₦airaland Forum

*NDLEA Recovers Rifles in Niger, Destroys Hectares of Cannabis farm in Ondo*

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Niger State Command have recovered 27 new rifles from two suspects during a routine stop and search operation in Kontagora area of the state.
The suspects; Danjuma Auta, 35, and Daniel Danrangi, 25, both male and from Dirin Daji, Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State were arrested along Kontagora – Zuru road, Niger state on Monday night.

According to the Niger state Commander of the Agency, Mr. Aloye Isaac Oludare, the duo were arrested with 12 locally fabricated AK 47 rifles and 15 locally fabricated pistols. The rifles were concealed in a white sack while on a motorcycle to an unknown place when they were arrested.

“Kontagora where the weapons were seized is about 107 kilometers from Kagara, a town in Niger State where there have been mass abductions of women, children and secondary school students in the last one month.

“Preliminary investigation shows that the fabricator of the weapons resides in Kamfaninwaya, not far away from Kontagora, while one of the pistols is fully loaded. The suspects and the weapons will be transferred to the Nigerian Police Headquarters, Minna for further investigation and prosecution of the suspects”, he stated.

In another operation, operatives of NDLEA, Ondo State Command have raided Ita-Ipele and Ipele forests, Owo LGA of Ondo State. “During the operation, Six suspects, namely; Stephen Ikechukwu, 38; Stephen Friday, 32; Austin Osadebe, 58; Friday Paul, 29; Adebayo Raphael, 25 and John Pius, 45, were arrested.

“A total of 41kgs of Cannabis Sativa and 6kgs of Cannabis Seeds were recovered during the operation, while a total of five hectares of Cannabis farm was located and destroyed”, the Ondo state Commander of the Agency, Mr. Haruna Gagara stated.

Billionaire Businessman, Capt Hosa Okunbo, Pens Heartfelt tribute to late Friend, Joe Aikhomu

Profoundly pained by the death of Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu (rtd), Capt Hosa Okunbo, the billionaire philanthropist, businessman and founder of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited, has penned a heartfelt tribute in honour of a man he fondly calls ‘My Joe’.

Titled ‘To Admiral Joe Aikhomu, with Love’, Capt writes, “They say sixty-five is too early a time to leave. I agree. But, I also know that God knows best and his decision cannot be questioned. It is such a pain to write this elegy to you. You were a dependable ally, a friend for all seasons and a partner in business. You have shown many how to live and demonstrated that just one year is more than enough to make an impact of a lifetime.”

He continues, “In the words of Henry Ward Beecher, ‘Death is the dropping of the flower that the fruit may swell.’ Forever, your fruit here on earth will remain because you were indeed an officer and a gentleman. Sleep well my Joe, my own Joe.”

Alas, death snatched the former Chief of Naval Administration last Thursday in Abuja allegedly from Covid-19 complications, leaving behind an inconsolable family, friends and associates. He was 65.

The late Aikhomu was a younger brother to former military Vice President Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd) and a member of the investigative panel on arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari during his first tenure.

on Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Billionaire Businessman, Capt Hosa Okunbo, Pens Heartfelt tribute to late Friend, Joe Aikhomu

Profoundly pained by the death of Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu (rtd), Capt Hosa Okunbo, the billionaire philanthropist, businessman and founder of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited, has penned a heartfelt tribute in honour of a man he fondly calls ‘My Joe’.

Titled ‘To Admiral Joe Aikhomu, with Love’, Capt writes, “They say sixty-five is too early a time to leave. I agree. But, I also know that God knows best and his decision cannot be questioned. It is such a pain to write this elegy to you. You were a dependable ally, a friend for all seasons and a partner in business. You have shown many how to live and demonstrated that just one year is more than enough to make an impact of a lifetime.”

He continues, “In the words of Henry Ward Beecher, ‘Death is the dropping of the flower that the fruit may swell.’ Forever, your fruit here on earth will remain because you were indeed an officer and a gentleman. Sleep well my Joe, my own Joe.”

Alas, death snatched the former Chief of Naval Administration last Thursday in Abuja allegedly from Covid-19 complications, leaving behind an inconsolable family, friends and associates. He was 65.

The late Aikhomu was a younger brother to former military Vice President Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd) and a member of the investigative panel on arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari during his first tenure.

Considered a walking encyclopaedia on maritime operations and logistics in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region, Aikhomu was the chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited, a strategically positioned organization operating in the marine industry to provide solutions to high-risk security concerns on Nigeria’s territorial waters.

FRSC CORPS MARSHAL DIRECTS IMMEDIATE CLAMPDOWN ON RICKETY VEHICLES NATIONWIDE

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has directed Commanding Officers across all formations of the Corps to commence immediate clampdown on rickety vehicles plying Nigerian roads. The clampdown is an integral part of rejigged efforts of the Corps in the year 2021 to further reduce road traffic crashes across the country.

The Corps Marshal's order was contained in a statement issued by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps on Tuesday at the National Headquarters, Abuja. According to Kazeem, the riot act to operators of rickety vehicles plying the nation’s highways, indicates that the Zonal Commanding Officers and Sector Commanders have been given an express directive to commence a nationwide arrest, impoundment, and prosecution of owners or operators of such vehicles.

The Corps Marshal stated that the operation which will be conducted nationwide, forms part of the Corps’ commitment towards enhancing the tempo of its operational activities and create a safer motoring environment in the country, premised on the realisation of its 2021 strategic goals of reducing road traffic crashes by 15% and fatalities by 20%.

While recalling the common sight of poorly maintained vehicles on the nation highways which often break down and result in obstructions of traffic flow, the Corps Marshal enjoined motorists to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles in view of inherent traffic hazards associated with abandoned broken down vehicles especially at night.

He highlighted the health, safety and economic benefits of regular vehicle maintenance, noting that if drivers and vehicle owners will adhere to constant maintenance of their vehicles, safety of lives and properties will be enhanced and the statutory role of the Corps summarised in making the over 204,000 km road network in Nigeria safe for all users.

Explaining the seriousness of the riot act, Kazeem emphatically stated that severe punishment awaits anyone apprehended in the act, including impoundment of the vehicle, payment of fines and compulsory road safety education.

The public is therefore called to assist the Corps by reporting any rickety vehicle sighted on the road to the spokesperson through the FRSC Toll Free numbers 122 or tune into the National Traffic Radio 107.1FM to report same or any other contravention seen on the road.

The Station can also be reached through its Social Media Handles as follows; WHATSAPP 08052997848, FACEBOOK TRAFFICRADIO 1, TWITTER @TRAFFICRADIO 1, INSTAGRAM TRAFFICRADIO 1. Or Call the following numbers; GLO 08052998090, MTN 09067000015, and SMS on GLO 08052998012 and the FRSC toll free emergency line 122.

Libel: MFM Wins As Court Awards N500m Damages Against Maureen Badejo, Orders Retraction, Apology

The High Court of Justice in Abeokuta, Ogun State has delivered its judgment in a Ten Billion Naira libel claim against UK-based Vlogger Maureen Badejo.

The Incorporated Trustees of Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries and its General Overseer, Dr. D. K. Olukoya as the 1st and 2nd Claimants respectively commenced the case on September 7, 2020 to claim sundry relief against Maureen Badejo, for continuous and sustained libel published by her through free-to-air broadcasts in the social media, particularly Facebook, You-Tube and Instagram.

Court records reveal that Maureen was served all documents and hearing notices in the case by DHL courier service, but chose to stay away from the proceedings and continued relentlessly in her damaging broadcasts.

In his judgment delivered on Tuesday February 9, 2021, the trial Judge, the Hon. Justice Abiodun A. Akinyemi, while describing Maureen Badejo’s ruthless campaign against the Claimants as the worst case of reckless defamation and evil use of the internet and social media, awarded the sum of N250million to each of the Claimants (making a total of N500 million) as aggravated and exemplary damages for libel.

The Court also ordered the Defendant (Maureen) to:

1. immediately pull down and erase each of the offending online publications/posts concerning the Claimants from the internet.
2. Tender a written apology and retraction of the offending publications and posts in a form and content acceptable to the Claimants and published prominently in her Facebook, You-Tube and Instagram accounts and in at least three nationally circulating newspapers in Nigeria and two international magazines including Time International, FORTHWITH
3. Perpetual Injunction restraining the Defendant (Maureen) by herself, her agents, servants, privies or other persons howsoever called or described from further making, publishing and/or disseminating defamatory stories and statements about the Claimants or any one of them.

Asked whether Maureen has been made aware of the Judgment, Counsel to the Claimants, Ime Nya Asanga Esq., mresponded that a certified true copy of the judgment and a certificate of the judgment with Form 35 endorsed thereon, had been served vide DHL courier on Maureen and that the proof of service indicates that she personally signed for them at 09:20 am of Thursday, 18th February, 2021

Barrister Asanga went on to explain that Ogun State High Court Form 35 titled NOTICE OF CONSEQUENCE OF DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDER OF COURT is an endorsement by the Registrar on the Certificate of Judgment, warning that unless the judgment debtor obeys the directions contained therein, he/she will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison. He warned that if, after 18th February 2021, the Defendant should make any other broadcast defamatory of the Claimants or any one of them, contempt proceedings, which are criminal in nature, will immediately be commenced against her.

It is expected that now that a judicial pronouncement has been made on her broadcasts as they affect MFM and Dr. Olukoya, the defendant would seek wise guidance or counsel herself to safety having now realised that social media grandstanding is a far cry from legal responsibility and justification of words spoken or published.

