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 Crime › Re: Abia Cattle Market: Attackers Want To Destroy Our Relationship ― Ohanaeze by Kuginzi(op): 1:53pm On Feb 20, 2022 |
LeoDeKing:Don't you think the IGBOs are the most peaceful tribe in Nigeria?
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| Crime › Abia Cattle Market: Attackers Want To Destroy Our Relationship ― Ohanaeze by Kuginzi(op): 12:54pm On Feb 20, 2022 |
By Chinonso Alozie Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Sunday described the perpetrators of the bloody attack at New Cattle Market, Omumauzor in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, last Tuesday as a plot to destroy the harmonious relationship between Northern Cattle marketers and Igbo communities. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, stated this in a statement to newsmen in Owerri. He said the Igbos have been very hospitable and forward-looking with a cosmopolitan spirit in their dealings. According to Ohanaeze, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide condemns the ugly incident that occurred at the New Cattle Market, Omumauzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, which claimed the lives of eight traders including 20 cows on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. “Preliminary investigations show that the mayhem was not caused by the youths of the host community, instead, the youths demonstrated courage, sympathy and solidarity with the traders by assisting the victims of the attack. We are delighted that a high powered team of the Abia State government led by the chief of staff to the governor, Professor Anthony Agbazuere, visited the market promptly to assess the situation and sympathise with the traders. “Furthermore, the Abia State government responded swiftly by mobilising the various security agencies to the scene that night to secure the lives and properties of the innocent traders and fish out the assailant. “We are saddened that some hoodlums are bent on disrupting the harmonious relationship that had long existed between the Northern cattle markets and the several host communities across Igbo land.” “This is wicked mischief taken too far. This is because Nigerians know that the Igbo are very allergic to the dastard act of destruction of human lives; the sanctity of human life is an integral part of the Igbo cultural ethics. “Rather, the Igbo are hospitable, forward-looking, entrepreneurial, cosmopolitan and opportunity maximizers. In other words, they are always willing to partner lucrative opportunities wherever and in whosoever, they are found, irrespective of ethnic or religious persuasions. “Thus, the several cattle markets in Igbo land, have not only broadened the scope of our trans-ethnic economic relations, but it has also fulfilled the impetus of the Igbo funeral extravaganza. It is therefore highly inconceivable that any rights thinking Igbo can contemplate such a heinous crime against the benign cattle market,” Ohanaeze said.
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| Crime › Re: NAFDAC Impounds 120 Tons Of Imported ‘Ponmo’, Arrests Seven Merchants by Kuginzi(op): 12:43pm On Feb 20, 2022 |
[quote author=FuckDModz post=110385329]All because of Amala and ewedu. Yoruba people will not finish this country. Smh[/quoteyo You need this...... 20 Likes 2 Shares
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| Crime › NAFDAC Impounds 120 Tons Of Imported ‘Ponmo’, Arrests Seven Merchants by Kuginzi(op): 11:59am On Feb 20, 2022 |
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control said it intercepted in Lagos State, large quantities of dangerous animal hides and skins popularly known as “Ponmo” with seven merchants of the deadly product in the agency’s net.https://punchng.com/nafdac-impounds-120-tons-of-imported-ponmo-arrests-seven-merchants/?amp 4 Likes
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| Politics › Osun Guber APC Primary: Aregbesola Loses Ward To Oyetola by Kuginzi(op): 5:15pm On Feb 19, 2022 |
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State has won the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola’s ward in the ongoing primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Aregbesola, who was absent, lost his ward – Ward 8, Ifofin – in Ilesa East Local Government to Oyetola on Saturday. The leader of Aregbesola loyalists at the ward, Saheed Adegoke, confirmed to journalists the Minister was not around to vote due to an assignment from the President. At Aregbesola’s ward, his candidate, Moshood Adeoti, polled 146 votes while Oyetola polled 309.
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| Christianity Etc › Any Member Of My Church Who Goes For Big Brother Will Die, Preacher, Mummy G.O by Kuginzi(op): 3:24pm On Feb 19, 2022 |
Mummy G.O’s ministry, Rapture Proclaimer Evangelistic Church, became popular and controversial in December 2021 when she began preaching about things that could make people go to hell fire. Funmilayo Adebayo, controversial Nigerian evangelist nicknamed Mummy G.O, has said any member of her church that auditions for a reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, will die. Mummy G.O’s ministry, Rapture Proclaimer Evangelistic Church, became popular and controversial in December 2021 when she began preaching about things that could make people go to hell fire. In one of her preachings, she revealed that shas an executive/super agent of the highest form of darkness with Lucifer and had sold guns, pushed cocaine with fly-carpet not normal transport before she was arrested by Jesus Christ. She mentioned that her beauty and sexy body shape were taken away from her when she became a born again Christian. Mummy G.O, who started her ministry 24 years ago, claimed she was born in Egypt where she joined the military but died during a war and was initiated afterward. From there, she claimed to have learnt how to speak fluently and other experiences as she stopped schooling at primary 4. According to her, God called her to preach to people of the world to focus on heaven but people hated her because she says secrets about things people don’t like to hear that will make them miss heaven. In one of her recent videos, she described Big Brother Naija show as demonic, adding that any child of God who watches the show will die. Any member of this church mistakenly or stupidly tries it, I will tell God to kill him on that stage. From there he must go to mortuary. He wouldn't come back. He will die. I wouldn't even pray for repentance. It's death because if he comes back, another person will try it. Unless if Ananias and Sapphira did not die. If those ones died, then God must kill the person,” she said.
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| Politics › Presidency: Tinubu Will Use ‘magic’ To Fix Nigeria – Sanwo-olu by Kuginzi(op): 2:44pm On Feb 19, 2022 |
By Seun Opejobi Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, has said Bola Tinubu, an All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant will use a “magic wand” to fix Nigeria’s problems if elected in 2023. Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu knows the issues plaguing the country, hence has the solution. Speaking in Lagos yesterday, the governor said Nigerians should give the APC National Leader a chance to be president next year. He urged lawmakers in Lagos State to work towards ensuring that Tinubu becomes Nigeria’s next president. He said, “Tinubu knows the issues plaguing our nation like the back of his hands and he has the magic wand to fix it. “So, because of our Apex leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is time for us to take Lagos to Nigeria’s agenda. “That is why I am calling on all of us to ensure that we do everything we can do politically and otherwise, to ensure that we can help to activate and actualise the next president of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2 Likes 2 Shares
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| Crime › Court Remands Ekiti Prophet Over Teenager’s Death by Kuginzi(op): 9:04am On Feb 19, 2022 |
Abiodun Nejo An Ekiti State chief magistrates’ court, Ado Ekiti District, has ordered that a man, Adedayo Oluwaseyidara, be remanded in the custodial centre for the alleged murder of one 17-year-old Emmanuel Adeyemo. The defendant, said to be a prophet, was alleged to have given the deceased concoction to drink to cure bedwetting, but the deceased complained of a stomach ache after drinking it and died in the process. The charge sheet read, “The defendant was on February 12, 2022 in Iyin Ekiti, reasonably suspected to have committed offence of murder on a 17-year-old Emmanuel Adeyemo, contrary to and punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.” In her statement to the police, a relative of the victim, Bisola, said the deceased was bedwetting and taken to the prophet for prayer. She said the prophet told her to bring Adeyemo whom he claimed was possessed, alongside different types of fruits for appeasement to the gods. She said, “The prophet prepared the sacrifice and concoction and gave it to him (Adeyemo) to drink. Thereafter, the deceased started complaining of a stomach ache and later died.” The police prosecutor, Sergeant Sodiq Adeniyi, made an ex parte application to remand the defendant in custody, saying, “granting the order will allow the police complete their investigation and forward the duplicate case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.” The presiding magistrate, Franca Olaiya, who granted the prosecutor’s request, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services, Ado Ekiti, pending the legal advice from the office of the DPP. Olaiya adjourned the case to March 10, 2022 for mention.
