Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Policemen, Wives Protest Eviction From Lagos Barracks, Demand Relocation

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Policemen living in the veterinary clinic block of the Police Mounted Troops Barracks, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos State, have protested against the eviction notice served on them by the police authorities.
While saying that the notice was short, they demanded relocation alternatives.
PUNCH Metro gathered that buildings in the main barracks could not accommodate all the policemen and their families, hence some of them were moved to the veterinary clinic block primarily built for the treatment of animals.
Some of the affected police families told our correspondent that a notice was given to them to leave the animal clinic buildings within two days after which force would be used to evict them.
Their departure, they said, was to pave way for a private construction company to demolish the buildings and develop the area for a business venture.
A video clip of the protest by some of the policemen and their wives seen by our correspondent showed the women singing solidarity songs, while their children cried, as the protesters blocked the road leading to the barracks.
The leader of the affected women, who identified herself simply as Mrs Danban, told PUNCH Metro that on February 8, 2022, they suddenly saw bulldozers attempting to pull down some of the structures.
She said, “This whole thing started on February 8, 2022, when we suddenly saw some men from a construction company with bulldozers and men with shovels and other equipment, who told us that they wanted to demolish the buildings.
“We raised the alarm and some of our men who were around also came out when the noise of the commotion was much. We blocked the road leading to the barracks and went to the officer-in-charge of the barracks, who promised to look into the matter.
“The next day being February 9, the police authorities pasted a notice on our premises giving everybody 24 hours to move out of the buildings.
“The OC of the barracks and his second-in-command promised to find alternative buildings to house the people affected by the order. We are begging them to have mercy on us.”
She also told our correspondent that due to her stance on the issue, her husband was sanctioned by the police authorities.
“They said he should move his family out of the barracks or else we would regret being there,” she added.
Another cop, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he felt betrayed by the police.
He said, “Look at what they have subjected us to with our families and we are serving Nigeria; this is not acceptable because they know that we have nowhere else to go to. We plead with them to find alternative accommodation for us.”
A lawyer, Okungbowa Uhunghama, who wrote a petition on behalf of the affected officers to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, said the quit notice and the speed with which it was executed was a violation of the rights of the policemen.
He said, “Some of the police officers in the barracks confirmed it to me that the order for the demolition of the buildings came from Abuja by the IGP and that is why the police officers’ wives and children must leave their residence by force by fire for the demolition to take place.
“Funny enough, the police are demolishing the residential buildings of their officers and giving it to a private developer to build roads, filling stations, shopping malls, private buildings and residential estates.”
The acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached on his telephone line despite many attempts by our correspondent.
A text message sent to his number was also not replied to as of the time of filing this report.
The acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached on his telephone line for a reaction despite many attempts by our correspondent.
A text message sent to his number was also not replied to as of the time of filing this report.
Copyright PUNCH.

IPOB, ESN Are Planning To Destroy Me -Abba Kyari

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A police report says embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, told a panel that secessionist groups, the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network are on a campaign to smear his reputation.
Kyari, who was suspended by the police last year for his alleged link to alleged international fraudster, Ramon Abass aka Hushpuppi, said this before a panel set up by the police to probe him.
A copy of the report which was obtained by The PUNCH read in part, “The officer did not deny violating social media (policy) of the police. The officer (Kyari) stated that ‘It is a campaign to smear his reputation by members of IPOB/ESN who moved to destroy him due to his onslaught against them in the South-East’.
The report, which has since been sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), also revealed how members of a syndicate led by Hushpuppi paid N235, 120, 000 to Kyari’s younger brother.
The probe also indicated that Kyari equally funnelled N44m to his brother’s bank account in multiple transactions.
However, the investigation report obtained by our correspondent on Monday, failed to disclose whether Kyari’s brother was acting as a proxy for his embattled elder brother who is currently in custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The DCP, who was suspended by the police last July for his alleged links to Hushpuppi, allegedly attempted to sell part of the cocaine which was seized from some drug dealers in Enugu, while he was on suspension.
Copyright PUNCH.

Bayern Munich Snatch Draw At Salzburg In Champions League Last 16

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French winger Kingsley Coman spared his side’s blushes with a late equaliser as Bayern Munich laboured to a 1-1 draw away to Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday.
Coman prodded the ball in at the far post in the last minute of normal time to cancel out Junior Adamu’s first-half opener and save Bayern from a first away defeat in the competition since 2017.
Bayern arrived in Austria looking to bounce back from their shock defeat to Bundesliga minnows Bochum on Saturday, but there were early signs of the same defensive wobbles which had plagued them at the weekend.
A mistake from Niklas Suele opened up a chance for Brenden Aaronson after just a few minutes, as Salzburg snapped at the heels of the Bayern back line.
The visitors also had chances at the other end, but continued to look vulnerable and Salzburg deserved their lead on 21 minutes.
A soaring long ball from Mohamed Camara opened Bayern up on the counter-attack, and Adamu curled the ball in with an elegant first-time finish.
Adamu had come on as an early substitute for the injured Noah Okafor, and he and his fellow forwards continued to unsettle the Bayern defence before the break.
The hosts had a penalty appeal waved away just before half-time, before sitting back and soaking up pressure in the second half.
But despite dominating possession and running Salzburg’s full-backs ragged, Bayern toiled in their search for an equaliser.
As the pressure mounted towards the end of the game, Salzburg keeper Philipp Koehn denied Coman with a reflex save and neutralised a sharp counter-attack by snatching the ball from the feet of Leroy Sane.
A mistake from Sane almost allowed Salzburg to kill the game off 10 minutes from time, but Benjamin Pavard denied Adamu his second with a desperate block on the line.
But Bayern’s patience paid off when Coman finally broke the Austrian defences as the clock ticked down towards injury time.
A floating cross from Pavard was flicked on by Thomas Mueller to Coman, who slotted the ball past Koehn to avoid a second shock defeat for Bayern in the space of just five days.

Inter vs Liverpool: Salah, Firmino Late Goals Secure Victory For Reds

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Liverpool put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday with a 2-0 win at Inter Milan.
Goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in the last quarter of an hour gave Liverpool a commanding lead ahead of the last-16 second leg at Anfield, which will be played on March 8.
The result was harsh on Italian champions Inter, who dominated the contest at the San Siro for long periods after the break and struck the woodwork through Hakan Calhanoglu in the 16th minute.
However they could not find their way past a Liverpool backline impeccably marshalled by Virgil van Dijk and were punished late on by a Reds team who have now won their last seven matches in all competitions.
The quarters now look a step too far for Inter after making the knockout rounds of the Champions League for the first time in a decade.
AFP

Painful Tragedy: Nigerian Man And Pregnant Wife Die In Ghastly Motor Accident, 3-Year-Old Son Survives

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A ghastly motor accident along the Suleja road on Sunday, February 13, claimed the lives of a Nigerian man and his pregnant wife, while their 3-year-old son miraculously survived.

It was learnt that the couple, identified as Mr. and Mrs. Mohammad Bagudu Abdulrahman, were in the car with their son, Amir, when their car rammed into a truck, leaving it completely shattered. The man and his wife died on the spot.

One Comr. Lanre Sadiq, in a Facebook post, said the little boy is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

“WHAT GOD CAN’T DO? Amir the survived son of late Mr and Mrs Mohammad Bagudu Abdulrahman that passed on early hours today in a fatal motor accident along Suleja road finally survived.

“He was earlier reported dead but the good news is, Amir survived while the parents gone in an accident that occurred early hours of today. What a life!

“The 3 years old miracle boy is currently receiving treatments. Let’s pray for this innocent boy to survive this tragedy. The father, Malam Abdulrahman Bagudu, the pregnant wife gone forever….. What a life.

“Indeed Almighty God is Great, May the soul of his parents continues to received Allah mercy(Rahman) and give the family the courage to accept the will of Mightiest God and watch over little boy and give him sound health.” He wrote.

© Facebook

Sunset At Dawn For Pericomo – By Uche Ohia

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The sun set at dawn on Thursday, February 16, 2017 for the Arondizuogu born traditional music prodigy, Damian Azubuike Nwankwo Okoye also known as “Ichie Mezuo” or “Alusi Makaja” but more widely known to Igbo traditional music fans across Nigeria and the masquerade loving Igbo people of South East Nigeria at home and in Diaspora as “Pericomo”.

As the news that the celebrated minstrel had joined his ancestors broke on the internet and spread around, a palpable gloom and sadness spread with it. Such was the popularity of the man that even those that did not know him but only heard his music were saddened to learn about his demise.

In his life time, Pericomo was the Don, the “father father”, the undisputed champion, the “Cultural Prime Minister” – a hugely popular maestro of traditional music in Igbo land. The pulsating rhythm of his multi-gong philosophical melodies interspersed with the intoxicating sound of the flute acted like a high potency brew that moved young men to frenetic acrobatic displays especially in his native Arondizuogu where Pericomo’s music is more like a national anthem.

Pericomo was an enigma, a living legend around whose name many myths and magical feats were spun. The story of his encounter with tax collection enforcers in the Upper Iweka area of Onitsha which was captured in the video of the song “Pericomo na anyi ajo aru” will be told from generation to generation.

With Pericoma, it was hard to seperate fact from fiction. So much was attributed to this legendary superstar that the mere mention of his name excited different emotions in different people. A Creditor claiming a relationship with Pericoma or threatening to report a debtor to him was often all that was required to secure a quickened redemption of his debt. No one was willing to dare a man reputed to be the “Lion of Africa” on account of his mythical powers real or imagined.

From 1976 when he took the traditional music scene by storm, Pericomo dominated the stage and dictated the pace for forty long years with annual releases of memorable songs until 2015 when his voice began to quiver. Two years down the road, the sonorous voice that rang out in perfect synchrony with his wooden drums for forty years, regaling old and young with magical feats and endless proverbs is no more. Even though many saw his music and persona as tilting towards the fetish, the achievements of Pericomo are legion and the universality of his message of cultural revival is undeniable.

To Pericomo belongs the credit for making Arondizuogu a household name in Nigeria to the extent that Arondizuogu and Pericomo have become virtually synonymous. To Pericomo belongs the credit for promoting Ikeji Festival of Arondizuogu and for taking Igbo traditional masquerade music and turning it into the globally popular genre of music that it is today. So great has been this prodigious music-maker’s achievement that even those that do not understand the Igbo language and those that cannot comprehend the timeless Igbo philosophy embedded in his effervescent lyrics still enjoy his music. Pericomo synthesized and symbolized Igbo traditional masquerade music.

BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
Pericomo Okoye was born in the year 1948 to the family of Mazi Nwankwo Okoye Emesuo (Ejezuo) of Ndiogbuonyeoma Ndebeuche, Arondizuogu, in Okigwe LGA, Imo State. Unable to determine his natural calling in time, this gifted traditional music guru traveled far and wide in search of his destiny. From his home village of Ndiogbuoyeoma Ndebeuche, he travelled to distant places. The story of his sojourn is told in one of his songs titled Ejezuo.

MUSICAL VENTURE
In 1976, the sojourner found his calling. He was recruited and became a key member of a group called ‘Njima’ (Arondizuogu Traditional Masquerade Group), which released a 4-track long playing record titled “EJEZUO” under the label of Janco Records in 1976. Njima was coordinated by Mazi I.E. Kanu of Ikan Power fame and had among it’s leading lights Mazi Ignatius Ohia (Ogidigba), Mazi Egbo Umeibe (Tempest) and Almos Omeokachie who invited the young Pericomo to the group where he became the lead vocalist. The story of how Pericomo’s singing talent turned an unknown young man into an overnight sensation in Njima and how it equally turned him into an object of jealousy among some of his compatriots is a story for another day.

