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EFCC OKOROCHA AND OTHERS UNDER INVESTIGATIONS

Governor rochas okorocha

The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu has confirmed that the agency is investigating the outgoing Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, along with some other Nigerians. Magu made this known in an interview with the Channels Television in London, which aired yesterday. He is in the United Kingdom to meet with investigators assisting the Nigerian government in solving cases of money laundering and financial crimes.

The EFCC boss said Governor Okorocha is one of the many people being investigated by the commission.

The EFCC boss said although he was aware of reports of the investigation on the social media, the details the anti-graft agency has was different from what was in the public space. When asked for details, Magu declined, saying the commission has to get to a certain level before it can disclose any information about an ongoing investigation. He said it was necessary to prevent any action that can jeopardise or interfere with the process of the inquiry. When contacted, the Imo State governor also confirmed the development to Daily Trust yesterday but also refused to give details. Okorocha said he is under investigation by the anti-graft agency, adding that all the state funds have been blocked The governor spoke to Daily Trust after handing over some hospitals to some agencies, non-governmental organisations at the Government House. “You know that I have been under investigation by EFCC and I have been running the government with my own money. All the state funds have been blocked by EFCC,” he said. Okorocha will be finishing his second term as governor of Imo State on May 29, 2019. He contested in the National Assembly election as senator and emerged as winner. The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has however refused to issue him with a certificate of return, arguing that the electoral official said he declared Okorocha as the winner under duress. Meanwhile, the Imo Charter Forum (ICF) has urged the state governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha, to stop the balance of Paris Club refund from being released to Okorocha. The ICF in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Hon. Zebulon Nwariri, said while it welcomed the “announcement of the refunds with open arms, if the fund is released to the outgoing governors, they would find excuses to spend it on frivolities or even divert it to private coffers.” The EFCC also accused Okorocha of mismanaging the N8bn Paris Club loan refunded to the state for the payment of salaries.

Tribunal to give ruling on justice bulkachuwa today

justice zainab bulkachuwa

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting at the Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed 2:00pm for main ruling on the application requesting the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to step down. During the two hours stand-down, the panel will review the arguments made by the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar asking the PCA to recuse herself and the objections made by the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opposing the application.

Arguing the application, PDP’s lead counsel, Levy Uzoukwu (SAN), submitted that Articles 12.1 and 13.1 of the APC Constitution recognises the National Convention, which has members of the National Assembly as automatic members of the organ, which he said the husband of the PCA, Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, as senator-elect from Bauchi, will become after inauguration on June 11. But President Buhari’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said the president would never interfere in the work of the panel.

APC counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) described the application as “blackmail” and “assault on the nation’s finest institution”. He said it is legally unmeritorious to ask the PCA to recuse herself. He however added that since the PCA has had a distinguished career with a name to protect, and is set to retire in 2020, he would in his opinion ask her “to leave the matter.” INEC counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) asked the panel to dismiss the application for offending Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

President buhari back in the country from saudi arabia

president muhammadu buhari

President Buhari is also expected to preside over the valedictory session for the Federal Executive Council, FEC, Wednesay. The session is the last meeting the President will be having with members of the current cabinet as the journey to his second tenure which is expected to inject fresh hands in his government starts on May 29. President Buhari had on Thursday last week traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to honour an invitation from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). He was accompanied by his close personal aides to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah which is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Makkah that could be made at any time of the year.

He was accompanied by his close personal aides to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah which is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Makkah that could be made at any time of the year. At the valedictory session, the President is expected to thank members of the Federal Executive Council for their contributions to his government in the last four years.

Reports indictate that some members of the cabinet may be reappointed based on their individual performance. The President has however kept the issue of the appointment to himself.

buhari keeps minister guessing

president buhari cabinet

president muhammadu buhari yesterday left minister in suspense as he met with them for the last time. his tenure ends on may 29 but he will on the same day take another oath of office as he begins his second term after wining the presidential election on february23rd . yesterday at a valedictory cabinet meeting at the presidential villa, Abuja president buhari asked the ministers to work until tuesday and then give thier handing over notes to the secretary to the government of the federation, boss mustapha. you will recall that when we started this journey, our country was facing numerous challenges. we inherited a broken economy by the past administration which eventually went into rececesion in the second quater of the the fiscal year 2016. the situation was further compounded by in security and massive coruption . many would have given up indeed, many outside comentators said our situation was well nigh hope less. however , we all came together and pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country from its parlous state although we all had acommon vision. we frequently had heated debates in this best way achieve our goal. these differing views are what made the decision s we took all the moral rational. it is this quality that made me retain my cabinet for the full term he said.

President buhari i will make police, judiciary more efficient

president buhari

the second tenure of president buhari , said that i will make the law enforcement more efficient such as the police , judiary. he make this statement during an interview with the {NTA} The nigerian television authority .according to the president such effort is needed to properly reform the sectors to ensure effective administration and he also said that when i uncover that they are not hard, i will try and trace who is responsible for the slowness in terms of commanders of police form Dpos upward. the ig alone cannot everything, he has to depend on commisioner and the commisioner have to depend on dpos he also commended nigeria for finding him worthy to rule for the second term in office.

buhari linked the secret of love , respect and trust he enjoyed from nigeria citizen to his hardwork to survive in life

President buhari inaugrated for second term in office

president buhari with wife aisha buhari taking an oath

the president yesterday have been sworm in and take an oath to serve in the next four year . the inaugration come by 8:00am nigeria time with parade ground of our armed force. alone is the minister of information Alh. lai mohammed , governor of ekiti state his excellency kayode fayemi,and also apc chairman was also in attendant. president buhari didn”t deliver any speech due to democracy day cming on june 12 next month. the oath of office was administered on the acting CJN , justice of nigeria, justice ibrahim tanko muhammed. the presidency told that the president inaugral speech would be delivered on that day. recall that the federal government had shifted major event for the president inaugration to june 12

Listicle: 12 things gov Abubakar sani bello

governor Abubakar sani bello

governor Abubakar sani bello if niger has promised the people of the state thathis administration would continue to put the interests of the people first. he made this known after he was sworm in for his second term as governor for the next four year. below the listicles of some of the things he promised that his administration would tackle . in the last four years, we have maintained relative peace and harmony in niger state through the collaborative effort of the security agencies.

Buhari’s second term: Nut implementation of new minimum wage at all level

Nigeria union of teachers

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has underscored the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to match words with actions on the implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage by all tiers of government. Mr Titus Amba, National Publicity Secretary, NUT, expressed this view in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. He appealed to the president to ensure total implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage across all tiers of government, saying that it will improve the standard of living of Nigerians. According to him, some state governors are still complaining of their inability to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage. “It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure that every state including local governments comply with the implementation of the new minimum wage. “Civil servants don’t have any other source of revenue except through salaries. “Hence, the N30,000 new minimum wage should be implemented from federal level down to the local government level,” Amba said. According to Amba, it is our hope that every Nigerian will see a better Nigeria in the next four years. He, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate the implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage to all civil servants at federal, state and local governments in the country.(NAN)

Forgive me i will take more tough decision -elrufai to kaduna people

Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir Ahmad has asked Kaduna residents to forgive him in advance.

According to him, he would continue to take very tough and painful decisions.

This was as he announced that his government has approved six months maternity leave for female public servants to encourage healthy development of infants through prolonged breastfeeding.

El-Rufai, who was sworn-in alongside his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, acknowledged that the challenges confronting his government were numerous and hard.

But, he expressed confidence that with hard work and support of the people, the challenges would be surmounted.

Efcc didn’t Arrest me – okorocha

ex-governor rochas okorocha

the immediate past governor of imo state , rochas okorocha , has denied report that he his wife, nkechi,and some of this sibling s have been arrested by economic and financial crimes commision.{Efcc}.

According to okorocha in a statementsigned by his special Adviser , media , msam onwuemeodo , said it was the starting point of the pdp propaganda ,only 24 hours after taking power .the statement read in part , we have read online , including some print media online platforms, that the efcc has arrested the former governor okorocha , today being thursday may 30 2019.

we won’t delay to state of their arrest is not true it is totally false . it has no iota or atom of truth . simply put former governor rochs okorocha , the wife nneoma and brother , okey have not arrested by the crime commision . this is the truth of the matter.

The fact is that the new pdp government in the state has decided not to toe the path of honour but has decided to continue the old way of the party, by trading on lies or falsehood. They call it propaganda. The new government is behind the false story. They even called some media editors to make the story headline. “We only want to ask them to leave responsible institutions or establishments likeefcc out of their dirty tracks, especially in dishing out their lies. “The pdp in the state had written and sponsored a lot of petitions to agencies and commissions against the former governor. They had told their supporters that the former governor would be whisked away by the efcc hours after the inauguration on May 29, 2019, and that is the reason behind this falsehood. 

buhari,apc overburdened by guilt of rigged poll-pdp

the people democratic party

The PDP has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to address Nigerians at the presidential inauguration shows that he and his party, the APC, are overburdened by the guilt of the “rigged” presidential election. The PDP in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the failure of President Buhari and the APC to make any commitment at the ceremony reinforced “the truism that he is a product of a flawed electoral process” an cannot serve the people or meet their aspirations under a constitutional democracy. The statement read in part: “The poor attendance and passivity of the audience at the ceremony at a time that Nigerians were trooping, in their millions, to the inauguration of state governors elected on the platform of the PDP manifestly show. “It is indeed pathetic that at a ceremony such as presidential inauguration, where truly elected leaders address their people, make commitments and unfold their governance direction, President Buhari did not showcase his plans or commitment to the development of critical sectors of our polity. “It also speaks volumes that President Buhari had nothing to say to the victims of mindless killings and acts of violence in various parts of our country. “Moreover, he had no directions toward stemming the economic distress under his administration, for which Nigerians are now resorting to suicide and slavery mission abroad as options,” the PDP said.

President Buhari returns to Abuja after OIC Summit in Saudi Arabia

President Buhari has returned to Abuja after attending the 14th Summit of the OIC in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

At the OIC Summit PMB noted with delight the decision of the organisation to support the Inter-Basin Water Transfer project, aimed at recharging the Lake Chad.

muslims celebrate eid-el fitri

muslim in moscow gather in cathedral mosque to celebrate eid-el fitri in russia capital after the successfully the end of ramadan fast the 29 days in the islamic calendar.

No candidate has more than one result said JAMB

The joint admission and matriculation board

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, says no candidate of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) had more than one result. The board stated this in its weekly bulletin, released from the office of the Registrar, on Sunday in Abuja.

The bulletin quoted the Head, Media and Publications, Dr Fabian Benjamin, as saying that candidates with more than one result were either fraudulent or victims of examination syndicates. According to him, the board had evidence of some candidates who paid money to syndicates to ensure they gain high scores in the examination.

“The syndicates, realising that they could not deliver as promised, instead, came up with these forged results and sent same to candidates who believed them. “These are the set of candidates claiming to have two results, that is, with the actual result as one of them. “It is practically impossible to have two results because we do not send results to candidates, rather, candidates send ‘Results’ to 55019 and the result is subsequently transmitted to the respective candidates.” Benjamin added that the board had ensured that the UTME results were secured with high security features that would render the efforts of any syndicate or fraudster null. One of such features, he added, was a unique bar code placed on each result to safeguard it. He, however, warned that candidates must not become gullible and desperate, urging them to be wary of criminal elements who want to defraud them. (NAN)

Zenith bank to support Uniabuja infrastructure

zenith bank

The chairman and founder  of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, has pledged the bank’s support to the University of Abuja on infrastructure development in the school. Mr. Ovia made the commitment shortly after the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael U. Adikwu, honoured him as the pillar of the university in Abuja.

Mr. Ovia, who was represented by Mr. Valentine Eze, an assistant general manager at the bank, also said its relationship with the university has been cordial and going forward, there will be more areas of cooperation. He also pledged the bank’s partnership with the university to help some of its departments build capacity going forward.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael U. Adikwu, noted that one of his major concerns was how to bring in the corporate world and indeed other sectors to assist in repositioning the university, since a citadel of learning is collectively owned by the entire society; especially, given the quantum of work needed to be done He said the university found in Zenith a worthy partner. “I want to specially commend the speed with which that structure was executed and to me such shows the high level of effectiveness that Zenith Bank is known for in its business dealings with the public” Prof. Adikwu said.

Dino melaye can’t defeat me- yahaya bello

the ruling All progressive congress [Apc] government of kogi state, Alh yahaya bellothe executive governor of kogi state in a statement said that , the senator representing kogi central district ,senator dino melaye challenge him at the november 16 governorship election as an indication of his readiness to pass through the eye of the needle.

the governor who spoke with journalist in Abuja a shorty after the meeting of progressive governors forum [pgf] on sunday night voiced confidence about his victory at the coming polls.

asked about the threat of son . dino to unseat him , bello said ,somebody that is good. APart from that person , you are talking of. let him justify the mandate given to him by showing his people what he has done.

National Assembly Inuagration -Live

today the 12th of june ,2019 the national Assembly will be inuagrated with the coming of fresh snators and outgoing senators . in the other hand the house will also inuagrated.

an hour ago Ekweremadu returns official vehicles Dili San Jules By Musa Abdullahi Krishi The Deputy Senate President in the just concluded 8th Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has returned his official vehicles. Our correspondent who was at the Deputy Senate President’s designated car park on Tuesday morning saw the vehicles stationed there. Our correspondent had on Monday observed that Ekweremadu was the only immediate past presiding officer that was yet to return his official vehicles. However, a source close to the former Deputy Senate President said the vehicles were returned last night after being serviced and washed.

senator danjuma goje arriving

Group Endorse Lawan,Gbajabiamila for Nass leadership

senator lawan and gbajabiamila

The APC Civic Support Group has endorsed Sen. Ahmad Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for Senate president and Speaker of the 9th House of Assembly respectively. Engr. Adamu Suleiman Yakubu (MNSE), the co-national coordinator of the group, said at a briefing in Abuja at the weekend, that Sen. Lawal and Hon. Gbajabiamila had displayed decorum, maturity and diplomacy during the 8th National Assembly, thereby greatly contributing to the stability of the polity. “Since the inception of the 8th National Assembly, we have seen Sen. Ahmad Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila worthy of handling the affairs of the National Assembly. “They are the most qualified considering their wealth of experience,” Engr. Yakubu said.

Buhari speech full of false performance-pdp

the national publicty secretary mr kola ologbodiyan

the national publicity secretary mr kola ologbodiyan has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech on the occasion of Democracy Day celebration was full of false performance claims. PDP in a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the president had no words of hope for the victims of escalated insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and bloodletting in various parts of the country.

According to the secretaryin is statement he said that Mr. President dwelt on false performance claims and had no soothing word for millions of compatriots that have been subjected to the worst form of economic misery, that they are now resorting to suicide and slavery mission abroad, the party alleged. How can this administration superintend over a democracy day celebration when it has questions of constitutional violations, electoral manipulations, media clampdown, victimization of opposition, emasculation of free speech, brutalization, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention, as already detailed in various reports, including those by the United States Department of State.

It is disheartening that the same electoral manipulation, violations and injustices for which the icon of June 12 Democracy Day, Chief MKO Abiola died, have brazenly taken centre stage under the APC misrule. Today (yesterday), just like on June 12, 1993, our citizens are despondent, particularly over the rigging of the February 23, 2019 presidential election as their quest for a people-oriented and inherently democratic leadership to move our nation forward was frustrated, consequent upon which our party and our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are seeking justice, the statement added.

June 12 a threshold moment in our National life-Atiku

Alh atiku abubakar

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has described June 12 as a threshold moment in Nigeria’s national life, which demands sacrifice from Nigerian democrats on how to make the country better. Atiku, in a statement, yesterday, by his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, said it was not enough to declare June 12 Democracy Day when the government of the day is disrespectful to the rule of law and disregards court orders on fundamental human rights, especially with Nigeria as the global headquarters of poverty.

As a compatriot who stood with the icon of the June 12 struggle, Chief MKO Abiola of blessed memory, I know first-hand that the choice of hope as his campaign slogan wasn’t merely a populist tokenism. It is not enough to declare June 12 a work-free day when a disproportionate number of citizens are not sure of where their next meal will come from and when the sanctity of their lives is not guaranteed; when freedom of the press, and of speech, the fundamentals of democracy is being assailed, Atiku said

The former vice president said the ideals of June 12 must be channeled towards the common good of the people through a responsible leadership, and thus advised the government to focus on retooling the Nigerian economy in order to provide jobs and create wealth for Nigerians. He further described as unacceptable a situation where an administration that had a four-year opportunity to deliver on its promise of change to Nigerians, not only reneged on the promise, but also plunged the country into coma.

INEC to reward corps member with automatic job

inec chairman, prof mahmood yakubu

the independent national commision [inec] are ready to reward those work in the 2019 general election with automatic jobs, this come immediately after the distributing a set of laptop and phones by the European Union (EU) to outstanding corps members who participated in the 2019 Elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that EU donated the kits to 75 outstanding corps members for their excellent performance as INEC ad hoc staff during the 2019 elections. They were selected as recipients following a public announcement on March 27. Yakubu, who stressed the important role corps members played during the conduct of election, said that there could be no successful elections in Nigeria without the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He said that the recognition of the hard work of corps members by the commission and the EU was apt as they had continually over the years put their lives at risk to ensure the peaceful and successful conduct of elections in the country. The INEC Chairman praised corps members’ resilience, patriotism, dedication and commitment to the electoral process, adding that the commission would continue to reward them for their hard work. “In addition to what the EU is giving you today, the commission has embarked on the review of the 2019 General elections. “There are many of you who did very well during the elections. We will identify you and reward those who performed excellently well in the election with automatic employment. “By doing so, we hope that those of you who have done excellently well will form a group of conscientious election duty staff going on to the next general elections,” he said. He thanked the EU and the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim and also the youth corps members stressing there cannot be any election in Nigeria without the NYSC. I have said this before and I will say it again that the youth corps members are the most dedicated, the most educated, most patriotic, the most willing, the most able, the most greatly available, and the most committed election duty personnel. “It is not just about the election but the entire electoral process. You are available for voter education, voter registration and also available on Election Day,” Yakubu said. The INEC chairman said that the automatic employment being granted by the commission would also be extended to corps members who would perform exceptionally well during the conduct of the Kogi and Bayelsa Governorship elections holding in November 2019. Yakubu said that the commission planned to utilise the services of corps members for the entire elections. Amb. Ketil Karlsen, the Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, while presenting the laptops and phones to the corps members said that the gesture was a way of thanking them for their participation in the elections. Karlsen, said that the EU recognised the important work corps members carry out during elections, adding that the youths were the backbone of democracy. The ambassador also announced that the 75 corps members had been coopted as ambassadors of the EU, assuring them of the unions support in the future. He said that each recipient was carefully selected by a panel of the NYSC and the EU delegation in Abuja. According to him, 292,000 corps members participated in the general elections and it could not have been possible without their participation, so we sat down to think what we could possibly do to thank them.We will have loved to reach out to every single one of the corps members who participated all over the country, unfortunately that is not possible but we tried to convince Brussels and the European Parliament to do something that has never been done before. “They agreed to directly pass down the equipment that was used during the EU observation mission to 75 corps members who participated. “I have seen the hardships you have had to endure; the journey has just begun I want you to count on the EU to accompany you on that journey onwards to ensure the full actualisation of democracy in Nigeria. The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim said that the scheme was not surprised by the appreciation accorded corps members by the EU as they had continued to play major roles in ensuring peaceful and successful conduct of elections. Ibrahim said that with over 300,000 corps members mobilised every year, the scheme had created opportunities for corps members to discover and harness their potential for personal and national development. He therefore called on the EU to support the scheme in its effort to provide entrepreneurial skills and start-up capital to enable corps members establish businesses for self-employment after the service year. The NYSC boss said that this support would go a long way to contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. (NAN) Related No Corps member died during the presidential / NASS election – NYSC 2019 Elections: INEC, NYSC asked to improve corps members’ welfare 2019 elections: Be unbiased — NYSC DG tells corps members.

