Abuja Procures Diesel Multiple Unit, Others For Railway

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has procured four sets of brand new Diesel Multiple Units, Rescue Cranes and Rail Grinding Machines to ensure the restoration of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit service.

The Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Zakari Angulu, made the disclosure at a news conference on Thursday, in Abuja.
Angulu said that the importance of light rail as a means of mass movement of people couldn’t be overemphasized, adding that the service would provide residents with cheap, efficient and safe transportation system.

He added that the restoration of rail service would also provide residents with an environmentally friendly transportation systems as it will serve as additional source of revenue to the FCT administration.
“We visited some stations under the Abuja Rail Mass Transit project namely the Metro Station and Idu Locomotive Yard as part of my familiarisation tour to transportation secretariat project site.

“We saw the urgent need to get the mass transit programme backon track following the long break in operation which came up as part of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the FCT.
“We are back to the drawing board to see how early the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) services will be restored.
“As of today, four sets of brand new Diesel Multiple Units (DMUS) –01,02,03 and 04, Rescue Cranes and Rail Grinding Machines have been delivered.
“Although one of the DMUS was used during the familiarisation tour from Metro Station to Idu Locomotive Yard, efforts are in top gear to rehabilitate the rail facilities that were vandalised so that our planned resumption of passenger service operation can commence as soon as possible.” Angulu said.
Angulu said the secretariat was devising measures that would make movements along the tracks pleasurable and devoid of mishap in order to keep unauthorised persons, including animals away from the tracks.
“While we are desirous of resuming operations with the four DMUS, the Administration is expecting the delivery of the remaining eight sets of DMUs from China in the near future.
”Work will soon resume on the Lot 1A 5.76km (Gbazango to Kubwa) to complete Lots 1 and 3 of the Abuja Light Rail Project.”
The secretary said that the FCT Administration would continue to provide pedestrian bridges at very critical areas where large numbers of people often converge to cross from one end of the road to the other.
“The bridges under construction are as follows; Kitwe Street behind Wuse Market, Kubwa Expressway by Arab Junction, Dutse Alhaji, Lungi Barracks, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Gudu junction, Katampe, Jahi, and Sabon Lugbe. These projects are at various levels of completion,” he said.
Angulu revealed that the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services generated N3,795,634,120.78 between January and end of November, saying ” this is an improvement from the N3,502,783,176.08 generated between January
to December, 2020.”
He assured the directorate that it would intensify efforts in 2022 to surpass the achievements recorded in 2021
NAN
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Allow Peace To Reign Because Of My Son, Naomi Silekunola Pleads

Her Majesty, Queen Silekunola Naomi, has appealed to all “aggrieved persons” to allow peace to reign as she announced her separation from the Ooni of Ife Oba, Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

The 28-year-old evangelist urged all parties involved to allow the peace of God because of her son, Tadenikawo, who the Ooni fathered.
Silekunola, who got married to the monarch in 2018 on Thursday announced that she was no longer in the marriage.
According to her, she tried to make the union work but said the monarch’s public identity is at variance with “his true self”.
“I did my best to endure and make it work; many times, I smiled through the struggle, but I have finally realised I had just one assignment, my son, and when God is done, He is done. He chose Saul to be king, and when He was done, He told the prophet Samuel I have moved on. Religion was never an issue between us; please refer to my interview on News Central TV. Instead, His Majesty has a picture he would love the world to see and perceive him as and another one which is his true self,” the fair-skinned lady posted on her verified social media handles.
The evangelist then declared, “Today I announce the beginning of a new dawn and the close of a chapter. Today, I am a mother to God’s unique gift. I am no longer a slave to my thoughts of perfection. I, at this moment, announce that I shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people and mother of my adorable Prince.”
Moments later, she added, “He is God’s way of saying I know about it all. In situations like this, there will be aggrieved persons. I, at this moment, appeal to all parties involved to allow the peace of God with the consciousness that there is a lovely little boy between us. I thank all of my prayer partners and loved ones.
“I remain committed to all of my projects, charity work and ministry. In this new season, I shall be focusing on God only.”
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PUO Fulfils Promise, Paid School Fees Of Two Children Of The Former Ward Chairman

Hon. Prise Uzoma Okoro (PUO) today Fulfils the promise he made during the burial of the former ward chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Alayi Ward Late Mr. James Ogbonnaya.

On post curled from his Facebook wall he promised to pay the school fees of this his two children for two years he will serve as the Vice Chairman of the Bende Local Government.

Below is the post.

Payment of One year School Fees for Two Children of our Former Party Chairman in Alayi Ward.

Today Thursday December 23rd 2021, I handed over Cash to Mrs Oyiri James, wife of the Late Former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Alayi Ward Late Mr James Ogbonnaya (Obolor) for the payment of one year School Fees of Master Akachukwu James and Master Goodluck James,their two Children currently in a private Secondary School.

This is in Fulfilment of the promise I made during the burial of our later Former Ward Party Chairman sometime this year.

By the Special grace of God, I promised that for the two years I will spend in office as Deputy Chairman, I would pay the school fees of their children.

Mr Uchechukwu Kalu (Akpurukwu) led them to my residence this afternoon.

I wish all politicians should emulate this young man, he still have a long way to go in politics and may God continue to pave way for him. Amen.

The Many Women Linked To Ooni Of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has witnessed three failed marriages in recent times.
Adeyeye Ogunwusi was previously married to Adebukola Bombata in 2008, before he ascended the throne in 2015.

He
also had a short lived romance Omolara Olatunbosun who bore a child, Adeola Anuoluwapo for him in 1994.
Although his marriage to his wife, Olori Zaynab Wuraola Otiti, a Bini princess on March 2016 failed due to
irreconcilable differences, the Ooni got married to Prophetess Noami Silekunola on October 17,2018.
Olori Silekunola had bore a son for the crown and had public celebratory moments with the Ooni in the past. However, she told the public through her Instagram handle that she had decided to move away from the marriage to the traditional ruler recently. Silekunola said “let it be known that this decision to move on did not come because his majesty is married to another queen. As many would love to assume, throughout our life as a couple I was the
only married married of the to him. There were side attractions, but it was never an issue”.
Six women have been reportedly linked to the Ooni but none have been official described as his wife by the palace. They are Olori Ronke Ademiluyi, Afolashade Ashley Ogunwusi, Temitope Adesegun, Kemi Fadojutimi, Olapeju Esimai and Olori Lola.
Ayaba Ronke Ademiluyi is a london trained lawyer who straddles the UK and Nigeria. She runs the Africa Fashion Week brand.
Olori Ashley Ademiluyi also spends her time between London and Ile-Ife. She runs an NGO in her name, that caters for single mothers less privileged orphans.
Not much is known about Princess Temitope Adesegun, except her impressive resume. She is an alumnus of the Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard,currently works in the office of the minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola. She also runs Hope Alive Initiative Poverty Alleviation Advocacy, powered by the House of Odua, the name of the throne of the Ooni.
Princess Kemi Fadojutimi is also a prominent member of the household of Oba Adeyeye, She had represented the crown at different functions in times past. Fadojutimi relocated from the USA to Nigeria recently. She is the CEO of All Eyes on Africa Media. She is also a director of Dare2 Dream Organisation, an advocacy agency.
There are rumours that one of Oni’s women, Oloori Lola, may be pregnant for the Oba remains largely unknown.

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BREAKING: Queen Naomi Silekunola Announces Divorce From Ooni Of Ife

Her Majesty Queen Silekunola Naomi has announced her divorce from the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II.
In a statement posted on her verified Instagram handle on Thursday, she said announced an end to the three-year marriage.
She wrote, “Today I announce the beginning of a new dawn and the close of a chapter. Today, I am a mother to God’s unique gift. I am no longer a slave to my thoughts of perfection. I, at this moment, announce that I shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people and mother of my adorable Prince.”
Details later…

Ogun Truck Driver Kills FRSC Official, Injures Another

A mob has nabbed a truck driver and handed him over to the police after he reportedly crushed an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps to death and injured another on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Road, Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the mob consisted of motorists and motorcycle riders, who witnessed the accident.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, FRSC, Ahmed Umar, confirmed the killing to journalists in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Umar, who noted that the accident occurred on Monday, said it was caused by the carelessness of the truck driver.
He said, “The driver was on top speed when he lost control and hit the officers.
“The officers were just standing by their vehicle. It was a flat body truck; the truck hit the officer and brushed him against the patrol vehicle. The officer died, while another marshal got injured.”
The sector commander explained that the truck driver did not stop after hitting the officers, adding that he had been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.
Umar noted that the injured marshal was receiving treatment in a hospital.
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Christmas: FRSC Arrests 113 Traffic Offenders In Bauchi

FRSC arrested 113 traffic offenders in Bauchi State in the last one week.
Its Sector Commander in the state, Yusuf Abdullahi, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi on Thursday that 52 of the offenders failed to install Speed Limiting Device in their commercial vehicles.

A lot of crashes in the state are blameable on the refusal to install the device, he said.
“Since the beginning of Operation Zero which began on Dec. 17, we have arrested 113 traffic offenders and our mobile court has prosecuted particularly those who did not install the device.
“The purpose of setting up the mobile court is to curtail speed because the number of crashes we have in the state is too high.
“We focused on the installation of speed limiting devices to curtail crashes and that is why the arrest for non-installation of the device is high,’’ he said.
Abdullahi said the offenders would pay fines stipulated for refusal to install the device.
He urged commercial drivers in the state to install the device because the FRSC would not tolerate refusals.
“They should all install speed limiting device so that we can curtail crashes on the road,’’ he admonished. (NAN)

Electoral Act Amendment Bill: My Problem With Buhari

All said and done, the drama attending the amendment of Nigeria’s Electoral Act is about the political class and not the people. Pretend as they may, members of the National Assembly’s attempt to foist direct primaries on the nomination processes of political parties is suspect.