33 YEARS OF ROAD SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA, JOURNEY SO FAR

By Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM( Bisi Kazeem fsi

The ugly narrative of Road Traffic crashes in the early 70s changed through Federal Government’s resilience in the establishment of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in 1988, as the Lead Agency in road safety administration and traffic management in Nigeria via decree no 45 of 1988 as amended by decree no 35 of 1992, later codified as FRSC Act (CAP 141) Laws of the Federation 1990 and FRSC Act CAP F19, LFN, 2004; FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007.

Being a strategic intervention to address the ugly trend of road crashes, the FRSC has, since its establishment operated in line with best global practices. The organisation was specifically established and empowered by legislation to coordinate road safety administration and traffic management in Nigeria with an ultimate aim of halting the trend of road traffic crashes and fatalities on all roads (204,000km) in the country, and its Laws and Regulations can be exercised in any part of the country.

The major goal of the founding fathers was for the Corps to become a world class organisation that will fulfill its primary purpose of existence, and align herself towards realizing all United Nations resolutions on reduction of deaths and injuries on the roads and make Nigerian roads one of the safest in the world.

To achieve this cardinal mandate of saving lives without compromise, the FRSC religiously chose the path of honour in efficient service conveyance, by delivering high quality services in line with a Quality Management Policy that is not at variance with other laws of the land in respect to road safety administration and management in the country. Unlike other agencies of government, the establishment of FRSC was in conformity with the lead agency concept recommended by the United Nations and World Health Organization, that member nations should dedicate an agency of government to lead in coordinating Road safety management as a best practice to combat the scourge of death and injuries from RTC.

Prior to the establishment of the FRSC in 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) had adjudged Nigeria, the second only behind Ethiopia, as the most dangerous country in the world to drive a motor vehicle.

In its thirty three years as lead agency in traffic and safety management, FRSC has recorded tremendous achievements in the area of Traffic Engineering, Road Safety Administration, Traffic Management, rescue operation, and Crash reduction. It has achieved this glorious feat, as a result of a chain of leadership ingenuity that led to the fusion of the services of volunteers called Special Marshals and social responsibility groups in its programmes to enhance road safety management in Nigeria.

To this end, road safety administration in Nigeria has witnessed a paradigm shift from Traditional approach to Safe Systems Approach through the use of state of the art Information Technology facilities; the Corps has been able to enhance its operational capacity aimed at promoting public safety and security. The Corps under different governmental and administrative leaderships has proven to allay the menace of road traffic crashes in the past 33 years.

Considering that road transport sector in Nigeria accounts for over 90% of passengers and freight movement, this exerts undue pressure on the FRSC in discharging its cardinal responsibilities. In view of the foregoing, the Corps has over the years embarked on several reforms which include but not limited to the following: Development of a national road safety strategy road map, established a National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC) which is directly under the Office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo improved operational efficiency, enhanced regulatory environment, and accelerated response capability to situations that needed immediate actions.

The Corps therefore defined its cause in tandem with UN Decade of Action as well as the mantra of functional 21st century organisation by chatting a path to meet the Accra Declaration of 50% reduction in fatality by 2015, achieve the UN decade of action on road Safety of 50% fatality reduction by 2021 and the rollover of UN Decade of Action in 2031.

The Corps has now come of age after going through good times and tides. In its thirty Three years journey, it recorded for instance, a commendable 62.4% reduction in crash from 40,881 in 1976 to 25,792 within its first operational year alone. In this regard, it is instructive to state that the Corps has doggedly fought RTC from the unacceptable 40,881 of 1976 down to 10522 in 2020. The statistics above shows that the Corps is gaining grounds accordingly.

As a performance driven organisation with clearly set measurable Key performance Indicators, FRSC is today, the only law enforcement organization in Nigeria certified by the International Standard organization. The Corps has over three decades designed and operated 28 web applications for its operational activities so as to create an accessible platform for the general public.

The introduction of the toll free 122 emergency number and a 24 hours call center established to reduce response time for crash victims; a single step that has reduced emergency response time from 50 minutes to 15 minutes thereby decreasing the number of fatalities in crash situations. More so, the introduction of Verification Portal for drivers licence and number plates, the introduction of the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS) for uniformity and harmonization of fleet operators in the country, the Driving School Standardisation Scheme (DSSP), the introduction of the speed limiting device whose enforcement began on 1st February, 2017, and the vehicle tracking system among others, are policies formulated and implemented to fight road traffic crash to extinction.

Further to the aforementioned, as one of the nation’s custodian of critical data infrastructure, the Corps has successfully strengthened inter-agency cooperation with relevant stakeholders such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), and Banks in Nigeria with evident success in inter agency collaboration and harmonization of data for national development.

Again, it is noteworthy to look at the direction of the present leadership of Dr Boboye Oyememi’s swift response to the incessant abuse of traffic rules which led to the putting together of the OPERATION COBRA to address certain life-threatening traffic-related offences. This singular step has become instrumental to the decline in crash rate as offenders apprehended by the Operation Cobra squad are usually referred to a government health facility for Emotional Stability Test. Oyeyemi’s Management has so far constructed and inaugurated 16 permanent structures in various Sector commands, with other two awaiting inauguration.

To achieve the stated targets, the Corps has developed transformational initiatives focused on People, Processes and Technology (PPT) that is why today not only does its staff pride as the most disciplined but the Corps stands as the best Information Technology (IT) driven organization in Nigeria with its robust data base and over 95 percentage digitalized administrative and operational procedures.

It is therefore expedient to state that the era covering the period of reign of the present Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and establishment of State Traffic Agencies was encouraged to further complement the function of the FRSC within the states. The Corps also embarks in consultation with stakeholders who have become more involved through the mechanism of the special marshals, celebrity Special Marshals and road Safety clubs. The deployment of FRSC personnel to Tank Farms has to a large degree, dwindled the rate of crashes associated with articulated vehicles, particularly tankers carrying petroleum products. Through its Safe-to- Load initiative, articulated vehicle have been subjected to checks before they are allowed to load from the various depots across the country with trained personnel of the Corps undertaken routine checks to ensure strict compliance.

In pursuit of aggressive public enlightenment programme, the FRSC Management under him established the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM in October, 2019 as a medium for educating mass members of the public on traffic matters and updating them of road conditions across the country. The Corps further introduced a massive welfare scheme through the Post Service Scheme and the 20,000 Housing project for Staff.

With its present 12 Zonal Commands, 37 Sector Commands, 213 Unit Commands, 41 Out Posts, FRSC Academy, FRSC Training Schools, FRSC Staff College, 214 Driver License Centres/Work Stations, 1 Signage Plant, 1 National Driver License Print Farm, 43 Emergency Ambulance Points (ZEBRAs), and 17 Staff Clinics; it’s quite in order to posit that the Corps has witnessed tremendous expansion in these 33 years rising from its hitherto few command structures to having representation in the 774 Local Governments of the Federation.

On the global scene, FRSC takes leadership role of West African road Safety Organisation (WARSO) as part of measures to scale up the bar on road safety management within the West African region. . Further to this, the Corps has provided technical assistance to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia and so on. It has secured implementation of a policy robust engagement with international organizations for capacity building including world bank project on Safe corridor Project etc. Apart from succeeded in securing the endorsement of National Road Safety Strategy in 2016, FRSC made Nigeria the first African country to be admitted into International Traffic Safety Data analysis group IRTAD, became the first African country to accede to six (6) United Nations Conventions on Road Safety. This is to align with global best practice and domesticate the standards.

These efforts have given the organization awards both national and international especially during a workshop under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the FRSC was adjudged the best lead agency on road safety management in Africa.

In the same vein, the Corps’ success story has been attributed to its establishment under the Presidency with clear mandate and budget, also identified the introduction of a world class drivers’ licensing standard by the FRSC which is difficult to forge, building and maintenance of a dedicated work force including regular marshals and a volunteer arm and optimal deployment of technology, a feat which has been described as unparalleled in Africa, South of the Sahara.

Experts in the transportation industry also identified data utilization and transparency as one of the Corps’ quick win strategies which has ensured effective management of traffic-related matters through a weekly reportage of traffic trends, utilisation of data for performance monitoring and targeted interventions, effective monitoring, evaluation and planning, in addition to transparent evaluation of trends and sustained drive for improved performance.

In recognising the leadership role FRSC has played in shaping Nigeria’s Road Safety in thirty three (33) years, it is important to acknowledge that the level of awareness and citizen’s view of road safety as a collective responsibility together with political will of the government is the reason for the achievements so far recorded.
Bisi Kazeem is the Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC

Oba Dr Abdul-lateef Adeniran To Launch Ultra-modern Private Residence

All is set for the official launching and foundation laying ceremony of the Ultra-Modern private residence of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni, the Olofin Adimula Of Ado-Odo, Awori Kingdom.

The event, which will take place on Saturday, 20th Of February, 2021 will have several dignitaries from different walks of life in attendance.

Taking place at the Ogun state housing co-operation in Ado-Odo, this record breaking event will serve as another huge development in the community.

Oba Dr Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni since His reign has brought massive development to Ado-Odo, making the community one of the most envious in terms of rapid growth and development.

*How Governor AbdulRazaq Is Tackling Insecurity In Kwara*


By Rowland 'Shuwa


Amid the insecurity currently ravaging the country, Kwara state has remained true to its name of being the State of Harmony.


Speaking with NAOSRE on Monday in Ilorin, the Special Assistant on Security to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Hon. Moshood Gobir explained that the State enjoys such tranquility because of the Governor’s commitment to the security of lives and properties.


In his words, “We need to give kudos to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as he is ensuring that Kwara remains the State of Harmony that it is known for. In terms of security, he is giving us audience and we have the support of the traditional rulers especially the Emir of Ilorin. Religious leaders and other security agencies are also not left behind. In Kwara state, security is everybody’s business and that’s the secret we are enjoying here.


