FG has politicized the fight against COVID-19- Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has accused the Federal government of politicizing the fight against the spread of coronavirus, describing the "selective support" to states as unfortunate.

Citing Lagos state as an example, Governor Wike said the commercial hub of the nation has received so much support from the Federal government but the same support has not been extended to Rivers state which he according to him, produces a greater percentage of the nation's wealth as an oil producing state.

Speaking in a statewide broadcast on Sunday April 5, Governor Wike said

 "It is quite unfortunate that the containment of coronavirus has been politicized by the Federal Government. While Lagos State received a grant of N10billion as a commercial hub, Rivers State as the nation’s oil and gas hub that produces a greater percentage of the nation’s wealth has not received any support from the Federal Government.
"One wonders why Federal Government should single out a state out of 36 States to give support. Does it mean that support will come when a State has a record of over 50 infected persons before it gets support. No state should be seen as more important than any other state. This is a Federal Republic. No state is superior to others.
"Rivers State is entitled to support from the Federal Government. Every day, we are inundated with letters from the Federal Government to allow oil companies to fly in expatriates to drill Oil. Then we ask, what is the status of those coming from Lagos? Nobody has told us their status as regards coronavirus. If they come to come Rivers without us knowing their status, what will be implication assuming they have the virus." he said

Read More

Gov Okowa extols Obi of Owa at 82

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Owa Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr) Emmanuel Efeizomor, as he clocks 82 on March 10.

Felicitating with the foremost traditional ruler, he described him as “a symbol of peace, stability, unity and development" of his people of Owa Kingdom and Deltans in general.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor eulogised the renowned traditional ruler, saying he was an exemplary man of peace and extreme humility.

According to him, Obi Efeizomor remains not only a shining light and custodian of the culture of the Owa people, but also a revered monarch whose wise counsel to governments at the state and federal levels over the decades, remain invaluable and enduring.

Okowa urged the monarch not to waver in his belief in the peace and unity of his fatherland, but to do all within his power to ensure that his domain continued to be a model of peace to other kingdoms.

"Your majesty, you have remained a symbol of humility and contributing immensely toward the attainment of Stronger Delta by our administration.

"Under your reign, the Owa kingdom has produced a Senator, Deputy Governor and a Governor and all of these has brought incredible infrastructural transformation and continuous peace to the kingdom.

"I urge you to remain committed to the unity of our fatherland, and continue to do all within your power to ensure that your domain continues to enjoy limitless peace.

“As Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, you have continued to play active roles in our Stronger Delta vision and we are grateful for your kind support always.

“As a peace builder, you have done your best to positively impact on the development of your kingdom and the state; your humility and friendliness have made you a beacon of everything Godly, cherished by all who meet you," he said.

The governor added that "as a government, we appreciate your good counsel at all times and all you and your colleagues are doing at the grassroots to make governance easier in the state.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, therefore, I congratulate you, Your Royal Majesty, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor, OON, Obi of Owa Kingdom, on the occasion of your 82nd birth anniversary.”

He prayed that Almighty God will endow the monarch with longer life and wisdom to enable him continue to serve his kingdom, God and humanity.

Read More

I have no intentions taking over from Buhari in 2023 - Governor Fayemi

Governor Kayode Fayemi has reacted to claims of plotting to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Fayemi who is expected to complete his second term as the governor in 2023, stated that report is totally untrue. The Ekiti State Governor denied working tirelessly towards building structures to bring to reality his “rumoured presidential ambition in 2023”.

