If we could end the Nigerian Civil War in 30 months at a time when our military and their armaments were less sophisticated, how come we are unable to defeat Boko Haram and its allied agents of terror in 15 years? That was the fat question posed by one of the advocates of non-kinetic interventions in the anti-terror drive, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who once served as the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS.

In battling the present state of insecurity, every voice counts because valuable clues that will help defeat the problem may come from unexpected quarters.

Yusuf is one of the members of the Northern Elders Forum, a body that believes in the carrot-and-stick strategy in defeating banditry and terror. For quite a while, the group has been campaigning for Sheik Ahmad Gumi to be given government backing to negotiate with the bandits with the hope that such a move will solve the problem case by case.

Plea To Negotiate

Last March, NEF appealed to President Tinubu to commission Sheik Gumi to undertake negotiations with bandits for the release of 200 internally displaced women in Borno State and 287 pupils in Kaduna. He pleaded with the president not to make the same mistake made by his predecessor, former President Buhari, who refused to negotiate with criminals, even though he was aware that some governors were paying ransom to secure the release of their people.

NEF’s Spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said Gumi should be supported to bring about a peaceful resolution:

He said, “While some may question the legitimacy of negotiating with criminals, it is important to consider the potential benefits of engaging in dialogue. In conflict resolution, dialogue is often seen as crucial to finding peaceful solutions. By engaging with the bandits, Gumi may be able to understand their grievances and motivations, which could potentially lead to the safe release of the abducted children. Additionally, opening lines of communication with the bandits could pave the way for addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education, and marginalisation that contribute to the cycle of violence.

“By initiating talks, Gumi may be able to secure the release of the schoolchildren and potentially prevent future abductions. While dialogue with bandits may seem controversial, it can be a necessary step in resolving conflicts and ensuring the safety of hostages…”

The federal government has pointedly rejected the suggestion, saying it won’t pay a kobo for the release of abducted persons. The government’s decision seems to be informed by the plethora of literature and other research findings available on social media showing that banditry has become an industry. When terrorists are begged to accept money in exchange for their victims, the state is admitting that it has lost its claim to being a state and is no longer enjoying a monopoly of violence within its geographical space.
No sensible government will share the money it should be using in procuring arms and ammunition with terrorists who, in several cases, are already outgunning security agencies. With more ransom money, bandits are able to acquire more sophisticated arms and enforce the institutionalisation of their criminal enterprise.

Banditry Now An Industry

Anyone who has been paying attention to the subject will know that banditry has become an industry in Nigeria. Contrary to the claim that it is a northern phenomenon, it is now a pan-Nigerian thing. Marksmen with Sahelian physical features have taken over many forests in the southern states, killing at random and making hefty sums as ransom payment. Where they’re not decimating the population of farmers, they turn the interstate highways to their hunting ground where, at times, they abduct the entire passengers of interstate buses.

Although many of the so-called bandits opened shop as aggrieved herdsmen whose cattle had been rustled by gunmen who crossed into Nigeria from Chad and Niger, there is a conspiracy of silence between the thieves and a section of the elite. Listening to some of their defenders, you would think the poor farmer in Kaduna, Okigwe, Auchi, Maiduguri, Yola, Jos, Gusau, Oyo or Ilesha should be blamed for prospering while his cattle herding compatriot is allegedly suffering. What, I ask, is the link between the rustling of cattle in the far north and the terrorisation of agrarian communities in other parts of the country under the pretence of ‘farmers-herders clashes’. Now that it is clear to everyone that in some parts of the country, there are only bandits and terrorists determined to seize the ancestral lands of farmers, should we still be living the lie that non-kinetic solutions will do the trick?

The recent declaration by the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan Shehu, that banditry is now an industry in the state, plainly showed the extent of the problem. According to him, the class of people involved in banditry has compounded the situation. He disclosed that a former local government chairman has been arrested for involvement in banditry. In the same vein, a district head has been implicated in the supply of drugs to the criminals while a member of the State House of Assembly was implicated in banditry.

The police do not have the number of men and requisite firepower to confront the enemies of the people. Indeed, in some cases, the local vigilantes and traditional hunters have been known to rescue police operatives captured or trapped by bandits.

As a matter of urgency, the suggestions made by commentators in the public space over the last 12 months should be considered by the federal government. The ‘To Do’ list of deliverables within the next one year should include the following:

Establishment of State Police

Immediate prosecution and punishment of all the sponsors, informants, bagmen and other collaborators of bandits no matter how highly placed.

Enhanced intel-based military intervention simultaneously carried out in contiguous terror-endemic areas.
Coordinated use of drones to take out identified kingpins of banditry.

Retooling of relevant squadrons of the police involved in the anti-banditry war with superior arms more advanced than the terrorists’ weapons.

The franchising out of identified notorious bandits/terrorists’ zones to mercenaries (never say never)!
Banning open grazing nationally so that bandits and Boko Haram may no longer pose as herdsmen or continue to decimate the population of farmers under false pretences. Already, I have written about many ranching initiatives such as the ones established in Kano by former Governor Ganduje which all state governments interested in ranching can emulate.

Ranching Legislation

I notice that the National Assembly has been working on the anti-grazing bill with gusto. It shouldn’t be a divisive issue. In fact, without much ado, the lawmakers should carefully consider the judicial work that has already been done on the subject instead of pretending that the herder-farmer problem is a new development. We should remind them that the matter has since been settled in law by Hon.Justice Adewale Thompson in Suit no AB/26/66 at the Abeokuta Division of the High Court on 17 April,1969 as follows:

“I do not accept the contention of Defendants that a custom exists which imposes an obligation on the owner of a farm to fence his farm whilst the owner of cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom if it exists, is unreasonable and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and therefore unenforceable… in that it is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle. “Sequence to that I ban open grazing for it is inimical to peace and tranquillity and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities.”

The gradual erosion of governance at the local government level and the attendant collapse of both physical and administrative structures are leading legal experts and civil society organisations to pose serious questions about Nigeria’s democratic credentials with visible threats to constitutional orders.

