₦airaland Forum

AYC IDIGA

Some youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Council,
AYC have called on the Founder of
Good Governance Ambassadors of Nigeria, Chief Felix Idiga to join 2023 presidential race.

Addressing Journalists in Abuja, after meeting with Chief Idiga, The President of AYC ,Ambassador Dogo Shagari said the antecedents and track record of chief Idiga makes him eminently qualified to Lead the country to the promise Land.


He commended Chief Felix Idiga for establishing GOGAN and for his immense contributions to President Muhammadu Buhari' re-election in 2019.


Ambassador Shagari Said GOGAN had become a platform for patriotic Nigerians who are committed to entrenching the culture of transparency and adherence to democratic tenets .


The Youth Leader said over forty million young Nigerians have been mobililized and have pledged to donate the sum of One thousand Naira m each to purchase the nomination and expression of interest forms for Chief Felix Idiga.

The Arewa Youth Council is made up of young people in the 19 Northern States and the FCT.

WORRIED by the recent spate of cult-related killings at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and other tertiary institutions in Edo state, the Coordinator of Edo State chapter of Aviary Club of Nigeria, Mr Hope Iyare has called on the State Police Command to be proactive in combating violent crime in the state.

Iyare who spoke journalists in Benin yesterday as part of activities to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace lamented the rising cases of cultism in tertiary institutions, excessive ritual murders and inter-tribal bloodsheds across the country.

Five persons were recently killed by suspected cultists who stormed a bar in Ekpoma where some graduating students of the institution were holding a party.

He said: “We offers to be part of the solutions by seeking an end to all conflicts within the state and its immediate environment.”

With the theme, “The Right To Peace”, the state coordinator called on the state government to put an end to the increasing social vices.

He said that the theme was apt considering the level of injustice and insecurity challenges in the states.

Iyare said that a sustainable environment is tied to issues that bother on justice and equity, noting that the group shared in the sentiments as exhibited by the United Nations.

He said: “It is a great honour and privilege that the UN is collaborating with the Aviary Club of Nigeria worldwide to celebrate the annual event.”

While calling for the strengthening of peace in the society, the coordinator of the socio philanthropic group stressed that a society ravaged by poverty cannot promote sustainable peace.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/aau-killings-group-tasks-police-on-cult.html?m=1

Gov. David Umahi has directed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ebonyi to resume posting of corps members to Ishiellu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state which was suspended.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme suspended the posting of corps members to the LGA during the fratricidal Ezillo/Ezza-Ezillo communal crises which lasted between 2008 and 2011.



Hundred of lives were lost and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed during the crisis with its climax being the killing and maiming of motorists who ply the Enugu—Abaklaiki expressway that cuts through the area.

Mr Charlse Akpuenika, Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board in the state, who made the disclosure on Wednesday in an interview with NAN, noted that the governor made wide consultations before arriving at the decision.


Akpuenika, who is the Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, said the governor assessed the area’s level of security since he ensured lasting peace there and concluded that it was now safe for all manner of persons.

“The directive has been communicated to the NYSC scheme and various security agencies, and it is expected that they will comply accordingly,” he said.

He noted that the governor had shown unbridled love for the NYSC scheme because he understood and appreciated its role in national integration and development.

“He recently released 0N400 million for the renovation and construction of facilities at NYSC permanent orientation camp, Afikpo after doling 10 million to offset the transportation allowances of the last batch of the corps members who recently concluded their orientation programme.

“Umahi had last Sunday, also directed the payment of N10, 000 allowance to each corps member in the state after dolling N6 million to the scheme for its mobilisation of corps members during the opening of David Umahi Tertiary Institution Games (DUMTIGA) in Abakaliki,” Akpuenika said.

The commissioner urged the corps members to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by being good ambassadors of the state and country and contribute to their overall development.

Mrs Ann Ibe, the NYSC State Director, told NAN in an interview that she had received the directive and duly communicated such to the headquarters of the scheme.

