has come to the knowledge of the House that few sections of the media reported that the House apologized to the Presidency over the resolution of the House which arose from the motion sponsored by members from Borno State, requesting for the invitation of the President to brief the nation on the state of insecurity in the country,” said the House.

“The President or the Presidency as the case may be, never sought for an apology from the House of Representatives for carrying out her constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian electorate. Where then did the media get the report that the House as an institution apologized to anyone? Media professionals are advised to uphold the ethics of their profession,” the statement added.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the House never apologized to anyone for exercising her constitutional mandate and the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila will not do anything to desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the Legislature. We strongly believe that President Muhammadu Buhari subscribes to these democratic ethos and ideals as well”, the House asserted.

It will be recalled that the House members had resolved, on 1st December 2020, to invite the president to brief them on the escalating security situation in the country. December 10, 2020, was fixed for the president’s appearance in House. But barely 24 hours to the time, the President withdrew on his promise to appear before the legislature.

In a statement credited to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, the presidency proclaimed that the National Assembly lacks constitutional powers to summon the president on security matters.

Gawuna leads Kano Government’s delegation to condole with Kwankwaso

By

editor

-

27/12/2020

0

By Ismail Auwal

Kano State Government on Sunday sent a delegation to condole with former governor of the State, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence over the death of his father.

The delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Dr.Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, consists of Commissioners, Special Advisers, and heads of government agencies.

While delivering the condolence message, Gawuna said, “I wish to, on behalf of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, commiserate with you over the death of our father Late Alhaji Musa Saleh Kwankwaso, the Makama Of Karaye”.

“His death is a great loss not only to you but to the entire people of Kano State”.

“We are praying to Almighty Allah to grant him Jannatul Firdaus and also give you the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of this great gentleman,” Gawuna said.

Responding, the former Governor Of Kano State, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso thanked the Deputy Governor for the visit.

Similarly, the delegation visited the Qadiriyya House at Kabara Quarters to condole the family of Late Sheikh Nasiru Kabara over the death of his wife Hajiya Maryam Nasiru Kabara who died recently.

The Deputy Governor was also at Fagge Quarters to condole with the family of Late Alhaji Ado Muhammad Fagge, the Registrar Of Kano State Polytechnic, who passed away recently after a brief illness.

Barcelona confirms Messi’s injury

By

editor

-

27/12/2020

0

By Abba Gwale

Barcelona football club confirm that injured Messi will miss their final game of 2020 against Eibar.

Barcelona have announced that Lionel Messi is carrying an injury and is not available for their final match of 2020.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is however expected to feature in the club’s opening game of 2021, against Huesca on January 3.

The club announced via its social media channels on Sunday that the Argentine will not play in the clash with Eibar after he missed training.

Barcelona initially announced that he was being given extra days off prior to the Liga clash on December 29. However, they have now moved to further clarify the situation and revealed his break has been granted in order to overcome a physical ailment.

In a statement published on the club’s official website, Barcelona said: “First-team player Lionel Messi is completing the treatment for his right ankle, and is expected to return to training after the SD Eibar match.”

This means he should be fit to face Huesca on January 3.

The Barcelona squad had been given four days off after overcoming Real Valladolid 3-0 away from home on December 22. Clement Lenglet and Martin Braithwaite had been on target in that encounter before Messi rounded the scoring off by netting midway through the second half.

It was just Barcelona’s seventh league victory of the season after 14 matches, and propelled them to fifth in the standings, a distant eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid who also have a game in hand over them.

Police arrest village head, 10 others over alleged banditry

By

editor

-

27/12/2020

0

By Ismail Auwal

Niger State Police Command have on Sunday arrested a village head and 10 others over banditry allegation in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Niger State, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Police Public Relations Officer
Wasiu Abiodun, said the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence operation.

In a statement issued on Sunday,Abiodun said that a police team went on a clearance operation of suspected bandits’ hideouts in Tunga-iliya forest following intelligence report received on December 25.

