The presidency has said that in about four weeks, President Muhammadu Buhari would be designated as the country’s number one citizen.
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina in a statement said for 8 years, he has served, making salutary impact on nearly all sectors of the national landscape: security, economy, anti-corruption, infrastructure; rail, roads, air and sea ports, power, housing, water resources, the oil and gas sector, legislative matters, foreign affairs, sports, youth development, and many others.
He said, “The Presidential Communications Team here brings a one-stop shop of achievements under the Buhari administration covering eight years of two terms.
“It’s a collector’s item, an answer to the questions of those who would rather cavil, looking at a half-empty cup, rather than a half-filled one.
“Those who are objective, taking a dispassionate look at this Fact Sheet, would admit that President Buhari came, and served meritoriously. As he had promised many times, he would not be leaving Nigeria the way he met it.
“A report card of the administration? It is so and more. Welcome to view the indelible footprints of Muhammadu Buhari on the sands of time.
THE Lagos State Government has purchased electric buses for public transportation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a statement released today, noted that the purchase of the buses was made in collaboration with Oando PLC and adding that Lagosians should anticipate a cleaner public transportation system as a result.
He said, “With the ability to travel 280km at full charge, taking into account our unique travel times in Lagos, our electric buses are a game-changer. With an average daily usage of 200km by existing BRTs, there is no need to fear that the buses can stop while in transit.”
“I am excited to announce the first set of electric buses in the Lagos Mass Transit Master Plan as part of our increased effort to modernise every sector of Lagos. Thanks to our partnership with @Oando_PLC, Lagosians can expect a cleaner and greener public transportation system.… pic.twitter.com/4swo4R2fBS
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) April 30, 2023
“Our new electric buses will not only reduce carbon emissions but will also increase efficiency. This means that Lagosians can say goodbye to high fuel costs and hello to cost-efficient transportation.
“We shall be running a pilot scheme over the next few months to gather sufficient data required to analyse the operational efficiencies relative to the current BRT buses to further improve our public transport service.
“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Lagos.
“We understand the need for charging stations to power our electric buses, which is why we are partnering with Oando Clean Energy Limited to strategically place Universal Chargers at public places like malls and gas stations. We also plan to establish an Assembly Plant for Electric Buses in the near future.
“This is just the beginning of our efforts to transform Lagos into an even smarter city as we continue to increase our fleet of electric vehicles, further modernizing the Lagos transportation system.”
[NaijaTimes]
For the umpteenth time, the Managing Director/CEO, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Mr Ahmed Lawan Kuru has reminded stakeholders to view the AMCON recovery mandate as one of serious national importance in the federal republic of Nigeria.
Kuru made the call over the weekend in two separate engagements with AMCON External Solicitors, and Receivers as well as Asset Management Partners (AMPs) in Lagos. He said the call has again become important because AMCON is not set up to operate in perpetuity as the Corporation has a sunset period thus the need to apply speed in the collective recovery assignment.
The AMCON CEO who was represented at the interactive sessions by Mr Benedict Daminabo, the Group Head, Asset Management Directorate in the Corporation said if at sunset AMCON is unable to recover the huge debt, which currently stands at over N4trillion, it becomes the debt of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which he said would have huge implication on the taxpayers’ monies.
As a result, he said the positive debt recovery history of AMCON cannot be fully told by chroniclers of financial and economic history in Nigeria without some critical stakeholders such as AMCON Solicitors and indeed the entire Nigeria judiciary as well as Receivers; and the Asset Management Partners (AMPs) that have become major tools in the recovery efforts of AMCON. He described the engagement, which is AMCON’s first major interaction with stakeholders in 2023 in Lagos as very important, and strategic to the recovery efforts of AMCON.
“We (AMCON) value our relationship with all our stakeholders, and we will continue to interact, share experiences and brainstorm on the best ways for the Corporation to succeed in this national assignment. Feedbacks received from interactions with our various stakeholders’ overtime, and particularly from Honourable Judges from the various Courts necessitate continuous training and retraining of our stakeholders especially as it relates to challenges encountered during filling processes in Court and enforcing AMCON’s rights on obligors’ assets.