A statement released by his spokesperson, Segun Dipe reads;

“Fayemi is a sitting governor and he chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. He enjoys these roles and he is playing them to the best of his ability.
“His objective is that of engaging in processes such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration in order to move a seemingly violent conflict into non-violent dialogue, where differences are settled through conflict transformation processes or through the work of representative political institutions.
“He is interested in what is happening in every part of the country and, like he himself once stated, anything that affects the peace of any state governed by a member of the NGF would surely affect the solidarity of the forum.
“People like Fayemi bring people together. You find them in all kinds of places and in all kinds of circumstances. They are very lovable people who wish the very best for other people. Despite that his action as a peacemaker and reconciliator means a lot to other people, the governor is a modest person and he is focused on other people’s happiness.
“As a bridge builder, Fayemi is never pushy; he just wants everyone around him to find peace and achieve happiness. The governor no doubt knows a lot of people and doesn’t fail to bring everybody together; he listens carefully and is sincerely interested in how everyone is doing.
“Like any other bridge-builder in the world, Fayemi likes to help to connect people, he is quick at recognising what someone else needs and his mind starts searching for ways to help the other person move ahead.”

Read More

'We remain focused on securing the country and stabilizing the economy' - President Buhari

Today, President Buhari in Abuja said his administration will work harder to improve on the gains recorded in securing the country from the onslaughts of terrorists and criminals, and ensuring that Nigerians enjoy a better livelihood by stabilising the economy.

The President who received Tijjaniyya Shura Council at the Presidential Villa, said the government continues to review its interventions and projections on security and the economy, with the hope of bringing peace and improved economy to all.

He commended religious bodies and Nigerians for the encouragement shown to the administration through prayers, pointing out that a peaceful and prosperous country is realisable with collective vision and shared effort.

“I am grateful for the prayers and words of encouragement. Nigeria’s unity is strong and must be sustained. It is instructive to note that Nigeria preceded all of us in age, and we must do our best to keep the country together'’ he said.

In his remarks, leader of the Tijjaniyya, Sheikh Ibrahim Shiekh Maihula, said, “our desire is to live in a country that is peaceful and economically vibrant, and we will keep praying for you and members of your administration.’’ Shiekh Maihula said peace and economic prosperity were not negotiable for the unity of the country, urging the president to remain focused and steadfast in pursuing the policies he had outlined.

Read More

'EFCC does not have any evidence to prosecute Fayose in court' - Media aide, Lere Olayinka

Report by a section of the media that the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, had started opening up on allegations of corruption made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been described as false, misleading and a feeble attempt by the anti-graft agency to sustain its lies and campaign of calumny against the former governor.

Fayose’s Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, who reacted in a statement issued on Friday, said “no amount of sponsored media reports will change the fact that as at today, the EFCC does not have any evidence to prosecute the former governor in court.” 

Olayinka insisted that his boss will only defend himself in the law court, saying that EFCC had demonstrated that it was out to persecute the former governor ostensibly because of his criticism of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government.
He said; “it is a fact that Fayose wrote to the EFCC on September 10, 2018 notifying the commission of his decision to make himself available on October 16, 2018. The EFCC replied by asking him not to wait till October 16 and that he should come on September 20, 2018.

“Therefore, isn’t it funny that the same EFCC that was desperate to have Fayose report on September 20 is still keeping him in detention, four days after he willingly submitted himself? Isn’t it now clear to all discerning minds that EFCC is only acting as an agent of persecution against perceived enemies of the APC and it is helping to keep Fayose out of circulation as desired by the powers that be?”

While urging members of the public to disregard any report of Fayose saying anything other than demanding that he be charged to court, Olayinka said; “Very soon, the public will still be fed with stories like; Fayose writes confessional statement and eats it, he weeps in detention, begs to return loots among other familiar lies of the EFCC.

“Nigerians should just ignore the EFCC’s sponsored lies and continue to ask why the anti-graft agency has failed to charge Fayose to court despite the overwhelming evidence it claimed to have. Most importantly, Nigerians should be rest assured that Fayose will not be intimidated even if he is detained for as long as the EFCC will be ready to take him to court. He won’t say more than what he has said which is denying the EFCC allegations and that the anti-graft agency is more of a persecutor than prosecutor.”

