A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has said the Nigerian military should be questioned about their whereabouts when the country’s crude oil is stolen from our coastal waters.

The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made this known in a tweet via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday.

Senator Sani said if Nigerians can’t accuse the military of stealing crude oil because of a lack of evidence, they should explain their location during the theft.

He wrote: “If we can’t accuse the military of stealing our crude oil because we don’t have evidence,at least we can question their whereabouts when our crude oil is stolen from our coastal waters.Those who can steal with a Ship can invade with a Ship.”

Security Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe, in collaboration with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, have set ablaze an intercepted massive vessel carrying barrels of stolen crude oil in the Escravos area of Delta State.

The vessel was allegedly owned by a Nigerian registered company, was heading to Cameroon with the cargo onboard when it was apprehended at an offshore location with the captain and crew members onboard.

According to the Executive Director of Operations and Technical at Tantita Security, Captain Warred Enisuoh and the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, the oil cargo was illegally sourced from a well-jacket offshore in Ondo State with no valid documentation at the time of the arrest.

They said the vessel had operated in stealth mode in the last 12 years.

The discovery was the latest in the series of disturbing findings by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a security outfit owned by former militant leader Government Ekpemepulo aka Tompolo and contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

Anthony Joshua does not see Dillian Whyte as a “rival” as the British heavyweight boxers prepare for their rematch in London on August 12.

At a news conference on Monday, Joshua made an effort to cool things off with Whyte after a string of heated exchanges.

Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte first faced themselves 14 years ago when they were both amateurs. Whyte won the bout in 2009.

In their professional match for the British heavyweight title in 2015, Joshua brutally knocked out Whyte to take his retribution.

Since eight years ago, boxing Enthusiasts across the world have been waiting for the rematch which is on the verge of happening on August 12.

Ahead of the bout, Whyte, 35, and Joshua, 33, engaged in what was essentially a friendly exchange in front of the media which was a far cry from the build-up to their first professional bout, when tensions were at an all-time high as Joshua sought vengeance for his amateur defeat to Whyte six years earlier.

“I don’t look at Dillian as a rival,” Joshua said in the press conference.

“Just another body. A lot of people hate me. I don’t look at Dillian as a rival. I just watch myself.”

In response to Joshua’s comments during the press conference, Whyte said that he had “no hate” for Joshua.

Nollywood actress, Joke Silva has taken to social media to celebrate the birthday of her husband, Olu Jacobs.

Naija News reports that the veteran actress, celebrated her husband, Olu Jacob as he turns 81, today, July 11th.

Taking to her Instagram page, the veteran who recently opened up about marital struggles with Olu Jacobs, following his battle with dementia shared a photograph of the actor with an accompanying note.

In her message, the 61-year-old actress extended appreciation to God while extending warm wishes to her husband.

She mentioned that her husband’s fans have been celebrating his birthday since May but made it clear that July 11 was the official birthday of the iconic actor.

She wrote: “Showboy…Happy birthday dearest as you add plus 1 @_olujacobs.God is good…always. Sir Js fans have been celebrating his birthday since May Note …today is the official day 11th July.”

Recall that the thespian recently spoke about her husband suffering from dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which has been happening for a couple of years.

Joke Silva said the illness has affected their marriage.

The movie star described her husband as an incredible father and an amazing husband, who didn’t fail in his responsibility.

According to her, Olu Jacobs was practically her best friend and everything to her in their marriage, hence, in the journey of the current ailment, she sees it as taking care of her father.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday named the Chairman and members of the Special Committees of the Senate.

Here is the full list of the newly constituted committees and chairmen:

*Appropriation Committee
Chairman – Senator Solomon Adeola
Vice Chairman – Senator Ali Ndume

*Committee on Media and Public Affairs
Chairman – Senator Adaramodu Adeyemi Raphael
Vice Chairman – Senator Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi

*Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions
Chairman – Senator Okechukwu Ezea
Vice Chairman – Senator Khalid Mustapha

*Committee in Public Accounts
Chairman – Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada
Vice Chairman – Senator Onyeka Peter Nwebonyi

*Committee on National Security and Intelligence
Chairman – Senator Shehu Umar
Vice Chairman – Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong

*Committee on Legislative Compliance
Chairman – Senator Garba Musa Maidoki
Vice Chairman – Senator Ede Dafinone

*Committee on Rules and Business
Chairman- Senator Titus Zam
Vice Chairman – Senator Opeyemi Bamidele

*Committee on Senate Services
Chairman – Senator Sunday Karimi
Vice Chairman – Senator Williams Jona

Femi Adesina, a former aide to ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, has knocked Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese over recent critical comments of the immediate past government.