“The Vigilantes, chairman of Miyetti Allah, and other stakeholders have contributed immensely to the peace we enjoy in Kwara state and we thank the Almighty Allah for that. All the security apparatus in the state; Army, Custom, Police, Civil Defense, Airforce, DSS, vigilantes others are doing tremendously well under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.”


Speaking on the influx of suspected killer herdsmen into the state, the security expert assures that the security apparatus in the state is on top of the situation.


While reaffirming that the displaced leader of the Fulanis from Igangan is in the state he expressed optimism in the leadership acumen of the Mallam AbdulRazaq stressing that, “We are in control. Yes, the man from Oyo state is here with us in Kwara but I can assure you that all they are doing there, (If they are truly doing it) won’t be condoned here in Kwara because we have our own security apparatus and a governor who doesn’t sleep on security issues.”


He stated further that, “Governor AbdulRazaq is of the opinion that security is the first on the agenda of any leader committed to development. Any leader who wants to be successful must first take care of the security of lives and properties and that is what AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman administration is doing in Kwara.


“If you don’t have the security you can’t have rest of mind, there will be no development. And you can’t talk of other issues of human development that’s the stance of our governor.”


On the issue of roles of traditional rulers who are closest to the grassroots, the SA security explained that the present administration in the state is committed to the welfare of the traditional rulers.


“Traditional rulers in the state are fully involved in the security architecture of the state. We have been carrying them along in the business of securing the state.


“Let me inform you, one of the reasons why this government has had tremulous success with the traditional rulers is because they are been carried along but most importantly, unlike the previous administration, they receive their salaries and other emoluments as at when due,” he said.


Commenting on the unfortunate clash between soldiers mounting roadblocks on the Ilesha-Baruba/Chikanda expressway and commercial drivers plying the route recently Gobir who said the situation is under control urged security operatives to always exercise restraints in the face of provocation.


While commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate clash, he enjoined civilians to be cautious in taking laws into their hands as security operatives are trained to prevent such reckless behaviour.

Foreign mission alerted to plots by IPOB, other terrorists to blackmail Nigerian diplomats


The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has drawn the attention of foreign missions to plots by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their cohorts to blackmail the immediate past service chiefs.

According to the group, the proscribed group and their NGO members through their petition aims to criminally malign the country’s former military heads and ultimately scuttle their imminent confirmation as ambassadors.

The SHAC raised this alarm on Monday at a press conference in Abuja.

In his address, Comrade Ogbe Owoicho, Director, Foreign Affairs said the petition has all the handwritings of the Eastern Nigeria’s Rights and Intelligentsia Coalition.

Owoicho noted that it is laughable that the petitioners called for the diplomatic community to disqualify the former service chiefs over falsehood.

While disclosing that such is the responsibility of the Senate, Comrade Owoicho called on these foreign nations to disregard the rants contained in the letters that were delivered to embarrass their diplomatic missions.

He noted that it is pertinent that the nation professes themselves as friends of Nigeria immediately to put this coalition in its place.

The group, however, urged the Federal Government to note that complacency is no longer an option given the repeated diplomatic salvos that the Eastern Nigeria’s Rights and Intelligentsia Coalition have fired against the country.

To avoid future occurrence, it further called on Nigerian authorities to slam the groups in the coalition and the people behind them.

Read the full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, you must have read or learnt about the petition reportedly written by a coalition of NGOs to the diplomatic missions of as many as 31 countries. The subject of the said petition is to criminally malign the persons and personalities of the immediate past Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria viz: the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd.), his air force and navy counterparts, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.), and Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd.) and the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (retd.).

The so-called coalition requested the 31 foreign missions in Nigeria to disqualify these eminent Nigerians, who President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated as ambassadors. They also want the recipients of their letters to declare these patriotic Nigerians as persona non grata in their countries.

Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has taken time to review news report of the petition and made certain findings that should concern Nigerians, including you, gentlemen of the press.

Jennifer Chisom Lawrence Becomes The 3rd Miss Intellects Nigeria 2020/21

After so much Tension and Evictions with fans and Families rooting and voting for their favourite Delegates, The Miss Intellects Nigeria competition came to a completion on the 13th December 2020...
With the winner walking away with Fifty Thousand Naira cash prize and amazing Makeup Products from The Lead Sponsor of the Event, Royal makeup international...

The Gorgeous Miss Jennifer Lawrence (Miss Imo) was Crowned as the 3rd Miss Intellects Nigeria,
26 Years Old Jennifer Lawrence is a Fashionprenuer, An Aspiring Actor and model from Imo State,Nigeria
who Resides in Lagos,Nigeria.
She is a graduate of Insurance and risk management from The institute of management and technology, Enugu

Her First Runner Up is Miss Omotola Sawyerr who represented Osun State followed by Miss Blessing Esan who Represented Delta State as the 2nd Runner up...

The Competition Started Online with over 700 applicants from all Over the Nation which was Shortlisted to 51 beautiful ladies until the final 24 Delegates...

The Winner Will be Representing Nigeria In the 2021 Miss Intellects International pageant
And She will be Managed by Entertainment Bulletin™.

The Runner Ups are not left out as they will also be managed by Brand.


The Virtual Event was Packaged and Produced by Entertainment Bulletin
Proudly Sponsored by Royale Makeup International @royale_makeup
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VALENTINE DAY CELEBRATION: FRSC CAUTIONS MOTORISTS AGAINST EXCESSIVE SPEED, DRUNK DRIVING AND RECKLESSNESS ON THE ROAD

Owing to the need to ensure a safe and crash free celebration during the 2021 Valentine Day celebration, the Federal Road Safety Corps has warned the teaming community of celebrants and other road users, to desist from indulging in drunk driving, avoid excessive speed, and resist the temptation to drive recklessly so as to mitigate all incidences of road traffic crashes during the celebration.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem who made this public, said that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has directed Commanding Officers across board to double their efforts by ensuring massive deployment of Officers and Men for enhanced visibility, adequate traffic control, and maximum enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols amongst motorists.

According to Kazeem, all patrol Operatives have been directed to go along with breathalysers, and radar guns to ensure that suspected drunk drivers are tested and stopped from continuing their trips so as to avoid unnecessary deaths,injuries and damage to properties.

He quoted the Corps Marshal as saying, the Valentine celebration is a day set aside all over the world to celebrate love, exchange gifts, and show that we care for one another, in memory of Saint Valentine who exemplified love while he lived. As such, motorists who wish to celebrate must be exemplary by complying with all road traffic regulations, because the Corps will not spare any driver caught violating established laws.

Oyeyemi urged motorists to leverage on the 122 toll free line of the FRSC to call for emergency intervention in case of any crash, obstruction or when any drunk driving is sighted, for appropriate actions.

While reminding all celebrants to celebrate in strict compliance with all COVID-19 protocols, including use of facemask and observing physical distancing in the vehicle, the Corps Marshal called on all road users to respect Operatives deployed to ensure the safety of lives and properties because their presence on the road is for the good of all.

Fight against insurgents:Yakubu Shendam lauds immediate Past Army Public Relations Officer, describes him a success-blazer

The immediate past Army Public Relation Officer, Brigadier General Sagir Musa, has been applauded and described by Yakubu Shendam as a success blazer.

The world class youth Leader made this known in a statement made available to journalists in the early hours of today, 12 Feb.2021.

Shendam disclosed that the immediate past Army Public Relations officer, Brig General Sagir, has explicitly done well while on the job.


Brigadier General Sagir Musa
He emphasized that Sagir who is ever optimistic irrespective of the situation on ground, has actually served like none other since the inception of the office.
“Your service was outstanding and your records are landmark we hope that the New Army Leadership will recognise the success gain during your stay and recommend you for higher responsibility the statement ended


Army eliminates Boko Haram in Borno
However, Shendam has urged the new Army spokesman Brig. Gen. MM Yerima to simply follow the footsteps of his predecessor and maintain professionalism.

SAFER ROADS AND MOBILITY IN NIGERIA: OYEYEMI INAUGURATES STAKEHOLDERS COMMITTEE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NIGERIA ROAD ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (nRAP)

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has on Tuesday inaugurated the Committee on the proposed establishment of the National Road Assessment Programme (nRAP), to enhance safer road infrastructures and compliment existing efforts geared towards the reduction of road deaths and injuries on Nigerian roads.

In a statement by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, the Corps Marshal said that the Road Assessment Programme is an international concept and practice that has gained acceptance in regions and countries around the globe. It targets to purposely enhance existing road safety engineering practice and create safe road infrastructures for all road users.

He explained that the programme is a deliberate effort by concerned authorities to assess road infrastructure with a view to improve the safety of roads. In addition, the main focus of RAP is placed on improvement of roads for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, two and three wheeler vehicles, etc.

Upon creation of the nRAP, Nigeria will become an affiliate of the African Regional body and by extension a component of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP)

While congratulating them for being part of the Committee which evolved from the need to encourage maximum collaboration and coordination of strategic infrastructure investment, Oyeyemi appealed to them to make meaningful contributions that will enrich the process and improve on our road safety.

According to him, as challenging as the problems bedevilling safer road infrastructures are, the task of road safety is still achievable if the requisite research, technology and expertise are adequately harnessed.

As such, the establishment of nRAP will not only be a step in the right direction towards the realisation of Pillar 2 of the United Nations Decade of Action on road safety 2021-2030, but also lead to the domestication of the iRAP strategies.

The members expressed satisfaction and pledged commitment to the realisation of the mandate bestowed on them, noting that the nRAP is a veritable programme that will enhance the standards of road infrastructures in Nigeria.