“We are waiting for response from our headquarters to decide on the next line of action,” she said. (NAN)
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/umahi-asks-nysc-to-resume-posting-of.html

Less than 48 hours after gunmen murdered a Catholic priest, Rev Fr Jude Egbom, in Nkwerre town, Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo state, some gunmen struck again in Owerri killing a police sergeant, identified as Christian Nnamani.

The gunmen, who were said to have made away with the AK47 riffle belonging to the slain cop, equally shot a passerby.



Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened around 9pm on Tuesday at Control post Roundabout junction, opposite Assumpta Catholic Church Owerri Arch Diocesan Cathedral headquarters.

A witness told our correspondent on Wednesday that some police officers were on a road duty when the gunmen struck.



Confirming the incident via the telephone on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP. Andrew Enwerem, said that after killing the sergeant, the criminals fled with his riffle.

The police spokesperson said that the passerby who was hit by a stray-bullet was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was treated.

Enwerem said that the police had commenced investigation into the matter, saying the state commissioner of police, Dasuki Galadanchi, had ordered investigators to quickly arrest the fleeing killers.

The police spokesperson said “Yes, it is true; We lost a police sergeant last night (Tuesday). Sergeant Christian Nnamani attached to Mobile Police 18 Owerri, was a-stop-and-search duty with his colleagues at Control Post junction Owerri when the incident happened.”

“On sighting the sergeant who was the last guard man, the hoodlums who were in a green Golf car shot him dead and made away with his AK 47 riffle,” he said.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/gunmen-kill-police-sergeant-in-imo.html

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced new dates for the sales of its nomination forms and primaries for state Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly and Governorship elections in 2019.

The party’s National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd) disclosed this on Tuesday.

He said the governorship primary was shifted to September 26 with appeals slated for September 28, while the date for presidential primaries remained October 5 and 6.

The new timetable also indicated that primaries for the senatorial elections will hold on September 28, with its appeals scheduled for September 29.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/2019-pdp-announces-new-dates-for.html?m=1

The Police Command in Niger on Tuesday has arrested of 11 suspects for armed robbery and attempt to commit kidnapping in different parts of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammadu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Minna.

Abubakar said that one Alhaji Sardauna Babirki of Bangi, village of Mariga local government area reported that he received an anonymous call threatening him to provide N200,000 to avoid being kidnapped.

He said Police detectives attached to Bangi Division trailed and arrested 2 suspects.

Similarly, he said, the operatives carried out another operation in Mariga local government area ,which led to the arrest of another two- man gang, which wrote a threat letter to one Alhaji Dantani Audu of Mangoro village demanding N4 million to avoid being kidnapped.

The spokesman said a team of Police Detectives attached to the Command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad smashed a syndicate of three-man gang of kidnappers and arrested 2 suspects .

He also said that Police Detectives attached to Lapai Division while on surveillance along Lapai – Ebbo road intercepted one Umar Idris and Moh’d Kabiru Gazuma of Kpatsuwa village in Abaji LGA Abuja on a motorcycle suspected to be stolen.

He said investigation further led to the arrest of one Emmanuel Titus of the same address who supplied them with arms.

Abubakar also said that one Alhaji Adamu Jibrin of Gada Biyu in Lapai local govetnment area reported that hoodlums numbering about eight armed with guns invaded his camp and attempted to rob him but he confronted them.

He, however, said they succeeded in killing one of his sons, Musa Adamu and fled.

He said Police Detectives attached to Lapai Division arrested one suspect in connection with incident.

The police spokesman said Police Detectives attached to Mokwa Division arrested one Aminu Sani of main Garage Mokwa, for vandalising a transformer at Ezhigi village.

” The suspect confessed to the crime, exhibits recovered includes six pieces of Amoured cables, saw Blade, scissors, pliers, touch light, bunch of copper wires, and burnt electricity cables,” he said.

He said all the suspects confessed to the crimes committed and would soon be charged to court.