“Also, considering that the Corporation has begun to put measures in place for eventual wind down of its activities as it is not created to remain in perpetuity, we see working and collaborating with all our stakeholders as a matter of priority. The success of AMCON would not be adequately recorded without recognising the roles played by of all stakeholders. That is why we consider our interaction with you as one of the road maps to the success story of AMCON. Like we always mention repeatedly in and at every opportunity that all stakeholders must view the AMCON mandate as one of serious national importance. AMCON is not set up to remain in perpetuity, it has a sunset period. If at sunset AMCON is unable to recover the huge debt of over N4trillion, it becomes the debt of the Federal Government of Nigeria for which taxpayers’ monies will be used to settle.”
According to him, “The implication is that the public will be made to pay for the recklessness of only a few individuals who continue to take advantage of the loopholes in our laws to escape their moral, and legal obligations to repay their debts. We should not allow a few individuals to escape with our commonwealth. And we want to do it within the confines of the law.
“It is pertinent to mention that we have had course to disengage some of our Receivers and External Solicitors due to non-performance. The same thing applies to our AMPs who are not performing optimally. However, we strongly believe that majority of our stakeholders have shown impressive resourcefulness in reaching obligors who have not been reached before now. Also, their ability to trace assets of obligors has been quite impressive. Therefore, it is our hope that our external solicitors and Receivers, and AMPs would keep the on-going momentum so as to achieve more recovery milestone.
“However, we are greatly concerned about the frequency of adjournment of our matters which on several occasions is as a result of non-appearance of our lawyers. This is causing us a lot of embarrassment within the judicial space. We are also worried about the number of assets that are been abandoned by our Receivers. These actions are causing the Corporation so much embarrassment, especially as we know these assets had been entrusted in the hands of the Receivers. We therefore urge you to adhere to the sanctity of contract we have with you. Treat our matters with utmost professionalism, diligence, commitment, and duty of care.”
Others who made presentations at the engagements organised by Dr Fatihu Abba-led Legal Academy include Mr Mitchell Aghatise from the firm of Olaniwun Ajayi who represented Mr Muyiwa Balogun; Dr Danjuma Umar, Head, of Receiverships, AMCON, Mr Robert Odihi from Dele Oye & Associates, Abuja; Mr Godwin Omoaka, SAN, FCIArb., and Senior Partner in the Dispute Resolution practice group of Templars Barristers and Solicitors; Mrs Rukevwe Smatt-Oni, Head of Department, AMP Enforcement; Mr Brian Ike-Echie of AMCON Legal Department, and Aisha Abioye of IT Department, AMCON.
[NewsDirect]
[PRESS RELEASE] Workers’ Day Message from the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN
AdminDistinguished Colleagues,
As we join the rest of the world in marking the 2023 International Worker's Day, we are reminded that Nigerian workers – not oil, gold, or other natural resources – are our greatest resource. I salute the resilience and steadfastness of Nigerian workers who, despite our national challenges, continue to keep the wheels of the country turning. I celebrate them today, both those in the public and private sectors. I also commend the Self-Employed, Sole Proprietors and Entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and resourcefulness create employment opportunities despite current economic challenges.
Now more than ever before, deliberate steps must be taken to safeguard the socio economic rights of workers. At the inaugural NBA State of the Nation Dialogue held on the 30 January 2023, which dwelt on the thematic areas of Security, Economy and the Judiciary, Discussants identified economic recession as a major factor in the insecurity, brain-drain, high levels of unemployment and underdevelopment. These symptoms can only be treated by addressing the root causes, implementing worker friendly policies as opposed to superficial interventions.
I therefore call on the incoming administrations at Federal and State Government levels to initiate, reinvigorate and focus on policies that promote inclusiveness, protect SMSEs, grow the middleclass and prioritize infrastructural development. The Federal Government must take special care not to subject Nigerians to the harsh repercussions of hasty and untested policies. With the right tools and incentives, Nigeria will take its rightful place in the comity of nations. In addition to the foregoing, there must be increased accountability on subsidy spendings. The misappropriation and circumvention of monies earmarked for subsidies, especially petrol subsidy, must be treated as economic sabotage and those found culpable must be prosecuted.
Within the legal profession, we are working to resolve the perennial challenge of employee-remuneration through the recommendations of the NBA Remuneration Committee. The proposed measures will bring respite to and improve the quality of living of our Colleagues.
