SENATOR IFEANYI UBAH CONGRATULATES PROF. CHARLES SOLUDO ON HIS ELECTORAL VICTORY.
…APPRECIATES FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND STEADFASTNESS.
Umunne M Ndi Anambra,
I have just called the newly elected Governor of our dear State; Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo to congratulate him on his victory at the just concluded November 6, 2021 Anambra Governorship poll.
To everything there is a season, so the Holy Bible says.
It is with a heart full of gratitude and submission to the will of God that I address you all today having enjoyed the unique privilege of earning your support to seek the Governorship office of our dear State Anambra.
The past months have been defining for us in several respects. In the build up to this election, we were bound together by the will and shared vision that now is the time for our state to chart a new course, to make life better and more meaningful for our people. We unveiled a strategic agenda for a new, better and prosperous Anambra.
After watching the fortunes of Anambra State dwindle for years, we collectively embarked on this journey to translate to reality, the dreams of a better future and shared prosperity for the people of Anambra State. In all, we gave our very best, for conscience and for posterity.
Our journey has not been that of roses. Our journey has been full of trials, triumphs, ups and downs; nonetheless, in the face of intimidating challenges and complexities, we displayed indomitable courage.
Umunne m, this is not the outcome that we wanted and worked so hard for. Although some people have expressed mixed feelings and reactions about the anomalies witnessed across numerous polling units. However, the collective interest of the state must be our paramount focus. Not minding the outcome of the elections, I feel pride and gratitude for this formidable campaign that we waged irrespective of the pervasive security crisis that did not allow us to maximize our full campaign potentials in the nooks and crannies of the State.
Retrospectively, it is incontrovertible to state that our campaign has helped expand the wider narrative of democracy and good governance in Anambra State. In spite of the outcome of this election, our dreams of a better Anambra State remains sacrosanct.
As a Democrat and law abiding citizen, I wholeheartedly accept outcome of the election and would like to use this medium to congratulate Prof. Charles Soludo on his victory. It is imperative to state that I do not intend to challenge the electoral results as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through any court or judicial process;
I, therefore urge my fellow contestants to move on and thread this same path of honour.
Irrespective of all the challenges that we faced, the electoral result proves that YPP is here to stay;
APGA - 19 LGAs PDP - 1 LGA YPP - 1 LGA APC - 0
Therefore, we will work assiduously to ensure that we reposition our party for greater heights.
At this juncture, I want to urge our incoming Governor to conduct Local Government elections and grant full financial autonomy to our LGAs in order for them to bring dividends of democracy to the grassroots. I also want to enjoin Prof. Soludo to always engage Anambrarians in the Diaspora as critical stakeholders. As a commercially viable state, our traders must be supported and given the requisite incentives to grow.
There is an urgent need to adopt a proactive, intelligence-based and technology-driven approach to tackle the prevailing issue of insecurity in our dear State Anambra through networking and strategic information dissemination.
I urge our Governor elect to promote rapid Industrialization and work in harmony with members of the National Assembly in the state so as to harness the instrumentality of the National Assembly to create a synergy between the Federal and State Government. Improved health tourism must also be at the center stage of his administration’s policy thrust.
Our dear State Anambra is a land of opportunities; a home for everyone and the “Light of the Nation”. It is therefore a point of duty and responsibility to correct the ills of the previous administration and ensure that we remain a centre of opportunities and growth for everyone; a place where Anambrarians can achieve their dreams and aspirations.
To my wife and the children, who had to endure many months, days and nights without me; I thank you for your love and steadfastness. You will continue to be my pillar of strength.
I salute the men, women and the youths who believed and demonstrated their faith by investing their time and resources in my campaign. Thank you for staying the course!
I am immensely grateful to my friends too numerous to mention (home and abroad), party leadership and members, well wishers and loyal supporters who so generously contributed their time and effort to my campaign during this long election season. I thank you all immensely for your support and encouragement because without your magnanimous inputs we would have never been this daring and impactful. Thank you for the prayers, courage, generosity, and love that I witnessed during this campaign.
I also wish to commend my fellow candidates for their exemplary candor and sportsmanship throughout the course of the campaign.