The Stakeholder Committee inaugural meeting had in attendance, the team from the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Remix Adewunmi, representing the National Institute of Transport Technology, Engr Garba Aliyu, representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Sita Onyelekwe from the Road Sector Development Team of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Engr Amos GC who represented Nigeria Institute of Highway and Transportation Engineering among others.

Lagos Assembly moves to stop unwholesome sales of COVID-19 drugs

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday frowned at what it called the unwholesome and illegal sales of supposed drugs for COVID-19.

This was as the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, directed the acting chairman of the House committee on health, Hon. Hakeem Shokunle, to have further discussions with the executive arm in relation to a bill on COVID-19 that had been passed months ago by the Assembly.

Speaker Obasa, who presided over the sitting, said the state needed to act, monitor and regulate activities around the sales and use of the drugs so as not to make it free-for-all.

Shokunle (Oshodi/Isolo 1) had raised the motion on the floor of the House and complained that some Nigerians were taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation in the state to sell various drugs.

While noting the danger in such illegal action, Shokunle urged the House to revisit the bill on COVID-19 which the House had passed and which was awaiting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's assent.

He said an amendment of the bill would allow the executive arm of the state government to work maximally in its efforts to combat the pandemic.

In his contribution, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti Osa 2), supported Shokunle adding that it was lamentable the way people are bringing vaccines into the country.

He advised that there should be a way to regualate the importation of such drugs as well as their sales, especially as the virus comes with different variants.

He noted that the House already has a bill and that all that is required is a recall of the bill for the purpose of amending it to cover the sales and distribution of related drugs.

On his part, Hon. Temitope Adewale (Ifaki Ijaiye 1), said while COVID-19 is known to be ravaging the world and affecting the state, there is danger in self-medication or administration of drugs that are not regulated or approved.

Supporting that the bill be recalled, he warned that the state faced the danger of people suffering adverse effects from the use of some of these drugs.

The motion was further supported by Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe 1) and Hon. Ajani Owolabi (Mainland 1).

*Mohammed Lawal Bagega, Traditional Rulers Strengthen Ties Against Herdsmen*




Sequel to the alleged influx of Fulani herdsmen in Kwara State, the Police Command has assured residents of the state of adequate security of lives and properties.
In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi and made available to newsmen, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Lawal Bagega psc, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in ensuring adequate security of lives and properties of all and sundry irrespective of ethnic differences.
The statement reads, “As part of the efforts to allay the fear and anxiety of the good people of Kwara State concerning the reports of alleged influx of strange people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen driven from neighbouring states to Kwara and its attendant security threat, the Commissioner of Police Kwara State, Cp Mohammed Lawal Bagega psc, held a crucial stakeholders security meeting at the police headquarters.
“In attendance were traditional rulers, Magajis, Alangwas, Ardos, Jowuro, Bororos, and others cutting across the length and breadth of Kwara state where issues bothering on security and efforts of the police Command was sufficiently discussed.”
The statement disclosed that the Cp in his address thanked the stakeholders which comprised of highly placed traditional rulers and other important dignitaries in the state for their support and cooperation at all times especially during the community policing sensitization program in the state.
This medium reports that the Cp confirmed information on the alleged influx of Fulani herdsmen into the state and the step the command was taking to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
He spoke frankly on the need for all hands to be on deck, collaboration among all stakeholders in the communities including resident Fulanis, so as to be able to fish out the defiantly inclined Fulanis in their midst.
While also admonishing the stakeholders of the presence of peddlers of fake news in society, hence the need to verify any news before acting on the bases of such news.
He spoke of the need for residents of the state to make information of movement of strange people around them available to the police, the people should also embrace the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in settling issues while consultation among the people including the resident Fulanis should be encouraged. He reiterated his determination to dispense his duty with fear of God and to uphold justice at all times.
On clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers he advised that roundtable settlement among the affected people will go a long way in resolving whatever the issues are.
He advised the traditional rulers not to abdicate their responsibility as the leaders of their communities to the youths as such, the youths should be put on check at all times for peace to reign in our communities.
HRM Prof, Billy Olajide, the Ololla of Olla, spoke extensively on the need for government to provide an enabling environment by way of taking a precise decision on the issues of Fulanis herders and the anxiety caused by their activities. He solicited for more logistics to be given to the police to enable them perform optimally.
In his own contribution, the Alangwas of Lanwa, Jebba and Sadu area spoke on his efforts at making the Fulani in their area to conform with all the peaceful engagements with their hosts, he promised to ensure that no breakdown of peace will happen in their area.
The seriki Fulani Ajase also promise on behalf of his fellow Fulani to be lawful and join hands with the host communities to fish out the defiantly inclined Fulanis among them.
Other traditional rulers made different suggestions on how the situation could be tackled.
In conclusion the Cp admonished the stakeholders to put the collective interest above personal interest for the purpose of peaceful co-existence among the different people in the state.

Lagos Assembly to Sanwo-Olu: Ensure strict enforcement of COVID-19 rules



The Lagos House of Assembly on Monday called on the governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to commence very tough enforcement of the COVID-19 protocols among residents of the state.



The House said its decision follows the outright disregard for the protocols against the pandemic by some residents and visitors to the state.




The members of the House also asked the governor to call on the state’s commissioner for information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, to embark on enlightenment campaigns and education of the people concerning the dangerous effects of the pandemic on the society.




Prior to the decision of the lawmakers, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, noted that the state, just like the country, cannot afford another lockdown because of the adverse effect such would have on the economy.
Speaker Obasa said there was need for more enlightenment because COVID-19 in the state and country was taking a dreadful dimension.
He noted that the life of every single individual in Lagos remains precious and as such, there must be conscious efforts to protect the residents.




Kicking off the debate, the acting chairman of the House committee on health, Hon. Hakeem Sokunle (Oshodi/Isolo 1), had raised concerns over the new wave of COVID-19 in the state.



Sokunle told his colleagues that before now, only few patients needed oxygen. The situation, he said, has changed as over 80 percent of patients now needing oxygen.




He proposed that apart from enlightenment, there should strict compliance to the COVID-19 protocols as well as the cancelling social engagements.



He also urged that wearing of face masks should be enforced.
Sokunle’s position was supported by Olowo and other lawmakers.

Betrayals of a Country and Judas Iscariot: Two Great Sellouts

By Yakubu Shendam

There's a saying that if you sell your country, even the buyer won't trust you. This is because anyone who has the audacity to sell even his blood can betray the buyer who is not related to him in a more drastic manner. Even though betrayal is everywhere and always a painful experience, to be betrayed by one's kinsman or country man is the deadliest of betrayals. Sadly enough, most betrayals come from people we know, people who even kiss our cheeks like Judas Iscariot did to his master.

Like Judas, Betrayals has also perfected the act of betrayal and petty sellout schemes using Civil Society groups as cover. Probably because their price are always a beggarly '30 pieces of silver,' the money doesn't last long and sooner than later they are back on the street broke and looking for who to sellout to their paymasters for a token. While unsuspecting Nigerians see them as activists, they are nothing but street lads who feeds on breeding insecurity and mischief through their sponsored protests and demonstrations. They appeal to gullible Nigerians who follow them not knowing their antics and motives.

It is not news that a self style group masquerading as a civil society has threatened to drag the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen TY Buratai to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the false claims that the most professional, respected, workaholic, amiable and gallant former COAS ever produced by the Nigerian Army had committed war crimes while in office. This is not only ignoble but also laughable. With his track record, Nigerians can't be decieved into believing merchants who carries out their activism in absentia.

Last we forget, we are well aware of these groups in Nigeria. We know their background and everything about them. Yet there's no record whatsoever that links some of their handlers with any qualification or any work experience. Where then does they get the money to sponsor the expensive lifestyle they projects on the social media? The answer is simple, they are frauds who gets paid for causing mischief in Nigeria so that they can get funds to lead their 'Hushpuppi' lifestyle in Dubai and any other unsuspecting country that grants them residency. If they are trying to use this ICC kangaroo case as a ruse to get money from the former Chief of Army Staff then they have lost out completely. Lt Gen TY Buratai did not negotiate with terrorists in office and can not do business with street urchins either.

Everybody know that the former service chiefs especially the COAS did extremely well while in office. Before assumption of office, many parts of the country especially the North East and South East were in the hands of different terrorists and sessionist groups. The Nigerian flag was removed in many parts of the North East and replaced with Boko Haram flag. Nothing could be done until the assumption of Lt. Gen TY Buratai who waved the magic wand and cleared the terrorists away from Nigeria into perpetual hiding. The records are there for everyone to see. Where were they and their sponsors when Bandits held Nigeria hostage and hosted flags on Nigerian soil?

The voluntary resignation of the service chiefs came when the ovation was loudest. These gentlemen decided to bow out not because they could not deliver to their nation. They did that even though they had done so much for their country and were still doing extremely well. They must therefore, be celebrated as heroes by all well meaning Nigerians and not to be threatened by street lads who feed fat on insecurity and mischief.

Nigerians must know that security is everybody's business and strive to work hard to support security efforts instead of listening to people who speak only when they're hungry and looking for money to foot their lavish lifestyle. Like I have always insist these self acclaimed human rights crusaders deserves to face prosecution for making inciting comments and causing resentments amongst Nigerians without any justification.

Nigerians must note that there's no Civil Society group that is working with any of these people anywhere except the faceless phrase they hides under. No Civil Society group will want to partner with one whose interests is bent on destroying their country and dragging peoples' reputation in mud for self gains. If at all there are any Civil Society groups with the intention of suing the former COAS, what are their names? The answer is, there's none and there won't be any because every Nigerian is aware of how insecurity was decimated to the barest minimum and the professional disposition of Army personnel under Gen Buratai.

