President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recommendation of a committee on the review of 368 grazing sites across 25 States.
He directed the committee, which task, among others, was “to determine the levels of encroachment”, to carry out its assignment “with dispatch”.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President’s directive followed his approval of the recommendations of the committee chaired by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Among others, the committee had recommended the collection of field data collection on 368 Grazing Reserves across 25 states to assess encroachment and encroachers, stakeholder engagements and sensitisation.
The Committee also recommended production of maps and geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report preparations as well as design appropriate communication on Grazing Reserves and operations.
The number of the Grazing Reserves and States were deduced from considerations of existing security concerns and other pre-existing socio-economic conditions.
The President directed that the assignment be undertaken with dispatch to bring more understanding on the Grazing Reserves, and implementation.
Members of the committee include Kebbi Governor and Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Ebonyi Governor and Chairman of NEC Sub-Committee for National Livestock Transformation Plan, David Umahi; Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Sabo Nanon; Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar and Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye.
The Technical Sub-Committee consists of representatives from the seven members of the main committee in addition to representatives from Ministry of Justice, Surveyor General of the Federation, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA).
Among its Terms of Reference, the Committee was to collate from states and confirm the status of all Grazing Reserves, assess the percentage of available land and those with existing encroachment complications for case-by-case resolution in partnership with state governments and the FCT.
The Committee will also make recommendations for gazetting of ungazetted Grazing Reserves and create a data base of National Cattle Herders and ensure that Grazing Reserves are well communicated to all stakeholders.
The inaugural meeting of the Committee held on May 10, 2021.
BY Adeniyi Adewoyin/ THE NATION
BBNaija Shine Ya Eye Housemate Maria has picked Boma as her Deputy Head of House.
Maria, who was the immediate Deputy Head of House, emerged the winner of the Head Of House game.
Boma picked Jackie B to enjoy the HOH privileges.
The twist of the game changed hours after Kayvee was pulled out of the show over medical reasons.
BY Gbenga Bada/ THE NATION
Multichoice, the organisers of BBNaija reality TV show, have reacted to the unexpected exit of one of the housemates, Kayvee.
The statement reads: “Kayvee, one of the housemates in the Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye Season, has been exited from the House on medical grounds.
“Prior to this, he had a consultation with Big Brother and the on-site medical team, where it was decided that he had to leave the house for a more thorough medical investigation.
“MultiChoice and the show producers, are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all housemates in the Big Brother house at all times.”
Kayvee exited the show on medical grounds after spending a total of only eight days.
Kayvee entered into the BBNaija house in Lagos on Sunday, August 8, 2021 alongside Michael, JMK and Queen.
The four were added as a twist to the show, which kicked off in a double opening ceremony with 22 housemates.
On the second weekend, three of the 22 housemates were evicted while four new housemates were ushered in.
The housemates, now 22, are competing for a grand prize of N90 million after 72 days in the Big Brother house.
BY Olaitan Ganiu August/ THE NATION
BBNaija Shine Ya Eye housemate, KayVee’s family has reacted to allegations by some housemates that their son is mentally unstable.
Similarly, some housemates have also appealed to Biggie to examine the photographer.
Whitemoney, JMK, Cross feel KayVee might be suffering from depression, hence needs psychological evaluation.
Responding to the issue, KayVee’s family disputed the allegations.
In a letter posted on the official Instagram page of their son, the family said they will never allow him to go into the competition if he had a mental health issue.
“The KayVee we know isn’t what people are painting him to be. His friends and family will never allow him to go into the house if he had a mental health issue. KayVee is big on mental health and positive vibes, and you could see that from when he entered the house.
“What is happening in the house is simply a reaction to him being unwelcomed. He was full of life when he got into the house, and something has triggered this phase. This has caused him to withdraw into his shell to rebuild his energy and vibe.
“Have you met #KayVee? If 20 people are in a room and down spirited, he’s always there to uplift them. We could see how he played this role for his fellow housemate, Angel. He is a kind person, and that’s one of the qualities that makes us super supportive of him.
“KayVee is passionate about his craft, and that’s why he is on the #BBNaija show to promote himself and work. He has worked with several celebrities and individuals. He’s a focused and hardworking person whose life and work ethics inspire his friends and family. Over the years, he has tirelessly built his brand “KOKO’S VIEW”, which provides top-notch photography and cinematography to clients.