The ongoing political battle between the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and a faction of the state assembly over the tenure of local government chairmen has also exposed the extent to which virtually all the states have gone to undermine the constitutional order, with local government elections dependent on the whims of the governors rather than the law.

Defence and security experts who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday backed a recent assertion by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, that insecurity in many parts of the country, particularly the north, is linked to the absence of local government administration.

Stakeholders who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday identified corruption and political dominance as the major incentives pushing governors to disregard the constitution, and Supreme Court rulings and even resort to the deployment of violence in their efforts to control local council authorities and finances.

At stake is trillions of Naira of local government funds. Between January and May 2024, all three tiers of government shared N5.759 trillion from the federation account. The 774 LGAs received N1.416 trillion on this figure.

LEADERSHIP Sunday estimates that the 774 LGAs could collect as much as N3.39 trillion in the whole of 2024.

In January 2024, the LGAs got N288.928 billion, N278.041 billion in February, N267.153 billion in March, N288.688 billion in April, and N293.816 billion in May.
Investigations and expert opinion sought by LEADERSHIP Sunday also show that the effects of weak or absent local authorities is all-encompassing, undermining democracy, fueling insecurity, breeding corruption and raising tension between state governments and the general public on the one hand, and between the states and the federal government on another.

Findings by our correspondents show that virtually all of the present state governors have at one point or another appointed caretakers in breach of Nigerian laws and against Supreme Court rulings. Some, like Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke, have gone as far as sacking elected local government chairmen.
But Anambra could take the prize for illegality as our correspondent reports that local government elections were last held in 2014, a decade ago.

In Rivers State, where the debate has been about which of two wrongs will make a right, the tenure of the elected local government chairmen expired on June 17, 2024.

The governor immediately replaced them with caretakers, while the state assembly insisted it had extended their tenure through a a questionable piece of legislation.
States that have conducted LG elections within the last three years include Sokoto, Kaduna, Plateau, Yobe, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kebbi, Niger, Adamawa, Oyo, Katsina, Ekiti, Borno, Gombe and Edo.

Lagos last held LG elections in July 2021, but does not plan to hold another until 2025, exceeding the three years mandated by law.
In other states, local government elections were last held in Kwara State in 2017, 2018 in Imo, December 2020 in Kogi, October 2020 in Akwa Ibom, May 2020 in Cross River, and June 2021 in Jigawa, with no signs of elections holding soon.

Bauchi State last conducted local government elections in October 2020. In Abia, too, the last election was in 2020, while in Delta, it was in March 2021.
And while the federal government has tried various means to restore constitutionality and autonomy to the local government system, some legal luminaries have disagreed with the approach.
Several Senior Advocates of Nigeria are sharply divided over the suit filed by the federal government against the 36 states of the federation on autonomy for the 774 LGAs in the country.

The attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had dragged the state governments to the Supreme Court over illegal control of LGs by the state governors.
Specifically, the suit is seeking full autonomy for local governments as the third tier of government in the country.

FG has no locus filing suit for LG autonomy – Awa Kalu

Dr Ahmed Raji, SAN, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in about five states including Kano; Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, Professor of law and former Attorney-Genetal of Abia state, and Barrister Paul Omoluabi, a constitutional lawyer, all took different positions on the federal government’s suit at the Supreme Court.

While Prof Kalu said the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, should have been the legally recognised body to file the suit and not the FG, Dr Raji said since parties have surrendered themselves before the court, the apex court should be allowed to determine the matter one way or the other.

Prof Kalu said, “The proper court to go to, to decide the suit one way or the other is the Supreme Court. The federal government has no locus filing suit on behalf of LGs; why can’t the LGs speak for themselves; after all, they have an umbrella, ALGON, that can do that on their behalf.”

But Dr Raji said, “This case has been submitted for determination, and judgement is being expected, and as a senior lawyer, I should not anticipate what is going to be the judgement of the court. If it is not yet subjudice, it is within my right to comment but being a counsel who has taken a petition and has taken the matter for determination, it would be grossly irresponsible of me to make comments that would try to over-reach the decision of the court.”

On the conduct of LG election, Professor Kalu said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has no business with LG elections. He also condemned governors that withhold LG funds.
He said, “It is all propaganda; INEC has no business with local government election; it has not even been able to handle its own primary responsibilities well and you still want to hand over another one to it. It is pure propaganda to say you want to hand over LG election to INEC.

“There is no lacuna in the law guiding local governmnent election; it’s all propaganda. There is a Supreme Court judgement that talks about the state having something to do with the running of the local government. There is a Supreme Court judgement to that effect. The Supreme Court made it clear that you can’t be in Abuja and be conducting LG elections in the states.”

Raji on his part said withholding LG funds could lead to anarchy.

According to him, the drafters of the law did not envisage a vacuum in local government administration.
He said, “It is not contemplated that there will be a vacuum; the drafters of our laws did not anticipate that there will be long vacuum after the departure of one regime before another regime comes in. So to find the justification for it may be difficult, but under the doctrine of necessity the governor may be right to put caretaker government in place, but under the constitution, there should be a democratically elected local government but where election is impossible due to disease outbreak that may result in an election not being held, then, the state law will have to provide for a means to keep the government wheels running, but it is not in the contemplation of the law that you can say a tenure is over and there is a gap for one or two years.”

On the conduct of LG elections by INEC, he said the call became necessary because it is believed that the governors are not doing the right thing, as regards the conduct of LG elections.

He said rather than ask INEC to conduct LG elections, the loopholes should be blocked and state independent electoral commissions (SIECs) strengthened to conduct credible elections.
“The reason for this is, it is believed governors are just “messing” up with SIECs; where is the assurance that INEC will fare better?

“I think we need to deepen democracy. If there is anything which the state commission is doing which is not proper, I think we need to block the loopholes and see that they are up and doing because over-centralisation has its own problem.