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| Crime › Why We Love Kidnapping Rev Fathers. Confession Of Suspects Nabbed By Police by Kuginzi(op): 8:26am On Feb 19, 2022*. Modified: 8:55am On Feb 19, 2022 |
By Ngozi Uwujare • We make them pray for us so that our sins can be forgiven Operatives of the Operation Zenda Unit of the Benue State Police Command have arrested suspected armed robbers/kidnappers who they claim have been making life difficult for residents of the state. The suspects are said to have a special passion for abducting Reverend Fathers for ransom. It was gathered that the gang had kidnapped several priests and many others at different times in the state. Nigerians can now work and earn dollars DAILY from home. Regular individuals can earn as low as $300 daily Find out how it works. But it was the abduction of one Rev. Father Joseph Barnabas that gave them a bloody nose, according to the police. They reportedly kidnapped the priest and demanded ransom from his family, but were intercepted and arrested during a stop and search operation by the police at the front of Benue State University, Makurdi. Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Abass told Saturday Sun that the three suspects were arrested on February 2, 2022. He said while they were conveying Father Barnabas in a vehicle, they got to a police checkpoint where the victim raised the alarm and called for help. Subsequently, one Patrick Tarka Ayatse, 35, and Sunny Dollar, 30, the driver of the vehicle, were arrested. The police recovered from the two one locally made pistol, the police boss informed. The commissioner said one of the suspects, Raphael John, had gone to withdraw money at an ATM while other gang members forcefully took the victim away in his own vehicle. They robbed him of his phone and money and were driving him to an unknown destination where they threatened to keep him hostage until such a time that his family would raise the money for the ransom. But the gang members were intercepted by the police. CP Abass explained further that the police had also invaded the hideout of the gang at Lafia Garga North Bank, Makurdi where they arrested a member of the syndicate, Mohammad Ibrahim, 35. He said after searching the house, the police recovered two locally made revolvers with 41 live ammunitions and household property suspected to belong to victims. He said the same gang also stole a Lexus 330 worth N2 million and a cash sum of N140, 000 at gun point at GRA in Gboko on August 2, 2021. “Our police operatives of ‘Operation Zenda’ on January 5, 2022 arrested three of their gang members namely, Sunday Shiekuma Sirande, 37, Mani Yaasa, 40, and Kar David, 30. They were arrested in connection with the theft of a victim’s Lexus 330 vehicle and two other Toyota Corolla cars recovered from them,.” the commissioner said. CP Abass said one of the syndicate members, Anyogo Mnguor was intercepted by “Operation Zenda” within Sahara area. “The suspect, Anyogo Mnguor and 38-year-old Tsaaga Aku Lahan, during interrogation, confessed to have been involved in armed robbery and kidnapping. The ammunition, which they used for their operation, was recovered. This includes one G3 rifle with 42 rounds of live ammunition, one pump action rifle, one locally made pistol and four AK 47 magazines,” the police boss said. One of the victims, Rev. Father Joseph Barnabas prayed that God should change the kidnappers to decent men. “Thank God I am still alive. I was rescued by the security agencies even though I paid ransom. I am free from the hands of the kidnappers. I heard some of the kidnappers were arrested. I want to tell them that they should go and sin no more. I believe one day, God will change them,” he said. A female victim, Mrs. Janet Aloy told Saturday Sun of her experience with the kidnappers. “It was a terrible ordeal. I was kidnapped and robbed of my Toyota Corolla vehicle along the Benue State University, Makurdi. They pretended as we reached the police checkpoint. They robbed me and kidnapped me along with the Rev. Fathers until they took us to their hideout and my family members sent them N1.5 million, while the kidnappers demanded N5 million as ransom until I was released. I left the Rev. Fathers in their hideout. Fathers until they took us to their hideout and my family members sent them N1.5 million, while the kidnappers demanded N5 million as ransom until I was released. I left the Rev. Fathers in their hideout. “I’m impressed that the police detectives arrested some of the suspects and they recovered some stolen vehicles from them. I want to check whether my vehicle is part of those that were recovered.” Another victim, Rev. Father John Maduka said. “We experienced the kidnapping of Rev. Fathers in Makurdi in 2021, when two priests were kidnapped while coming back from their morning mass. They took them outside Makurdi to another town and demanded a ransom of millions of naira. But the police had an encounter with the hoodlums and they abandoned the kidnapped Rev. Fathers and left, and the victims were rescued. “The suspects arrested should face the wrath of the law. Once a Rev. Father is kidnapped, the kidnappers believe that church money would be used to pay ransom for their release. It is terrible when Rev. Fathers are in the hands of kidnappers,” he said. Isaac Inalegwu, from Makurdi, Benue State noted: “I was kidnapped in September 2021 at Makurdi towards the Makurdi/Jos expressway. They took me to the forest and blindfolded me before demanding N10 million as ransom. I am a businessman. They collected my ATM card and withdrew over N1.5 million. They still told me to send some money and warned that they would kill me if I did not. I had to call my elder brother and explain things to him. He sent me another one million naira. He came and dropped the money to them in the bush. “I his own narration, another victim, Isaac Inalegwu, from Makurdi, Benue State noted: “I was kidnapped in September 2021 at Makurdi towards the Makurdi/Jos expressway. They took me to the forest and blindfolded me before demanding N10 million as ransom. I am a businessman. They collected my ATM card and withdrew over N1.5 million. They still told me to send some money and warned that they would kill me if I did not. I had to call my elder brother and explain things to him. He sent me another one million naira. He came and dropped the money to them in the bush. “I didn’t call my wife because she would be panicking and might not be able to stand it. I didn’t tell my brother to report the case to the police. The kidnappers threatened me that if I reported to the police, they would kill me. I had to play along and I stayed with the kidnappers in the forest for five days before they released me. It was a terrible agony. They would prepare rice that was half cooked for me to eat in the evening. It was hell.” One of the suspects, Patrick Teikaa Ayatse told Saturday Sun about his life as a kidnapper and robber. His words: “I hail from Benue State. I have been involved in several armed robberies and kidnappings. We specialise in kidnapping of Rev. Fathers in Benue State, Jos in Plateau State in Kaduna as well as in some other states. We target Rev. Fathers because we believe they can easily raise money for ransom. We have robbed several innocent victims of their valuable items, including cars which we use for our operations. Later, we would look for buyers to purchase them. We would kidnap victims, take them to our hideout and demand ransom. And immediately the ransom is paid, we release them. But we never release their cars for them. We normally look for buyers after using the vehicles for operations to rob or kidnap other victims. purchase them. We would kidnap victims, take them to our hideout and demand ransom. And immediately the ransom is paid, we release them. But we never release their cars for them. We normally look for buyers after using the vehicles for operations to rob or kidnap other victims. “We have robbed several people along the Makurdi Expressway of their valuable items. On the Nasarawa/ Benue Highway, we robbed victims day and night. We kidnapped Rev. Fathers and other victims and immediately any of them paid their ransom, we would release him. We didn’t attack any Rev. Father that we kidnapped. We don’t touch them; we only let them call their fellow Rev. Fathers or leaders of their congregation immediately for ransom. And when the ransom is paid, we release them. We usually told the Rev. Fathers to pray for us. Once the Rev. Father has prayed for us, we believe our sins have been forgiven from that moment. We don’t kill our victims. We only collect their belonging, cars and money and we allow them to go,” he said.