Following a disagreement within the group that same year, Pericomo left Njima and went solo with the name “Pericomo Okoye and his Traditional Music Group, Arondizuogu”. He immediately released a six-track LP titled EKERE-MGBA under the label of Jicco Records. His star began to shine. Since then this traditional music phenomenon has released a string of record-smashing hits which catapulted him into an Igbo traditional music icon and elevated egwu nmonwu into the popular music genre that it has become in Nigeria. To all intents and purposes, Pericomo deserves the grand title of ‘Cultural Prime Minister’ of Igboland. For forty years, the annual release of his musical compositions was awaited with religious dedication by Igbo traditional music enthusiasts.

CULTURAL ACTIVISM
From 1976, Pericomo fought an unrelenting battle (with music as his weapon) to promote Ikeji Festival and to ensure that Igbo tradition and culture were not overwhelmed by rabid Eurocentrism and westernization threatening to subsume the best of Igbo cultural heritage. Through his music, Pericomo provided a bulwark and a formidable fortification for strident promotion of Igbo traditions and for effective cultural advocacy against the rampage of religious fundamentalism and overzealous Pentecostalism. In a sense, he launched the equivalent of a cultural evangelism which has continued to thrive by the day.

THE SONGS
For 40 solid years (1976 – 2016), Pericomo released annually, a salvo of sonorous songs which add up to a monumental barrage of Igbo traditional music. No other musician of the Igbo traditional music genre has exhibited such enormous productivity and consistency. After Ekeremgba Pericomo released the popular Isi na Udo Ga Adi? This was followed by Isi na udo gadi Vol. 2 (1980) which was followed by Ejezuo Volume 2 (1981). As his music continued to break cultural boundaries and garner interest among all Igbo groups, he launched an unrelenting bombardment of the airwaves with Oderigwugwu by Title (1986), Irigorogwo (1987), Uto Nti (1988), Anulika – Oforndu Special (1989), Ogba Aghara (1990), Aja Egbu Edi (1991), and Ogbalu Uwa Ghali (1992), High Tension (1998)’ etc. Between 2000 and 2015, he released another volley of 16 albums including Onye Napuru Ibe Ya (2010), Igbudu Ogwe (2014) and Ihe Ebuka (2015). A comprehensive compilation of Pericomo’s albums and songs would reveal that he was a creative bundle of ingenuity.

When Pericomo sings and calls upon one of his adroit flutists like Nwankwo Ija or Lawrence Nwaiheanaeboagu or Okoli Agaghaga or Muoneke Nwaibeakanma (Eriri awhuru koruete) or Omenka Nweze from Osina or Akwarawhonge from Umuobom to add the searing sound of the flute to the sonorous combination of traditional musical accoutrements, no one stays still. The rhythm is intoxicating – to put it mildly – and, sometimes, young men have to be restrained or reminded to step back before the music overwhelms them. Therein lies the magic of Pericomo. Aside from music, Pericomo made star appearances in several videos centered around his music or around his pet interest of Igbo tradition and mythology.

RECOGNITION
Pericomo received countless accolades. He also received a few awards – the ones that he reluctantly accepted. At the Arondizuogu Day celebration held on December 27, 2008 when I was the President-General, Arondizuogu community under the auspices of the Arondizuogu Patriotic Union (APU) decorated Pericomo as an ICON OF CULTURE – the first of it’s kind in the community. The award plaque was presented to the music idol by the then Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu who was a Special Guest at the occasion. It was a well-deserved honour to a man who had carved a niche for himself, a man who had taken Arondizuogu heritage – in a positive and negative sense – to an unprecedented height in the public domain through his music. In a negative sense because his constant references to herbalists and oracles in Igbo land tended to brand Arondizuogu as a community at home with idols and shrines which is not the case in reality.

CONCLUSION
More than any other musician of Igbo extraction, Pericomo helped to keep the fire of Igbo tradition and culture burning. He kept the flag of Igbo Heritage flying by single-minded dedication to his craft, the tenacity of his convictions and the consistency of his music. For 40 years, this indefatigable musical idol and traditionalist not only held back the onslaught of cultural iconoclasts lined up against Igbo language, culture and tradition, he forcefully pushed back the frontiers of ignorance and stigmatization which has been the bane of Igbo culture and heritage.

For four decades, this gifted singer entertained traditional masquerade music lovers in Igboland, across Nigeria and in Diaspora with an endless medley of sonorous songs garnished with a rich repertoire of proverbs, idioms and anecdotes typical of the Arondizuogu people of his ancestral home and characteristic of the Igbo ethnic group of South East Nigeria among whom, as Chinua Achebe wrote, it is said that “proverbs are the oil with which words are eaten”. In those 40 years, this talented artiste has released 40 extraordinary albums which stand as eternal testimony of his prowess but whatever has a beginning must have an end.

For Pericomo, the sun may have set but the robust legacy of Igbo cultural advocacy and philosophy which he left behind through his music will surely outlive him and his voice will continue to be heard even more loudly for generations to come. For Arondizuogu, the foundation of whose cultural hegemony and rising profile as the citadel of culture and tradition Pericomo laid for forty years with his irresistible voice and incomparable music, and for his home state, Imo State, the undisputable hub of culture, tourism and hospitality east of the Niger, the sun is just about to rise.

Abia Gov’t Calls For Calm Over Killing 8 Person’s, Cows By Unknown In Omumauzor New Cattle Market

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On Tuesday, 15th February, 2022 at about 11:35pm, some yet to be identified hoodlums allegedly invaded traders at the New Cattle Market located in Omumauzor, Ukwa West Local Government Area of our Dear State.

Government responded swiftly by mobilising the various Security Agencies to the scene that night to secure the lives and properties of the innocent traders and fish out the assailants.

This was followed this morning by a high powered team made up of the Chief of Staff, Prof ACB Agbazuere, Hon Commisioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Honorable Commissioner for Homeland Security, Chief Sopuruchi Bekee, Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Chief Okey Kanu in company of the State Commisioner of Police, CP Janet Agbede.

In a press released by Barr Eze Chikamnayo
Honorable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abia State We are shocked and saddened by this mindless and barbaric act of violence that claimed the lives of about 8 innocent citizens of our great country and we totally condemn this dastardly act together with it’s wicked perpetrators.

We are working assiduously to provide succour to the families of the victims. Those who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical attention. We have equally started the immediate relocation of the traders while working out compensation for lost properties. We shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that the evil perpetrators are brought to justice.

While waiting for the outcome of ongoing investigations by our diligent Security Forces, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu together with all Abians pray for God to grant the families of victims the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

We urge all Citizens of our great Country in Abia State to remain law abiding and promptly report any suspicious movements to the appropriate authorities.

Northern Youths Hail Buhari Over Appointment Of NPA Boss, Bello-Koko

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Northern youths, under the aegis of the Arewa Youth Assembly, have hailed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), over the appointment of Mohammed Bello-Koko as the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The group comprises youths drawn from the 19 Northern states and Abuja.
The youths in a statement signed by its Speaker, Mohammed Danlami, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, urged the new NPA boss to see his appointment as an opportunity to work diligently with the view to repositioning the maritime sector of the economy.
While congratulating the new managing director on his appointment, the group urged the staff and management of the Nigerian Ports Authority to accord the MD the necessary support for him to excel in his new endeavours.
The statement read, “The Arewa Youth Assembly, through its leadership, felicitate with Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko on his recent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, as the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority.
“While congratulating Mallam Mohammed Bello-Koko on his well-deserved appointment, The Arewa Youth Assembly is calling on all members of staff of NPA, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to give the new Managing Director all forms of unalloyed and pragmatic supports.
“We also urge the Managing Director to see this appointment as an act of God and an opportunity to do further good, be diligent in the discharge of his duties and to contribute his quota to the development of our dear nation, beyond what has ever been achieved in the history of the NPA.”
Koko acted as the Managing Director, following the suspension of Hadiza Bala Usman from office by the President in 2021.
Copyright PUNCH.

Abba Kyari: NDLEA Reveals More Details On Drug Deal

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has revealed more details about the drug deal allegedly involving a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
In a statement by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency revealed what the Kyari told the NDLEA undercover officer.
In the statement titled, ’25kg cocaine probe: We Won’t Shield Anyone –NDLEA’, Babafemi disclosed how the “Abba Kyari-led gang” operates at airports.
The NDLEA spokesperson faulted the police claim that NDLEA received the drug dealers at the airport.
Part of the statement read, “To correct some inaccuracies in the information in the public space that NDLEA officers at the Enugu airport were the ones who received from the cartel details about the mule coming from Addis Ababa, the Agency wishes to quote from the transcript of Abba Kyari’s recorded conversation with our undercover officer and a portion of ASP James Bawa’s statement to the police as documented in the police investigation report, a copy of which was made available to the Agency, to state that it’s an established fact that it’s the Abba Kyari’s team that was contacted by the cartel and without doubt, the records clearly show how their ring works.
“Recall that after NDLEA requested for Kyari and others for interrogation, they were questioned by the police, after which they were handed over along with the report of their interrogation.”
Bawa’s confession
According to the police investigation report, ASP James Bawa in his statement to the police reveals that “he was called by an informant identified as IK from Brazil who told him that a drug courier will be arriving onboard Ethiopian Airlines in Enugu.
He explained further that a pointer from IK, the Brazil-based informant met with him at about 1420hrs on 19th January 2022 outside the airport and showed him a picture of the courier. Subsequently, they sighted the suspect as he exited the airport terminal after all arrival clearance formalities, and he was arrested with another associate.”
‘What Abba Kyari told NDLEA undercover officer’
In his own recorded conversation with our undercover officer, Abba Kyari also said the following, “They are greedy, seriously greedy (referring to his informants), we tried to have them accept 40 per cent but they refused, except 50 per cent, they know the rudiment of the deal very well, they are the ones that do the packing.
“From Brazil, one of the informants accompanied it to Ethiopia. You understand; one of the informants accompanied the goods to Ethiopia, one of the informants that give us information. He is the boy of the big baron.
“Addis, from Addis it will be given to those to proceed further with it, he will get their snapshots without their knowledge. Yes, he will reveal those that are conveying it further, get snapshots of theirs without their knowledge and send to us (Abba Kyari’s team). So we already know the goods, pictures and the clothes they are wearing, hope you understand, we know your name, he will give us everything. So, automatically my team will just be waiting, they will just see you and arrest you.”
‘How Abba Kyari’s gang operates’
Responding to our officer’s question on whether his boys are usually stationed inside or outside the airport, Abba Kyari said, “Yes, yes, some are outside while some are inside. They will just allow you to finish arrival formalities and arrest you the moment you come out.”

© PUNCH.

JUST IN: Aregbesola’s Men Protest At Osun Police Headquarters, Demand CP’s Removal

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Members of APC faction in Osun state backed by the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, on Wednesday stormed headquarters of Osun State Police Command in Osogbo, protesting alleged bias of the operatives against the group.
The protesters led by Rasaq Salinsile, the chairman of Aregbesola’s faction, carried placards with different inscriptions.
They accused the Commissioner of Police, Wale Olokode, of supporting the governor, Adegboyeg Oyetola.
They also requested that the CP should be replaced.
Details laters…

Copyright PUNCH.

Sit-At-Home: A Dark Cloud Over The South East.

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By Mike Ikem Umealo

The Sit-At-Home in the South East is like the kind of dark clouds that bring thunderstorms.

But the people have refused to be the very wind that is needed to sweep away the evil clouds.

You know, the South East, not necessarily because the people are afraid of going out but, because over 60 to 70 percent of the population adighi ihe ha ruwa. That is to say, a significant percentage of the population no get something serious that they are doing anyway; most of the people are unemployed.

Also, more than half of the unemployed people have friends and relatives abroad who send monthly stipend to fund their living expenses.

In addition, civil servants don’t actually want to go to work because, either they are being owed for the months they have already worked, or they know that, work or no work, they will still be paid.

