₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Africa’s richest businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on his 60th birthday. Dangote clocks 60 today. Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, joined the business world, Dangote’s friends and family in felicitating with Forbes’ rated richest African and black man for his patriotism and kind heartedness in always making sacrifices to safeguard the health of the nation, most remarkably the polio and Ebola interventions. The president said he believed the global business mogul remains a shining example of the virtues of choosing entrepreneurship from an early age, treading the path of diligence, perseverance and continuous learning to build some of the world’s largest manufacturing and distribution companies, with household names in Nigeria and beyond. “As Dangote clocks 60, President Buhari commends the humility, simplicity and cosmopolitan outlook of the entrepreneur who defies ethnic and religious persuasions in extending support to the poor and vulnerable, providing employment opportunities without discrimination, while inspiring and mentoring young Nigerians to greatness,” he added. The president acknowledged Dangote’s role in bolstering the economy through continuous engagement and counselling of governments on best practices in promoting the ease of doing business. He prayed that the almighty God will grant Dangote more wisdom, good health and longer life to serve his country and humanity. Also, former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described Dangote as an inspiration to many people. Tinubu commended the business mogul for his boldness and bravery in taking the business risks he took, which he said have now paid off. The All Progressives National Congress (APC) national stalwart said Dangote has broken all business barriers and is now helping to industrialise Africa, with the operations of his Dangote Group in 17 African countries and beyond. Tinubu said: “Your life has been an inspiration to many. From a lowly background, you rose to the top by dint of hard work and perseverance. “The boldness and bravery you demonstrated in taking the business risks you took have paid off. You have shown that with resilience, we can always convert risks and challenges to opportunities. “Today, you are that African man that has broken all barriers. With operations in over 17 African countries, including Nigeria, the awesome Dangote Group you established is helping to industrialise Africa. “You have made people and made lives a lot better through the employment opportunities you have created and your other humanitarian activities. “I wish you many more years in life. I pray that Allah grants all you need to continue to impact the lives of many more people.” The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, described Dangote as a business guru, philanthropist, role model, and Africa’s biggest industrialist. “Alhaji, you are Nigeria’s flag bearer across Africa as you make success of different industries across the continent and we are proud of you,” Saraki said.

https://newtelegraphonline.com/news/buhari-tinubu-saraki-hail-dangote-60/
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The Economic and Financial
Crimes Commis s ion (EFCC) is
facing a major integrity test in its
recruitment process as 24 cadets
who were part of the ongoing
training at the Nigeria Defence
Academy (NDA) have allegedly
been dismissed in questionable
circumstance and their positions
taken over by others who were
not part of the initial recruitment
exercise.
In a protest letter dated January
16, 2017 and addressed to the
President of the Senate, Dr.
Bukola Saraki, the affected
cadets, through their lawyer,
Olusoji Toki, said they were
unfairly dismissed after they had
passed all the necessary tests,
including medical examination.
A copy of the petition, which was
exclusively obtained by New
Telegraph, has also been sent to
the Acting Chairman of the EFCC
and receipt duly acknowledged
by the antigraft agency. In the
letters, the petitioners claimed
that the EFCC sent text messages
(SMS) with similar contents to
them on June 12, 2016 inviting
them for screening against the
June 23, 2016 and they attended
the screening which took place
in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu
and Lagos.
“Because they were successful in
the screening, EFCC invited them
for aptitude test on the 25th of
June 2016 which they did
successfully. Because of their
success at the aptitude test, EFCC
shortlisted them and invited
them for medical screening
exercise via SMS which they
attended at the Nigeria Air Force
Base Hospital, Mando, Kaduna on
Thursday, 22nd November 2016.
“EFCC sent another message to
them in which it congratulated
them because they were
successful in the medical
screening exercise of the EFCC.
And they were, therefore, invited
to attend an interview at the EFCC
Zonal Office, No 4, Wurno Road,
Off Katuru Road, Badurawa,
Kaduna State on Thursday, 27th
October 2016 which they
attended.
“EFCC sent another SM to them
that they were successful at the
recently conducted EFCC
recruitment for the Diploma
Cadre. EFCC further directed them
to attend the Cadet Training at
the Nigeria Defence Academy
(NDA), Old Site, Kaduna,” the
petition stated.
According to the letter, the
commission equally supplied
them with the details of the
things they should take along
with them for the training which
they did when they reported for
the said training on December
11, 2016.
They claimed that after spending
three weeks of rigorous training
in the camp, the EFCC called 24 of
them out that they have serious
medical issues such as kidney
disorder, lump in the breast,
blood in urine and high blood
pressure.
The trainees were said to have
protested the sudden change in
their medical fitness report and
were given the option of
undergoing another round of
medical examinations in
designated government and
military hospitals. Counsel to the
affected trainees, Toki, said that
though the fresh medical reports
were favourable to his clients,
the EFCC has refused to accept
them and allow them resume
their training programme.
Toki observed that given the
evidence contained in the new
medical reports, it does appear
that the EFCC unjustly fabricated
the excuses in order to shove the
24 trainees aside and replace
them with “special candidates”
from other states of the
federation. He warned that his
clients would have no other
option than to seek legal redress
if the EFCC continued to ignore
their request for reinstatement.
Before now, there had been
allegations that the EFCC had
consistently breached the federal
character principle in its
recruitment processes, a
situation that has left certain
parts of the country excluded
from the commission. Attempt to
get the spokesman of the EFCC,
Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, to react to
the petition did not yield the
desired response as he neither
picked the calls nor responded to
the text message sent to his
mobile phone.