The NBA Employment Bureau created by the current administration to serve as an interface in bridging the supply gap of legal personnel in both the public and private sectors, has been engaging with various stakeholders in line with its mandate. I urge our colleagues to take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by the Bureau.
The NBA will continue to champion the continuous professional development of members of the Bar, ensuring that members of the legal profession are equipped with the skills to thrive not only in Africa but also in the global market, realizing that our competitors are no longer those within our immediate environment, but are rather spread across the globe.
I wish all workers in Nigeria and abroad, particularly members of the legal profession, a Happy Workers’ Day.
Long live the Nigerian Workers!
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Saturday, raided a clandestine factory in Mubi, Adamawa State, where a new psychoactive substance, Akuskura, was being produced in large quantity and distributed to Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, who confirmed the development, said at the time of the raid, production activities were ongoing in the premises.
This is even as the agency seized 126 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 63 kilograms concealed in a used Toyota Corolla car imported from Toronto, Canada at the Tincan port in Lagos.
On Friday, April 28, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan port intercepted 63kg Canadian Loud packed in bags in the boot of one of the five used vehicles in a container marked, TLLU4840762 coming from Toronto via Montreal, during a joint examination with other stakeholders at the port.
Meanwhile, an attempt by a freight agent, Mordi Chukwuemeka Samuel, to export 900 grams of the same substance, Loud, hidden inside walls of a travelling bag containing food items, to Kenya, was thwarted by NDLEA officers at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday, April 29.
When Mordi presented the bag, which he claimed contained food items for export, operatives noticed that in the course of searching the consignment, the side walls of the bag were unevenly bloated, after which they dismantled the false packings and recovered the illicit substance.
Also, men of the NDLEA’s Directorate of Operations and Investigation (DOGI), attached to courier firms also on Thursday, April 27 intercepted 1.53kg skunk concealed in old hard drives meant for export to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
In Benue State, operatives recovered 859 bottles of Codeine based Syrup weighing 117.3kg abandoned by a suspected dealer about two kilometers away from NDLEA check point along Enugu – Otukpo road on Wednesday, April 26.
Also, two suspects: Kabiru Muhammed, 35, and Isah Muhammed, 28, were arrested with 20 blocks of cannabis weighing 11.2kg concealed in a bag of cassava flakes (garri) along Zaria-Kano Road in Kano State on Friday, April 28, 2023.
Doubting Tinubu’s Victory Because INEC Failed To Upload Results To IReV Is ‘Fraud’ – Lai Mohammed
AdminLai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Information Minister, said it is fraudulent to claim that Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not win the 2023 presidential election on the grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to upload results of the poll to its result viewing portal (IReV).
Mohammed attacked opposition political parties on Sunday over their reaction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks on the outcome of the election.
Buhari said last week that the opposition lost in the poll due to overconfidence, complacency and bad tactical moves. But the comment was greeted with criticism by different opposition parties who slammed the president for defending a “brazenly stolen” victory.
Defending Buhari and reiterating his position, Mohammed described the opposition as “shameless sore losers” for reproving the president.
The minister spoke in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi.
“Opposition’s overconfidence going into the election stemmed in part from the blitzkrieg of social media propaganda as well as faulty and procured opinion polls.
“These were apparently meant to hoodwink their foreign backers and a section of the international media into uncritically reporting that they were coasting home to victory, when they were indeed heading into the ravine of defeat,” he said
“President Muhammadu Buhari lived up to his billing by delivering a free, fair and credible election, and his legacy is assured.
“The President would rather lose his state and many of his party’s strongholds than tamper with the fidelity of the election, and that is why he provided a level-playing field for all parties,” he said.
Mohammed further asserted that the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, won the presidential election fair and square.
”Going by the results, none of the opposition parties met any of the conditions stipulated for winning the presidential election.
“They did not even come close, in spite of their pre-election grandstanding.
”They (opposition) keep leaning on some international observers to justify their fraudulent claim that the election was rigged,” he said.
He referred the opposition to the conclusion by Mr Johnnie Carson, the revered US diplomat, that the APC candidate “undoubtedly won the polls”.
Carson, according to the minister, co-led the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) International Election Observation Mission to Nigeria.
”They also forgot that the African Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria said the atmosphere was generally calm and peaceful in 95 per cent of the polling units visited.