It is evident of a desire to end the eternal grip of state governors on the electoral process in the 36 states of the federation. And that should be no surprise to anyone. The national assembly, especially the Senate, has progressively become the resting home for former governors who have turned public office into their lifelines after the expiration of their mandatory two terms as governors.
These former state executives understand the enormous weight of governors and, like the hangman who takes flight at the sight of a mere machete, they would do anything to hamstring their successors. It is no wonder that the consensus on direct primaries in the national assembly defies party differences.

You do not find any party-based divergence in the position of these legislators. United by ambition, rock-solid they stand on the need to whittle down the influence of governors. The ability to control party members in the constituencies and senatorial districts provides assurances that sitting legislators will be able to stay in office if the direct primaries proposal is approved.

This cross-party conspiracy and the unusual unanimity of national assembly members on this issue show the full irony of the Nigerian political space. We shall return to this issue presently.
Concerning state governors, the desperation to kill the direct primary proposal is more about putting members of the national assembly in their place than any threat that we imagine direct primaries pose to their influence on the electoral process.

In Nigeria, politics is about money and governors have plenty of that, which they control without inhibition.
Although there are two other arms of government in the states, constitutional and fiscal realities make the state legislature and judiciary subservient to the executive. So, governors get away with everything and anything, including deciding chairman and executive members of the parties at the ward, local government, and state levels. They determine who becomes a senator, House of Representatives member, chairman of local council and even councillor.

Governors are all in all in states and you must be a formidable politician to outfox a governor when he unleashes his money and power of coercion, even into your own bedroom. As a result, governors, by lobbying the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to reject this bill, only reaffirm their hold on the President and the entire machinery of the All Progressives Congress.
And that takes us back to the suspicious conduct of Nigeria’s political actors, and, in this case, governors and legislators.

Nigeria’s democracy has so degenerated that the personal interests of politicians now supersede national and party interests. It is curious, for instance, that the APC, despite its majority strength in the national assembly, is unable to rein its members in and agree on a position that fosters the development of democracy rather than personal aggrandisement. Unlike the ideal situation wherein members of political parties present one front, which is beneficial to all, different cliques in the party hold selfish positions. The situation in the APC is worsened by the fact that a governor, who apparently does not have the discipline to state above board and has descended into the area, is chairman of the party!
This is the reason one would have expected President Muhammadu Buhari to be more circumspect in handling this matter. Although there are more than 150 other provisions in this amendment, it happens that the President’s contention is the very sore point between two of the most prominent groups in his party. He is at the end of the day, seen to have taken sides with the governors. Regardless of how this matter is resolved, the APC has set its own roof on fire, with chances that the house will be consumed by the inferno. A political party, at least in the public glare, should be an organic body presenting a united front, especially if it is the ruling party. It also follows that citizens’ perception of a ruling party rubs off on the polity in some way. And even when ordinary members of the party carry on like nothing is at stake, one would expect the President, in this case, one with Buhari’s experience and perceived clout, to get his followers to toe the line of peace and love for the country.
In achieving this, the APC should have reached a position that benefits the country even before work starts on this amendment. When that opportunity was missed, Buhari would have invited governors and legislators to meetings where a consensus on this law would have been reached such that the current obscenity is avoided.
It is also worrisome that even after six years, Buhari maintains the snail speed with which he has attended to most national issues since his inauguration in 2015. In waiting until the eleventh hour to convey his decision to withhold assent to this amendment, the President not only held the nation to ransom, but he also allowed avoidable tension and unhealthy speculations that did the polity no good. Such apathy has impacted negatively on the economic and security faculties of the country on various levels in the past. It is tragic that no lessons have been learnt, six years on.
Then, some of the reasons advanced by the President for returning the bill to the national assembly are either impeachable or not peculiar to the rejected direct primaries. For example, insecurity is as much a factor in the adoption of indirect primaries where delegates are expected to travel within their states, zones, and possibly the Federal Capital Territory. The same goes for the issue of party expenditure in indirect primaries, where delegates not only get mobilised to travel but are also subjected to all forms of financial inducements by political heavyweights.
What seems to be the most valid argument for a reconsideration of the decision to make the direct primary option the law in Nigeria is the undemocratic essence of it. Democracy is basically about the capacity of the people to choose what is best for them and, as a result, each political party should be able to decide the best way to nominate their flag bearers.
Given the level of poverty and ignorance following which politics has literarily become a means of livelihood in Nigeria, most ordinary Nigerians are unable or unwilling to fund political parties as you would expect in a system where governors have less influence. What will then happen is that these same legislators who want to wean political parties from the influence of governors will eventually become the monsters that will lord it over citizens and dictate what to do. When that happens, the essential internal democracy amongst the parties will continue to elude the country and neither its country nor the practice of democracy will prosper.
This situation at hand, therefore, presents President Buhari (who will not be contesting in the 2023 elections) with an opportunity to be a statesman whose interests should transcend one single election into considerations for the future of the country. The President must, this time around, shun the tendency to be partisan, consider the interest of the country and lead a revolution that will transform Nigeria’s political history.
In the toxic political and electoral systems in our country that is decorated with massive poverty, elites’ intolerance and desperation for power, Nigeria needs a President who sees himself as a father for all. The country is currently littered with political actors whose motivations are vertically and horizontally opposed to the larger interest of the Nigerian people. In this circumstance, the President’s icy character will remain grossly unhelpful and unable to free the country from the predatory of most of our political leaders. The English say the road to hell is paved with good intentions; President Buhari must realise that promising to bequeath a good electoral culture in Nigeria is not enough. He must be alert and ready to act, justly, judiciously, and promptly if he must indeed bestow a legacy of pride on his generations.

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Okorocha Weeps, Calls On Youths To Vote Out Bad Leaders 2023

A former governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, has asked youths to stop venting their anger on traditional rulers because of failure of governance in the state.

Okorocha, who spoke on Wednesday, at Eziama Obierie in Nkwerre Local Government Area of the state, during the burial service of Jemaimah Nwosu, mother of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, said “Imo is bleeding because of insecurity.”

Instead of taking violent approach, Okorocha, asked youths to wait till 2023 and vote out bad governance through an electoral process.

Okorocha, who wept, said this was not the same state he governed for eight years and handed over in 2019.

He said six serving governors could not attend the funeral rites because of the insecurity in the state.

Okorocha said, “I want to appeal to the youth to stop venting their anger of bad governance by killing innocent citizens. This is not the Imo I used to know.

“This is not the Imo I was governor for eight years. I don’t support violence but I support protest through a proper channel. I urge you to wait till 2023 and use your PVCs to vote out bad governance.

“Six governors called me and told me that they wanted to be here for the funeral but I told them for them to be here they must have to move about in Armoured Personnel Carriers and hence they couldn’t afford it, they stayed back in their respective states.”

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Ritual As Four Suspected Yahoo Boys Arrested Over Murder Of Their Friend In Ogun

Operatives of Ogun state police command have arrested four suspected internet fraudsters over the alleged murder of a 20 year old boy, Alexander Uzoma.

A statement released by DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, spokesperson of the state police command, states that the suspects were arrested following the report lodged at Adigbe divisional headquarters by the mother of the victim,

one Ogechi Alexander, who reported that her son Alexander left home on the 20th of November 2021 and did not return. She reported further that her son told her that he was going to visit some of his friends whom she didn’t know.

A case of missing person was subsequently incidented at Adigbe division, but when the whereabout of the victim remained a mystery after some days, the commissioner of police CP Lanre Bankole directed that the case be transferred to state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

At the SCIID, the DSP Nurudeen AbdulGafar led Modus Operandi section, embarked on intelligence and technical investigation which led to identification of one Babatunde Owoseni as the person who was last seen with the victim, and he was promptly arrested.

The said Babatunde later led policemen to arrest his co accomplices namely:Azeez Oyebanji aka Biggy, Ayobami Adesina and Balogun Sulaiman.

Abimbola said on interrogation, the suspects confessed that the victim came to their house to learn about internet fraud, and after eating food, they all took a substance known as Colorado which made them to fall asleep. They confessed further that when they woke up at about 8 pm, they met the victim on the ground already vomited all over his body. When they tried to carry him, they discovered that he was no longer breathing. At that point, Azeez Oyebanji aka Biggy who they bought the drug from was invited, and he advised that they should throw the corpse away.”

Curled

Nasarawa Assembly Passes N114.3bn Budget For 2022

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has passed the 2022 appropriation bill presented to the House for consideration and approval by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

The Governor had presented an initial budget proposal of N109.8 billion but after due consideration by members of the House, the budget was jerked up to N114.3 billion, indicating a N4.5 billion increase.
Announcing the passage of the budget in Lafia on Wednesday, Speaker of the House, Ibrahim Abdullahi, explained that the increase of the 2022 appropriation bill was as a result of upward review of some sectorial allocations due to their importance and for the overall development of the state.
He thanked members of the House for their commitment and hard work in ensuring the speedy passage of the budget.
He said, “A Bill for a law to authorize the issue out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State (Appropriation Bill) of the sum of N114, 287, 447, 524.06 only for the services of Nasarawa State Government for the period of 12 months, commencing from 1st January 2022 ending 31st December 2022, is read for the third time and passed.
“N73, 868, 482, 458. 05. only is for recurrent expenditure while N40,418, 965, 066.01 only is for capital expenditure”.
He recommended that consultants on revenue engaged by Ministries Departments and Agencies who do not add value to the state Internally Generated Revenue should be laid off.
“There should be better understanding between all MDAs on the mode and better way of achieving Government policies and programmes,” he said
The speaker directed the clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the bill for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s assent.
He announced that the House would proceed on its Christmas Recess and to resume on 10th February 2022.
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CHRISTMAS: Akeredolu Warns Workers Against Overspending During Yuletide

As the Christmas celebration has begun in the state, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has warned the state workers to celebrate the festivals in moderation.