The remaining percentage are mostly traders; up to 20 to 30 percent of the population have one thing or another to sell to each other. And they will inevitably not be able to trade since buyers are sitting at home anyway.

So, when you look at a combination of all these factors, you will understand why Sit-At-Home can work in the the South East; there is no real incentive for the people to defy the Sit-At-Home. Il

If more than half of the population are working and they know that if they don’t go to work they will not be paid, that incentive alone would lead them to defy the Sit-At-Home and bring back the glory of the South East. Then you will see the traders and market people and businesses, who are afraid of their shops being burnt, coming together with all working people to form a formidable force to resist the terror in Igbo land.

Unfortunately, the entity to lead the resistance is the same state governments that want the masses to remain locked up, downtrodden and divided. They don’t want to see the people coming together because, if the people can come together to resist the Sit-At-Home and end it permanently, the state governments know that they people will come for them next. #ighotago?

But I still believe that, dark clouds can only prevent the sun from shining for only “nwa mgbe nta!”

When the time is due, the winds of courage and faith in the Igbo spirit will start blowing to sweep away these people who are manipulating the minds of our people. That time will come sooner than expected.

God bless.

ABS

APC Convention: President, VP Should Be Northern Christian In 2023

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A coalition of Christians of Northern extraction in the All Progressive Congress, besides, the group under the aegis body of Christians in APC on Tuesday demanded that the 2023 presidential ticket should have a Christian President or Vice President from the North.
While demanding adherence to the party’s procedures in the election of its national officers, they also called for religious consideration in the micro zoning of party positions.
The APC National Convention comes up on 26th February 2022, where a new leadership that will direct the affairs of the party is expected to emerge.
The CiAPC said these in a communique issued at the end of its meeting which discussed the political affairs of the party, national convention and the political atmosphere of Nigeria, signed by Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Prof. Doknan Sheni and Senator John Danboyi.
According to them, such zoning considerations would help foster national unity.
The communique reads, “The Christians in the 19 Northern States within APC met at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on February 13, 2022, to discuss the political affairs of the APC party, the upcoming party convention and the political atmosphere of the nation.
“The meeting was pleased that the APC was finally able to fix a date for the convention for February 26, 2022.
“The meeting recommended that the presidential ticket should have a Christian President or Vice President from the North.
“The meeting recommended that the party should choose a Christian from the North as party National Chairman or Deputy National Chairman, (North).
“The meeting recommended that the composition of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee should significantly reflect the presence of Christians in order to reflect its national character.
“The meeting recommended that the party procedures of electing officers into various offices should be adhered to.”

© PUNCH.

 

Imo Youths Demand Arrest Of Ebubeagu Operatives Over Unlawful Acts

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Following the reports of activities of the Ebubeagu security outfit in some communities in Imo State, youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders have called for their arrest describing their actions as wicked and barbaric.
The youth group while condemning the overzealousness of the security apparatus, expressed displeasure on the jungle justice on suspects.
A statement by the President General of COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, made available to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday said, “We are not in the stone age where anyone or persons will wake up one morning, accuse someone of being a criminal and kill the said person.
“We are in the 21st century where we have the rule of law and the constitution guarding the people and government activities as regards governance. For Ebubeagu security operatives to wake up and start killing Igbo youths in whatever guise is totally unacceptable.
“Most of the houses in the affected communities have been burnt down and destroyed while the little few persons who escaped being killed have run away leaving those communities empty without anyone or animal sited anywhere. Those towns are now ghost communities, without any living thing.
“One of the disturbing incidences in the community was a situation where a woman received matchets cuts in her head, hand and other parts of her body because of her inability to provide her husband or tell the Ebubeagu operatives where her husband went to.
“This is unbecoming of a sane society. Ndi-Imo and Ndi-Igbo must rise and condemn in its entirety this despicable act by these so-called Ebubeagu security operatives.
“The courts remain the last arbiter and no one has the constitutional right or powers to take the life of another man at will. If anyone is arrested on suspicion of being a criminal, he or she should be taken to court for the court to try such persons involved. It is unlawful and a criminal act to torture, maim or kill anyone on the premise of being a criminal.


“Houses and properties that were destroyed in those Communities, which court gave such orders? These operatives just assumed the duties of the courts and went ahead to destroy peoples homes and assets without recourse to the law of the land. Too sad.”
“We warn those Ebubeagu security operatives to stop forthwith the extrajudicial killings now and we demand that those found waiting or culpable of extrajudicial killings in Imo State should be made to face the music. Enough said,” Ibem stated.

© PUNCH.

Barcelona vs Napoli Headlines Europa League Play-Offs

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Barcelona’s new reality will hit home on Thursday when they play in Europe’s second-tier club competition for the first time in 18 years as Napoli visit the Camp Nou in the Europa League.
The Catalans crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage with just two goals scored in six matches, the arrival of Xavi Hernandez not enough to revive their fortunes in a competition they have won five times.
A meeting with a Napoli side currently fighting for the Serie A title would be worthy of the continent’s elite club competition, and indeed the sides met in the last 16 of the Champions League just two years ago.
Yet Barca instead face a real challenge in this play-off tie just to make it through to the last 16 as they try to salvage some pride in Europe and go all the way to the final in Seville in May.
“It is not a favourable draw. They are one of the toughest sides we could have faced, a Champions League-level team,” Xavi said when the draw was made.
The Catalans, who lie fourth in La Liga a huge 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid, had appeared in the knockout rounds of the Champions League in each of the last 17 seasons, last missing out in 2003-04 when they played in the UEFA Cup.
Barcelona were not the only high-profile name to be knocked out of the Champions League prematurely, with Borussia Dortmund also dropping down into the Europa League.
The Germans will face Scottish champions Rangers with the first leg at the Signal Iduna Park as the home side wait to see if Erling Haaland will play.
The Norwegian, scorer of 23 goals in 21 games in all competitions this season, has missed Dortmund’s last two outings against Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
Sevilla also dropped out of the Champions League but that might suit a club who have won the Europa League or its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, a record six times including most recently in 2020.
– Away goals no more -They will also be driven by the prospect of going all the way to the final in their own stadium as they entertain Dinamo Zagreb in the play-offs.
There is English Premier League representation in the play-offs of the new Europa Conference League, with Leicester City taking on Danish outfit Randers.
Celtic will play the Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt who have not played a competitive match since wrapping up their domestic campaign two months ago.
“Bodo are similar to us when we go in to our Champions League qualifiers as they are in pre-season mode at the minute,” Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou told Scottish media.
“That could potentially work both ways. We have the match sharpness, but they could have a freshness about them.”
The Conference League features other former European champions in the shape of PSV Eindhoven and Marseille, who take on Israel’s Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Qarabag of Azerbaijan respectively.
The second legs in both competitions will be played next week and, like in the Champions League, the away goals rule has been scrapped, meaning ties will go straight to extra time and penalties if level at the end of the return match.

© PUNCH.

Disbelief As ‘Retired’ Senate Clerk Shuns Directive, Sits In Office

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Retired Clerk to the Senate, Ibrahim el-Ladan, continued official duties at the plenary on Tuesday to the shock and disbelief of members of the chamber.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, allowed el-Ladan, who was relieved of his job by the National Assembly Service Commission last week, to sit at the table and continue the work of a clerk.
The NASC had retired el-Ladan and two permanent secretaries, Anthony Adebanjo and Michael Opara, over alleged forgery of documents and age falsification.
The commission had ordered el-Ladan and Adebanjo to proceed on retirement with immediate effect, while Okpara was asked to retire in six months.
The NASC had also gone ahead to appoint Mrs Isabella Iloba as acting Clerk to the Senate, to take over from el-Ladan.
The Executive Chairman of the NASC, Ahmed Amshi, convey the message in a letter dated February 9, 2022, with Reference Number NASC/PF/69/184, titled ‘Retirement from Service,’ and addressed to el-Ladan, a copy of which our correspondent sighted on Tuesday.
It partly read, “The Commission at its 547th meeting held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, has approved your retirement from service with effect from February 9, 2022.
“The commission wishes to acknowledge your immense contribution to the growth and development of the National Assembly Service.
“As you proceed on retirement, please hand over your office and other government property in your possession to the Deputy Clerk, Senate (Legislative), Ilobah Ugochi.”
However, el-Ladan carried on with official duties in the chamber on Tuesday unhindered.
The Director of Information, NASC, Mrs Janet Mambula, could not be reached for comments as of press time on Tuesday.

© PUNCH.

Man Bags Seven Years For Forex Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kano State chapter, has secured the conviction of one Muallayidi Mohammed Sani.
Sani had been arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
He and one Sabinatu Aliyu Alhassan (at large) had engaged in forex racketeering, collecting Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) from commercial banks to sell at higher rates in the black market.
Part of the charge reads: “That you Muallayidi Mohamme Sani sometime in October, 2021, in Kano, Kano State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with the intent to defraud, forged some documents titled: ‘Air Ticket, Passport and Visa’, purported to have been genuinely issued to facilitate the collection of PTA from commercial banks, and thereby committed forgery, an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.”
The prosecutor, Zarami Mohammed, asked the court to convict him after he pleaded guilty while the defence counsel, Patience Edamaku, begged the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing her client.

© PUNCH.

Stay Away From Ngor Okpala – Sen Onyewuchi Warns Uzodinma – Says APC Has Done Nothing For Ngor Okpala People

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By Collins Opurozor

As the Ngor Okpala constituency bye-election inches closer, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi has handed down a stern warning to the APC, and said the ruling party must bury the idea of rigging the election. The lawmaker spoke on Monday shortly after his inauguration as chairman of the Imo PDP campaign council for the bye-election at the secretariat of the party in Owerri.

Onyewuchi, who represents Imo East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, regretted that the APC and Gov. Hope Uzodinma have completely disappointed Ngor Okpala people, stressing that it is unacceptable that an administration which has lasted for two years does not have any achievement to show to Ngor Okpala people. The lawmaker lamented that across all sectors, it has been a tale of failure, disappointment and zero performance.

Famed as the Leader of the People’s Movement, Onyewuchi revealed that almost all the ongoing projects in Ngor Okpala are from the Federal Government, attracted by himself and the member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Bede Eke.

While insisting that Ngor Okpala is a PDP stronghold which will never be lost to the APC, the legislator further urged the people to resist any attempt by the APC to manipulate the polls.

In his remarks, the state chairman of the party, Engr. Charles Ugwuh, thanked Sen. Onyewuchi for accepting to head the campaign council. He said the choice of the senator is a testimony to his capacity to lead the party to success in Ngor Okpala. Ugwuh hinted that the PDP has put in place a robust structure which will deliver resounding victory at the polls.

Olympic Mascot Cakes Land Chinese Bakers In Trouble

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Chinese bakers looking to cash in on the popularity of the Beijing Winter Olympics mascot have ended up on thin ice after market authorities cracked down on sweet treats shaped like the cartoon panda.
Officials cited licensing concerns for their swoops on the gastronomic homages to Bing Dwen Dwen, and one case of copyright violations — for producing pirated mascot dolls — has already landed a person in jail.
Depicted in a full-body ice suit, Bing Dwen Dwen has sparked long queues at Olympic souvenir shops — with many willing to fork out more than the official price to get their hands on one amid shortages.
While its name officially means “ice child” in Mandarin, it is more colloquially translated as “ice chubster”. It is often seen alongside Shuey Rhon Rhon, a lantern mascot for the Winter Paralympic Games.
Authorities have said they are investigating several businesses using the Olympics symbols without permission.
One bakery in the southeastern province of Jiangsu was reported for advertising cakes shaped like the rotund panda, and lacked “relevant authorisation”, local officials said Friday.
“A six-inch cake in the shape of Bing Dwen Dwen was found at the scene… the parties made three such cakes, worth 600 yuan ($94),” said the market supervision administration in Nantong city.
State media said authorities had received a “tip-off” about the alleged crime.
A dessert store in the eastern Shantou city was also stopped from selling sweet treats shaped like the mascot and bearing the Olympic rings, another official notice said.
“Intellectual property rights such as patents and copyrights of Bing Dwen Dwen are owned by the Beijing Winter Olympics Organising Committee,” the notice stressed.
Offending bakeries were also reported in other parts of the country, said state media.
With the Lunar New Year coinciding with the start of the Olympics and affecting production of toys in the shape of the mascot, a supply shortage in recent weeks has seen scalpers selling the product for 10 times its original price of 200 yuan ($30), according to reports.
Spectators are largely banned from the Games due to Covid-19 restrictions, and owning the mascot may be the closest most people get to the Beijing Winter Olympics.