DSP Abubakar solicited the support of residents in giving useful and timely information to the nearest police outposts for prompt action.( NAN)
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/police-arrest-11-for-armed-robbery.html

Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari has declared his intention to contest for Zamfara West senatorial seat ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor will seek to upstage Sen. Ahmad Sani-Yarima who is serving his third term as Senator representing Zamfara West.

Yari, who announced this when he spoke to newsmen in Gusau on Monday, said he was contesting for the seat because of the interest he has in legislative process, and to serve his people.

“You know, I was from the National Assembly before I became a governor, in fact, my colleagues from the National Assembly use to say I am here on sabbatical.

“So, my going to the Senate is like I am going back home, some people are asking me why I want to go to the Senate?

“In fact, even some people in the Presidency are asking me why I want to go to the Senate, I told them it is just an interest.

“You know National Assembly politics is different from that of the executive.


“I learned a lot from the National Assembly and what I learned there has really assisted me in my administration as governor in the last eight years, especially in the areas of budget process and resources management,” Yari said.

NAN reports that the leadership of the state All Progressives Congress (APC) had since purchased nomination forms for Yari and other preferred aspirants.

Yari was a member of the House of Representatives for Anka/Talata-Mafara Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2011.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/2019-yari-declares-interest-in-zamfara.html

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and two other associations have bought nomination form for Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to seek re-election.

Governor El-Rufai while receiving the nomination form the head of the delegation, Alh Abbas Likoro at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna on Monday, Governor El-Rufai said it was the most pleasant surprise of his life.

According to the Governor, “when the party fixed the money for form. I could remember that during the meeting the President was the first person to raise his hand and said he does not have N50m.

”Infact, we the governors started discussing on how we will raise the money for Mr President. We said each governor will contribute N2m each. And we travelled to China and it was in China I told the President that some group have purchased the form for you. So who will buy my own for me?

“I don’t have N20m also to buy my form. The money I have in the bank is not close to that amount. I have only one account in Guarantee Trust Bank. Except I sell my house will I be able to raise that that amount.” El-Rufai said.

He told the delegation he had accepted the nomination form in good faith and would re-double his efforts in improving the lives of the citizens of the state.

El-Rufai re-assured the delegation that he would continue to ensure that whoever is living in the state irrespective of his or her religious or tribal inclinations gets justice.

He also reaffirmed his committed to improving the physical insfrastrures he has started and will continue to build roads, assist farmers, as well as provide quality healthcare service in rural areas.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Alh Abbas Likoro remarked that they were in Government House to plead with him to re-contest.

He said his group, IPMAN, PTD, NARTO, Traders of Sheikh Mahmud Gummi Market and The Katsina and Daura People’s Association all living in Kaduna decided to purchase his party’s nomination form because they have seen in him a leader who had done well since assmption of office and deserves second term.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/2019-ipman-ptd-others-buy-nomination.html

THE national president of Young Visioneers Association of Nigeria (YVAN) and national coordinator of Coalition for Youth Governance (CYG), Mr Ezekiel Oladimeji, has said that failure of young political aspirants to come together and produce a consensus presidential candidate may hinder them from achieving youth president in the country.

Oladimeji made the submission during a political summit held in Washington DC, United States, at the weekend, according to a statement he signed and made available to the Nigerian Tribune.



According to him, “More youths seem to vie for the number one position following the age reduction bill signed into law. It seems getting a single candidate is almost impossible as indicated by the recent responses of members of a group of young presidential aspirants who came together to elect a consensus candidate but refused to accept the outcome of their own process when the results were announced.

“It is rather unfortunate that failure to come together by such young political aspirants and accept to support one another at the polls in the next election might be indicative of lack of cohesion and may spell total failure on the part of the youths to produce president for the country in 2019.”

The YVAN national president also said: “For youth governance to be achieved in Nigeria, all young aspirants must come together so that they will not have divided votes.”
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/why-youths-may-not-produce-consensus.html

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday collect Presidential Nomination form and the Expression of Interest.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event will hold at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 11.30a.m.

NAN reliably learnt that a socio-political group, the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN), who bought the form for the president, would be presenting the Nomination Form and Expression of Interest to him.