He also told the workers that his administration would ensure that they enjoy the festive period, in terms of welfare.
Akeredolu stated this at the Year 2021 State Carols and Lessons, held at the International Culture and Event Centre Akure, the state capital on Tuesday evening.
According to the governor, there was a need for the celebration of Christmas and New Year to reflect the mood and realities of the moment.

He said, “Without pronouncing it, we all know that we are in austere times. Let us limit our expenses to our purse. We must not go borrowing to celebrate the season. Let us restrain any urge to do more than our capacity. This is a piece of advice that we must heed.
“Without mincing words, the last 58 months of our administration have witnessed tremendous improvement in the security of lives and property and a significant drop in the incidents of crime in our Sunshine State. As a responsive and responsible government, we will continue to do more in collaboration with relevant security agencies to always protect residents of Ondo State from harm.”
He also warned them and other people of the state to always be mindful of the new wave of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic as they celebrate Christmas.
“As you are all aware, we are currently experiencing the third wave of the pandemic. We must all make concerted efforts to stem the rate of infection as a state. The use of facemasks, physical distancing, regular hand washing and use of sanitiser remain indispensable measures to curbing and curtailing the spread.
“We must all take the COVID-19 vaccine as a further step towards protection against the virus. The vaccines are still available in our various Primary Health Care Centres and hospitals across the State. Even though we are not under lockdown, we must behave as if we are. Let us limit our outings to only those that are necessary. Exchange of visits should be minimised.
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Again, Nigeria Destroys Over One Million Expired COVID-19 Vaccines

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, have destroyed 1,066,214 doses of expired AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

The vaccines were destroyed at the Gosa Dumping site on Tuesday in Abuja.
This batch is said to be part of the 2,594,100 vaccine doses received on the 11th and 29th of October of which only 1,527,886 were administered.

The batches of the vaccine destroyed got expired in November.
At the destruction site, the NPHCDA Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Faisal Shuaib, commended health workers on their efforts to help administer the vaccines, describing them as the “heroes of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign because they worked round the clock to make sure the vaccines were used maximally”.
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How I Killed Lucky Igbinedion’s Mother With Stool – Maid

A 25-year-old housemaid, Dominion Okoro, on Tuesday in Benin revealed that she killed Madam Maria Oredola Igbinedion, 85, the mother of a former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.

Narrating how she carried out the nefarious act on December 2, Okoro, who was arrested in her hometown, Calabar, said she hit her late boss with a stool while sleeping in order to rob her of her possession.

Okoro, who stated this while being paraded at Edo State Police headquarters in Benin, disclosed that she made away with N100,000, a wristwatch and jewellery from the GRA residence of the Igbinedions.

She said, “I killed Mama (Madam Maria Igbinedion) to carry her money. She did not offend me. While she was sleeping on her bed, around 12:01 a.m. on December 2, 2021, I used a stool to hit her on the head and she was shouting for help, but only the gateman was around and he did not hear the shout. Mama later died.
“I waited till 4 a.m. on December 2, 2021, before leaving the house with Mama’s N100,000, wristwatch, and jewellery. I escaped to Cross River State, but I was later arrested by the police.”
Madam Igbinedion was buried in Benin on December 10 in Benin.
The prime suspect’s (Dominion’s) elder sister, Patience, was first arrested by the police before Dominion was later nabbed and moved to Benin for a thorough investigation.
Patience Okoro said neither she nor their parents in Cross River State knew anything about the crime committed by Dominion.
Edo Commissioner of Police, Phillip Ogbadu, revealed that it took time, efforts and money to arrest Dominion, noting that no fewer than 20 persons were first arrested before Dominion was arrested and she confessed to committing the crime.

He noted the suspects in the murder of Madam Igbinedion would soon be charged to court, after thorough investigation.
Ogbadu also stated that in the fourth quarter of this year, 427 suspected criminals were arrested for their involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, burglary and other crimes, with a large cache of arms, ammunition and money also recovered from them, while urging criminal elements to stay away from the state.

He admonished residents of the state to be security conscious during the festive period and never to display expensive items in their vehicles in order not to attract armed robbers. He also urged residents to have a tracking device in their vehicles, so as to recover them faster, in case of theft.
The CP also urged residents to always provide the command with timely and useful information about criminals in their midst, while assuring that their identities would be concealed.

© PUNCH.

FG Grants Emirates 21 Weekly Flights As UAE Confirms Air Peace Daily Slots

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reinstated its approval for Emirates Airlines’ winter flight schedule, consisting of 21 weekly passenger flight frequencies to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja; and the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos.

This is as the United Arab Emirates cave in to pressure and granted Nigeria’s Air Peace Airline daily slots at the Dubai Airport, in the spirit of reciprocity and the Bilateral Air Service Agreement in existence between the UAE and Nigeria.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt Musa Nuhu, made the reinstatement known in a letter to the Country Manager of Emirates Airlines in Nigeria on Tuesday.
The NCAA also copied its counterpart in the UAE, the General Authority of Civil Aviation as well as the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
The letter marked, NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/334, was titled, ‘The FG grants Emirates 21 weekly flights as UAE allows Air Peace daily schedule’.
It read, ”Following further consultations with various stakeholders and the letter from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority with reference number DCAA/ASA/N-3/016 dated 17 December, 2021 offering Air Peace airline daily slots at Dubai Airport, I wish to inform you of the reinstatement of the ministerial approval of Emirates Airlines Winter Schedule.
”This approval is predicated on the compliance with the Dubai Travel Protocol as released by Dubai Airports on Friday 26 November, 2021 as it affects passengers travelling from Nigeria to UAE. Please be guided accordingly.”
Back story
Nigeria had recently lifted the ban on Emirates Airlines’ flights to Nigeria after suspending the carrier from operating into Nigeria for several months earlier, due to concerns over UAE carrier’s requirements in the management of COVID-19.
Nuhu had stated that following the lifting of the ban, the UAE-based airline applied to the Federal Ministry of Aviation for approval of its winter flight schedule, consisting of 21 weekly passenger flight frequencies to Nigeria, noting that Nigeria approved the schedule in the spirit and intent of the BASA between both countries.
He had, however, expressed dissatisfaction that Air Peace Airlines, the only Nigerian airline that operates passenger flights to Sharjah International Airport in the UAE, requested three weekly passenger flight frequencies but was granted only one.
Subsequently, Emirates Airline on Friday announced the suspension of its flights to Nigeria, attributing its decision to the NCAA policy limiting its operation in the country to one flight per week.
Nigeria currently has signed BASAs with over 90 countries including the UAE. However, over the years, stakeholders have lamented that most air agreements between Nigeria and other countries have been one-sided as Nigerian airlines have been unable to reciprocate the agreements due to what they termed, “aero-politics”.
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Senate Confirms Mu’azu Sambo As Minister.

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Mu’azu Jaji Sambo from Taraba State as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The ministerial nominee was confirmed after a brief screening on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.

Sambo will replace either the sacked Mamman Sale (Minister of Power) or Sabo Nanono (Minister of Agriculture), who the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), sacked in September.
Buhari had in a letter dated December 8, 2021, requested the Senate to confirm Sambo’s nomination.
In the letter, the President explained that the request was made in accordance with Section 147(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
At the screening, Sambo told the lawmakers that he knew the problem stalling the commencement of the Mambilla power project.
He also assured the Senate that he would make a difference within a year in office if posted to the power ministry.

Sambo said he had worked in the insurance, banking and maritime sectors for 35 years.
He also said he had gathered requisite experience to help the present administration fix the country’s infrastructural deficit.
He said, “The experience I’ve gathered in the course of my 35 years in service which spanned different fields, will help Mr President in his drive to fix the infrastructural deficit in the country.”
Responding to questions on the Mambilla power project, the nominee said it was disappointing that Nigerians, in 2021, were still talking about the project, which has been on the drawing board since the days of the First Republic.
He said the major constraint stalling the take-off of the project has been an arbitration case in Paris.
The minister-designate said, “There must be a way we can compensate the company that took us to court. If I’m posted to the power ministry upon confirmation by the Senate, I will definitely make a difference in one year. I know where the problem is and I can crack it.”

Copyright PUNCH.

Don’t Give Money To Ladies This Christmas And Forget Your Parents – Apostle Suleman Advices Men

Nigerian preacher and head pastor Omega Fire International Ministry (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman has advised single men to not give money to their girlfriends or any lady during the Christmas season.

Speaking at a church service on Sunday, Apostle Suleman bemoaned how relationship has been turned into a business venture for women in the 21st Century and their main aim is to exploit men to meet their financial needs.

He advised young men not to give their girlfriends money who they are not married to and neglect their mothers.

“A young man meet a lady and the next thing she said is, what will you give me? Is relationship a business transaction? If a lady ask you what you will give her, you too ask her what she will give you or what has she given you. Don’t neglect your mother and gives money to a lady you’re not married to.

I’m advising you so that you won’t spend your Christmas in pain. Your mother is in the village, your siblings have not eaten, your parent are stranded yet you’re gathering Christmas money to give to a lady you’re not married to.

Can I give you an advice? If anyone is putting you under pressure this December, turn off your phone and put it on in January, if you can’t handle pressure. Only turn it on if you want to talk to people that are relevant. Don’t give money to any lady this Christmas, take care of your family” Apostle Suleman.