Read More

Osinbajo, Okowa, Dangote, Others Say Africa, Making Progress

... As Ovia Launches Book, Africa Arise And Shine

NIGERIA'S Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, erudite scholar, Dr Christopher Kolade, among others , (17/09/18) graced the launch of the book, 'Africa Arise and Shine', authored by the founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia, where they observed that Africa was making steady progress.

Speaking at Lagos where the event took place, Prof. Osinbajo observed that the fact that democratically elected Presidents are in charge of all the countries in Africa was a clear testimony that Africa is making progress.

While calling for the rebranding of Africa to project the continent in positive light, the Vice President described the story of Mr Ovia as inspiring, stating, "Mr Ovia is a great contributor to nation building, his investment in education and the training of thousands of people, he is humble and a self effacing man; I am not surprised he tells his story from humble beginning; his story gives ample room for grace and the Nigerian dream is captured here; a man who built from N20 million to N6 trillion enterprise, Jim have nurtured leaders."

"It is not about how the figure looked in the first few days, it is about character, integrity, fidelity to service over self," the Vice President stated.

Governor Okowa at the event, stated, "I want to appreciate all of you for coming to this great event, we are proud of what Mr Ovia has done for our nation and also back home in our state, Delta, we will continue to appreciate him for the great things he is doing for our country."

The governor who attended the event with such Deltans like the Dein of Agbor, HRM Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi I, members of the National Assembly, among others stated that the book will inspire Africans to always aspire to bring out their best.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Christopher Kolade had in his opening speech, said the book by Mr Ovia was an opportunity for Africans to tell their own stories, noting that the description of Africa as a dark continent was as a result of outsiders telling the story of Africa.

"Africa was described as a dark continent and I am happy that I am not leaving this world believing that Africa is a dark continent; one problem with Africa is that other people tell our stories and I am happy that one of the brightest is telling the Africa story and it is remarkable that Jim Ovia is telling his own story and I believe it is an interesting story for us to read," he said.

Different personalities including State Governors, the Governor of Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Alhaji Aliko Dangote who was represented by his daughter, Halima, Mr Akintola Williams, Mr Tony Elumelu, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Folunronso Alakija, Chief Tony Momoh, among numerous others read different passages from the book and also, spoke glowingly about how Mr Ovia grew an enterprise of N20 million to more than 16 billion dollars.

Read More

Photo: Final year Nigerian Pharmacy student dies in India

A final year Nigerian student studying in India has passed away.

 

Mubarak Muhammad Musa, until his sudden death was a Pharmacy student of the NIMS University in Jaipur, India. 

 

Association of Nigerian and African students in India, announced his death today on their official Facebook page:

Innalillahi wa Inna Ilaihi raji'un!  Today one of us passed away,a Brother and a good friend "Mubarak Muhammad Musa".

 

Final year Student B.Pharm NIMS University Jaipur. May Allah forgive him and have Mercy on him, May his soul rest Jannahtul firduas.

 

Surely, Allah takes what is His, and what He gives is His, and to all things He has appointed a time. So we should have patience and be rewarded.

 

May Allah magnify our reward, and make perfect our bereavement, and forgive our departed. Ameen.

 

Read More

Police IG warns against inflammatory statements on Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashes

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has advised Nigerians to avoid making inflammatory statements and playing politics with the herders/farmers clashes to achieve genuine reconciliation.

Speaking during the launch of his book in Lagos, Idris said that the security challenges needed to be properly managed so as not to drag the country into unending crisis.

“This is the only way the country can secure genuine reconciliation among herders and farmers so that they can once again live in peace, harmony, love and avoid unnecessary loss of lives.” he said.

The police I-G said that even though President Muhammadu Buhari mandated the security agencies to arrest and prosecute offenders in the clashes, the nation needed serious conversation on the issue. “I have realised that the issue is beyond apprehension and prosecution of offenders: There has to be speedy dispensation of justice and the protection of the rights and interests of the suspects and victims of crime,” Idris said.