These persons and their gang of traitors must remember that like Judas, blood money comes with great consequences and regret. They must desist from feeding their greed on peoples' hard earned reputations and at the expense of their country.


Yakubu Shendam, a youth national President and security analyst writes from Abuja.

SECURITY CHALLENGES IN ONDO STATE- Senator Ajayi Boroffice , an element of Fulani killers.

History does not pay much attention to ineffective and defeated leaders. Rather, it focuses on those great victors who were astute leaders and who influenced history. Certainly, their resounding victories tend to eclipse the lackluster activities of ineffectual leaders. But, more importantly, it is the leaders who failed to inspire who are barely mentioned in the history books. Nowadays, the best and the worst leaders alike are under constant scrutiny and are the focus of many discussions. However, one difference is that while history cares little for failed leaders, contemporary business analysts examine everything, including problems, myths, and the failures of ineffective leaders.
In the light of the foregoing, the actions of Senator Ajayi Boroffice are usually a burden that falls on the political system of Ondo North Senatorial district and from their on to the constituents and finally on the entire state at large.
Security of lives and property is a dire need for any thriving society. Without security, a state remains exposed to threats and is vulnerable. In the face of this insecurity situation in the state, the attitude of Senator Boroffice remains unsatisfactory and call for suspicion. Hence, his unsupportive lukewarm attitude and unguided utterances in opposing the South West Security Outfit acronym Amotekun that was given birth to tackle some of the security challenges faced in the Yoruba states were enough to reason that the White bearded Senator is a promoter of Fulani killing in Ondo state and Yoruba nation in general.

The issue of insecurity has become a persistently worrying one for an average indigene of Ondo state most especially Ondo north senatorial district where the said senator is representing. In northern part of the state, no place is apparently secured and no one is spared. The gruesome murder of first class monarch in Ose Local Government by suspected killer herdsmen lay credence to the evil machinations of the Fulani bandits that infiltrated our land. This obnoxious situation has grown to the extent that many, especially the residents and commuters in this district are befuddled and at loss of insight of what meaningfully could be done to avert the menace of insecurity. Yet, the Nigerian constitution (1999) expressly stated that the government is primarily responsible for the security of lives and property of the citizens of Nigeria. Every day we wake up to the news of petty crimes, armed robberies, armed insurgency, the menace of Fulani herdsmen who kidnapped for ransom, raped innocent citizens, kills innocent farmers and destroy their farm crops with all sense of impunity.

It is sad and outrageous that the Deputy Majority Leader who have been representing the people of the northern district in the state for over ten years has never deem it fit to sponsor a motion on the floor of the senate calling on the federal government to see to the menace and alleviate the untold hardship and threat to life the Fulani killers have been inflicting on his constituents.
It is equally disheartening to note that rather than joining forces with the executive governor of Ondo state who have been leading the war against social vices and all forms of criminality in the state and South West at large, he led other confused Senators from South West to Ibadan to address press conference disassociating themselves from the actions of the South West governors on the creation of Amotekun. Is he happy that his Kinsmen were being subjected to inhumanity against fellow man by the Fulani race? What a hopeless and shameless representative!

More worrisome is the grave silent he maintained throughout the period that the governor of Ondo state gave ultimatum to the Fulani criminals in the government forest reserves. This ultimatum generated a lot of regional and national debates that led to the quick response from the national body of Miyetti Allah, Nigerian Governors Forum and the South West Governors which resulted into a communique issued giving a collective back up to governor Akeredolu's position on the security issue in Ondo state. Up to now, the senator has not shown concern or identify with the position of the leadership of the state on the redesigning strategy of securing his subjects. Reasonably, security matters should be a joint efforts of all at all levels. Who are the people Senator Ajayi representing if he is not concern about the security of lives and property in his district.

More of concern to any reasonable person is the rate at which accidents do occur at Akungba, the Local Government Area of the said senator. The number of road accidents and the level of accident severity have been extensively applied as the indicators for measuring the efficiency of service provision in road network systems of each country. A sane and sound mind will be expecting the former Director of NASRDA like his peers from other part of the country to inform his colleagues in the senate to legislate on how to curb the incessant and perennial occurrence of accidents that had rushed several souls into an untimely graves in the area rather, he prefer switching to silent mode when issues that borders on the threat to the existence of his constituents rear its ugly head.
He is always seeing cheering the crew while the socio-economic and security boat of the people he claimed to represent is sinking and found painting the town red while his subjects are plagued with deficiencies of different types. The white regalia senator has demonstrated his destructive, narcissistic and toxic leadership traits to the detriment of his subjects.
The four years will soon go and become an inche while campaign for another election will resurface in no distant time, the people of Ondo north, be wise. A word is enough for the wise.

In a bid to conclude the ongoing rehabilitation on the Third Mainland Bridge as earlier scheduled, the Federal Government has
announced the total closure of the entire Third Mainland bridge for 72 hours from midnight Friday, January 29, 2021 to midnight Monday 1st February, 2021.


The Sector Commander FRSC Lagos State Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide made this known on Saturday arising from the fact that some motorists till mistakenly drives toward the bridge despite the earlier release from the office of the Federal Controller Federal Ministry of Works & Housing Mr Olukayode Popoola.


Ogungbemide explained that the contractor plans to cast 3 expansion joints concrete during the periods. The closure is necessary because during the casting and initial setting of the expansion joints, the bridges requires zero vibration in order to achieve the desired strength of the concrete.



He explained that after casting of the three joints and asphalting, the bridge will be reopened to traffic.
Ogungbemide admonishes the motoring public to be patient and obey traffic officials.


He stressed that men Federal Road Safety Corps and other sister agencies will continue to ensure free flow of movement on all the alternative routes, and prompt removal of impediments during the duration of the closure.

Signed by
Route Commander Olabisi Sonusi
FRSC Public Education Officer
Lagos Sector Command

FIGHTING CORRUPTION: CORPS MARSHAL INVITES THE PUBLIC TO REPORT UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCTS OF PERSONNEL


In a bid to achieve total eradication of all incidences of disservice, indiscipline and corruption among personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has again called on the public to leverage on the availability of the 'Flagit' Anti- Cporruption App, to report unprofessional and professional conducts exhibited by FRSC staff for punishment and reward where applicable.

Contained in a statement by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, the Flag it Anti Corruption App which was launched in 2019, is a platform specifically designated for public complaints, dissatisfaction, and commendations about the services received from FRSC Operatives nationwide.

The Corps Marshal, made the call while reviewing the impact of the App on the general conduct of the Staff. He noted that as a public institution, the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps has made several conscious attempts to ensure zero tolerance to corruption that has impacted positively on service delivery.

Oyeyemi stated among others that just on Thursday, 28 January, 2021, 3 members of FRSC patrol team namely; Senior Marshal Inspector O Emele, Road Marshal Assistant II R Haruna and his counterpart AM Sani, were reported to have exhibited a great deal of professionalism in prompt rescue operations along Lugbe, Airport road in Abuja where they swiftly rescued and revived a crash victim who was in a deadly state.

In return for representing the Corps well, the 3 of them have been given cash rewards and commendation letters as motivation to do more. This management gesture is in tandem with the administrative philosophy of the present leadership which is standing on Consultation, Reward and Punishment.

He therefore invited the general public to download the App to report all forms of unprofessional behaviours exhibited by personnel of the Corps in the line of duty. According to him, the App was created in line with the vision and mission of the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration on fight against corruption in public service.


"These complaints will help shape policy focus and not only entrench discipline, but also serve as a propelling force for greater performance by both operatives in the field and at the national headquarters".

You would recall that the administration of the present Corps Marshal has put in several efforts to cleanse the FRSC of corrupt elements including being an active public institute with Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit, and engaging in sensitive collaborations with ICPC, DSS, NPF and other Anti Corruption Crusaders to ensure sanity in the Corps.

WellMed Healthcare Denounces Report of COVID-19 Outbreak at Facility as Untrue.

The management of WellMed Healthcare Limited has refuted a circulated report in Punch newspapers that five of its workers were tested positive to COVID-19.



Debunking the report as falsehood, the piece of news was rubbished as an attempt to tarnish its image as one of the facilities accredited for the coronavirus test based on its sterling records, top diagnostic technology, exceptional technical know-how and highly skilled personnel.

The management of WellMed claimed that before COVID-19, it took the welfare of its workers as a topmost priority, it is the same consistency that is also extended to the front like workers and staff at a time the ravaging virus is decimating the human population.


In its statement, WellMed asserted it “has constantly maintained the highest level of hygiene standard to ensure a safe and healthy environment for staff under the standard protocols set by the Health regulatory authorities.


“To further ensure the safety of our staff and clients, we have made adequate provision of necessary cleaning and disinfecting tools and equipment for staff and patients such as hand wash, cleaning detergents, alcohol-based disinfectants, face masks, hand sanitizers etc while also providing advanced decontamination equipment like humidifiers, atomizer and nano disinfectant sprayers for daily use.


“It is expedient to note that the company has expended millions of naira to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and institute other safety measure to ensure the health and environmental safety of the work environment.
In rare cases of infection, the management stated, “As a general rule and based on global best practice, suspected and symptomatic cases are advised to run a test and staff members who tests positive to the coronavirus are immediately placed on medical leave to quarantine for a specified number of days until the next round of routine tests are conducted.


The company covers the cost of testing and also pays the staff for the number of days off work during their isolation period
“We unequivocally refute all allegations of the publication by the Punch newspaper and expect a thorough investigation on this issue would have suffice before going to print as a notable media organization.