“I think the monitoring should be more and the judiciary should intervene decisively where there is no semblance of election in any state in respect of the local government councils, so maybe if one or two of them are made examples”, he said.
He also spoke on the attitude of the state governors to withhold LG funds in contravention of the law.
To him, the issue has been put to rest by the Supreme Court in the case between AG Lagos State vs AGF.
He said it is grossly illegal for a governor to withhold funds meant for LG administration.
He said withholding funds meant for the running if govermnent affairs at any level could lead to anarchy.
Constitutional lawyer, Barrister Paul Omoluabi, quoted Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution which states:

“The amount standing to the credit of the local government council in the Federation Account shall be paid directly to the local government council.”

He said, “Section 162(4) of the Constitution allows the president to withhold funds from the Federation Account if a state or local government fails to comply with the provisions of the Constitution or any law enacted by the National Assembly.

Ungoverned Spaces Fueling insecurity

Security experts have attributed rising insecurity in the country to the absence of effective local government administration and called for local government autonomy.

The experts said effective local government administration would identify brewing security threats and tackle them to avoid their escalation.

Maj-Gen James Nyam (rtd) said the local government area security committee are formed to identify brewing threats and solve them.

“We have 774 LGAs in Nigeria by the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Among the administrative structure of the LGAs, there is an LGA Security Committee which is composed of the LGA chairman as chair, representative of the Armed Forces, the Police, DSS, traditional and religious institutions and other critical stakeholders such as union leaders and CSOs where they exist in that LGA.”
He said the committee serves as a veritable tool identifying all forms of insecurity brewing in the LGA, tracking the sources, isolating them and tackling them.

He, however, said the dislocation of LGAs by state governments had created a vacuum where nobody is carrying out that responsibility.
Speaking further, he said the absence of local government has excluded a lot of Nigerians from political participation, thereby leaving a large population idle.

“Secondly, the LGAs offer the largest platform for inclusiveness and political participation at the grassroots. When you dislocate the LGAs, inadvertently, you are excluding majority of Nigerians from political participation. They are then left idle and the only thing that might result from that situation is insecurity…That is what we currently have in Nigeria in very exponential proportions.”
He identified corruption as the reason for the failure of the LG system.

“It is all due to corruption. We have allowed state governors to take charge of local government funds and they are not ready or willing to let go. It’s my hope that the suit filed by the federal government, pursuant to reinstating LGA autonomy, is the right way to go and, if successful, would assuage or address, majorly, our prevailing security challenges!”

On his part, Brig-Gen Sani Usman (rtd) said an effective local government administration will help address security challenges since most of the challenges are local.

“I have been saying the autonomy and effective functioning of the local government is one of the most critical aspects of fighting poverty, corruption and, most importantly, insecurity in the country. Therefore, there is a very strong link between those issues and local governance. The bulk of the security challenges are local and the solution is local. For example, banditry and kidnapping in the northwest, to the large extent, were due to the mishandling of herders-farmers clashes which could have been mitigated at the local level”.

Governors Behind Failure In LGs – CSOs

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working to ensure local government autonomy have accused state governors of causing the failure of the local government system.

They, however, say that scrapping the LG system will not resolve the issues of insecurity and underdevelopment.

The CSOs argue that only financial autonomy will address the problems in the local governments.

According to the CSOs, the collapse of LGs is due to the governors hijacking their funds and not allowing them to fulfill their mandates.

The national team leader of Engaged Citizens, John Mutu,

Highlighted that the lack of financial autonomy and administrative autonomy is the root of the problem.

Mutu stressed the importance of LGs managing their resources and being accountable to the people.

He expressed concern that if the governors appoint caretaker chairmen, they will only be accountable to the governors and not to the people at the grassroots.

Mutu, who previously served as the deputy national team leader of PERL-ECP, a governance programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), stated that caretakers appointed by the governors at the local government level should not exist.

He explained that the constitution does not provide for caretakers in the absence of elections.

Mutu suggested that the head of administration in the local government, who is the LG secretary, should take charge until elections are conducted.

“If there are no elections, the natural succession should be the most senior civil servant,” Mutu said.

Meanwhile, CSOs and other stakeholders advocating for local government autonomy have organised a one-day planning and reflection meeting in Abuja.

This meeting aims to assess their successes in advocating for local government autonomy and leverage the ongoing constitution amendment.

The CSOs and organised groups believe that the clamour for local government autonomy and independence will ultimately be achieved.

[Leadership]

Farming communities suffering from bandits’ and terrorist attacks in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi LGAs of Niger State are paying millions of naira “dialogue fee” to their killers with a promise to allow them access to their farms for cultivation.

Speaking with our correspondent, the farmers said despite the millions of naira they had been paying since the beginning of this farming season, attacks had continued.

A farmer in Shiroro, Salisu Baba, said, “Farming is the only occupation and means of livelihood that we have. And we are now hungry. All these humanitarian support people talk about cannot take us anywhere. We want to go back to our communities to engage in farming. We are hungry and impoverished in IDP camps; even our children are not well-fed. That is why when bandits ask for dialogue we do agree because we are eager to go back home. It is almost 10 years; we cannot go to our farms.”

It was gathered that before the attacks the communities produced maize, millet, sorghum, soybean, yam and cocoyam in commercial quantities, attracting buyers from as far as Lagos, the Eastern part of the country and the Republic of Niger.

A farmer who preferred anonymity said, “Majority of us are in IDP camps in Erena, Gwada, Sarkin-Pawa and Kuta. Many of our relations are in captivity. We have completely lost access to farming.”

Meanwhile, recently the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (Rtd), disclosed that the government was planning to construct temporary resettlement centres for the IDPs pending when the situation improved.

He warned the victims against returning home without the government’s directive.

The President of Lakpma Youth Forum, Babangida Zaharadeen Kudodo, told our correspondent the victims paid “dialogue fee” amounting to millions to be allowed to cultivate lands.

He said, “They (bandits and terrorists) do come and ask for dialogue fees so that there would be a consensus between them and the villagers. They tax them certain amounts of money which they would pay to them so that they would be allowed to farm.

“The Lakpma axis is suffering from insecurity in Shiroro LGA. So, anybody seen farming now is definitely paying tax to the bandits or terrorists.”

He added that, “Farmers pay tax because they are out of options, because we all know how things have been very difficult for our people. Even when they run to IDP camps, how would they cope? People used to fetch free firewood but they have now come to the town to buy firewood, and there is no money to buy it with the current cost of living in the country.