Gbajabiaamila meets with osinbanja,pledge to reform house and carry opposition along

vice president and newly speaker house of representative mr. femi Gbajabiamila

the newly speaker house of representatative femi gbajabiaamila in meeting with the vice president at the state house,abuja Speaking to State House reporters after the meeting, he said he met the vice president over issues relating to the development of the country.

It’s official and any meeting with the vice president is relevant. It is about the economy and how to move the country forward, charting a road map about how to confront the problems that are facing Nigeria today.

So, these were the issues we discussed. It wasn’t a personal meeting but you can call it a hybrid – between the personal and official but mostly it’s official. How the executive and the legislature can collaborate to make life better for Nigeria and Nigerians, he said.

He pledged to reform the House in line with yearnings of the citizenry. Stay tune, you’ve heard my inaugural speech, we are going to do things differently, we are going to build on whatever the achievements are of the eight assembly, and it’s going to be a reformed house.

Like I have said, the reform will be fished out in piece meal so as not to shock the system. But they will be reforms that will be for the benefit of the country,” he said. To actualise the reforms, he said:

We expect the cooperation of all facets of government, including the executive and you – the journalists and including our constituents.” He said the standing committees of the House would be unfolded in the next few weeks “And you will see how we intend to carry them along. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag but you can be assured they would be carried along, he said. Related Saraki: Meeting with Buhari not about my trial Nigeria can survive without oil – Osinbajo Buhari resumes, to call Council of State meeting

300 level student in uniben commit suicide

christabel

a 300 level student university of benin in medical laboratory was found dead Christabel a stuednt of university of benin(UNIBEN), yesterday evening discovered dead in her hostel room at Newton Street, Ekosodin area of Benin City, after allegedly taking some deadly substance to end her life Christabel A 300-Level Medical Laboratory student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Christabel yesterday evening discovered dead in her hostel room at Newton Street, Ekosodin area of Benin City, after allegedly taking some deadly substance to end her life.

The details of the incident were still sketchy as at press time yesterday but according to eyewitnesses, she mixed the deadly insecticide popularly called Snipper with a Sprite drink and reportedly left a suicide note where she stated that she was about taking her life because the one she loved didn’t love her back after her boyfriend broke up with her.

But another witness who confirmed the incident said an empty sachet of Klin detergent was found on the spot where her body laid.

Meanwhile, in a social media post by Uniben Metro, it was reported that the suicide note, which is already in custody of the police at Ugbowo police station, was addressed to two persons, names withheld and the two persons have been invited to the police station for questioning.

The post claimed the suicide was not due to relationship problems between the deceased and her boyfriend but rather personal unresolved issues between the two persons the letter was addressed to.

“The letter didn’t state what happened between the two mentioned persons, reason the police have invited them to unravel the reasons behind the deceased’s action,” the post stated.

67 yrs old woman Hacks first bank steal 16.2bn

a woman of 67 yrs of age in lagos have been arraigned before the Lagos State Magistrate Court at Igbosere, Lagos, for hacking into a First Bank Plc account and stealing N16.2million.

The woman, Wuraola Folashade Oluloye, was arraigned on a five-count charge of fraudulent diversion, was arrested following a complaint from Solomon Akhanolu, Head of the Department of Forensic Auditors of First Bank.

Oluloye pleaded not guilty to the five counts and was granted bail by Folashade Olukoya, the presiding magistrate and the chief magistrate of Igbosere court. She is to raise N500, 000 in bail bond and provide two sureties in like sum.

Oluloye would stay in Kirikiri Prison custody until she meets her bail conditions

George Nwosu, the prosecution counsel, said Oluloye committed the alleged offences between last October 16 and December 31, at First Bank’s Agidingbi Branch, Lagos.

He said the woman hacked the account of a First Bank customer, Emefiele Ogbor, with account No 3014419974, and withdrew N16,200,000 from there and transferred same to her accounts in Stanbic IBTC, Union, Sterling and First banks.

Shortly afterwards Oluloye showed up at the bank to make withdrawals from her account. Unknown to her, the police were waiting and she was arrested.

The alleged offences contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, the court heard.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The case continues on June 24.

Apc will Expel Ex- gov Yari and deputy chair shuaibu

 All progressive congress

The five-man disciplinary committee raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to investigate alleged anti-party activities by the party’s deputy national chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu, has received evidence in support of the allegation from his state, Zamfara.

The Zamfara State Executive Committee of the party on Tuesday submitted the evidence to the committee through its Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Bakyasuwa.

The disciplinary committee also received evidence against the immediate past governor of the state, Abdul-Azeez Yari, bordering on his alleged role in the electoral misfortune of the APC in the state.

Bakyasuwa, who led other officials of the party to the APC National Secretariat to submit the evidence, accused the two APC chieftains of acting in breach of Article 21(a) 2014 of the APC constitution, as amended.

According to him, Yari and his group have explanations to give to the party.AdvertisementAdvertisement

“We are going to prove we are not just bragging – that we mean it. We have drawn the battle lines with Yari’s group.

“We have realised that the two men were behind the misfortunes of the party. We need to expel them to prepare for challenges ahead.”

“They caused APC in Zamfara to lose all the elective posts to another political party.

“By this letter and for the above reason, we the executive council of the APC in Zamfara have firmly resolved to expel Alh. Abdul-Azeez Yari and the deputy national chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu, from Zamfara State.

“The attitude and the conduct of the personalities have brought APC in Zamfara State to a state of disrepute and in clear flagrant disobedience of the party,” he said.

According to a letter submitted to the panel and sighted by this reporter, the Zamfara State chairman, Alh. Surjo Garba, said the two party chieftains were directly responsible for the misfortunes of the party in the state.

The Supreme Court had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue certificates of return to the governorship, national and state Assemblies candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after withdrawing same from candidates of the APC.

This followed its ruling in a unanimous judgment on May 25 that the APC in Zamfara had no candidates in the 2019 general elections because the party failed to conduct recognised primaries in accordance with party rules.

In the lead judgment by Justice Paul Galinji, the apex court held that all votes cast for the APC during the general elections in Zamfara were “wasted votes”.

Justice Galinji, therefore, declared that all political parties with the second highest votes in the elections and with the required spread, were elected to various elective positions in the state.

But Adams Oshiomole, the APC National chairman, had argued that the Supreme Court’s declaration amounted to imposing total strangers on the people of Zamfara.

He said the right thing the court should have done was to call for a repeat of the elections if the party fell short of the electoral laws.

Concerning the action taken by the party after the electoral fiasco, Senator Shuaibu had told the committee that he would not appear before it and that it was already compromised.

The APC deputy national chairman had also, in his response to the committee, asked Adams Oshiomhole to properly refer his matter to the NEC disciplinary channel in line with the constitution of the party.

Fulanisation,islamisation agenda- how true

There is in fact nothing recent about the on-going debate about the agenda of the Fulanisation and Islamisation of Nigeria. It is in reality an old debate. At the foundational and philosophical core of the debate is the Fulani Question in Nigeria. The debate has merely been undergoing dialectical, dialogical and ideological metamorphosis. So far, in my analytical calculations, it is in the third turn. The first turn was about British colonial favouritism of the Fulani. It began from the colonial period up to independence – that is, from 1904 to 1960. The second turn was about the Fulani control of the commanding heights of the political leadership and political economy of post-colonial Nigeria. Chronologically, this stage lasted from the period of independence up to Chief M.K.O. Abiola winning of the presidential elections. That is, from 1960 to 1992. The third turn is the Fulanisation and Islamisation of Nigeria.

In the first turn, the argument was that the Fulani were colonially favoured and privileged over and above all other ethnic groups in Nigeria. The adoption of the indirect rule system, the geographically marmot space of Northern Nigeria, the preferment accorded to Emirs, the numerical superiority of the Northern region above the other regions, and so on, were said to be intentional acts of colonial social engineering meant to give the Fulani a vantage position in the social and political  architecture of colonial Nigeria. In most cases, some anti-colonial agitators rather than set their sight on the independence struggle used the instrumentality of primordial ideology to mobilise their folk against the North and its people on account of these so-called privileges. This act it is argued sowed the earliest seeds of ethnicity in Nigeria.

In the second phase of the Fulani Question, the argument was that the Fulani have leveraged on colonial advantages provided by the colonial regime to control and dominate the levers of Nigerian post-colonial politics and political economy. Nothing was spared to traduce the Fulani. This period marked the invention of the hyphenated appellation, Hausa-Fulani, to denote a socio-religious and cultural complex intent on dominating the wider Nigeria and oppressing the non-Hausa-Fulani northerners. To break the Hausa-Fulani complex many conceptual constructs such as ‘Far North,’ ‘Northern Minorities, ‘Northern Christians,’ ‘Northern Minority Christians,’ and the likes were invented and actively mobilised to cause dissensions and discord in the North and accordingly break the social and political solidarity of northerners.

When this strategy failed, the ideologues of this school of thought reverted to the mobilisation of the Nigerian populace around the idea of Hausa-Fulani and Islamic control of Nigeria’s political leadership. Not once did such ideologues make their adherents to know that General Yakubu Gowon who ruled Nigeria for nine years and General Ibrahim Babangida for eight years and General Sani Abacha for four years were not Hausa-Fulani. The victory of Chief M.K.O. Abiola in the 1992 presidential elections and his incarceration and subsequent death paved way for the adoption of the principle of rotationalism in the sharing of Nigeria’s presidential office. This thus put paid to the second turn of the Fulani Question and ushered in the third: the Fulanisation and Islamisation of Nigeria. Before going into the interrogation of the third turn, it is apposite to answer the question: what is the Fulani Question? The Fulani Question is the question of how to ideologically deconstruct the Fulani people’s conceptualisation of their idea of Nigeria. Some views about the Fulani are that they are imperialistic, expansionistic, ethnocentric, religious fundamentalists, and cunning. And yet to others the Fulani people see Nigeria as their cultural heritage and on account of this are pathologically fixated on controlling the levers of its political leadership. The Fulani people have remained conceptually enigmatic in the imagination of Nigerians. The enigmatic status of the Fulani is further compounded by the fact that whereas the social image depicted by majority of Nigerians of them is that they are largely illiterates, timid, agrarian, stick-carrying, kola nut chewing, and nono-drinking bush people. Paradoxically, there is no congruence between this popular image and who the Fulani are actually. The truth of the matter is that we need to have a paradigm shift of the conceptualisation of the Fulani by shedding the dead ballast of our prejudices and barnacles of old habits of thought about them. We need to develop a new cultural intelligence and literacy on how to deal with the Fulani people. For instance, while all other ethnic groups and indeed the global community is affected by the technological transformations and social change, the common expectation is that the Fulani should remain the same. Many Nigerians are surprised when they see a Fulani parson with handset. While the predominant mode of agricultural production in Nigeria is primitive—driven by hoe and cutlass—many people expect the Fulani to adopt contemporary best herding practices. It is this provincial mindset that is fuelling the idea that there is a Fulanisation and Islamisation of Nigeria agenda.

In the second phase of the Fulani Question, the argument was that the Fulani have leveraged on colonial advantages provided by the colonial regime to control and dominate the levers of Nigerian post-colonial politics and political economy. Nothing was spared to traduce the Fulani. This period marked the invention of the hyphenated appellation, Hausa-Fulani, to denote a socio-religious and cultural complex intent on dominating the wider Nigeria and oppressing the non-Hausa-Fulani northerners. To break the Hausa-Fulani complex many conceptual constructs such as ‘Far North,’ ‘Northern Minorities, ‘Northern Christians,’ ‘Northern Minority Christians,’ and the likes were invented and actively mobilised to cause dissensions and discord in the North and accordingly break the social and political solidarity of northerners.

Student urged to shun cultism

The vice chancellor of plateau state university {plasu ] bokkos, professor yohanna daniel i zam , has asked new student to shun cultismand the exam malpractice.

according to the professor during taking an – oath ceremony for 2018/2019 session i urge you to distance your self from any kind of associating with harmful or dangerous activities taking in institution.

The VC said the university will penalize any students who indulged in cult activities, exam malpractice or any form of anti-social or deviant behaviours such as phone snatching, burglary and other forms of misdemeanor.

He explained that the university had in the previous session disciplined over 20 students involved in various forms of examination malpractice.

General Election-Nass to take Action on europian Recommendation

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan says the 9th National Assembly will commence immediate action on some of the recommendations of the European Union Elections Observation Mission concerning the recently concluded General Elections.

Specifically, he said the National Assembly would prioritize working on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to ensure more credible and acceptable electoral processes in the future.

“I am sure that this time around, we will start considering those issues that we feel require urgent legislative intervention,” he said during a meeting with the EU EOM delegation at his office on Tuesday.

The group was at his office to present its final report on elections, in which it had made 30 recommendations.

Graphic Photo: Troops neutralise boko Haram Terrorist in borno state

Troops of 26 Brigade Garrison on patrol and escort duties of civilian merchants and commuters along Wala village and adjoining communities on Saturday, the 22nd of June 2019, had a fierce encounter with desperate terrorists’ ambush team desperately craving for food and other essentials.

During the encounter, troops swiftly responded with heavy gunfire, thwarted the ambush, exterminated two terrorists and captured two AK 47 Rifles. Subsequently, intelligence revealed that the terrorists were informed by their informants of the troops movement in order to use the opportunity to grab foodstuff that they direly need for survival.

In order to consolidate on the gains achieved from the ambush clearance, further exploitation of the general area and beyond was undertaken with the troops of 121 Task Force Battalion dispatched to reinforce the 26 Brigade Garrison.

During advance, troops discovered 2 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed along their axis of advance. The IEDs were successfully detonated and cleared. Despite the IED threat, the resilient troops proceeded further to ensure the general area is cleared of terrorists and explosives. There is no casualty on the part of Nigerian Army troops during the operation.

Instructively, the exploits in the ongoing operation “HALAKA DODO” is yielding successes. The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff commended the troops for the successes achieved, and urged them to be more vigorous and decisive to end the insurgency. He also conveyed the assurance of the unyielding support of the Chief of Army Staff in this regard.

Terrorist,Jihadists have infiltrated Bandits- Army commander

Terrorists, Jihadists have infiltrated bandits in Zamfara – Commander The Theater Command of Operation Hadarin Daji, says terrorists and Jihadists have infiltrated bandits operating in Zamfara.

The Commander, Maj.- Gen. Jide Ogunlade made this statement at a press conference at the Command Headquarters in Gusau on Tuesday. “Jihadists and terrorists have now infiltrated the ranks of bandits that are operating in the bushes of Zamfara. Banditry is now heading towards terrorism and they are identifiable through their headgear which carries ‘Jihad’ inscription.

he said the troops would today started 24 hours joint operation on bandit.

“Our operatives are now in high morale and thanks to the Presidency and the nation’s service chiefs for establishing and adequately supporting operation Hadarin Daji. “l want to assure Nigerians that all officers and men under the operation carry out their responsibilities according to the rules of engagement especially in ensuring that collateral damage is reduced to zero.

“We have opened up a communications center that will offer 24 hour service for our callers to call and give credible information that will help in arresting any security breach. We are hoping that the telephone service providers as partners are expected to allow callers make distress calls toll free so that the information can continue to flow.

Ogunlade said between May 10, this year when the operation was established to date, they had neutralized 20 bandits operations, rescued 49 kidnap victims, arrested 15 others along with their collaborators, recovered and returned 2,164 rustled cattle to the owners, as well as recovered 2,437 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two locally made pistols.

The commander said other recoveries include two pump action rifles, 11 AK47 rifles and 14 local Dane guns. He appealed to members of the public especially the rural dwellers to always give credible information to the command and assured that callers’ identity would be confidential.

60 presidential candidate ask atiku to stop heating up the policy

PDP presdential candidate Atiku Abubakar

Atiku and PDP are in court challenging the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC as winner of the election, insisting that a result purportedly obtained from the INEC server showed that the opposition party won the poll.

But addressing a press conference, yesterday, in Abuja, chairman of Forum of Presidential Candidates for the 2019 election, Mohammed Shittu, who was flanked by many members of the forum as well as chairmen of various political parties said the server controversy was unnecessary.

Shittu, who passed a vote of confidence on INEC and its chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, over the conduct of the 2019 elections also argued that the server controversy was a deliberate ploy to discredit and destroy the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. Shittu said since the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was not assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, there was no provision for electronic transmission of results in the electoral act that guided the conduct of the last general elections.

The Chairman of APDA also said INEC had told presidential candidates that it would not be possible to transmit results electronically following the withholding of assent by the president.

He said: “In the buildup to the elections, we as presidential candidates and our political parties held several meetings with INEC. The delay in finalizing the electoral legal framework and the eventual withholding of assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill deprived the nation of the much-needed reform of our electoral process which must be anchored on the rule of law.

can the so called result from thye server be reffered toas credible where INEC could not have legitimately transmited resultof the presidential or any of the other election electronically.

PRICE OF EGGS, TOMATOES, OTHER DROP IN MAY

Nigeria to be happy as the price of tomatoes and eggs have drop in may, A report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that selected food price watch data for May 2019 reflected that the average price of one dozen of agric poultry eggs medium size decreased year-on-year by -15.27 per cent and month-on month by -0.49 per cent to N464.87 in May 2019 from N467.18 in April 2019.

The report showed that the average price of a piece of agric eggs medium size (price of one) increased year-on-year by 2.52 per cent and month-on-month by 2.08 per cent to N42.82 in May 2019 from N41.95 in April 2019. The average price of 1kg of tomato decreased year-on-year by -18.76% and month-on-month by -3.01 per cent to N249.52 in May 2019 from N257.25 in April 2019.

The average price of 1kg of rice (imported high quality sold loose) decreased year-on-year by -3.54 per cent and increased month-on-month by 1.07 per cent to N361.39 in May 2019 from N357.55 in April 2019. Similarly, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber decreased year-on-year by -25.85 per cent and month-on month by -2.84 per cent to N216.03 in May 2019 from N222.36 in April 2019. ,

in a separate report, NBS stated that the all commodity group import index decreased by -0.46 per cent due to fall in prices of live animals; animal products, products of chemical and Allied industries, and wood and articles of wood and wood charcoal.

The report showed that the all commodity group export price index rose by 1.85 per cent due to increases in the prices of animal and vegetable fats and oils. The all products Terms of trade (TOT) index increased by 2.30 per cent due to increases in prices of animal  and vegetable fats and oils and other cleavage products.