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| Politics › What If Osinbajo Runs Against Tinubu? by Kuginzi(op): 8:45pm On Feb 17, 2022 |
What is likely to happen or change if the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, took heed of the growing call to run against Senator Bola Tinubu for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress? Emameh Gabriel asks Like other proteges before him, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is not only under pressure from millions of his supporters in and outside government to contest the 2023 presidential election even as his benefactor, former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has his eyes fixed on the coveted seat, Osinbajo has also become the new bride in the Nigerian political landscape-harvesting record support across political divide in the last few months. With these in the kitty and if the whispers from some quarters are anything to go by; the odds seem to favour him even if he is yet to indicate interest. Trajectory of the 2023 presidential contest, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is becoming clearer. Among the frontline aspirants that are daily springing up for the top job, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the acclaimed national leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, have apparently become the leading contenders in a seemingly crowded field. On Monday, January 10, Tinubu made his much-anticipated declaration to contest for the office of the president come 2023. He made the declaration after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa just a few days after President Buhari declared in a televised interview that he would not openly declare the identity of his successor. It was alleged that Tinubu became rattled when Buhari declined question on who will succeed him. The impression in most quarters was that the President was referring to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is believed to be Buhari’s anointed candidate. Consequently, the APC National Leader who was allegedly said to have gotten wind of the plot to edge him out of the race, quickly let his intention out of the bag. Anyone in Tinubu’s position would no doubt do the same thing- roar like a lion to fend off would-be intruders and intimidate them against further attempts to encroach his territory. Since his declaration, the political atmosphere in the country has been heating up at an incredible pace, leading to direct confrontation on social media platforms between his supporters and various groups rooting for the Vice President at any slight provocation. These developments signal the beginning of a major political gambit that will determine how the ruling party goes in and comes out of its national convention and beyond. It also suggests that he (Tinubu) will remain the fulcrum of political discussion in the next few months and all of these put together will define the latest phase and fate of his political journey. For so many factors before him, his formal entry to the race has presented to him a challenge that seems daunting even for the most talented politician, especially at a time like this in the history of the country when most Nigerians are calling for a younger and vibrant head to steer the affairs of the country. ‘‘Tinubu knows what is before him. He is very much aware of the huddles on his way and he is battle-ready,” said a source in his camp. But how ready is Tinubu to confront the same powers that edged out Oshiomhole’s NWC allegedly under his control and subsequently installed a caretaker committee under Mai Mala Buni? Tinubu’s declaration has opened the floodgates of declaration both in the ruling party and across the political landscape, as other notable declarations also took place in quick succession, which includes Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, former Governor of Abia, the current Senator representing Abia North senatorial district, Orji Uzor Kalu, former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha who declared a couple of days as well as Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who threw his hat into the ring last year. While in the APC those who have not made open declarations of intentions but are also interested in the top job are the current Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. So far, Osinbajo remains the one individual who is yet to make any open or public declaration of his interest to become the presidential flag-bearer of the ruling party and eventually succeed President Buhari. However, despite this, the political landscape has become filled with endorsements and approbation from millions of Nigerians across partisan lines.
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| Crime › Court Remands 4 Brothers For Allegedly Killing Man In Police Cell by Kuginzi(op): 7:51pm On Feb 17, 2022 |
Four brothers in the Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue were on Thursday remanded in Makurdi for allegedly killing a 35-year-old man in a police cell. The brothers – Aondoyima Asua, Terpav Asua, Terkula Asua and Luher Asua – were charged with conspiracy, trespass, mischief and murder. They appeared before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Vincent Kor, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction. He ordered that they should be kept at the Correctional Centre, Benue. Kor adjourned the case until March 15, for mention. Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Ato, told the court that the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi, on Jan. 21. Ato said that the letter transferring the suspects indicated that one Vashima Wevergh of RCM Church, Mbator Agbede, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue, told a police station on Jan. 13. that her elder brother, Moses Wevergh, was killed. According to Ato, the complainant said that on Jan.12, her brother was accused of causing the disappearance of the manhood of one Mr Aondoungwa Asua. He added that the complainant said that when Aondoungwa raised alarm about losing his manhood, the defendants and some others at large, trespassed into a police outpost at Ikyobo and beat her brother, cut him with machetes and axed him to death. The prosecutor told the court that the defendants were arrested during the police investigation. According to Ato, the alleged offences contravene Sections 97, 349, 329 and 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue, 2004. (NAN)
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| Christianity Etc › Fake Pastors Worse Than Bandits, Says Bishop Adeoye by Kuginzi(op): 7:55pm On Feb 14, 2022 |
Shina Abubakar, The General Overseer of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministries (SGTM), Okinni, Osun State, Bishop Seun Adeoye, on Monday disclosed that face clerics are worse than bandits, saying there is an urgent need for cleansing of churches in Nigeria. The cleric who also serves as the Lead Bishop, Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC), Nigeria decried the rising spate of fake pastors in the country. In a statement he issued in Osogbo, he called on the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to immediately commence registration and licensing of all practising clerics among its fold. He lamented that the social media platforms have given unhindered access and voices to many of the fake pastors where they “emit foul odours and vomit dirt from their bowels in the name of prophecies”. “Today, we are surrounded by the so-called men and women of God declaring fake prophecies, spreading unbiblical doctrines, engaging in all manners of immoral behaviours and undertaking all sorts of rituals at the altar. “Although, these false pastors are in the minority they are dangerous to the church and the society. They dupe in the name of God. They cause havoc to the Church and so many pains and shame to true Christians. They are worse than bandits. “These wolves should be identified, exposed and disgraced. These shafts must be separated from the wheat. They are not called by our Lord to preach the gospel but they see the Church as a means of livelihood to serve the gods of their bellies. “Therefore, these bad ones must give way to allow the gospel of Christ to flourish. CAN leaders should embark on urgent cleansing by registering and licensing all genuine men and women of God in its fold. By this, we can easily identify the evil ones and help deliver victims from their wickedness. “CAN leaders should be ready to come out boldly to deny anyone who engages in satanic activities and deregister any pastor whose behaviour is inimical to the well-being of the body of Christ. Enough of all these nonsenses in the name of God”, Bishop Adeoye stated.
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| Crime › Arrest NDLEA Officers Who Worked With Kyari’s Accomplices, IGP Tells Marwa by Kuginzi(op): 7:44pm On Feb 14, 2022 |
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has urged the Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (retd), to immediately arrest officers of the anti-narcotic agency involved in drug crimes with accomplices of suspended cop, Abba Kyari. The police boss made this known in a statement on Monday while announcing the arrest of Kyari and four other police officers fingered by the NDLEA in drug-related crimes. Kyari, the suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, was earlier declared wanted by the NDLEA over alleged drug links. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, had chronicled how Kyari belonged to a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline. The anti-narcotics agency said Kyari contacted one of its officers in Abuja and struck a deal to secure the release of a total of 25kg seized cocaine and offered $61,400 to NDLEA officers who played along until his arrest. The NDLEA also said it had photo and video evidence against Kyari. Reacting in a statement also on Monday through the Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP said incontrovertible evidence indicted Kyari in the drug crimes. It partly read, “The Nigeria Police Force has arrested DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, discreditable, unethical, and unprofessional conduct, official corruption and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel. “The arrest of the officers was sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on 10th February 2022. “The interim investigations report revealed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January, 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917. “The arrest led to the recovery of substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers. The operation which was intelligence-driven was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team. “Although the case and the two suspects were subsequently transferred to the NDLEA on the 25th January 2022, the findings of the in-house investigation ordered by the Inspector General of Police established reasonable grounds for strong suspicion that the IRT officers involved in the operation could have been involved in some underhand and unprofessional dealings as well as official corruption which compromised ethical standards in their dealings with the suspects and exhibits recovered. “Beyond this, the Police investigation also established that the international narcotics cartel involved in this case have strong ties with some officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who are on their payroll. The two arrested drug couriers confirmed that the modus is for the transnational drug barons to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.