“It is on the strength of these reports that many nations, including the US and the UK, wasted no time in congratulating the victorious APC Presidential Candidate.
”The opposition’s insinuation that the failure to immediately upload the result of the presidential election onto IReV affected the credibility of the election is a fraud.
“It is an act of blackmail and deceit by desperate individuals.
”The opposition Labour Party, in particular, will go down in the history books as the first-ever distant third-place finisher in a presidential election anywhere to have bold-facedly claimed victory,” he said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has debunked reports that it is planning the withdrawal of the recently redesigned N1000, N500 and N200 currency banknotes from circulation
The apex bank said this in a statement on Sunday signed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isa Abdulmumim.
It said in the statement that such speculation is unfounded and a ploy by some interests to cause panic among members of the public.
The CBN reiterated that the new and old currency notes have been circulating side by side just as the Bank has been taking delivery of a good quantity of the redesigned bank notes from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) Limited.
Abdulmumim in the statement said the CBN is committed to supplying the approved indent for the smooth running of
the economy.
The statement urged members of the public to disregard any report suggesting a phase-out of the redesigned currency.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to a fake news item circulating in the media, particularly in the social media space, suggesting that the Bank is contemplating the withdrawal of the recently redesigned N1000, N500 and N200 currency banknotes from circulation.
“We wish to state emphatically that such speculation is unfounded and a ploy by some interests to cause panic among members of the public.
“We wish to reiterate that the new and old currency notes have been circulating side by side just as the Bank has been taking delivery of a good quantity of the redesigned bank notes from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) Limited.
“Furthermore, we are committed to supplying the approved indent for the smooth running of the economy. We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard any report suggesting a phase-out of the redesigned currency.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the redesigned and old notes will continue to be accepted as legal tender. They will circulate side-by-side for transactions ahead of the December 31, 2023 deadline, when the old N1000, N500 and N200 banknotes will eventually be phased out.”
Hudu Yunusa Ari, the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State, has broken his silence on the controversial declaration of Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the governorship election.
Ari was suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after his illegal declaration of Binani as the winner, which was contrary to the Electoral Act. INEC later declared Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner of the election after following due process.
Ari, in a recent letter to the Inspector General of Police, claimed that he acted within the ambit of the law. He stated that the results to be announced by the INEC Collation Officer differed from the copies he signed and uploaded on the Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
He also alleged that attempts were made to replace him with his secretary, and accused two national commissioners of meeting with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the Government House, Yola, during the supplementary election.
“It was based on this that I compiled all the polling unit results and declared the election winner based on the highest number of valid votes scored by the candidate of the APC,” Ari stated.
“I had the breakdown of the valid votes scored by the two leading candidates in the supplementary election, using the results from the polling units as collated into all relevant forms EC8B, C, D and E respectively by properly and legally appointed and recognised collation officers and my humble self as the Adamawa State Chief Collation Officer and Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).”
Meanwhile, INEC has denied claims of its officials meeting with Fintiri during the supplementary election. INEC had previously asked the Inspector-General of Police and necessary security agencies to investigate and prosecute Ari for his role in the illegal declaration of Binani as the winner of the governorship election.
[PRESS RELEASE] Bank of Industry sponsors tertiary schools students in Lagos for Commerce by Nature creative-entrepreneurship masterclass
AdminThe adverse social and economic condition of Nigeria does not only make Nigeria a land of severe economic adversity; but also makes Nigeria a land of untapped economic opportunities.
However, it takes creative mastery to maximize breakthroughs from adversity. Thus, Dream Advantage has designed the Bank of Industry sponsored Commerce by Nature Masterclass as an agency for entrepreneurial creative mastery education that will impart Nigerian students/youths to rise above excuses and take advantage of Nigeria's infinite potential for economic breakthroughs.
Indeed, the wide spread deficiency of creative-mastery education amongst Nigerian youths is the principal factor that has made most Nigerian youths to be problem-analysts rather than solution-catalysts.
The Bank of Industry once again sponsored students from tertiary schools in Lagos for the Commerce by Nature creative-entrepreneurship masterclass the Lagos Edition of the Masterclass held on Thursday 20 April 2023, at Leola Hotel/formerly Protea Hotel Maryland Estate, Lagos.