Goje: Lawyers Fault Gombe Govt’s ‘Undue Pressure’ On Court

Gombe Lawyers on Tuesday frowned at what they termed as Government’s undue influence on the judiciary, adding the state uses state actors to persecute perceived enemies.Addressing journalists, Barr. Henry Nwoye said despite the exparte order obtained by his client from Federal High Court, Senator representing Gombe central, Danjuma Goje, there have been undue pressure by the state government to coerce the plaintiff to report to the state.
According to him, the order was to restrain the state from coercing Goje, to come to the Gombe, stressing that Government should respect the position of the court.Nwoye said, “This thing that happened to distinguished senator Goje (5th November 2021), he specifically wrote to the Inspector General of Police, against a certain individual over the conduct that were meted out to him. However, after his writing the state governor personally wrote to the Inspector General against him and some other individuals who took two other petitions one to the police officer on different issues.“Our fear in this circumstances is further highlighted or heightened by the fact that with certain provision in Gombe State administration of criminal justice system law.They could just go to a magistrate court to obtain an ex parte order, use it for the purpose of harassing people putting them in prison (custodial centre) against the principle of fair hearing, and all the cardinal principles of justice.”
He bemoaned scenarios where the state used the court to harass innocent citizens through frivolous orders, revealing that there may be attempts by Gombe authorities to stage manage an attack in order to blame Goje.“We will challenge them, those enactments by the special grace of God. We are hopeful some of them will be shown way out some of the specific provisions that are very offensive, they are terrible very obnoxious, extreme unreasonableness.
“If he is coerced to come to Gombe there could be this kind of mock arrangement whereby some persons not even known to him could commit some acts which make cause injuries to persons or death of individuals. We do not want anybody to lose his life in Gombe at the instance of the distinguished senator,” Nwoye added.
Also speaking, Luka Haruna, who expressed happiness at the bail granted Mohammed Yayari, a social media aide to the Senator lamented what he described as undue pressure by state agents.
He alleged that chief magistrate of Pantami Area Court, Mohammed Kumo was questioned over the bail granted Yayari by acting Chief Judge of the state Mua’zu Pindiga.
Haruna quoted Chief magistrate Kumo saying, “ I am aware that the power that be do not want this application to be granted but the oath I solemnly swore to is to do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill will. The law has given me the discretion either to grant bail or to refuse bail.
“My conscience will never let me rest as long as I live. Therefore in the exercise of my powers, I will not cause the death or any irreversible injury of a human. The prosecution though aware of the ill health of the defendant did not show any compassion in challenging the application. I refused to be coerced in being an accessory to the murder or irreversible injury. On the basis of this, I therefore grant the application for bail.”
Meanwhile, effort made to reach the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Gombe State Zubairu Umar who is among the six defendants to Goje’s suit, proved abortive.Punch

End Time: Abuja Pastor Introduces Anointed Pants And Bra To Attract Men

Nigerian Pastor Introduces anointed Pant And Bra with a Print of his Face to help Ladies attract Men For Marriage

Report reaching our desk is that an Abuja based Pastor Dr. JS Yusuf has introduced anointed underwear with a print of his face to attract men for marriages for the single ladies seeking for life partners in 2022

The anointed underwear is said to be blessed as instructed by God to the Senior Pastor of Touch for Recovery Outreach Int’l, Abuja to release marriages in the new year.

The underwear are said to also help women from women related diseases and give them good luck with men.

He added that wearing them will make men look at you on the streets and want to marry you.

He quoted Number. 23:20 which says “Behold I have received the commandment to bless; and he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse”

Insecurity: Okigwe – Arondizuogu Express Road Declared Safe For Travelers This Christmas – AYU

On Sunday 19th December 2021 Arondizuogu Youth United,AYU Lead By Thier President Hon. (Dr) Ugboaja Victor Chinedu (Akataobi) to clear the kpa-Ora Federal High Way which for months now have been a hide out Hoodlums, Kidnappers, Armed robbers and other criminal elements.As a result pose great danger for travelers who use the road on daily basis from Enugu, Okigwe, Umuahia, Aba, heading to Arondizuogu,Akokwa,Uga, Nnewi, Onitsha, onwards to Delta via Lagos.Many have been feared dead, kidnapped, robbed and many sustained various degrees of injuries by the activities of these criminal elements.It was a thing of joy to see the youths of Arondizuogu en-mass ably led their President clearing and burning the bush paths which the Hoodlums usually took unleash mayhem to innocent citizens that uses the road daily.Also present on ground yesterday was the Arondizuogu Security Network to ensure that the youths and road users are safe from attack and to alleviate fear on the people.While addressing the press the AYU President Hon. Ugboaja Victor Chinedu, (Akataobi) expressed joy that long expected vision is been actualized, noting that seen able bodied young men who came out in their numbers to embrace this noble idea has spoken volume on the nature of the people of Arondizuogu who always see the need of others before theirs, he thanked the youth for their solidarity and support he’s enjoying since assumed office and promise not to let them down.He urged Arondizuogu sons and daughters, friends and well wishers who are afraid of coming home for Christmas and New year celebration to feel free to return home as the security agents are on the alert on the said road and other parts of town. And urge good sons and daughter of Arondizuogu to support them.Hon. Akataobi thanked God for his mighty hand of war which saw the success of the outing and pray Him to touch the government both state and federal never to leave Arondizuogu in the scheme of things especially total rehabilitation of the Okigwe,Akokwa -Anambara federal road and restoration of Electricity to the entire town.Psc for Gisthub24 news.Call us to live coverage of all your Events and ceremonies, we undertaker the following:Video coveragePhoto coverageLive Gospel BandDrone coverageNews and DocumentaryVisit or call us: +2348110708268, +2348170872069.Email: gisthubmedia24@gmail.comwww.gisthub24.com

FG Evacuates Nigerians Maltreated By Togolese Airport Security

The Federal Government on Saturday evacuated some Nigerians who were allegedly maltreated by Togolese security officials at the Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport.
A trending video had shown one of the victims on all fours being manhandled by about six security officials at the airport.
He was subsequently handcuffed and taken away by the irate Togolese officials.

Reports stated that the Nigerians who were travelling on Ethiopian Airlines from the United States of America to Lagos got to Lome and were told that their connecting flight was full and that they could not continue the trip.
When some of them tried to protest, they were manhandled and handcuffed by the Togolese security personnel and airline staff and their telephones were also allegedly confiscated.
On hearing about the incident, the Federal Government issued a directive to the Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Mr Debo Adesina, to secure a charter aircraft for their evacuation to Lagos.
The evacuation was reportedly overseen by the high commissioner.
It was gathered that the flight has since landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport and the passengers had been united with their family members and loved ones.
The Spokesman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the incident was being investigated by the Nigerian High Commission in Togo.
Copyright PUNCH.

Ethnic Sentiments Must Go For Nigeria To Rise – Adefarasin

The Senior Pastor, House on the Rock Church, Lekki, Lagos has said for Nigeria to grow, citizens must let go of ethnic sentiment and learn to build together in spite of the cultural differences.
He said this while fielding questions from journalists on Saturday during the annual Project FEED which is held every December.

He said, “For us to rise as a country, ethnic sentiments must go. We must build this into the educational curriculum and institutionalise a nationalist mindset. We must build the country together as long as there is justice and fair play to arbitrate our differences. It is not an overnight business; it is going to take some years.”
He also revealed his plans to build a tech hub where STEAM and STEM would be taught to all young people to make them tech-savvy in order to participate in the future of work and the global economy.
“The property you are standing on would become a tech hub and an incubator to teach technology, engineering and mathematics because, without that, we would not participate in the new economy that is going to grow the wealth of the world. We must not be left behind. This would help to give equal opportunities to all Nigerians. Nigeria is a land of tremendous opportunities, we have wealth embedded in its soil and the resilience of Nigerians is also a huge asset that can compete in the world economy and in the world markets. We must educate our people.
“The FG only allocates a tiny amount of money – between one and three per cent – to education. We don’t think the government should do it all.

The private and faith-based sectors must come together and find creative ways to not only challenge the government but to live by catalytic examples to ensure that we educate the people. If we don’t have human capital, we cannot industrialise. International politics is arranged in such a way that it does not want Nigeria to industrialise.
“If we don’t industrialise, our naira will continue to devalue. We need to build a strong middle class, a strong artisan class. If this is not done, the country will become poorer, and that is what we do not need,” he said.

Copyright PUNCH.

Police Arrest Youth Leader, Four Others For Kidnapping In Akwa Ibom

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Tactical Team in Akwa Ibom State have arrested one Eddy Etim Onuka, a youth leader, and four members of his gang for alleged kidnapping and murder in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, who disclosed this at a media briefing on Saturday while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpana-Abia, said the suspects confessed to using AK-47 rifles during the operations.
Macdon said Onuka, a native of Oron LGA and youth leader of the Rice Miller Association, Oron, masterminded the two kidnap incidents, one of which involved one Emmanuel whom they shot while he was trying to resist them and the other, one Aniekan whom they collected over N20 million from.
“This is a clear case of kidnapping and it is a very unfortunate one. They went to abduct one Mr Emmanuel who sells engine parts and when they got there, the man resisted the kidnap and they shot him. By the grace of God, the Special Tactical Team of IGP moved in and effected arrest. This was the first incident.
“The second incident, the same Eddy led members of the same kidnapping syndicate who succeeded this time around in abducting one Aniekan and collected over N20 million from him as ransome
“He (Eddy) got N1.2 million which he used in buying another car. His vehicle was used in committing the crime. They confessed to the fact that they used AK-47 in that particular operation,” Macdon said.
The police spokesman said all the suspects played different roles in the kidnapped of theirs victim.
“The account was used in collecting the ransom to the tune of N1.2 million while the other person formed surveillance, giving them information about the deceased e.g when he goes out and when he comes. This goes to underscore the need why Akwa Ibomites at every point in time need to be conscious of security because some of these people are people who are closed to them.
“Another suspect here collected the phone number of the wife of the deceased and called her demanding for a ransom,” he added.
Macdon, who reiterated the commitment of the command towards ensuring the safety of lives and property of the residents, called on the good people of the state to always volunteer information that could help in combating crime and criminality in the state.
“I want to assure the good people of Akwa Ibom State that the command has no place for kidnapping, abduction and robbery, those perpetrating these acts should desist because they will always meet their Waterloo,” Macdon warned.

