₦airaland Forum

President Tinubu decorates his Chief Personal Security Officer, ACP Usman Shugaba, now Deputy Commissioner of Police.

President Tinubu decorates Commander Guards Bridgade, Col. Adebisi Onasanya, now Brigadier General.

President Tinubu to Security Chiefs: You are making good progress, but there must be conclusive victory
 
President Bola Tinubu has asked the nation's security chiefs to ensure that there is conclusive victory against the myriad of security threats assailing the country.
 
Addressing security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at a Presidential Security Briefing at the State House, in Abuja, on Friday, President Tinubu said while good progress is being made with the elimination of some security threats across multiple theatres, success will ultimately be defined by a final conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace.
 
"We have too many investments that we need to make now in soft and physical infrastructure, in social security, in MSME empowerment, and other growth enablers. We are pursuing a $1 trillion economy in the next few years, and our efforts will be undermined if we do not finally wrap up our progressive onslaught against enemies of progress. Be encouraged. The confidence of our people in your capacity is rising, and they are appreciative of the sacrifices of our men and women.
 
"The success you are recording is undeniable. Nigerians are seeing it, but the avoidable errors, as witnessed recently in Kaduna, are unacceptable and cannot be repeated. I am pleased that coordination between all agencies has dramatically improved over recent months, but there is no room for celebrations until we can end this; until we can bring our troops back to their own localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme," the President firmly stated.
 
The President emphasized that the armed forces must deliver on his objective to ensure the nation achieves a sustainable production of two million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensates, within the first quarter of 2024.
 
"I do not play with my intelligence reports. I have multiple lines of sight. The Navy and sister branches must step up their game to achieve our aims for the benefit of all Nigerians. All malign actors will be aggressively uprooted from our midst. Those working against the national agenda from within and without will meet justice. Your task is clear. We will sustain our momentum. Failure is not an option under my leadership," the President warned.
 
The President also commended the Commander of the Presidential Air fleet (PAF), the Commander of the Brigade of Guards (BoG), and his Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO) for their dedication and commitment in the discharge of their assignments, which has earned them a promotion.
 
Speaking at the decoration of the PAF Commander, Air Commodore Olayinka Olusola Oyesola, with his new rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force; Commander, BoG, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, who is promoted from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier-General; and the Police CPSO, Usman Musa Shugaba, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of Police after being promoted from his prior rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, President Tinubu said he was very impressed by the officers’ “loyalty and dedication to duty”.
 
“Nigeria calls all to serve. We are the servants of the country, not the masters as you have seen. Your stewardship as leaders in your various categories is reflected in the assignments and responsibilities you have undertaken. I hope that Nigeria will continue to recognize your service to motherland,” the President concluded.
 
The newly promoted officers were decorated by the President who was assisted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja; and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, respectively, in the presence of the spouses of the elevated officers.

George Weah, Didier Drogba for me, I can pick these two as the greatest African players of all time - Mikel Obi.

Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu produced Nigeria's first locally made car, the Z-600 in 1997. 90% of its parts were locally sourced.

He was a Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede.

Armed men broke into his factory and stole his tools and design book in 2006.

Super Eagles Injury Update!!

Ndidi OUT ➡️
Alhassan Yusuf IN⬅️

Alhassan Yusuf gets his first Super Eagles invitation as he replaces Wilfred Ndidi . Kelechi Iheanacho is still hopeful to join the team before the AFCON begins.

The Federal Government has suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo. This decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education following an undercover investigation conducted by a Nigerian online platform that exposed a degree mill in Cotonou.

The investigative report revealed that a journalist obtained a degree from Cotonou University within six weeks and participated in the mandatory one-year scheme organised by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

Here is the list of foreign universities banned by the National Universities Commission (NUC), according to data retrieved from the NUC website:

1. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin, and its other campuses in Nigeria.

2. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, and its other campuses in Nigeria.

3. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centers, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

4. Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

5. Tiu International University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

6. Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

7. London External Studies UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

8. Pilgrims University, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

9. West African Christian University, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

10. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.

11. Concept College/Universities (London), Ilorin, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

12. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.

13. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

14. University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

15. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

16. African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

17. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.

18. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos

Universities in Benin and Togo are not the only ones culpable in certificate racketeering. Suspending their accreditation is nothing but deception! This isn't the first time FG is doing that!

Chicago State University and its affiliates should be suspended too, then we will know FG is truly serious!

They should searchlight Universities in Chicago and their Degrees as well

Professor Jideofor Adibe says the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu should have resigned in the wake of the 2023 elections.

Nigerians went to the polls earlier in the year to elect their president, governors, and national and state lawmakers. But the exercise, especially the presidential election, was heavily criticised by local and foreign bodies.

The criticisms were enough for the INEC chief to have stepped aside, according to Adibe.

“I think I have this several times even in 2019. INEC cannot deliver anything now because it has a legitimacy crisis,” the professor of political science said on Channels Television’s end-of-year show, “2023: Year Of Transition”.

“The first thing that should have been done is for Professor Mahmood to go. In climes where honour means anything, even if you feel you have done your best, to the extent that international and local observers have condemned and heavily criticised the conduct of the election, the best thing you should do is to step aside. His life does not need to depend on it. You step aside for the sake of the integrity of that institution. And for as long as it remains, I don’t think anybody will think they can get anything from INEC.”

Barely hours to the new year, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a Qatar-based businessman, Agu Evidence Amobi, and one other, Uchegbu Onyebuchi Obi with consignments of psychoactive substances at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.

While Amobi was arrested on Saturday 30th December at the departure point of terminal 2 of the MMIA on his way to Doha, Qatar on a Qatar Airways flight, Obi was taken into custody same day following the seizure of a consignment of 72,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, which he attempted shipping to Kano on a local flight.

Amobi who claimed he’s been living and working in Doha, Qatar for over 10 years was caught with 1.30kg cannabis sativa concealed in a bag of foodstuff. He claimed he bought the substance in Enugu to deliver in Doha to enable him raise enough funds to pay his rents in Doha and Nigeria and school fees of his three children.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the domestic wing of the airport intercepted a carton containing a total of 72,000 pills of tramadol 250mg with a gross weight of 38.50kg. This was closely followed with the arrest of Uchegbu Onyebuchi Obi who brought the consignment to the airport for shipment to Kano.

On Christmas day 25th December in Yobe state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Nguru-Gashua road intercepted the trio of Musa Sani, Mohammed Ibrahim and Adamu Usman in truck conveying 39 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 15.7kg and 128,500 pills of opioids.

Follow up operations the following day 26th December led to the arrest of the actual owner of the cannabis consignment, Ali Ibrahim (a.k.a Ramos) in Geidam where additional 208 blocks of the same substance were recovered from his house, bringing the total to 247 blocks weighing 94.74kg, while the owner of the seized opioids, Mustapha Goni (a.k.a Lolo) was equally arrested.

In Imo state, NDLEA operatives on Christmas eve, Sunday 24th December while on patrol along Owerri - Onitsha expressway intercepted a commercial bus driven by Peter Orji, 42, with 400 bottles of codeine syrup; 7, 590 pills of opioids including tramadol 225mg heading to Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

While David Michael, 52, was arrested at Unguwa Ukku area of Kano on Sunday 24th December with 49 blocks of cannabis weighing 42.6kg, Umar Abdullahi, 27, was nabbed with 27, 350 pills of opioids at Gadar Tamburawa area of the city same day. This is even as 45-year-old Yusuf Yahaya was arrested same Christmas eve along Lagos-Ilorin expressway with 31.00kg of compressed cannabis in a commercial bus coming from Ibadan, Oyo state to Kebbi State. Preliminary investigation revealed that he supplies illicit drugs to bandits in Kebbi and Zamfara axis.

The Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture organised by Kano state command of NDLEA in collaboration with Kibiya LGA and District Head of Kibiya; WADA sensitisation lecture for students and staff of Ansar-ud-deen Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos as well as WADA advocacy lecture for muslim faithful at Iworo Central Mosque, Ajido Olorunda LCDA, Lagos state, among others.

While commending the efforts of the officers and men of MMIA, Yobe, Kano, Kwara and Imo Commands of the Agency for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) tasked them and their compatriots nationwide not to rest on the achievements of 2023 but continue to raise the bar in their offensive action against drug barons and cartels with an equipoise of intense WADA advocacy campaigns in the new year. He wished all officers and men as well as their families, stakeholders and the general public a rewarding and fulfilling new year.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Sunday 31st December 2023

Leaders of Thought in Rivers State have told President Ahmed Tinubu that any attempt by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 fiscal budget he already signed into law will make a mockery of the state, noting that Rivers is not a Banana Republic.

The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought spoke in Port Harcourt, yesterday, after its meeting. Speaking, the Convener, CORSOTS, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, commended President Ahmed Tinubu for taking steps to resolve the political impasse that has threatened the state, but regretted that the proclamations of Tinubu runs contrary to all known laws in the country.

Chukumele appreciated the President and other well-meaning groups who have shown goodwill and genuine interest in the peace and development of the state.

He noted that the manner in which the presidential proclamation was It is bullying and intimidations of an elected officer, adding that the Abuja proclamation did not honour the Constitution.

Chukumele said: “The exercise as observed, presents the scenario as bullying and intimidation of an elected Governor which is the symbol of authority and power of Rivers State.”

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the new governor of Ondo, says President Bola Tinubu has advised him to take charge and galvanise everyone for the growth of the state.

Aiyedatiwa spoke with journalists on Thursday after meeting with Tinubu in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor of Ondo on Wednesday following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu, the former governor of the state.

Akeredolu died of prostate cancer complications.

Speaking after the meeting, Aiyedatiwa said he used the occasion to update the president on recent developments in the state.

The governor said he also appreciated the president for being a “father figure” during a crucial moment for the state.

“I’m here to see Mr. President, to further brief him on the events that happened in our state — the loss of our governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu,” Aiyedatiwa said.

“I also let him know that I have just been sworn in because there can never be a vacuum.”

Aiyedatiwa added that the president advised him to “pull everybody together to work” for the state.

“It was a paradox, a mixed feeling, he commiserated with me, even though he put a call through yesterday to condole with us in Ondo State, through me, he still did the same today, and also wished me well that there can never be a vacuum, one era ends, another one begins,” he said.

“So, it’s basically an advice and to also encourage me to take charge and mobilise everybody and to pull everybody together to work together and see how we can move the state forward.”

Right Honourable Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, has given reasons why the allocation to the office of the Deputy Governor for the 2024 appropriation was slashed to about N345 million while that of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service (HoS) and others were far higher.

According to the Speaker, the Deputy Governor’s allocation was pruned down because not much responsibilities would be given to him in the new year as a result of his governorship ambition.

Speaking to journalists on the development in his office, Agbebaku also dispelled rumours that there was disenchantment among some members of the house and were plotting to make the house unruly for him.

According to him, “Unlike the other offices like the SSG, HoS and others, the office of the governor and the deputy governor are the same, it is not only in this year’s budget, even in previous years that is how it has been.

On this occasion, the Governor stated clearly that since the deputy governor has not performed his functions in the outgoing year because of his aspiration, which he recognized to be a huge one and time consuming, most of his functions were relocated to other offices as the governor has the powers to do so.

“All of us know that the deputy governor doesn’t have constitutional powers bestowed on him except that which is allocated to him by the governor. So most of those things that the deputy governor used to do, the governor has removed from him.

He has even gone on media to complain that he is no longer working, if you are not doing any work, who will now give you money?