“He doesn’t speak bad English. Guys, he felt unwelcomed and overthinks his point before speaking, so it sometimes comes across as incoherent. Isn’t it human nature to overthink? Let’ be humane.
“When we say, “you don’t know what people are going through”, this is the kind of situation where we should be reminded to be kind to each other and remain supportive. Fewer words, more action. Please keep supporting #KayVee as he needs us now more than ever.”
BY Gbenga Bada August/ THE NATION
Maria has emerged fourth Head of the BBNaija Shine Ya Eye edition House and granted immunity from possible eviction.
Maria emerged after all the 22 housemates gathered at the arena for the ‘Head of House’ game on Monday, August 16, 2021.
It was the same game of dice rolling and boxes with instructions to determine the third HoH in the BBNaija Shine Ya Eye edition.
All the 22 housemates took turns in throwing the dice and participated in the game at the kick-off
Maria eventually won the game but she won’t be sleeping in the HOH lounge as she was barred by Biggie as punishment for inviting Liquorose and Peace to the lounge.
With this development, Maria heads the House into the fourth week’s task and activities.
Biggie gave unrestricted visits from housemates to the Head of House lounge but no sleeping over.
As usual, the Head of House (HoH) title comes with some extra privileges.
Maria gets to sit on the throne-like HoH chair, gets information directly from Big Brother, and reads out the day’s task to the other housemates.
This privilege was one of the reasons the HoH challenge is usually hotly contested for.
BY Alao Abiodun August/ THE NATION
Olusegun Falola, one of the lawyers of embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, has said his client might not return back to Nigeria in a long time when he regains freedom from Benin Republic.
Falola explained it would be a dangerous decision for Igboho to return when he is free from Benin Republic because his life is under threat in Nigeria.
He stated this in an interview with feelrightnewsTV obtained by The Nation.
“When I arrived from Paris at the custody where Igboho was detained, he was first chained. They were scared that he could just disappear into the thin air because of his mystical powers.
“The police told me that if Igboho’s chains were untied and he escapes mysteriously, he (police officer) will be stripped of his rank and also dismissed.
“The police officer said he was told that Igboho could disappear or turn into a cat, and many other things were said to the police officers which made them tie him.”
He noted it took his timely intervention for the officers to unchain him and allow him (Igboho) walk freely, explaining Igboho did not commit any offence but he is just a human rights activist.
Giving an update on Igboho’s case, Falola assured he is safe in the Benin Republic.
He said: “The case will make revelations as to which government is powerful in Africa, our government may not be wealthy, and not much in population as compared to Nigeria but there is a signed treaty that must be respected.
“Igboho cannot be left to return back to Nigeria for now because of the destruction of his properties that was witnessed, they are not looking for Sunday Igboho alone but planning to kill him.
“They are looking for how to kill him and that’s very dangerous to allow him return back to Nigeria. So he is being kept safe in custody.”
Although the investigation is still ongoing, Falola explained he is monitoring the developments going on in Nigeria before any application for Igboho’s freedom in court can be made.
He added that if Igboho is released, He may proceed to Germany to see his children and family.
“This case has become a global one with many watching the developments, all Yorubas especially in Diaspora, monarchs, traditionalists, others are keenly following the case,” Falola stated.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, as he marks his 80th birthday anniversary.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari noted he and the former Military President share a similarity in their mutual hope for a stronger and more united Nigeria.
“President Muhammadu Buhari sends birthday greetings to former President Ibrahim Babangida, wishing him a “long and healthy life as he marks his 80th birthday.
“President Buhari notes that as former military commanders during the war, both retiring as Generals, they have mutual interests, great hopes and expectations in a strong and united Nigeria.
“President Buhari expresses hope that privileged Nigerians like President Babangida and others like himself will recommit to ongoing efforts to help the nation to reach more glory, progress, and prosperity,,” the statement reads.
WASHINGTON — Jeffrey A. Rosen, who was acting attorney general during the Trump administration, has told the Justice Department watchdog and Congressional investigators that one of his deputies tried to help former President Donald J. Trump subvert the results of the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the interviews.
Mr. Rosen had a two-hour meeting on Friday with the Justice Department’s office of the inspector general and provided closed-door testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Saturday.