Copyright PUNCH.

Chukwueze Scores Again As Villarreal Beat Real Sociedad 3-1

Villarreal secured an impressive 3-1 win away at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Alexander Isak fired the hosts into the lead in the 32nd minute, only for Gerard Moreno to bring the Yellow Submarine back on level terms seven minutes before half-time.

Mikel Oyarzabal then saw red for La Real four minutes into the second half, before Moreno flipped the game on its head by scoring his second of the afternoon in the 68th minute.
Samuel Chukwueze, assisted by Moreno, put the final nail in La Real’s coffin deep in stoppage time to make it 3-1.
The Nigerian also scored in Villarreal last match.
The result is huge for Villarreal, who’ve improved of late after a poor start to the season.
They’re now tenth in La Liga, seven points behind La Real in sixth and eight off Rayo Vallecano in fourth. For La Real, the defeat is their fourth in a row.
After a superb start to the season, their form has tailed off dramatically.

Gunmen Kill Vigilante, Abduct DSS Officer In Abuja

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Department of State Services operative during an attack on residents in Abaji, Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Saturday.
The hoodlums also reportedly killed a vigilante member during the incident which occurred overnight.

The armed men were said to have invaded the community in their numbers and attacked a DSS outpost in the area.
During the exchange of gunshots with the DSS operatives, the gunmen successfully kidnapped a DSS operative.
Our correspondent could not confirm if the gang had demanded a ransom for the abducted officer.
The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said she did not have information on the incident and referred inquiries to the DSS.
But the spokesman to the secret police, Peter Afunanya, had yet to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.
Our correspondent reports that Abaji has become notorious for criminal activities, including abductions of residents and travellers on the Abuja-Lokoja highway.
Copyright PUNCH.

294 Shops, Two Bungalows, Others Burnt In Lagos Plank Market Fire

At least 294 shops and two bungalows were completely razed when a night fire raged at the Oke-Afa Planks and Building Materials Market in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State on Friday.

The cause of the inferno that started around 9pm on Friday was yet to be ascertained, said the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency in a statement on Saturday.

The statement was titled, ‘LASEMA battles Fire Outbreak at Jakande Plank Market’.
It read, “Consequent upon the arrival of the Agency’s Responders at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that a plank market which consists of 378 shops at the above location was engulfed in a wild inferno on Friday night and continued raging till this morning, Saturday 18th, December 2021.
“All efforts by the Agency’s Response Team, its Fire Men in collaboration with Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining buildings proved successful as the fire was curtailed from spreading further and put out completely.”
LASEMA said there was no record of casualties and no loss of lives but the fire razed 294 shops, two residential bungalows, a market mosque, three storage tanks, amongst others.
LASEMA DG, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, sympathised with the shop owners and the residents of the affected buildings burnt by the fire.
He thereafter appealed to all traders to ensure their properties are well insured while urging Lagosians to be safety-conscious and vigilant especially during the harmattan season which is harsh and prone to fire incidents.
Copyright PUNCH.

NASA Confirms December 24 Telescope Launch

The much-delayed launch of the James Webb space telescope will go ahead on December 24, NASA and the company overseeing the launch confirmed on Saturday.
The project, begun in 1989, was originally expected to deploy the instrument — which will be the largest and most powerful

telescope ever to be launched into space — in the early 2000s.
But multiple problems forced delays and a tripling of the telescope’s original budget with a final price tag of nearly $10 billion (8.8 billion euros).
The Webb telescope was built in the US and transported to its launch site in Kourou in French Guyana this year with a planned date of departure of December 18.
However, new problems have forced two delays.
“The James Webb Space Telescope is confirmed for the target launch date of December 24,” tweeted launch company Arianespace, adding that it would go ahead at 12:20 GMT on that day.
Confirming the launch date, NASA tweeted that the telescope was “encapsulated inside its @Ariane5 rocket fairing”.
It follows in the footsteps of the legendary Hubble telescope but will be located much further from the sun. It is hoped it will reveal what the Universe looked like even closer to its birth nearly 14 billion years ago.
The new telescope is named after the late James E. Webb, who ran the fledgling NASA space agency for much of the 1960s.
AFP

Guinea Rights Groups Protest As Junta Plans Airport Renaming

Guinean rights groups on Saturday protested a plan by the ruling military junta to rename the country’s airport after authoritarian ex-president Sekou Toure, urging it to scrap the move.
Toure led Guinea to independence from France in 1958 and was initially acclaimed as a progressive leader.

But he later ruled the West African country with an iron fist until his death in 1984.
Rights organisations say his regime was responsible for the death or disappearance of some 50,000 people — many at a military base in the capital Conakry called Camp Boiro.

At a news conference in the capital Conakry, the head of the Camp Boiro victims association, Abdoulaye Conte, said he was “dismayed” and “shocked” and the decision to rename the airport.
“We are talking about a tyrant who left behind thousands of victims in mass graves,” he said.
“How can Guinea forget its history?” Conte added, urging the junta to repeal the decision.
The conference, which was attended by other victims’ representatives and one former minister, came after Guinea’s junta announced on Thursday that it would rename the Conakry airport after Sekou Toure.
The decision prompted transitional prime minister Mohamed Beavogui to offer a public criticism of Guinea’s military rulers, telling local media on Friday that he was “displeased and overwhelmed”.
Beavogui, a civilian, was appointed as Guinea’s prime minister after Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seized power in a military coup in September, ousting elected president Alpha Conde.
Doumbouya, a former special forces commander, defied broad condemnation of the putsch and was sworn in as interim president on October 1.
The strongman has nevertheless promised to restore civilian rule after a transition period of unspecified length, and to unite the politically fractious nation of 13 million people.
AFP

How Three Nigerians Got Bitcoin Trust Fund Jobs Among 7,000 applicants -Twitter Co-Founder, Jack Dorsey

Three Nigerians have been appointed to the board of the Bitcoin trust fund.
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey announced their appointments, saying they emerged victorious among 7,000 applicants.

Thoe three Nigerians appointed are Abubakar Nur Khalil, Obi Nwosu, and Ojoma Ochai.
Also, a South African, Carla Kirk-Cohen, was appointed.
They were chosen to distribute 500 Bitcoins donated by Dorsey and Jay-Z for Bitcoin development across Africa.
Dorsey, who resigned as Twitter CEO in late November, formed the Bitcoin trust fund in partnership with American hip-hop star Jay Z.
Dorsey and Jay Z had previously announced their intention to give 500 BTC to set up ₿trust, an endowment to fund bitcoin development with a starting focus on teams based in Africa and India.
Dorsey said they were appointed for being purposeful.
He said, “I’m so grateful for you all and so inspired.
“They’ll now work towards defining the operating principles as they think about how to best distribute the 500 bitcoin towards development efforts.
“A massive thank you to the working team that made this happen. 7,000 applications to these incredible four, all reviewed with purpose and rigor.”
Abubakar Nur Khalil is a researcher and web builder based in Kaduna. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Recursive Capital, a firm that invests in the development of the web 3.0 ecosystem in Africa.
22-year-old Khalil is a Bitcoin Core Contributor on the African continent and started his contributions when he was 19.
Obi Nwosu leads commercial strategy and Coinfloor’s team of finance and cryptocurrency experts.
Previously, Obi was the Founder and CEO of Supalocal and held senior roles at ebookers.com and WeeWorld, overseeing the development of a virtual currency, used by 30 million users.
“Thanks, @jack and the team. Super excited to be a part of this vision, organisation, and mission and to finally be able to talk about it,” Nwosu said while reacting to his appointment.
On her part, Ojoma Ochai has demonstrated success in leading strategy, large scale programmes and change management, building strategic and operational partnerships, delivering digital transformation, championing and mainstreaming diversity and inclusion and leading globally dispersed teams.
She worked in and with partners and teams globally, particularly across Africa and the United Kingdom for a range of organisations like British Council, UNESCO, World Bank (Growth and Employment Programme), Africa Technology and Creative Group (ATCG), and various governments in Africa and beyond.
Copyright PUNCH.

Family Confirms Death Of Lagos Diploma Holder Who Jumped Into lagoon

The family of a National Diploma certificate holder, Lekan Odunare, has confirmed his death after he jumped into a lagoon in an attempt to commit suicide.
Our correspondent gathered that the body of the victim, who jumped into the lagoon in the Epe area of Lagos State on Tuesday morning, was found on Thursday.

A grieving family member of the victim who craved anonymity confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that Odunare was captured in a video circulating on social media sitting on the rails of a bridge before plunging into the waters.
Before he dived in, a man filming the scene was heard querying his intention.
Odunare, who looked forlorn, did not answer any of the questions before jumping into the lagoon.
Many social media users, however, wondered why the man behind the camera made no effort to save him.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he had yet to get an update on the matter.
An official of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said the agency did not receive any report of the incident.
Also, the General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, told our correspondent that the agency had no information on the matter.
Copyright PUNCH.

UNESCO Adds Montenegro’s Boka Navy To World Heritage List

The United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO on Thursday added Montenegro’s Boka Navy, one of the world’s oldest maritime organisations, to its list of “intangible” heritage.
Boka Navy was founded in 809 AD in the coastal town of Kotor, and for about 1,000 years served as a brotherhood of seafarers.

It has since lost its original function, and today operates as a folklore group, showcasing traditional dance and costume.
“For the past two centuries, it has played a memorial role, preserving and promoting maritime history and tradition,” UNESCO said.