The All region group export index rose by 1.85 per cent due to rise in export prices to Asia and America. The All region group import index fell by -0.46 per cent due to declines in import prices across all Regions. The All region terms of trade increased by 2.30 per cent due to increased export prices to and Asia and America. The report showed that Nigeria’s major trading partner countries in the first quarter of 2019 were India, China, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

The major export to these countries were crude petroleum and natural gas, while the major imports from these countries were motorcycles, motor spirit (ordinary) and machine for  reception, conversion and distribution of voice/images. Related Despite rise in inflation, foodstuff prices fall Prices of yam, tomato, others skyrocketed in June – NBS Inflation down as food prices hit 8-year high – NBS

UN Describe use of children as Humans Bomb by boko Haram

This came on a day two children and a teenager were killed after suspected herdsmen attacked Unguwan Rimi village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as Unicef yesterday condemned the use of children as human bombs and in any combat or non-combat roles in the conflict in the North East. Four persons were also killed when herders attacked Kpagoro vilage in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on the sideline of 2019 World Day to Combat Desertification in Ankara, Turkey, Executive Secretary of UN Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD, Ibrahim Thiaw, said: “More lives have been claimed in conflicts over access to land and water than Boko Haram.  Everyday, you have more conflicts between people that are competing for access to land and water.

  The root cause of the competition is access to natural resources.” Five killed in fresh Barkin Ladi attack(Opens in a new browser tab) World Day to Combat Desertification is celebrated every year globally on June 17 to promote good land stewardship for the benefit of present and future generations. This year’s edition was jointly hosted at Ankara by the Government of Turkey and UNCCD, with ministers from 10 countries in attendance.

Four killed on Wednesday night in Jos(Opens in a new browser tab) Thiaw said that the growing population with growing demand on resources, coupled with climate change and reduction of available land resources, were root causes of most of the bloody conflicts. “So, the tipping point was reached a long time ago; and most of the time, this is also combined with bad governance at national levels,” Thiaw said. Conflicts over access to land He said land restoration could not be left in the hands of governments alone, and called for a review of the land tenure system in order to mobilise private business investment into the programme.

Niger Delta community hails F.g Free Medicle outreach

some of the giant oil and gas communities in Bayelsa State, Opolo-Epie, had described the Federal Government’s free medical outreach in Bayelsa and other Niger Delta States as a welcome development, saying the gesture had shown government’s concern for their plights.

the Ministry of Niger Delta affairs , in conjuction with Vision Savers Limited took its on-going free medical initiative on Roll Back malaria, eye surgery, distribution of eyeglasses, testing and treatment for cancer, testing and distribution of drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS virus, and other ailments to the people of Bayelsa State at Opolo Epie community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, over the weekend.

His Royal Highness, King Gabriel Ekezi stated that they are facing a lot of medical challenges, especially eye problems because of the oil and gas pollutants in the region. comment the fg effort and said many of his people have suffered several health challenges over the years because of their inability to access medical services in hospitals.

King Ekezi charged his people to cooperate with the medical team to enjoy the free medical services, saying it was the first of its kinds in the area. His Royal Majesty, King Akile Nwaku, the Pere of Biseni Kingdom, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, urged the Federal Government to extend the gesture to the various kingdoms in the State so as to touch thousands of less privileged people who were suffering from various degrees of ailments.

The Director General, State Action Committee on HIV/AIDS (SACA) in Bayelsa State, Ogregade Ileimokumo also lauded the FG for the initiative adding that the medical outreach had afforded many people from the informal sector in the area, access to free medical services.

He enjoined people to always go for early detection and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other contagious ailments to avoid sudden death. Over 5,000 people in the Niger Delta region have so far benefited from the ongoing medical outreach by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in the oil rich region.

PDP asks N/Assembly to Probe Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the National Assembly to probe under no any matter of circumstance that the treasury looting, abuse of office and violations of fundamental human rights under the President Muhammadu Buhari government.

The PDP in a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, also urged the National Assembly to  protect the interest of “millions of Nigerians by invoking its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to recover the over N14 trillion stolen by government officials and leaders of the APC in the last four years.”

The opposition party explained that legislative action was necessary as the Buhari presidency had allegedly failed to give cogent explanation on the alleged looting of over N9 trillion through sleazy oil contracts as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo; a situation that directly points to officials’ culpability.

The PDP said, “Nigerians also want the National Assembly to investigate the issues surrounding the reported stealing of N1.1 trillion worth of crude oil using 18 unregistered companies, as well as the alleged looting of over N2.6 trillion in shady oil subsidy regime.

The PDP urges the National Assembly to also investigate the alleged siphoning of $322m repatriated funds as well as the trillions of naira stolen under shady projects such as the ‘Tradermoni’ project, among others. “

The party notes that only recently, the wife of Mr. President, Aisha Buhari, raised the alarm that over N500 billion meant for poverty alleviation under the APC-led government did not get to the designated beneficiaries. “The PDP holds that the humongous looting under the Buhari administration is directly responsible for the economic hardship Nigerians have been subjected to in the last four years,” PDP alleged.

Buhari :2019 elections over it’s now time to serve

president buhari

president buhari yesterday said result of the 2019 election s clearly reflect the interest of the country , adding that it’S now time to serve.

so also the president said that having received the opprtunity to the second time promise that i would not disappoint the masses.

Reciving the [BSO] in Abujas state house led by the director – general alhaji Umaru Dembo, he said that my administration would serve honestly and genuinely, with a focus on unleashing the human and natural potentials of the country for growth.

the 2019 election s are behind us Nigerians have spoken and they have spoken loudly in favour . it is now time to serve them and serve well we will not fail.

“We will serve honestly, genuinely, and with our heart and might. Our country has oscillated for too long at the level of promises and potentials. It is now time to explore and exploit the potentials for the good of all Nigerians, particularly the ordinary people. It shall be accomplished,’’ he said. He commended members of the group for their steadfastness, assuring them of inclusiveness in pursuing the goal of good governance for the country.

MINIMUM WAGE: BUHARI ORDERS PAYMENT OF WORKERS EARNING LESS THAN N30,000

president buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate implementation of the National Minimum of Wage of N30,000 monthly to all federal civil servants earning less than N30,000 monthly.

The Executive Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, (NSIWC), Dr. Richard Onwuka Egbule, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday.

He said based on the approval from the president, the implementation takes effect from the 18h April, 2019.

Dr. Egbule explained that the civil servants affected are only those who earn less than N30,000 monthly adding that with the implementation of the minimum wage, no FG staff will earn less than N30,000 per month.

According to him, the salaries structures affected include; the consolidated public service salary structure (CONPSS); consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS); consolidated research and allied institutions salary structure (CONRAISS); consolidated tertiary institutions salary structure (CONTISS II) and consolidated tertiary educational institutions salary structure (CONTEDNESS).

Dr. Egbule however noted that “the negotiations between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council on the consequential adjustments arising from the new national minimum wage for officers who earned salaries above N30,000 per month before 18th April, 2019 in the federal civil service will continue.”

He assured that the “outcome of such negotiations will be implemented with the effect from the date an agreement is reached.”

He also said all arrears arising from the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage will be worked out by all concerned agencies in partnership with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

He also said those who earn N30,000 and above now will still get their salaries adjusted after the negotiations with the unions.

“The law says you cannot pay anyone less than N30,000. So to comply with law, all those earning less than N30,000 as at 18th April 2019 must have their salaries adjusted” he said.

He also said money for the implementation has been captured in the 2019 budget thus implementation will be seamless.

ATIKU IS A NIGERIAN NOT CAMEROONIAN EX- AMBASSADOR

Atiku Abubakar

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Romania, Ambassador Magdiel Samaki has told the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was born a Nigerian. Ambassador Samaki who appeared as PDP witness at the tribunal, explained that he knew Atiku and his mother, Aisha Kande, who hailed from Dutse in present day Jigawa State, adding that school records showed that Atiku was born on 25th November, 1946 in Jada, Adamawa State. When the APC counsel, Akin Olujimi (SAN) questioned him about the 1961 plebiscite which made parts of Adamawa part of Northern Nigeria, Ambassador Samaki insisted that the state had always been part of Northern Nigeria. “I am not aware that Northern Nigeria was part of Northern Cameroons before the plebiscite,” he said. In related evidence, another witness, Mohamed Kabir Hayatu, a retired Customs officer testified that he had contact with Atiku’s service record in the Nigerian Customs Service as a retired senior officer. Under cross examination by defence lawyers: Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN), Mike Igbokwe (SAN) and Akin Olujimi (SAN), Hayatu stated that Jada, where Atiku was born remained part of Northern Nigeria, adding that he confirmed same from his father.

Buhari’s 43 ministerial nominees + their state of origin

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Sen Godswill Akpabio, Sen Gbemisola Saraki and 41 others for screening and confirmation as ministers. The list was read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan after a 20 minutes closed door session during today’s plenary. The nomination was in accordance with 147(2)of the 1999 constitution

1.Dr. Ikechukwu Ogah (Abia) 2. Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa) reappointed 3. Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) 4. Chris Ngige (Anambra) reappointed 5. Sharon Ikeazor (Anambra) 6.Adamu Adamu (Bauchi) reappointed 7.Ambassador Maryam Katagun (Bauchi) 8. Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) 9.George Akume (Benue) 10.Mustapha Baba Shehuri (Borno) reappointed 11. Goddy Jedy Agba (Cross River) 12.Festus Keyamo (Delta) 13. Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi) reappointed 14. Osagie Ehanire (Edo) reappointed 15.Clement. Ike (Edo) 16. Richard Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti) 17. Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu) reappointed 18.Ali Isa Pantami (Gombe) 19. Emeka Nwajiuba (Imo) 20. Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa) reappointed 21. Zainab Ahamed (Kaduna) reappointed 22.Muhammad Mahmood (Kaduna) 23.Sabo Nanono (Kano) 24.Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Kano) 25.Hadi Sirika (Katsina) reappointed 26.Abubakar Malami (Kebbi) reappointed 27.Ramatu Tijjani (Kogi) 28. Lai Mohammed (Kwara) reappointed 29.Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara) 30.Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) reappointed 31.Adeleke Mamora (Lagos) 32. Mohammed H. Abdullahi (Nasarawa) 33. Zubair Dada (Niger) 34. Olamilekan Adegbite (Ogun) 35. Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo) 36. Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) 37. Sunday Dare (Oyo) 38.Paulen Talen (Plateau) 39. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) reappointed 40. Maigarai Dingyadi (Sokoto) 41. Sale Mamman (Taraba) 42. Abubakar D. Aliyu (Yobe) 43. Sadiya Umar Faruk (Zamfara)

Buhari’s cabinet list product of good thinking — BMO

Buhari media organisation

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) says the cabinet list released by President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of good thinking. The group which thumbed up the president, said he gave due attention to merit, hard work and loyalty.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO said the list containing 43 names had people who had all it would take to assist the president to achieve his second-term goals.The group said the list contained a good mix of technocrats, achievers and loyal members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group said the list contained a good mix of technocrats, achievers and loyal members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“President Buhari’s list is clearly populated by loyal party members who are professionals in their own right. And although a few of them were part of the last cabinet, we are convinced that they were outstanding in their contributions to the overall success of the Buhari administration. “We also acknowledge that the newcomers have a good pedigree in their own right and have excelled in the private and public sectors, coupled with the role they played in the process that led to the re-election of the president. “The seven female ministerial nominees, including at least one former senator and a deputy governor, are well-known politicians who have paid their dues and are well placed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men on the cabinet list,” the statement said.

Coscharis gets nod to assemble Renault vehicles locally

One of Nigeria’s automobile giants, Coscharis, has signed a multi-million dollar partnership with French carmaker, Groupe Renault to assemble Renault vehicles at its assembly plant in Lagos. With the official announcement of the partnership, Coscharis would offer four variants of the Renault brand into the Nigerian market in the first instance, President/Chief Executive Officer of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka said. 

Two of the variants, Logan and Duster, will be assembled locally here in this plant in SKD (Semi – Knocked Down).

According to him, both the Renault Kwid and Renault Oroch will be added to the Renault line in no distant time.

He said, “However, we will not rest on our oars as we are sure to wax stronger into the future with the introduction of other great Renault variants into the assembly line. “It is in an effort to achieve this that we have committed huge financial, technical and human resources to this partnership. Therefore the fact that we have ventured into it headlong underpins the level of confidence and hope we have for the future of the Nigerian automotive industry.” Maduka however decried a situation where some government agencies are still purchasing used vehicles that are out of the market. He described the situation as “embarrassing”, stressing the need for the Federal Government to support auto companies through patronage and provision of enabling environment for them to flourish.

I’m in touch with Oshiomhole over Edo crisis — obaseki

gov. obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki said yesterday that he has met with his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over the crisis rocking the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obaseki said there was no fundamental problem between him and Oshiomhole, saying there were efforts towards addressing what he described as “issues created by third parties.” Obaseki’s said this in Benin in his address during a mass at the St. Paul Catholic Church, as part of activities marking the 80th birthday celebration of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. “I listened very attentively and I have taken every word in your homily remark to heart and very seriously,” Obaseki said. “I want to assure you that we are in pursuit of peace and we will have peace in Edo State. We have met (with Oshiomhole) and fortunately, we do not have any fundamental issues. And because we do not have any fundamental issues, I believe that whatever third parties are trying to propagate, I am sure we can talk over it. I assure you that very soon things will return to normalcy in Edo State,” he said. According to him, the Edo State Government in line with the spirit of   the national anthem will not forget the labour of past heroes. “Today we are here to celebrate our own Chief Oyegun. On behalf of the people and government of Edo State, I want to congratulate you on your 80th birthday,” he said. The governor disclosed that his administration had named the soon-to-be-completed civil service training centre after Chief Oyegun for his contributions to the development of the state and the country at large. Dignitaries that graced the church service included Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and his wife, Betty; the Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Frank Okiye,  and minister designate Dr. Osagie Ehanire.

Buhari to CBN: Stop giving forex for food

President hosts SGF, Omo-Agege, 10 APC govs in Daura President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop providing Foreign Exchange for the importation of food into the country. Buhari made the disclosure as dignitaries continued to throng his Daura residence where he is spending the Eid el-Kabir holidays.

The president said with the steady improvement in agricultural production, and attainment of full food security, there was no need for importation. He said the foreign reserves will be conserved and utilized strictly for diversification of the economy, and not for encouraging more dependence on foreign food import bills. “We have achieved food security, and for physical security we are not doing badly. Don’t give a cent to anybody to import food into the country. “Some states like Kebbi, Ogun, Lagos, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Kano have already taken advantage of the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture with huge returns in rice farming. More states should plug into the ongoing revolution to feed the nation,” he said. Buhari expressed delight that young Nigerians, including graduates, had started exploring agri-business and entrepreneurship. “Many have posted testimonies of good returns on their investments,” he said. He said the incoming ministers will be “taught’’ and thoroughly guided to ensure they meet the targets of the APC-led government for the people, with regular monitoring of their performances and scaling up of targets by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). Buhari said he will attend the Presidential Policy Retreat organized for the ministers by the OSFG, and insisted on compliance with laid down targets on key sectors of the economy that will directly impact on the livelihood of Nigerians. Among those hosted by the president to Eid el-Kabir lunch at his country home in Daura, Katsina State were the Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, and 10 governors who are of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governors include Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mohammad Badaru (Jigawa), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun). The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha was also in attendance. Our correspondent reports also that the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, FRCN Director General Mansur Liman, two ministers-designate, Rotimi Amaechi and Isa Pantami were also at the president’s residence.

PDP moves to stop god-fathers from choosing gov’ship candidates.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will not allow any form of impunity to characterise the process leading to the choice of its candidates for the November 16 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states. The party also cautioned all aspirants on its platform in the two states to be law-abiding before, during and after the primaries. The chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Senator Walid Jibrin, told newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja that the board was working closely with the National Working Committee (NWC) to specifically stop the influence of political god-fathers in the emergence of candidates. He explained that imposition of candidates was capable of bringing down any political party at the polls, adding that PDP was committed and determined to retaining power in Bayelsa State and reclaiming power in Kogi State respectively. “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP is doing everything possible to ensure that there is no impunity, godfatherism and lawlessness,” he said. “All our aspirants in the two states must eschew bitterness so that we will produce the two governors that we will be proud of. “The screening committee is out to do a good job on all the aspirants and I want to say the BoT is working closely with the NWC to ensure that the right things are done,” he said.

Corps member renovates clinic in Niger

A Batch C 2018 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Dr Oyetunji Niyi-Isaiah, has renovated a Primary Health Care facility in part of Bida town in Niger State. The corps member, who is doing his primary assignment with the Federal Medical Centre,  Bida, also donated medical consumables and furniture to the Efulu-Basal Primary Health Care facility.

Speaking during the inauguration of the facility on Sunday, Dr. Niyi-Isaiah said the renovation was part of his community development project.

“The idea was borne out of the passion I have towards revitalisation of primary health care which is an integral part of nation’s healthcare system,” he explained.

He said the project will avail about 10,000 residents in Dzukogi Abu-tsado area of Bida, the opportunity to access healthcare services and reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary centres which costs are often beyond the reach of the poor. “These will directly reduce the overwhelming burden on the tertiary health care centres and also support the federal government agenda on revitalization of primary healthcare centre in each of the political wards in Nigeria.

“Today, l can boldly say that l, as a youth corps member, have contributed my own quota towards achieving this goal. Even if my name fades from this building, the people of Bida community won’t forget the impact of NYSC on them,” he said. According to him, apart from the affected facility, he had also been able to carryout other services by mobilising resources and volunteers. Such services, he explained, include the de-worming of 2,000 school children across Bida local government area, initiation of free skills acquisition programmes and entrepreneur seminars for secondary school students and the construction of incinerator box for medical waste disposal in Bida community.

ABU DISCLOSE NAMES OF THE MATE BEEN KIDNAPPED

Students of the Law Department of ABU who confirmed the three as their classmates identified them as Fatima Jalingo, Maryam Bello and Umar Sagir.

The students were on their way from Abuja to Zaria on Monday when they were abducted along with several others on the highway around 5:30 pm shortly after Olam.

One of their classmates, who asked not to be named, said students of the department were shocked by the news of the abduction and have since started praying for their mates to be released unhurt.

We are going about attending our normal lectures but we are all praying for them to be released so that they would join us in school,”

he said. Another student said she learnt that the abductors have made contact with the relations of the three but could not say how far the negotiations have gone. She said, As at today, I was told they’ve negotiated with the kidnappers at a price they can afford and they are meeting today.

We are still waiting for a positive feedback.The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) however confirmed the abduction. A statement issued by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ismai’l Shehu, read that, three students of the Faculty of Law were kidnapped on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

Yes, it is true that our students, three of them, from the Faculty of Law have been kidnapped. “But efforts are being made by the university, and parents of the affected students to secure their immediate release,” he said. The identities of the other persons abducted with the students has however not been disclosed as the police say they are still investigating the case. 

APC finally clears Gov Bello, 8 others in Kogi.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, on Tuesday, finally cleared nine governorship aspirants to participate in tomorrow’s indirect primary election to produce its candidate for the November 16, Kogi State governorship poll.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said in a statement released in the early hours of yesterday that incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello, Hadiza Iyoma Ibrahim, Yahaya Odidi Audu, Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Engr. Abubakar Bashir, Engr. Danlami Umar Mohammed, Yakubu Mohammed, Hassan Abdullahi and Mrs. Ekele Aishat Blessing had been cleared.