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| Education › ASUU Strike: Consider Children Of The Poor — Comrade Aremu Appeals To FG, ASUU by Kuginzi(op): 6:36pm On Feb 13, 2022 |
By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin. The Director-General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies(MINILS), Ilorin Comrade Issa Aremu has cautioned both the federal government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU)against the strike, and consider, “the bigger picture “which is the student. Comrade Aremu speaking in an interview with journalists in Ilorin on the state of the nation also urged the two key players in the looming strike to consider the children of the poor who he said would be most affected by the strike. He said, “All the parties must look at the bigger picture and the bigger picture is the students and in this case, students of the poor who are going to lose their academic calendar.” He said, “strike makes sense if you make them brief, it to compel the other party to come for negotiation and once talk continue there must be a cessation of hostilities so that all the parties will not negotiate under pressure. “ He recalled his days in tertiary institutions and said, “When I was expelled in ABU and started all over again in Porthaccourt, I didn’t feel it because the academic calendar kept running without stopping. “By 28, I have already gotten my masters degree, if I didn’t tell you, you won’t know.” Comrade Issa Aremu also said that “Every time we shut down our universities, we lower our possibility to be ranked among the best universities in the world and only Nigeria does this. Nobody in the 21st century will believe for whatever reason whether poor funding, whether ASUU indefinite strike, Ghana cannot imagine that their universities will be shut down for one month, two months, six months, one year as it’s been routinely done in Nigeria today.” The MINILS DG, therefore, urged the stakeholders to understand that children of the rich won’t be affected by the strike and that proliferation of private universities in the South far more than the north would further make the North educationally disadvantaged. His words, “We have close to about 78 private universities for the public universities maybe 100 plus, when you add state universities. ” But it’s also a fact that almost 90, if not 95% of these private universities are in the southern part of Nigeria in fact about 30 alone, are located between Lagos and Ogun states. “So, what does this mean, even for regional Inequality if you shut down a public university as ASUU is possibly set to do, if this strike becomes a reality the children of the rich will be going to school, those who can go to private universities and they are mostly children who come from the southern part of the country and for the North which is more educationally disadvantaged, the educational disparity will be getting worse .”
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| Health › World Health Organization Says 3 Out Of 10 Nigerians Are Mentally Ill by Kuginzi(op): 5:02am On Feb 13, 2022 |
By Cosmas Omegoh Experts raise alarm over rise in mental ailments It is official. Many Nigerians are becoming increasingly inflicted with mental sickness without knowing it. That man, woman, Okada rider, that angry bird, charging at you might just be one of the many floating down the road, mentally sick. They might not have begun running amok, naked, yet they are sick and do not know it; they need help. Nigerians can now work and earn dollars DAILY from home. Regular individuals can earn as low as $300 daily Find out how it works. That the individual howling at you, that fellow raining curses or abuses at you for a reason too little to be considered serious could just be sick mentally too. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently startled Nigerians with a revelation of how mentally sick many are among the populace. Going by statistics provided by the WHO, the problem is huge. According to WHO, “three out of 10 Nigerians have one form of mental illness or the other.” It lamented that “presently there is no mental health legislation in Nigeria.” WHO further stated that “the increase in cases of depression is traceable to multi-factorial intra and interpersonal issues, which lead to suicidal death in the country and this requires urgent attention.” It noted that “Nigeria has only 130 psychiatrists with over 20 million citizens suffering from mental disorders. With the few functional mental-health facilities and inadequate mental health practitioners in the country, mental health cases are left for traditional practitioners, hence the upsurge in mental health in Nigeria.” The concerns of the WHO were amplified days ago in the House of Representatives, following a motion titled “Need to Address the Rising Cases of Mental Health in Nigeria” brought by Hon. Uchechukwu Nnam-Obi from Rivers State. Figure likely higher than declared Now, the questions many are asking are: “Are the WHO figures real? Do Nigerians have such number of mentally sick people?” Now, Nigerian experts in the field of mental health have added their voices to the claim, agreeing that the figures quoted might even be much higher. A psychotherapist, Dr Smart Chongo, founder, Smart Suicide Prevention Initiative, expressed worry over the WHO revelation, declaring it an affirmation of the reality. "We are worried about this development. In fact, to say the least, I’m scared. I fear for Nigerians because it shows that mental-health ailments are on the rise,” he said. He wants everyone to know that mental-health afflictions are now everywhere; one doesn’t have to look far to see a sufferer. “There are a lot mental cases all around us right now. They are just at our corners, inside our homes and among our family members; even many of us are sick but do not know it.” Expressing similar sentiment, Dr Charles Umeh, a consultant clinical psychologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos, said that the WHO figure was high. “I followed the discussion, and concluded that a lot more Nigerians have mental-health issues. I so much felt for this nation. “It is just that we have been having a dearth of data in Nigeria. If you dig deeper, the figures you will get will likely be higher.” WHO mental-health definition Dr Umeh says “usually, what we consider as metal health here are severe cases of mental and behavioural disorders. “But WHO definition of mental health is not only the absence of severe cases. When someone is not functioning as he should or cannot cope with his everyday life situation, when one is not contributing to the society, meaningfully, he is said to be having mental-health disorder. If you follow that definition religiously, you will discover that only very few Nigerians are free.” Many Nigerians truly challenged Umeh also said: “Truly, many of us who cannot cope with life challenges are always having breakdowns. “Just do a vox pop or stand at a point of the road and monitor people, you will see unprovoked aggression here and there. Such is coming because of people’s inability to cope with their everyday stressors, especially people living in a city like Lagos, who are under severe stress.” He pointed at the new trend in substance use and abuse, and asked: “Are they not major factors in our mental health? Is that not on the rise? “In Lagos, is there no street you walk through and not smell cannabis? These are pointers to the kind of youths and adults we now have.” Mental health might run in genes Dr Chongo told our correspondent that “there could be things we inherited from our parents that run in the blood causing mental- health issues,” although “the association between genetics and suicide is very complicated, just as we know that research has shown that there is a genetic component to suicide.” However, this tendency he noted, “is only one out of the many factors that might drive an individual’s suicide risk. We must not also forget that even if an individual is at risk of suicide, that doesn’t predict whether he will actually go on with the act. “But genetic research has actually showed that some psychiatric conditions, including many suicidal tendencies, are actually influenced by genetics.” Individual differences in mental health Chongo explains that “people are depressed by so many different reasons. What one goes through and comes out smiling, another might go through the same and never come out of it. But then, environmental issues can influence our depression.” sharp rise in suicide rates judging by the calls we receive. And most of such suicidal tendencies are as a result of economic reasons.” Other causes of mental health Aside from substance use, Umeh says Nigerians are becoming sicker nowadays because “there is a lot of stressors in our everyday life and we have family dysfunction too. You can hardly see up to 10 families without distress. Can you see divorce cases going on with the children usually as the victims? Some of them go into substance use. “The family is the engine of emotional stability, and when you don’t guarantee that to the kids, what happens?” He also pointed at unemployment as one big problem killing Nigerians. “Can you imagine not having money, and yet there are kids to take care of? If you cannot imagine where to get money to take care of their needs, what happens next?” How to help mentally-challenged people Chongo believes that everyone in the society can help to change the narrative, explaining: “This situation might grow worse if we don’t rise up now, and do more by sensitising and educating our people and ensuring that we show empathy and concern.” “The social media has really helped us, but it actually distances us. We just see a nice picture online and feel everything is okay with our friend or relative, but that is untrue. Just reach out to that person – a call or text message can go a long way. Sympathise with people, empathise with people. It is not all about giving them money. Try and listen to them. That in itself is therapeutic; it brings healing.” How individuals, families can avoid future mental health Individuals and families eager to save themselves future mental stress might as well listen to Dr Umeh. He says: “In every situation, there is one factor you cannot rule out – individual resilience when we are being pushed by circumstances around us. Role of government For Dr Chongo, time has come for the government to weigh in on the situation threatening the society. “The government should please get up and do something. It needs to support NGOs and government hospitals to help suicidal cases.” He wants the government to also “decriminalise suicide attempts, because as it is now, suicide is a crime in Nigeria. If you attempt it and survive, you are jailed for that. But a suicidal case may have malaria or typhoid fever or HIV, and needs help.” He also called on the National Orientation Agency to raise awareness on how people can live their lives. “They should also try to help people who lost their loved ones via suicide, and relate with them, because stigmatisation is a serious factor here. We need to make people understand that they don’t need to stigmatise people who are depressed or lost somebody via suicide. He nudged the government to enact mental-health laws in Nigeria as “nothing regulates our mental health activities. You cannot walk up to anybody and say ‘oh your metal behaviour is bad, you need medication; you need treatment; go to this facility.