“So, they feel that if terrorists can tax them as much as N10m, N15m and even N20m, communities prefer to just go and gather the money and give them so that they would allow them access to their ancestral lands to continue with their farming activities.

“But despite that they pay taxes, that doesn’t stop the bandits and terrorists from attacking them, killing them and kidnapping others. So, maybe if one group had taxed them and they paid, another group would not know. So, other groups will still come and kidnap people and even kill them.”

However, in Munya, a local government official confirmed to our correspondent on condition of anonymity that bandits called for a dialogue to allow the affected communities to go to farm, but said they did not collect any levy from the farmers.

He said, “One of the conditions the bandits gave was that they would allow residents access to their farms but that if the farmers see them passing to other places, they should give them cover. But our people have rejected the move.”

 [DailyTrust]

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recently stirred the hornet’s nest when it asked the Federal Government to purchase two new aircrafts for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Nigerians went wild with anger when the committee’s recommendation came to the public knowledge.

The recommendation was contained in a report of the committee’s investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

“The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognising the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of the technical or operational inadequacy of the presidential air fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircrafts as recommended.

“This will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run, apart from the added advantage of providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting of the status and responsibilities of the office of the president and vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the report stated.

The committee was mandated by the lower chamber of the national assembly in May to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the aircraft in the presidential fleet to ascertain their airworthiness and technical status.

The assignment followed a motion by the House Committee Chairman on National Security and Intelligence, Satomi Ahmed.

According to reports, Ahmed’s motion followed reports of faulty aircraft in the presidential air fleet, a development that forced the President to use a chartered plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia during his recent trip abroad

There was a heated debate on the floor of the House when some lawmakers suggested that the President should travel via commercial aircraft or by road.

But in the end, the Committee was given the assignment to investigate and report to the House the condition of aircrafts in the presidential fleet.

To be on the same page, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Shehu Buba Umar, also supported the recommendation by the lower chamber’s committee.

Ever since the news broke out, Nigerians have been speaking against the move, with many saying the President cannot continue to spend money on luxury and ask Nigerians to be patient with the government.

Others are saying that even if the government wants to buy new aircrafts for the president and vice president, it should not be at this critical period when most Nigerians find it extremely difficult to feed once a day.

Recall that the Organised Labour and the Federal Government have been at loggerheads over a new national minimum wage.

While Labour is pushing for N250,000, the government said it could only afford N62,000 due to economic constraints.

Now, some persons are questioning the rationale behind the move to acquire new aircrafts when the government said it cannot pay a beggarly sum of N62,000 to workers.

Reacting to the development, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, through its national Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said there was no moral justification to ask Nigerians to make further sacrifices when the leaders don’t care whether the people survived or perished.

Stressing that the government must live by example by cutting luxury items, he said the citizens have been making sacrifices since the advent of the Tinubu administration on May 29, 2023. He argued that asking Nigerians to make further sacrifices amounts to telling them to commit suicide.

“If the government is so reckless in spending, then it has no moral justification to ask the citizens to sacrifice. In any event, the appropriate word is to say to the government, ‘let the poor breathe.’ That would be the right word to say to them.

“There are millions of families in this country that could not celebrate the very special celebration of Eid. They couldn’t celebrate it because they couldn’t afford it.

“So, for the government to nurse such plans shows they are disconnected with the realities on ground, which is that people are dying on a daily basis because they cannot afford food.

“People are dying on a daily basis because they cannot buy medicine. People are dying by reason of the fact that they are frustrated and they commit suicide on a daily basis. And the government seems to be disconnected and averse to the reality in the nation.

“Our own advice as a party is that the President should live by example, by first of all, ensuring that the corruption and the excessive maintenance of their luxury appetites are cut.

“We have said it severally that the government must stop pursuing and funding their luxury appetites. And it comes in the form of vehicles, the nature of vehicles and the number of vehicles.

“The government has no moral justification. Indeed, Nigerians have been sacrificing. They have been sacrificing from day one; since May 29, 2023 when this government came in.

“It started with the rash and ill-thought programme of removing fuel subsidy. Nigerians have been suffering on the basis of that. They have been paying more on electricity tariff, and paying more on multiple taxes being imposed on them.

“These people are suffocating. Telling them to sacrifice more is like saying go and commit suicide. That is what they are saying. It is the government that should sacrifice now. The leadership should show examples.

“And if there is any plan at all to purchase an aircraft, then President Tinubu should perish the thought. Number one, the British Prime Minister flies British Airways. At the last count, we have about seven or nine aircrafts in the Presidential fleet. Former President Muhammadu Buhari came and said he was going to sell all of them; instead of selling, he acquired more,” he said.

Also reacting, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, through its spokesman, Mr Benson Upah accused the Federal Government and the ruling elite of prioritizing luxury over the needs of the Nigerian people.

He said: “When it comes to the comfort of members of the ruling political elite, there is no limit to what the state can do. But, when it comes to the basic necessities of the ordinary Nigerian, they begin to use a calculator.

“As long as the ruling elite consider themselves over and above every other citizen, every need, and every necessity, there will continue to be hunger and anger in the land.

“There is always enough for the pleasures or the passions of the ruling political elite, but never enough for the necessities of the citizenry. Purchasing a presidential jet cannot be a necessity for now, given the complaints or comments from the ruling political elite. It cannot be a priority for now.”

He cited examples of other countries where their leaders fly commercial planes just to save money for their countries.

“We have many leaders, including the Kenyan president, and others, who fly commercial planes,” he said in a statement.

Reacting through his official X handle, former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi said the plan to acquire new presidential aircrafts was unacceptable and a clear show of insensitivity to the suffering of the people.

He advised the government to focus on alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians rather than wasting money on such luxuries.

He said: “At a time when our country is on the front page of global newspapers for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government is contemplating buying new presidential jets. This demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens’ struggles.

“With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect that is apparent between the government and the people.

“It is unacceptable as the situation in the country today more than ever before demands a more compassionate use of resources, and prioritising citizens’ welfare.