“The money is not allotted to you as a personal gift, it is given for work so if you are not working, naturally the money will not come and there is no way you can be working effectively when you are pushing that ambition.

“We are talking about a year where the most part of it, almost 11 months will be on electioneering so how are you now going to function properly as a deputy governor?

In his magnanimity, the governor has said, I don’t want to be a stumbling block on your ambition on your route to becoming governor. So you should have your time to pursue your ambition to fruition.

So to that extent, he said okay, I’m not going to give you too much function. So if you’re not giving too much function, then not much money will be given to you.”

On the allegation that the office of the Speaker got over 19 billion naira, Agbebaku said there was no allocation to his office but what was there is the allocation to the state house of assembly.

Niger State governor Umaru Muhammed Bago has faulted news reports that alcohol has been banned in Suleja and eight other local governments for sharing boundaries with suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Bago in a statement he signed described the story as a figment of the imagination of mischief makers in the state.

Reports purportedly signed by one unknown secretary of the state’s Liquor and Licencing Board, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed claimed that the ban of alcohol takes immediate effect on Monday in Suleja and eight other local governments sharing blurred boundaries with suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Bago however stated that such a board was not in existence and dissolved a long time ago adding whoever was claiming to be its secretary was an impostor and on his own.

He noted that there was no time he authorized such directive.

“The board in question has not been constituted as we speak, it was dissolved long time ago and we are yet to constitute another board,” he said.

“The so called official cannot speak on behalf of the state government. He is unknown to the state government. The state government did not authorize the ban of alcohol.

“I hereby urge the citizenry irrespective of their religious and ethnic leanings to go about their businesses without let or hindrances.”

The Governor remarked that his resolve to sign the 2024 budget in an expeditious manner was in line with the quest to reposition the state to achieve sustainable growth and development in the state.

SUNDAY UPDATE: Earlier today, I visited my boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo welcomed me and my friends his Abeokuta home. We were hosted to a sumptuous lunch by Mrs. Obasanjo for which we are very grateful. Back to base for Christmas in sha Allah. - @elrufai

Desperate attempts by transnational criminal organisations to flood Nigerian communities with large quantities of assorted illicit drugs during the yuletide season have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who intercepted millions of tramadol 225mg pills, thousands of codeine syrup bottles and bags of Canadian Loud in consignments arriving the country ahead of the Christmas celebration.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, all tricks employed by the drug syndicates to smuggle into the country seven million five hundred thousand (7,500,000) pills of tramadol 225mg through the NAHCO import shed of the airport were frustrated by NDLEA officers with the cooperation of men of the Nigeria Customs and other stakeholders.

The consignment which was taken into custody on Friday 22nd December came onboard Turkish airline with no country of manufacture or origin. Apart from being the first time such shipment would be seized on the airlines flight, it was equally the first of such coming from Hamburg, Germany. The 7.5million tramadol 225mg pills were also specially designed and packaged as tamol-x concealed in 100 big cartons weighing 7,150kg, which arrived the country on 11th December and placed under surveillance until last Friday. Preliminary test of the tablets proved positive to tramadol hydrochloride.
In the same vein, operatives of the Lagos Command of the Agency on Wednesday 20th December conducted a search operation on two shops marked Chex Mat Global Link Limited at Trade Fair complex in Ojo area of Lagos where 258 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup and eight cartons of codeine tablets were recovered. The cartons contain: 49, 200 bottles of codeine syrup and 46, 200 tablets of same opioid. The following day Thursday 21st December, NDLEA operatives raided a house in Mushin area of Lagos where a 70-year-old grandma, Selifat Funke Cole and her son, Babajide Ayorinde Cole were arrested with 117.900kg of cannabis sativa.

A consignment of spare parts that originated from Asaba, Delta state and going to Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, India was intercepted at the cargo terminal of the Lagos airport on Wednesday 20th December. NDLEA sniffer dogs were deployed to examine the spare parts. The dogs were able to identify the particular shipment containing illicit drug concealment, which a physical examination later confirmed to be cocaine measuring 200grams.