Conclusively, I have gallantly moved on to the next phase of my life and have forgiven all and sundry, including my trusted allies that worked against me.
As we anticipate with enthusiasm, the start of the next dispensation led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, I commit the entire leadership and citizenry of Anambra State into the safe hands of the Almighty God, on whose shoulder, the governance of our dear State has rested from the inception.
In all, we reckon and submit to the supremacy of God’s will.
PDP'S VALENTINE OZIGBO CONGRATULATES SOLUDO, DELIVERS A THANK YOU MESSAGE TO NDI ANAMBRA
I have just called Professor Chukwuma Soludo and congratulated him on being declared the winner of the Anambra State Governorship elections, 2021. I wished him well and prayed for his success.
Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate all the men and women who contested our dear state's governorship this year. You all have shown a determination to see that Anambra is better. It was an honour to run this race with you.
Two years ago, I decided to go into active partisan politics with a number of objectives in mind.
First, to use Anambra to set an example of excellence in governance. The second was to unify Anambra and Ala Igbo around a shared vision of greatness. The third was to inspire more professionals to go into politics. I believe that attainment of these would go a long way in changing the story of black men and women in this world for the better.
Pulled by the vision of a better and brighter Anambra, we set out on the quest for governorship, resolute on taking revolutionary steps to address the decay and decline in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, the environment, and all other social systems meant to serve the people.
As laid out in our Ka Anambra Chawapu Manifesto, we planned to transform Anambra into the most competitive sub-national economy in Nigeria by opening up public, social, and commercial spaces leveraging on the strength of our youth and women. Ultimately, to make Anambra the pride of Nigeria.
Given where we started and where we are today, we consider ourselves winners. Our Ka Anambra Chawapu message has permeated the consciousness of Ndi Anambra, and the nation at large. It is the strongest message that has come out of Anambra 2021, and it continues to beat in the hearts of Ndi Igbo.
On unifying Ala Igbo, I believe that every Igbo person now understands that they have a voice in me because I will forever speak in the interest of the Igbo Nation and the rest of the marginalised and forgotten in Nigeria.
During this journey, especially in the last months, I have met many professionals who have been inspired into politics by our message and asked me how I got to this level in my first attempt. I urge them to keep the faith. Don't ever let the candle that has been lit in you dim. Our country needs your active participation in her affairs.
We documented our grand vision for a brighter and better Anambra and presented it to our people with the energy to implement it. Though we may not have the opportunity in the immediate to get it started, we will be holding the government in power accountable to ensure that the welfare of the people is foremost in their actions at all times.
I acknowledge that we could not have done this alone. I am a child of Grace. I thank the Almighty God who chose me for this mission for His abundant mercies and love.
I thank all the courageous men and women who first believed in me, many of them without knowing me well. You are the heroes of our Ka Anambra Chawapu Movement. I also thank everyone who believed, even without meeting me, who heard our message and came out in full support.
I am grateful to every single person who joined our movement and contributed in one way or the other. The thousands who showed us so much love, from youths and women in the grassroot, to those in the diaspora, to the Non Indigenes, various church groups across all denominations, market women, civil servants, artisans, and many more. Thank you for your prayers, your material, financial, and intellectual contributions. May the Lord reward you abundantly.
I thank the leaders and pillars of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the national (especially the PDP Governors), state and ward levels who stood by us and worked tirelessly to win the mandate of Ndi Anambra. I appreciate your amazing support and friendship.
Most importantly, I thank the entire Ndi Anambra - home and abroad. The openness, love, and enthusiasm with which you received us, especially as we campaigned across the state, is one that my wife, my running mate and I will cherish forever.
This election was fraught with a lot of short-comings on the part of various government institutions. The security agencies failed to provide a peaceful environment for campaigns to hold. On election day, they were absent from many polling centres leading to elections not holding or held in situations that allowed for chaos and fraud.
The national electoral commission presented untrained and poorly trained staff who could not operate the voting machines in many places. They failed woefully in providing logistical support for their staff and so elections started very late in many places and did not hold in many others.