NCAN had on Wednesday purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the President.

The National Coordinator of the group, Sanusi Musa, had earlier told newsmen in Abuja that the group could not handover the documents to the president immediately after purchase as the president was in China on official engagements.

He said: “The president is just back, so we have not yet presented the form to the president. We are in the process of sending it. We will send it to him.’’

Musa dismissed the insinuation that the group was being financed by Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, saying that the N45 million expended on the purchase of the Expression of Interest and Presidential Nomination Form was generated through contributions made by the supporters and admirers of President Buhari

http://surecontents..com/2018/09/2019-president-buhari-to-collect.html

Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem has dismissed claims that he would not be fit for Tuesday’s international friendly against Liberia billed for the 35,000 –capacity Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

The FC Porto of Portugal player picked up a knock in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory in an AFCON qualifier against Seychelles on Saturday despite getting on the scorer’s sheet.



However a team source has informed Sportinglife.ng that Awaziem has been cleared by the medical team for the friendly. “”It was a slight knock and l can tell you that he will be in action on Tuesday evening,” said the source.

Awaziem netted Nigeria’s second goal as Nigeria recorded their first win in Group E before making way for Semi Ajayi in the 73rd minute.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/awaziem-rubbishes-injury-fears-ahead.html

Gov. David Umahi made the assertion on Sunday in Abakaliki while opening the maiden David Umahi Tertiary Institution Games (DUMTIGA) at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki.



The Ebonyi Government says it will from September this year pay each member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state N10, 000 allowance.

Gov. David Umahi made the assertion on Sunday in Abakaliki while opening the maiden David Umahi Tertiary Institution Games (DUMTIGA) at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki.

Umahi said that the government was extending the gesture because the corps members had shown commitment to the cause of their fatherland.

He said that the massive turnout of corps members at the stadium for the competition showed that they were active participants in the state’s development and patriotic citizens.

“I want every sector of the state’s existence to emulate the corps members for its overall betterment.

“In appreciation of the corps members commitment, I will donate N6 million to them for their transportation in addition to the N10, 000 allowance that each will receive from the end of September,” Umahi said.

The governor also gave N3 million transportation donation to other teams at the competition with particular reference to the Ebonyi State University team who are playing in the male football event’s opening match with the NYSC team.

“The organisers of the competition will receive N1 million as the government has released funds to ensure that the sports competitions are uninterruptedly organised in the state till December,” he said.

He also directed the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Charlse Akpuenika, to ensure the formation of two state football teams before the end of 2018.

“The teams will start competing in national football competitions from January 2019 and they will be in the male and the female categories.

“They may take off at once but any one that takes off will never be withdrawn,” he said.

“I want to assure Ebonyi people that the unity of the state will be further strengthened by the formation of these teams,” he said.

The commissioner commended the governor for ensuring the rapid transformation of sports since the inception of his administration.

“The governor’s giant strides in sports include the renovation of the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium to attain international standard and the promotion of grassroots sports among others.

“The results are coming in torrents as exemplified by the bronze medal feat in Taekwondo achieved by an Ebonyi indigene, Miss Chidimnna Nwankwo at the last African Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria,” he said.

He said that 10 institutions were participating in the competition and assured the people that all forms of malpractices would be checked to ensure a credible and hitch-free event.

“The institutions will compete in nine sports, including football (male and female), volleyball (male and female), table tennis, taekwondo, athletics, scrabble, chess and badminton.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several performances were held at the event as the governor performed the official kick-off ceremony.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/nysc-members-to-receive-n10-000.html?m=1

Three soldiers were killed by unidentified gunmen during an operation in Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Daily Trust on Sunday gathered.
The soldiers were attached to the Operation Safe Haven. The commander, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Augustine Agundu confirmed the killing to journalists after an emergency meeting with stakeholders yesterday. However, he did not give the names of the deceased.
“I lost three men. They were killed in action as a result of the circle of violence that resurfaced. The worst of it is the proliferation of arms on the Plateau. There is no nation where you use crime to fight crime”.
“I have declared that enough is enough, what happened in Barikin Ladi would not repeat itself. I have locked down Barikin Ladi completely. No human being is going to cause trouble again.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/3-soldiers-killed-in-plateau.html

No fewer than six persons have been feared dead and several others displaced by flood in Dabi village, Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The flood has displaced residents of the local government, forcing them out of their homes following a heavy downpour.