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| Education › Obinna, 1-Year-Old Arise And Shine Delta Pupil Dies After 31 Strokes Of Cane by Kuginzi(op): 4:10am On Feb 13, 2022 |
A one year seven months old baby simply identified as Obinna has reportedly died after falling into coma resulting from 31 strokes of cane he received from his school's owner, Mrs Ogbo, and her son.http://saharareporters.com/2022/02/12/one-year-old-pupil-who-received-31-strokes-cane-delta-dead The baby receiving treatment in a hospital 13 Likes 2 Shares
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| Education › ASUU Meets Today, Takes Final Decision On Strike Sunday by Kuginzi(op): 8:12am On Feb 12, 2022 |
ASUU will make the final decision on the strike – to be reached by voting – known at the end of the meeting on Sunday, Saturday PUNCH has learnt. The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021 given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands. The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action. After the union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system payment, none of its demands had been met. Following the threat, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, promised that the union would be paid. A few weeks after, ASUU suspended the planned strike as N22.1bn earned allowances was paid to lecturers in federal universities. On the heels of the union’s renewed agitations, the co-chairmen of the National Inter-religious Council, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Samson Ayokunle, visited the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), last month over the lack of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding the government signed with ASUU in 2009 and others. At the meeting, Buhari said the government remained committed to fulfilling the promises made to ASUU. The President also stated that he had mandated Ngige, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, and his (Buhari’s) Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, to look into the demands of the union. But Osodeke in an interview with one of our correspondents insisted that the Federal Government could not be trusted despite the promise of the President. The union consequently declared Monday, February 9, 2022 as a lecture-free day to mobilise its members ahead of what it described as the longest strike in history. Several chapters of the union embraced the directive and had held several congresses where they told the public to hold the government responsible if the union decides to embark on strike. A final decision on the looming strike will be reached this weekend as ASUU NEC meets from February 12 (today) and February 13, at UNILAG. Another NEC told Saturday PUNCH that the decision on strike would be put to voting and all the members present would vote either for or against it.
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| Crime › Police Probe Death Of OAU Student In Soak-away As University Queries Hostel Owne by Kuginzi(op): 7:53am On Feb 12, 2022 |
It was learnt that the owner of the Private Hostel, Bver, where the student died had not responded to a query sent by the management of the University. Investigation into circumstances that led to the death of a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Miss Ajibola Heritage Ayomikun has been taken over by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force. It was learnt that the owner of the Private Hostel, Bver, where the student died had not responded to a query sent by the management of the University. A 200-level student of the department of Linguistics and African Languages, Heritage Ajibola, reportedly died on Wednesday. Ms Ajibola had fallen into an improperly kept soak-away at a private hostel within the university community. This led to her death. The university management, while confirming Miss Ajibola’s death, said as soon as it got the information, the emergency response team including its fire fighters and those from the Osun State Government, among others, were mobilised to the scene. The university’s public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the student was confirmed dead at the institution’s teaching hospital, where she was rushed to after a joint effort to retrieve her from the soak-away by the firefighters. The statement by Mr Olarewaju reads in part, “The university management is saddened by this unfortunate incident. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, who led his management team to the scene, sympathised with the students and commiserated with the parents of the deceased. “Professor Ogunbodede, who described the incident as tragic and unacceptable, promised to critically look into the circumstances that led to the student’s death and mete out appropriate sanctions against those involved or whoever is found culpable. “The Vice Chancellor, therefore, appealed to the students to remain calm and law abiding as the police, who have been briefed, are also investigating.”
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| Politics › Buhari Trekked From South-east To Cameroon Border For Nigeria – Adesina by Kuginzi(op): 10:17pm On Feb 11, 2022 |
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said his principal cannot afford to idle away while the nation disintegrates. According to the presidential aide, many Nigerians, including the president, have had to pay personal sacrifices to keep the country as an indivisible entity. Adesina, who played host to the Black Apple Media Group, a production outfit devoted to making movies and documentaries towards the promotion of unity and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, on Friday in his office, noted that Nigerians ought to, in all ways and at all times, embark on activities that promote the oneness and unity of the country. He went down memory lane, narrating how President Buhari trekked from the South-East to a place called Gakem near the Cameroon border, “all to keep Nigeria one. Do you think somebody like that will sit idle and let some people try to dismember the country?” The presidential aide said while some of the patriots are still alive, those who fought the civil war, wouldn’t sit back idle and watch the country disintegrate. “Our anthem says the labour of our heroes past can never be in vain. Those were the ones who have fought to keep Nigeria together,” he added. According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari had always been committed to the unity of the country. “By age 20, he joined the army, by 25, he was already at the civil war fighting for the unity of this country. Mr. President himself has always said that for three years that the war lasted, he was there throughout, he didn’t go for any break, he didn’t ask for any pass, he was at the war front,” Adesina said. He also reminisced that during his school days, there was no division. “When we were in school, it used to be Ife-Modakeke Students Union. They merged together, they had one group together, there was no difference, so when that war came, it was strange to us. “When we were in school, it used to be Ife-Modakeke Students Union. They merged together, they had one group together, there was no difference, so when that war came, it was strange to us. “We used to be one, that is how Nigeria was originally, and we didn’t know any difference. You are from here, you are from there, we were all together, all the ethnic groups in the country, there was no difference. To now see some things happening is confounding to us. “That is why we must commend an initiative like this, anything that will promote unity, that will promote togetherness, that will show the evil of Fake News, Hate Speech is something that will be supported, so I want to assure you that as the Media Office of the President, we will support this initiative. “All those who are trying to cause commotion, cause disunity, cause dismemberment, I think they just struggle in vain, it will not happen. Nigeria will be together. I want to thank you for coming and for this initiative and you can count on us for support,” he added.