The use of government funds and resources to corrupt, coerce, and intimidate voters, PDP party agents, and electoral officials was a major factor in determining the outcome of this election.
All of these led to the disenfranchisement of the greater percentage of voters and staining the course of democracy. I will be dedicating time to champion the positive change we need to ensure that future elections are truly free and fair and that the will of the electorate prevails.
Denominational politics was also a factor. We need to do a lot more to ensure that competence is never sacrificed on this altar, and that democracy is practiced in line with its truest tenets.
In all, I am more determined to working for a better future for our children by remaining in active politics and rebuilding our party to be more united and more robust for those who come after us. Ka Anambra Chawapu.
Ozigbo, 51, polled 53,807 votes behind Soludo,61 who won the election with 112,229 votes.
Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress got 43,285 votes and Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressive Party polled 21,261 votes to place third and fourth respectively.
On this day in 1995,Ken Saror Wiwa & his Ogoni kinsmen were executed by the Abacha junta.I was in Port Harcourt prison on transit to Aba Prisons,as a political prisoner serving a 15 year sentence when i witnessed the execution.The gallows malfunctioned when it came to Wiwa’s turn
After Saror Wiwa and his kinsmen were hanged,prisoners were called to remove the bodies from the gallows and were escorted out for burial.The prisoners who returned,narrated that they were instructed to pour acid on the corpses of which they did. Some of them are still alive.
Another year, another plea for Nigeria’s govt to exonerate my father, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the rest of the #Ogoni9 who were executed on false treason charges 26 years ago today for seeking human rights and environmental justice. Help #Nigeria heal and move forward � #kensarowiwa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5_RqE-EM7I Mr. Nkang Essien Former Controller of Prison- Port Harcourt (1995-1996) at the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission of Nigeria (otherwise known as the "Oputa Panel"
He was a member of the Ogoni people, an ethnic minority in Nigeria whose homeland, Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta has been targeted for crude oil extraction since the 1950s and which has suffered extreme environmental damage from decades of indiscriminate petroleum waste dumping.
On the 10th of November 1995, Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine were hanged at the Port Harcourt prison.
Blindfolded and dangling from a rope, Nigerian playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa spoke eight final words before his body went limp: ``Lord take my soul, but the struggle continues.″
Because of faulty equipment, it took five attempts to hang the anti-government activist in Port Harcourt on Friday morning.
At one point, according to the daily newspaper AM News, Saro-Wiwa asked his executioners: ``Why are you people treating me like this? Which type of country is this?″
The 54-year-old playwright was one of nine Ogoni ethnic minority activists hanged Friday in the southern oil port; several papers reported Sunday that Saro-Wiwa was hanged first.
A secret tribunal convicted Saro-Wiwa on Oct. 31 of ordering the murders of four political rivals who were shot at a 1994 political rally. A military ruling council upheld the sentences Wednesday.
The government apparently wanted the hangings to take place immediately, but had to wait 48 hours for Port Harcourt to build a makeshift gallows. The city had not had a hanging in 35 years, since Nigeria’s independence from Britain.
Saro-Wiwa insisted he was framed because of his opposition to military ruler Gen. Sani Abacha and the oil industry, which accounts for about 80 percent of Nigeria’s foreign income.
He campaigned on behalf of the 500,000 Ogoni people who live in the oil-rich southern states and who say their land and water are being destroyed by oil industry pollution.
Saro-Wiwa’s son said he would endorse an international boycott of Nigerian oil, saying that it was not enough to emphasize human rights protests or reduce business cooperation.
``Nigerian oil is what sustains the Nigerian military dictators, enabling them to survive,″ Ken Wiwa said Sunday in London.
The executions provoked an international outcry. At least eight countries, including the United States, recalled their ambassadors from Nigeria. Pope John Paul II said Sunday he was praying that God would inspire Nigeria’s leaders to guide their nation with ``acts in favor of respectful dialogue and justice.″
The Commonwealth of Britain and its former colonies suspended Nigeria’s membership and said Sunday that Nigeria would face expulsion if it did not end its military dictatorship and restore democracy within two years.