The city of Kotor itself — a picturesque medieval town in the scenic Adriatic bay of Boka Kotorska — has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
The Navy’s origin is linked to the arrival of the relics of St Tryphon, the patron saint of Kotor, which is marked by the annual festivities whose backbone is the Boka Navy.

During the festivities, members wear colourful uniforms, carry traditional weapons and perform the traditional circle “kolo” dance.
The Navy is led by an “admiral”, and each year, a boy aged six to 12 is elected to act as a “young admiral”, the symbol of renewal and durability.
“This is a dream come true for members of the Boka Navy,” current admiral of the Boka Navy Antun Sbutega told local media.
AFP

Christian Eriksen Visits Inter Milan To Bid Teammates Farewell

Christian Eriksen is back in Milan to say goodbye to Inter Milan.
This is as his time at Inter Milan is set to come to an end with the player and club reportedly agreeing to terminate his contract.
The 29-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest in a Euro 2020 match between Denmark and Finland in June.

He received treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital, where he was fitted with an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator).
The device monitors his heart rhythm and can also send shocks to the heart if necessary.
The Italian FA had announced he would only be allowed to return to Serie A action if he was deemed fit enough to play.
And crucially officials said his fitness must not involve a reliance on the ICD heart-starter.
The playmaker only returned to training this month at one of his former clubs – Danish outfit Odense Boldklub.
But without the ICD removed he will not be eligible to play in Serie A under rules laid out by the Italian Olympic Committee, which governs sport in the country.

Banditry: We Must Take Responsibility, Stop Blame Game —Masari

The North-western Governors Forum has said that to have a banditry-free society, all stakeholders must show commitment to fighting the menace.
Chairman, of the Forum, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State said this on Thursday in Abuja when he led a delegation of the Forum on a condolence visit to Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some indigenes of Sokoto State were recently killed by bandits some of whom were locked up in a bus and set ablaze.
He said, “We were in Sokoto State earlier to sympathise with the government and immediate families of those who were brutally killed in the name of banditry.
“The issue of banditry in the northwestern part of the country is not beyond us. We know the problem and the solutions are something that we as a people are capable of doing.
“This is provided that all of us take responsibility and stop the blame game.
“Banditry, especially our own in the northwestern part of the country can easily be dealt with if all hands are put on deck.
“This is because it has no religious coloration, no ethnic coloration, it is not ideological. It is simply pure criminality,” he said.
While acknowledging that the Nigerian Police had limitations in fighting insecurity, Masari said that security agencies required technologies to effectively tackle the challenge.
“We need to know where the bandits are recruited, at what price are they recruited, all these are issues that are very well known to us.
“These are issues we should have the capacity to do provided there is determination, there is leadership and there is political will.
“We have no alternative; we have to conquer our environment in order to survive in it.
“We in the northwestern governor’s forum together with the governors of Plateau, Nasarawa and Niger are working with the Federal Government to come up with strategies and solutions.
Similarly, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said that blaming each other would not bring any solution to the security challenge.
“We have seen a lot in this country. The issue started with cattle rustling that looked so simple and so indigenous. We did not even investigate it to find out what was its root course.
“Cattle rustling has graduated to kidnapping, kidnapping graduated to banditry while we are fighting Boko haram on the other side.
“We have to break that cycle. Our first challenge is how we reclaim our forests without being affected by the bandits,” he said.
Proffering a solution, Ganduje said that data must be sourced while also calling for the use of technology in the fight against insecurity.
“There must be planning, there must be data, there must be commitment, there must be a timeline for whatever we are going to do. How far have we involved communities?
“We must go back to the drawing board. The communities need to be involved, there must be community policing,” he said.

Go After Sponsors Of Killers, Stop Accusing Us, North-East Youths Tell FG

The Federal Government should go after the sponsors of the several killings in Nigeria and stop pointing accusing fingers at the youths, a political organisation under the aegis of North-East Youth Initiative for Development has said.

While advising the government to engage the youths in nation-building and governance, YEYID said recent developments have confirmed that the country has “turned to something else.”
The Executive Director of NEYID, Dauda Gombe, stated these in an interview with journalists in Abuja during an inaugural national youth dialogue and workshop to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and ideas to change the narrative that youths have been responsible for the killings and insecurity in Nigeria.
According to him, all the statistics being given about the serial killings especially in the North East were imaginary figures.
The event which was organised by NEYID in conjunction with an international human rights organization, Plan International Nigeria, was attended by over 60 youths from the North-East, North-West and North-Central, and other areas experiencing the grips of banditry, Boko Haram and ISWAP to pave way for peace.
At the event, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, who spoke virtually, expressed happiness over the commitment of the youths to tackling security challenges saying that it had confirmed that he was not alone in it.
He said, “I will always avail myself for the youths. I am happy to see that you’re part of the struggle and security is at the centre of the struggle. We will continue to appeal to our conscience.”
Gombe said the time had come to change the narrative above youths and killings in Nigeria.
He said, “The country has turned to something else; we believe that we have the solution, we have to prove that we are not responsible for the killings.
“Who is responsible? They are pointing accusing fingers at youths; therefore, we have come together to change the narrative to tell the world who actually we are and our contribution in finding a lasting solution to the security challenges affecting this nation.
The problems are not the youths but the sponsors.
“The government, especially politicians should provide the enabling environment for young people to be in governance.
“We are going to issue a

communique to send the right message to the government to inject the right people in the right places because most of the time the government will tell you they are engaging the youths. But the issue is that they are not engaging the right people, everything has been politicized in this nation.”
Gombe also faulted the official statistics of casualties of the security challenges in the country, saying they are untrue.
He said, “Any statistics you get is just an assumption, the number of people killed or being killed every day in this country is beyond thinking and nobody can give you the accurate figure.
“Even the government is just trying, but nobody can give you the accurate figure because some the places that these things are happening nobody know; they are not even accessible, the bushes don’t even have network, water, and security. We are just using manageable figures being released by the government or others who feel they have a reasonable number. But the truth is that nobody has the accurate figure and the figure is beyond thinking.”
Copyright PUNCH.

Falana Demands Release Of Detained #Northisbleeding Protesters

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has demanded the immediate release of protesters arrested in the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the Northern region.

The PUNCH had reported that some Northern youths who were protesting against the rising insecurity in the region were arrested and subsequently detained by the operatives of the FCT police command.

However, in a statement on Thursday personally signed by Falana, he accused the police of breaching the fundamental rights of the protesters by disrupting their demonstration and arresting some of them.
The statement was titled, ‘Release detained protesters against insecurity’.

It read, “Yesterday (Wednesday), some young people participated in a peaceful protest against increasing insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria. In utter breach of the fundamental right of the protesters the Nigeria Police Force violently disrupted the rally and arrested some of the participants.
“In stopping the peaceful rally the police violated the fundamental right of the unarmed protesters and others who were earlier arrested in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto by the Police and the State Security Service.
“By abruptly stopping the protests, the security forces breached section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act which requires the police to provide adequate security for citizens who participate in peaceful meetings and rallies.”
Falana reminded the police authorities that on November 20, 2014, the leaders of the All Progressive Congress led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) took part in a protest against insecurity under then President Goodluck Jonathan without any harassment whatsoever.
He, however, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained protesters.

PUNCH.

Delta Councillor Shot By Suspected Herdsmen Dies Days After

The Local Government Councillor representing Ward 5 in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Jude Adjekpogu, who was shot by suspected Fulani herdsmen some days ago is dead.

The PUNCH gathered that the councillor died in the early hours of Thursday at Warri where he has been receiving treatment in an undisclosed private hospital.

It will be recalled that the serving councillor was shot on Saturday, December 4, 2021, along Eku-Abraka road, by suspected herdsmen as he was returning from a function.
Ever since he has been bedridden, battling for his life following injuries sustained from the attack.

It was gathered that the kidnappers said to be herdsmen had blocked the Eku-Abraka road at about 5:30 pm on that fateful day and fired several shots into the councillor’s car, of which the bullets hit his abdomen.
Consequently, residents in the area have called on the Local Government Council and Delta State government to urgently wade into the recurring incidences of attacks by suspected kidnappers along the Eku-Abraka axis.

The Abraka-Eku road has in recent times become a nightmare for travellers as kidnappers and armed robbers daily prey on travellers.
Meanwhile, the local government chairman, Hon. Victor Ofobrukueta has assured that the cartel behind the upsurge in criminal activities in the area are closely under monitoring and will soon be brought to book.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

©PUNCH.

SAD: Lagos Diploma Holder Filmed Jumping Into Lagoon,

He Jumped Into Lagos Lagoon After Telling his Girlfriend To Take Care Of Their One-Year-Old Baby.

Olalekan, who left a one-year-old baby behind, had told his father, Mr Odunare, in the early hours of Tuesday to pray for him.

A National Diploma certificate holder, identified as Lekan Odunare, has reportedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon in an attempt to commit suicide.
The victim, whose body had yet to be recovered, jumped into the lagoon in the Epe area around 10am on Tuesday. His family still searching for his body

In a video circulating on social media, Lekan could be seen sitting on the rails of a bridge before plunging into the waters.

Before he dived in, a man filming the scene was heard querying his intention.

Lekan, who looked distressed, did not answer any of the questions before jumping into the lagoon.

Many social media users, however, wondered why the man behind the camera made no effort to save him.

A source, who claimed to know the victim said his remains had yet to be found.

He said, “The boy is like a younger brother to me. I saw the news first on Facebook and I called his elder brother to ask if it was true and he said yes. When I asked if they had found the body, he said they had not found it but that the people that were around the area said he died after jumping into the lagoon.

“I can’t say why he jumped into the lagoon; probably he was depressed or something. He has finished his national diploma and was learning surveying; I don’t know why he would jump into the lagoon.”
The deceased’s brother, Usman, said he never opened up about anything bothering him.