According to the police I-G, this is the only way people will have a sense of justice, peace and reconciliation. “It is my conviction that when there is security, justice, peace and reconciliation in any nation, civil strife can be avoided. Inter-communal harmony and reconciliation is easier when the people are convinced that the police and other security architecture can guarantee them their individual rights, security and justice,” he said.

Idris said that the public image of the police was not impressive and called on policemen to respect the rights of the people while performing their lawful duties. “While performing their constitutional duties of protection of lives and property, the police must do so within the confines of the law,” the I-G said.

Read More

Photo: 20-year-old leader of deadly Abuja-Kaduna highway kidnap gang allegedly confesses to killing over 10 victims and drinking their blood

Police have arrested one Ibrahim Umar a.k.a Sani da Oro, said to be the leader of a deadly kidnap gang terrorising motorists along Abuja-Kaduna highway.

The 20-year-old Fulani boy, who was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) allegedly confessed to killing over 10 of his victims and drinking their blood.

Read More

Tompolo To Buhari: Develop N/Delta With Money Spent On Military Deployments

Fugitive, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to channel funds expended in the deployment of over 20 military houseboats in Gbaramatu kingdom alone and other hardwares to develop the Niger Delta for peace to reign.

He said this was what informed the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Gas City Project at Ogidigben in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State by the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The former militant, in a statement signed by his media consultant, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo and made available to journalists on Thursday in Warri, Delta State, opined that the continuous military deployment to the region would not solve the problem of the age-long criminal neglect of the region by successive governments.

For absolute peace to reign, Tompolo enthused that the Federal Government should put up a strong political will to address the issue of lack of development in the region, which has been the bone of contention.

The former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wondered so much is being squandered in taking care of the military personnel and wares in the region “without achieving the purpose they are being drafted to the area as the agitation for development of the region continues on daily bases.”

He, therefore, advised that the huge sums of money used to deploy military houseboats, gunships and fighter jets, which is enough to fund the embattled Nigerian Maritime University and other development projects in the region, “will give a sense of relief and belonging to the people as part of the Nigerian project.”

“High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation has advised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to fund numerous development projects ear-marked and on-going in the Niger Delta region, particularly the coastal area which is a very difficult terrain that no normal human being will love to stay with the present condition, with money used to deploy military men and wares as well as carry out military exercises such as operation crocodile smile and octopus grip by the Army and Navy respectively.

“And that continuous military deployment to the region will not solve the problem of the age long criminal neglect of the region by government.


“It must be pointed out that mere acknowledgement of the fast deteriorating condition of the Niger Delta region by government is not enough to solve the problems there, rather, the Federal Government needs to put up a strong political will to address the issue of lack of development in the region.

“At the last count, there are over 20 military houseboats in the creeks of Gbaramatu kingdom alone.

“So much is provided by the government in taking care of the military men and wares in that region without achieving the purpose they are being drafted to the area as the agitation for development of the region continues on daily bases.

“Government cannot continue to harass and intimidate the people of the region with military might. What the region needs is simply development.

“And that is what the previous administration meant when it established the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

“The previous government also approved the electrification of Escravos and environs, which has gone half-way, only to be discontinued by the present administration.

“The EPZ gas city and deep sea port project, well thought out by the precious administration to significantly address the issue of unemployment in Nigeria has been abandoned also. This is not fair,” Tompolo reiterated.

He challenged the Buhari-led government to “change the paradigm of military deployment to the paradigm of development and see that relative peace will certainly be attained.”

Read More

2018 BUDGET: Delta Earmarks N6.6 Billion For Health Sector

 …..Boosts Health Insurance With 1 billion Naira

TO ensure that Deltans have access to quality and affordable healthcare, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said, his administration has earmarked the sum of 6.6 billion naira to consolidate the ongoing rehabilitation of the health facilities.

It has also set aside 1 billion naira to augment the contributory health insurance scheme.especially the Under-5 and Free Maternal Health Care Scheme.