“It’s on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford basic necessities. Now, as our country faces significant challenges, including a high debt profile, our citizens are in even greater need. Instead of adding to our luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating their sufferings, and finding solutions to their problems.

“For long, our bad leadership has made our priorities as leaders to be at variance with the needs of the society, which is why we are now headed south as a nation.

“To elucidate further, despite dropping down to the fourth largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $252 billion and a per capita income of $1,080, with huge debt burdens and borrowing to service debts, yet, we are spending $15 million for our Vice President’s residence, while the USA, the world’s largest economy with a GDP of $25 trillion, about 100 times our GDP, and a per capita income of $80,000, about 80 times ours, still houses their Vice President in Number 1 Observatory Circle, a house built over 100 years ago, and whose value is less than the $15 million we are spending on our VP’s residence.

“A reputable real estate company reports that the US Vice President’s official residence is valued at about $7.5 million today.

“While we had earlier refurbished the old VP’s residence with $2 million, the over 100-year-old US Vice President’s house has only undergone wide-scale renovations twice, funded by taxpayers’ money in 1993 and 2021. Every new US VP is free to finance any minor refurbishing from his funds.

“It’s, therefore, time to stop this impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness and refocus on the needs of our people.

“We must prioritise education, healthcare, and lifting our citizens out of poverty. Let us work together to build a nation that truly serves its people, not just the interests of a few. Let’s rise to the challenge, and build this new Nigeria which is now more possible than ever before.”

President of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, cautioned the president to be more sensitive to the plight of Nigerians and not indulge in extravagant expenditures.

According to him, “He’s supposed to live by example. If the economy is okay, he can buy a presidential jet, and no one would raise an eyebrow. But, given that the economy is in a bad shape and he knows it, he should be sensitive enough not to spend money on things that are not necessary.”

“However, if he can justify to Nigerians that the current jet is in such bad shape, and that his security is at risk if he uses it, we can understand. But, no one has given us such an explanation. As far as we are concerned, it is just one of those extravagant expenditures,” he told DAILY POST.

For the president of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the idea was insensitive to the current economic hardship in the land.

“I am totally not in support of any new aircraft at the moment. Rather, he should stay at home and work or manage the available ones.

“Let us be honest with ourselves, this is not acceptable and Nigerians must not be in support of this idea.

“This is a clarion call; Nigerians must resist and condemn this move. We are just recovering from the SUV for National Assembly members and they are now talking about buying a private jet. No, this is wrong and unacceptable,” he said in an interview with DAILY POST.

[DailyPost]

• He was never Emir of Kano, says gov’s spokesman

Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, yesterday  insisted that  the dethroned Emir, Aminu Bayero, must vacate the Nasarawa Palace where is currently staying.

 The governor’s Media and Publicity Director General, Sanusi Bature, said the Nasarawa mini palace is a graveyard which Bayero must vacate for necessary renovation. He spoke on Arise News television on Friday.

 He disclosed that Aminu Ado Bayero was never an Emir of Kano, but only an Emir of the eight metropolitan local government areas which have been abolished.

 Speaking on the notice given to Emir Bayero to vacate the Nasarawa palace, Bature said the property being occupied by Bayero is not a palace or mini palace but a graveyard for Kano emirs which also serves other purposes as well and would require renovation.

He said, “The Nasarawa palace we are talking about is not a palace. It is actually a cemetery for late Emirs of Kano, not a palace. Another part of it is used as a guest house for very important visitors of the palace. It is where the emir used to rest for a short while when he is coming back from an annual festival during the Sallah celebration.”

 Bature expressed concerns over the safety of Bayero staying in the Nasarawa palace.

 He said: “Aminu is living in a graveyard. He forced himself into that property. We want to renovate it so it can be used for its original purpose and for Bayero’s safety from the defective structure.”

Regarding the deposition of Emir Aminu Bayero, Bature clarified, “Aminu Ado Bayero was never an Emir of Kano. He was appointed Emir of eight metropolitan local governments of Kano city.”

Bature pointed out that with the repeal of the 2019 Emirate Law which had created additional emirates like Bichi, Karaye, Gaya, and Rano, Bayero’s jurisdiction no longer exists as originally intended.

 “With the revision of the law under one united Kano, the emirate that Bayero served does not exist again. The main emirate was bastardised by Abdullahi Ganduje under the 2019 Emirate Law which created Bichi, Karaye, Gaya, and Rano emirates.”

Clarifying the reason for Bayero’s recognition as the 15th Emir of Kano state, he said, “Bayero was 15th Emir of Kano but his jurisdiction is not for the 44 local governments of Kano.  It’s just only for the eight metropolitan governments which are now abolished and the judge in his ruling affirmed the validity of the law.”

 He emphasised the historical significance of the emirate, stating: “The emirate of Kano predates Nigeria and its constitution.”

 Bature criticised the actions of the previous administration under Ganduje, accusing it of politicising and undermining the emirate’s integrity. He asserted, “His excellency, Abba Yusuf, promised to restore the lost glory of the state during his campaign, and he is only fulfilling his promise.”

The governor’s spokesman also discussed legal matters surrounding the emirate, mentioning ongoing appeals and jurisdictional challenges.

 “We have filed an appeal at the appellate court and will pursue this case rigorously. It’s a fight to finish,” he asserted.

 Bature affirmed the reinstatement of Sanusi II as Emir stating: “Emir Sanusi II was duly reinstated under the new emirate law that unified Kano under one emirate.”

 Meanwhile, the police yesterday faulted the Kano State government, particularly Governor Abba Yusuf, on their stand on the emirate crisis.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a police officer said the governor caused the entire crisis because of  his “arrogance and abuse of court orders.”

 The respondent, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), queried the governor and his aides for insisting to evict Aminu Bayero when the case is still in the court.

 “I am not in the position to speak to journalists on this matter, but the CP (Commissioner of Police) and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) have spoken a lot on this saga.

“Like the CP said, obeying the governor’s eviction order would be like jumping the gun.

 “The same government has appealed the case at the appellate court, which is coming up on the 24th of June, 2024. So, why not wait for the outcome in the court? What if the court rules in favour of Bayero?,” he asked.