“We assure the general public of the commitment of WellMed healthcare towards the health and safety of all our stakeholders,” the statement reads.
WellMed was selected and approved by Lagos State Ministry of Health to carry out COVID-19 test after a rigorous accreditation and validation process by the tripartite accreditation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as a Corona virus (Covid-19), the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) and Lagos State Bio Bank.
WellMed Healthcare is a registered medical diagnostic centre and is duly accredited as a healthcare service provider by the HEFAMAA to provide a wide range of testing in Radiology, Pathology and Cardiology using the latest diagnostic and imaging technology available while engaging the most diligent and professional of our nation’s workforce.

Gov Zulum’s victory bell at Biu

By Charles Ibekwe

Since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East, Nigeria in 2009, Nigeria has witnessed a period classified as one of the most trying in its history. I would say that the Boko Haram insurgency was underestimated. Consequently, conventional tactics were deployed in an asymmetric war.

And the outcome of such military deployment remains a topic for another day. However, the crux of this piece is to systematically analyze the security situation in present-day North-East Nigeria and the factors that have proved to be the game-changer in the prosecution of the war against insurgency.

There have been concerted efforts that have resulted in gains and losses. There has been realignment and strategizing towards nipping the Boko Haram scourge in the mud. This is why the focus of this piece would be centered around 2016 to date when the Nigerian Military gained ascendency over the Boko Haram insurgents.

At the front of the renewed charge is the Nigerian Army, the arm of service that has received praises and bashings in equal measures from stakeholders and other segments of the Nigerian population. Despite, all the Nigerian Army has continued in a most commendable fashion.

This much was brought to bear recently by the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum at the occasion of the formal presentation of First Class Staff of Office to the Emir of Biu Emirate in Borno State, HRH, Mai Mustafa Umar Mustapha II.
Governor Babagana Zulum indeed captured the real situation of things regarding the efforts of the Nigerian Army in the prosecution of the Boko Haram insurgency that has ravished most parts of North-East Nigeria mainly Borno State. In his words, he stated thus:

“I must commend the Chief of Army Staff, Directors and Principal Staff Officers of Army Headquarters, the Theatre Commander, the General Officer Commanding, Sector Commanders, Brigade Commanders and Commanding Officers, Men and Officers of the Nigerian Army, Men and Officers of the Nigerian Police Force and other paramilitaries, Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters and vigilante for the support they have rendered in securing the territorial integrity of our nation”.

This coming from the governor of a state that is regarded as the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency is an indication that the commendation that has poured in for the leadership of the Nigerian Army and other paramilitary agencies involved in the Boko Haram insurgency is indeed worth every inch of it. The statement has also quashed some of the negative narrative pushed by some segment of the population with regards to the commitment of the Nigerian Army in the preservation of the country’s territorial integrity.

I believe that no other person is competent to comment on the Boko Haram insurgency than the governor of the state that is the epicenter of the insurgency. In my opinion, the governor has demonstrated patriotism through his actions, and I expect all those hanging on the fence to come to terms with this reality.

I don’t hold brief for the Nigerian Army or any other paramilitary agency. But I am constrained to lend my voice to this debate because I am conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria. And I know of the tremendous sacrifices that have gone into the restoration of normalcy in the region.

I recall that on numerous occasions I had advocated that Nigerians must form the habit of appreciating the efforts of the Nigerian Army. This is especially with the fact that we were up against an ideology that is deeply rooted in mischief, politics and extremism. This is indeed what the Boko Haram insurgency is all about. Take it or leave it.

It is not a conventional war, and as such, we should not expect troops to move in and smoke out Boko Haram insurgents within a timeframe. No, that is abnormal thinking that Nigerians must avoid. And unfortunately, this has been the yardstick that has been used in measuring the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. This is also aside from the conspiracies both internally and externally by some vested interest towards ensuring that the Boko Haram insurgents continue to perpetuate evil and cause untold hardship in North-East Nigeria.

If not for anything, when one makes a detailed comparison of the state of affairs in North-East Nigeria pre-2015 and post- 2015, we would realize that a lot has changed for good and the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents has been reduced tremendously. From controlling over 16 local government areas, to directly engaging the Nigerian Army in battles and many other daring acts which included the systematic spread of terror to other parts of the country including the Federal Capital Territory.

Today, the story has changed as the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents have been confined to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region, with no territory under their control and largely carrying out offensives in Gestapo hit and run style. If this is not something that should elicit commendation, I wonder what else should do—my candid thoughts.

If not for anything, I am glad that such a statement from the Governor of Borno State would inspire the troops to work harder because their efforts have been noticed and commended. This psychological boost is what is indeed needed as we push towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency. I used the word push because this is an ideological war and not a conventional war. And as some of us may know, insurgencies the world over is not something that comes to an end with the snap of the fingers. Some historical accounts stated that insurgencies take a minimum of 15 years to be addressed entirely because insurgency is an evolving phenomenon.

The Boko Haram insurgency is not any different; we recall that the target was security agents initially. From there it moved to the establishment of caliphates. It also moved to abductions and attacks on soft targets in women and children and today; it is now focused on guerrilla warfare.

Having said all, I am also in awe as to why Governor Babagana Zulum chose to make this statement in Biu. In case we do not know, the Biu Emirate has remained one of the regions in Borno State that have shown outstanding commitment towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. The Civilian Joint Task Force that is in place in all parts of Borno state is an expansion of the Biu model that was effective in neutralizing Boko Haram threats.

As a fact, the Boko Haram insurgents found it difficult to recruit fighters from Biu. And it is on record that they always meet their waterloo whenever they attempt to infiltrate Biu. And this is largely why Biu has remained one of the most peaceful cities in Nigeria. With the benefit of hindsight, the governor indeed was strategic in the choice of Biu to make such a remarkable statement.

I am glad. I am elated, and I must not fail to use this medium to register my profound appreciation to the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who has led the Nigerian Army at this historical time. He has displayed a firm conviction towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. His approach and strategy are topnotch, and I won’t talk about the numerous awards that have come his way for lack of space. But what I can say is that the provision of leadership in the Nigerian Army is responsible for the feats recorded in the prosecution of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

I can only wonder what the story would have been if there had been a continuation of the pre-2015 era where troops’ morale was at its lowest ebb. I dare to say that if this momentum is sustained, the Boko Haram insurgency would be a thing of the past soon. But we all have a role to play; we must continue to extend our support in ways that we can as this is not a conventional war but an asymmetric one.

I doff my hat for the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for he is indeed the soldiers’ soldier. And one that is an epitome of hard work, resilience and passion for Nigeria. What more can I say? This is indeed a victory bell in Biu.

Ibekwe is a public affairs commentator based in Enugu.

FRSC CORPS MARSHAL DEPLOYS SAFETY ENGINEERS TO AKUNGBA, MANDATES THEM TO IDENTIFY LIKELY CAUSES AND RECOMMEND URGENT SOLUTIONS TO TRAILER CRASHES ON THE NOTORIOUS BLACKSPOT

Owing to the renewed vigour and rejigged operational strategies the Federal Road Safety Corps embedded into tactical eradication of road traffic crashes in the country, the Corps Marshal , Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has deployed Safety Engineers to Akungba to ascertain the causes and recommend solutions to incessant trailer crashes that have bedevilled that particular route of the highway. This is in addition to an Ambulance rescue point earlier established close to the notorious spot for prompt rescue operations.

According to Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, the deployment of the personnel came as part of strategic proactive step by the Corps Marshal to mitigate incidences of crashes on the highways, following the fatal multiple crash that killed several passengers with others sustaining various degrees of injuries on Saturday, 23 January, 2021 along Ikare-Owo road by Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba

The Corps Marshal who spoke on the readiness of the Corps to bring road traffic crashes to an end in Nigeria lamented the fatalities recorded in recent times on our roads, promising that the Corps will double its efforts to eradicate crashes, particularly those by articulated vehicles.

While recounting the number of people affected by the multiple crash, he said that the crash which was caused by break failure that resulted in loss of control, involved a Dangote truck, a Suzuki mini bus (XB973KAA) and a Lexus saloon car (KWL 522 AY) conveying a total of 18 passengers comprising of 11 female adults and 7 male adults.

Out of the afforementioned number of persons on board the 3 vehicles, a total of 09 persons comprising of 5 female adults and 3 male adults were killed while a total of 09 persons comprising of 5 female adults and 4 male adults, sustained various injuries.

The FRSC rescue team deposited the remains of 06 of the passengers who got killed at Ikare Specialist Hospital Morgue and took 06 injured for urgent medical attention at the emergency ward of the same hospital. While the rescue team of the Nigeria Police Force deposited 3 dead and 4 injured at Iwaro General Hospital. The entire rescue operations was carried out by a combine efforts of the FRSC, NPF, Big Army, and the DSS.


Oyeyemi expressed satisfaction with the growing synergy and friendly collaboration of security agencies in Nigeria, as he praised the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Army and the Department of State Services who played a vital role in assisting in the evacuation of the victims and ensuring adequate deployment of men to control traffic around the crash scene.

" With the deployment of these professional and certified safety engineers, I am optimistic that the general factors responsible for road crashes on that route will surely be ascertained, and when that is done, necessary actions will be taking by appropriate agencies" he concluded.

New Emir of Biu gets staff of office

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, on Saturday, presented the staff of office to the new Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar 11, with a call on him to consolidate the foundation put in place by his late father.
Presenting the staff of office to the first Class Emir, at a ceremony in Biu, Zulum also urged him to be fair, just, and to sustain support to government programmes, particularly in areas of education, health, and agriculture.