The Governor made the disclosure while presenting a budget christened “Budget of Hope and Consolidation,” to the Delta State House of Assembly.

While stating that the sum of N6.6 Billion would be spent in the health sub-sector, the Governor reiterated, “our guiding philosophy for this sector is the establishment of a qualitative, affordable and accessible health care delivery system in the State; hence we are focusing on infrastructural development of our hospitals and primary health care centres, as well as the procurement of drugs and cutting-edge medical equipment in major healthcare facilities across the three Senatorial Districts.”

“The Free Maternal and the Free Under-Five Healthcare programmes that were initiated by the previous administration in 2007 and 2010 respectively, are still being implemented. In January 2017, the financing of these programmes was taken over by the Delta State Contributory Health Commission. As at July 2017, total enrolment of these categories of people in the scheme stood at 71,350 (under 5 – 44,445; maternal – 26,905). Registration of civil servants under the scheme has commenced and is currently in progress. Sustaining the Free Maternal and the Free Under-Five Healthcare programmes has been critical in ensuring that the maternal mortality ratio and under-five mortality in the State remain the lowest in the country,” he said.

Senator Okowa emphasised that, “in fulfillment of our pledge to deliver accessible, affordable and qualitative healthcare, the Delta State Contributory Health Commission was established in 2016; with just N7, 000 as premium, the health insurance scheme is already providing pre-paid health services to 112,169 registered enrollees; the scheme is currently functional in 63 secondary health care centres, while 97 primary healthcare facilities in the State have been designated to commence provision of services under the scheme.”

“The Delta State Health Insurance Scheme has kicked off and its cardinal objective is to give Deltans access to quality and affordable healthcare no matter their socio-economic status; the sum of N1.2 Billion is provided for the Commission’s activities during the 2018 fiscal year.”

He said, “we have infused vigour and vitality into the teaching hospital at Oghara with critical personnel changes and the overhauling of the MRI and CT scan facilities that are now functional. In addition, we have instituted Public-Private Partnership for some diagnostic services to ensure sustainability, and a grant of N142m was released to the institution to meet pressing needs. Infrastructural work at the Asaba Central Hospital has continued to receive priority attention from this administration and is now almost 70 per cent completed.”

On the issue of environment, Governor Okowa that his administration would respond adequately to environmental challenges facing the state, saying, “this administration has embarked on urban renewal in key towns and cities across the state which involves rehabilitation, reconstruction, and construction of new roads, clearing of drains, environmental sanitation, public water supply, and beautification in the form of leisure parks and gardens.”

“The sum of N2.2 billion is proposed for the Ministries of Environment and Urban Renewal in the proposed 2018 capital budget,” the Governor said, assuring, “we are committed to the rapid development of the Delta State Capital Territory in line with the Master Plan of the State Capital territory and we have observed that some parts of the state capital territory currently stand the risk of degenerating into urban slums because of the uncoordinated approach to housing development.”

He stated, “the population explosion being witnessed in Asaba is occasioned by influx of people from neighbouring states; with better town planning and visionary leadership, this growth in population can be turned into financial prosperity that benefits all; the sum of N3 Billion has been proposed for the activities of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency in the 2018 fiscal year.”

Read More

5.5 Billion Dollar Foreign Loan: Your Debt Profile Is Rising - IMF Warns Nigeria

The International Monetary Fund has warned the Nigerian federal government about its rising debt profile, just as President Buhari seeks approval from NASS to borrow $5.5 billion to fund the budget

- Tobias Adrian, a director at the financial institution, stated that if Nigeria does not put the resources gotten from increased borrowing to good use, it would pose serious challenges for the nation

- However, Catherine Pattillo, an assistant director at the IMF admitted that Nigeria has undertaken lots of positive reforms; but stated that the government must do more especially in terms of mobilizing non-oil revenue

The federal government has been warned about its rising debt profile, especially foreign loans, by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Nation reports.