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| Politics › I’m Not Afraid To Die – Gov. Ortom by Kuginzi(op): 4:13pm On Feb 11, 2022*. Modified: 4:31pm On Feb 11, 2022 |
From Rose Ejembi, Makurdi Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that at over 60 years of age, he is no more afraid to die. He said even if he dies now, his family will have no cause to fight over his property because he has already written his will. The governor who blamed the Federal Government for the increasing spate of insecurity in the country, warned prominent Nigerians who should speak out but have been keeping quiet to have a rethink and save the country from the current conundrum. He spoke on various issues. What would you say is the major challenge confronting the state right now? The challenge we have today is that of security. I told the press that more than 1.5 million Benue people today are IDPs. This is in addition to the over 15,000 refugees from Cameroon that we are habouring here because of the crisis in Cameroon. That is the challenge that we have. The Victim Support Program (VSP) were here to see how they can support us to rehabilitate and support our IDPs and whatever they can do to help our people go back to their communities. The Fulani terrorists, when I call Fulani terrorists, they don’t like me calling them that. It is deliberate when I call them that because no other ethnic group is attacking us other than the Fulani terrorists. We know that we have our local challenge here in Benue State; armed robbery, kidnapping of sort, that the Fulani taught our people. It is not in our culture to be kidnapping people but they came and taught us and so, some bad eggs joined them and they collaborate with them to create hardship for our people. But we are fighting them; local crisis and some sort of land dispute crisis, all these ones are local things that we have lived with. But this one; Fulani coming from Niger, Mauritania and other places to take over our land and make us slaves, sponsored by their people is what we stand against. And I remain committed to this because we have no other land than Benue State and I am a governor elected to provide good governance to the people. And I remain committed to doing this. And my allegiance is to the Benue people not to any power in Abuja or elsewhere. I have no links with those people. Those people did not elect me, the people of Benue State did. As far as I am concerned, I have the constitutional leverage to protect the people. That is what I am doing and I have no regrets or apology to anyone. Can you honestly say that the Benue’s grazing law has actually achieved it’s goal? I restrict myself to Benue State, I am not talking about other states. Any other state that wants to use what we are doing here, it’s fine. Like the prohibition of open grazing law which we enacted in 2017, I am very excited and happy and I’m always willing to give to any state that wants to use our law as a model. We are excited with the vision that God gave us and today, the entire country, if not all, more than 70 percent of the entire country has embraced ranching as the global best practice. And they are taking after us. And it is so gladdening that some of the states that took the law as a model even provided stiffer punishments to offenders, and that led us to amend our own laws because we were charging N2000 for any cattle that is arrested in Benue State. But we saw that when other states made their own laws, they charged N70,000, N60,000, 50,000. So, we also quickly amended our laws. So, any cow that comes to Benue State now and we arrest, you pay N50,000 before it is released to you. And then, we give you a grace period of seven days, and within that seven days, everyday, you pay additional N20,000 if you don’t come to reclaim it immediately. After that seven days, the law permits us to auction those cows. But the Fulani are not happy about this grazing law especially as they have a feeling that it is targeted at them? The law has been tested. We were taken to court and we defeated them because it does not conflict with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You just mentioned a while ago that Benue is at the moment, grappling with a humanitarian burden of catering for over 1.5million IDPs who have been in camps since 2018 till date. How has it been, catering for this group of people so far? The Victims Support Program (VSF) were here yesterday and I insisted that they should go to the places where these people who are affected are and they did. I learnt that when they got to Gbajimba IDP camp, a woman had an emergency to deliver a baby right in that camp. And the leader of the VSP delegation saw the situation and started weeping. The truth is that those people in those IDP camps could have been you or me seated here enjoying in luxurious apartments with air conditioner or fan, riding cars and so on. This is a very sad thing. I feel so sad when I try to make public what is happening in Benue State and people castigate me and insult me. But I remain committed to serving my people. And of course, I was not elected to preside over IDPs and dead people. And if something is beyond me, at least, I can raise alarm for others to come and help me to solve this problem.
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| Crime › PMS, ‘federal Boys’ Clash In Ibadan; One Killed, Several Injured by Kuginzi(op): 3:30pm On Feb 11, 2022 |
By Ademola Adegbite – Ibadan A member of the Oyo State Park Management System, PMS, Afiz Agate, was shot dead in a clash between the group and another known as Federal Boys, while several others were injured as the clash lasted for almost four hours. The details of the clash were yet to be known as at the time of filing this report but our correspondent learnt that security personnel alongside Southwest Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, had taken over the area to ensure peace and orderliness. Vanguard learnt that the crisis started on Thursday evening at Oremeji Agugu area of the ancient city of Ibadan. Confirming the clash in a telephone conversation, the Public Relations Officer, PRO of PMS, in the state, Alhaji Emiola Jelili, said the Federal boys are not drivers but area boys who extort motorists at Oremeji area. “There was no fight among us. What happened is that there are area boys called Federal boys, they are not drivers but they extort drivers. We have reported them to the Police at Agugu Police station but nothing was done about it. Someone told us that the police could not do anything to them because some of the policemen connive with them. “But yesterday, while the robbery at Iwo Road was going on, there was gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and these Federal boys used that also to be robbing people in the traffic.
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| Crime › SUICIDE: Unknown Man Found Dangling From Mango Tree In Festac by Kuginzi(op): 3:28pm On Feb 10, 2022 |
By Esther Onyegbula An unidentified middle-aged man was, in the early hours of Wednesday, found hanging from a tree in an apparent suicide, on 1st Avenue, Festac, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, opposite a popular hotel, where commercial sex workers hang out. The remains of the victim, who had become bloated with liquid substance dripping from it, was still hanging from a rope tied to a mango tree on Thursday morning till about 10am, when it was later evacuated by the authorities. When Vanguard visited the scene of the suspected suicide, people were in groups chatting and wondering what could have pushed the man to hang himself. A POS operator in the area said the body had been hanging there since Wednesday morning. “The local government officials and the police didn’t consider the well being of residents in the area. That is why they abandoned the corpse for two days. “When I came to my stand yesterday, I met many people at the scene with the man dangling from the tree. “But no one could confirm the actual time of death and nobody could remove the noose from the man’s neck for fear of the police. “When I came today he was still hanging from the tree and his body had become swollen.” After the police recovered the corpse and took it to a mortuary, some residents were seen removing some logs of dried woods underneath the mango tree. Contacted, the spokesperson of Lagos State Police Command, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he would get back with a reaction. At the time of filing this report, he was yet to do so.
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| Politics › Foreign Treatment: Reps Propose Seven-year Imprisonment, N500m Fine For Official by Kuginzi(op): 3:19pm On Feb 10, 2022 |
A bill seeking to prescribe a jail term of seven years and/or a fine of N500m for officials who spend public funds on foreign medical trips narrowly passed second reading at the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Sponsored by Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo), the proposed legislation is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to amend the National Health Act, 2014; and for related matters’. Leading the debate on the bill, Ogun noted that the objective of the proposed law was to amend the Act “so as to make provision for sanctions against any public officer, who violates the provisions of the Act, especially Section 46 of the Act”. The section reads, “Without prejudice to the right of any Nigerian to seek medical check-up, investigation or treatment anywhere within and outside Nigeria, no public officer of the government of the federation or any part thereof shall be sponsored for medical check-up, investigation or treatment abroad at public expense, except in exceptional cases on the recommendation and referral by the medical board and which recommendation and referral shall be duly approved by the minister or commissioner of Health of the state as the case may be”. Ogun said, “This bill, which seeks to amend the National Health Act, is borne out of a desire to discourage medical treatment abroad at the detriment of our indigenous health institutions. The need to revamp the poor state of the health care sector in Nigeria, among other things, is the reason for introducing this bill. “It is no news that Nigeria’s health care system is in a deplorable state and needs urgent attention. There is paucity of infrastructure, dearth of medical personnel, poor standards and many other challenges that need to be addressed. The intent of this bill is to spur public officers to pay more attention to our health care sector and take drastic steps to develop and improve on the sector.” The lawmaker urged members of the House to look at the merits of the bill and let it pass “in the interest of our nation, which is currently going through trying times and requires drastic steps to bring it back on its footing”. Ogun listed the merits of the bill to include reduction of the exodus of doctors from Nigeria to other countries. “If this House passes this bill into law, it will curtail the excessive medical trips of public officers abroad and direct their attention to fixing the poor state of the country’s health sector. This will in turn lead to the development of the health sector and improved remuneration for medical doctors, thus attracting Nigerian doctors abroad to come back home,” he stated. The lawmaker also noted that the bill, when passed into law, would demonstrate the government’s commitment to the welfare of citizens, “in the sense that funds, which were hitherto expended on foreign medical trips, will be redirected into building an efficient and effective health care system in the country. This will in turn positively impact the lives and wellbeing of the people”. Ogun also cited reduction of capital flight abroad, saying, “This bill, as stressed above, will stop the export of cash abroad and redirect the same to the development of our economy. “All of this cash, which flies abroad in the disguise of one medical trip or the other, will be retained here in our country and be used to develop our nation.” While Ogun was making his presentation, the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, interjected him, asking if the lawmaker was sure of what he was saying. Responding, Ogun noted that the Act prohibited unapproved spending of government funds on foreign medical services, but it failed to prescribe punishment for disobeying the law.
