The sacrifical ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir, has been stolen.

The ram was stolen during a heavy downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.

An Imam in the community, Malam Haruna Yaqub, who disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers, condemned the incident, describing it as insensitive.

Yaqub urged the people never to engage in either stealing or any act of criminality, emphasizing that everyone will account for their actions in the here and hereafter.

He said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely bought to sacrifice, has stolen in the night. We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God fearing. It is scaring that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.

“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments.”

The apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has alleged that the South-east governors, Igbo leaders, and members of the National Assembly were plotting to prolong the detention of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, till 2027.

In a statement issued by Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the body blamed the South-east governors for the deteriorating security situation in the zone

Isiguzoro said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo decries and brings to light the plots by South-east governors, Igbo elders, and National Assembly members to prolong Nnamdi Kanu’s detention until 2027.

“The failure of some South-east governors to utilise their political ties to advocate for Kanu’s release is regrettable and underscores self-interest over communal welfare.”

The organisation stated that the South-east governors and certain Igbo leaders had not provided the essential assurances required to explore political resolutions for the release of Kanu.

According to Isiguzoro, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo underscores the crucial need for unity and cooperation among South-east governors and esteemed Igbo personalities, such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Pa Ebitu Ukiwe, Sen. Ike Nwachukwu, and others, in providing the federal government with assurances regarding Nnamdi Kanu’s future conduct post-release.

“Regrettably, it appears some South-east governors and Igbo elite have chosen to exploit Nnamdi Kanu’s detention for personal gain, political bargaining, and the pursuit of political relevance.”

The body noted that it was disheartening that certain South-east governors and Igbo leaders only visited Kanu at the DSS facility to take photographs rather than actively seeking political solutions for his release.

The statement said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses deep concern over the behaviour of South-east governors, senators, representatives, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other prominent Igbo figures who prioritise visits to Kanu in detention over seeking his release and addressing the pressing security challenges in our region.

“It is paramount for Ndigbo to hold South-east governors, Igbo elders, National Assembly members, and traditional rulers accountable for the extended detention of Nnamdi Kanu, and refrain from laying blame on the federal government or President Tinubu.

“The federal government awaits a united stance and commitments from the Igbo community to facilitate a potential release of Nnamdi Kanu.”

Isiguzoro urged all stakeholders in the South-east to set aside personal ambitions and unite in the pursuit of Kanu’s release and the resolution of security challenges in our region.

Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold has spoken about how he was dragged online after he opened up on his struggles with sickle cell disease.

The ‘Ogaranya’ crooner disclosed that he was “attacked and abused” on social media following his revelation.

Speaking in a recent interview with CNN, Adekunle Gold said he decided to create awareness about sickle cell disease after summoning the courage to speak up.

The singer said he is on a mission to make people living with sickle cell feel “safe.”

He said, “I want people living with sickle cell to feel safe, to feel like they have help and support.

“They call you a sickler… Recently, when I talked about it [my struggle with sickle cell] on the song [‘5-star’], I saw a lot of tweets from people attacking and abusing me.

“I’m speaking about sickle cell disease now because I just got the courage to come out and speak up openly about it. A lot of people can’t share their stories like I can.”

Adekunle Gold said he has been aware of his diagnosis since he was a child, adding that growing up, he constantly put himself in situations that made him sick.

“I’ve known about my sickle cell disease all my life. I knew since I was a child that I couldn’t do certain things. They said, ‘You know you have sickle cell, you can’t play football in the rain just like your peers.’ And I was like, ‘No, I want to play.’ I’ve always been rebellious,” he recalled.

“I’ve known about my sickle cell disease all my life because growing up, I had crises every time. I was in the hospital back-to-back.

“As a child, I constantly put myself in situations that made me sick. And it affected me a lot. For example, I’m not supposed to be in the rain, so what happened to me was that I would have pains in my joints from being in the rain. But I always knew that I didn’t want this thing [sickle cell] to define me.”

Abia State government has warned citizens against unhealthy hygiene following an alert from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on the increasing incidence of cholera cases nationwide.

The government through the State Ministry of Health in a statement said a total of 109 suspected cases of cholera have been reported in the state from January to June 2024, across six local government areas.

According to the ministry Ohafia recorded one case, Ikwuano: 9 cases, Osisioma 1 case, Bende 17 cases, Umunneochi 39 cases and Arochukwu 42 cases.

The ministry further stated that only two of the samples collected tested positive using rapid diagnostic testing (RDT), adding that both samples were sent to the National Reference Lab in Abuja, and were confirmed negative for cholera.

“The Abia State Ministry of Health emphasizes that Abia State has not recorded any confirmed positive case of cholera within the period under review.

“Nevertheless, in light of the ongoing outbreak reported in some states, the Ministry has instituted response measures towards prevention and identification of any suspected cases, and appropriate treatment.

” As part of the intervention, citizens are advised to continue to observe preventive measures to stay safe.

“Preventive measures include ensuring access to safe drinking water, practicing sanitation including proper hand washing and maintaining personal hygiene, handling food safely and washing fruits and vegetables properly before consumption.

“The Ministry of Health urges citizens to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cholera. Further updates will be provided as necessary” the release said.

Former Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has opened up on why he resigned from the position.

Finidi submitted his resignation letter to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on Saturday.

The 53-year-old took the decision after the NFF announced it would hire a foreign technical adviser to tinker the team.

In a video posted on social media hours later, a former media officer of the Eagles, Colin Udoh, confirmed he had spoken to Finidi after his decision.

“Finidi confirmed to me that he resigned his position indeed,” Udoh said.

“The reason being that he met with the NFF on Thursday, and they had a very good conversation.

“They spoke about the things they need to do going forward and he (Finidi) asked if he will be back.

“At no point during that meeting did anyone tell him they were going to appoint a foreign technical adviser.

“The NFF board had met on Wednesday and made that decision. But it was when Findi landed in Port Harcourt after that meeting that someone called him and informed him. He (Finidi) had to park his car and read the link to see that it actually was true.

“So he waited for two days to see if anyone would contact him but nobody spoke to him. So he (Finidi) felt they didn’t want him anymore and so he decided to turn in his resignation.”

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reiterated that President Bola Tinubu means well for Nigeria and is passionate about making the country better.

Umahi made the submission on Sunday when he inspected some ongoing federal government projects in Enugu and neighbouring states.

According to him, the President is committed to revolutionizing the economy through road infrastructure development.

A statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, reads in part: “The administration of Mr President thought it expedient, in keeping with his agenda of robust economic revolution for a sustainable future of our country, to construct for Enugu State a mega twin flyover that will beat the elegance and utility of all flyovers ever built in the South East.

“This flyover, when completed, will change the face of Enugu State, attract trade and investment to the State, reduce accident and insecurity, improve safety and increase patronage to the economic facilities, including Airports in Enugu and Ebonyi States and that of other neighbouring states.

“Mr President means well for Nigeria and is determined to revolutionize the economy through road infrastructure development.

“The Honourable Minister has this as a task that must be accomplished. He knows the job. His passion to deliver is unequalled.”

During the visit, Umahi visited the ongoing reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan Bridge at Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and also the ongoing construction of a 23-span mega twin flyover bridge at Emene in Enugu State.