Nigerian government legal adviser Hawalu Yadudu called the Commonwealth suspension unfair meddling in the internal affairs of the West African nation. ``Suspending Nigeria is not appropriate,″ he told the official News Agency of Nigeria.
Saro-Wiwa, leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, was arrested last year in connection with the murders of four Ogoni candidates who challenged him in a May 1994 election of delegates to a constitutional conference.
According to Yadudu, Saro-Wiwa and the eight others executed had identified 14 Ogoni leaders to be killed, including the four men who were murdered. ``Surely the rest of the world should be able to know a gruesome murder,″ he said.
Yadudu also defended the court proceedings, saying they were not conducted by a military tribunal but by two judges and one military officer. He said the defendants had private attorneys.
Several newspapers reported Sunday that as soon as the court upheld the death sentences on Wednesday, the government moved swiftly to set the executions in motion.
Within hours, nine coffins were moved to the Port Harcourt prison. The executioners were flown to Port Harcourt on Thursday from the northern city of Sokoto. They checked into a hotel and awaited their task.
At 3 a.m. Friday, soldiers went to the home of the prison director and ordered him to get to work. Two hours later, Saro-Wiwa and the eight others were roused from their cells at the army camp where they had been held since their convictions.
The soldiers told them they were being taken to the Port Harcourt prison, claiming there was reason to suspect the army camp might be attacked by Ogoni youths. Once at the prison, the nine men were herded into one room and shackled at wrist and ankle.
They were then led out in a line. Saro-Wiwa was first.
After the executions, armed guards took the bodies to the public cemetery around 3:15 p.m.
Thousands of troops and anti-riot police have been sent to the Niger Delta region in the southeast. The Port Harcourt cemetery has been surrounded by soldiers and tanks; relatives have not been allowed to visit the graves.
Members of the Ogoni community are demanding that the bodies of the men be returned to their families for proper burial.
``He was not guilty of the offense for which they killed him,″ Saro-Wiwa’s lead defense attorney Gani Fawehinmi tearfully told a rally of 3,000 supporters in Lagos on Saturday.
However, two Nigerian men claiming to be the sons of two of the murdered Ogonis told reporters Sunday that Saro-Wiwa was guilty.
Kenneth Kobani, a London-based lawyer, and Desmond Orage, an insurance agent from Los Angeles, said they travelled to the Commonwealth meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, to set the record straight. They insisted they did not represent the Nigerian Government, which they agreed needed democratic reform.
``I do accept that Nigeria has some flaws,″ Kobani said. ``However, even an unpopular government can sometimes be right. I believe the verdict of guilt is a justified one.″
A two-storey building has collapsed in eastern Turkey, injuring at least 13 people. As rescue workers comb through the wreckage, more than 20 people are reportedly still trapped under concrete and debris.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the town of Battalgazi, about 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of the Syrian border. The cause of the collapse is unknown, though witnesses told Haberturk they had seen construction workers cutting a column in a business on the ground floor.
As search and rescue operations continued, video footage captured the extent of the devastation, and the panic on the surrounding streets.
“I heard a crack first and then the building collapsed. A cloud of dust emerged. It was like judgement day,” witness Turhan Cobanoglu told Haberturk. According to locals, the building housed a chicken farm on the ground floor and a cafe above, where most of the victims are believed to have been at the time of the collapse.
According to multiple Turkish news reports, rescuers have heard survivors calling out from beneath the wreckage.
13 people were injured as a building collapsed in Central Malatya. The treatment of the wounded continues in our hospitals. 28 ambulances and 2 UMKE teams were deployed at the scene. Get well soon, Malatya. We stand with you.
A Nigerian Air Force officer, Sergeant Torsobo Solomon was yesterday reported to have been arrested in connection with the recent August attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna that left two officers dead.
Reports of communication stated, "On 08 Nov 21, at about 0600hr, NAF07/ 23922, SGT Torsobo Solomon of 153 BSG (AIRFORCE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL YOLA) was arrested on the order of the Base Commander as requested by the NDA Commander for an offence connecting with arms and ammunition with recent bandit attack at NDA Kaduna.
"At about 0815hr, ATR with reg no NAF 930 to arrive flight line to convey him from Yola to NDA KADUNA for further interrogation.