Samson Adah Paul, the Chief Creativity Catalyst Dream Advantage, and Lead Instructor of the Commerce by Nature Masterclass, tutored the participants, that “Business is not an art of commercial activity; business is rather an art of commercial creativity. He further, stated that, if creativity is not your primary stock in trade, you will end up a captive of industry; rather than a captive of industry. He further, admonished the participants on the need to develop mastery-capital; for Investment is not the art of trading money; investment is rather the art of trading mastery”.
In her address, Mrs. Mistura Johnson, who led the bank’s delegation said: “The Bank of Industry’s mandate is the transformation of Nigeria’s industrial sector, by providing financial and advisory support for the establishment of large, medium, and small project enterprises. Nevertheless, the Bank of Industry has a passion for the youths. This is the reason it has resolved to partner with Dream Advantage to sponsor Nigerian students/youths to undergo the Commerce by Nature creative entrepreneurship Masterclass anchored by Samson Adah Paul.”
One of the participants, Olasupo Oluwaseun David, Lagos State University, in his remarks said “Starting my own business was an idea so intimidating that I was hesitant to take the first step. Mr. Samson addressed my fears by providing me with the necessary tools, resources and support I desperately needed. I found myself with the confidence I needed to pursue my goals and the validation that my dream was possible.” Taking the Commerce by Nature creative entrepreneurship Masterclass is the best business education I have ever gained. I thank the Bank of Industry for sponsoring me to participate in the program.”
Fortune Makinde Siyanbola, of University of Lagos, in his remarks said: “The Originality and Authenticity of Samson Adah Paul's course on "Commerce by Nature" was astounding, informative, corrective, eye-opening and refreshing. I am yet to meet anyone with such Oratory skill to literally spell the hearts of men into engineering positive change. A major takeaway from the Bank of Industry sponsored CBN Masterclass was how Nigerian youths who wish to build wealth must level up from a "See-Business" mentality to a "Seed-Business" mentality. That short piece is mantle of torch I intend to carry for life.
Another participant, Miss Mercy Ayomide Martins, of Lagos State University, affirmed that “The experience I had was a great one...and Mr Samson gave me an insight of being a better business person than I was before attending the Commerce by Nature Masterclass. I have learnt to differentiate between skill-business from the seed-business which is a greater value to mankind. Also I will like to appreciate the Bank of Industry for their sponsorship of the Commerce by Nature Masterclass. I also suggest that the Bank of Industry sponsor more students to participate in the program”
Nine Nigerian youths with exceptional creative-entrepreneurship exploits were honored with the Commerce by Nature Awards: a special feature of the CBN Masterclass, instituted to honor Nigerian youths who have chosen to conquer the more than sufficient excuses that make others to give up on Nigeria' infinite potential for economic prosperity
from left- Fortune Siyanbola, UNILAG, Mrs. Mistura Johnson of Bank of Industry, Mercy Ayomide-LASU, Sukanmi Oyetunde, LASPOLY > Mercy Ayomide of Lagos state University unbehalf of Dream Advantage Presented a Thank You for Your Sponsorship Award to Bank of Industry
The Police Command in Imo State has confirmed the arrest of 9 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Sector Commander of a dreadful IPOB/ESN syndicate Mathew Chuwkuma 48yrs ‘m’ of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA, Imo State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Owerri, Imo State.
The police spokesman said the arrest is “sequel to the attack on Police Officers on patrol assigned to the Ngor-Okpala/Mbaise Area Command at Ngor-Okpala, Imo State on April 21, 2023 by hoodlums suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), where four brave police officers lost their lives, the Commissioner of Police, Imo state, CP
The statement reads,” Acting on the CP’s directives, a detachment of the Command’s tactical team on 24/04/2023 at about 1730hrs after a diligent gathering of credible intelligence, arrested one Mathew Chuwkuma 48yrs ‘m’ of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, in his hideout at Umuahia, Abia State.
“The Sector Commander of a dreadful IPOB/ESN syndicate in Mbaise confessed and assisted the curious operatives in arresting three (3) of his syndicate namely; Ojoko Ikechukwu 53yrs ‘m’ of Umugwa, Chilaka Charles 44yrs ‘m’ of Umuezuo, and Anthony Iwu 50yrs ‘m’ of Umugwa all in Umuokiria, Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State in their Criminal hideout while others escaped.