source:https://newtelegraphonline.com/top-stories/recruitment-scandal-rocks-efcc/

cc:obinoscopy, lalasticlala, mynd44, ishilove

Logistically speaking, he is second in command to the devil.

Source:https://newtelegraphonline.com/news/militants-attack-lagos-kill-army-captain-policemen/

Cc:obinoscopy, lalasticlala, mynd44, ishilove

Gun-wielding militants invaded
Ishawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos
State, and killed an Army captain,
who led the Joint Task Force on
Anti-Militancy, and four
policemen. The captain is
identified as Muhammad. The
incident occurred at Yewa-
Olaloko area of Ishawo.
Doctors are battling to save the
life of the survivor of the gory
attack, a Divisional Police Officer
(DPO). The commander of the
militants and two of his
members were also killed in the
gun duel that ensued between
security agents and the
hoodlums.
In all, 12 people were said to
have been killed in the attack.
Members of the Joint Task Force
on Anti-Militancy in Lagos and
Ogun states, called Operation
Awatse, were said to have been
ambushed on their way to
Olaloko area in the early hours of
yesterday, while on a mission to
rescue eight kidnapped victims.
The militants also set the security
agents’ operational Hilux van on
fire. A source said: “The soldiers,
policemen and operatives of
Rapid Response Squad (RRS)
went to the area in an attempt to
rescue some abducted victims.
The militants opened fire on
them. The DPO was critically
wounded. It’s doubtful if he will
survive.”
A resident of the area, who
identified himself simply as
Gbemisola, said eight residents
were abducted, after which the
community alerted the police.
Police were said to have moved
immediately, with soldiers, but
ran into an ambush.
The resident recounted: “The
exchange of gun battle woke us
up about midnight which lasted
till 3a.m. Members of the Joint
Task Force, deployed in the
creeks of Lagos and Ogun states,
were on their way to rescue the
victims when they were
ambushed by the kidnappers,
who opened fire on them, killing
four policemen and two soldiers
instantly.
“In the exchange of gun battle
which ensued, the commander
of the militants was killed, while
two of his men were also
gunned down by the police. The
death of their commander
infuriated the militants, making
them to kill three of their
captives.
They fled with five other victims.”
Our correspondent, who was at
the community yesterday, was
told that the militants cum
kidnappers have invaded Ishawo
on Friday and attempted to
abduct three landlords, but one
of the victims escaped. A witness
gave the name of the landlord,
who escaped as Osaze, a car
dealer.
But, according to the witness, the
kidnappers came for Osaze
about midnight on Saturday.
“After breaking into Osaze’s
house, the gunmen ordered him
into his vehicle. They poured
petrol on the vehicle and set the
man ablaze. It was the fire that
attracted the task force. “The
task force engaged the militants
in a shootout. The task force
called for reinforcement from
Owutu Police Division,” the
witness added. According to the
source, when the policemen
arrived, they chased the militants
into the creeks. “Unknown to
them, the militants did not flee.
They laid an ambush which the
security agents ran into,” the
witness added. Some of the
residents said they could not
come out of their houses
because of the fear of the
gunmen. “We locked ourselves
up in our houses until the Lagos
State Police Commissioner, Fatai
Owoseni, came to address us
and gave us assurance that more
policemen would be deployed in
this community. He said we
should not entertain fear. “But in
the next few minutes everybody
will go into his house because
we don’t know what will happen
next.
We cannot move freely until there
is improved security,” a resident
said. Another resident said that
militants, who were dispersed