"Below is the suspect onboard the ATR ac to Kaduna."
However, the NDA in a statement on Monday night said he was not in their custody.
*RE: ARREST OF SERGEANT TORSABO SOLOMON*
The attention of the Nigerian Defence Academy has been drawn to a viral publication on social media regarding the arrest of one Sgt Torsabo Solomon for his involvement on the security breach in Nigerian Defence Academy and was conveyed to the Academy for investigation.
This is to inform the general public that the above named person is not in the Nigerian Defence Academy’s custody as alleged and has no connection with the Academy. The Nigerian Defence Academy is a Military Training Institution and not an Investigative Security Agency. The general public is hereby advised to disregard this misinformation and refer to relevant Investigative Security Agencies for clarification.
The Nigerian Defence Academy wishes to reassure the general public that the perpetrators of the security breach on the Nigerian Defence Academy architecture will sooner rather than later be apprehended.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, convicted and sentenced the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, to eight years in prison for money laundering.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Okon Abang, found Maina guilty on all the 12-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and his company, Common Input Property and Investment Limited.
Justice Abang held that the anti-graft agency successfully established the essential ingredients of the offences contained in the charge, beyond a reasonable doubt.
He held that the sentence would run concurrently, with effect from October 25, 2019.
The court ordered Maina and his firm to restitute about N2.1billion that was traced to their bank accounts, to the Federal Government, after which it ordered that the company should be wound up.
Besides, it ordered the forfeiture of Maina’s two choice properties at Life camp and Jabi districts of Abuja, to the government, as well as the auction of a bulletproof car and a BMW 5 series car that was found on the premises of the convict.
Justice Abang stressed that though the law made provision for a maximum sentence of 14 years, he said he was moved by Maina’s plea for mercy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced the postponement of the governorship election in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, following alleged irregularities discovered in most communities in the council area.
The announcement was made during collation on Sunday by the officer in charge, Ahmadu Umar.
According to Umar, there were 148,407 registered voters in the LGA, yet there was no election in the council area on Saturday due to the activities of some politicians who tried to rig the election.
The exercise has been rescheduled to hold on Saturday, November 13, 2021, as the INEC official warned trouble makers to steer clear of all the venues where the election will hold in the Ihiala Council area.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C Don Adinuba, had alleged that a politician in the area and his group had tried to rig the election.
He noted that some of the hoodlums have been arrested by security agents in the area.
Fire has gutted the popular Kubwa Village market in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, killing unspecified number of persons.
DAILY POST gathered the incident which razed down several shops occured on Friday evening.
Details of the inferno are still sketchy as at press time, however, a source disclosed told our reporter that the incident followed a tanker explosion close to the market.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, hs said that the agency had budgeted N7bn for the conduct of the Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections in 2022.
Yakubu stated this on Friday when he was defending the N140bn INEC 2022 budget before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on INEC and Electoral Matters.
He said, “We also budgeted N7bn for the conduct of Ekiti and Osun governorship election including the possibility of runoffs.
“We made a provision of N2.6bn for Ekiti State with a population of over one million registered voters and N4.4bn for Osun with 30 local government areas,” Yakubu told the lawmakers.
Operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State have intercepted a bus loaded with 500 pieces of daggers concealed under the seats.
Also intercepted were different seizes of knives and guns concealed inside Tigger nut bags. 18 suspects were arrested with the vehicle while two buses escaped.
Parading the suspects before journalists, the state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said the three buses escaped from different checkpoints before they were arrested in Ondo town.
He said the drivers of the buses said they were contracted to drive the vehicles without knowing what they were carrying. The buses, according to him, came from Kastina State. He said two other buses escaped when they were pursued by his men. Mr. Adeleye said the arrest was made possible by the combined team of Amotekun and policemen.
Bill Gates has warned that governments must prepare for future pandemics and smallpox terror attacks by investing billions in research and development.
Mr Gates made the warning during a Policy Exchange interview with the chair of the Health Select Committee Jeremy Hunt.
The Microsoft founder also called for the formation of a new billion-dollar World Health Organisation Pandemic Task Force.