Officials said Monday that a person had been jailed for a year and fined 40,000 yuan ($6,300) for making and selling pirated dolls of Bing Dwen Dwen, in what they said was China’s “first criminal case” for infringing the copyright of the Beijing Winter Olympics mascot.
AFP

Loan Sharks Have No Right To Criminalise Defaulters – Lawyer

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An Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has said that loan sharks have no right under the law to criminalise defaulting clients.
The lawyer, in a statement, said he will start to “institute action in court and defend any individual who feels defamed by any loan company posting their pictures or calling or holding them out in public as criminals”.
“We need to immediately put a stop to this nonsense all over the place. The fact that you took a loan and you are unable to pay timeously does not give any individual or company the right to criminalise you with their messages in public. Even Nigeria and the Government have debts everywhere.
“Also, calling or sending messages to me despite the fact that I am not privy or was not involved in your transaction is disturbing and offensive. Any other loan agency that calls or send unwanted messages to my phone from today will have to pay a lawyer to defend themselves in court,” the statement read in part.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that many microloan companies have developed highhanded techniques to recover their loans including declaring defaulters dead, as well as designing and circulating the obituaries of such persons to family and friends.
The President, Money Lenders Association, Gbemi Adelekan, had urged Nigerians who are seeking to borrow money from online lending platforms and other lending firms should ensure that they do their due diligence before applying for loans.

© PUNCH.

Canadian Truckers’ Protests: Physician, Heal Thyself!

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Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, has been the hotbed of the far-rightwing-inspired Canadian truckers’ protests tagged #FreedomConvoy2022 since late January. The #FreedomConvoy2022 started as a protest against mandatory vaccinations for truckers to cross the border into the United States and has grown into broader dissent against the Justin Trudeau-led government thereby portraying the actions as some sort of anti-vaccination movement.
The protests have since become an occupation. The past days have seen thousands of demonstrators and supporters– mainly truckers – flood the streets and the open space in front of the Canadian Parliament buildings parking more than 100 trucks across several highways and facilities. These actions had led the Canadian police to declare the protests as a “siege” or “insurrection” and the Ottawa authorities to declare a state of emergency.
The protests have revealed a lot. Prime Minister Trudeau was quoted to have “mocked” the Indian government’s handling of the farmers’ protests in Delhi. The Indian protesters used the PM’s quotes freely during their protests. Like the Ottawa protests, Indian protesters blocked roads, facilities, and other public utilities. Despite the challenges faced by other Indian citizens at the time, Trudeau, being one of the loudest world leaders offering ideas to the Indian government as to how best to handle the protests, said (in 2020): “We are worried about families and friends. Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. We believe in the process of dialogue. We’ve reached out through multiple means to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns.”
Can Trudeau live up to his own standards? During the Indian farmers’ protests, it was the government’s fault – how the crisis was handled. How then has Saint Trudeau handled the Ottawa truckers’ protests?
Let’s hear what he had to say when he tweeted a few days ago on the #FreedomConvoy2022 protests. He said the protesters “are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens’ daily lives. It has to stop.”
Really? Where is the much-touted right to freedom of expression that Canada always tells us about in Africa? Aren’t road blockades as we saw during #EndSARS in Nigeria too part of these human rights? Don’t other citizens whose daily incomes are affected by blockades have their rights too? During the #EndSARS protests, other Nigerians were told to endure the “temporary pains” for the greater good. If Nigerians endured close to three weeks of such blockades, Canadians too should have no qualms to make such sacrifices for democracy!
There is nothing any African or Asian government would have done to stop the uprising that the Canadian state has done. Cutting of protesters’ funding, arrests, curfew, the use of force, propaganda, just name it. Yet, there has been so far, no outcry from the all righteous US media especially CNN. This leads me to the question of the West’s interventionism.
Two of the most vocal interventionist books I’ve read are Paul Collier’s Wars, Guns, and Votes and John Campbell’s Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink. Though both books were published about a decade ago, the ideas therein are still much relevant. They wrote on the challenges of democratic experiments in developing countries. One interesting thing about both books is their unapologetic justification of Western interventionist solutions (including military coups to remove democratically-elected leaders in Africa who fall short of Western standards of democracy). Collier, for instance, argued that for him “democratic values are universal” (p.8). As an unapologetic interventionist, Collier places much emphasis on continued external assistance from developing countries including support for military intervention providing stabilising force in democratic developments in Africa. For him, “military intervention, properly constrained, has an essential role, providing both the security and the accountability of government to citizens that are essential for development” (p.10).
Curiously, the books’ presentation of the West’s holier-than-thou approach and self-appointed moral compass for African states. Campbell writes on the US refusal to openly oppose President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ambition to illegally extend his term in office in 2005 saying “Nigerians…in general overestimate US influence over everything … gave us disproportionate credit for the defeat of Third Term rather than … themselves.” (p.94). Even by his own admittance, the US did nothing concrete to stop this even though it “undermined our identification with democracy with democracy and the rule of law” (p.95).
One aspect not often talked about with the West’s insistence on external interventions in developing countries is the fact that the former does not always live up to their own standards. Historical and more recent developments in Africa and Asia prove this. The world watched the West and the US install Mobutu Sese Seko as President of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and maintained him in power for over three decades. The US and the likes were well aware of all his brutalities but as long as he allowed them to freely mine Congolese vast natural resources and profess to be “anti-Communist”, Mobutu can stay as long and brutally as he wanted in Zaire. Mobutu was removed after the Cold War ended in the early 1990s when he’s outlived his usefulness. Mobutu was never a democrat – and never pretended to be one – but a bloodthirsty dictator worse than Joseph Stalin. Mobutu himself soon (or earlier) realised he was only used to fighting US Cold War in Africa. Little wonder he’s the instrument used to kill the legendary Patrice Lumumba a few months after Congolese independence in 1960.
The United Fruit Company – a US multinational corporation – was responsible for destabilisation efforts in Central America with massive support from the Central Intelligence Agency over control of banana plantations. Using fictitious or forged newspaper reports and anti-communist propaganda techniques, the UFC working closely with the CIA brought down several governments including President Jacobo Arbenz-led government in Guatemala just because he supported his country’s workers’ demands for better working conditions and pay from the company in the country’s banana plantations. So much for interventionism!
Why will Western countries not hold themselves to their own unusually high standards? Why did Canada seize the GoFundMe account which has raised Canadian $7 million from various sources to the protesters? Why were the Canadian authorities trying to choke off the supply lines of food, fuel and other goods that have sustained the protesters? Why are the Twitter accounts of the protesters (or sympathisers) heavily monitored or in some cases, banned for “perpetrating hate crimes”?
The Ottawa police said they had launched 60 criminal investigations, issued hundreds of tickets, towed vehicles and made at least 20 arrests since last week. Why arrest “peaceful protesters”? Why threaten anyone attempting to supply the truckers with fuel or other logistics with criminal charges? Could Trudeau and his Western allies have tolerated this if done in Africa or Asia? Or, is Canada exempted from this rule?
The government’s official reasons for blocking the protesters’ funding were that it suspected foreign sponsorship. Does that mean it’s OK and “supporting human rights” for foreign funding/donations – or interventions – to protests in African/Asian countries but it’s “insurrection or treason” to do the same to Canada? Shouldn’t be as Thomas Harris’ book says: I’m OK – You’re OK? If you could be OK with foreign interventions in other countries, you should be OK with it in yours too. That way, Harris says, everyone is Staying OK!
If blocking major roads or other public facilities or causing discomfort to other citizens under the guise of protests in Canada isn’t ok, it shouldn’t be ok anywhere else. If not for the double-faced Trudeau’s morality which is now facing karma, there is nothing peaceful about denying other citizens their rights simply because others are protesting. One’s right to freedom of association must never prevent other people’s rights to freedom of movement. Both are rights guaranteed by the constitution and the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For over two weeks, some people blocked major roads in Nigeria, to the West and Canada, it’s about their right to protest: it’s human rights. It doesn’t appear we are ready for this conversation!
Canada’s case with the Ottawa protesters is analogous to what Jesus Christ said in Luke 4:23: “Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal thyself’.” The key lesson I learned from the Ottawa protests is: Whatever you cannot take, don’t expect others to take it. Trudeau should apply his own “process of dialogue” now in handling the #FreedomConvoy2022 now for the world to learn how best to deal with such situations!
NB: Nothing in this write-up should suggest the writer is in any way in support of the anti-vaxxerdemands of the #FreedomConvoy2022. He, however, supports their rights to legitimately express themselves and without the denial of other citizens their rights to freedom of movement and other rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Adigun, an accidental writer, sends this piece from Lagos. He can be followed on Twitter using @MrLekanAdigun

© PUNCH.

HURIWA Hails NDLEA, Says IGP Should Arrest Abba Kyari Now

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Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, on Monday, applauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for placing devotion above personal interest and sentiments.
The civil society organisation commended the anti-drug agency under the leadership of its Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), for declaring the suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, wanted over alleged links to drug trafficking.
In a statement, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Baba Usman, to stop shielding Kyari and immediately arrest him.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, had chronicled how Kyari belonged to a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline.
Babafemi said, “After the Agency gave the officer the green light to play along, he and Kyari began a WhatsApp call for the rest of the day. The officer conveyed “their” willingness to play the game.”
The NDLEA spokesman added, “He (Kyari) also brought with him the money from the sale of the 5kg share of the NDLEA team, a total of $61, 400. Our officer, however, preferred to take the money inside his car. Well, the car was wired with sound and video recorders. And the moment was documented, part of which I will play for you at the end of this briefing.
Abba Kyari
“So we have a trove of intelligence, hard facts, from chats to photos and video and a detailed transcript of the communication between him and the NDLEA officer.
“DCP Abba Kyari was invited by NDLEA for debriefing on Thursday February 10 through two main channels because there is a whole lot of questions begging for answers. The invitation was legitimate and formal according to our protocol. But up till the close of office hours on Friday, February 11, he refused to respond. Up till this moment, he hasn’t responded.
“Having failed to honour the official invitation, NDLEA has no option but to declare DCP Abba Kyari of the Nigerian Police wanted, right from this very moment.”
Reacting, HURIWA recalled how Kyari was indicted in 2021 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States for his alleged role in a $1m scam allegedly perpetrated by alleged international Internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, aka, Hushpuppi and five others.
FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, had said he obtained voice calls and WhatsApp conversations between Kyari and Hushpuppi, adding that Hushpuppi also paid the police officer N8m or $20,600 for the arrest and detention of a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent.
The United States Attorney’s Office at the Central District of California had ordered the FBI to arrest Kyari but the IGP and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) evasively continued to shield Kyari till this moment.
Commenting, HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said, “Now that the NDLEA has declared Kyari wanted for drug trafficking offences in the face of glaring and incontrovertible evidence as stated by a statutory law enforcement institution, the IGP has no excuse but to immediately arrest the cop for prosecution by the NDLEA.  Everything covered has been revealed on the rooftop, if the mind-boggling allegations of NDLEA are anything to go by. Truth is like light, any attempt to cover it always fail, if all things being equal and if the prima face evidential allegations of NDLEA is factually accurate.
“The Police Service Commission must also immediately dismiss Kyari from the engagement of the Nigeria Police Service.
“The NDLEA should immediately promote the officer who exposed Kyari. HURIWA commends the officer for standing for truth and for not compromising in the face of alleged tempting offer by suspected fronts attempting to cover up for the accused police officer Alhaji Kyari. Security agents must also take note that nothing must happen to the NDLEA officer. S/he must be given maximum protection henceforth.
“The NDLEA has started a fearless job, it must not be cowered or intimidated by powers that be who obviously would want to circumvent the process of justice. The NDLEA must be firm and resolute; it must not backtrack its discovery. The agency must diligently see to the prosecution of Kyari and everyone involved no matter how highly placed they are in the society. There must be no sacred cows in this matter. Anything contrary is a mockery of the anti-corruption war of the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Copyright PUNCH.