Not less than 70 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, with a gross weight of 35kg were seized by operatives of the Tincan Command of NDLEA from a container, marked BEAU 4993525 coming from Toronto via Montreal, Canada. The container contained four used vehicles, including a Honda CRV 2006 model, where bags of the psychoactive substance were concealed.

In the FCT Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Monday 18th December intercepted a waybill consignment of 25,000 pills of tramadol, while their counterparts in Anambra arrested two suspects at Onitsha head bridge. Ejiro Emmanuel was driving a bus marked EFR 31 XB conveying 61,100 tramadol capsules; 1, 025 bottles of codeine; 1,350 tablets of rohypnol and 46grams of designer drug, while Daniel Ogbiyoyo was caught in a bus marked SAP 540 YK conveying 55,950 tramadol capsules; 3,117 bottles of codeine; 1,530 tablets of swinol and 1,350 tablets of rohypnol.
Operatives in Delta state on Monday 18th December in a joint operation with the military raided the home of a drug kingpin, Chukwuma Steven Eneriku at Okanaro street, Abbi town, where bags of cannabis weighing 353kg were recovered. Same day, NDLEA operatives in Enugu recovered bags of cannabis sativa weighing 435.1kg in a warehouse located at Trans Ekulu, Enugu East LGA.
In Edo state, five persons dressed in NDLEA operational jackets were arrested with a fabricated gun and pistol carved from wood following intelligence that they were impersonating as officers of the Agency and conducting illegal operations. The suspects include: Sebastine Asekiamhe, 22; Raymond Otaru, 28; Emmanuel Wisdom, 23; Solomon Edogamhe, 27; and Bonaventure Oghibui, 22. While some others in NDLEA jackets escaped, a bottle of codeine-based syrup was found with those arrested.

The Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture at Ikuduru LGA, Imo; WADA advocacy visit to Fuji music maestro, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Ogun state; WADA advocacy visit to Kwara First Lady and Chairperson Nigeria Governors Wives Forum, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazak, Ilorin; WADA sensitisation lecture to members of Jamaatu Fitayanul Islam at Aliyu Mustafa College, Yola and WADA advocacy visit to the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Babatunde Aremu Akiolu.

While commending the efforts of the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Delta, FCT and Tincan Commands of the Agency as well as the K-9 Unit for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and get ready for the next phase of operations in the new year.

*Femi Babafemi*
*Director, Media & Advocacy*
*NDLEA Headquarters Abuja*
*Sunday 24th December 2023*

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks to disregard the initial ban on cryptocurrency which the apex bank announced two years ago.

Haruna Mustapha, CBN’s director of financial policy and regulation, disclosed this in a circular on Friday.

The apex bank said it is now providing guidelines and regulations for banks with regard to managing cryptocurrency in line with global trends to avoid its misuse, while urging banks to comply with the guidelines and regulations.

FPR/DIR/PUB/CIR/002/003

CIRCULAR TO ALL BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

GUIDELINES ON OPERATIONS OF BANK ACCOUNTS FOR VIRTUAL ASSETS SERVICE PROVIDERS (VASPs)

The CBN in February 2021 issued a circular restricting banks and other financial institutions from operating accounts for cryptocurrency service providers in view of the money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks and vulnerabilities inherent in their operations as well as the absence of regulations and consumer protection measures.

However, current trends globally have shown that there is need to regulate the activities of virtual assets service providers (VASPs) which include cryptocurrencies and crypto assets. Following this development, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2018 also updated its Recommendation 15 to require VASPS to be regulated to prevent misuse of virtual assets for ML/TF/PF.

Furthermore, Section 30 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 recognizes VASPs as part of the definition of a financial institution. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in May 2022 issued Rules on Issuance, Offering and Custody of Digital Assets and VASPS to provide a regulatory framework for their operations in Nigeria.