The financial institution issued the warning on Wednesday, October 11.

This comes following President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent request to the National Assembly for approval to borrow $5.5 billion to fund the 2017 budget.

NAIJ.com gathers that Tobias Adrian, IMF director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, lamented over the fact that the external borrowing of low income countries including Nigeria, keeps rising.

He stressed that if the resources gotten from such borrowing are not put to good use, it would become a serious challenge.

According to data from the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s public debt as at June 2017 stood at $64.19 billion (N19.63 trillion).

However, Catherine Pattillo, IMF assistant director, Fiscal Affairs Department, admitted that Nigeria has undertaken lots of positive reforms such as improving infrastructure especially in the power sector.

Despite this though, she urged the federal government to do more especially in mobilizing more non-oil revenues.

She stated: “The concern in a number of oil exporters is that unless there is action now, debt which has been rising is a concern because of the interest payments.

“So, if you have continuing rise in debt, the interest payments would consume a large part of any revenue that you collect and you won’t be able to use that revenue for the objectives of the economic growth and recovery programme like increasing growth and employment.

“So for insuring that you have the ability to use those revenues for enhancing expenditure, there is a need to make sure that interest to revenue is kept at reasonable level.”

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that a recent report concluded that the total foreign debt profile of the federal and the 36 states governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), showed a continuous rise since the coming of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Under the current government, Nigeria’s foreign debt profile rose from $10.718 billion in 2015, to $11.406 billion in 2016 and $15.047 billion in 2017
.

Read More

Three men arrested with human heads, hands in Osun State

 

The Osun State Police Command arrested three male suspects with two human heads and hands. Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, in Osogbo, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, said the suspects were arrested on Aug. 29 during a police stop and search operation.

"On August 29 at about 1;02 p.m, a police patrol team on a stop and search operation on Ogbomosho/Oyo Road, at Agboro Area, stopped a motorcycle with two persons on it." he said “The persons on the motorcycle were searched and two severed human hands with gloves and a human head were found with them, and they were promptly arrested," In a similar development, one Adeniyi Adeyeye was also arrested with a human skull in his possession on same date at Oba’s compound in Moro, Ipetumodu.

Adeoye said detectives attached to the Ipetumodu Divisional Headquarters arrested the suspect and transfered him to Osogbo State Criminal Investigation Department. He said the skull found with the suspect was suspected to have been exhumed from a grave and that investigation was still ongoing on the matter. All the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

Read More

President Buhari may still travel abroad for medical attention if the need arises- Femi Adesina says

Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, today hinted that President Buhari may still travel abroad for medical attention if the need arises. He gave the hint during an interview with Channels TV today

"What Nigerians should hope for is that our president will remain whole. But if there is any reason to go out, why not? You need to first stay alive before you can lead a country. So whatever it takes for our president to remain healthy should be done, but we want to hope and believe that the worst is over” he said

Recall that President Buhari returned to Nigeria from the UK where he had been since May 7th undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment. 

Read More

Photo: Lagos police arrest Baale, three others for killing, hiding body of policeman for nine months

The Lagos state police command has arrested the Baale of Oshoroko Village in Ibeju-Lekki area of the state, Olusegun Oyeri, and three others identified as Aroki Badiru, Nasiru Isiaka and Akeem Balogun. for allegedly masterminding the death of a police inspector, Musa Sunday, and hiding his body for nine months.

According to reports, the deceased had gone to the area to answer to a distress call on November 29th last year. He never returned to the police station, prompting his colleagues to go in search of him. After many months of fruitless search and investigation, a member of the community confessed to the police that the inspector was killed and that they were made to swear an oath of secrecy by the Baale never to reveal what happened to him.

The community resident then took the police to the Ibeju-Lekki water-front where the deceased was buried. Police officers dug the grave and exhumed the remains of the deceased and his AK47 rifle. The community leader was arrested and when interrogated, denied any wrong doing. He claimed the crime was perpetrated by one of the chiefs.

The Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the arrests, said
“Inspector Musa Sunday disappeared from a crime scene in Ibeju-Lekki when he was, alongside other officers, deployed to that axis from Ibeju-Lekki Free Trade Zone. In the course of patrol, they were alerted by the community of a communal fight between two families over land issues. Dutifully, they joined the informant but on getting there, one of the community callously turned against the patrol team and at the end of the fight, the team returned without Sunday. The next day, I went there and met the traditional rulers and elders of the community to appeal to them to release the inspector if they have him in their custody. They denied seeing him. We put together a team of policemen with technical support from the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) led by DSP Philips and they sustained investigations. Based on intelligence, nine months later, his decomposed body was found buried along the waterway with his service AK47. We swung into action and arrested the Baale of the community and three others. The law does not respect anyone and we use this to send a message to criminals pretending to be custodians of our culture. During investigation, we gathered that the Baale led the community in swearing an oath of secrecy to cover the crime and also refused to produce his two sons that were responsible for the killing.”

The Baale and the others would be arraigned in court soon.

Read More

Boko Haram attacks: Northern state governors donate N360m to Borno state government

 

Governors of eighteen Northern States today donated N360 million to support the Borno State government in addressing problems associated with humanitarian needs and rebuilding of communities and livelihoods following the prolonged Boko Haram attacks in the state.

Governors Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, ‎Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto and Bindo Umaru Jibrilla of Adamawa States conveyed the donations in cheques issued by Government of the Northern States with each donating twenty million.  The four Governors flew to Maiduguri in the morning and spent some hours before departing. While in Maiduguri, the Governors visited one of the internally displaced persons camps and paid a courtesy call on Governor Kashim Shettima.

"At our last meeting of the Northern Governors, it was resolved that a committee was set up to visit Borno. We were nominated as memo the committee. We are here to show sympathy to the good people of Borno and in solidarity with our brother, Governor Kashim Shettima. We are solidly behind him and we stand by him at this trying time. We have also resolved to be more united than ever before. What affects any of us, affects all. Each of the 18 northern States is donating N20m totaling N360m. Some have already issued cheques while others are sending theirs soon. We will stand in solidarity with each other and we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that this kind of crisis that affected the northeast does not affect any other part of the north and by extension the country" Masari said.
Host Governor Shettima said part of what has kept him ‎going is the empathy of his colleagues from different States in Nigeria.

"As your brother and colleague in this State, one of the things that has kept me strong despite the calamity of Boko Haram, is the genuine empathy and encouragement I constantly receive from all of you. Most Governors have solidly identified with us even when Borno suffered its most severe neglect between 2011 and 2014. It was at this period that Boko Haram took over most of our local government areas after very audacious and bloody attacks. They killed thousands, destroyed communities, abducted and raped our sisters and daughters. They destroyed nearly one million residential houses; destroyed over five thousand classrooms and other school buildings. They destroyed over 200 healthcare centres. They bombed water and electricity installations. They set large scale farms ablaze, blocked major economic highways like the Ngala road connecting Nigeria with five countries. Wealthy traders and international transporters lost their trailers and became poor overnight. The insurgents kept on launching suicide attacks on the Maiduguri Monday Market in order to cut off economic activities in the State. They mounted pressure on the State so much that our local economy was only charged anytime salaries were paid to workers at the State level and at the University of Maiduguri which is the second largest employer in Borno. Traders were terribly affected to the extent that we had to resort to giving some sort of bailout to some of them.

Shocking as this may sound, throughout that darkest period of large scale killings and destructions, the total support we got from the Federal Government was a paltry two hundred million naira. This came at time the State Government was spending six hundred million naira monthly to feed about two million internally displaced persons. At that time, the international community didn't quite appreciate the humanitarian situation in the northeast. Most of the UN agencies and international partners started making major food interventions in 2016. It was actually the unfortunate Chibok abduction of April 2014 that began to attract focus on Borno. But like I always say, going through difficult times is not the worst thing in life. The worst is to be hopeless in the face of difficulty" Shettima said.