How Abba Kyari Negotiated Release Of 25kg Cocaine, Offered $61, 400 Cash –NDLEA

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has chronicled how it nabbed suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari in a drug deal.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, narrated that Kyari belonged to a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline.
Babafemi said Kyari contacted an officer of the Agency in January 2022 and tried to seal a deal.
He said, “Let me give a synopsis of what transpired. The saga started on Friday, January 21, 2022, when DCP Kyari initiated a call to one of the NDLEA officers in Abuja at 2:12 pm. When the officer returned the call two minutes later, Kyari informed him he was coming to see him, to discuss an operational matter after the Juma’at service.
“He (Kyari) appeared at the agreed venue of the meeting with the officer and went straight to the crux of the matter. This was it: His team had intercepted and arrested some traffickers that came into the country from Ethiopia with, according to him, 25kg of cocaine.
“He proposed a drug deal whereby he and his team are to take 15kg of the cocaine and leave 10kg for the prosecution of the suspects arrested with the illicit drug in Enugu. In the meantime, the purloined cocaine will be replaced with a dummy worth 15kg. He asked the NDLEA officer to persuade men of the FCT Command, to play along as well.
“By 11: 05 am on Monday, January 24, after the Agency gave the officer the green light to play along, he and Kyari began a WhatsApp call for the rest of the day. The officer conveyed “their” willingness to play the game.

  1. “At this point, Kyari disclosed that the 15kg (already taken out) was shared between the informants that provided information for the seizure and he and his men of the IRT of the Nigerian Police. According to him, the informants were given 7kg while his team took 8kg which was already sold.
    “He (Kyari) then offered to pay the NDLEA team (that is the officer and the FCT commander) by selling, on their behalf, half of the remaining 10kg, thereby further reducing the original cocaine for the prosecution to just 5kg. At N7m per kilogram, the proceed from the 5kg would amount to N35m, at the exchange rate of N570 per dollar being the black market rate for the day, January 24, 2022. In effect, he would be delivering $61, 400 to the NDLEA team.
    “He (Kyari) put pressure on our officer to wrap up the arrangement with the commander of the FCT Command to take custody of the drug and suspects from his men who were on ground in Abuja. At the time, he was speaking from Lagos, where he allegedly travelled for private business.
    “The next day January 25, Kyari offered to send his younger brother to deliver the payment while his men deliver the suspects, but our officer turned down the suggestion, insisting he would rather deal with him in person and was therefore prepared to wait for him to return from Lagos.
    “And by 5: 23 pm, Kyari was in Abuja and met with the officer at the same rendezvous where they had the first meeting. In their discussion, he disclosed how his team received the information from a double-crosser who betrayed the traffickers to him, showing a sordid connection between law enforcement agents and the drug underworld; he narrated how acting on the tip-off, his team departed Abuja to Enugu and arrested the traffickers, removed part of the consignment on his instruction and replaced same with dummies.
    “He (Kyari) also indicated how to identify the remnant of the original cocaine that would be delivered to NDLEA, five original packages marked with red dots. The reason for this was to avoid the dummies being subjected to test. He forwarded a picture of the marked original cocaine package. According to the plan, once the 5kg cocaine has been tested in the presence of the suspects and confirmed positive, there would be no need to test the remaining ones, being dummies.
    “He (Kyari) also brought with him the money from the sale of the 5kg share of the NDLEA team, a total of $61, 400. Our officer, however, preferred to take the money inside his car. Well, the car was wired with sound and video recorders. And the moment was documented, part of which I will play for you at the end of this briefing.
    “DCP Abba Kyari was invited by NDLEA for debriefing on Thursday February 10 through two main channels because there is a whole lot of questions begging for answers. The invitation was legitimate and formal according to our protocol. But up till the close of office hours on Friday, February 11, he refused to respond. Up till this moment, he hasn’t responded.
    “Having failed to honour the official invitation, NDLEA has no option but to declare DCP Abba Kyari of the Nigerian Police WANTED, right from this very moment.”
    The PUNCH had earlier reported that Kyari was indicted in 2021 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States for his alleged role in a $1m scam allegedly perpetrated by alleged international Internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, aka, Hushpuppi and five others.
    FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, had said he obtained voice calls and WhatsApp conversations between Kyari and Hushpuppi, adding that Hushpuppi also paid the police officer N8m or $20,600 for the arrest and detention of a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent.
    The United States Attorney’s Office at the Central District of California had ordered the FBI to arrest Kyari but the IGP and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) evasively continued to shield Kyari till this moment.
    © PUNCH.

At Last, ASUU Declares Nationwide Strike

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared a “comprehensive and total” strike.
The strike was declared at a press conference addressed by the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Monday.
He said the strike, which commences on Monday,

February 14, 2022, would last for an initial period of four weeks.
Members of the union’s National Executive Council had held marathon meetings since Saturday at the University of Lagos titled, ‘NEC for NEC.’
ASUU had sensitised and mobilised lecturers and students across all universities on the reason the union might likely go on strike.
Backgound
The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021, given the federal government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands.
The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action.
After the union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution; promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System Payment, none of its demands had been met.
Following the threat, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, promised that the union would be paid.
A few weeks after, ASUU suspended the planned strike, as N22.1 billion earned allowances were paid to lecturers in federal universities.

On the heels of the union’s renewed agitations, the co-chairmen of the National Inter-religious Council, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, visited the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), last month, over the lack of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding the government signed with ASUU in 2009 and others.
Details later…

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Just In: WAEC Releases 2021 GCE Results For The Five Member Countries

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The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2021 second series West African Senior School Certificate Examination for private candidates.

Patrick Areghan addressing newsmen at Lagos National Office said the examination was conducted at the same time throughout the five-member countries, including Nigeria.

And that of “A total of 52, 973 candidates registered ft the examination. The conduct of the examination took place from Friday, November 12, 2021 to Wednesday, December 22, 2021.”
Details later…

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BREAKING: NDLEA Declares Suspended DCP Abba Kyari Wanted Over Drug Links

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The news reaching our news desk has it that the embattled super cop and suspended DCP Abba Kyari is declared wanted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday over alleged links with an international drug cartel.

Reporting from the announcement made the NDLEA via thier Spokesperson Mr. Femi Babafemi, during a short press conference held in its Headquarters.

This was coming after DCP Kyari was involved in an internet fraud scandal involving Hushpuppi.

It will be recalled that Kyari, until his suspension by the commission, was the officer-in-charge of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team.

Treatment for your water

It was a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America had earlier indicted him in the case of fraud involving Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

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End Your Goal Drought, Rangnick Tells Ronaldo After Southampton Defeat

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Ralf Rangnick admits Manchester United need to show a sharper cutting edge as the interim boss urged Cristiano Ronaldo to end his barren run in front of goal.
United paid the price for poor finishing in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at struggling Burnley and last week’s shock FA Cup defeat against second tier Middlesbrough.

Despite the presence of Portugal superstar Ronaldo in their attack, United have scored more than once in just three of their nine league matches under Rangnick.
Ronaldo has gone five games without a goal in all competitions and looked unhappy when he left the pitch at full-time after his substitute appearance against Burnley.
The 37-year-old, United’s top scorer this season with 14 goals, last went five games without a goal in club football at Real Madrid in 2010.

Rangnick knows Ronaldo’s goals are essential to United’s hopes of a successful end to the season, but he wants the rest of the team to shoulder some of the burden as well.
“It’s not only about Cristiano Ronaldo. That he should score more goals is obvious,” Rangnick told reporters ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Southampton.
“I think we are creating enough chances and enough opportunities in the last couple of games but we just didn’t score enough goals.

“But this is not only an issue with Cristiano, it’s also an issue with all the other players, especially with the offensive players, that we do not score enough goals if you bear in mind how many chances we create.
“This is also something that needs to get better in the next couple of weeks.”

Reports this week claimed some of United’s players are unhappy with Rangnick’s dour style and his use of assistant Chris Armas.
It was reported Rangnick’s stars were likening former United States international Armas to fictional American coach Ted Lasso in an unflattering comparison.

Lasso is the hapless American selected to manage fictional side AFC Richmond in a current television comedy.
Rangnick refused to be drawn on that report, saying: “Now it’s about rewarding ourselves and getting also the results that we should deserve.”
United are sixth in the Premier League after the draw at Burnley dented their top four ambitions, with captain Harry Maguire’s role in the equaliser at Turf Moor leading to renewed scrutiny of the England defender’s shaky performances.
“I think he had an outstanding game against West Ham, like all the rest of our backline,” Rangnick said.
“Against Middlesbrough, we didn’t give away that many chances and at Burnley, yes, we could have defended that transitional moment better than we did.”
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Executive Order 10 Illegal, You Overstepped Your Bounds, S’Court Tells Buhari

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The Supreme Court, in a split decision of six Justices to one, on Friday in Abuja nullified the Executive Order 10 initiated by the President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to grant financial autonomy to the State Judiciary and Legislature.

The apex court held that the Executive Order 10 was inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and therefore unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect.

In a judgment by Justice Muhammed Dattijo in the suit by the 36 states against the Federal Government, the court rejected the request of the 36 state governments for an order to compel the Federal Government to take up funding of capital projects for State High Courts, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal.

The Justices also refused to grant an order sought by the 36 state governors to compel the Federal Government to pay them N66bn being an amount they claimed to have so far spent on capital projects for the three courts in their respective states.

Six Justices led Mohammed Musa Dattijo agreed that the contentious Executive Order 10 violated the provisions of the 1999 Construction which clearly stipulates the functions and powers of heads of each arm of the government.
“This country is still a federation and the 1999 Constitution it operates is a federal one.

The Constitution provides a clear delineation of powers between the state and the “The President has overstepped the limit of his constitutional powers by issuing the Executive Order 10. The country is run on the basis of the rule of law,” Justice Mohammed said in the lead majority judgment.

According to them, President Muhammad Buhari over-stepped his bounds with the Executive Order 10 and thereby engaged in breach of the constitution and usurpation of powers of heads of other arms of government.

The six Justices are Muhammed Dattijo, Centus Chima Nweze, Hellen Ogunwumiju, Emmanuel Agim, Ejembi Eko and Adamu Jauro.
Only Justice Uwani Abba-Aji gave endorsement to the Order 10, adding that it was in line with the provisions of the Constitution to enforce the separation of powers and functions.
“We are not unaware of the hanky-panky, subterfuge played by state governors against the independence and financial autonomy of state judiciary.
“It is a pitiable eyesore what judicial officers and staff go through financially at the hands of state executives, who often flout constitutional and court orders to their whims and caprices.
“Thus, the presidential Executive Order 10 is meant to facilitate the implementation of the constitutional provisions…the Executive Order is to aid the states legislature and judiciary in curing the constitutional wrong of their financial autonomy which the state have always denied.