The investigations were opened following a New York Times article that detailed efforts by Jeffrey Clark, the acting head of the Justice Department’s civil division, to push top leaders to falsely and publicly assert that ongoing election fraud investigations cast doubt on the Electoral College results. That prompted Mr. Trump to consider ousting Mr. Rosen and installing Mr. Clark at the top of the department to carry out that plan.
Mr. Trump never fired Mr. Rosen, but the plot highlights the former president’s desire to batter the Justice Department into advancing his personal agenda.
Mr. Clark, who did not respond to requests for comment, said in January that all of his official communications with the White House “were consistent with law,” and that he had engaged in “a candid discussion of options and pros and cons with the president.”
Mr. Rosen did not respond to requests for comment. The inspector general’s spokesman declined to comment.
Mr. Rosen has emerged as a key witness in multiple investigations that focus on Mr. Trump’s efforts to undermine the results of the election. He has publicly stated that the Justice Department did not find enough fraud to impact the outcome of the election.
Mr. Rosen on Friday told investigators from the inspector general’s office about five encounters with Mr. Clark, including one in late December during which his deputy admitted to meeting with Mr. Trump and pledged that he would not do so again, according to a person familiar with the interview.
Mr. Rosen also described subsequent exchanges with Mr. Clark, who continued to press colleagues to make statements about the election that they found to be untrue, according to a person familiar with the interview.
He also discovered that Mr. Clark had been engaging in unauthorized conversations with Mr. Trump about ways to have the Justice Department publicly cast doubt on President Biden’s victory, particularly in battleground states that Mr. Trump was fixated on, like Georgia. Mr. Clark drafted a letter that he asked Mr. Rosen to send to Georgia state legislators, wrongly asserting that they should void Mr. Biden’s victory because the Justice Department was investigating accusations of voter fraud in the state.
Pressuring state officials to ‘find votes.’ As the president continued to refuse to concede the election, his most loyal backers proclaimed Jan. 6, when Congress convened to formalize Mr. Biden’s electoral victory, as a day of reckoning. On that day, Mr. Trump delivered an incendiary speech to thousands of his supporters hours before a mob of loyalists violently stormed the Capitol.
Such a letter would effectively undermine efforts by Mr. Clark’s colleagues to prevent the White House from overturning the election results, and Mr. Rosen and his top deputy, Richard P. Donoghue, rejected the proposal.
As details of Mr. Clark’s actions emerge, it is unclear what, if any, consequences he could face. The Justice Department’s inspector general could make a determination about whether Mr. Clark crossed the line into potentially criminal behavior. In that case, the inspector general could refer the matter to federal prosecutors.
Mr. Rosen has spent much of the year in discussions with the Justice Department over what information he could provide to investigators, given that decision-making conversations between administration officials are usually kept confidential.
Douglas A. Collins, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, said last week that the former president would not seek to bar former Justice Department officials from speaking with investigators. But Mr. Collins said he might take some undisclosed legal action if congressional investigators sought “privileged information.”
Mr. Rosen quickly scheduled interviews with Congressional investigators to get as much of his version of events on the record before any players could ask the courts to block the proceedings, according to two people familiar with those discussions who are not authorized to speak about ongoing investigations.
He also reached out directly to Michael E. Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, and pledged to cooperate with his investigation, according to a person briefed on those talks.
Chelsea are confident of landing the signature of Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku with a final bid, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano claims.
The Blues have been locked in negotiations with the Nerazzurri for the Belgian. They recently submitted an £85 million offer plus Marcos Alonso that was rejected.
Inter prefer a straight cash deal for a reported fee of around £102m. It is now reported that the Blues are confident of landing the marksman in the next few days.
Sportslens view:
The west London giants have been impressive in pre-season, but there has been a similar situation up front with their tendency to squander clear-cut chances.
Lukaku, who bagged 30 goals and 10 assists last term, would provide an ideal solution for manager Thomas Tuchel as the club look to mount a title challenge.
The Belgian was initially happy to stay with Inter next season, but his stance has changed recently after learning about the interest from the Blues.
He believes he has unfinished business at the club. Lukaku was previously with the Blues between 2011 and 2014 but hardly made a mark for them.
The 28-year-old spent two seasons away from the club before he left them permanently for Everton. The Blues attempted to sign him three years later but failed to do so.
Manchester United hijacked the deal at the final hurdle. Lukaku has since joined Inter, where he has played well over the past two seasons.
It looks increasingly likely that they will get their hands on Lukaku this time around with just a £17m difference in the valuation between the clubs.