Issa-Onilu said they were cleared after a comprehensive review of the submissions by the screening and appeal committees, relying on the party’s guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

He further said seven other aspirants who did not meet the requirements for participation in the exercise were Mohammed Seidu Onaili, Usman Oyibe Jibrin, Mustapha Mona Audu, Rukkaya Ibrahim, Gen. Patrick Adenu Akpa, Babatunde Ayo Kunle Irukera and Muhammed Abubakar Unukwu Audu.

Twelve out of the 16 governorship aspirants on the APC platform were initially screened out by a six-member screening committee headed by Sen. Hope Uzodimma. However, five of those screened out were cleared after a review by the NWC. Gov.

Bello, Mrs. Blessing, Engr. Bashir, and Hassan Abdullahi were earlier given a clean bill of health to participate in tomorrow’s primary by the screening committee. The outcome of tomorrow’s exercise could be challenged or appealed against by any of the aggrieved aspirants by Monday, September 2.

Buhari lacks commitment to end poverty – ASUU

Nigerian president Muhammadu buhari

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday berated President Muhammadu Buhari over his statement on the importance of education as the only means to end poverty. The union said the president lacks commitment to use education to solve poverty problem in the country.

The chairman of the union at the University of Ibadan, Professor Deji Omole, who stated this on Sunday described the president’s statement as political.

According to him, Nigerians do not need the president to tell them what has been proven by serious countries as a way to edge-out poverty.

Omole maintained that beyond uttering such statement, President Buhari and his team through their education policies have shown hatred to fund and offer Nigerians qualitative education. The ASUU boss who expressed pessimism about the ability of Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to transform education stated that Adamu was not different from his employer.

He stated further that Adamu made several political statements in his first term which he never acted upon. Omole recalled that Mallam Adamu Adamu had promised to declare State of Emergency in the Education sector but refused to act on his words. He lamented that Nigerian will not develop beyond the quality of education offered by the government to her citizens. “He is back to a familiar terrain. We are also in that same terrain. He spent more than three years in his first term and made so many political statements which were never implemented. One of such statements was the fact that they were going to declare state of emergency in the education sector and till he left office in his first term that was not done. “In fact there was no attempt towards that direction. Rather than moving towards declaring state of emergency, what we saw was further reduction in the budgetary allocation to education. I don’t think anyone should expect any radical change from what happened to education in his first term and from what is going to happen. “The administration has demonstrated its hatred for education by constantly reducing the budgetary allocation to education. Most of their policies are anti-university. “For example, in UI today, it’s almost impossible to recruit new staff meanwhile people are dying as a result of excess work and people are retiring and you are not employing new people. So, I don’t expect sharp departure from what it used to be. He does not need to tell us. We all know. “All the developed world have been able to solve their problems through education and that is why we have always been engaging different governments that the only antidote to poverty is putting adequate attention to educating the masses. “No nation can ever grow beyond the quality of education given to its citizens. Nobody will come from America to develop Nigeria. Nigeria can only be developed by Nigerians themselves and they can only develop if they have quality education to grow the economy. So it is not enough to make a political statement, you must follow it with action,” he said.

CBN intervention to retail secondary market hits $13bn in 1yr

Hajiya zainab ahmed Hon. minister finance

Data compiled by Daily Trust show that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made interventions in the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) to the tune of $13 billion between August, 2018, and August, 2019. This total is different from the recently introduced Chinese Yuan (CYN) interventions which are mainly geared towards manufacturers.

The CBN has pumped CNY1.3bn in the spot and short-tenured forwards segment of the inter-bank foreign market since the commencement of the sale of the CNY.

SMIS are targeted at the real sector of the economy (including manufacturers, importers of raw materials and airlines). The average exchange rate of the naira vis-à-vis the dollar at the inter-bank segment has hovered around N360 to a dollar within the period. Analysts have said Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange (Forex) policies are not popular with the devotees of the free market (if such exists) but should be viewed in context. The country’s voracious appetite for imports has contributed to placing Forex related policies on the FG’s front burner. Over the past two years, the CBN’s Forex reforms have resulted in improved Forex liquidity.

The country’s voracious appetite for imports has contributed to placing Forex related policies on the FG’s front burner. Over the past two years, the CBN’s Forex reforms have resulted in improved Forex liquidity. This they note is evident from the stability of the several exchange rates in operation. The CBN’s interbank/official rate (for priority transactions) is currently N307/$. This compares with N361/$ at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. The CBN’s introduction of the I&E Forex window (also referred to as NAFEX) in 2017 has recorded visible successes in boosting Forex liquidity and aiding price discovery. Turnover at the window amounted to $60bn in 2018, with the CBN supplying 28.3 per cent of the total. The analyst however noted that Nigeria’s Forex market is still vulnerable to oil price shocks and changes in FPI sentiment. Additionally, they said the once sizeable current-account surplus had steadily been eroded. The need for a diversification of the revenue base and steps by the FG to stimulate export activities cannot be overemphasised. Commenting on the impact of the apex bank’s intervention in stabilising the Forex market, the Director, Corporate Communication, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, attributed the relative stability in the Forex market largely to the continued intervention of the CBN. He said the apex bank would continue to come up with measures that would ensure the value of the naira appreciated in the Forex market. The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at a forum with private sector operators in Lagos recently, restated the bank’s commitment to continue to defend the naira, saying that the CBN Act demanded that the bank “defends” the naira using the Forex reserves. He also said policies of the apex bank in the past five years had been focused on protecting the purchasing power of the poor and vulnerable persons in the country.

Xenophobic attacks: APC calls on ANC to intervene

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the recent South African xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, particularly on Nigerians, their property and businesses. The APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who said the party was ‘deeply’ saddened by the ‘unwarranted attacks’, stated that Nigeria deserved better treatment from South Africa.

Issa-Onilu, who said it was too early for South Africans to forget their country’s history, added that many of the key players in the struggle against apartheid are still alive and active in the country’s national affairs.

“We therefore cannot understand why there seems to be a conspiracy of silence on their part,” he said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja. The APC spokesman, who said the ‘barbaric’ attack on citizens of other countries pointed to a failure of leadership, stated that South African leaders could not exonerate themselves from the ‘cowardly’ act. The party, which hailed the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, said it was one of the first steps and government’s proactive response to the ‘unfortunate’ incident. The party assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would continue to take decisive measures, stressing that the safety of Nigerians – home and abroad – was non-negotiable to the APC administration. “We call on the South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) to urgently step in. This is completely at variance with what ANC stood for. The ANC government can no longer pretend about this obvious contradiction. “The violence being meted to Nigerians under ANC calls to question the very essence of the struggle against apartheid in which Nigeria was a frontline ally of South Africa. How can those who supported you and made huge sacrifices for your freedom become fair games to be murdered in cold blood? “Perhaps there is a disconnect between the younger and older generations of South Africans. The older generation cannot sit back while the uninformed youths and some South African public officials in their quest for inordinate populism destroy what we collectively achieved over several decades of sacrifice and brotherliness,” the statement also read.

Xenophobia: MSG, Valuables Boutique, others raided inside Shoprite Mall, Surulere

Valuable items   were allegedly  looted from M$G, Affordable Boutique and other shops inside Shoprite Mall in  Surulere, Lagos State,  on Tuesday night by  some suspected  social miscreants . A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had initially reported that some youths had staged a protest  around Surulere Shoprite Mall , MTN and Multichoice companies.

It was meant  to condemn the recent and latest  attacks on some Nigerians and their properties by some  South Africans in their country.

NAN reports that these companies’ parent companies are owned by   South Africans.

NAN could not ascertain the  monetary value of items stolen during the raid by the suspected hoodlums as at the time of filing this report. It was reported that the youth  had on Tuesday evening threatened to attack the Shoprite Mall , MTN and MultiChoice offices in the area but they were prevented by the  police  personnel  from Surulere Police Station that were drafted there. NAN had also reported that the  managements of some of the companies had closed early for the day when they received information that some hoodlums were planning to attack them. The shop owners were not available to appeal to the misscreants while they were looting the shops. A policeman who begged for  anonymity told NAN that the looted shops  belonged  to Nigerians. NAN , however observed that the  security personnel from  the Surulere Police Division  tried to quell the irate youths and maintain law and order  but this later broke down hours later. The angry mob capitalised  on the handful security personnel on ground and broke into the mall to ultimately loot. However,  the security personnel called for reinforcement  that dispersed the youth by  spraying tear gas into the atmosphere. (NAN)

Attacks in South Africa: Xenophobia or Afro-Asiaphobia?

protest against the airport road yesterday

The past few days have been dominated by media headlines about ‘xenophobic attacks’ on foreigners, essentially Nigerians, in South Africa. According to the police five people have died and businesses and properties worth millions of dollars destroyed since the current wave of ‘xenophobic attacks’ in the country. Attacks on foreigners in South Africa are quite…

Attacks in South Africa: Xenophobia or Afro-Asiaphobia?

protest against the airport road yesterday

The past few days have been dominated by media headlines about ‘xenophobic attacks’ on foreigners, essentially Nigerians, in South Africa. According to the police five people have died and businesses and properties worth millions of dollars destroyed since the current wave of ‘xenophobic attacks’ in the country. Attacks on foreigners in South Africa are quite…

Xenophobia: Why South Africa closed its missions in Nigeria

The South African government has said that it closed down its High Commission in Abuja and Consulate in Lagos due to “receipt of threats against the mission staff as well as the property of South Africa.” The country’s Minister of International Relation and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, stated this in a statement on Thursday.

She said though there had been no direct physical threat to any of South African diplomats and citizens, the government took precautionary measure of closing the mission offices as it prioritizes their safety, while the situation remains somewhat unpredictable.

Xenophobia: Why South Africa closed its missions in Nigeria

The South African government has said that it closed down its High Commission in Abuja and Consulate in Lagos due to “receipt of threats against the mission staff as well as the property of South Africa.” The country’s Minister of International Relation and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, stated this in a statement on Thursday.

She said though there had been no direct physical threat to any of South African diplomats and citizens, the government took precautionary measure of closing the mission offices as it prioritizes their safety, while the situation remains somewhat unpredictable.

Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe dies at 95

He said Mugabe was an icon of liberation and pan-Africanist who “dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people.”

He said Mugabe was an icon of liberation and pan-Africanist who “dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people.

No evidence Wike demolished any mosque, says Fayemi

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, says there is no evidence that Nyesom Wike, his Rivers counterpart, demolished any mosque in Port Harcourt.

Simeon Nwakaudu, spokesman of Wike, quoted Fayemi to have made the comment when he visited the site of the mosque which was allegedly demolished.

Wike has been under for fire allegedly demolishing a mosque in the Transamadi area of the state capital but the Rivers governor had maintained that there was no mosque on the site.

from what i seen I cannot see any evidence of any building that has been demolished here. If you are somebody who wants a place of worship, you should find a way to oblige them. I know within your capacity, it will be possible to find a place for them,” Fayemi reportedly said.

“From what I have seen here, I think it is a storm in a tea Cup. There is nothing to warrant this kind of media hype that has been given to it”.

Fayemi, who is also chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, was quoted as saying his assessment visit was necessitated by a call to Wike after the controversy on the disputed land broke out.

“If they cannot have this place that is contention and they have gone to court and you have respected their right to go to court, if they want to come back and seek a request to have another place, I plead that His Excellency should oblige them,” he said.

“You cannot allow people to build on a sewer. Even in my state I will not allow people to build on a sewer . There is no Governor that I know that will allow that to happen. If they are willing and prepared to have their place of worship elsewhere, that shouldn’t be too much of a request. It is important for us to promote harmony, rather than discord.”

On his part, Wike advised those chastising him for demolishing a “non-existent mosque” to verify any story before jumping to conclusion.

He said he had nothing against Islam and would ordinarily not antagonise Muslims.

“I have nothing against Islam or any faith for that matter and as you can see there was never a mosque on this ground instead it is a sewage site which has been in contention between the state government and some groups because they want to develop on prohibited land,” Wike was quoted to have said.

Nigerians’ evacuation begins Wednesday as South Africans insist foreigners must leave

There were fresh protests in eastern Johannesburg  on Sunday, with the protesters  demanding that  “foreigners must go back to where they came from.”

During the fresh attacks, one person died, while five others were injured. The nationality of the dead has not been known as of the time of filing this report.

A South African newspaper, Sowetan Live, reported that marchers, who carried weapons such as knobkerries, headed  for Jules Park where former Inkatha Freedom Party  leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, addressed them.

According to the newspaper, the protesters were chanting, “foreigners must go back to where they came from.”

The BBC reported on Sunday that South Africans disrupted a speech in Johannesburg by Buthelez who tried to quell tensions following last week’s riots and xenophobic attacks.

According to the report,  Buthelez was heckled by a rowdy section of the crowd.

He told the crowd he had become a mediator and said he felt ashamed about the recent violence which he said was tarnishing the name of South Africa across the continent.

He said, “What we have seen in the past few days is unacceptable. The attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses are purely xenophobic. It is a violation of human rights and a violation of our constitution. Our constitution enshrines the right to freedom from all forms of violence. That right applies to everyone in South Africa, whether citizens or not.”

The South African Broadcasting Corporation reported that the police had confirmed that one person had died in renewed violence in the Johannesburg.

The Gauteng Police Commissioner, Elias Mawela, pleaded with residents of the area to allow government to deal with violence in some areas.

Also news24.com reported that Gauteng police spokesperson, Captain Kay Makhubele, confirmed that five people were injured.

 The casualties were also confirmed by the President, Nigerian Union South Africa, Adetola Olubajo, in a text message to one of our correspondents, which read, “Police have confirmed one person dead and five injured.”

NUSA called on Nigerians to stay away from hot spots where violent protest march by Zulu hostel dwellers in Johannesburg took place.

Politics Presidential Tribunal told to dismiss Atiku, PDP’s petitions against Buhari, APC

President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC have urged the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the Feb. 23 general election on technicalities and evidential grounds.

The prayers formed part of the gamut of requests contained in both Buhari and APC’s final addresses to be adopted on Aug. 23, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

The respondents had described Abubakar’s address that urged the tribunal to sack Buhari and affirm him (Abubakar) president, as a “wild goose chase prayer’’.

They alleged that PDP erroneously allowed a candidate who was not a Nigerian by birth to contest for the highest position, adding that such was an adventure that violated the provision of the Constitution.

The president and his party, therefore, prayed the tribunal to invoke Section 131 (a) of the constitution to dismiss the petition.

NAN reports that section 131 (a) of the constitution strictly holds that a person must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth to qualify to contest the office of the president.

They claimed that Atiku was born on Nov. 25, 1946 in Jada, a former Adamawa Province of Northern Cameroon before a plebiscite was conducted in 1961 that now made the enclave part of Nigeria.

The parties, therefore, alleged that Abubakar was not qualified to enter the contest as the constitution forbade him from canvassing for votes to become Nigeria’s president.

“We pray that the tribunal will see this constitutional reason and go ahead to uphold the election of the second respondent (Buhari) forthwith’’, they prayed.

On evidence admitted from the petitions, the two respondents said they were empty as none had substantially proven series of the allegations made against the conduct of the election.

They said the petitioners had tried to mislead the tribunal and public that results from the election were transmitted electronically to a central server managed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The respondents maintained that it was public knowledge that the Feb.23 general election was conduct with the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended.

“Moreover, the laws in Nigeria do not recognize but actually prohibit transmission of results electronically.

“Sections 52 and 78 of the Electoral Act 2010 have categorically addressed the issue.

“The only means of transmitting election results under the law are through Forms EC8 series. Form EC8A conveys results from Polling Units.

“It is only through these approved forms that election results can be challenged or proven and not through server, imaginary or real,’’ they submitted.

The parties, therefore, submitted that the petitioners’ allegation on the use of server by INEC to transmit results was “criminal and misguided’’.

“Atiku Abubakar and the PDP have failed in their attempt to stridently prove their petition.

“The petitioners failed woefully to establish by credible evidence the existence of the imaginary server belonging to INEC,’’ they argued.

They argued that most of the witnesses presented by the petitioners attested to the fact that they signed all the Forms that contained the results of the election without coercion.

Buhari and APC, therefore, averred that such testimonies of truth from the petitioners’ witnesses further bestowed legitimacy on the outcome of the election.

On Buhari’s educational qualification, they said that the petitioners failed to adduce credible and reliable evidence to establish that he (Buhari) forged his certificate.

“While it is appropriate to debunk such baseless, mendacious and spurious assertion, it suffices to bring to fore the unequivocal provision of the constitution.

“The constitution is clear on this as it states the requirement for a candidate to contest the presidential election and occupy the office of the president.

“Section 131(d) provided that a person shall be qualified for election into the office of the president if he or she has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.

“ More so, the consequence of submitting a forged document to INEC is grave.

“It, therefore, requires precise evidence and proof beyond reasonable doubt, which the petitioners have not been able to establish,’’ the respondents said.

Drawing reference from the constitution, the respondents defined a secondary school certificate or its equivalent to mean: secondary school certificate or its equivalent, or Grade II Teacher’s certificate.

They listed others to include: City and Guide certificate or Education up to secondary school certificate level or Primary Six Scholl Leaving Certificate or its equivalent and Service in the public or private sector in the Federation in any capacity acceptable to INEC for a minimum of 10 years.

“It is apparent that from the pleadings and evidence adduced led by the petitioners; there is no scintilla or iota of evidence to prove that the president was at the time of the election not qualified.

“It is trite that how who asserts must prove, we have clearly seen that the petitioners had failed woefully in this matter.

“In the circumstance, we urge the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds of both technicalities and evidential failure and to affirm the election of the president,’’ they submitted.

NAN reports that the president, who contested the election on the platform of the APC, was announced winner, having scored a total of 15 million votes as against Abubakar’s 11,262,978 votes.

NAN further reports that the Justice Mohammed Garba-led five man panel awaits the parties to adopt their final addresses on Aug. 21 preparatory to judgment.Advertisements

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Youth leader hails Buhari’s victory at tribunal

Two times youth director of the presidential campaign team for Buhari in 2011 and 2019, Dr Wole Aboderin has said that the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the tribunal was for the Nigerian masses. Aboderin commended the judges for their articulated judgement and thanked women as well as youths for their votes towards the victory. He urged them to continue to support the administration for the transformation of the country.

South African President Ramaphosa Send an Envoy to African country on Attack to Foreigners by South Africans.

JOHANNESBURG – The Presidency says it wants to set the record straight on the recent attacks on foreign nationals.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a team of special envoys to deliver messages of solidarity across Africa.

The envoys will meet with Heads of State and government officials across Africa.

Government says this is to ensure the country’s relations with these countries remain intact.

Presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko says it is correct for SA to go out and set the record straight

“There was a lot of misinformation. The biggest people who bore the brunt of this are South Africans. Of the 12 people who have died, ten of them are South African nationals,” said Diko.

Ramaphosa was one of a dozen African leaders who attended former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s funeral in Harare on Saturday.