This is not unconstitutional.
However, four of the seven-man panel of Justices turned down the request of the 36 state governors for an order of the apex court to compel the Federal Government to take up funding of capital projects for state High Courts, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal,
The four Justices upheld the opposition of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two other senior lawyers, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), and Musibawu Adetumbi (SAN), on the issue.
They upheld the arguments of Malami, Magaji and Adetunbi to the effect that capital projects for the three courts should be funded by the states and not the Federal Government.
The apex court Justices specifically agreed with Adetunbi (SAN) who was one of the amici curiae, that the 1999 Constitution had sufficiently provided the manner the federal and states should fund their courts.
They further upheld his submission that part of the load that the Constitution wanted the Federal Government to carry was narrowed down in Section 84(7) while Section 121 also narrowed down the load it wanted the state governments to carry.
Adetunbi’s opposition against the Executive Order 10 and his prayer that it should be declared illegal, unconstitutional, voided and set aside was also upheld.
The four Justices are Mohammed Musa Dattijo,Centus Chima Nweze, Hellen Ogunwumiju and Uwani Musa Abba-Aji.
With the majority decision, the state governments are to continue the funding of the three courts as they have been doing since 1999.
Attorney General of Abia State had on behalf of 35 others dragged the Attorney General of the Federation before the Supreme Court, praying for an order to compel the Federal Government to take up funding of capital projects for the three courts on the ground that they remained the courts of the federation and as such the funding of their capital project should flow from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
Their lead counsel, Chief Augustine Alegeh SAN, had argued that the salaries and emoluments of the judges of the three courts were being paid by the Federal Government in line with section 81 of the 1999 Constitution and as such the section should be invoked to place the responsibility of funding their capital projects at the doorsteps of the Federal Government.
The 37 state governments had in their joint suit also applied for an order of the apex court to compel the Federal Government to pay them N66bn being an amount they had so far spent on capital projects for the three courts in their respective states.
However, the AGF represented by Tijani Gazali (SAN), had opposed the request of the states and had urged the apex court to dismiss it.
He had canvassed that since the states had been responsible for the funding of capital projects of the courts since 1999, the position should be maintained.
In the bid to resolve the constitutional logjam, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko, had invited five SANs as Amici Curies (friends of court) for their input in resolving the matter.
However, three out of the five SANs; Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, Olisa Agbakoba and Chief Sebastine Hon, had thrown their weight behind the request of the 36 governors.
In their separate submissions, they had argued that the Federal Government should be responsible for the funding of capital projects for the three courts, since they were courts established for the federation.
Two other senior lawyers, Mahmud Magaji SAN and Musibawu Adetumbi SAN expressed dissenting views on the contentious issue.
They had aligned themselves with the AGF that capital projects for the three courts should be funded by the states and not the FG.

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Despite Deaths, Resignations, MDA’s Bills Keep Rising – ICPC

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offices Commission has said it uncovered fresh 3,309 employment in 26 ministries, departments and agencies.

The commission added that the recruitments were uncovered amidst denials by the respective MDAs.

The ICPC stated that it uncovered the state of employment when it sent an inquiry to the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, on October 8, 2021.

The commission disclosed this in its ethics and integrity scorecard which it made available to our correspondent in Abuja.

The report partly reads, “Although all MDAs visited said there was no employment in 2020, responses to request on recruitment from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation vide letter ref: HCSF/2031/VOL11 dated 8th October, 2021 revealed that 14 MDAs out of the 26 MDAs that obtained waivers from the office of the Head of Civil Service of Federation to carry out recruitment exercise in 2020 were captured in the deployment exercise.
“This reflects a total of 1959 out of 3,309 recruitments approved. However in this survey, all MDAs assessed denied employing staff during the period under review.
“Though personnel of these agencies are regularly exiting the system through retirements, resignations, terminations, dismissals, deaths etc, yet the number of personnel keep rising and the wage bill of the government keeps increasing.”

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Sponsors, Host Unveiled For Return Of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

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Popular television game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, is back.
At an elaborate event on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Payattitude, Payarena and HopePSBank,

which are all companies under UP Group, a payments and financial technology company, were unveiled as sponsors of the new installation of the show, tagged, ‘The Rebirth’.
It was also announced that broadcaster and master of ceremonies, Frank Edoho, will return as the host of the show.

Delivering his keynote speech at the event, the Managing Director of UP, Agada Apochi, stated that the group’s decision to sponsor the show was borne out of the desire to educate, excite and entertain Nigerians by bringing back the game show that keeps families at the edge of their seats.
According to him, the show would help to promote knowledge acquisition and allow Nigerians to realise their economic dreams by winning cash prizes every week for 52 weeks.
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Over 30,000 B’Haram, ISWAP Insurgents Have Surrendered, Says Zulum

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The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said that the government has so far recorded 30,000 surrendered members of the Boko Haram group as well as the Islamic State for West African Province since September 2021.

This is as he revealed that the “defections” are not based on government-based incentives as his administration is not issuing any promissory notes to the terrorists; as a bargaining chip.

Zulum also assured Nigerians that the 12-year Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast will be over before the 2023 general elections.
The governor revealed these to State House Correspondents on Thursday shortly after a meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the State House.
He said, “The ongoing, massive defection of Boko Haram members, this time around, has also started with a defection of ISWAP members. This is a welcome development.
“As of now we, have received nothing less than 30,000 from beginning to date for both Boko Haram and ISWAP.

ISWAP, we have started receiving them in few numbers, but Boko Haram, we have started receiving them in huge numbers.
“The way we are going, with the support of the federal government with good management, Boko Haram will be over very soon.”
On the reasons for the mass surrender, the Governor denied any claims that the terrorists are been baited into surrendering with cash and non-monetary rewards.

Rather, he said the government issues no promissory notes to the terrorists who, he claimed, are surrendering on their own accord.
“The most important thing is that the federal government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Buhari, the Borno State Government, the military, we’re all working in close collaboration to ensure that those that are willing to surrender are given the opportunity to surrender.
“We don’t give any promissory notes to defectors, honestly speaking. As I’ve been saying before, the kinetic measures alone will never end the insurgency.

The social and political dimension of this crisis is very important. So we have decided to engage them through dialogue and mediation, to ensure that many of them lay their arms.
“But you also have to understand one essential thing; there is a difference between those that have been captured and those that have surrendered. People should understand these two unidentical situations. Go back and Google and see the international conventions, rules and regulations. There is a difference between those that have been captured and those that have willingly surrendered,” Zulum explained.
Asked if the insurgency in the Northeast will end before the end of his first tenure in 2023, the Governor said, “Insha Allah. Even now, in Borno State, we’re doing extremely well. You know what I mean by Insha Allah, God willing, it will end before 2023.”
On the purpose of his visit to the President, Zulum said, “In a closed-door session with Mr President, we discussed a lot of issues and how the government of Borno State, as well as the federal government, will manage the ongoing surrender by the insurgents.
“So far, so good, the objective has started yielding positive results. Apart from this also, in Borno State, for example, as I told you last time, we had problems on the shores of Lake Chad as well as in southern Borno.
“I’m pleased to inform you that there was a very heavy military deployment into southern Borno. And I hope such a deployment will also take place in northern Borno to clear the ISWAP insurgents in the Lake Chad. So, this has also yielded positive results.
“And then on the relocation of the two local Government Area that last time, I said are not occupied by human beings, we are also doing very well with the military to see how we can return the population. The military has also given us the go-ahead.

So, we’re working with them to see how we can return them. Things are getting better in Borno State, and this is the major reason why I came to see Mr President.”
Quizzed on the kind of assistance he currently needs from the Federal Government, the governor said the recently inaugurated Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Returns, and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the Northeast is working to ensure that normalcy returns to the region.
“The mandate of this committee, among others, also includes the management of repentant terrorists. I think this committee is strong enough to give the desired support to the programme,” he explained.
On managing the soaring numbers of out-of-school children in the Northeast, the Governor argued that beyond building classrooms, his administration is also recruiting teachers to boost education in the resettling communities.
Zulum said, “You have seen the massive number of schools that we’ve built in Borno state.

This morning, the Yobe state government has launched education fundraising. And then the Borno State Government has been recruiting many teachers because what matters is not only the construction of classrooms. So the government at the sub-regional level is working to tackle the issues of lack of education among others.”

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Quest For Riches As Four Teenage Girls Caught With Human Heads In Lagos

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A group of four teenage girls who are said to be students of a secondary school in Lagos have been reportedly caught with human parts concealed inside their school bags for alleged money ritual.

According to reports, the young girls were discovered after a taxi driver who carried them raised an alarm that he perceived foul odour from his cab.

The driver is said to have handed the girls to the gateman of the school and when their school bags were checked, human heads were found inside.

Law enforcement officers reportedly swung into action and the girls were arrested.

The incident is coming at a time when the prevalence of ritual killing among youths is in the limelight.

Only a few weeks back, there was a national uproar when four teenagers in Ogun State were caught in the act performing money ritual after they had beheaded the girlfriend of one of the members of the gang.

The young boys who claimed they had gotten the procedures for the ritual via Facebook were burning the young girl’s head in a pot when they were caught.

Similarly, two minors, both aged 15 were caught in the act trying to use a 14-year-old girl for rituals in Bayelsa.

Woman Found Sleeping On The Street After Spending 25Years In Uk

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Woman who spent 25years in UK found sleeping on the street of Lagos after her tenant sold her house

After 25-years of labour in the UK, 65-year-old woman deported to Nigeria to meet the shock of her life in the hands of her tenant who sold her house.

According to a Twitter user who mistook the woman for a mentally disabled individual met her sleeping under the bridge where he made effort to get her help.

@diixixme on the micro-blogging platform narrated the story of the woman how she lost her house despite efforts using the Nigeria Police.

“I saw this woman yesterday, at Festac 5th avenue by 51 road sleeping around 5th avenue t junction i thought she’s mad woman someone told me she’s not mad I decided to meet her this night & ask here the problem she begin to tell me her story in brief that she was deported from UK And her tenant sold the house, she reported the case to Police, Police compromise the case and take her to detention she was detained for 3 months I really pity her because her situation need serious attention so, I decided to collect her number and bring her case here.

Her name is Florence Owanogo, 65 years old anyone that is willing to help should come to festac 5th avenue by 51 road junction where she now sleep and her house address that was sold is house 23 M close 5th avenue.

She spent 25 years in UK struggling just imagine this kind of wickedness I said to her ma’am, all i can do for you is to take your case to social media we might find someone who is willing to help she said is alright & I asked for her permission to snap her she said is alright,” the Twitter user wrote.

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Remains Of 33-Year-Old Nurse, Late Miss Chidinma Anthonet Nwoye, Laid To Rest At Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Council, Anambara Area

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  1. Eyes were red, tears rolled down the cheeks, and atmosphere filled with various rhetorical questions such as “Chidinma Why? ” Chidinma why do you have to leave now?, as members of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, family, and friends of late Miss Chidinma Anthonet Nwoye of Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, gathered from East, West, North and South of Nigeria to bid last farewell to the deceased.

Late Miss Chidinma Anthonet Nwoye, a professional nurse, also know as “Abata Ekilive”, died at the age of thirty-three, and was until her demise, the Secretary of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives(NANNM), Anambra state Council.

As a devoted member of the Anambra state NANNM, the remains of late Miss Chidinma was first taken to Nurses House in Awka where members of the union in a unique way paid their last respect to their fallen hero, and then proceeded to the deceased country home at Ifite -Awkuzu, for laying-in-state.

The deceased was later taken to St Michael The Archangel Catholic Church Ifite-Awkuzu for special mass, where the Parish Priest of the church, Reverend Father Hygenus Nwando asked Christians to live everyday as though it is the day to meet their creator, pointing out that death is a necessary end for all mortal, and no one knows when it comes.

  1. In a remark, the Chairman Anambra state Council of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Comrade Edith Onwuka described late Miss Chidinma as an industrious, hardworking, and peace loving lady who throughout her life time contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the association, and was instrumental to various achievements recorded recently in the Anambra NANNM, including the erection of the union’s Secretariat, and prayed for eternal repose of her soul.