He said, “I don’t even

understand the situation. He just wished to do that to himself. He used to be depressed once in a while, but at least he should have come out and spoken to someone. If there was anything bothering him, he should have talked but that was how he chose to live his life. It has not been easy for our mother, but she will get over it as time goes on.

RADIO Without Battery

Police Arrest Greedy Husband In Abia For Masterminding The Abduction And Gruesome Murder Of His Wife

POLICE ARREST GREEDY HUSBAND IN ABIA FOR MASTERMINDING THE ABDUCTION AND GRUESOME MURDER OF HIS WIFE

The Operatives of the Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested four (4) suspects in connection with the abduction and gruesome killing of the late Mrs Nneka Nwanyi-Sunday Emeh Kalu who was earlier reported missing and later found dead in a cassava farm on 29th August, 2021 in Ngugworo Community in Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South, Ebonyi State.

The suspects arrested are; Irem Ifeanyi Mbah, Igwe Anya Chima, Okorie Okam and Emeh Kalu – the husband of the deceased and the principal suspect. The suspects are within the age bracket of 25 – 40yrs and all native of Nguzu Edda village in Afikpo South Local Council Area of Ebonyi State.

Investigations into the death of the victim follow complaint received from the people of Ngugworo community, Ebonyi State, a border town to Abia State where the victim resided, when the decomposing body of the late Mrs Kalu was discovered in their community. The discrete investigations carried out by the Police team led to the arrest of the four suspects.

The Victim

Investigations by the Police team revealed that Emeh Kalu – the husband of the deceased, in a bid to fraudulently and hastily ‘inherit’ his wife’s numerous assets including landed property, houses, money in bank and thriving business, etc, procured the services of five (5) other criminal elements to stage the abduction of his wife by luring her to meet him at a junction to pick up somethings for the house. Investigations further revealed how the criminals strangled her to death after obtaining necessary information on the whereabouts of title documents and other relevant papers of her possessions. Efforts are being intensified to arrest other suspects and persons indicted in the matter with a view to concluding the investigations.

The Force, while condoling the family of the deceased for the unfortunate loss, enjoined families and relatives to be their “brother’s keeper” and provide prompt information to the Police that would assist in proactively containing crimes and all forms of gender-based violence.

All the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

CP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA

15th December, 2021

We Can Help Military Tackle Insurgency In Sambisa – Surveying School

The Federal School of Surveying, Oyo, has said its experts and graduate can map the dreaded Sambisa forest and others, where terrorists and other criminals are operating from to unleash terror on Nigerians.
The Rector of the school, Prof Dupe Olayinka-Dosumu, said this on Wednesday on the sidelines of the equipment exhibition,

which was one of the activities lined up for the 21st convocation of the school.
She said the uses of surveying were many and that the government was not making use of them the way it ought to do.
She said 633 graduates of the school for the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic sessions would be given certificates at the convocation ceremony, which would be witnessed by the Visitor to the School, who is the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.
Olayinka-Dosumu said by carrying out aerial mapping of the forests would reveal human activities, including footpaths, which could be used by the military to track the criminals.
She added that mapping with intelligence gathering would help the country to flush out hoodlums hiding in the vast forests, including Sambisa, and called on the Federal Government to use the skills and expertise available to address insecurity.
The rector said the school was established for the benefit of all the Commonwealth countries even before Nigeria was created.
The rector said, “If you do not know what you have, you won’t know how to utilise it well. Our job is to train people in the science of measurement, which later came with monitoring, evaluating and development.
“The technology we use has gone beyond just knowing what you have; through aerial mapping, through photogrammetry and remote sensing process, which we have trained our students for, we can help to solve this problem of insecurity.
“When you fly over an area, you have every detail you need. Everybody uses unmanned aerial vehicles, which are called drones, but ours are different because surveyors attach coordinates to theirs, so you can know the exact point; you can trace locations and monitor footpaths.
“By the time you add radar to aerial vehicles, you can know movements and where activities are taking place. But the security agencies will add intelligence to the mapping of the forests to win the battle in our forests. Sambisa forest is not as big as the whole of Nigeria, so mapping it is not an impossible task.”
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Osimhen Reacts To Rohr’s Sacking As Super Eagles Coach

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, wished Gernot Rohr the best after he was sacked as Super Eagles head coach.
Rohr was dismissed on Sunday due to poor performances with the biennial African tournament in Cameroon between January 9 and February 6.
German Rohr, Super Eagles coach since August 2016, had a contract with Nigeria until December 2022.

The 68-year-old led Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup and guided the team to third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Rohr has been replaced by former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen, who coached the team from 2005 to 2007 and on an interim basis in 2010.
Osimhen wrote, “Thank you for everything coach and I wish you all the best.”
Gernot Rohr said on Monday he felt “huge frustration” following his sacking as Nigeria coach weeks ahead of the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
“It’s a huge frustration, but I don’t want to argue, it’s not my style,” Rohr told AFP.
“I’m going to have a hard time doing without these great players and this very united staff, but the environment is not always favourable, we cannot control everything,” Rohr said.

FRSC Laments Frequent Auto Crashes In Bauchi

The Zonal Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp, Zone 12, Assistant Corp Marshal Rotimi Adeleye, has expressed concern over the frequent crashes caused by over-speeding in Bauchi State.
The FRSC Zone 12 comprises Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states with the headquarters in Bauchi.
Adeleye while answering questions from journalists during a “simulation exercise” in preparedness of the FRSC’s annual ‘Operation

Zero’campaign aimed at reducing road traffic crashes lamented that over-speeding was the main cause of the crashes.
The PUNCH had reported that multiple crashes involving three vehicles and a motorcycle occurred on Sunday at Bambal Village along Kano-Jama’are highway and at Duhuwar Kura village, along Azare-Zaki road, leading to the death of 20 people with 16 of them burnt beyond recognition.
Speaking on the two crashes, he said, “It is a very worrisome issue that these crashes happened on the road that was inaugurated just about a week ago; and it is now getting clear to us that the better the road, the more crashes we have. The first crash happened at 6.30 pm while the second one happened at 7 pm, the same day.
“At an interval of 30 minutes, we lost 20 people, it’s very unfortunate. The main discovery and observation is overspeeding. So, we have resolved to continue with the aggressive public enlightenment within our community.”
He also said the simulation was happening simultaneously across eight states.
“We are not interested in enforcement or bookings right now, but we are keeping track; those people who don’t have driver’s license, those people who intend to make the road horrible for other road users to stay away, so that everybody will enjoy a peaceful Yuletide,” he stated.
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Restructuring Inevitable, Stakeholders Align Towards 2014 Confab Report – Ex-AAUA VC, Mimiko

A former Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof Femi Mimiko has reiterated that the only way forward for Nigeria is to be restructured.
The don, who described the current structure of the country as being defective, said some stakeholders in the country had now tilted towards the report of the 2014 confab report, noting that the development was an indication that restructuring of the country is inevitable.
Mimiko, who is a Professor of Political Science andInternational Relations, stated this in a lecture he delivered at the fifth anniversary of an online newspaper, the Precision Online Newspaper, held in Akure, the state capital. The lecture was titled ‘Tottering on the brink of collapse: Is restructuring the way out of Nigeria’s extant crises?’.
He said, “It is instructive that the restructuring advocates have succeeded in making the argument sound better – since Confab 2014, where more than 400 individuals from a very disparate, but compelling background, met for about six months; and passed hundreds of resolutions – all on a consensus basis. This has served to douse the tension vis a vis whether the proposed restructuring project was meant to elevate some, and put down other ethnic nations, or regions.
“A most critical manifestation of this new trend is the APC True Federalism Committee Report, which is a virtual clone of the 2014 Confab Report. Important players in the northern part of the country, where the restructuring advocacy would seem to have been most resisted now unequivocally endorse some modicum of restructuring. National leaders like former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Bello Masari of Sokoto and Katsina States respectively, and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, among others, all now are on the restructuring train.
“Again, the most critical factor in this Damascus Road conversion, as it were, is the stark reality that the extent system has not only failed but is indeed incapable of delivering on the promise of peace, stability, security, social development and national unity.”Advertorial

Mimiko also tasked the media to be up and doing in their functions to the development of the country.
“It remains to be said that the media has a critical role to play in all of this. It is not without reason that this role is highlighted in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), defective as the document may seem.
“For the media to deliver on this critical mandate, some of the values that gave journalism its central place in the development process must be brought back. Competence, integrity, sound mind, critical thinking, social commitment, proficiency in language usage, among others, can all not be taken for granted,” the don noted.
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Yuletide: FRSC Begins Operation Zero Crashes, Tasks Motorists To Consider Other Road Users

The Federal Road Safety Corps on Tuesday, flagged off operation zero crashes in Enugu State, calling on motorists to accommodate other road users and drive at controlled speed this yuletide.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, who flagged off the exercise with the theme: ‘Maintain Safe Speed, Avoid Night Travels and Enjoy Quality Road Experience,’

urged motorists to fix faults in their vehicles to avoid any breakdown on the way and causing traffic jams for other road users.
Represented by Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Zone 9, Mr Francis Udoma, the Corps Marshal said his men and its stakeholders will be in every nook and cranny of the country virtually 24 hours to attend to every road issue, be its traffic control, road emergencies and healthcare.
“I will want to use this avenue to appeal to travellers on public transport to join vehicles at designated parks and not along the road as well as duly fill their passengers’ manifest for security and safety reasons.
“Plan your journey ahead of time and leave early on the day of the journey in order to arrive early to your destination. Since you have left early, you will better manage any unforeseen circumstances on the way.
“If it is possible and at your disposal, please avoid night travels and use the night hours to have a rest from the daily running around,” he said.
Oyeyemi, however, urged those that recently bought vehicles and learnt to drive newly to hire a time-tested driver to convey them to distant destinations so that they do not fall victim to road crashes due to road fright.
Speaking, the Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Joseph Udoabba, said that his command had put all measures in place to ensure citizens especially motorists have a positive and quality road experience this yuletide.
Udoabba said that the command had got the consent of all sister security agencies and specialized departments to ensure there are enough men and backup to ensure the success of the operation.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. We want all to get involved so that we will continue to reduce crashes on our roads to the barest minimum,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Lawal Abubakar, urged motorists and drivers to ensure that they are in good health and take enough rest before embarking on a long journey.
Abubakar, who was represented by CSP Nath Omeje, said, “The police will continue to support the FRSC to ensure that no life is lost this season and Nigerians travel safely and return back to their stations”.