Robert Mugabe Bet 1924- 2019: As in life, As in Death

After addictive medical trips to Singapore apparently in search of some immortality,   Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM)  on September 6, 2019, heaved the last breath.  If he was mortal after all, what then remains of the  legacy of the first sit-tight Prime Minister of liberated Zimbabwe, who in 1987 transformed into an  Executive President? This was also a frequently asked question while alive. He was born in 1924 in Kutama in the then British colonial possession: Southern Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe). . He died at 95, some two years he was pressured out of power in November 2017 replaced by Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man he had fired as his deputy. One clear legacy of RGM is longevity in life (by destiny)   and power ( almost by subterfuge and dictatorship). Robert Mugabe shared in common long life with freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela who despite 27 years incarceration by accursed Apartheid regime died in South Africa peacefully some few months after 95th birthday, precisely 5th December 2013.  Kenneth David Kaunda,  (Zambian President from 1964 to 1991!)  also known as KK, born same year with Mugabe on  28 April 1924, remains the only standing nationalist of his era!. Liberation fighters like Samora Machel of Mozambique were not as lucky in longevity. He died in a plane crash, at  the behest of South African racist regime  on  19 October 1986, at 53 years.  Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana 1909-1972, was the first liberator  to audaciously lower Union Jack in 1957.

THE VICE PRESIDENT SHOULD RESIGN SAID PDP

– PDP has reacted over Osinbajo’s threat to waive his immunity

– Osinbajo had on Thursday, September 26, said that he would waive his immunity to allow thorough investigation over alleged corruption against him

– The party, however, asked the vice president to resign his position to allow unbiased investigation into the investigation

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been asked by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resign his position if he really meant that he would waive his immunity to allow thorough investigation of alleged corruption against him.

The party said since Osinbajo has announced his readiness to renounce his constitutional immunity in the face of corruption allegations, he should do the needful by resigning and vacating the office as there is no provision for waiver of immunity in our constitution.

The PDP holds that immunity under section 308 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) is conferred on an official by virtue of his/her election into an office within a duration and cannot be waived by any means other than resignation.

The statement read: “It is instructive to state that Section 308 confers immunity to the holder of the office during his period in office. There is no provision for waiver while the holder is still in office.

“Vice President Osinbajo should know that it is settled that section 308 can only be set aside by vacating the office. It is not a jacket to be put on or dropped at will. Significantly, our party invites the Vice President to note that his pronouncement has set off a process, which is expected to terminate in his resignation.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Osinbajo on Wednesday, September 25, in a tweet said that he was ready to forgo his immunity to allow proper investigation of falsehood and libel against him.

59 Anniversary Happy independences day

Nigerian Independence Day 2019

Commemorating the 1960 Nigeria’s Freedom From British Colonial Rule on “Nigerian Independence Day” observed this year on Tuesday, 1 October 2019

The Nigerian Independence Day is celebrated every year on October 1st. It’s a very special and important event in the history of Nigeria as it marks the marks the independence from their former colonial master. The country was once a colony of Great Britain until it became an independent and free state on October 1st, 1960.

About 2000 years ago, Nigerian people having Nok culture traded slaves, Ivory and kola nuts for salt, coral, fabric, and weapons. They worked with metals like iron and produced terracotta sculptures.

In the mid-1850s, Great Britain was expanding colonies around the world and Nigeria also became a colony of British rulers. By 1901, the British Government took strong control of the Royal Niger Company’s Nigerian territories, while Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria, became a British protectorate.

The Colonization lasted for over a hundred years, during which the British Government took full advantage of Nigeria’s natural resources until after the World War II when an ‘independence movement’ for free Nigeria arose.

After a long struggle, the nationalism and independence movements kicked the British out and Nigeria became an independent state. The region was granted full independence on October 1st, 1960, marking the Nigeria Independence Day.

Even after independence, the country had to go through so many extreme civil wars between the Northern, Eastern, and Western regions. Fortunately, the country’s natural resources especially the booming petroleum trade industry, helped Nigeria flourish and advance financially after independence despite the ongoing civil wars and assassinations.

Nigeria Independence History Timeline
Circa 11th Century	City states, kingdoms and empires formed in northern, Oyo and southern Benin, including the Hausa kingdoms and dynasties of the Borno dynasty.
1472	Portuguese navigators reach the Nigerian coastline
1600 – 1800	Nigerian slaves forcibly sent to America as slave trade
1809	Islamic Sokoto caliphate is founded in north.
1850s	British establish their presence around Lagos.
1861-1914	Britain increases it’s control over Nigeria, forming colony and protectorate
1960	Nigeria gains Independence from Great Britain, with Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa leading a coalition government.

Nigeria celebrates its independence every year on October 1st, both in the capital and 36 states. A public holiday is observed on Nigeria Independence Day.

There is a flag raising ceremony to honor the nation. Festivals and parades are held all across the country, including the display of tanks, missiles, and advanced armories. The armed forces parades with cultural dances are followed after the Presidential speech.

Finally, the national Nigerian cake is cut to commemorate the celebrations at Aso Rock (the name given to the Presidential Villa).

president Buhari independent speech

Dear Compatriots, 1st October each year is an opportunity for us to reflect and thank God for his endless blessings on our country.

2.      It is also a time for us, collectively, to:

3.      Remember the sacrifices made by our Founders and great leaders past; by soldiers, by distinguished public servants; by traditional leaders, by our workers —- sacrifices on which Nigeria has been built over the 59 years since Independence in 1960.

.      Rededicate ourselves to attaining the goals which we have set for ourselves: a united, prosperous and purposeful nation in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges.

5.      In the past four years, the majority of Nigerians have committed to Change for the Better. Indeed, this Administration was re-elected by Nigerians on a mandate to deliver positive and enduring Change – through maintaining our National Security; restoring sustainable and inclusive Economic Growth and Development; and fighting Corruption against all internal and external threats.  

6.      This Change can only be delivered if we are united in purpose, as individuals and as a nation. We must all remain committed to achieving this positive and enduring Change. As I stated four years ago, “Change does not just happen… We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust… simply put, to bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”  

SECURITY: 7.      Good Governance and Economic Development cannot be sustained without an enabling environment of peace and security. In the last four years, we have combatted the terrorist scourge of Boko Haram. We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant men and women in arms, through whose efforts we have been able to achieve the present results. We are also grateful to our neighbours and allies – within the region and across the world – who have supported us on this front

Dear Compatriots, 1st October each year is an opportunity for us to reflect and thank God for his endless blessings on our country.

2.      It is also a time for us, collectively, to:

3.      Remember the sacrifices made by our Founders and great leaders past; by soldiers, by distinguished public servants; by traditional leaders, by our workers —- sacrifices on which Nigeria has been built over the 59 years since Independence in 1960.

.      Rededicate ourselves to attaining the goals which we have set for ourselves: a united, prosperous and purposeful nation in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges.

5.      In the past four years, the majority of Nigerians have committed to Change for the Better. Indeed, this Administration was re-elected by Nigerians on a mandate to deliver positive and enduring Change – through maintaining our National Security; restoring sustainable and inclusive Economic Growth and Development; and fighting Corruption against all internal and external threats.  

6.      This Change can only be delivered if we are united in purpose, as individuals and as a nation. We must all remain committed to achieving this positive and enduring Change. As I stated four years ago, “Change does not just happen… We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust… simply put, to bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”  

SECURITY: 7.      Good Governance and Economic Development cannot be sustained without an enabling environment of peace and security. In the last four years, we have combatted the terrorist scourge of Boko Haram. We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant men and women in arms, through whose efforts we have been able to achieve the present results. We are also grateful to our neighbours and allies – within the region and across the world – who have supported us on this front.

Leave Jonathan alone, PDP tells APC, former UK prime minister

Ex president doctor goodluck Ebele Jonathan

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop throwing tantrums at former President Goodluck Jonathan over the abducted Chibok girls. A former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, alleged, few days ago in his new book, that former President Jonathan was sleeping on the wheel while terrorists were busy abducting school girls in Chibok, Borno State. Cameron added that Jonathan prevented British forces from engaging in rescue efforts as he allegedly seemed to see the entire incident as cheap politics. OVER 5,000 NIGERIAN MEN HAVE OVERCOME POOR BEDROOM PERFORMANCE SYNDROME DUE TO THIS BRILLIANT DISCOVERY Sequel to this, the APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said Jonathan needed not to deny the allegation. But the former President dismissed the claims. However, Chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, in a text message to our correspondent, said the APC should be grateful that Jonathan saved Nigeria by conceding defeat in 2015. Jibrin added that the former President and his wife Dame Patience should be saved from any blame. “The former British prime minister has taken the matter too far in his book. The Nigerian security problems are too serious to single out one particular individual for blame. The APC should leave our former president Goodluck Jonathan alone. “The insecurity in Nigeria should be the concern of all Nigerians. By the grace of God, Boko Haram, herdsmen, banditry etc, will be a thing of the past. I wish to congratulate the Army, Police, Civill Defence, DSS and all other security agencies for all their efforts. “All Fulani leaders are trying hard to ensure that headsmen are totally controlled to convenient places thereby bringing to an end roaming, Jibrin said.

Aisha Buhari why i was away for long

Abuja – Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has explained why she was away in the UK for long, saying she decided to spend some time with her children.

Mrs. Buhari said she had been unable to spend time with her children since the family moved into Aso Rock in 2015, noting that the appointment of aides for her by the presidency gave her time for the vacation.

She said: “I stayed away for so long because before the advent of this administration, it had always been the custom for me to take a long vacation with our children, but since the president was elected and due to exigencies of duty it had not been possible.

“This year I decided to break the jinx and spend time with them, especially since Mr. President has graciously appointed special advisers and personal assistants for me.”

She also said she was ill and her doctor advised her to take time off and give herself a good rest.

“It has been a tradition for us. For like 20 to 27 years now, if our children are on holiday, we used to spend holiday with them.

“I never abandon my children, and last year, I went to Spain and spent two months with Zahra when she gave birth.

“So, the same this year’s holiday in U.K, I fell sick; so, I stayed back to see a doctor and the doctor advised me to stay back to attend to my health.

“From the U.K, I travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and returned to England on doctor’s advice and they also advised that I should slow down my activities.”

Mrs. Buhari said she was happy to be home after a well-deserved rest.

She spoke to journalists on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when she returned to the country at 4.30a.m via a British Airways flight.

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Her media aide, Suleiman Haruna, described the first lady’s travel as “a long holiday in the UK”.

According to Haruna, in a statement on Sunday, the first lady also confirmed that she was fully rejuvenated to continue the work of improving the health and well-being of women, children, and other vulnerable Nigerians.

“She used the opportunity to thank her husband, family and well-wishers for their support and encouragement,” Haruna said.

On hand to receive her were wives of present and former governors and many associates, Aisha’s media aide said.

Aisha returned two days after online reports’ claim that President Buhari planned to take a serving minister as his second wife on Friday turned out to be a monumental hoax.

In reaction to the hoax, the first lady cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of spreading fake news, and urged relevant stakeholders to stem the act.

“The genesis of this fake news started when my husband fell sick and perpetrators of this act were showing fake ambulance, hospital and dead body suggesting that my husband was dead.

“That time, I received so many calls from other first ladies and presidents of other countries to confirm; so I called the attention of the NCC, NBC, and the National Orientation Agency.

“Fake news will lead this country to something else if actions are not taken with immediate effect,’’ she said.

Present at the airport to meet her were the first lady of Kogi State, Mrs. Rasheedat Bello; wife of former governor of Nassarawa State, Mrs. Mairo Al Makura; chairperson of National Centre for Women Development, Joy Gene Nunieh; wife of Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Mrs. Ekaetae Unoma Godswill Akpabio; D.G., Women’s Development Centre, Mrs. Mary Etta, and Senior Special Assistant, Office of the Wife of the President, Dr. Hajo Sani.

UBA KICK OFF AS ONOJA TAKE OATH BELLO DEPUTY

All is now set for the swearing in of Edward Onoja as deputy governor of Kogi State.

The Kogi State Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah has arrived the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Lokoja to perform the swearing-in ceremony.

Members of the state assembly had earlier today cleared Onoja when he appeared before them. Governor Yahaya Bello, Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole; members of the state assembly, political office holders, politicians and other well wishers are all seated to witness the event.

The swearing in of Onoja as deputy governor followed the impeachment of Elder Simon Achuba by the Kogi State House Assembly over alleged acts of gross misconduct. The emergence of Onoja as deputy governor and running mate to Governor Bello has been described by pundits as part of the strategy by the ruling party to further consolidate on its hold in the state ahead of the governorship election. Onoja, who hails from Olamaboro LGA in Kogi East district, was before now, the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello and one of the most influential figures in the present administration in the state. In the build up to the 2015 governorship election, Edward Onoja served as Chief Strategist and Director-General, Campaign Organisation of Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Meanwhile, the embattled deputy governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba, said he was treated like a common criminal moments after the State House of Assembly made its pronouncement about his removal. Achuba, who narrated his ordeal while speaking to journalists at his private residence in Lokoja yesterday, said the state was fast degenerating into a “banana republic” where lawlessness reigned supreme. According to him, moments after “the purported impeachment” by the state assembly, his security details were withdrawn and policemen thereafter barricaded his official residence in Lokoja keeping him under “house arrest”. Related BREAKING: Onoja to be sworn in as Kogi deputy gov Achuba kicks as Onoja takes oath today as Bello’s deputy Inside feud between Kogi governor, deputy governor.Advertisements

Federal government and the lab our union are close with there deal about minimum wage

An agreement has been reached between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the new minimum wage adjustment.

The agreement was reached after about four days of the meeting. According to the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Festus Keyamo, both the government and the organized labour signed Terms of Settlement on different percentages of adjustments. 

Nairametrics reported that the Federal Government and the National Assembly had approved the minimum wage of N30,000. The implementation has, however, been delayed since the approval. 

No more strike: In August, the President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, said the union was not prepared for any strike but a memo posted by Keyamo disclosed that the recent conciliation meeting was organized when the labour union threatened that it could not guaranty industrial peace after October 16, 2019. 

Although the time the agreement on the consequential adjustments would reflect on workers’ wages wasn’t stated in the memo shared, it has allayed the fear of any potential strike by the organised labour.

The consequential adjustments: According to the memo seen by Nairametrics, the increment varies for all levels of workers from GL-07 to GL-18. 

• GL 07 = 23.2% 
• GL 08 = 20% 
• GL 09 = 19% 
• GL 10-14 = 16% 
• GL 15-17 = 14% 

PDP kick off As APC WIN BAYELSA STATE AND KOGI STATE

Yesterday the 17 November 2019 As bayelsa and kogi decide Governor yahaya bello win second sit and in bayelsa state governor Lyon win . but controversy as civil society organization reject the out come and call for re election.

Constituency projects: NASS squandered N1trn –Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, alleged that members of the National Assembly frittered away over N1 trillion earmarked for constituency projects in the last 10 years.

Buhari, who spoke at a two-day National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in Public Sector at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, lamented that citizens, particularly those in rural communities,  had not felt the impact of the huge sum allocated by federal legislators as constituency projects.

The President said  “It is on record that in the past 10 years, N1 trillion has been appropriated for constituency projects yet the impact of such huge spending on the lives and welfare of ordinary Nigerians can hardly be seen”.

He, however, expressed delight that through the actions of the ICPC on constituency projects, over 200 contractors had returned to site to complete projects paid for.

The event was organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC).

President Buhari directed the ICPC to go after government officials and contractors who collect funds for  constituency projects without executing them.

He  also called on the judiciary to embrace and support the creation of Special Crimes Court.

“The fight against corruption is not only for government and anti-corruption agencies alone. All arms and tiers of government must develop and implement the anti-corruption measures. I invite the legislative and judicial arms of government to  support the creation of Special Crimes Court that Nigerians have been agitating for to handle corruption cases”, he said.

On his recent directive to all agencies of government to enroll into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the president directed ICPC to go after public institutions that were yet to comply as the policy was adopted to halt the padding of personnel budgets and misappropriation of capital budgets.

“I am aware that the Commission recently conducted System Studies and Review of many MDAs to evaluate systems and processes relating to transparency and accountability in personnel and capital spending through which you successfully blocked over N9 billion from being diverted from 2019 personnel budget.

“That was a proactive prevention measure. I have directed that all agencies of government must get on the IPPIS in order to eliminate the padding of personnel budgets.

“I urge ICPC to beam its searchlight on all agencies yet to get on the IPPIS and our e-government platform in order to fully halt the padding of personnel budgets and the diversion or misappropriation of capital budgets,” he said.

President Buhari at the event which marked the launch of the Constituency Projects Transparency Group (CPTG) Report Phase One, appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption.

“I urge our development partners, civil society organisations and the media to continue to support our efforts to strengthen ethical values and integrity in Nigeria,” he said.

Buhari commended the new Board of the ICPC for launching new enforcement and preventive initiatives including the system study review, tracking of zonal intervention projects, otherwise called Constituency Projects, and the collaboration with the National Social Investment Office.

“I am delighted that through the effort of ICPC some contractors are returning to site to execute projects hitherto abandoned and that project sponsors are being held to account.

“The ICPC has my full support and the support of this government to hold fully to account contractors, complicit public servants and project sponsors who divert funds meant for constituencies or other people oriented welfare projects of our government or who by other means reduce the quality and value of such projects meant for our people.”

On asset recovery, the President reassured that his administration will continue to support anti-corruption agencies to recover all ill-gotten wealth and prosecute offenders, adding that all fully recovered physical assets will be sold and the proceeds remitted to the treasury.

Meanwhile, ICPC has disclosed that its preliminary findings revealed that 300 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) inflated their payroll by N12 billion.

ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye, identified the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) as the two agencies allegedly mostly used to pad budgets.

“We discovered that some agencies of government are favourites for embedding of constituency projects irrespective of their core mandate and capacity to deliver or supervise projects.

“The attraction appears to be either corrupt tendencies within such agencies or the inherent weaknesses within them.

“Most notorious in this regard are Border Communities Development Agency and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, it had been discovered that MDAs duplicate contracts for projects using the same description, narrative, amount and location of award.”

Owasanoye added that part of the preliminary findings revealed gross abuse of personnel budget and inflation or padding of the nominal roll.

“We covered about 300 MDAs and the amount inflated was about N12 billion. As at today, we have discovered additional N6 billion making a total of N18.624 billion restrained by ICPC.

“The exercise is still ongoing, but we can confidently report that the culprit MDAs are mostly academic and health institutions. For example preliminary findings show the following: University of Benin Teaching Hospital N1.1 billion, Federal Medical Center, Bayelsa N915 million, Nnamdi Azikwe University N907 million, University of Jos N896 million, University College Hospital Ibadan N701 million, Usman Dan Fodio University N636 million and University of Ibadan N558 million.”

He said institutions and all those implicated would be given the opportunity to explain themselves.

“However, while investigations are on to confirm any credible explanations that they may have, we have alerted the Minister of Finance on our findings, and appropriate steps are being taken to ensure that the implicated MDAs will not be able to spend the excess amount built into their personnel budget.

“In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the balances recorded for personnel were wrongfully utilised by MDAs for other purposes.  That sum amounted to N18.39 billion. In light of these findings, we encourage full implementation of the directive that MDAs not on IPPIS should not be paid as our review shows that most of the guilty MDAS are not on IPPIS.

“In a similar vein, we found that some MDAs spent N9.2 billion of capital funds on overhead related items, contrary to extant financial regulations. We found to our surprise that some MDAs fail to remit tax and divert pension and NHIS deductions for unrelated payments, thus aggravating the sufferings of Nigerians.”

Owasanoy said those guilty of diversion and non-remittance would be dismissed and prosecuted.

Efforts to reconcile after the civil war has had limited impacts babangida

General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Nigeria’s former Military Head of State has disclosed that limited impact has been recorded in the effort to reconcile Nigerians after the civil war. 