We Are Back To Serve You Better Than Ever

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The management and staff of Gisthubmedia24 in sincerity of heart and in appreciation for your support so far wish to apologise to our teaming fan and supporters all over the world for our temporary absence from the space, it was due to serious maintenance and installation of new tech-codes to enable us serve you better.

We are aware and sorry for any inconveniences it this long absence might have caused you.

We are glad to announce to you that we are fully back and better now but not without some challenges.

 

We look forward to receive your adverts and promotions at affordable rate.

We use this medium to appeal for your support in the following areas:

1. We need two (2) boom microphone for our outdoor interviews.

2. We have a need for 3clip microphone for indoor/studio interviews.

3. Gisthub24.com is dare need of digital video/still cameras for quality pictures and video recording of our live and interviews

4. We also need studio lightings and gadgets.

5. We need laptops and generating set for our editing services and 24 hour power supply.

This and lots more are what we need for effective services round the clock and we promise you a quality outings even as we still expect this equipments.

We will be glad if you can assist us with any of these listed items or support us to get them either by providing the item or by cash.

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Management

Chief Vincent Amechi Obianodo CEO Young Shall Grow Motors

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Many people have heard of The Young Shall Grow Motors, a leading long-distance luxurious transport company in Nigeria with over 500 luxurious buses which moves to and fro on Nigerian roads. But not many know Chief Vincent Amaechi Obianodo, The owner of this giant transport company who started life as a vulcanizer and a bus conductor In Kano State.

Chief Vincent Obianodo was born on August 10, 1947, in Umueze village, Neni in Anambra State. He spent his early life in his hometown and when he became a teenager, he discovered that he had nothing to show or rely on, then he moved to Kano state in search of greener pastures and a better life. In Kano state, Chief Vincent Obianodo learnt how to fix punctured tyres and became perfect at it (a time when few people could do it), hence he had a lot of customers queuing up to fix tyres for their bicycles, motorbikes, and vehicles.

Chief Vincent Obianodo continued fixing tyres just for a few more years before he decided to go into the transportation business as a bus conductor. This was what he did until 1972 when he had gathered enough money to buy his bus. After acquiring maximum knowledge on how the transportation business works, he then decided to stop working as a bus conductor and he acquired a mini-bus to ply from Enugu to Onitsha route.

As his business grew, In 1973 he relocated his business operations from Onitsha to Lagos and ventured into a more developed transport business, which he started with two locally built Mercedes Benz 911 buses. After seven years of operating in Lagos, the number of buses he owned increased from 2 to 40 alongside his transport business. He also engaged in the delivery of goods which also boosted the success of his business.

Chief Vincent Obianodo’s exceptional customer service delivery also got many people patronizing his transport business and by 1978, he decided to expand his business further by opening up a new interstate route, plying from Lagos to Onitsha to Owerri. He also bought a Mercedes Benz 0362 luxury bus for this purpose. This expansion gained his business more fame and within 6 years, his number of buses grew to 150. Owing to the success of the business, Chief Vincent Incorporated his business in 1984 so he could fully cover every possible part of Nigeria, as a leading inter-state luxury bus company.

Today, The Young Shall Grow Motors is one of the largest luxury bus companies in Nigeria with more than 500 buses that ply almost every route in Nigeria as well as other west African countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali and The Benin Republic.

Chief Vincent Obianodo success doesn’t stop at transportation, it also includes other sectors like Hospitality, Oil and Gas, Real estate etc.

Conclusion: Anyone can achieve anything If they are not just smart, but also take advantage of opportunities whenever they are present.

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Durbar Hotel: Court Fixes April 4 For Abacha Family To Prove Ownership

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A Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Hannatu Balogun has fixed April 4th, 2022 for proof of case in the suit brought before it by Durbar Hotel Plc. against the Kaduna State Government.
The family a late former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, had dragged the state government before the court over alleged illegal demolition of the property; alleged plans by the State government to take over the property despite pending appeal on the matter at the Supreme Court, which the state government filed challenging the verdicts of lower courts.
At the resumed hearing of the suit on Thursday, counsel for the defendants, Mustapha A.U. (SAN), represented by Sule Umar told, the court that the defendants had filed a case of change of counsel.
The hotel, located along Muhammadu Buhari Way (WAFF road) by Independence Way in the metropolis, is demanding a declaration that it is the titleholder of the parcel of land measuring about 5.378 hectares and covered by Kaduna State Certificate of Occupancy No 17789, Kaduna North Local Government Area.
A declaration that the demolition of the plaintiff’s property situates and lying at General Certificate of Occupancy of 7th May 1990 by the Kaduna State Government is unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void.
The hotel is also asking the court for an order of injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, privies, and whosoever from transferring, assigning or selling in any way part of the property.
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Buhari ‘Reluctantly’ Congratulates Senegal On AFCON Victory

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has congratulated the Republic of Senegal on its victory at the just-concluded African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Buhari spoke on Thursday when he received the Ambassador of Senegal, Babacar Ndiaye, in a farewell audience at State House, Abuja, asking him to convey the congratulations of Nigeria to President Macky Sall on the victory of the Teranga Lions at AFCON.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled, ‘President Buhari bids Senegal Ambassador goodbye, congratulates country on AFCON victory.’
“I’m sending the congratulations reluctantly because our own country got beaten in the tournament,” the President jocularly told the diplomat.
He lauded Ndiaye for a successful tour of duty in Nigeria, which lasted almost four years, and observed that “our relationship is very strong. I congratulate your President for keeping the country together. Please extend my best wishes to him.”
Buhari also wished the outgoing Ambassador success in his next tour of duty.
On his part, the outgoing Ambassador said Nigeria was like a second home to him, having first served in the consular section of his Embassy before he returned as Ambassador for almost four years.
“Thanks for the success of my term. I will always have good memories of Nigeria,” he said.

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RRS Arrests Tricycle Operators’ Leader, Four Others, Recovers Guns In Lagos

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The Rapid Response Squad on Thursday arrested a leader of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Azeez Abiola, and four others for attempting to cause mayhem in the Agege area of the state.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the RRS said it also recovered a pump action gun in the area.
This is following an earlier warning by the Lagos State government for troublemakers to steer clear of the Agege and Abule Egba areas.
The RRS said, “Alhaji Azeez Abiola, alias istijaba was arrested along with Yusuf Azeez, a.k.a Araba (42), Kazeem Akinbode a.k.a Womi (43), Taofiq Odewale, a.k.a Omo Iya Agba (38) and Moses Abiodun, a.k.a Orobo (34).
“They were arrested in Agege while leading a team of supporters to NURTW headquarters in Agege, an action which the authority believed would trigger violence and chaos in other parts of the metropolis.
“While police arrested Azeez Abiola and four other suspects, a pump action gun was recovered from the area where some of his supporters who fled to evade arrest were standing.
“The state government had earlier today warned that it would deal decisively with people trying to foment trouble in Agege and Abule Egba after it got intelligence that some hoodlums were trying to cause pandemonium.
“While government appealed to aggrieved persons to explore legitimate channels to seek redress, it directed Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi to reinforce patrol of Agege and Abule Egba in order to forestall breakdown of law and order.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, has directed CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi to transfer the suspects and the exhibit to the State Command for further investigations.”
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Second Niger Bridge Named After Buhari, Not Jonathan -Bashir Ahmad

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Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has said the Second Niger Bridge is named after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and not his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan.
Ahmad had shared a video of the 1.6km bridge on social media, describing it as a major connection point between two economically vital regions in Nigeria.
He tweeted, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Muhammadu Buhari Bridge (MBB), a 1.6KM Bridge that will be a major connection point between two economically vital regions in Nigeria.”
However, one Twitter user, @Arizona_CF, objected, saying, “The name is 2nd Niger bridge. Any other name doesn’t stand a chance.”
@Greenaetion said, “It is not Muhammadu Buhari Bridge and it can never be. It wasn’t Buhari who initiated the project nor did he use his salary to construct the Bridge. That’s 2nd Niger Bridge or Southern Link Bridge.”
In response, Ahmad tweeted, “So, can we call it Goodluck Jonathan Bridge for sketching the bridge? The bridge is to be called ‘Muhammadu Buhari Bridge’, read the name again and let it sink in your head.”
The Second Niger Bridge is being constructed to ease the burden on the Niger Bridge which links Onitsha and Asaba.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge was performed in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
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Breaking News: Gunmen Kill Three Policemen At Enugu Checkpoint

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There is palpable tension in the Enugu metropolis on Thursday afternoon as gunmen killed three policemen at a checkpoint in Enugu State.

The incident was said to have happened around 1:20 pm at a police checkpoint near Ulumalinda Estate by Maryland suburb of the Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.
The gunmen were said to have kidnapped a woman along the road after the operation which eyewitnesses told our correspondent that lasted for about 30 minutes without challenge.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the hoodlums robbed a POS mobile money operator after a stray bullet hit her.
When contacted, the police public relations officer, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident but didn’t provide details.
He simply said, “details are sketchy but a manhunt has been launched for the attackers.”

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Trader Lynched For Abducting Child From IDP Camp In Niger State

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A man caught abducting a three-year-old boy from the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Gwada, in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, has been beaten to death by youths in the community.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Shiroro LGA, Mallam Suleiman Chukuba, said that the man was killed for abducting a child but he was yet to be briefed about the incident.
“The security people called me to tell me that a man was killed for abducting a child from IDP camp in Gwada but I am yet to be briefed on exactly what happened. It is true that someone was killed, that is all I can say for now,” he said.
The man identified as a trader was said to have disguised as a woman before going into the camp to steal the child.
The deceased was said to have been caught when the boy he abducted was struggling.
While being questioned, the man dropped the boy and took to his heels which attracted more people to chase him.
An eyewitness said that the man was beaten to death by the youths who were angered by his intention to abduct a child from the IDP camp.
© PUNCH.

Breaking News: SSS Arrests Media Activist, Arogundade, At Lagos Airport

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The Executive Director of the International Press Institute based in Lagos and former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Mr Lanre Arogundade, has been arrested by officials of the State Security Service.
Arogundade was arrested on arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday.
He had travelled to The Gambia to attend and conduct a training programme on Conflict Reporting for Journalists, organised by the UNESCO (Gambia) and International Press Institute.
No reason has been given for his arrest as of the time of filing this report.
His arrest was disclosed in a statement titled, ‘Demand For Unconditional Release Of Lanre Arogundade From Illegal Custody Of State Security Service,’ signed by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana.
“We have confirmed that his name is not on Watch List. Hence, he was not prevented from travelling out of Nigeria. We have equally confirmed that he did not commit any offence in The Gambia to warrant his arrest and detention by security agencies in Nigeria,” Falana said in the statement.
“In fact, Mr Arogundade conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria throughout his stay in The Gambia. Even though the State Security Service said that Mr Arogundade has no right to enter Nigeria, he has not been sent back to the Gambia or any other country that might have been adopted for him. Since the harassment of Mr Arogundade cannot be justified, we are compelled to demand his immediate and unconditional release from the illegal custody of the State Security Service.”