Schools and farmlands were not spared as they were all submerged in flood.

The displaced residents of Dabi village have since left their homes seeking shelter elsewhere.



Dabi village is known for rice and millet production but now it is only accessible through canoe.

Some other communities in four different local government areas of the state were also affected by the downpour.

They include Birninkudu, Taura, Jahun And Miga Local Government Areas.

The State Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Hassan, who visited some of the affected areas confirmed the death of the six persons.

He added that the State Emergency Agency has since intervened by providing relieve materials to the displaced residents.
Credit Channels.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/six-feared-dead-several-others.html

THE Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested twenty-three (23) suspected armed robbers and kidnappers who have been causing unrest to residents of the state for the past few months.

Arraigning the criminals in Lafia, the state police Commissioner, Yahaya Bello said, “upon a distress call a team of FSARS personnel arrested the suspected armed robbers and kidnappers that have been terrorizing some parts of the state”.

He also added that the criminals were arrested in different parts of the state: Mararaba Udege and it’s environs, Kadarko communities and Dogo Daji village, Sanga local government area of Kaduna State with assorted weapons in their possession

CP Bello, however, listed 4 Ak 47 rifles, 30 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one G.3 riffle, twenty-six assorted handsets, two iPads, one HP laptop, one digger, two rounds ammunition, two revolver guns, knives, criminal charms and wraps of Indian hemp were also recovered from the suspects

Maintaining that the suspects were arrested by men of the Counter Terrorist Unit, FSARS of the force, NDLEA with support from vigilantes groups in the state.

He attributed the achievement recorded to the understanding, support and privileged information from members of the public, calling for more collaboration and synergy to enable the Command to curb crime and criminality in the state.

Meanwhile, the Nasarawa state government has donated five hundred thousand naira (500)each to families of the three (3) deceased Police officers killed during the Agatu and Fulani crisis in the state.

Presenting the cash in Lafia, the state commissioner of Police, Yahaya Bellow said the gesture was to cushion the plight of the deceased family members and assured that government would do everything within its reach to make life comfortable for them.
http://surecontents..com/2018/09/police-nab-parade-23-suspected-armed.html

Central Bank of Nigeria

THE Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public Property is to recover the seven billion dollars bailout fund granted commercial banks between 2006 and 2008.

The panel Chairman, Mr Okoi Obono-Obla, said in Abuja on Friday that the banks had yet to refund the money over a decade after.

Obono-Obla said that the bailout fund was not a gift to the commercial banks and so must be recovered and returned to government’s coffers.

“We are currently doing a lot of investigations to recover monies that have been taken away from the people of Nigeria.

“One of them is the almost seven billion dollars bailout fund that the Central Bank of Nigeria granted commercial banks in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

“After 13 years or so, these commercial banks have not returned that money to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“When we enquired from the CBN the status of that money, the banks told us that the money was ‘dashed’ (given free) to the commercial banks,’’ he said.

The panel chairman said that the money belonged to the people of Nigeria and so could not be given away like that to commercial banks owned by private individuals.

He pledged the panel’s determination to recover the money and return it to the Federal Government.

Obono-Obla said the panel was also in the process of recovering a large piece of land belonging to a parastatal agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.


“That land was encroached upon, parcelled out and sold by unpatriotic people.

`I can assure you that we are going to recover it and prosecute all those who are responsible.

“We are also investigating and in the process of recovering a lot of landed property belongìng to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Calabar, Warri, Koko, Sapele and Lagos ports.

“We are equally doing recoveries for the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and other federal government agencies, across the country,’’ the panel chairman said.

He called on Nigerians to assist the panel with information that could lead to the recovery of stolen public property by unpatriotic individuals.