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| Politics › … We Won’t Support Northern Candidate – IBBN by Kuginzi(op): 2:58pm On Feb 09, 2022 |
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja A political pressure group, Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), has threatened to mobilise its members across the country against any political party that would zone its presidential ticket to the north as being promoted by some northern interests. The group said it has millions of men and women as members who would cause election defeat to any political party that zones its presidential ticket to the north. It maintained that they would stand with the south and everything possible for them to produce the next Nigerian president. The group said its decision to resist northern presidential candidate was based on the spirit of justice, equity and fairness, and considering the fact that the outgoing president is from the north, and he openly displayed favouritism to the north in the past seven years. President of IBBN, Dr. Isah El- Buba Sadiq, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, registered the displeasure that some persons were trying to destabilise the political system of the country by pushing that political power should remain in the north after the eight years of President Buhari. He said: “Political actors should put Nigeria first over any parochial interest. For the purpose of advancing equity and fairness, political parties should zone their presidential tickets to the south in next year’s election. “Fairness and equity is all it takes to service and continue to make every union work and, indeed, fairness and equity is what it will take to keep the Nigerian union as one indivisible great country under God. "We couldn’t get the right economic indices because we lacked right leadership. That’s why we are focusing on getting the right leadership that would rescue Nigeria from imminent collapse, economically, politically and otherwise. “We have put everything in place, well spread and enjoy large membership across the states. I am from the north and, ordinarily, I should champion the cause for northern interest, but that would be promoting injustice which could breed crisis. "Nigeria is going through a lot as a nation. And in order to bring healing that comes through fairness, justice and equity, we need to front for southern presidential candidates to emerge from the major political parties. There’s high level of distrust, division and suspicion among Nigerians, doing that will surely douse the tension.”
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| Politics › FG Confirms Supply Of Adulterated Fuel by Kuginzi(op): 9:43pm On Feb 08, 2022 |
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority on Tuesday said adulterated petrol, fuel with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification, was discovered in the supply chain.https://punchng.com/breaking-queues-fg-confirms-supply-of-adulterated-fuel/?amp 1 Like 1 Share
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| Politics › ‘Enugu Is Most Peaceful State In South East by Kuginzi(op): 7:33pm On Feb 08, 2022 |
…As Chief of Air Staff lauds governor’s commitment The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his administration’s continued support to the Nigerian Air Force and other Military formations and units within the state. The Chief of Air Staff’s commendation was conveyed by the new Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, Enugu, Air Vice Marshal I.O. Daramola, when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday. Air Vice Marshal Daramola was at the Government House, Enugu, to formally inform Gov. Ugwuanyi of his assumption of office as the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, Enugu and reassure the governor of “our commitment of the security and development of Enugu State”. Stressing the supportive role of Gov. Ugwuanyi in ensuring internal security in Enugu State and beyond, Air Vice Marshal Daramola appreciated the governor “for the support that you continue to provide to the Military in general, the Army, Police and to us the Nigerian Air Force”. He pointed out that “it is this support that has ensured that Enugu has remained the most peaceful state in the South East geo-political zone” adding: “That goes with the fact that the numerous legacy infrastructure projects you have put in place especially the roads within Enugu and in the rural areas are part of those things that ensured that the state remains secure”. He commended the governor for the feat, saying: “Within your time of leadership in this state, so much developments have come in that have curtailed the activities of these miscreants in this state. “We want to thank you for receiving us and assure you again that the Chief of Air Staff’s highest esteem and regards as well as his continued cooperation to ensure that Enugu State remains safe” Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi welcomed the new Air Vice Marshal to Enugu State and stated that his administration’s partnership with the Nigerian Air Force in the state is commendable. The governor disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force has always played a major role in the security architecture of Enugu State and reassured the new Air Vice Marshal that the state government will continue to collaborate with the Air Force alongside other security agencies to effectively discharge their duties.
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| Christianity Etc › Re: Presidential Elections: I See Bomb Blasts, Coup – Primate Ayodele Releases Proph by Kuginzi(op): 3:20pm On Feb 06, 2022 |
MaxInDHouse:Exactly!!
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| Christianity Etc › Re: Presidential Elections: I See Bomb Blasts, Coup – Primate Ayodele Releases Proph by Kuginzi(op): 2:37pm On Feb 06, 2022 |
Golan007:Hahaha.. Apollo indeed!! 1 Like
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| Christianity Etc › Presidential Elections: I See Bomb Blasts, Coup – Primate Ayodele Releases Proph by Kuginzi(op): 1:59pm On Feb 06, 2022 |
By Seun Opejobi The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Sunday, released fresh prophecies for some African countries, including Somalia, Libya, Angola, Sudan, South Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele gave spiritual warnings to these African countries. He spoke on the presidential elections which will be held soon in some of those countries. Starting with South Sudan, Primate Ayodele revealed that he foresees another coup in Africa if the country’s government doesn’t take the right step now. He made it known that a new rebel group sponsored by the country’s enemies are warming up to destabilize the smooth transition to democracy in the country. “If the government doesn’t take the right step now, another coup is coming up in Africa because a new rebel sponsored by enemies of the country are warming up to destabilize the smooth transition of the country to democracy. “This will cause the government a lot and there is a need to put the economy in order. Let the government work on ethnicity crisis, movement of immigrants, fight the new rebels with other rebels, they will lose at the end of the day. South Sudan needs divine intervention in order to end the long time war and crisis. Meanwhile, the president and government officials must be very careful of bomb blasts. They should also pray so a prominent person will not die in the administration. There will also be troubles in reviewing the constitution in South Sudan,” he said. In Somalia, Primate Ayodele revealed that he foresees an attack on the government house and that the coming election will cause rancour and instability in the country. “There will be a serious crisis that will involve an attempt to attack the government house. In the coming election, the opposition will kick against whoever wins and this will cause rancor and instability in the country. Let them pray against a massive protest,” he said. For Sudan, Primate Ayodele revealed that there will be a change of government which will ‘shock’ the present administration. He advised that they fulfill agreement to the rebels to avoid instability in the country. “There will be a change of government in the country which will shock the present administration. They should work on so many contended issues. The government should also fulfil the agreement with the rebels otherwise there will be instability in the country,” he prophesied. In Angola, the man of God noted that the present government will still retain the seat of power. “The present government in Angola will still retain the seat of power. They must pray against crisis,” he revealed. In Libya, Primate Ayodele prophesied that Gadaffi’s son, Saadi, would win the election without the international community’s interference. He revealed that there will be a plot against the prime minister of the country, Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah “Without the interference of the international community, Saadi Gadaffi will win the coming election, they will plot against the prime minister of the country. Let them pacify each other to avoid another war in Libya,” he said. Speaking on the coming election in Kenya, Primate Ayodele made it known that the deputy president of the country, William Ruto is not playing his politics well and that except he strategizes well, Raila Odinga will win the election. He advised him to choose Musala Mudavadi as his running mate if he wants to win the election. “If William Ruto doesn’t re-strategize, Raila Odinga will become the next president of Kenya. Ruto needs to play his politics very well. Let us pray against bomb explosion in Kenya. If Ruto wants to win, he should pick Mudavadi as his running mate,” he said. In Sierra Leone, Ayodele prophesied a second term for the president if he works well. “The president has done so well but they will fight him for his second term though God has promised to give him a second term if he works his strategy well. He will win but let them pray against calamity, disaster in the country. The government will fight corruption seriously,” he stated.