While the research may be expensive, he said that it could also lead to other innovations, such as eradicating flu and the common cold.
He said that countries like the US and the UK must spend “tens of billions” to fund the research.
“I’m hoping in five years, I can write a book called, ‘We ARE ready for the next pandemic’, but it’ll take tens of billions in R& – the US and the UK will be part of that”, he said.
“It’ll take probably about a billion a year for a pandemic Task Force at the WHO level, which is doing the surveillance and actually doing what I call 'germ games' where you practise”.
Mr Gates suggested that the “germ-games” could include preparing for acts of bioterrorism such as smallpox attacks on airports.
“You say, OK, what if a bioterrorist brought smallpox to 10 airports? You know, how would the world respond to that?
“There’s naturally-caused epidemics and bioterrorism-caused epidemics that could even be way worse than what we experienced today”, he said.
Despite the dire warning, the world’s fourth richest man also struck an optimistic note during the interview, anticipating the “incredibly beneficial” medical innovations that will come from increased funding for pandemic prevention.
“The nice thing is a lot of the R& we need to do to be ready for the next pandemic are things like making vaccines cheap, having big factories, eradicating the flu, getting rid of the common cold, making vaccines just a little patch you put on your arm, things that will be incredibly beneficial even in the years when we don’t have pandemics,” he said.
He added that he will continue to talk about pandemic preparedness, as part of his work as a philanthropist.
He said: “So along with the climate message and the ongoing fight against diseases of the poor, pandemic preparedness is something I’ll be talking about a lot.
“And I think it’ll find fertile ground because, you know, we lost trillions of dollars and millions of lives. And citizens expect their governments not to let that happen again”.
Suspected fighters of the Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP), on Wednesday, attacked a community hospital and burnt down telecommunications mast in Mugumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
A witness said after storming the headquarters of the local government, they fired at all directions.
Our correspondent gathered that the attackers stole some drugs and other medical consumables.
A security source disclosed that they divided themselves into two groups.
While the military exchanged gunfire with a group of the ISWAP fighters, the other group sneaked into the hospital to steal drugs, a refrigerator and some bedsheets, according to the source.
“They attacked the town from behind, burning down Airtel Mast and ransacking the hospital.”
“They went away with drugs, a refrigerator and some bedsheets,” the source said.
Magumeri is some 40 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
- Mount roadblocks, conduct stop and search - Heavy traffic
There is palpable tension in Abuja, FCT, following security reports of a planned attack on the Nigerian capital by bandits and terrorists.
Security reports obtained by the military late Tuesday night indicated that attackers were planning to enter the FCT through the Abuja-Keffi expressway and other entry points.
Troops have been placed on high alert and are deployed to strategic locations where they are mounting security checkpoints to monitor, prevent and arrest any potential attackers.
The soldiers have mounted roadblocks at all entry and exit points into the FCT, and are conducting stop and search operations on specific vehicles and passengers.
The operation, which began midnight Tuesday, is said to have led to the arrest of some suspects who are now assisting the security operatives with useful information, Daily Sun has gathered.
Motorists, especially those who live along the Abuja-Keffi expressway in areas like Kugbo, Karu, Jokwoyi, Orozo, Karshi, Nyanya, Mararaba, One-man village, Masaka, among other satellite towns, are finding it difficult traversing the road as a result of roadblocks mounted by soldiers of the Guards Brigade, who are responsible for the security of the President, his immediate family, VIPs, as well as the FCT and its environs.
Some residents told Daily Sun that they left their homes as early as 6:30 am but are yet to arrive at their places of work.
A military source, who does not want to be identified on print, told Daily Sun that similar checkpoints have been mounted around Abaji, Zuba and Bwari areas to arrest suspects before they gain access into the capital city.
The source said that the invasion of the University of Abuja early Tuesday morning by bandits who abducted some staff members and their families, may not be unconnected to the security measures, with troops in hot pursuit to apprehend the kidnappers.
The source further stated that while authorities are aware of the effect on residents, motorists and other road users of the security points mounted by the soldiers, the security of the FCT and its residents was crucial, asking that the public bear with the temporary inconvenience.