Head of Department, Planning, Research and Forecasting of the National Emergency Management Agency, Nnanyelugo Ezeani, assured the FRSC of the agency’s support for prompt emergency responses.
“We appreciate the FRSC for this well-fashioned operation meant to reduce carnage on the roads and save lives,” Ezeani said.

PUNCH.

Child Trafficking: Imo Police Seek Paternity Test, As Court Denies Suspect Bail Again

The police on Tuesday told a Magistrate’s court in Owerri, Imo state, that they were ready to conduct a paternity test in a popular child trafficking case in the state.
At a resumed hearing, counsel for the police, Chuks Eboh, told Chief Magistrate, Adika Ibe, that the police wants to conduct a DNA test to determine the paternity of two infants who were allegedly bought by one Mrs Chinyere Ohanyere popular known as Madam Chichi.

Apart from the DNA test, the police counsel also disclosed that they were also carrying out further investigation into the matter to unearth the real paternity of the children who were allegedly bought a few months ago for over N1.5m.
Meanwhile, the African Women Lawyers Association, Imo state chapter made an application to join in the matter.
The presiding Magistrate in her ruling, adjourned the case till December 22, 2021, to enable the ministry of justice to state if the trial would continue in her court or at the state high court.
In a related matter, Justice Innocent Njaka, of the state high court on Tuesday declined a nurse, Ngozi Ebuzoaju, bail.
The counsels for the state, J. U. Iwuagwu and her counterpart from African Women Lawyers Association, S. L Okafor, opposed the bail application made by L. O Ukadike, counsel for the defendant on the ground that it was ” a serious case of children trafficking.”
While Iwuagwu told the court that she had yet to serve the motion for a bail application filed by the defendant’s counsel to enable her to file her counter-affidavit, Okafor, vehemently opposed the motion on bail, alerting the court that it was a serious crime against humanity and that the international community was watching.
The jurist in his ruling adjourned the case till December 21, 2021, for a hearing on the motion on bail.
The police had arraigned Ohanyere and Ebuzoaaju, separately, for allegedly buying two infants from two different women.
Police said that there was medical proof that the infants were not from the same womb contrary to the claim by Ohanyere, 55, that she gave birth to the children at the same time.
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Omicron: UK To Remove Nigeria, 10 Others From Red List

The United Kingdom has said Nigeria and 10 other countries will be removed from its travel red list from 4am on Wednesday.
The move follows anger from Nigeria and other African countries, with the United Nations describing the ban on non-UK residents entering England as “travel apartheid.”
The British government had on December 4 placed Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,

Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe on its travel ban following the outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
It said the red list was reintroduced as a precaution after the emergence of the Omicron variant.
The government had said the ban would be reviewed on December 20 but announcing the new development on Tuesday, the UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the Omicron had spread so widely that the rules are now less effective.
“Now that there is community transmission of Omicron in the UK and Omicron has spread so widely across the world, the travel red list is now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad,” he told the parliament.
“Whilst we will maintain our temporary testing measures for international travel, we will be removing all 11 countries from the travel red list effective from 4am tomorrow morning,” he added.
The BBC reports that currently, all UK arrivals from red list countries must pay for and self-isolate in a pre-booked, government-approved hotel for 10 days.
They must also take Covid tests within 48 hours of setting off for the UK and PCR tests within two days of their arrival.
Some arrivals have already paid thousands of pounds to stay in government-approved quarantine hotels, and there have been complaints of chaotic organisation and inedible food during their stays.
Javid said he had asked for urgent advice on whether those currently in managed quarantine would be able to leave early.
He also said he was “very persuaded” by calls to reimburse people and hoped to make an announcement soon.
The travel industry had also warned the restrictions were hurting business.
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the testing measures would be reviewed in the first week of January.
“As always, we keep all our travel measures under review and we may impose new restrictions should there be a need to do so to protect public health,” he said on Twitter.
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Conference League: Odey To Face Ndidi, Iheanacho In Play-Offs

Stephen Odey is set to face compatriots Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman in the Europa Conference League play-offs next year.
Leicester City, who crashed out of the Europa League, are billed to face Danish side FC Randers for a place in the round of 16 of the Conference League, with the English side billed to host the first leg on February 17 at the King Poer Stadium while the return leg is billed for February 24.

The Danish side will be banking on the proficiency of the Nigerian striker Odey who scored two goals in four appearances in the group stage.
The Foxes, however, will be hoping to make it to the round of 16 after their shock exit from the Europa League despite being top of the group after four games.
Iheanacho will be keen to take his Europa League form to the Conference League. Despite not grabbing a goal in the group stage, the Nigeria international ended his campaign with three assists in four appearances.
In other Conference League play-offs fixtures, Celtic have been pitted against Norwegians Bodo/Glimt in Monday’s draw.
Marseille face Qarabag of Azerbaijan and PSV Eindhoven will play Maccabi Tel-Aviv in other ties, which feature the group runners-up of the new competition against the eight third-placed teams dropping down from the Europa League.
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EPL: Dennis Tops Ronaldo, Lukaku, Sancho As Best Buy

Nigerian forward Emmanuel Dennis has so far been the best acquisition in the Premier League for the 2021/22 season, according to statistics The Punch Sports Extra.
The Nigerian joined Watford for a modest fee of £3.4m from Club Brugge, but has lit the EPL with his outstanding performances for the Hornets, unlike other players who joined the league for far bigger transfer fees.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Leicester City are some sides to have felt his force this season, with his return of seven goals and five assists only bettered by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
He has also been directly involved in nine of Watford’s last 12 Premier League goals.
The 24-year-old has fared better than some players who arrived in the summer in big-money moves.
The likes of Romelu Lukaku joined Chelsea for £98m from Inter Milan while Jadon Sancho teamed up with Manchester United in a record deal £73m. Cristiano Ronaldo re-signed for the Red Devils in a deal worth £17.8m.
Leicester City’s Patson Daka and Jack Grealish of Manchester City were also signed for £30m and £100m respectively.
With three games to the half of the EPL season, only Ronaldo comes close to Dennis in terms of goals.
The Portuguese captain has scored seven goals just as Dennis, but the Eagles star has more assists.
Lukaku has scored three times for the Blues, while Daka has scored twice. Grealish and Sancho have scored once despite their huge valuations.
The former FC Koln player will be aiming to surpass his best-ever league tally on Wednesday when Watford face Burnely at Turf more in a league game.
His previous best-ever scoring season was in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns with Club Brugge where he found the back of the net seven times in 30 and 26 league games respectively.
However, his seventh goal in just 15 games for the Hornets means he’s has achieved the feat with fewer appearances.
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Senate Retains Closed Ballot System For Voting Principal Officers

The Senate on Tuesday amended the Senate Standing Rules 2015, and approved a simple majority for the election of presiding officers.
The red chamber also retained a closed ballot system of voting for the election of the President of the Senate and the Deputy.
The amendment of the rules followed the consideration of a motion pursuant to Order 111 of the Senate Standing Rule, 2015.

The motion was sponsored by Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Suleiman Umar (Kwara North), and the Vice Chairman who is the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North).
The Rules and Business Committee had proposed two-third majority in its report.
Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta South), threw his weight in support of a two-third majority for the election of officers.
Senator Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central), on his part, kicked against the adoption of a simple majority.
Senator Rochas Okorocha (APC, Imo West), proposed an amendment for a two-third majority spread across all geo-political zones of the country.
His proposed amendment failed owing to the refusal of Senators to second same.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, however cautioned that an amendment in the direction of a two-third majority could be exploited to stall the inauguration and election of presiding officers.
Lawmakers in the majority, who were swayed by the Senate President’s observation, accordingly voted in support of a simple majority for the election of presiding officers.
Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, Senator Umar, in his presentation, recalled that the Senate Standing Orders were last amended in 2015, “to accommodate issues that will make such Orders dynamic to facilitate effective legislative process.”
He noted that despite the amendment, there were a number of issues that required further amendment in response to emerging developments which require enhanced rules of practice and procedure for sound legislation to tackle such developments.

“Aware that the development necessitated and has made it imperative to amend the Standing Orders of the Senate 2015 (as amended) occasioned by the slit and addition of Senate Standing Committees by the 8th Senate and do not have their functions and jurisdictions reflect in the Standing Order of the Senate;
“Further aware that there also exist some areas in the Senate Standing Orders that requires amendment to ensure the reflection of present realities, smooth running of the Senate and international best parliamentary practice;
“Notes that in the face of the Senate Standing Order there exist no provision for Order 4 to 8 and numbering error in Order 95; and
“Aware that the amendments have been circulated to Senators in accordance with Order 111 Rule 2 of the Senate Standing Order,” Umar said.
Accordingly, the Senate amended the Committee’s proposal under Order 2 to allow a simple majority for the election of the President of the Senate and the Deputy.
It also amended Order 96 to provide for Senators to be members of not more than seven Committees at a time, while committee membership would consist of not less than seven members and not more that twenty members at most.

©PUNCH.

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