Abiodun added that, the “police team engaged the suspected bandits in a gun battle and arrested eleven of them while five others were fatally wounded”.

He disclosed that the village head of Tunga-iliya and one Summaya Bello who harbours and gives information to bandits were among the arrested suspects.

The police spokesperson said the police had started further investigation into the matter, noting that the suspects would be charged to court later.

He also added that on Christmas day, the police received information that gunmen invaded Unguwan Gambo community in Rafi Local Government Area where they kidnapped four persons.

One of the victims, according to him was rescued unhurt while efforts to rescue the others and arrest the hoodlums were in progress.

Niger Republic votes in historic election

By

editor

-

27/12/2020

0

By Nasir Isa

Nigeriens head to the poll today in what’s termed as the first democratic transition in the country’s history.

Major priorities for voters are the economy, which is taking a hit due to the pandemic, and security, due to rising spare of violence along its northern border with Mali and southern border with Nigeria. Last month, the US Navy Seals staged a rescue operation for an American evangelist abducted in the country.

The former French West African colony, which got its independence in August 1960, is battling with economic, environmental and security challenges.

Niger, a landlocked desert country relies on its southern and northern neighbors for trade and development.

Niger has for long battled a Tuareg rebellion in the North, but the fallout of the Libyan crisis has exacerbated the conflict. The country also struggles to contain a rising Islamist insurgency in Mali and the Boko Haram war in Nigeria, which has led to the death of hundreds of its soldiers.

More than 30 candidates are vying to succeed the incumbent prime minister Mahamadou Issofou whose two-term of 10 years is coming to an end. The major contenders are the ruling party’s candidate Mohamed Bazoum and the opposition candidate Mahamane Ousmane who served as prime minister between 1993 and 1996.

The election was billed to be hotly contested but for a major twist that saw the disqualification of popular opposition candidate Hama Amadou who was the runner-up in the last election, leaving the opposition camp in disarray.

France and Nigeria continue to hold significant influence on political, social and economic developments within the country. The former due to its colonial attachment and the later because of its cultural and geographic proximity. Last month, the Buhari singer, Rarara, was in Niger to commission a song in support of the ruling party’s candidate who is being backed by prominent northern politicians from Kano, Sokoto and Katsina.

Few months ago, a video surfaced showing hundreds of campaign vehicles donated for the Bazoum campaign allegedly by Nigerian billionaire Dahiru Mangal who maintained close relationship with the Niger’s ruling class.

Analysts expect the election to be largely peaceful and results are expected to start trickling by Monday. If no candidate wins with outright majority, a second round of elections would be held on February 21, 2021.

Preserve Kano zoo and botanical gardens!

By

Ahmad Hussain

-

27/12/2020

0

By Alan Frishman,
Emeritus Professor

I first arrived in Kano in 1966 as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I returned in 1973 to study the spatial growth of the city for my Ph.D. dissertation. I have been returning regularly ever since then (six times) to follow up on my original study.

One thing that I have noticed is that Kano keeps eliminating its open spaces so that few remain. In colonial times there was a greenbelt and after independence there was the agricultural farm area along Zaria Road, the racetrack area in Nassarawa, the Trade Fair area south of Kofar Nassarawa, the open fields at the central mosque in the old city, the praying field outside of Kofar Mata, the area north of Sabon Gari (now Nomans land) and the open area to the west of Birnin Kano around Goron Dutse.

They have all been over run, including the small Yakuku Gowan Park near the Sabon Gari Market. When I was last in Kano in 2016, I asked many people why there were so few open spaces in such a large city.

I was told that Hausa people value open spaces, but since there is a high demand for land to build houses as the population grows, the open land is encroached upon. But every major city in the world, of which Kano is one, has open areas, large parks and plazas to allow the city to breathe and provide places for people to spend time in an uncrowded atmosphere.

Anyone who has visited New York City knows of Central Park and then there is Kensington Park in central London. In Moscow there is Kremlin Square and other parks and in Beijing there is the huge square in front of the Forbidden City. I could go on and on with so many other examples.