When contacted, the Commander of the Guards Brigade confirmed the security measures at checkpoints by soldiers.
Gerald Road Building Collapse: “We must get to bottom of this ghastly occurrence,” says Asiwaju Tinubu
Former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has backed Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu on the order for the probe of all that led to the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerald Road, Ikoyi.
He said the government must get to the bottom of the ghastly occurrence, while adding that he sought “not to prejudge anything or anyone”.
“It is obvious and plain to us all that something went terribly wrong. If indeed intentional or reckless wrongdoing has been committed, severe and appropriate sanctions should find those who have been found to have shirked their fundamental responsibilities. The departed, their grieving families and the people of Lagos deserve no less and should perhaps demand even more.”
Asiwaju’s commiseration with the dead, sympathy for other victims of the incident and condemnation of the collapse is contained in a statement on Tuesday by his Media Office in Abuja.
The former Lagos governor said in the statement: “The collapse of a 21-storey building on Gerald Road in Ikoyi, Lagos is a sad and painful incident. Once more and all too often, we have suffered the loss of lives for no defensible reason. This tragedy should never have occurred.
“Workers at the site and, for that matter no one who is simply trying to work in order to care for their loved ones, should have their lives abbreviated in such a manner. No one should suffer what these people suffered. Nor should families have to hear such news and bear such a burden like this. As we pray that the souls of the deceased now rest in peace, human compassion requires us to do more. We must reach out to their families with both prayer and practical support and assistance during this terrible moment.
“I sympathise with those injured and I commend Lagos State Government for I know it will see to their immediate medical needs and provide whatever other assistance is required for them to survive the episode and return to a semblance of normalcy.
“The emergency responders are doing well and they require our support and encouragement for their task is hard and not without significant physical danger. We pray that others will be found alive and without significant injury. Search and rescue efforts must continue non-stop until they are able to bring out whoever is still trapped in the rubble.
“Some tragedies are unavoidable, but most are not. We need to understand what happened here so that we can work harder to prevent a reoccurrence. I endorse Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s order for an investigation into this tragedy. There are many questions to ask, and all those questions deserve full and public answers.
“We must get to the bottom of this ghastly occurrence. I seek not to prejudge anything or anyone, but it is obvious and plain to us all that something went terribly wrong. If indeed intentional or reckless wrongdoing has been committed, severe and appropriate sanctions should find those who have been found to have shirked their fundamental responsibilities. The departed, their grieving families and the people of Lagos deserve no less and should perhaps demand even more.
“As much as we are in collective pain and grief, we must also be clear and focused. Let us use this tragedy to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to end any malpractices and misconduct that might in any way contribute to such an incident.
“We must never become numb to the tragedies that befall others; we must work and strive to put an end to these frightening events and the brutal but avoidable deaths that go with them. Lagos is and must forever be a place of light and life where the best of human endeavour is our currency and our calling card.”
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu and his entourage have just arrived at Enugu Airport en route Akwa.
The chairman's entourage includes National Commissioners, members of the Technical Team, Directors and other Directing Staff, Bishop Hassan Kukah, one of the conveners of the National Peace Committee was on the same flight.
Recall that, [url=https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/anambra-poll-abdulsalami-sues-for-peace-candidates-sign-peace-accord-nov-4/%3famp]the National Peace Committee [/url] co-chaired by a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, announced that a peace accord will be signed by the various political parties and stakeholders on November 4, 2021, at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, early last month, went on an assessment tour alongside developer, Femi Osibona to the building that collapsed yesterday.
Oluwo on an assessment visit to one of the best Africa Homes, under construction by the renowned developer, Femi Osibona of Fourscore Homes in Gerald road, Ikoyi. The 22 storey building 360 degree home is an access to have a full capacity glance at the whole heart of lagos.
Femi Osibona is one of the pride of African in giving the continent an enviable outlook. Getting apartment in centre Lagos is as prestigious as those of advanced countries
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered “detailed” investigations into the reported invasion of the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili.
The residence was invaded on Friday, October 29, 2021. The Federal Ministry of Justice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission denied involvement.