 Reacting on the state government’s insistence to demolish the Nasarawa palace where deposed Emir Aminu Bayero is staying, the police source said no one would be allowed to come near the property with a bulldozer, except if Governor Abba Yusuf drives a bulldozer and carries out the demolition by himself.

 “Can’t you see that we have barricaded all the four entry points to the area? Where will the bulldozers pass?

 “Except, if the governor drives a bulldozer by himself, given his immunity, we shall allow him to do his wish, but we shall video-record him and file our report,” he said.

He reminded that if Nigeria was operating state police, by now Kano would have been on fire.

 “These are leaders clamouring for state police. This is the second time the governor is ordering us to evict Bayero. The first order was voided by the court, which asked the state government to pay Bayero the sum of N10 million as damages as it affects his fundamental rights of movement and civic liberty.

“Now, he (governor) has come up with another order and even threatening to demolish the place where an emir -whether deposed or on the throne is staying.

 “Now, imagine if the police were under him; officers and men of the Force would have had no choice than to obey his order -to evict or harm Bayero or do whatever he would have commanded them to do against him and Kano would have been in blood by now.

 “However, that not been the case, we have been able to maintain law and order in Kano, protecting the two emirs,” he said.

He praised the Commissioner of Police, Ussain Gumel, for his wisdom in ensuring peace and stability in Kano State up to this moment.

 He regretted that, “Gumel has been promoted to the rank of AIG and will be handing over and leaving on Monday,” he said.

Gov warns security agencies against going outside designated responsibilities

Speaking at the 15th weekly meeting of the Kano State Executive Council held at the Government House, yesterday, Governor Abba Yusuf, cautioned  security agencies in the state against meddling in matters beyond their designated responsibilities.

The governor’s warning follows the state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, rejection of the order of the attorney general of the state to evict the deposed emir  from the Nasarawa Palace.

The governor in a statement by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature said, “Governor Abba Kabir expressed disapproval of the recent upsurge in Thuggery and clashes involving Yan daba, affirming that the government will not passively observe while unscrupulous elements endanger the relative tranquility and harmony enjoyed by the law-abiding citizens of the state.

 “He reiterated that under his administration, the state government is diligently collaborating with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the populace and their possessions at all times.

 “Furthermore, Governor Abba Kabir cautioned Judges against the unwarranted release of thugs, emphasizing the threat they pose to the welfare of the state’s residents and stressing the importance of prompt and equitable dispensation of justice.

 “Alhaji Abba Kabir also instructed security agencies to strictly adhere to their mandated duty of safeguarding the lives and properties of the citizens they serve, warning against involvement in matters beyond their designated responsibilities.”

[TheNation]

In developed democra cies, citizen patriotism is exceedingly high because the right to life in such countries is a priority both in theory and in practice. For example, the US government would take every possible step to stop whatever can bring harm to any American citizen. Indeed, the death of one American citizen especially outside the country ’s shores is enough to lead to war.

Commendably, they generally don’t wait for a calamity before action is taken. This is why the country’s embassies by convention issue periodic advisory releases to serve as early warning signals for their citizens wherever they are. It is therefore not by accident that such citizens are able to develop a high degree of affection for their country.

In the developing world on the other hand, the reverse is the case; not because people have no knowledge of the value of patriotism but because the right to life of a citizen is not similarly a priority in governance. Until the recent creation of the Diaspora Commission, which now seems to put everyone on notice, officials of government were not used to bothering about the fate of their country’s citizens. The common narrative has been that our embassies are frequently hostile to their citizens abroad – a situation that is yet to substantially change. At home, the people are themselves eyewitnesses of daily avoidable deaths which the authorities do nothing about. This seems to explain why Nigerian citizens openly chorus the saying that their country is not worth dying for. 

Right to life is one of the fundamental rights provided for and documented in Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution but in all honesty do our people enjoy the right to life? Hundreds of people die daily from basic ailments and even hunger, yet the same Constitution says the security and welfare of the citizenry is the primary purpose of government. In reality however, it is an open secret that the real primary purpose of government is the luxury of the ruling class. In the last few weeks, cholera, a contagious but preventable disease has been recorded in not less than 30 states in Nigeria with no concerted efforts to stop the fatalities. Painfully, this is an annual occurrence during the rains between December and June.

Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) had announced a spike in cholera in several regions of the world, with about 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of 2024, Nigeria is one of the countries that appear taken aback. In Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, Cholera death toll increased to 24 in Lagos State alone some 48 hours ago. Professor Akin Abayomi, the state health commissioner who announced the increase advised residents to ensure personal and environmental hygiene. It is however simplistic to imagine that it is Lagos that has been most hit simply because other states are as usual playing down the epidemic.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1,141 suspected cases with about 40 deaths in 96 local government areas in 30 states have been recorded in the first half of this year. This establishes that right to life is not really a priority of government if these preventable deaths were allowed to happen. If the truth must be told, the priority in Nigeria is politics. In Edo and Ondo states where the governorship elections are around the corner, nothing else interests anyone. Even in states where there are no elections until 2027, it is politics, politics and politics.

In Rivers state, the priority today is whether or not the tenure of local councillors and the chairmen have ended. Already deaths have as a result occurred.

This is therefore not the best time to monitor the status of cholera in Rivers state even though 9 people were reportedly killed a few months back following an outbreak of cholera in Soku community in Akuku-Toru local government area of the state. Some community elders told the media that the outbreak was as a result of bad and contaminated drinking water. Similarly, whether or not there is cholera in Kano cannot be the issue at stake now. Following judicial pronouncements that do not mean the same thing to any two lawyers, the state government has been forced to concentrate on the Emirship of the ancient city. The fact that the court concerned is a federal high court that has chosen to deal with matters assigned to state high courts has also forced the entire nation to see the subject as the matter of the moment.