“Acting on the CP’s directions, a detachment of the Command’s tactical team on April 24, 2023, at around 1730 hours, apprehended one Mathew Chuwkuma, 48, of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, in his hiding place at Umuahia, Abia State.
“He admitted to being the Sector Commander of a horrible IPOB/ESN syndicate in Mbaise and helped the intrepid agents apprehend three (3) members of his group—Ojoko Ikechukwu, 53 years old, Chilaka Charles, 44 years old, and Anthony Iwu, 50 years old—in their criminal hideout in Umuokiria, Ahaizu Mbaise LGA in Imo State, while others managed to flee.
“The following accusatory objects were found in the hideout; From the terrorist hideout, one cut-to-size AK 47 rifle, 119 live 7.62 mm bullets, 2 AK 47 magazines, 2 cut-to-size double barrel weapons, and 1 locally made Berretta pistol were found.
“The suspects admitted to being part of the evil IPOB/ESN conspiracy that terrorize the decent people of Imo State and was responsible for the recent killings of four police officers and two civilians in Ngor Okpala throughout the course of the inquiry.
“They provided vital information that helped the determined operatives on April 27, 2023, at approximately 12:40 a.m., raid their second hideout/shrine in Itu, Ezinitte Mbaise LGA, Imo State, which resulted in the arrest of four (4) other infamous IPOB/ESN suspects who were listed on the command’s wanted list due to their nefarious activities.
“On spotting the Operatives, the notorious criminal syndicate engaged them in a fierce gun duel but were overcome by the super firepower of the combat-ready tactical squad, which forced them to disarray and resulted in the arrest of four other suspects, namely: 1. Ibe Demian 50yrs’m’, 2. Iwuala Simon 31yrs’m’, both of Neme Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State
“When they searched their second hideout, which doubles as a shrine where they practice fetish rituals, they found two (2) AK 47 magazines, two (2) locally made explosive devices, one (1) iPhone, one (1) H-mobile, Walkie-Talkie, three (3) pump action guns, two (2) single barrel locally made guns, one (1) locally made pistol, fifty (50) rounds of 7.66mm live ammunition, thirty-eight (38) rounds of live cartridges, two (2) locally made cut to size guns, three A huge amount of marijuana believed to be Cannabis Sativa, two (2) Biafran Jewish caps, three (3) cow horns painted with Biafran insignia, a Jewish flag, and other fetish items were discovered.
“Investigations are being conducted frantically in an effort to apprehend any remaining syndicate members and subject them to the full force of the law.
While praising the operatives for a job well done, the CP emphasized that policing is a shared responsibility. Then, he made a plea to the people of Imo to join forces with the police and other sister security organizations in the fight against terrorism and to report any suspicious activity or person(s) seen with or treating a gunshot wound to the local police station or to call the command’s emergency lines at 08034773700 or 08098880197
[DailyPost]
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The minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says he attracted developmental projects to his home town, Oro, because of his strong bond with the community and a common notion shared by the community members.
According to the minister, an average Oro man cannot consider himself successful until he has constructed a personal building in the town and contributed to the town’s development.
Mohammed stated this in an interview with newsmen at the 2023 Oro Day Celebrations, held in the town, near Ilorin, in Kwara, and witnessed by prominent sons and daughters of the community.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that one of the major events of the celebration was the commissioning of an 80-bed Mother and Child Hospital, facilitated by the minister.
The hospital was built and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.
Mohammed recalled that he facilitated the rehabilitation of township roads in Oro which was awarded and funded by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
He said besides providing solar-powered street lights in the community, he equally attracted a 60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation to the town.
According to the minister, the project, with 5km turn-in-turn-out Offa-Omu-Aran 132kV double circuit transmission lines, was awarded by the Federal Government through the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
NAN recalled that the substation contract was awarded in the sum of N3 billion local content and 8 million dollars (about N6 billion) foreign exchange.
Asked whether he would not be accused of bringing development to only his town to the detriment of others in the state, the minister said he had facilitated projects across the senatorial zones.
The minister said he facilitated the construction of a 40-bed Mother and Child hospital in Igbaja, a town within his Local Government Area, by the SDGs office.
He said he equally facilitated the construction of schools in Ajase town, roads in the Isin Local Government Area, as well as water and road projects in Oke-Ero LGA.