after the bombardment of the
creeks, were gradually
regrouping and becoming
formidable. “The militants have
come back and are kidnapping
every day.
Government should be more
proactive on this development.
We don’t wish for death of
policemen and soldiers in this
manner. What we are asking is
that police should set up a
command at that creek. They
should treat it like what they
have done in Sambisa forest in
the North-East. A serious military
intervention is needed here,” the
resident added.
Reacting to the incident,Owoseni
said that about 1a.m. yesterday,
the police received a distress call
that a group of militants/
kidnappers entered Owutu-
Isawo in Ikorodu through the
thick swampy forest surrounding
the area.
He said: “The militants/
kidnappers kidnapped some
residents. In response, the police
and the Army immediately
mobilised personnel to the area,
where the victims were rescued.
Sadly, however, five out of the
gallant, brave and patriotic
officers lost their lives during the
rescue operation. One of them is
a Nigerian Army captain while
the remaining four are
policemen. One of the residents
in the area also died. We pray
that the God Almighty reward
their loyalty to the nation with
paradise and peaceful rest. We
also pray that God gives their
respective families the courage
to bear the loss.”
The remains of the security
agents and resident have been
evacuated to the mortuary. The
Acting Deputy Director Army
Public Relations (ADDAPR), Lt. Col.
Olaolu Daodu, said that the
combined team was able to foil
the kidnap attempt and rescued
all the abducted victims.
“Nine of the victims including an
infant of about two-year-old
were rescued from the criminals.
However, on their way back, they
were ambushed by a suspected
criminal gang. During the
clearance of the ambush,
unfortunately four policemen lost
their lives while the army officer
who led the operation sustained
gunshot wounds and die on the
way to the hospital.
“Similarly, four of the rescued
kidnapped victims including the
infant sustained injuries during
the encounter. They have all been
evacuated to a hospital and are
responding to treatment,” Daodu
said.The army spokesman said a
combined team of the Police and
Military was in hot pursuit of the
suspected kidnappers who fled
the scene carrying the dead
bodies of their colleagues and
the wounded. Meanwhile, Lagos
State government yesterday
commiserated with families of
the four policemen and Army
captain.
In a statement, the state
Commissioner for Information
and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde,
described the incident as
unfortunate, but insisted that it
would only strengthen
government’s resolve to remove
crime and criminalities from the
state.
Ayorinde said Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode was deeply
touched by the incident and
condoled with the families of the
slain officers. He said: “The
governor, however, assures the
police and general public of his
support and commitment to rid
the state of every form of
militancy, kidnapping, and illegal
waterfront shanties that harbour
criminals.”
The commissioner added that
the unfortunate incident in
Ishawo had further reinforced
government’s resolve to go after
criminal elements and their
collaborators using coastal areas
and illegal waterfront settlements
as havens or escape routes to
perpetrate evil and criminal
activities.
Ayorinde added that every
perpetrator directly or remotely
linked to the Ishawo dastardly
act would be brought to justice
in the shortest possible time. He
said: “We wish to solicit the
understanding and support of
the public on the need to rid our
waterways of illegal shanties that
are not only an eyesore to our
collective decency, but have
become a fertile ground for
breeding illicit and illegal
activities that constitute danger
to the security and wellbeing of
the larger public.”