Babangida who lauded some initiatives like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the unity schools in the interview with Channels Television, blamed the limited impact recorded on authorities not consistently pushing for actualization of the reconciliation of Nigerians. 

9 Imo lawmaker join Apc for uzodinma

Nine lawmakers of the Imo state House of Assembly, have defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, just as the Deputy Speaker of the House, Okey Onyekanma, resigned his position.

in Owerri, at the House of Assembly they capture the defection drama, as more lawmakers are said to have prepared to move to APC, soonest.

Supreme Court sacks Bayelsa governor-elect, declares PDP winner

The Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election of Bayelsa State governor-elect, David Lyon and his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, who were already preparing to be inaugurated into office.

A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the All Progressives Congress’ candidates as the winners of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

Don’t return to Borno Again Shekau Boko Haram Leader Warns Buhari

The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has sent President Muhammadu Buhari a warning, telling him never to return to Borno. In a video obtained by TheCable, the leader of the sect conspicuously told Buhari that his members are fully on ground in the North-East.

The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has sent President Muhammadu Buhari a warning, telling him never to return to Borno. In a video obtained by TheCable, the leader of the sect conspicuously told Buhari that his members are fully on ground in the North-East.

Since then,  Boko Haram has release few and had retained others including Leah Shaibu, a christain amongst them.

However, the group launched another attack hours after Buhari paid a condolence visit to the state over the killing of 30 persons in Auno, a community near Maiduguri, on Sunday.

You may not kiss the bride: social distancing in force at Indonesia wedding

Closed borders and social distancing rules to stem the coronavirus outbreak failed to stop one transnational couple in Indonesia from tying the knot on Wednesday, minus the customary kiss to seal the deal. Irra Chorina Octora, 29, and her Turkish partner Yavuz Ozdemir, 32, swapped vows at Al Akbar mosque in Surabaya, as friends and family — each sat two metres apart — looked on.

The couple both wore facemasks and kept their distance through the ceremony to comply with strict rules imposed by authorities, who have banned mass gatherings including weddings but allowed some exceptions for marriages booked before the pandemic began. Virus precautions were on full display, with a maximum of 25 people at the event, temperature checks at the door and hand sanitiser throughout the venue. The wedding was also wrapped up in just 30 minutes.

RevolutionNow protest is irritating – Adesina

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has stated that the #RevolutionNow protests embarked upon by some Nigerians is irritating. 

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday August 5, the presidential spokesperson averred that only a few youths out of the 200 million Nigerians in the country embarked on the protest. 

Adesina said; 

“Well, was it really a protest? By my estimation, it just seemed like a child’s play because protests by their very nature are spontaneous things, mass things. These are just a sprinkle of people trying to be funny. As far as I am concerned, it is nothing to worry about.

“A revolution is always a mass thing, not a sprinkle of young boys and girls you saw yesterday in different parts of the country. I think it was just a funny thing to call it a revolution protest.”

When asked if it was right for the Presidency to talk down on young Nigerians for protesting, Adesina insisted that the protests were nothing but an irritation and he had a right to his opinion.

He said; 

“In a country of 200 million people and if you see a sprinkle of people saying they are doing a revolution, it was a child’s play.”

When asked if the seriousness of a protest is determined only by size, Adesina added; 

“Well, it will always matter because if you said it was a revolution, revolutions by definition are quite well known.

“Revolution is something that turns the normal order. What happened yesterday, would you call it a revolution? It was just an irritation, just an irritation and some people want to cause irritation in the country and what I will say is when things boil over, they boil over because you continue to heat them.

“When you see pockets of heating up in the country, eventually they culminate in a boiling over. So, Nigerians need to know that the country we get is what we use our hands to build.”

Adesina also maintained that the protest was misguided as some of the things the protesters were demonstrating about such as insecurity, corruption, poverty and rights abuse were not peculiar to Nigeria. 

On if the clampdown on protests would continue, the President’s aide said; 

 “The government will do whatever is right, whatever is required to maintain peace.”

Two suspect mobile phone fraudster Arrested in lagos

Two suspected members of a syndicate who specialize in advertising expensive mobile phones at cheaper prices on a Nigerian online marketplace to lure their buyers to places where they fraudulently dispossess them of their money in exchange for fake mobile phones, have been arrested by the police.

The suspects, Chukwu – Emeka Ogbona (45) and Olabode Kehinde (34), both mobile phone technicians at the Computer Village, Ikeja were arrested at Olowu Street, Ikeja in separate incidents last Wednesday, September 9.

The duo, who are members of the same syndicate, advertised Iphone X, a phone valued at N240,000 for N155,000 to lure buyers into their nets.

”The suspects, along with other gang members, lure the buyers to locations around Olowu Street and Computer Village,  Ikeja, where they fraudulently collect money from the buyers after showing them the real phone but within a twinkle of an eye substitute it with fake Iphone X. The suspects thereafter flee the scene leaving their victims stranded.”the police said in the statement released

When interrogated, the suspects disclosed that apart from advertising on the Nigerian online marketplace, they also fraudulently sell fake mobile phones on the streets of Computer village to unsuspecting buyers as well as return fake or paper money to their victims after collecting the real money from them.

One of the suspects, Chukwu Emeka Ogbona, said

”The leader of the gang is Ibrahim. He advertised on jiji.com and supply us with the real Iphone X and the fake Iphone X. The real Iphone X is N240,000 while the fake is an android phone made to look like an Iphone X. It is N30,000.

The Iphone X was advertised for N155,000. The buyer negotiated for N120,000. Knowing what I want to sell to him, I encouraged him to meet me at Olowu after changing meeting locations twice to ensure that we were not being baited by the police.

I showed him the real Iphone X for him to confirm it while the fake was in my back pocket. I took the real one back from him again for us to settle our bargain. Meanwhile, I had arranged with other gang members to come around and distract the attention of the buyer so as to create room for me to swap the real Iphone X with the fake version.

This I did and we shared the victim’s N120,000. Unknown to me the police baited and arrested me the third day of the fraud.

Times are hard. I stopped doing it before. I need money to feed my family. That is why I came back into it. We are many doing it. We call it street hustling. I wont go back to it if released” Ogbona said

The second suspect, Olabode Kehinde was arrested by the Decoy Team of RRS for collecting N100,000 and an Iphone 6S from one Obinna, who he lured to Computer Village after agreeing to swap them for an iPhone X but ended up fraudulently giving him a fake iPhone X.

He also confessed to be a member of the same syndicate. He added that they are many on the streets of Computer Village.

Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu advised Lagosians to be wary of suspected fraudsters masquerading as phone dealers with a view to exploiting them of their hard-earned money, adding that they should ensure they obtain a receipt with traceable addresses for mobile devices phones they are buying.

He warned Lagosians to stop buying fairly used phones whose sources they don’t know.

Abducted University of Abuja student released

An undergraduate at the University of Abuja, Mary Judith Eze, who was kidnapped on September 9 in the Tunga Maje area of Abuja, has been released.

Recall that last Thursday, September 10, unidentified gunmen attacked Tungar Maje village of Gwagwalada Local Government Area in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and kidnapped scores of persons.

According to the residents, the gunmen abducted about 12 persons and dropped 7 out of the 12 initially kidnapped persons after they were engaged in a gun battle by police officers and members of the community’s vigilante group. Read here.

According to Sahara Reporters, the undergraduate and other victims were released in the early hours of today Tuesday, September 15.

Though the kidnappers demanded N20m as a ransom fee, it was not clear if that amount was paid before the undergraduate was freed.

Abuja-Kaduna train allegedly attacked by bandits

An Abuja-Kaduna train reportedly suffered a bandit attack on Monday September 14. 

Some social media users who shared the story, said the attack went on for 20 minutes before the security operatives on the train repelled the attack. 

French-Speaking Criminals Invade Yoruba Land —Amotekun Commander

The Chairman, South-Western Security Network codenamed ‘Amotekun’ in Oyo State, Col. Kunle Togun, yesterday said most commercial motorcyclists trooping into the state were spying for kidnappers and bandits that have invaded Yoruba land from neigbouring countries.

He said the foreigners who were ferried inside trailers into Oyo State during the COVID-19 lockdown could not speak any Nigerian language but French whenever accosted by his men.

The security expert hinted that the warning from the state governor to traditional chiefs to stop allocating lands to herdsmen with no papers showing Nigerian nationality would go a long way to stem the spate of killings and kidnapping in Yorubaland.

Togun who was responding to questions from reporters at his office in the State Secretariat at Agodi on Monday said the greedy nature of some traditional and community leaders in many Yoruba towns led to a high rate of insecurity, which he said Amotekun has been curbing.

“I have attended meetings of Obas in Oke-Ogun and I told them to stop giving land to foreigners, these herdsmen are called Bororos in Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa areas, they are not Nigerians, what is happening should not be analysed in the area of religion, it is territorial expansion.

“Their leaders argue about the ECOWAS free movement law, but the one I am aware of is that anybody from ECOWAS country can go into another ECOWAS country without a visa but you cannot stay there for more than ninety days at a stretch, some of these people have been occupying our land for years and they are not Nigerians.

“Most of them that were dumped here by trailers during the COVID-19 lockdown have turned to Okada riders, many are carrying wheelbarrows all over the place, selling carrots, oranges and the rest, the Okada riders are their spies, we have noted that and we are working on government policy that will curtail the use of these people to foment crisis in Oyo State and the Yorubaland as a whole.”

Kunle Togun noted that Nigerians are the most security unconscious people in the world as he added that even the neighbouring Benin Republic has a database and is more secure because according to him, security is supposed to be everybody’s business.

Twitter Permanently Suspends Trump Citing Risk Of More Violence

Twitter — Trump’s favorite megaphone — blocked him for 12 hours after the deadly attack on the US Capitol on Wednesday and threatened permanent suspension if he continued breaking its rules.

Trump returned to Twitter late Thursday, posting a video message that seemed aimed at calming tensions after the mayhem caused by his supporters.

He acknowledged his presidency was ending and promised a smooth transition to Joe Biden, although he did not go so far as to congratulate or even say the name of his successor.

Twitter said at the time it was continuing to watch Trump’s social media activity to determine whether further action was needed.

The decision to suspend Trump’s account came after a pair of tweets on Friday, according to the one-to-many messaging platform.

In one of the tweets, Trump vowed that none of his supporters would be “disrespected,” and in another, he said he would not be attending Biden’s inauguration on January 20, as is customary.

“These two Tweets must be read in the context of broader events in the country and the ways in which the President’s statements can be mobilized by different audiences, including to incite violence, as well as in the context of the pattern of behavior from this account in recent weeks,” Twitter said.

The company determined the tweets violated its “Glorification of Violence Policy,” and that “user @realDonaldTrump should be immediately permanently suspended from the service.”

– Talk of new attack –
Twitter said it also factored in that plans for more armed protests have been proliferating on and off the service, including a proposed second attack on the US Capitol and state capitol buildings on January 17.

Trump’s tweeted statement about not attending the Inauguration has been received by some supporters as his continued rejection of the election’s legitimacy and a sign that the event would be a “safe target” since he won’t be there, according to Twitter.

Wording in Trump’s Friday tweets was seen by some supporters as praise for those involved in what has been described as a coup attempt, and indication he does not plan to smoothly yield power to Biden, Twitter said in the post.

Twitter confirmed that several hundred employees signed a letter to chief executive Jack Dorsey saying they were disturbed by the “insurrection” carried out by Trump supporters, who had been rallied by the president.

The employees called for Twitter to assess the role its platform played in Wednesday’s events.

“Twitter encourages an open dialogue between our leadership and employees, and we welcome our employees to express their thoughts and concerns in whichever manner feels right to them,” a company spokesperson said of the letter.(AFP)

Man Utd Stay Top After Draw With Liverpool

Premier League leaders Manchester United were thwarted by the second-half heroics of keeper Alisson in a goalless draw with champions Liverpool.

Alisson denied Paul Pogba from arguably the best of the opportunities as United’s winless league run against the Reds reached five matches for the first time since 2002.

The match failed to live up to the hype – it was high on intensity, but both attacks found it difficult to pierce determined defences at Anfield.

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah both had efforts blocked.

An encounter of few chances saw the Red Devils extend the champions’ scoreless run to three matches, their longest such streak in the top flight since March 2005, in what was Jurgen Klopp’s 200th league game in charge.

The result leaves United two points ahead of Leicester City in second. Liverpool, who have scored just one goal in their past four league games, are a point behind the Foxes in third.

Unusual animal that looks like a cross between a tortoise and a frog leaves Nigerians confused

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Police Arrest ABU Security Staff ‘Working’ With Gunmen To Kidnap Lecturers

The Nigerian Police Force has nabbed suspected kidnappers who have been terrorising Ahmadu Bello University.

One of the workers of the institution working at security department, Aliyu Abubakar, was also arrested by Special Tactical Squad of Inspector-General of Police for ‘providing’ assistance to kidnappers who have on various occasions terrorised the institution.

The Public Relations Officer of Nigerian Police, CP Frank Mba, at the ongoing parade of no fewer than 25 suspects for various offences told journalists that a suspect, Malam Jafaru, who ‘provides’ spiritual guidance to the kidnappers, was also arrested.

The arrest comes in the wake of a spate of kidnappings that have hit the university campus and its environs, with staff and students taken for ransom.

In November, gunmen forcefully abducted a staff of Ahmadu Bello University and released his wife and daughter in a gunfight with police.

Kidnappers invaded the home of the staff on university’s main campus in Zaria and took him, his wife and daughter.

The campus security passed on a distress call to police intelligence response team

Police engaged the kidnappers in a gunfight. He was released later in December.

In December, nine students of school’s French Department were abducted while on a trip.

to Lagos for an academic programme.

Their abductors demanded N270 million as ransom, according to Daily Trust newspapers.

Wike To FG: If You Kill Ortom, Be Prepared To Bury Nigeria

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says the Federal Government will be held responsible if Samuel Ortom, his Benue counterpart, is assassinated.

The convoy of Ortom was attacked along Makurdi/Gboko road in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue on Saturday.

In his reaction to the incident, Wike said if the Benue governor is killed, there might be another civil war in the country.

“If you kill Ortom, then be prepared to bury Nigeria. If anything happens to Governor Ortom, the Federal Government will be held responsible and they should be prepared that there will be no more Nigeria,” Wike said in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers.

The Rivers governor alleged that during the 2019 general elections, the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Major General Jamil Sarham, and All Progressives Congress chieftains concluded plan to assassinate him.

Wike described as disturbing the growing trend where the live of governors are brazenly threatened.

Four Police Men, fourty four other killed in Fresh Gun Men Attached.

Two policemen were killed during an attack on Ugbuodo Divisional Headquarters in Ebonyi Local Government Area, while another two were killed by bandits during an attack on Magami Police Station in Gusau Local Government of Zamfara State.

Bandits killed at least 21 in attacks on communities in Zamfara and another 12 in Niger. They also killed 3 in Sokoto around the same time.

21 deaths followed by Niger with 12. Plateau recorded five deaths; Sokoto three; Adamawa two while Ebonyi, Delta and Edo saw 1 death each.

Three suspected kidnappers were also lynched to death after a vigilante group stormed a market in Adamawa State following reports of the presence of kidnappers. The kidnappers were said to have resisted arrest and were lynched to death.

Suspected bandits have killed three persons at Garin Zogo village in Sabon Birni Local Government of Sokoto State.

They also sacked eight villages in the local government area.

Confirming the attacks, the councillor representing the areas, Ibrahim Muhammad Saraki said Garin Zogo was attacked on Friday around 10:30 pm.

“They killed three persons and injured one. They also rustled animals, broke into many shops and carted away unascertained number of goods,” he said.

According to him, the marauders also attacked Nasarawa, Gidan Idi and Rambadawa villages on Saturday where they injured three persons and rustled animals.

He added that the gunmen further broke into homes of residents of the area and dispossessed them of their belongings, including Kayan jere.

“We are not living in peace in our communities any longer because the killing is taking place every day.

“As I am talking to you now our people no longer sleep in their homes. We spend the night in Sabon Birni town and return in the morning.

“And there are some villages that are completed deserted like Rambadawa, Garin Idi, Tudun Wada, Nasarawa, Tamindawa, Garin Ango, Tsaunar Dogo and Tashalawa,” he said.

He, however, appealed to the state government to come to their rescue.

The Special Adviser to the council’s chairman on Security, Lamiru Umar while corroborating this said, some of their people were currently taking refuge at Tsululu village in the Niger Republic.

The spokesman for the Sokoto Police Command, ASP Sunusi Abubakar could not be reached for comments.

Suspected armed bandits shot dead two policemen in an attack on their formation in Magami community in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Residents in the community, which is located 50km south of Gusau, the state capital, told Daily Trust that the armed men stormed the community on Saturday evening.

Also, 19 other residents were killed in Damaga and Dutsi village in Maradun and Zurmi Local Government Areas of the State.

Residents stated that farmers in Damaga village went for farmland clearance in preparation for this year’s cropping season when they were shot by the armed criminals who had earlier warned them not to go to farms.

The spokesman for the state police command, SP Muhammad Shehu said the policemen lost their lives while trying to repel the attack on Magami community by suspected armed bandits who came in their large number to attack residents.

He said the CP has deployed Tactical Units of the Police to the area to complement the operational capacity of the police in the area who are combing the bush in search of the perpetrators.

Daily Trust gathered that armed bandits in search of foodstuff, attacked Mangoro and Kakihun villages in Mariga Local Government Area, shooting indiscriminately. But the swift mobilisation of security forces led to a fierce engagement with the bandits reportedly suffering heavy casualty.

“While on their escape route they invaded Kakihun village. However, twelve persons lost their lives, two Mobile policemen and twenty members of the community sustained bullet wounds at Mongoro village,” a source disclosed.

The bandits also kidnapped two villagers during the attacks.

No fewer than three herders were killed while seven cattle were shot in separate attacks in villages of Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Our correspondent reports that the first two herders were killed in the Rantya area of Bassa on Saturday, while the other one was killed on Sunday in Kuru village of the same Jos South Local Government Area of the state. Five cattle were also shot during the incident.

This is coming three days after one herder was killed in Kuru village of Jos South LGA and another went missing in Maiyanga village of Bassa LGA of the state. At least 52 cattle were equally killed in the attack.

In the latest attack according to the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Malam Nura Abdullahi, the two herders were shot dead when they were returning from rearing, at about 5:pm, on Saturday around Rantya area, while the other one was killed on Sunday while rearing in the Kuru area.

The chairman told Daily Trust that they had reported the Saturday’s incident to Rantya Police Division, adding that the corpses of the herders were evacuated for burial by the police from Rantya Division.

Malam Nura said, “Enough is enough of these incessant attacks on our members. We lost five herders in three days. There were all unarmed persons. They were going for their routine rearing when they were attacked and killed for no reason.

“As I am talking to you now, one is reportedly killed in Kuru village of Jos South. What do they want us to do? They have been killing us every day but we told our youth to calm down and never take the law into their hands. By the time they are pushed to the wall, the situation will be bad; we will not be able to control anybody anymore,” he said.

When contacted the spokesman for the state’s Police Command, Ubah Gabriel did not answer calls by our correspondent neither did he responded to an SMS sent to him.

Three suspected kidnappers were lynched to death in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Friday evening.

Two boys were killed by stray bullets during the incident.

Adamawa Spokesperson, DSP Suleiman Nguroje confirmed the incident to our reporter saying the event occurred around 5 pm.