The IGP also said the “leadership of the Force is not aware and did not at any time order Police operatives to carry out such assignment”.
He described the violation of the sanctity of the residence of the Justice of the Supreme Court as “unfortunate and unacceptable”.
This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Monday, titled, ‘Reported invasion of Justice Odili Abuja residence: IGP orders investigation …Says perpetrators would be made to face the wrath of the law.”
Part of the statement read, “Consequently, the IGP has directed the Force Intelligence Bureau to conduct a discrete investigation into the incident. He assured the commitment of the Force to the safety and security of the members of the Judiciary and Nigerians in general.
“He further called for calm, promising that the Force will do all within its powers to unravel the perpetrators and motives behind the breach with a view to bringing all indicted persons to book.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory to strengthen security around the street and residence of Her Lordship, Justice Mary Odili JSC to ensure her safety and also to prevent a reoccurrence of the unfortunate incident.
“The IGP assured that the details of Police investigations would be made public on conclusion of investigations.”
Professor Charles Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 6, 2021, governorship election on Monday slammed Senator Emmanuel Andy Uba, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Soludo claimed that Uba, who was a close confidant of the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was a domestic staff in the Aso Villa, cleaning the former President’s shoes.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made the comments while speaking on his relationship with Uba during the Anambra governorship election debate organised by Arise TV.
He said, “I know Andy was a Masseur in the U.S.
“He was a domestic staff in the Villa, who cleans the President’s shoes.
“If throwing up my name gives Andy Uba a CV, then I will concede that to him.”
Soludo also said that Uba begged him to join the APC.
Meanwhile, the Anambra Governorship election is scheduled to hold on November 6.
Amid the current bloodletting in the state, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno had promised that security agencies would ensure the safety of residents.
President Buhari Receives Chief Of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Gambo October 31st, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari receives briefing from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo on the new Boat built by the Nigerian Navy due for Commissioning soonest at the Residence, Presidential Villa.
In an interview with VANGUARD, the Presidential Spokesperson did react to the National Assembly's call to designate Bandits as Terrorists.
Still talking about banditry, not too long ago, the Senate passed a resolution asking the President to declare them terrorists and 24 hours later, the House of Representatives joined in that call and outcry? It does appear that the presidency hasn’t done anything about that. But then, Nigerians are still clamouring. Do you see that happening or not?
Adesina: For me personally, mark my words, personally, it is a matter of semantics. Semantics is a theory of meaning in language. So, whether they are called terrorists or they’re called bandits, it is just semantics. A criminal is criminal. They either repent, change their ways or you eliminate them. That’s what matters.
Who are terrorist? Terrorists more often than not levy war against a nation and they seek to seize territories and occupy them. That is a terrorist and that is why Boko Haram are terrorists, because at the time before this administration came, they were occupying a minimum of 17 local governments in this country and they wanted more. They wanted to take over the entire country and create a caliphate. They are terrorists. These ones, bandits, they have no ideology. No ideology. They are just interested in criminality for the sake of criminality. Robbing, raping, maiming, stealing, no ideology. Have you heard that they seized territory? They are not interested. So, but like I said, criminality is criminality. Eliminate all of them and that is what our security forces are doing.
The Minister said bandits will be classified as terrorists once Mr Buhari was satisfied with the “procedure”.
The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, says President Muhammadu Buhari is following due process in declaring marauding bandits as terrorists.
“We are not declaring them terrorists because there is a procedure for doing that.
“When the procedure is followed, they will be classified as terrorists. We are waiting for the procedure to be completed,” the minister said.
Mr Magashi, who stated this on Friday in Maiduguri, was fielding questions from journalists on why the federal government has been very reluctant to categorise bandits as terrorists.
The minister was in Maiduguri with the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor and Service Chiefs on an assessment visit of the fight against insurgency in the North-East.
He said his team met with the theatre commander and other component commanders to deliberate on the next phase of operations, including what needs enhancing.
Politics › YPP's Ifeanyi Ubah Congratulates Soludo. Appreciates Family,friends & Supporters by HonNL(op): 5:22pm On Nov 10, 2021
ADC: 324
– the US and the UK will be part of that”, he said.