In view of the foregoing, the CBN hereby issues this Guidelines to provide guidance to financial institutions under its regulatory purview in respect of their banking relationship with VASPs in Nigeria.

The Guidelines supersedes the CBN’s circulars referenced FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/010 of January 12, 2017 and BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001 of February 5, 2021 on the subject. However, banks and other financial institutions are still prohibited from holding, trading and/or transacting in virtual currencies on their own account.

Accordingly, all banks and other financial institutions are hereby required to immediately comply with the provisions of the Guidelines.

HARUNA B. MUSTAFA

DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL POLICY AND REGULATION DEPARTMENT

The priest of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Benin City, Edo State, Rev. Fr. Andrew Obinyan on Monday declared interest to contest for the governorship election of the State.

The cleric made the declaration when he visited the secretariat of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Benin City.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that he did not declare the party on which he would contest, noting that after many calls and pressure from well-meaning Edo people and Nigerians, he was ready to contest the election.

Obinyan said, “I received series of calls from well meaning Edo people and Nigerians across party lines beckoning on me to contest the forthcoming governorship election in our dear state.

“After very extensive consultation and consideration, I am please to inform you that I am giving Edo people and members of the movement an affirmative nod.

“And that means I have considered it, and I am very much available and ready to serve.

“As a priest, I am trained and equipped to serve and not to be served.,” the Catholic priest added.

Also speaking, Sir Jude Aigbona
The leader of the Rev. Fr. Obinyan Movement, Sir Jude Aignona also note that after being governed by politicians and technocrats, Edo people should give the priest a chance to govern the state, adding that Rev. Fr. Obinyan is a tested and trusted servant.

He urged the youths in the state to embark on a mass movement for Obinyan and that with the Catholic Priest, the state would experience “a total turn around like a new creature.

“We intend to run a mass movement, a movement that will reshape Edo State; a movement that will give us a new hope in Edo State.

“Edo had seen it all. We have seen technocrats rule us, we have seen politicians rule us, so let’s us try a man of God. A man who is ready to serve us wholeheartedly so that Edo will be a new state; a new creature that other states will want to emulate.”

Another member of the movement, Basil Ogwu, said, “This movement cuts across all party lines. We didn’t just come up just to support him, but after much consultation, we discovered that he is credible. We have tried different kinds of people, but this time around, we want to give it to a religious leader.

RIVERS ASSEMBLY WITHDRAWS NOTICE OF IMPEACHMENT ON GOVERNOR FUBARA

The Rivers State House of Assembly at its 89th Legislative Sitting, Wednesday, in the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters on Aba Road, which was converted to hallowed Chamber via a Motion at its last Plenary, has withdrawn the impeachment notice served on the governor of the State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara.

Reading a letter on the Floor of the House, signed by 24 Members, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule recalled that on the 30th of October, 2023 he read a notice of impeachment signed by 24 Members of the House pursuant to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as altered; which contained particulars of gross misconduct, and was served on the Governor.

He said following the agreement reached on the 18th of December, 2023 at the instance of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the House has withdrawn the notice of impeachment, and would abide by the letters of the agreement and the advice of Mr. President, whom he said Members have immense respect for.

The Speaker added that the House would continue to perform its constitutional functions of law making and oversight for the development of the State; and lauded Mr. President for his fatherly role in the settlement of the issues.

In another development, the House considered further Report of the Adhoc Committee on the Aleto Oil Spill.
Recall that in August, 2023 the Committee submitted its Report on an oil spill in Aleto community accassioned by equipment failure.

Remarking on the Report, the Speaker, Rt.Hon. Martin Amaewhule commended the Committee for following up the Resolutions of the House on the initial Report and urged the Committee to continue and ensure that proper and full remediation is effected.

Signed:

Martins Wachukwu

Media Aide to the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly.