Speaking on Monday at the 60th anniversary of the call to the bar of legal luminary Afe Babalola, SAN, in Ado Ekiti, Kukah had said corruption became its ugliest under Buhari.

“We have seen the worst phase of corruption in Nigeria. Femi Falana, my friend here, will speak about that because he has published a series of articles talking about what happened under the Buhari administration.

“They were not the ones who caused corruption but I think in the last administration, we saw the ugliest phase of corruption whether in moral terms, financial terms, and other terms,” he said.

Citing Daura, Buhari’s hometown in Katsina State as an example, Kukah said while in power, many leaders develop their communities at the expense of others.

“Most leaders have only limited development to their home town which according to him, does not project democracy. I must say that Daura, in Kastina has enjoyed development over time owing to the fact that it is the hometown of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari. It is disheartening to even know that even Kastina, the state as a whole, is not even close to development despite Daura being parts of its domain. This does not speak well of our democracy.”

Reacting, Adesina in a tweet on Tuesday morning, said Kukah was pained because Buhari didn’t “patronize” him like he benefited from past leaders.

“Who listens to that Bishop again. He’s still pained that he got no under-the-cassock patronage from Buhari, unlike in the past. As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us,” he tweeted.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday urged the Senate to confirm his nominees for appointment as Service Chiefs.

Tinubu’s letter of request was read at plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor during plenary.

The Service Chiefs for screening and confirmation by the Senate include Major General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff; Major Taoreed Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshall Hassan Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.

Akpabio said since the relevant Standing Committees of the Senate are not in place yet, the Service Chiefs would be screened by the Committee of the Whole of the Senate.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked universities to suspend the implementation of the recent increase in fees, which it said is capable of causing students to drop out of school.

The House also asked the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately review the new fees regime in Federal Government Colleges and revert to the old regime.

It said the Federal Government should take immediate steps to adequately fund the education sector by increasing budgetary provisions to ensure that Nigerian students have access to quality and affordable basic and senior secondary education.

The House also resolved to investigate the increase of fees by all Federal Universities and the hike in school fees for students of Federal Government Colleges across the Country with a view to finding lasting solutions to the challenges in the education sector.

This followed two separate motions by Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki on the need to suspend the Implementation of Increase in tuition fees by federal universities and the need to reverse the recent hike of school fees in Unity Secondary Schools in Nigeria by Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi and Hon. Kama Nkemkanma.

Madaki said because of poor funding of tertiary education and rising inflation, federal universities increased tuition fees from 100% to 200% while hostel fees were increased from 50% to 100%.

He listed some of the universities that increased their fees to include Bayero University, Kano (BUK), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; the University of Uyo; University of Maiduguri; Michael Okpara
University of Agriculture, Umudike and Federal University, Dutse, among others.

Presenting the motion on increase in fees for unity schools, Hon. Kama Nkemkanma, said unity schools were established to promote national unity and provide quality as well as affordable education to students from different parts, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

1. Once again, it has become imperative to address you, the good people of Ondo State and to appreciate you all for your consistent support and solidarity to the State Government, especially at this time.

2. The attention of the State Government has been drawn to some orchestrated falsehoods, insinuations and negative write-ups, particularly in the print and social media with a view to causing disharmony and disaffection within the polity. These tactics of faceless writers and agent provocateurs, are intended to fan the embers of discord, tarnish the hard earned reputations of individuals in government circles and distract government attention in order to take political advantage in any manner to please their own selfish political whims and caprices.