Nguroje stated that a vigilante of Tabital Pulaaku Association went to Toungo LGA on a suspicious report they got that some syndicate of Kidnappers was seen in that area.

He explained that in the process of apprehending the kidnappers by the vigilantes, they resisted arrest and decided to accompany their own acts of violence which resulted in the killing of the three suspected Kidnappers.

“And in the process of apprehending them, they resisted the arrest and decided to attack or accompany their own action with violence which resulted in firings and 3 of the alleged kidnappers were shot dead by the vigilantes.” He stated.

He reiterated that it was after the attack that the police command was informed and the Commissioner, Olugbendga Adeyanju immediately gave directive to investigate the attack.

“As it is now, the command is investigating the circumstances that lead to the suspicious arrest and the circumstances that lead to the killings.”

As of filing this story, Nguroge said “they are expecting feedback from the officers drafted to conduct the investigation to give us an update in the next six hours.”

2 policemen, 1 assailant killed in Ebonyi

In Ebonyi, two policemen were killed during an attack on a police station, while one of the attackers was also felled down by police bullet.

1 killed in Edo, another in Delta

Unknown persons have also killed a security guard working on a company premises in Benin City, Edo State, while another person was reported dead after two men were shot at a gambling spot in Sapele, Delta State, at the weekend.

Bandits abduct 14 in Kaduna

Armed bandits on Sunday attacked Unguwan Kabulo community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and abducted 14 people, Daily Trust has gathered.

Residents told our correspondents that 17 people including women and children were earlier abducted but three escaped and returned to the community.

A resident of a nearby community who identified himself as Mohammadu told Daily Trust that the incident occurred around 1:30 am on Sunday when residents woke to the sound of gunshots in the community which he said is just a kilometre apart from Udawa town.

“They went away with 14 adults, women, and children from the house of a man called Shehu and his neighbour,” he said. He however said a security helicopter had been sighted in the area carrying out surveillance.

When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige asked for time to verify the attack but did not at the time of filing this report.

PHOTOS: Labour Unions Begin Nationwide Protest

The organised labour comprising Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, has commenced nationwide mass action against fuel price hike and…

The organised labour comprising Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, has commenced nationwide mass action against fuel price hike and other policies of the federal government.

The unions hinted at suspending  the exercise after meeting with representatives of the Federal Government led by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

Gbajabiamila had described the organised Labour as a listening organisation that would not go ahead with its planned protests after listening to President Tinubu’s national broadcast to the nation.

Festus Osifo, TUC President, had said labour leaders were going into a meeting to decide the final outcome on the protest.

Nigerians were outraged by the move, but Joe Ajaero, NLC President, doused tension by saying the protest would go on.

The exercise is ongoing across the nation. See pictures below.

ABUJA

Video appears to show moment of the assassination of Ecuador’s presidential candidate

Fernando Villavicencio, an opposition candidate in Ecuador’s upcoming Presidential election, was assassinated at a campaign event, according to Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso.

four suspect where arrested on the assasination

Man spotted carrying a monitoring lizard like a baby in the streets of Lagos (video)

A man caused a stir at a bus stop in Lagos with his “unique” relationship with a reptile. 

In the video shared on TikTok, the man was spotted carrying a monitoring lizard like a baby. The reptile also clung to him. 

Watch the video below…

Wike Threatens Demolition Of Houses On Day One In Office

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to embark on demolition of houses built illegally.

The minister said this in his inaugural address at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) office on Monday.

He was among the 45 ministers whom President Bola Tinubu swore into office at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Flanked by Mariya Mahmud, Minister of FCT (state), Wike vowed to move against structures obstructing Abuja master plan.

“People who are distorting the master plan of Abuja, too bad… Refuse everywhere. Those being paid for refuse collection, what are they doing? So, we must also sit down to look at different ways of waste disposal. It is very key. All those people distorting the master plan of Abuja, too bad.. if you know you have built where you are not supposed to build, it will go down, be you a minister or an ambassador.

“If you know you have developed where you are not supposed to develop your house must go down. Those who have taken over the green area to build, sorry the green area must come back. So, If you know you have anybody who is involved, anyone that has taken over the green areas and the parks to restaurants, we won’t accept that. Sorry, if your father or your mother has done that, there is nothing I can do.

“The period of land racketeering is over; those government has given C of O and they refuse to develop, the land is gone. I’m going to revoke them. We will take back the land and give it to those who want to develop. Those of you who also have refused to pay your ground rent. non-payment of ground rent is a breach of covenant. Abuja needs money too. The source of the revenue includes ground rent. So, if you have not paid, I won’t be tired to revoke.”

Big Sean and Jhene Aiko seek protection from “creepy fan”

American music stars, Jhene Aiko and Big Sean are seeking court-ordered protection from a creepy fan they claim keeps showing up to their concerts, events and home.

Jhene Aiko on Monday, August 21, filed for a temporary restraining order against a 29-year-old man named Ian Craig Lees, who she claims recently snuck onto her Pacific Palisades property. She stated that despite being a total stranger, the guy appears determined to make contact with her and now she says she fears for her life.

Jhene revealed that the man has been going to her shows and events, and things reached a head earlier this month when he allegedly got into a physical altercation with the residential security in her neighborhood.

She said the guy breached their gated community’s security post and got inside the home she shares with Big Sean, their son and her daughter.

The singer now wants a temporary restraining order barring the guy from coming within 100 yards of her, Big Sean or her kids. 

TMZ reported that a judge denied the TRO request for now, and, instead, set a court hearing for September 14 on the matter.

DSS officer allegedly stabs caretaker with dagger over electricity bill in Osun

A tenant simply identified as Tifase has allegedly stabbed his caretaker, Omosola Oladele, after an argument over payment of an electricity bill.

The incident happened in Tinumola area of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State on Wednesday.

The said tenant is reported to be an officer of the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS).

Trouble began on Tuesday night when fellow neighbours reported the DSS officer to the caretaker about his indifference to and defaulting on payment of bills in the house.

According to the eyewitnesses, the DSS officer stabbed the caretaker with a dagger after he asked him about payment of an electricity bill.

The caretaker has since been hospitalised.

The 60-year-old caretaker, Oladele told NIGERIAN TRIBUNE that “One of the tenants of the storey building reported to me that NEPA people came to cut light because they’ve paid the current electricity. She said that only two people, Tifase and one other person, have not paid.

“NEPA would have disconnected the light if people didn’t intervene but he angrily told me ‘they should cut it’. One of the eyewitnesses told him he should apologise for the utterance but instead, he went inside and came out with a dagger and stabbed me.”

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While narrating the incident, one of the eyewitnesses, Comrade Morounkola Tosin, said that the issue started on the 16th of August when the occupants of the house needed to pay electricity bills.

“Some people have volunteered to pay the electricity bills but what they are asking for was a refund before he came out with a dagger to stab Mr Oladele.

“We rushed Mr Oladele to hospital and I went to report the case to Dada Estate Police Station. Before I came back from the police station I met some DS’s operatives who said they cannot hand him over to the police because he is their operative.”

I’d rather not be remembered as an addict and an alcoholic who put his family through hell – TikTok star Joe Muchlinski shares haunting farewell video describing how he wants to be remembered before committing su!cide (Video)

A TikTok star has committed suicide just days after sharing a final farewell video where he described how he wanted to be remembered.

VonViddy, real name Joe Muchlinski, took his own life on Monday, August 21 after telling the world how he ‘doesn’t want to be remembered’.

In the video, captioned ‘It’s all love’, he said one of his fears was being thought of only ‘as an addict and an alcoholic who put his family through hell.’

His sister Martha posted a series of childhood pictures of the online star as she paid tribute to him.

Friends described him as an ‘audio wizard’ with a ‘rare mind’ following his death.

VonViddy posted the one minute and six-second video on Sunday, before his sister Martha confirmed his death.

She posted footage online saying that he ‘lost his long battle to mental illness’, adding that she wanted to make his fans aware.

The TikTok star garnered over 170k followers and 8.7 million likes on TikTok, sharing his original music and comedy sketches since 2020.

Muchlinski essentially posted his own obituary online hours before taking his own life.

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Before his death he had posted videos talking about drug addiction, as well as referencing it in his final video.

He said in the footage: ‘I want to be remembered as a creator. As a creator of videos that made people laugh, and a creator of music.

‘I also want to be remembered as a camp counselor who helped kids to make happy memories.

‘I’d rather not be remembered as an addict and an alcoholic who put his family through hell.

‘But unfortunately, that’s also part of me. I feel so thankful to have such a following.

‘You guys mean the world to me. All in all, I’ve had a terrific life. I’ve got to visit the other side of the world, and I’ve made tons of friends from all walks of life.

‘I have nothing to complain about, and I have nothing but peace and love for each and every one of you.’

His sister Martha posted several images on social media, telling fans: ‘Joe was my first word’.

She said in a video posted to TikTok: ‘I  want to confirm for his fans that he did lose his long battle with mental illness, and he did take his own life.

‘TikTok meant a lot to him. It gave him joy. It gave him something to laugh at and to make other people laugh at.

‘And he really appreciated that. Joe fought a really, really long, terrible battle with his mental illness.

‘And all we can hope now is that he’s at peace. But I did want to provide that closure for anybody who was a VonViddy fan, just to let you know what happened.’

Former US president, Donald Trump’s historic mugshot has been released

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has released a mug shot of former US President Donald Trump.

Jail records show Trump was placed under arrest and booked as inmate No. P01135809.

The Republican politician surrendered himself to authorities on Thursday, August 24, in the state of Georgia in response to 13 felony charges handed down by a Fulton County grand jury.

Trump, 77, arrived at Rice Street Jail in Atlanta, where he got fingerprinted and had a mug shot taken. He was released on a $200,000 bond, which was negotiated earlier in the week.

Recall, that Trump was indicted in a fourth criminal investigation on August 14 after prosecutors presented evidence related to the former president and his political allies’ attempts to reverse the outcome of Georgia’s 2020 election.

A 23-member grand jury, by majority vote, approved the criminal charges proposed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office. The outcome was a 98-page indictment containing 41 counts against a total of 19 defendants.

The 13 felony counts against Trump include, among others, violating the Georgia RICO Act, filing false documents, and various conspiracy charges.

With the new charges out of Fulton County, Trump now faces a total of 91 criminal counts across four different cases, several of which carry recommended prison time. He would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years if convicted of violating the Georgia RICO Act, which is a “serious felony.”

The indictment also charged 18 of Trump’s associates, such as his former White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows; attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Bob Cheeley, Ray Smith III, and Kenneth Chesebro; former assistant U.S. attorney general Jeffrey Clark; former Georgia Republican Party Chairman David Shafer; and current Georgia state Sen. Shawn Still.

So far, about 19 defendants have been surrendered at the county jail. 

Tobi Amusan loses 100mH World Athletics championship final, finishes 6th

World Champion Tobi Amusan has failed to defend her World title after finishing 6th in the final at the ongoing World Athletics Championship in Budapest on Thursday.

Jamaica’s Danielle Williams won the title in a season-best of 12.43s while Olympic champion, Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn came second in 12.44s and USA Kendra Harrison came third in 12.46s while World champion, Amusan came 6th in 12.62s in her third consecutive final.

At the 2022 World Championship in Eugene, USA, Amusan came first with a 12.40 (African record) before setting a new world record of 12.12 to smash the 12.20 world record set by Kendra Harrison in 2016.

The world hurdles record holder missed out on the chance of becoming the fourth woman after USA’s duo of Gail Devers and Michelle Perry, and Australian Sally Pearson, to claim at least two gold medals in the women’s 100m Hurdles at the World Championships.

It was a third consecutive final for the Nigerian athlete who competed against Olympic champion, Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton, the duo of Kendra Harrison and Nia Ali from the United States of America, and the Jamaican duo of Ackera Nugent and Danielle Williams at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

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Amusan, who despite the loss retains her world record, qualified for the final on Wednesday by clocking 12.56s to finish ahead of Jamaican Achkara Nugent’s 12.60s after she started her title defence by clocking12.48s (0.4) to win the fifth heat of the women’s 100mH on Tuesday.

Recall that Amusan was cleared last week by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after fears had emerged that the sprint champion would not be cleared in time to defend her title at the championship in Budapest.

However, a disciplinary panel cleared Amusan of any wrongdoing two days before the commencement of the championship.

“A panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal, by majority decision, has today (Thursday) found that Tobi Amusan has not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period,” the statement read.

Amusan was one of Nigeria’s medal hopefuls at the championship after a tough start as Ese Brume finished fourth in the women’s long jump event on Sunday.

A loss in the final for Amusan who looked out of form after a turbulent preparation period means that as it stands, Team Nigeria is yet to record a medal on Day 6 of the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Amusan was a huge medal hopeful as the world hurdles champion enjoyed a superb run of form and set the current world record for the women’s 100m hurdles of 12.12 seconds at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Oregon and a world title that followed in a record time of 12.06.

She also retained her Commonwealth Games title with a new Games’ record of 12.30s and defended her Diamond League title in a record-breaking season that saw her set impressive records and win the Nigerian, African, Commonwealth, World, and Diamond League titles.

Chicago University agrees to drop President Tinubu’s academic records after Atiku’s request.

The Chicago State University in the United States has reportedly agreed to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu. 

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, who is challenging the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, as winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election, had written to the school to provide proof that Tinubu indeed graduated from the institution. 

President Tinubu’s academic qualification has been in doubt for many years. Some Nigerians claim he never went to the Chicago state university. However, the university has maintained that he was an undergraduate from August 1977 through June 1979 and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Administration with honours on June 22, 1979. 

Atiku had approached the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois seeking to have access to Tinubu’s educational records at the Chicago State University,

In a tweet posted on Thursday, August 24,the PDP claimed that the institution has agreed to tender the academic records of President Tinubu in court. 

In the document shared by the PDP on Twitter on Thursday, the university maintained that President Tinubu is a Chicago State University graduate and that the institution was unaware of the litigations against President Tinubu.

The University added that it does not “understand” why Tinubu’s academic records “could possibly have any bearing on a 2023 election challenge in a foreign country”. It said once an order is granted by a court in the United States (US), Tinubu’s academic record would be made public.

Singer Miley Cyrus reveals she has had therapy over the criticism she received as a child star

American singer, Miley Cyrus has revealed that she has had to have therapy over the criticism she received as a child star.

The singer, 30, shot to fame in 2006 when she landed the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana, which followed the adventures of a schoolgirl living a double life as a famous pop star.

Miley, who was just 13-years-old when she achieved global fame, has  dealt with the ‘painful memories’ that early stardom left her with in recent years.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday newspaper’s Bizarre column, the actress revealed she is now ‘in a good place’ after getting help.

She said: ‘When I look back at the criticism I received as a child, it has only been these last few years that I have understood just how wrong that was.

‘I am a great believer in therapy to help heal painful memories and I am in a good place – but the reality is, it should never have happened!’

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She added: ‘I am not an attention-seeking person but I had a point to prove that I was my own person and not a character I had been playing. I wouldn’t erase any part of my story or my transition – I always think it an interesting life makes for interesting storytelling.

‘I was honest with my fans about struggling with depression, and I know that has encouraged some of them to get help with the issues that they may be facing. That gave me a real purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. When you are open and honest, that becomes a part of who you are – and organically that is going to be reflected in your songwriting.’

Asked to give advice to others in showbusiness, Miley insisted that it is never a good idea for stars to search themselves online as she likened the dangers of the internet to that of addictive substances.

She said: ‘Don’t Google yourself – I am being totally serious, don’t Google yourself! People are so ready to talk about the dangers of drink and drugs for your people in the industry – but there isn’t enough warning about the internet. It can be a truly toxic place!’

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9 States in Nigeria might experience heavy Floods as Cameroon opens Lagdo Dam

The states of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa may experience major flooding as neigbouring country Cameroon plans to open up her Lagdo Dam.

The nine states are surrounded by the River Benue which might witness an upsurge in water levels with the opening of Lagdo Dam.

The notice of the opening of the dam was communicated to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs by it’s Cameroonian counterpart.

The announcement led the nation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve a notice on the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA).

In a letter signed by the Director African Affairs, Ambassador Umar Salisu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director General of NEMA, was put on notice of the decision of Cameroon.

The letter titled: “Cameroonian Officials to Open the Flood Gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in Cameroon,” read: “I have the honour to inform that the Ministry is in receipt of a Note Verbale from the High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon informing that Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead due to the heavy rainfall around the Dam catchment area in Northern Cameroon.

Salisu said: “According to the Note, it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of the Lagdo Dam will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in Nigeria.

“In view of the above, it would be appreciated if the esteemed Agency takes all the necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitize the populace living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions.”

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Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has allayed fears of Nigerians about the situation.

The spokesman of the agency, Manzo Ezekiel, said: “However, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) wishes to allay fears of Nigerians over the planned release of the excess water from Lagdo dam, which is located on River Benue in the Republic of Cameroon.

“The Agency is working with critical stakeholders at the  Federal, States and Local  Governments to ensure that the release will not cause much negative impacts on the low-lying communities along the states that would be affected.”

“The states on the downstream of River Benue are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States.”

“The Agency envisaged this release of excess water from the Lagdo dam, taken note of the likely impacts and considered in the preparations for mitigation and response to the 2023 flood alert.”

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Work For APC Victory In Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Polls, Ganduje Urges Traders

National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has urged traders to work for the party’s victory in the Bayelsa,…

National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has urged traders to work for the party’s victory in the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi governorship elections slated for November. 

Ganduje said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working hard for the security of the country as part of efforts to create a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive. 

He spoke when members of the Arewa Traders Association from the 19 northern states and the FCT, led by their chairman, Alhaji Adam Hassan Ibrahim, paid him a congratulatory visit at the APC national secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, said traders were key to winning the off-season elections in the three states and urged them to rally support for the party.

He also appealed to the traders to cooperate with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to enable him to transform Nigeria’s capital. 

The former governor said Wike has the agenda to improve the transportation system and security in the FCT and provide lighting and other engagements necessary to boost trading and other economic activities.

He said, “I assure you, Mr. President is providing an enabling environment for you to do your legitimate activities. He is working very hard on the security of this nation. We all know how important security is to traders because if there is no security, there is no trade, no marketing, and most importantly, no feeding.

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“So, you know and likely enough, you have a competent Honorable Minister of the FCT, the former governor of River State, Nyesom Wike, who came from a big city himself, but has now gotten another mandate of administering another big city, the FCT. So, I urge you to cooperate with him so that he can create a decent environment for commercial activities in the megacity of Abuja.”

Insurgency: Over 23,000 people missing in Nigeria – FG

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, said that 23,000 people have been reported missing in less than a decade due to the insurgency in some parts of the country.

Edu said this on Wednesday, August 31, 2023, in Abuja at a stakeholders engagement with the theme “Where are you now”, to mark the International Day of the Disappeared.

She said that the figure represented half the number of missing people in the whole of Africa.

Edu said that the report of the missing people released by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, was as a result of the insurgency in some parts of the country.

“Today, over 23,000 persons are still missing. However, it is likely that this is just a tip of the iceberg as a more efficient mechanism is needed to improve the reporting and forensically trace cases of missing persons,” she said.

The minister said the issue of missing people had become one of the most critical and long-lasting humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts, and as such called for sober reflections.

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She added that the present administration was committed to curbing the issue, hence the need to facilitate and strengthen the legal frameworks that would substantially address the incidences of disappearance.