The governor also urged the traditional ruler to continue to mobilise his subjects on security consciousness and community policing.

Zulum used the occasion to also commend the Federal Government and the military for the recent successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in the state.

“May I use this medium to commend the Federal Government, and in particular the Nigerian Military, for the recent successes they recorded in the fight against insurgency, especially by taking the war to the enclaves of the insurgents.

“Let me commend the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, directors and principals in the military high command, the theatre Commander, the GOC, sector commanders, brigade commanders, commanding officers, men and officers in the theatre of operation.

“The police and all other security operatives working in Borno for the support they rendered in securing the territorial integrity of our nation,” Zulum said.

He also expressed profound appreciation to Chief of Army Staff for establishing the Nigerian Army university Biu. According to him "the establishment of this university has indeed lighten the burden of Borno State Government in establishing another university in Borno and therefore this administration under my Distinguished leadership will provide all necessary support to the Nigerian Army University Biu with a view to quickening its mandate of its establishment".

Dignitaries that attended the ceremony included the Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Almin El-Kanami, Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.Tukur Buratai.

*Disregard Misleading Seme Border Video, Says Nigeria Customs*



The attention of Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to a video circulating on social media with misleading commentary capable of inciting members of the public against Customs. The false narrative is that the service is destroying the properties of Clearing Agents at Seme Border.

For the avoidance of doubt, the land in question belongs to Nigeria Customs Service and was allocated temporarily to the Clearing Agents with the agreement that anytime the service has need for it, they will leave.

Fortunately for the Clearing Agents, they had the opportunity of using the land for over a decade till now that the Service is expanding its barracks to accommodate more Officers and Men of the Command.
This is in line with the effort of Nigeria Customs Management to provide adequate accommodation for its Officers so as to ensure effective delivery of their statutory functions.
NCS Management wants to avoid a situation where inadequacy of barracks accommodation forces Officers to live in houses that may belong to smugglers.

Consequently, they were given quit notice that lasted about a year.
In line with our cordial relationship, the Agents are complying with the notice and removing all their valuables including doors, windows e.t.c. It is therefore, unfortunate for this unknown person to film people who are removing their own properties without coercion or hindrance to give it a narrative that can cause breach of peace.

The Nigeria Customs therefore, calls on all those who may come across this video to disregard its content as effort are on to track the fabricator.

Nigeria And Her Betrayal By Diaspora

By Thomas Uzah PhD

Interventions on the political and economic fronts by Nigerians in the Diaspora have been anything but complimentary of our leaders, systems and policies.

It is as if once our intellectuals find their feet in other shores, they develop a contemptuous mindset towards their country and anything happening in the country is viewed from negative prisms.

These Diasporans become perpetual critics whose thirst for castigating Nigerian leaders and their policies is hardly satisfied.

This posture had made many patriotic citizens to conclude that most of these Nigerians living in foreign countries are driven by regime hate hence are not capable of critically and objectively dissecting the situation they choose to interrogate not to talk of proffering  positive solutions.

Rather than come up with ideas for the political and socioeconomic upliftment of their people, Nigerians in the Diaspora have constituted themselves into a nation of nay sayers, cynics and pessimists trying hard to drag the Nigerian state down. 

It is typical of comments from there to reduce every economic breakthrough to happenstance, every good policy to a mere mistake while challenges are elevated as the norm.

While the nationals of other countries seek ways to better their country through researches and pooling of funds from their host countries, the Nigerian Diaspora community is more interested in seeing itself as an opposition party. 

In the 70s, it was a group of Malaysians in the Diaspora who stumbled on the Nigerian palm fruits  and through researches, were able to extract pure vegetable oil from the fruit which they now export to other countries.

But decades after we have sent our sons and daughters to the most technologically advanced countries, our mothers and sisters are still using grinding stones to grind pepper while our men are still using raffia to climb palm trees.

Good and commercially viable agricultural products still perish on their ways to the market because there's no means of preserving them.

While they have failed in their patriotic duties of using their experiences to help in the development of their country, they appear unrelenting in the bid to rubbish whatever progress Nigeria is making.

This was why when Nigeria was categorised as one the fastest developing economies in the world, it did not make an impression on these set of intellectuals, neither have they said anything since our military turned the tide against terrorists and insurgents that have been disturbing the peace of the country.

Unofficial reports state that there are about 15 million Nigerians in the diaspora and can be found in most countries of the world especially the United States and the UK, followed by South Africa, UAE and other European countries such as Italy and Spain. 

The largest Nigerian Diaspora community is in the US with around followed by the UK.

A survey conducted in the US indicated that Nigerians in the US are one of the highest educated migrant groups.

The survey found that 29% of the Nigerian diaspora older than 25, held a master’s degree, Ph.D. or an advanced professional degree compared to 11% of the US population overall. 

It is said that no country in Sub-Saharan Africa receives more remittances than Nigeria, estimated by the World Bank at around 24.3B per year and 6% of GDP.

This makes Nigeria the sixth country in the world in remittance inflows. 

This ordinarily should have been celebrated as it is quite huge, but the benefits of such potentials are hardly seen at home. This id because they are only channelled towards luxurious and personal interests. Hardly are the inflows invested into the Nigerian economy with a view to ensuring a multiplier effect.

They are remittances through family ties and have not been substantial enough to jump start any aspect of the economy, let alone develop one.

Even the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, which “has the responsibility to coordinate and organize Nigerians in and from the Diaspora to contribute human capital and material resources, including their expertise, for the development of Nigeria and its constituent states,” has not been forthcoming in that regard. 

Worse still, many of the Nigerians in the Diaspora, wreak havoc of the image of Nigeria by their involvement in crime across the continents.

A release by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for America in year 2020 showed that Nigerian citizens are among the leading nationals in crime.  

Clearly, they have become bad influences on their home country by becoming emergency activists who go out to ruin the peace of the country . 

It has even been alleged that some of their unpatriotic interventions are sponsored to destabilise Nigeria for which they receive financial gratification. 

But these have got to stop. Nigerians abroad must start seeing the good in their country and project same to the world. They must serve as the catalyst for technological advancement and steer clear of the underground moves to use them to destabilise their own country .

Uzah PhD is Head, Mass Communication Department, Kwararafa University Wukari.

NIGERIAN ARMY AND THE WAR AGAINST DISINTEGRATION

Yabo Chris Ephraim

The year 2020 will forever be a historical reference point for every country around the globe. Every country had a share of the challenges that 2020 came with or at worst felt it impact. In Nigeria, it was not just the global pandemic and its ravaging impact, it was a year the Nigerian Army had a date with history. It was tested in many fronts, but it core mandate of defending our sovereignty, unity and democracy was tested in no small measure. Like Abraham Lincoln said; "only the test of fire makes fine steel". The Nigerian Army has earned itself a place in history for standing up to the enemies of our nation both internally and externally

In the year 2020, precisely around October, there was an uprising that culminated in the killings of scores of our security personnels by our own citizens, massive and wanton destruction/looting of public and private properties. This uprising was disguised as a peaceful protest, but it was not aimed at pursuing any genuine reforms or good governance. The stated objective was to end police brutality and bring reforms, but the organizers only used that as a smokescreen to lure unsuspecting Nigerians to join the uprising and give it more publicity. The grand design was to topple the government in power by creating and sponsoring chaos and anarchy in the fashion that was used in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and Sudan.

The strategy is to sow strife and disaffection among citizenry, which will engender a fertile ground for the evil machination of Western power in collaboration with some of our brothers in Nigeria. Once this is achieved through a combination of propaganda and incitement, then the real bloodthirsty masquerades will surface in the name of democratic institutions and organizations such as Amnesty International, ICC and their propaganda apparatus CNN.

Nigerian Army through intelligence, discovered this devilish plan by unscrupulous elements and planned a counter strategy to quell the uprising peacefully and without contravening the constitution of our country which guarantees the right of the citizens to protest. On 14th October 2020, it issued a statement to the effect that it will not allow subversive elements destabilize our country. It equally reaffirmed its commitment to protect our democracy at all cost.

Those who masterminded atrocities that ousted the legitimate government of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya chose a different strategy of accusing the leaders of harboring and sponsoring terrorism which has not been proven till this day. The case of Egypt was plain animosity by the Western power against the Moslem Brotherhood and the government of Mohammed Morsi which started as a protest at Tahrir Square that eventually led to his ouster and death. The other cases were through economic sabotage and perpetually organized insecurity which brought these countries to their knees

Nigeria as the biggest player in Africa with so much potentials became the target of this unscrupulous elements from within and without. Through economic sabotage, relentless recruitments of terrorists, training, arming and funding terrorism, they have clogged the wheels of progress in Nigeria. With the prediction of the disintegration of Nigeria in the year 2020, it was hoped that this government wouldn't last beyond their projected date for its disintegration. With the support of some international organizations, they project an image of democratic ideals and protection of human rights on the one hand, while fuelling terrorism and insecurity on the other. These Western powers have largely refused to cooperate with the Nigerian government in the fight against insecurity by outrightly delaying or refusing to sale arms to Nigeria, but have continue to supply more than enough arms to the enemies of Nigeria. Many may not quite understand the full scale of the grand design by this satanic forces. With this government surviving more than five years after the said prediction, they have in recent times intensified their effort to keep a date with their prediction of Nigeria's disintegration, with the collaboration of some political jobbers willing to trade our peace and stability for their selfish ambition.

Despite the setbacks and towering challenges, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have sacrificed their lives, blood and sweat to manage these internally and externally engineered insecurity, to keep Nigeria standing after their due date. The Nigerian Army has maintained utmost discipline, valour and patriotism even in the face of provocative propaganda, and has continue to ensure that Nigeria's case did not spiral out of control as is the case with countries mentioned earlier.