3. I like to urge the general public, to as usual, ignore these unfortunate lies and subterfuge as the antics of desperate political gladiators across political divides. We assure you that we will not allow this to derail the focus and developmental policies of our administration which Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has consistently pursued in the last six and a half years. Although, some of the commentators expressed genuine concerns as stakeholders based on the provisions of the Constitution. Such constructive expressions are noted by the government. This is not to say that we have been hitherto oblivious of the dictates of the law.

4. You are well aware of the message of Mr Governor to the people of Ondo State in which he thanked the people of Ondo State and other critical stakeholders for their support and loyalty to the State Government. Mr Governor appreciates your prayers and good wishes for himself and the State, across board. He is in high spirit, recuperating and being expected back in office to continue with his laudable service to the State, as soon as he is certified medically fit by his Doctors. I have been in touch with him, the latest being on Sunday, 9th July, 2023, when he expressed appreciation to me and other State Executive Council Members for holding the fort while he is away. I like to also join Mr Governor to express our profound appreciation to you all for your unending show of love, solidarity and prayers for the number one citizen of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, who is always leading from the front and making life more meaningful to our people. We should remain in this attitude of prayers and solidarity for the good of ourselves, Mr Governor and the State at large.

5. Consequent upon the need to have more rest and in furtherance to his respect for and commitment to the rule of law, Mr Governor has transmitted power to my office as Acting Governor in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). We therefore assure the people of Ondo State that there is no gap in governance. The government of Ondo State is on course, construction works are going on across the State and other official activities are also running well in line with standard practices. The security and welfare of the people being the primary constitutional mandate of government is enjoying top priority. The State Government will not at any time renege on this important obligation to the people. We urge you all to continue to be law-abiding, peaceful and endeavour to pursue your legitimate businesses and activities unhindered.

6. It is important to reiterate to our people that the State Government is as well not oblivious of the hardship and inconveniences attendant to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. Apart from the measures being contemplated by the State Government, our administration is also into collaboration with the Federal Government, through the National Economic Council, headed by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, GCON, with a view to birthing enduring palliative measures to remedy the excruciating effects of the policy, within available resources. The State Government, organized labour leaders and critical segments of the State are collaborating well in this direction for the good of the public workers and the entire citizenry of Ondo State.

7. Furthermore, we empathize with our citizens in towns and communities across the State on the recent effects of flooding during this raining season. We have not only visited some of the affected locations for on the spot assessment, Government is also taking positive steps towards providing palliatives to the victims. Besides, we have instructed the appropriate agencies and deployed equipment to embark on channelization at the State Capital and other affected Local Government Areas.

8. We crave for more cooperation and support from the good people of the State as well as ask for more restraints and circumspections on the part of groups and individuals whose actions and unwarranted vituperations in social circles and the media are capable of robbing off negatively on the image of the State. We owe ourselves and the founding fathers of Ondo State a duty to stick to the path of honour and continue to pursue only those high ideals and virtues which promote the unity of purpose, decency and dignity for which our Sunshine State is widely respected at home and abroad.

9. Thank you all.

Signed

Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa

Acting Governor of Ondo State

11th July, 2023

Family Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday ordered that a skit maker Maruf Abdullahi, aka ”Trinity Guy” be remanded in Agodi correction centre for allegedly sexually exploiting a 10-year old girl.

The Magistrate, Mrs P. O. Adetuyibi ordered Abdullahi, 31, Isiaka Ahmed, 40, and his wife Rofiat Ahmed, 29, parents of the child should continue to be remanded in Agodi.

Adetuyibi adjourned the matter until Aug. 3, for mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police charged Abdullahi , alongside the parents of the victim with conspiracy and sexual abuse/exploitation.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Oluwakemi Arowosaye told the court that Abdullahi, Ahmed, and his wife Rofiat allegedly conspired together to wit sexual abuse.

Arowosaye said ‘Trinity” on Dec. 17, 2022, was alleged to have sexually abused and sexually exploited 10-year- old girl at Kuola area, Ibadan.

The offence, the police said, contravened the provisions of Section 35 (1) and punishable under Section 35 (2) of the Oyo State Child Right’s Law 2006.

She said it also contravenes the provisions of section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

(NAN)