Read More

Not A Dancing Matter! Senator Adeleke Visits Femi Adeshina (Photos)

Nigria's dancing Senator, Ademola Adeleke, representing Osun West Senatorial District recently paid a courtesy visit to Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity.

The senator, now famous for his scintillating dance steps after his electoral victory, said he visited Adesina "because of the good job he is doing for the country, and not necessarily because he is from Osun State."

According to Femi Adeshina, 'there was no need to put on dancing shoes, as it was a formal and official meeting. The dance can come another day'.

Read More

Prison Break! Robbers In Police Custody Remove Police Station's Roof And Escape As Officers Slept

 

Robbers in custody at a police station in Isheri Osun, Lagos escaped from their cell at night by removing the station's roof without the knowledge of the officers on duty. The notorious robbers were arrested by police with the help of residents, however, by morning, police revealed they had escaped from their cell.

Residents of the neighborhood are in shock at the gross incompetence and are speculating that the officers on duty that day were either sleeping, drunk, or they were not telling the entire truth, P.M. Express reports. Officers woke on the morning after the criminals were taken into custody to notice that the roof of the cell they were in had been damaged and removed and the suspects were no longer in there.

The police led by their Divisional Police Officer, CSP Camelius began a manhunt for the suspects who were said to be at large. This led to the arrest of a man called Bashiru Rabiu who was allegedly involved in the cell break. He was charged before the Isolo Magistrates court for willful damage and escape from lawful custody under the criminal code. Bashiru denied involvement and pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr A.O. Ogbe granted Bashiru bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in the like sum. He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.

Read More

Kano Police arrest Ward Head, 6 others for raping a 13-year-old girl, who is now pregnant

The Kano State Police Command have arrested one Alhaji Saje Sani, the Ward Head of Yargaya village in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano state and six others over the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Other suspects are identified as Garba Usaini aka Sadauki, 68yrs of Yargaya Village, Magaji Ahmed aka Begi, 50, Umar Yusif, 38,Yakubu Abdullahi aka Alhaji, 28, Habibu Isa, 30, of Yargaya Village, Yahaya Ibrahim, 30, all of Dawakin Kudu LGA of Kano State.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Magaji Majiya, who disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen in Kano on Tuesday, July 11, said the suspects committed the alleged offence on separate occasions which left the 13-year-old girl pregnant. Doctors also confirmed that she is seven months pregnant.

“The Police arrested the Ward Head of Yargaya village, Alhaji Saje Sani, and six of his subjects for defiling a 13-year-old girl in the village,” Majiya said.

He said the suspects would be charged to court  on completion of investigation.

Read More

Ultimatum: I will lead the war if Igbos are touched- Former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu says

Former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, was a guest on AIT recently where he reacted to the October 1st ultimatum issued to Igbos residing in the North by a coalition of Arewa Youths Organization last month.

According to Daily Trust, Kalu said he would lead a war should any of the youths attempt to actualize the ultimatum.

The former governor said the Arewa youths who issued the ultimatum were only seeking for relevance and that the Igbos would only leave Nigeria if asked to by serious minded individuals.

“Anybody that touches any Igbo man in terms of saying that we should quit; the country will go into war, and I will lead the war if Igbos are touched. I do not believe that in 2017 we should be attacking each other. The quit notice means nothing. No reasonable northern elder will do that. Did Adamu Ciroma sign? Did Babangida sign? Did Abdulsalam sign? Aliko Dangote? When you say northern elders, I don’t know whether Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Emir of Zazzau and his likes are asking us to quit. If all these people come out and say we should quit, we will quit. We are not afraid of quitting, we have a place to go. But Nigeria’s unity is more important”he said.

He also described the call for secession by the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as a waste of time.

Read More