Yann Bonzon, head of delegation, ICRC, said that more than 23,000 people, registered by the Family Links Network in Nigeria, never returned home, and remained missing until date.

Bonzon said that the number did not convey the true extent of the issue.

“The actual number of missing persons is likely to be much higher, with Nigeria having more missing people than any other country on the continent,” he said.

“Until a national mechanism is created, immediate steps must be taken by the Nigerian government to prevent disappearances, to prevent the disruption of family links and maintaining links between separated family members.

“It will also help to address proper management of the dead,” he said.

Mr. Bonzon said that ICRC would continue to work closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to prevent disappearances to encourage and promote the adoption of international best practices.

He said that the ICRC would also support the Nigerian authorities to build sustainable capacities and resources to establish a national mechanism for the missing and their families.

“Let us collectively remind ourselves that while people might be gone, they will never be forgotten, and their families will never stop searching for them,” he added.

Six dead, five missing as boat capsizes in Niger

No fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead after a boat capsized in the Gbara area, Mokwa, Niger State on Friday.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident. It said five persons are still missing.

A statement by the agency said the incident occurred on Friday evening when the boat, which was conveying 48 passengers, was returning from Danchitagi village market in Lavun Local Government Area to Gbara village.

NSEMA attributed the incident to a heavy downpour a windstorm.

“NSEMA has received a report of boat mishap that occurred yesterday (Friday) evening around 6:30pm at Gbara area of Mokwa LGA (River Kaduna). The boat, which took off from Lanchikagi village of Lavun LGA, was heading to Gbara village. There were 48 passengers on board and they were said to be returning from Danchitagi village market (Lavun LGA) which comes up every Friday.

“As at the time of filing this report, 37 persons survived, 6 dead bodies were recovered and 5 persons still missing.

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The cause of the incident was as a result of heavy downpour which was accompanied by violent windstorm.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” the agency said.

Frequent boat mishaps have become commonplace on Nigerian waters, even as the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which was created to ensure safety on the waters, has failed in fulfilling its mandate.

At least 76 people died on Friday October 7, 2022 in a boat accident in Anambra State. The boat, which was carrying about 80 people, capsized in the Ogbaru area of the state. Most of the victims were women and children, trying to reach safety after their community got flooded.

I dare anyone to suspend me from PDP – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has dared the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to suspend or discipline him.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

DAILY POST recalls that the immediate past governor of Rivers State and a member of the major opposition party, PDP, was sworn in as minister of FCT some days ago under the admiration of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

Addressing the backslash he received following his appointment, Wike said he informed PDP leadership before he took the ministerial offer of President Tinubu.

Wike, however, said he has not seen any PDP chieftain that will suspend him from the party.

When asked “Are you afraid that your party might move against you or expel you?”

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Wike replied: “Who is the party?Who are the PDP people? How can anybody talk about expelling me? A State that brought a governor, a State that brought three senators, a state that produced 32 members out of 32 House of Assembly and produced 11 out of 13 House of Reps.

“The person that would suspend me is the one that couldn’t produce a governor, is the one that couldn’t produce senators and Assembly?

“Look, I have not seen that person with all due respect. I should be the one calling for their discipline for violating the party’s constitution.”

I dare anyone to suspend me from PDP – Wike

Peter Obi’s PCC Bayelsa coordinator dumps LP for PDP

Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa state, former State coordinator of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Comrade Alagoa Morris, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Morris, an environmental rights activist and Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), made the shocking defection on Wednesday, August 30, and pitched a tent with the incumbent Governor Douye Diri, the candidate of the PDP.

The activist, who worked for the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, said he has abandoned the LP candidate in the state, Udengs Eradiri for Governor Douye Diri.

According to Morris, Governor Diri has done so many good things that are not even in the public domain and needs to be totally supported to get re-elected to continue in his good work.

Morris said: “I decided to support the incumbent governor because he is the best among the major contenders. Looking at the available candidates on the ground for the November 11 election, Diri is the only one who should be supported.

According to Morris, Governor Diri has done so many good things that are not even in the public domain and needs to be totally supported to get re-elected to continue in his good work.

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Morris said: “I decided to support the incumbent governor because he is the best among the major contenders. Looking at the available candidates on the ground for the November 11 election, Diri is the only one who should be supported.

“I was not a member of the Labour Party before they appointed me the state coordinator and that job has been completed since, so life goes on.  

“I was with Governor Douye Diri yesterday and looking at the candidates that are available, I believe he is the one that we need to support. This is because when anybody comes in now, what they will tell us is that they meet an empty treasury. Therefore, this one that is already working with development partners and other stakeholders, should be allowed to continue.

Romance scam: EFCC returns $26,000 to 70-year-old British woman duped by internet fraudster posing as American entertainer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has returned $26,000USD to Christine Brown, a British national and a victim of internet fraud. 

The commission in a statement on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, said the Briton was duped of her life savings by an internet fraudster posing as an American entertainer online after she got romantically involved with him. 

Ms. Brown was presented with the sum of $26,000 by the Benin Zonal Command of the commission on Monday, August 28. 

“Brown expressed gratitude to the Commission for its efforts which she said, has brought some succour to her after losing her life’s savings to the fraudsters,” the statement read.

“The 70-year-old had petitioned the Commission after being defrauded by an internet fraudster through a romance scam. Narrating her ordeal, Brown said she became a victim after she met a purported John Barrowman, an entertainer and citizen of America online

“Unknown to her, he was a fraudster. Brown said they became romantically involved, and the fraudster began to demand money which she sent to him through wire transfers, Bitcoin, and gift cards,”

Kanu Idagu, the Zonal Commander, while handing over the recovered fund, said the Commission will continue to discharge its mandate to the betterment of the society. 

“We are doing a whole lot in ensuring that victims of fraud are restituted where possible, and we will continue to do more,” he said. 

He admonished the public to be circumspect in whatever they do online as fraudsters prowl the internet seeking to defraud unsuspecting victims.

Donald Trump’s Georgia criminal case to be livestreamed, Judge rules

A judge has ruled that court proceedings against former US President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in their Georgia election fraud case will be televised.

The trial will also be live-streamed on YouTube, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee also said. Trump is among 19 people charged with a conspiracy to overturn the US state’s 2020 vote results. In total, Trump faces 13 charges – including racketeering – for allegedly pressuring Georgia officials to reverse the results of the 2020 presidential election in that state.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges, waiving the right to appear in court next week.He turned himself in at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta last week, where he had his mugshot taken, the first time a US president had a mugshot.

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Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, describing the case as politically motivated.

In a court document filed on Thursday,  Trump said he “fully understands” the nature of the allegations and his right to appear in court.

“Understanding my rights, I do hereby freely and voluntarily waive my right to be present at my arraignment on the indictment and my right to have it read to me in open court,” the signed document says.

Trump, the current frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has appeared at each of his three previous arraignment

Watch Woman Narrate Biggest Regret After Uncle Convinced Her to Do This to Bae Before Moving to Australia

• A Nigerian woman who relocated to Australia for a better life and a higher income has discovered that there is a shortage of men who are interested in relationships there
• She revealed in a brief TikTok video that she dumped her boyfriend after her uncle persuaded her that it was the best thing to do at the time
• However, after living in Australia for a while, she had no regrets except for leaving her boyfriend, which she no longer thought was a wise decision

Nigeria- A woman who made the decision to move to Australia for a better quality of life and a lucrative career has faced an unexpected challenge: finding a suitable partner who wants a relationship.

Nigerian lady said that she left her boyfriend to move to Australia.

Why woman in Australia regrets dumping ex

She shared her story in a candid TikTok video, where she demonstrated that she broke up with her boyfriend in Nigeria after her uncle convinced her that it was the best thing for her future.

However, after settling in Australia for some time, she realised that she had made a mistake.

She was happy with everything else in her new country, except for the fact that she missed her boyfriend terribly.

She regretted leaving him behind, as she discovered that there was a scarcity of men who were looking for serious relationships in Australia.

Watch the video below:

Here are some of the reactions from social media users:

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@Kenny bules:

“Send me money to come and meet you.”

Paul Kiggundu635:

“So you think Australia is heaven.”

Anselm Odo:

“There are African guys here too. Look for us well.”

Asiwaju 001:

“Please is there work for people that come to Australia with tourist visa planing to relocate.”

Blessed Danny:

“You never see anything. You go see another.”

Woman dumps man who helped her relocate

Elsewhere, a woman who introduced her friend to her UK-based brother to marry regretted her action after the lady left him.

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One month after coming to the foreign country as the man’s wife, she ran off to be with her ex-boyfriend.

Days after crying sore over the heartbreak, the husband wrote the government about the issue, and she was deported.

Police rescue two kidnap victims in Delta,recover live cartridage and other

Police rescue two kidnap victims in Delta, recover live cartridges, others

Acombined team of security operatives, comprising the Anti-Cult Unit, SIB Unit, and the local vigilante groups, led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Oghara Division in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, CSP Olasunkanmi Musiliu, have rescued two kidnap victims unhurt in Oghara-Ugbenu link road in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of the State.

The incident occurred on the 31st of August 2023, at about 11:30 am, DAILY POST reports.

The police also recovered four live cartridges, one Tecno Spark phone, one ATM card, and three SIM cards of different telecommunication networks from the scene.

The Delta State Police Command, led by CP Wale Abass, confirmed the report in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe.

The police image maker said the kidnap victims have reunited with members of their families.

According to him, the kidnap suspects abandoned the victims who were allegedly abducted at the Oghara-Ugbenu link road and escaped.

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DSP Edafe said, “Regardless of the victim’s rescue, efforts are on top gear to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspected kidnappers.”

Update: Governor Sanwo-Olu takes over medical care of 13-year-old boy with missing intestine (video)

The Lagos State Government has taken over the medical care of Adebola Akin-Bright, a 13-year-old boy, whose small intestine allegedly went missing at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos made this known when he visited Akin-Bright and his mother, Mrs Deborah Abiodun, at the Pediatric Ward of LASUTH.

NAN reports that Abiodun, in a “Save Our Souls” (SoS) via social media, appealed to the Governor to probe the mysterious disappearance of her son’s intestine.

She claimed the incident occurred while her son was receiving treatment.

LASUTH management had in swift response to the allegations, affirmed that they did not wilfully remove any organ or structure from Akin-Bright’s body while performing a corrective surgery on him.

The victim had been previously operated on at a private hospital in Lagos.

He had been undergoing treatment at LASUTH for over a month.

”He (Akin-Bright) required extensive optimisation in our facility before a corrective surgery could be carried out. The surgery, which was carried out by an experienced pediatric surgeon and her team, revealed certain strange findings.

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”There is a video clip of these findings. The mother was informed about these findings but she appeared to be in denial,” LASUTH management said.

The Governor after listening to both the mother of the child and the doctor in charge of his care said what was paramount was to ensure that the life of the boy was saved.

Responding, Akin-Bright’s mother expressed appreciation to Sanwo-Olu for the visit and for taking up the medical care of the promising young boy. (NAN)

Threat to life: We will look into alleged police negligence of Mohbad’s petition against Sam Larry and others – Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi says

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said they will probe into the alleged negligence of late singer, MohBad’s petition to the police over threat to life by music promoter Samson Erinfolami Balogun, aka Sam Larry and others.

The petition dated 27th June 2023, alleged that Sam Larry and 15 others,  stormed a video shoot where the deceased and another artiste, Zlatan Ibile, were working, armed, and threatening to wreak havoc.

The petition further claimed that they destroyed equipment worth over N5m at the scene, and assaulted the deceased who narrowly escaped with injuries. 

“Sir, I call on your good office to save my life from the above-mentioned persons and bring them to book,” the petition partly read. 

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Posting a copy of the petition on his X handle, ACP Adejobi, stated: “We will look into the alleged police negligence on this case.

Love of my life and my trusted partner in every venture – President Tinubu celebrates wife Remi as she turns 63

President Bola Tinubu has taken to social media to celebrate his wife, Remi, as she turns 63 years old today September 21. 

In his birthday message, President Tinubu described Remi as his trusted partner in every venture,. He stated that she has consistently filled his days with laughter in the 36 years they have been married. 

His birthday message reads;

‘’Happy 63rd birthday to the love of my life, Oluremi. My trusted partner in every venture, and the one special person who has consistently filled my days with joy and laughter over 36 amazing years.

Today is not only a day to mark another year of your purposeful life but a beautiful reminder of the journey we have embarked upon together.

Through all these years, we have shared in the uncertainty of dangerous, but principled stands against tyranny. Many can not fully appreciate the sacrifices you made for us during that harrowing, dark era, but I do and always will.

We have experienced adventure, love, and laughter. We have celebrated victories, and we have wrestled down the monster of defeat, and we have done all in an inextricable bond.

Our bond has only grown stronger through thick and thin, and our love and commitment to each other has only deepened with time.

Thank you for being the ever-present sunshine that brightens my darkest hours.

Your kindness, your wisdom, and your inner and outer beauty continue to amaze me more each and every day.

As we celebrate your birthday, I want you to know how profoundly grateful I am for your serene presence in my life.

I look forward to many more years filled with even greater laughter and love as we continue on this path together, which God Almighty had predestined for us.

May the Good Lord, whom you serve with all your heart, continue to bless you with good health and longevity.

Happy birthday, Iyawo Mi!

Love always,

Bola”

Kidnapped NTA staff and 12 other passengers regain freedom after ‘N7.5m’ ransom payment

A kidnapped staff of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Tom Tikyaa and 12 other passengers of Benue Links bus have regained their freedom. 

The 13 victims including the driver of the bus were kidnapped last Sunday along Otukpo – Ugbokolo road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State. 

The vehicle was returning to Makurdi from Onitsha in Anambra State when the gunmen intercepted it and whisked the victims away to an unknown destination. 

According to Daily Trust, some family sources of the freed victims alleged that they paid a total sum of N7.5million to secure the release of the victims.

Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (Benue Links chapter), Comrade Gabriel Tachia, who confirmed the development on Thursday, September 21, said the victims regained their freedom on Wednesday night.

He, however, told the publication that he does know about the payment of any ransom for the release of the victims. 

Fire Outbreak At Supreme Court

There is currently a fire outbreak at the Supreme Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The cause of the inferno was unknown as of…

There is currently a fire outbreak at the Supreme Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The cause of the inferno was unknown as of the time of filing this report, but a source at the Federal Fire Service said firefighters were at the scene.

Offices of three Justices have reportedly been burnt down.

According to ARISE News, the fire forced some occupants of the building to scamper for safety.

The fire incident is just the latest of many that have affected government offices in Abuja.

In May 2023, fire gutted some parts of the Nigerian Air Force Base located along Airport Road in the FCT.

In February 2022, there was a fire incident at ministry of finance building in Abuja.

In May 2020, fire burnt a part of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) building in the FCT.

A month before that incident, a building housing the office of the accountant-general of the Federation (AGF) was gutted by fire.

In 2018, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) said Nigeria lost about N5 trillion to fire incidents in four years.

Pete Davidson’s ‘inner circle’ allegedly concerned for his well-being and ‘fear he could die’

Actor and comedian Pete Davidson is reportedly causing his “inner circle” to worry about him due to his recent behavior.

The 29-year-old comic has been open about his recent stint in rehab, revealing that it marks his seventh visit to rehab.

According to a report, a source expressed concerns that some of his friends have enabled his behavior, citing instances like openly discussing ketamine use post-rehab.

They questioned Davidson’s maturity in facing his issues and the potential consequences of not taking them seriously.

According to an unnamed source who spoke with The U.S. Sun, there are concerns about Pete Davidson and the company he keeps.

The insider explained: “His buddies, these friends he has around him, they are enabling him and they aren’t being honest with him.”

Providing an example, the insider continued, “He came out of rehab and he immediately started talking about how he had taken ketamine to treat his depression and these people who are always around him didn’t think that was a big deal. It wasn’t a big deal until of course it blew up and became a problem for his fresh out of rehab image.”

The source added, “If he doesn’t start taking his issues seriously, he could wind up killing himself from drugs.”

The insider continued, “At the end of the day, I feel bad for him. The drug situation is his own issue, and I don’t think he understands it all comes crashing down.”

“Look, he’s actually a good guy. He’s great with kids, he’s fun, but I just don’t think he lives in reality when it comes to the issues he’s dealing with,” the insider concluded

Police bust kidnap syndicate, arrest kingpin and rescue victim in Yobe

The Yobe State Police Command has busted a kidnap syndicate and rescued a 40-year-old woman from their den. 

Spokesperson of the command, Dungus Abdulkarim, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, said the kingpin of the gang, Barum Alh Makau and an associate were arrested during the operation. 

According to the PPRO, the suspects were arrested a day after they abducted the woman and her 25-year-old son in Fune Local Government Area of the state. 

Abdulkarim said the kidnappers later released the son and and demanded N7m ransom for the woman 

“During the week under review, Police operatives from the Damagun Divisional Police Headquarters cracked a kidnapping syndicate that operates between Potiskum, Fune and Nangere LGAs and led to the arrest of the kingpin and one other associate, namely: Barum Alh Makau, 40-year-old, of Ashawa via Kyari Village and Rufai Alh Labe, 27-year-old, of Dadin Kowa Horon Garim Gombe State,” the statement read.

“The kidnappers were apprehended a day after abducting their victims, a 40-year-old woman and her son, 25, at Gelel Village under Fune LGA

“The culprits a gang of four after a moment of abducting their victims later released the son and gave him a piece of Ammunition 7.62mm calibre of AK-47 rifle to give his uncle to spare his life or would be killed and to tell him the amount demanded as a ransom; which is N7,000.000.00 ( Seven Million Naira ) for his mother and N5,000.000.00 (Five Million Naira) to be paid as soon as possible

“Meanwhile, they took the mother to a nearby farm in Ashawa Village where she was kept hostage in a grass hut in the middle of the farm, blindfolded and tight with heavy metal chains in both hands and legs

“The kidnappers met their waterloo based on credible information swift action was taken by Police Operatives and led to the arrest of the kingpin while some members of the syndicate fled but the Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, expressed assurance to arrest the fleeing syndicate in no distance time as police detectives were on the chase

“However, discreet Investigation is currently ongoing at the state CID where weapons used in the perpetration of the crime, including five live ammunition, pump action guns, one single live ammunition 7.62 mm of AK47 rifle, cutlass, bow, arrow and locally made bulletproof jackets were recovered,” he added.

Gov Sanwo-Olu gives Agege traders 2-day ultimatum to vacate train tracks (video)

Sanwo-Olu gives traders two-day ultimatum to vacate rail tracks

The governor says defaulting traders will have their items seized.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has issued a two-day ultimatum to traders to vacate the rail tracks of the ongoing Red Line rail project which will link Oyingbo to Marina.

He made this known during a tour of the project at the Agege Station, Wednesday.

“It is a government road, that’s why the government built everything,” he said.

“It is for transportation. It is not for market traders. I have given you two days’ notice.”

Mr Sanwo-Olu told the traders that by next week, the enforcement team will come to enforce compliance and seize items of any trader that violates the directive.

“You can’t stay here. That’s why I came myself, it’s not possible,” the governor further warned. “We don’t want anyone to die. Once the train starts working, it will pass here every ten minutes.”

Red line

The 37-kilometre rail route will be constructed in two phases.

The first phase (28km) would have 12 proposed stations covering Agbado to Oyingbo, with nine stations.