The police in Ogun State have
arrested a suspected land
grabber, Shakirudeen Shittu, and
recovered six guns and 75 live
cartridges from him.
The state Police Public Relations
Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who
confirmed this in a statement
issued in Abeokuta, said the
suspect was notorious and had
been terrorising Ogijo and its
environs.
Oyeyemi, an Assistant
Superintendent of Police, stated
that Shittu was arrested by an
anti-robbery team at Eyinogbe
Isale area of Ogijo.
He explained that investigation
revealed that the suspect was
involved in series of land
grabbing violence “which
resulted into loss of life and
wanton destruction of property.”

Cc:lalasticlala,mynd44, obinoscopy, ishilove.


Source: https://newtelegraphonline.com/metro/ogun-police-recover-six-guns-75-live-cartridges-land-grabber/

At least 21 people have been killed in an explosion during a Palm Sunday service at a church in northern Egypt.

The blast struck St George's Coptic church, which was reportedly packed with worshippers, in the city of Tanta in the Nile Delta.

Another 38 have been injured in the attack.


The cause of the explosion is not yet known but Egypt's Christian minority has often been targeted by Islamist militants in recent years.

Video and pictures of what appears to show the horrifying aftermath as crowds gather around dead bodies have emerged online.

The incident comes as Coptic worshippers gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday - the Sunday before Easter that marks the start of Holy Week for Christians.

Some 25 people died when a bomb exploded at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo during a service in December last year.

Hundreds of Christians have fled the country's Sinai Peninsula following killings in the area.

Pope Francis is set to visit Egypt later in April.

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/www.standard.co.uk/news/world/egypt-church-bombing-at-least-21-killed-in-blast-during-palm-sunday-service-a3510941.html%3Famp

The Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos
zone, this evening uncovered yet
another large sum of suspected
laundered money to the tune of
N448,850,000 in a shop at
LEGICO Shopping Plaza, Ahmadu
Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The money stashed in several
‘Ghana Must Go’ bags were in
N500 and N1000 denominations,
hidden in a shop ostensibly
awaiting conversion into foreign
currency.
Relying on information provided
by a concerned whistle blower,
operatives of the Commission
swooped on the shopping
complex and sought the identity
of the owners of two shops, LS
64 and LS 67 which were under
locks and keys.
The shops had signages of
Bureau de Change. Inquires
about the owner of shop 64
indicated he had not been seen
for a long time, as they claimed
the shop had not been opened
for business for close to two
years. Several calls were put to
the owner of shop 67 but there
was no response.
The attention of the plaza’s
chairman and some traders were
drawn in order to force the
shops open. There was no
money found in shop 67, but in
shop 64, heaps of ‘Ghana Must
Go’ bags were found loaded on
the floor of the shop.
When the bags were unzipped
they were found to contain
bundles of naira notes totalling
N448,850,000. Traders
interviewed at the premises
claimed they were not aware
such money was housed in
there, as the place hardly opens
for business.
The Commission is investigating
the matter in order to unravel the
owner and source of the money.

source:https://newtelegraphonline.com/news/efcc-finds-n-4bn-found-hidden-in-plaza-in-victoria-island/