Kano has one remaining open area which is the zoo and botanical gardens. It has beautiful trees and is a pleasure to visit, as I have done many times. Now there is talk of filling it in with shops which would eliminate the last remaining large open space in dense urban Kano. There is plenty of room for housing on the periphery of the built-up area and the city has been expanding in that way for many decades.

The authorities should preserve the zoo and botanical gardens for everyone to enjoy today and for posterity. If that is not done, in the future, everyone will wonder where is there any open space in dense, crowded urban Kano.

Alan Frishman is Professor Emeritus of Economics at Hobart and William Smith Colleges Northwestern University, Rochester, New York, United States.

Senator Saidu Kumo dies at 61

By

Ahmad Hussain

-

27/12/2020

0

Frontline Gombe politician and former Senator Saidu Umar Kumo is dead.

Senator Kumo was the first senator to represent Gombe Central from 1999 – 2003 on the platform of the defunct All Peoples Party.

Prior to his foray into politics, Senator Kumo served as the first secretary to the Committee for the creation of Gombe State, with the late CP Usman Faruk, former police commissioner and first administrator of Sokoto State, as Chairman. The late CP Faruk also died few days ago.

Senator Kumo served as the national secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) during the 2007 elections. He later accepted to serve as advisor to late President Yaradua, a move that caused disaffection within his party who was challenging the legitimacy of Yaradua’s election in court. Kumo will later join PDP, and was to stand trial for collecting 450 million naira from the then NSA Dasuki as part of Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 reelection attempts.

In 2019, Senator Kumo served as the North-East director-general of the Atiku Campaign. He decamped to the APC after the election.

A political maverick, Kumo was the titleholder of Garkuwan Gombe. Coming from a family of Islamic scholars and political influencers, Kumo is the older brother to former FCT minister Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar.

The deceased will be buried in Gombe according to Islamic rites.

Buhari condoles with NMA over loss of 20 doctors

By

editor

-

26/12/2020

0

By Ismail Auwal

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Saturday extended his condolences to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) over the death of several doctors due to COVID-19, across the country.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President noted that the sacrifices made by the frontline medical workers were appreciated.

Buhari further gave an assurance that the welfare of doctors and other health workers would be a priority for his administration.

“The death of our frontline health workers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly sad because these professionals risk their own lives in order to save others,” said Buhari.

He added that, “Our health workers are making maximum sacrifices for the country in line with their humanitarian calling, and this administration will leave no stone unturned in order to ensure their needs are met.”

According to the President, the health workers are operating under severe limitations, but they are undeterred in discharging their duties in saving lives.

“Let me say without any fear of contradiction that no reward is too much for the sacrifices of our health workers in the country, and this administration will give their welfare the priority it deserves,” he stated.

The president remarks were in reaction to the recent statement by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) NMA Chairman, Dr Enema Amodu, that no fewer than 20 medical doctors died of COVID-19 in the last one week across the country.

Kwankwasiya twitter guild mourns death of Kwankwaso’s father

By

editor

-

26/12/2020

0

By Ismail Auwal

Kwankwasiyya Twitter Guild has condoled with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over the death of his father, Alhaji Musa Saleh Kwankwaso, Majidadin Kano\Karaye.

In a statement signed by the Guild’s Chairman, Abdullahi I. Ibrahim, it said that, “It is with deep regret and total submission to Allah that we join millions of people in mourning the passing on of our father and patriarch of the Kwankwaso family, and District Head of Madobi, Alhaji Musa Saleh Kwankwaso, Majidadin Kano\Karaye.“

“We, therefore, join millions in sending our heartfelt condolence to Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, his siblings, the extended family, and the entire Madobi, Kano, and Nigerian Community, over this monumental loss.”

“May Allah (SWT) rest the departed soul of Alhaji Musa Saleh Kwankwaso in Jannah and grant us the fortitude to bear his loss, and bless the fruit he has left behind, from which a multitude of people are feeding from,“ the group prayed.

Late Alh. Musa Kwankwaso has left behind two wives and 19 children, including the former governor of Kano state Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.