December 20, 2023

A multi-million-naira mansion located at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City (VGC) estate, Lekki area of Lagos used as clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine by a convicted drug baron, Okenwa Chris Nzewi, has been forfeited to the Federal Government following his successful prosecution and conviction in court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah on 30th July 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos. They both pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of fine of four million (N4,000,000) naira and three million (N3,000,000) naira respectively in addition to community service for four and three weeks each. His vehicle marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.

To further deny him of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, the NDLEA filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court Lagos which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on 6th December before the final forfeiture on 7th December 2023.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday 15th December arrested a 75-year-old grandma, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun for dealing in illicit drugs. At the time of her arrest in Oshodi area of Lagos, quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from her. She claimed her son, Segun who is now at large supplied her the illicit substances which she retailed.

In Imo, operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha expressway on Thursday 14th December intercepted a way-billed consignment containing cocaine weighing 2.287kg. The shipment coming from Lagos was concealed in cellophane condoms, and heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A suspect, Isaac Okoh, 45, has already been arrested. No fewer than 10 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 100kg were recovered from the ceiling of a dealer, Ibrahim Yahaya, 35, when his house was raided in the Tudun Kofa area of Lafia, Nasarawa State on Friday 15th December while he was also arrested.

At the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos, over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol were intercepted in a cargo going to South Africa by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Two suspects: Bada Olanrewaju Akorede, and Amusan Olufela Sharafadeen have so far been taken into custody in connection with the consignment, which consists: 1,050,000 pills of tramadol 225mg and 510,000 tablets of rohypnol.

At the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, operatives on Friday 15th December intercepted a consignment of 1, 496 bottles of codeine syrup at A.Y.A area of the city while a suspect, Ozioma Enoja, 31, was arrested in a follow up operation. Another consignment of 400 bottles of the same opioid coming from Port Harcourt, Rivers state was also seized along Abaji-Abuja highway on Saturday 16th December after which a suspect, Bala Ishaq was arrested during a follow up operation at Zuba motor park.

While 17 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 195.8kg stored in a bush at Gbanke village, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo state were recovered by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 13th December, anti-narcotic officers in Ogun state intercepted two suspects: Edun Olowokou and Tunde Elijah at Alamutu roundabout area of Abeokuta with bags of same psychoactive substance weighing 279kg.

In Borno state, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 12th December arrested Bukar Ali, 29, and Abacha Alhaji Fantami, 20, with 171kg of cannabis at Ngamdu, Kaga LGA, while three suspects: Jamilu Haruna, 22; Mohammed Hassan, 23; and Aminu Umar, 50, were nabbed with 57kg cannabis on Wednesday 13th December at Tsafe checkpoint, Zamfara state, when they were on their way to Zurumi, a village known as bandits’ enclave.

At least four suspects: Ezekiel Monday Thompson, 56; Hezekiah Ime, 20; Nsikak Okon Jonah, 39; and Chidi Kalu, 44, were arrested with a total of 121kg cannabis and 5.1grams of methamphetamine in parts of Cross River state on Monday 10th December.

The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the Agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA advocacy lecture for students of St. Margaret High School, Ilesa, Osun; students of Federal Government Girls College, Shagamu, Ogun; students of Wesley Model Primary and Secondary School, Badagry, Lagos; students and staff of Government Junior Secondary School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Yaryasa, Tudun Wada LGA, Kano state.

While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, FCT, Imo, Edo, Borno, Ogun, Zamfara, and Cross River Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week, as well as those of the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for their diligent prosecution of cases in court, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to intensify the offensive action tempo against drug cartels as the yuletide season approaches while maintaining an equal balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Sunday 17th December 2023

The Ehie Edison-led Assembly has passed the 2024 Budget successfully presented to the Rivers State House of Assembly by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State .

The budget christened "Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity" costs N800,392,485,433.00.

It is reported that the State Govt has earmarked N412bn for capital expenditure, N361bn for recurrent and N128bn for critical infrastructure such as health, education, security etc.