It is however observed that some efforts have been made in Kano to advise residents against drinking rainwater which the health authorities in the state say can prevent the spread of cholera as the raining season has set in. Other states are also restricting themselves to issuing guidelines on the subject. In Oyo state for instance, the Education Board has asked food vendors and handlers in public schools to follow hygiene practices to prevent contamination. In Akwa Ibom State, the government says it has initiated precautionary measures to prevent outbreak of cholera in the state. Last Friday in Uyo, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, said the state government had commenced sensitisation of residents in all its 31 Local Government Areas on the need to maintain personal and environmental hygiene.

Whereas counselling people on hygiene is good health education, it is important to observe that contaminated water is the only readily available source of drinking water across the rural areas of Nigeria. In the circumstance, is it irrational to conclude that the welfare and security of the people is not the priority of government? This question is relevant when it is realized that the country does not budget enough funds to stockpile certain essential items like vaccines in anticipation of health emergencies. For this reason, Nigeria has remained incapable of providing adequate cholera vaccines to meet the needs of its people. Jide Idris, the boss of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was in fact quoted by the media to have said that the date of delivery of an order placed by the centre for more vaccines from donor agencies is unknown.

Each time a legislator moves a motion on what is usually described as a matter of urgent national importance, it is often about the welfare of the lawmakers and never about the people they represent. Once a speaker is unable to increase the luxuries of his colleagues he is removed. At least 4 speakers have since been so removed in the last one year. But for the timely intervention of Governor Bassy Otu, the current speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Alver Ayambem would have been out. He was saved after a closed-door meeting with the governor where the grievances of the legislators were addressed. Why can’t our legislators use same strategy to get governors to prevent unnecessary deaths of their people from ailments like cholera?

Some of our governors themselves do not believe in the mandate which makes the welfare and security of the masses their priority. Although Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba intends to construct several projects such as schools and hospitals to transform the state, it is instructive that the intention was disclosed at the commissioning of the remodelled governor ’s lodge in Abuja. It would have been salutary if the remodelling of the lodge was thought of after schools and hospitals had been built. Instead, the opening of the lodge got a LIVE television coverage showing clearly that it was considered a priority. From the commendation which Kefas got from Usman Ododo, his Kogi state colleague, it is clear that some other governors would follow the same example while the masses remain in penury and want.

During electioneering campaigns, some contestants always argue that their political ambition is not worth the life of any fellow citizen, yet the same politicians recruit several thugs to harm fellow contestants. While in office, they earn incredible salaries and allowances. Our current federal legislators are spending billions of naira to procure official cars and to construct parking lots for the cars. But the masses are left to live in squalor and be subjected to contagious diseases such as cholera while the ruling class watches on.

Former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, revealed that Jorge Masvidal was the fighter who rattled him the most before entering the Octagon.

Despite being one of the most feared fighters in the welterweight division, Usman admitted to feeling afraid during his title run. The fighter who instilled the most fear in “The Nigerian Nightmare” was Masvidal, who had significant hype going into their first title fight in 2020.

Masvidal earned the 2019 ‘Fighter of the Year’ title with victories over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz, becoming the UFC’s first-ever BMF Champion with a doctor’s stoppage TKO. His record-breaking 5-second flying knee KO of the undefeated Askren stood out as one of the most violent knockouts, leaving Askren unconscious for nearly three minutes.

“I say one of the most violent (knockouts) because of, he was out for almost like two, three minutes,” Usman said of Masvidal’s KO on ‘Pound 4 Pound’.

“He was out. I remember I was there. I remember watching like, ‘He’s still stiff. Not only is he out, but he’s still stiff.’ Then, all that happens, that was 2019 and then I think maybe a year later you and I fight…”

Usman and Masvidal first clashed at UFC 251 under “the craziest circumstances” after title challenger Gilbert Burns withdrew due to COVID-19. Masvidal replaced him on six days’ notice, flying across the world to fight Usman on the UFC’s ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi.

Although it was Usman’s third UFC title fight, the champion felt uneasy heading into this unexpected and risky title defense against Masvidal. The Askren knockout played continuously on every channel and social media platform, adding to Usman’s nerves.

“Of course, we get nervous for every fight, but one of the first times it got to me, everything around me got to me because, bro, they’re playing your viral knockout, one of the most viral knockouts ever,” Usman said of the Askren knockout.

“(Masvidal) f***ing gets to me,” Usman continued. “I’m like, ‘Oh s**t, is he gonna baptize me? What the f**k is it? I’m in a hotel and I’m super nervous for this, especially that – that moment before you go to the arena for the fight, and I’m in my room just like, ‘Why the f**k am I so nervous right now? Get it together…’ I would say that was probably one of the most nerve-wracking fights that I had.”

Usman overcame his fears to win a dominant unanimous decision over Masvidal at UFC 251. After going the distance with “Gamebred” in 2020, the welterweights met again in a rematch a year later.

[Punch]

Lagos is shivering under the outbreak of cholera. A vicious intestinal illness has gripped the state, adding a layer of fear to the already bustling streets. With 24 deaths, 35 confirmed cases and 417 suspected cases across the state as of Friday, July 21, 2024, experts say the outbreak isn’t just a national concern but a local fight for survival, particularly in areas where access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a luxury.

Apart from poor water and sanitation challenges, the plight of citizens leaves much to be desired.

17-year-old Bayo was rushed-in with his frail body racked with chills. His worried mother, Dolapo, wiped his face, a deep fear etched on her face. “Please admit him, don’t reject us. Today is a public holiday, please help, it started yesterday,” Dolapo murmured. “Just stomach cramps at first, but now…” Bayo unfortunately lost his life in one of the private hospitals in the Ago area of Lagos. His case is among the rising number of cholera infections plaguing Lagos.

With limited resources and a densely populated city to contend with, Lagos grapples with controlling the outbreak.

Sadly, water and sanitation remain a challenge in the state. From the end of Makoko to the highbrow areas of Victoria Island in Lagos, potable water remains a challenge despite having water all around the city.

A situation report issued by the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, last Friday (EPI Week 25), as of 19th of June, 2024, revealed that the outbreak has swept across the 20 LGAs.

While the highest outbreak occurred in Ajeromi, Kosofe, Epe, Ikorodu, Alimosho and Eti-Osa LGAs, as of 10th of June, 2024, the Commissioner said there was the need to adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene to stay safe from infection risk.