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| Politics › After God, We Should Commend Buhari For Preventing Economy From Crashing.Amaechi by Kuginzi(op): 8:36am On Feb 06, 2022 |
As the battle for 2023 Presidential seat intensifies, former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has kept mum over his interest. He told the ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF, BRIDGET CHIEDU ONOCHIE, while his teammates who jointly worked to bring President Muhammadu Buhari to power are jostling, he remains satisfied as the Minister for Transport. He also gave insight into the kind of leader he would want to succeed Buhari as well as the efforts of the government towards connecting Nigerian communities by rail transportation. • ‘Connecting Communities By Rail Is Great Impetus For Economic Growth’ The Federal Government has restated its commitment to infrastructure development, a major aspect of that being railway. However, Nigerians keep expressing concerns over lack of connectivity in some railways. For instance, trains to Delta State take off from Itakpe, Lokoja, Kogi State. People expected it to take off from Abuja? I am from Port Harcourt. I should even be angry with you for complaining because we don’t have any. Itakpe-Delta is 80 per cent of the deal, remaining 20 per cent. What of those that do not have at all? Even the Abuja inter-city rail connection, which was commissioned before the last election, is yet to begin full operation…. What is the issue? You people should pity the government. The process of acquiring rolling stock is not easy. Also, There is also a difference between the Federal Ministry of Transport and Federal Capital Territory Administration. That project was not Federal Ministry of Transport’s project. …But it is an integrated system The issue here is that the FCT government prefers to complete and commission its rail projects. Let me give you an example; we have started the process of purchasing the rolling stocks for the ones we are constructing now. But what the FCT does is to complete the project before they start looking for money to buy rolling stock. The problem is that they don’t have the money to buy rolling stock. They don’t have the coaches, the locomotives to start running. So, they have to buy, and I heard it has arrived. The coaches would soon start functioning. In our own case, we are envisaging that in two years, we should be able to finish Kaduna-Kano and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railways. We are looking for loan. Once we get it, we will place order for locomotives. If you observe, when we commissioned Kaduna-Kano railway, it took us some weeks before we started running because we were waiting for the rolling stocks. Now, we have learnt our lessons. Before we commissioned Lagos-Ibadan, the rolling stocks were on ground. That is what they did not do. We have also started the process of purchasing rolling stocks for Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri, Lagos-Calabar, Kano-Maradi and Kano-Kaduna railways. By the time we are commissioning, we have specific rolling stocks that will run. So, as soon as we commission, we put commercial activities on the track. To address the breaks in rail routes that you pointed out, the contract has been awarded for the Abuja-Itakpe railway for a long time. It should have been completed by now, but the Chinese contractor thought he was playing on our intelligence. He did not come for a contract. He said “Give me Public/Private Partnership (PPP.) We will bring the money, the company will borrow the money even though it is federal government guaranteed and I will give you back-to-back, the bank guarantee to protect the federal government guarantee. Then, we will run the company and pay back within 40 years. That way, your guarantee is protected.” We said: “Okay. Go and bring the back-to-back guarantee from your bank.” Till today, he has not been able to do it. So, I am asking the meeting to get the federal government to cancel his PPP agreement, not contract. What he did was that he wanted to get the contract from behind without competition through PPP. So, where is the PPP? Now, he said, “No PPP, make it an LPC contract.” But LPC contract is different from procurement. PPP arrangement is not a contract because you are putting your money as investment. There is no where in the world that they have done PPP in railway, but this Chinese came and said he can do PPP. Maybe he thought that we would ask him to take sovereign guarantee without asking for a bank guarantee from him. What is killing him is that we asked for the bank guarantee. If we didn’t ask for it, he would have used our sovereign guarantee to get loan. So, we are saying that he cannot proceed until he gives us the bank guarantee, and for three, four years, he has not been able to produce it.
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| Politics › Yoruba Descend On Benin Republic: ‘they Padlocked Igboho For 7 Months’ by Kuginzi(op): 8:17am On Feb 06, 2022 |
By Yinka Ajayi Some Yoruba people under the aegis of Yoruba Global Alliance have launched attack on Benin Republic, saying the continued incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho, by the country’s authorities, allegedly with the connivance of their Nigerian counterparts, “has become a huge embarrassment not only to those who padlocked him but also to all people of conscience all over the world”. They called for Igboho’s immediate release In a position paper titled ‘Release Igboho now’, and signed by Dr Amos Arogundade Akingba, Yoruba Global Alliance National President, and Chief Tola Adeniyi, Chairman of Council, the group described Igboho as a successful businessman and philanthropist. “He got drawn into activism in response to the nefarious activities of terrorists who were tormenting his ancestral community”, it said. It continued, “He also felt concerned about the second-class citizen position his Yoruba people were reduced to in their land and thought he could do something to redress the humiliating situation especially when his people ran to him for help. “That was the genesis of Igboho’s fray into populism and the iron-fist response of those who believed Nigeria was their property to bedraggle and plunder. “Adeyemo, accompanied by unprecedented mammoth crowds of supporters, admirers and the ordinary people, went round the nooks and crannies of Yoruba kingdoms in peaceful processions. “This must have provoked the displeasure of the powers-that-be which, in Gestapo style, brutishly invaded his residence in the deadness of night to kill him and wipe out the entire families resident there”. Saying it was a miracle Igboho survived the onslaught, Yoruba Global Alliance said two unarmed people were murdered while all the buildings and vehicular properties and other valuable items were destroyed beyond repair. “About 17 days after the carnage of July 1, Igboho, in keeping with the UN charter, fled the country that was after his life and was about to escape to Germany when Nigerian authorities, suspected to be led by General Buratai recently planted in Benin, ambushed him in the neighbouring Republic”, the group narrated. Yoruba leaders While calling on Yoruba leaders to summon up courage and deploy all the political machineries at their disposal to get Igboho out of prison to reunite with his family, the group said: “Our traditional rulers especially the Oonirisa, the Alaafin, Orisa-Ijebu the Awujale, the Owa Obokun Adimula, the Olubadan, the Alake, the Deji, the Ewi, the Osemawe, the Soun, the Akarigbo, the Olofa, Oba Jebba, the Obaro Kabba, the Oba of Benin, the Olu of Warri, the Alaketu and other Obas, not listed in any particular order, should call or visit President Buhari and appeal to his conscience to release your son to you. “All the governors of the Yoruba speaking states should without further delay hold an emergency meeting and march to Abuja and Cotonou to plead for Igboho’s release. “Yoruba Obas should not forget that the relative peace in their kingdoms today is due in part to Igboho’s awareness campaigns and but for him, maybe, today, we would be talking of Sultan of Ife and Emir of Ijebuland!” Detention By February 18, Igboho would have spent seven months in detention since his arrest on July 19, 2021, at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou. Also, the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, since the arraignment of Igboho on July 27, 2021, has not sat, fuelling speculations that the detention of Igboho is laced with political undertones. The Buhari administration had, in 2021, turned the heat on activist who agitated for the South-West to pull out of Nigeria over perceived injustice and insecurity. On July 1, 2021, the Department of State Service (DSS) invaded his Ibadan residence, killing two of his associates and arresting 12 others. The DSS subsequently declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise Nigeria under the pretext of secessionist agitation, something he denied. After about three weeks underground, Igboho, 49, found his way to Cotonou and planned to escape to Germany but the trip was aborted as Interpol arrested him and his German-citizen wife, Ropo, at the behest of the Nigerian government. The Beninese government subsequently arraigned the agitator before the Cour De’appal De Cotonou on migration-related offences and for gunrunning but the court on July 27, 2021, ordered that Ropo be released while Igboho be remanded in prison.
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| Politics › Peller Befends Bill Seeking Police, NSCDC merger by Kuginzi(op): 7:39pm On Feb 05, 2022 |
THE lawmaker representing lseyin/ltesiwaju/ Kajola/lwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State at the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, has said the intention of his bill has been “misconstrued” to mean scrapping of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps when it actually seeks to make the Nigeria Police Force absorb the security outfit.https://punchng.com/peller-defends-bill-seeking-police-nscdc-merger/?amp 1 Like
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