We, as a people, must resist the plan to destabilize our country by refuting and disregarding all the negative propaganda against our government and the security agencies. We must be resolute and united in supporting our security agencies particularly the Nigerian Army that is at the forefront of this war and keeping our democracy. We must keep the faith knowing that darkness cannot overcome light and evil cannot triumph over good. I salute the courage and determination of the leadership and all personnel of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sacrifices and doggenes.

REVIEW OF 2020 SPECIAL PATROL OPERATIONS: CORPS MARSHAL CONVENES YEAR 2021 FIRST VIRTUAL MEETING WITH TRANSPORT STAKEHOLDERS, COMMUNICATES AREAS OF IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT

Pursuant to the expiration of the 2020 end of the year special patrol operations which lasted between 25 December, 2020 and 15 January, 2021, the Corps Marshal Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has convened the first virtual meeting with road transportation stakeholders across the country. The meeting was targeted at reviewing the impact of the exercise, identifying notable challenges and communicating areas of immediate improvement to the stakeholders, with a view to enhance the safety of lives and properties on the road.

In a statement by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, during the meeting coordinated from the national headquarters of the Commission, the Corps Marshal appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government towards the realisation of the safety mandate; as well as the cooperation and contributions of all road transportation stakeholders in ensuring the safety of the highways in the year 2020.

While analysing the 1 month special patrol, the Corps Marshal stated that even though the Corps recorded low road traffic crashes compared to the previous year, there was an observable record of increased fatalities, with heavy fatalities recorded in fewer number of crashes.

He noted that most of the crashes occurred at night and in the early hours of the morning while some high fatality crashes that involved fuel-laden tankers (explosions) and unlatched containerised cargoes, as well as trucks carrying a combination of humans, animals and goods were recorded within the period.

Oyeyemi listed the most prevalent causes of the crashes recorded within the period as; Speeding, Fatigue, Wrongful overtaking, Break failure and lane discipline. According to him, the secondary cause or resultant effect of the above causes is Loss of control.

As a result of that review, all stakeholders must ensure compulsory installation of speed limiting device in their vehicles to curtail incidences of speed related crashes; ensure compulsory observance of precautionary guidelines for safe public transportation amidst the second wave of COVID-19 and also discourage overloading of vehicles with both passengers and goods to reduce fatalities".


Accordingly, night travels which have cost the country many lives must be discouraged since it is prone to poor visibility, fatigue and could lead to sleeping on the wheels, and drivers must be subjected to regular visual acuity test to fish out those with defects. In addition, strict observance of maximum driving hours and rest period must be complied with, stating that drivers must observe 15 minutes rest after every 4 hours drive.

Responding to the Corps Marshal, the National President, National Association of Road Transport Owners, Alhaji Lawal Yusuf Othman, said that NARTO has already keyed into the installation of speed limiting device (SLD) and safety valves as most of their vehicles have already installed the device.

On his part, Otunba Salimon Oladiti, the National Chairman, NUPENG-PTD also advised State Governments to create road barriers on most of the bridges in there states, as it is obtainable in Lagos and Oyo States so as to mitigate every factor that could lead to crashes.

Other attendees who spoke on the need to ensure that all vehicles assembled in Nigeria have the SLD installed in them and properly calibrated before they are allowed to commence operations include the National President, Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Mr Isaac Uhunmwagho, representatives of Peace Mass Transit, ABC transport and NURTW.

TB JOSHUA SPEAKS OUT ON COVID-19 VACCINE

Nigerian Prophet TB Joshua has bared his mind for the first time on the COVID-19 vaccine, a subject which has been the source of much controversy and conspiracy, especially within Evangelical Christian circles.

“Concerning the ongoing situation in the world, I have received thousands of emails on the COVID-19 vaccine,” the cleric stated in a special message broadcast on his Christian channel on Emmanuel TV.

“No doubt, there are many conspiracy theories surrounding this vaccine. However, my belief is that our governments are only trying to look for a way out of this very challenging situation, although there may be bad faith in certain quarters,” he acknowledged.

“Many people have complained of some negative reactions but this is always the case with vaccines of this nature. I remember I used to have such reactions whenever I took chloroquine,” he continued, citing his personal experiences.

“That does not mean chloroquine is bad. It works positively for many. At this time, our governments need our support and our cooperation – because the world is in a dilemma,” he concluded in his customary parabolic fashion.

Earlier in the footage, Joshua had spoken about the ‘New Anointing Water’ and ‘New Anointing Sticker’ he had released at the beginning of 2021, stressing the importance of having godly intentions when using them.

“Jesus looks at the motive of our actions but men look at the action. I mean, Jesus looks at why we do what we do but men look at what we do,” he explained, adding “that is why we must not be in a haste to judge someone’s actions”.

“Once any selfish intention or motive is involved – that is, if money exchanges hands in whatever way – the anointing in the bottle will go away, leaving only ordinary water in the bottle,” he then sternly warned.

The cleric stressed that these ‘faith tools’ would be sent freely to people. “The Anointing Water is God’s gift to us. What it costs to get to you is our own contribution. The level of our sacrifice will determine the level of anointing we enjoy,” he clarified.

Clips showing this Anointing Water being shipped worldwide from Paris, France were subsequently shown, alongside the reaction of people who ‘fell under the anointing’ by merely touching its packaging, notably a blind South African lady who claimed she regained her sight.

A video further showed someone ministering Joshua’s Anointing Water to a critically ill coronavirus patient in an isolation ward who dramatically recovered and was released from the hospital shortly afterwards.

VIDEO -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZz3XNActco

CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF COMMENDS AIR TASK FORCE OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE FOR PLAYING DECISIVE ROLES IN A BATTLE WITH TERRORISTS IN MARTE AXIS

Following an encounter/ambush by troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO against Boko Haram terrorists when they attempted to attack troops' location at the outskirts of Marte, in Borno State, during which the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE played a decisive/commendable role in the destruction of 7 terrorists' gun trucks and decimation of unconfirmed number of the insurgents.

The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai, hereby appreciates and commends the troops, especially the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE for their heroic and patriotic actions which resulted in the successes recorded. He urged them to maintain the momentum and expedite actions to ensure speedy final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Nigeria.

OPERATION TURA TAKAIBANGO: AGAIN TROOPS NEUTRALISE BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS, DESTROY 7 GUN TRUCKS, RECOVER ARMS




Troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO in conjunction with the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE have effectively destroyed 7 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists' gun trucks and decimated several unconfirmed number of the terrorists when they attempted to attack their location at the outskirts of Marte in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to a signed statement by Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters and made available to NAOSRE, the gallant troops, based on reliable information about the attack, had positioned themselves in an ambush site where they tactically withdrew to, and awaited the arrival of the terrorists before they opened fire which led to fierce battle that resulted in the successes recorded as indicated above.

The troops are still engaged in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists for further exploitation. Further details of interest to members of the public will be communicated later.

BENIN MAGISTRATE SENTENCES STRIPPED TRICYCLE RIDER WHO ASSAULTED FRSC PERSONNEL IN JULY, 2020 TO 3 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT .

A Magistrate Court sitting in Benin city, Edo State has on Monday, 11 January, 2021, sentenced Mr Adeshina Adeyemo, a tricycle operator that assaulted FRSC personnel and stripped himself naked along Benin / Sapele road in July 2020 to 3 months imprisonment for attacking patrol operatives and damaging of patrol vehicle belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps.

According to the FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, Mr Adeshina was arraigned with a case file number MEV/117C/2020 before His Worship, Snr Magistrate F. Ojehumen of the Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court B on a 2 count charge bordering on conducting himself in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace; and for maliciously damaging FRSC patrol vehicle during patrol operations along Sapele-Benin road on 16 July, 2020.

Giving the judgement by His Worship on the matter, the Defendant was found guilty as charged, but in line with the 2019 sentencing guidelines, the Magistrate noted that he was entitled to Allocutus, as such, the sentence was mitigated.

On the first count charge, the accused is to pay the sum of #5000 or 1 month imprisonment, and #41,000 or 2 months imprisonment for the second charge and both sentence are to run concurrently. The Defendant who failed to meet the option of fine has been taken into custody at the Nigeria Correctional Service in Benin City.

The spokesman said that the matter which was first presented before His Worship on 22 July, 2020 when the Defendant pleaded not guilty, witnessed over 4 subsequent appearances before it was finally adjourned on 19 October, 2020 due to the EndSARS protest to 11 January, 2021 when the verdict was pronounced.

Explaining why he was prosecuted, Kazeem recalled that the rider who was apprehended for committing the offences of driving against traffic, driving without a valid drivers license and under the influence of alcohol, went berserk at the point of arrest, stripped himself naked, and started throwing obstacles on both personnel and the patrol vehicle and at some point, even dragged the patrol operatives in uniform.

This act of incivility and disrespect to Public Officers saw him destroy the staff's uniform and not only damaged the windscreen of the patrol car, but disfigured the bonnet and other body parts with mud and stone before he was finally arrested, detained in Etete Police Station before charging him to Court.

Reacting to the judgement, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi commended the Judiciary for quick dispensation of justice, noting that this like other judgements is an indication and strong warning to perpetrator that no member of the public who damages FRSC property, no matter how small will be spared.

While lamenting the attacks on FRSC personnel which often result in loss of lives of patrolmen on the highways, the Corps Marshal warned the motoring community, particularly the recalcitrants who have made it habitual to attack security agencies to desist from such henceforth, or face the wrath of the law squarely.