Cc: lalasticlala, mynd44, ishilove

Pursuant to his powers under the laws establishing the federal universities in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstitution of Governing Councils of 23 out of the 40 federal universities in the country for a period of four years, in the first instance. The institutions affected are those whose Governing Councils’ tenures have elapsed or would on April 9, 2017. In making these appointments, President Buhari was said to have taken cognizance of the requirements for membership into Governing Councils, which include among others, a minimum of a university degree, high integrity, and commitment to educational development of the country. In addition, consideration was also given to geopolitical spread, in order to reflect federal character and foster sense of belonging. The affected universities and their Chairmen, according to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, are: 1. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria – AVM Muktar Mohammed 2. University of Nigeria, Nsukka – Chief Mike Olorunfemi 3. University of Lagos – Dr. Wale Babalakin 4. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) – Prof John Ofem 5. University of Calabar – Sen. Nkechi Justina Nworgu 6. University of Ibadan – Joshua Waklek 7. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Uni (ATBU), Bauchi – Amb. Niniola Nimota Akanbi 8. Bayero University, Kano (BUK) – Prof. Ibrahim Gambari 9. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) – Senator J.K.N. Waku 10. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurum (FUPRE) – Prof Shehu Abdullahi Zuru 11. Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna – Prof Femi Odekunle 12. Michael Okpara University of Agric, Umudike (MOUAU) – Engr. Bello Suleiman 13. Modibbo Adama University of Tech, Yola – M. Bukar Zarma 14. Nmandi Azikiwe University, Awka – Alhaji Aziz Bello 15. University of Abuja – Alhaji Sani Maikudi 16. Fed University of Agric, Abeokuta – Dr. Aboki Zhawa 17. Fed University of Agriculture, Makurdi – Prof Alkassum Abba 18. University of Benin – Alhaji Isah Ashiru 19. University of Ilorin – Dr. Jibril Oyekan 20. University of Jos – Prince Tony Momoh 21. University of Maiduguri – Prof. Biodun Adesanya 22. University of Uyo – Prof. A. C. Awujo Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto – Rtd Hon. Justice Pearl Enajere Those not affected by the reconstitution are the Governing Councils of the 12 new Federal Universities in Lokoja, Otueke, Gashua, Dutsin-Ma, Oye-Ekiti, Lafia, Gusau, Wukari, Kashere, Birnin-Kebbi, Dutse and Ndifu- Alike-Ikwo, which were inaugurated in March, 2016 as well as those of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife and University of Port Harcourt, re-constituted in January this year (2017). The tenure of the council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) will elapse in January 2018. The new Governing Councils are to be inaugurated at the auditorium of the National Universities Commission on a date to be announced soon, Adamu said in the statement.

https://newtelegraphonline.com/news/fg-reconstitutes-board-23-universities/
cc:lalasticlala, mynd44, ishilove

Some Nigeria militants and stewpidity are like 5 and 6. Endtime Everything.

A pregnant fashion designer,
Fatimah Shodunke, on Friday told
an Agege Customary Court in
Lagos that her husband
abandoned his matrimonial
home whenever she was
pregnant.
The 32-year-old mother of two,
who resides on James Street,
Ishaga, a Lagos suburb, made
the allegation while responding
to a divorce suit filed by her
husband, Gbenga.
She also told the court that
Gbenga wanted her to abort her
second pregnancy but she
refused.
“My refusal to abort my
pregnancy made my husband to
pack out of the house to an
unknown destination without
bothering about the welfare our
first child and myself until l gave
birth.
She added that Gbenga moved
out of the house again in
December, 2016, following her
refusal to abort her third
pregnancy.
Fatima submitted that Gbenga
was irresponsible and kept
beating her at the slightest
provocation.
The respondent, however,
prayed the court not to dissolve
the six-year-old marriage for the
sake of the children.
The News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) reports that Gbenga, a
mechanic, had claimed in the suit
that Fatimah was troublesome
and had been threating his life.
He alleged that he moved out of
his matrimonial home because
Fatimah threatened to kill him
with a knife.
The petitioner said that he was
no longer interested in the
union.
The Court President, Mr Phillip
Williams, said that the court
would do its best to save the
marriage.
He adjourned the case until May
2 for further hearing.

source:https://newtelegraphonline.com/metro/husband-runs-away-whenever-pregnant-woman-tells-court/

cc:lalasticlala mynd44 ishilove

A Corps member, Anthony Ochai, from Benue State, has died of heart failure in Sokoto, the State NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, has said.

Abubakar made the disclosure in Sokoto on Friday, during the passing out ceremony of 1,411 corps members deployed to the state under the 2016 batch ”A”, Stream One.

He said: “The late corps member was serving at the Government Secondary School, Tsamaye, Sabon-Birni Local Government in the state.

“The deceased was resting after a football match between the various batches of the scheme, suddenly he just collapsed and died.

“His remains were brought to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto and it was confirmed that he died of heart failure.”

Abubakar further stated that the late corps member hailed from Ugbokolo village, in Ukopo local government of Benue state.

The coordinator also said that the remains of the late Ochai would be buried on Friday in his home town, in Benue State.

Abubakar further disclosed that 10 corps members had their service year extended by between three months to one year, for abscondment.

In the same vein, 10 corps members were given state merit awards, while four others received the Chairman’s commendation certificate.

He added that 85 other corps members were given commendation letters for outstanding performance.

Abubakar advised the outgoing corps members to continue to be good ambassadors of the service.

Source https://newtelegraphonline.com/news/corps-member-dies-heart-failure-sokoto/