However, in what seems like an attack on cholera in countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a resurgence of cholera worldwide.

WHO said in May 2024, a total of 46,364 new cholera cases were reported from 19 countries, showing 58 per cent increase from the previous month.

It said from January 1, 2024 to May 26, 2024, a total of 194,897 cholera cases and 1,932 deaths were reported from 24 countries across five regions.

WHO said the Eastern Mediterranean region recorded the highest numbers (98,003 cases; seven countries), followed by the African region (92,789 cases; 14 countries), the Americas (2,672 cases; one country), the South-East Asia region (1,328 cases; two countries), and the European region (105 cases; one country).

WHO added that during this period, the African region reported 1,698 deaths; the Eastern Mediterranean region, 256 deaths; the region of the Americas, 13 deaths; the Southeast Asia region, four deaths; and the European region, one death.

The global body’s report comes as Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous city and commercial capital, battles a cholera outbreak.

Blame

However, while the disease continues to sweep across countries and states in Nigeria, experts have continued to blame the Nigerian government for paying lip service to water and sanitation.

Today, most communities across Nigeria cannot boast of adequate safe drinking water. The affordability of bottled water, often used as a safer alternative, is also a challenge for many families.

For instance, in Lagos, sachet water, the presumed alternative to borehole water, is sold, in many areas, for N50 and, in others areas, it goes for N30. Five bags of water are sold for N1,500 and in some areas N2,000.

Bottle water goes for N200 per bottle. Sadly, many Nigerians who have resorted to borehole water can no longer boil before drinking due to the hike in electricity tariff.

Public health experts have warned that without improved water, sanitation and hygiene, cholera will remain endemic in Lagos and Nigeria in particular.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief, Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucrier, safer water could save 1.4 million child deaths from diarrhoea, 500,000 deaths from malaria, 860,000 child deaths from malnutrition, as well as protect 10 million people from serious illnesses like lymphatic filariasis and trachoma.

She said the current outbreak demonstrates the need for an urgent government focus on ensuring water provided to the population is clean and risk-free.

According to her, good water and sanitation infrastructure play a crucial role in reducing disease outbreaks such as cholera, which causes an estimated 100,000 deaths annually.

Lip service

In an interview with Sunday Vanguard, a public health disease expert, Dr Casmir Ifeanyi, said the country has continued to pay lip service to water, sanitation and hygiene.

“I challenge you to go and dig it up. Of the 30 states already reported to have the outbreak, how many of them have a public potable water supply in place? I can categorically tell you, none. So, we do know that cholera is a disease that thrives where water, sanitation and hygiene are at its low rate,” Ifeanyi stated.

He emphasised the need for improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, including addressing open defecation and ensuring access to clean water which are essential for preventing future outbreaks.

The public health expert warned that the outbreak, particularly severe in developed areas of Lagos, highlights deficiencies in sanitation and water quality.

According to him, schools with proper hygiene facilities and access to clean water could reopen, after mid-term holiday, with heightened public health education on hygiene practices.

However, expressing concerns about densely populated areas with limited access to clean water, Ifeanyi said: “It must be said that the situation that will sustain this outbreak is quite high. I give you an example. I do not know how much a bag of sachet water is sold in Lagos, but, in most of Nigeria, it is now between N400 and N600 and, if you buy that it should be either 20 sachets. I do not know how long it would sustain families and, besides, the source of this sachet water and also bottled water is also questionable because their conformity to water processing is still very unsure.”

Increased Public Health Measures

Ifeanyi, who is also the National President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), urged Lagos State government to prioritize improved detection and surveillance of cholera and cholera-like illnesses. “This includes contact tracing, increased access to cholera testing kits, and a thermal risk factor analysis specific to Lagos,” he said.

Noting that food safety is another critical area, he stressed that the state government should implement stricter food safety protocols, including lab testing of imported and commercially sold water.

“Public health authorities must beef up to detect cholera and cholera-like illnesses and also to put in place a surveillance system that promotes disease tracking. That is to say, if you have an individual whose case is confirmed, then there’s a need to do contact tracing and to evaluate the contact,” the expert said.

Expressing disappointment in the description of the Lagos cholera as aggressive without the proper name of the type, he pointed out that the government has failed to provide infrastructure and facilities for diagnostic testing and typing whenever there is an outbreak.

According to him, there was a need to identify the biotype of the cholera responsible for the outbreak and not use ominous words like aggressive.

Glimmer of Hope

Ifeanyi said the state government should immediately deploy cholera vaccine particularly for school children, adding that individual vigilance remains paramount.

He advised Lagosians to boil or treat drinking water, avoid raw fruits and vegetables, and practice frequent and thorough handwashing.

Corroborating his views, a public physician, Dr Femi Oyekan, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, stressed that cholera outbreaks originate and spread within communities, making community-led and participatory approaches essential for sustainable prevention.

According to him, citizens also have a lot of things to do to help combat cholera outbreak by ensuring proper hygiene, keeping their environment clean, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring proper waste and sewage disposal.

“Ultimately, access to clean water and sanitation is critical in preventing outbreaks. Communities must take collective action to ensure clean water access and maintain good hygiene. Identifying and empowering positive role models within the community can encourage the widespread adoption of healthy

[Vanguard]

A second southern Mexico mayor has been killed in less than a week, local authorities announced Saturday, after he went to visit an indigenous community.

The murder of Acacio Flores, who represents Malinaltepec, comes days after the killing of Salvador Villalba Flores, another mayor from Guerrero state elected in June 2 polls.

The body of Flores was discovered with a bullet wound to the back of the head in the back of a van in Malinaltepec, a human rights campaigner told AFP.

The rights activist had been involved in negotiations to free the politician after he was detained Thursday in an indigenous village.

Guerrero’s public prosecutor said an investigation into aggravated murder had been opened, with a possible land ownership dispute part of the probe.

Since Mexico’s campaign season began last September, around 30 political candidates have been killed, according to Data Civica, a non-governmental organization.

Guerrero, one of the states most affected by drug cartel violence given its location along Mexico’s Pacific coast, recorded 1,890 murders in 2023.

AFP