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Sit-At-Home: IPOB Agrees With Abaribe, Says Kanu Didn’t Give Order In South-East

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The Indigenous People of Biafra has taken sides with statements credited to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, never ordered the sit-at-home home currently being observed in the South-East.
Abaribe, had last week told a section of the media, after meeting with Kanu, that the IPOB leader told him, he never gave instruction for any sit-at-home home in the region.
In a statement on Thursday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said, “It is true, statements from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, because we stated it before now that our leader, Nnamdi Kanu, through his lawyers had asked IPOB members and leadership precisely, the DOS, to stop Monday sit-at-home order.
“Those enforcing the non-existent Monday sit-at-home order killing and burning down properties belonging to Biafrans will incur the wrath of IPOB in due cause.”
The group expressed its worry that the Monday sit-at-home is still being observed in the South-East, despite its cancellation.
It, therefore, dissociated itself from those enforcing what it termed, “non-existent Monday sit-at-home order”, saying they were not members of IPOB.
The group urged the people of the region to ignore such people and go about their normal business, claiming that they are enemies and traitors in the “freedom struggle”.
It added, “We are watching them because soon their cups will be full and overflow. If you know you are truly for Biafra freedom don’t fall into these liars and deceivers because the truth will soon emerge.
“They will soon regret their actions because they are not IPOB members and don’t know or understand what IPOB is capable of doing. They must regret what they are doing in our land. Their actions are detestable both to God and to man. Such people have nothing in common with IPOB.
“This recent information and statement from Senator Abaribe has vindicated our legal team and DOS who obliged the information from our lawyers who indicated how our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, instructed us to stop Monday sit-at-home.”
The statement continues, “Those in America and some parts of Europe, issuing fake orders to blackmail IPOB and its operational leadership that the lawyers lied should be ready to embrace what is to come against them. It’s better everybody hears Senator Abaribe, but those claiming to be Nnamdi Kanu disciples and using it to change IPOB strategy will regret their actions.
“Again, it has come to the knowledge of great family of IPOB that they are now peddling lies against IPOB and our leader that he sidetracked the people of Ebonyi State in the leadership of IPOB. Such tissue of lies do not merit any response as doing so will amount to dignifying it.
“The truth is that the entire Biafraland is fully represented in the leadership of IPOB. The gullible minds are following the gimmicks and antics these ‘confusionists’ are using to deceive them. IPOB is one family today, tomorrow and forever and nothing will change that strategy which is holding us together till eternity.”

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Angry Catholic Priest Bans Igbo Songs In Church In Lagos.

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The Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Rev. Fr. James Anelu has banned Igbo songs and choruses in his Church.

The Priest who angrily stopped a soul lifting chorus during the second collection said the Igbos cannot keep dominating other people even in his Church.

He sighted the case of his Benin Diocese where Igbos dominate to the point of becoming the Bishop in person of Akubueze.

Rev. Fr. James Anelu said that the spirit of God in any place recognises only languages indigenous to that geographical location.

On saying this, the entire congregation went up in tumultuous uproar, leading to abrupt dismissal as people massively walked out of the Mass.

The News Gazette

Man Lauds Akpabio For Spending Over 25 Million Naira To Save His Life

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An ICT expert, Mr Destiny Young has taken to social media platforms to thank the Minister for Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio for donating huge amount of money that helped rescue him from kidney failure.

Read below his appreciative post :

An Open Thank You Message to Senator Godswill Akpabio

I write you this open Thank You Message to acknowledge what GOD has used you to do in my life.

For months and years back, I had been battling with stage 3 Kidney failure. It got to a point where my personal resources failed me and I almost gave up. This was when friends activated an online campaign to rally funding support for me to undergo comprehensive medical procedure. Through providence, you intervened to bear the burden of what it will financially take to give me hope for a new life. You sent a contact to ask me to immediately move to a medical facility where you had originally deposited N8million. You gave orders that my treatment be commenced immediately.

After series of medical examination, it was established I need a Kidney transplant to survive and this you actionably ordered the procedure to advance to conclusion. You bore the financial burden, having expended over N25million to ensure the operation was successful.

I was moved to tears when you spoke with me a day before the operation and prayed for me for a successful outcome.

Today, I have come out victorious.

What you have done is not strange to many who in one way or the other have been impacted by your humanity.

I will fail in my conclusion of this message if I do not mention the contribution of your adorable wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Unoma Akpabio. She acted swiftly on the day I was scheduled for operation by contacting me to ensure I am ready for the procedure. What she did marvelled me. Thank you Eka Esit Mbom

I use this opportunity to say thank you Senator Godswill Akpabio.

God will continue to empower you with greater privileged opportunities to offer selfless service to humanity.

I am grateful.

God bless you.

Destiny Young, PhD (Cand.)

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A Southerner Cannot Be My Neighbour, Deputy Commissioner Of Police To An Igbo Man In Adamawa

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A Southerner Cannot Be My Neighbour – Dep Commissioner of Police to An Igboman That Bought a Property Near his House in Adamawa.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Babazango (see photo), has allegedly threatened violent attacks against one Vincent Umeh for buying property near his house in Adamawa State.

SaharaReporters learnt that the Police boss, who hails from Adamawa State, claimed he did not want a Southerner as his next-door neighbour.

Babazango, who is currently attached to the Lagos State Police Command, was reportedly infuriated to learn that a Southeasterner was his new neighbour.

SaharaReporters learnt that the property is located at 33, Mohammed Mustapha Way, Opposite Ford Oil, Yola, in Adamawa State.

In a viral audio, Babazango was heard warning Umeh to reverse the purchase deal or face bitter consequences, including no guarantee of his personal safety.

“We’re a homogeneous community, I don’t want you; you can’t be my next door neighbour, I swear. What sort of insult is this? Can any Northerner move now to the South-East, say Onitsha and just bump into any neighborhood to buy a property; just like that?” the DCP queried.

Narrating his ordeal, Umeh said, “I acquired the property late last year from one Ismail Mamman; the transaction was perfected and a title deed was issued to me.

“I was surprised to receive a call from a man who introduced himself as DCP Ibrahim Babazango, a neighbour of Ismail Mamman who sold the property to me. He threatened that I should abandon the property because he could not guarantee my safety as his neighbour.

“I pleaded with him to no avail. I asked him what I did wrong by purchasing the property, at least within the context of the law. He kept yelling that I was not welcome in the neighbourhood and I am a stranger in the community.

“Given his threat, I reported the matter to the police and Department of State Services.”

As it was further gathered, Babazango claimed that his former neighbour sold the property to Umeh without offering him (Babazango) a neighbour, the first right to buy.

When contacted by SaharaReporters, Babazango stood his ground on the threats.

He said, “My neighbour sold the house to a businessman without waiting for me, after I had indicated interest to buy the property. Believe me, I cannot guarantee his safety if he insists on owning the property because as it is; we live like brothers in this area; so for an outsider who is not from this part of the country to buy a property in this area, is unacceptable.

“I have reported the matter to the District Head of Jemita and I will also take him to court if need be.”

On his part, the vendor, Ismail Mamman said, “The property is mine and I sold it to Mr. Vincent Umeh; all the documents were duly signed by me and my brother as witness between us, in the presence of a lawyer after we agreed on a price.

“I had approached him, my former neighbour, DCP Ibrahim Babazango that I wanted to sell my property, he said he would contact his brother but I didn’t get his feedback; so I sold it to a ready buyer. I have no problems with the buyer at all.”

– Sahara Reporters.

Uzodinma Issues Staff-Of-Office To 51 Imo Monarchs

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Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma has issued Staff of Office to 51 newly elected traditional rulers in Imo State with a charge on them to be guided by the tradition and culture of their people.

Also, the Governor advised them to always stand on the side of truth and justice in the discharge of their duties and to be traditional rulers over everybody in their communities.

Earlier, Uzodimma met with the families of the three traditional rulers from Njaba and Okigwe Councils who were killed by bandits last year.

The deceased monarchs were Eze Sampson Osunwa, Eze Edwin Azike and Eze A.E. Duru Eburuo all from Njaba Council while the fourth monarch from Ihitte Ihube in Okigwe was Eze Paul Ogbu.

Uzodimma regretted the circumstances the monarchs were killed, describing their death as a big loss to their families, communities and government.

He used the occasion to call on politicians to desist from using bandits to terrorise Imo people and said government must show concern about the monarchs who were killed because they were among the best in the State.

Uzodimma later handed over Cheques he called “palliatives”to the widows of the slain monarchs as well as to other traditional rulers who survived the bandits attacks but with harrowing experience.

Performing the Staff of Office ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Chamber Government House, Owerri, Friday, Governor Uzodimma reminded the new monarchs that they are not just the custodians of their communities culture and tradition but represent the people and government of the State before the outside world.

He said apart from ensuring that unity and peace reign in their areas, the security of lives of their people should be part of their primary responsibility.

Uzodimma therefore enjoined them to help fish out the bad eggs in their communities whether operating as bandits or unknown gunmen and ensure that they report the activities of the bad people in their domain to government for appropriate action.

He warned that he will not hesitate to dethrone any monarch who chooses to rule over his people from outside his community or makes himself a “visiting Eze.”

The Governor reasoned that the traditional rulers cannot be effective in carrying out their duties, be it tradition, culture, security, peace and unity when they operate from outside, “because security starts with the love of the people.”

“When one is not close to his people there is no way he will know their problems and how best to tackle them.”

On the side of Government, Governor Uzodimma said his administration has taken every necessary measures to improve the security situation in Imo State and that what happened in the past has taught everybody a lesson on how to be proactive in order to nip every identified security breach in the bud.

To that effect, he urged all the traditional rulers, both the old and new ones, to always identify any security breach and inform government promptly.

He also advised them not to be scared or abandon their people that elected them as their Eze “because of security concerns.”

On politics, Governor Uzodimma reminded the monarchs in Imo State that ‘’whereas the Nigerian Constitution guarantees everyone freedom of association, that of the traditional rulers have been bridged.’’

He therefore appealed to them not to allow desperate politicians to contaminate them with their sweet tongue.

On infrastructural development in their domains, the Governor charged them to be involved in the various projects located in their communities as initiated by government.

He advised them to learn how to work in synergy with the leadership of their Town Unions so as to develop and protect their communities, reminding them that they are both the custodians of their people, their investments and facilities in their communities.

He reminded them of his government’s decision to approve N1billion for the renovation of health centres in the 305 INEC Wards in Imo State and charged the monarchs to take ownership of the facilities and ensure the projects succeed.

In the same vein, the Governor reiterated the decision of his government to reconstitute Development Centres, where Town Union Presidents will be made automatic members.

“You are ambassadors of your people and the government of Imo State,” he said and prayed for God’s guidance in the monarchs operations, asking them to, above all, “have the fear of God in whatever they do.”

In a vote of thanks by the traditional ruler of Umuhu Omuma in Oru East LGA, HRH Eze Dr. Clement Ikechukwu Okonkwo on behalf of the others, he thanked God who using the Governor to make the day a success.

Eze Okonkwo pledged their loyalty to the Government of Imo State and their readiness to ensure there is peace and development in their various communities.

He also expressed their gratitude to their people who trusted them enough to preside over their affairs as their traditional rulers by electing them.

The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku, the Acting Chief Judge of Imo, Justice Theresa Chikeka, other key government functionaries, the leadership of the traditional and religious institutions in Imo as well as the kits and kin of the newly honoured monarchs.
Photograph:This is His Royal Highness, Eze Chima Obiadada Nwemeh, ODU 11,of Osuowere, who just received his staff of office yesterday. Eze Chima Nwemeh is the traditional ruler, who replaced his late father, late Eze Ebere Nwemeh, ODU 1,of Osuowere autonomous community.

© Nigerian Horn

JUST IN: Retired RCCG Deputy General Overseer Abiona Is Dead

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The Retired Deputy General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor J.H. Abiona, is dead, The PUNCH has learnt.

An official of the church confirmed the death of the 96-year-old retired DGO of the church to The PUNCH on Saturday.
According to the official who craved anonymity, the church would make an official statement on the passing of Abiona soon.
Abiona was one of the respected elders of the church. He was appointed acting General Superintendent after the death of the founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.
Abiona had handled the transition of the church leadership from Akindayomi to Adeboye and weathered the storm generated by people who were eager to lead the church, despite God’s plan, which had earlier been made known to them.
Respected for his humility and commitment to the work of God in the church, Abiona was known as one of the very few people to pray for Adeboye and his wife, Foluke, during church programmes.
In an earlier interview with a magazine in the church, he had said, “I thank God that we insisted on doing God’s will and today everyone can see that the successor was God’s choice.”

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