According to the minister, he attracted roads and water projects to Offa and Omu-Aran towns while in the capital city, Ilorin, he facilitated the construction of classrooms and the installation of internet facilities in schools.
Mohammed, the Chief Host of the 2023 Oro Day, said the essence of the celebration was to raise funds for community development, cultural propagation and revival and to keep the indigenes united.
Going down memory lane, the National President of the Oro community, Prof. Babatunde Bojuwoye, said the first Oro Day celebrations took place in 1976 and the proceeds from it were deployed to community development.
He said the fund realised then was used to tar the town’s major internal road, provide electricity supply with street lighting, construct and equip Oro General Hospital which was later handed to the state government in 1980.
The Professor of Medicine and Consultant Physician said the second Oro Day celebrations took place in 2005.
He said during the celebrations, Awards of various categories were presented to sons and daughters of Oro who had distinguished themselves and contributed to the development of the town.
Bojuwoye said the third in the series which was held recently, the proceeds from its fundraising would be deployed to the renovation of the community centre, built by the community over 40 years back.
He said the fund would also be deployed for the construction of boreholes in strategic areas of the community.
The don said they also planned to use the fund to install solar-powered street lights which the minister had already provided for the community.
NAN
The Federal Government has approved the use of Eagle Square for the annual May Day celebration for workers in the FCT.
The Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, in statement on Saturday in Abuja, acknowledged the protest of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that the Federal Government refused their request to use the Eagle Square for the Workers Day celebration. He said that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, had intervened in the issue.
The Director in the statement highlighted: “The attention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC using the Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade.
“That is for the reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“On receiving the report, the minister contacted his colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who blamed the development on some overzealous officials, acting without his authority.
“This is, as well as minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.”
He said it was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square, Julius Berger, that informed the Transition Committee for the handover ceremony.
Oshundun added that they erected their equipment even before last Thursday when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event attended by the President.
“Consequently, the FCT minister assured the minister of labour and employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the workers day.
“This May Day is the last in the life of this administration. The NLC parade belongs to everybody, including government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliate unions and members of the public.
“The president, ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. The Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals.
“All invited people should make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the diplomatic missions and the international partners,’’ he said.
He said the minister of labour and employment has been in touch with the leadership of organised labour, led by Mr Joe Ajaero and had briefed them on the developments.
Oshundun also said that Ngige had equally extended the apologies of the minister of FCT for the unintended embarrassment occasioned by the action of their officials who misinterpreted the general intention and work plan of one month of Messrs Julius Berger.
“The FCT Administration had promised to give all necessary material support to make the event hitch free and successful, while the Minister of Labour and Employment wishes all Nigerian Workers a blissful Workers Day in May,’’ he said.
NAN
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to court over the failure to investigate allegations of electoral violence and other electoral offences including bribery against some state governors and their deputies during the 2023 elections.
According to SERAP, the recently concluded presidential and national assembly elections and governorship elections in some states witnessed widespread reports of voter suppression, voter intimidation and the destruction or theft of election materials by political party agents and thugs across the six geopolitical zones as reported by the media.
In the suit filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja SERAP, is asking the court for “an order of mandamus compelling INEC to seek the appointment of independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 elections.”
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo and Ms Blessing Ogwuche, the organization is seeking “an order of mandamus compelling INEC to promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the elections, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.
“An order of mandamus directing and compelling INEC to prosecute all arrested electoral offenders in the 2023 general election in the custody of law enforcement and anticorruption agencies.”
In the suit, SERAP, maintained that: “By allegedly engaging in electoral violence and other electoral offences in so blatant a fashion, suspected perpetrators and their sponsors have clearly acted in violation of constitutional provisions, international standards and the Electoral Act.
“Identifying, arresting, investigating and prosecuting any politicians and their sponsors suspected to be responsible for electoral offences during the elections would end the impunity of perpetrators. It would also advance Nigerians’ right to freely participate in their own government.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Addressing the brazen impunity and reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences during the 2023 general elections would also send a strong message to politicians that they would be held to account for any infringement of the electoral process.”
The suit, read in part: “Election violence is a threat to fair and representative elections.
“Election violence is inconsistent and incompatible with the principles of democracy, the rule of law, transparency and accountability for politicians to allegedly use violence to disrupt the electoral process.
“Ending impunity for electoral violence and other electoral offences would promote accountability of suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, ensure justice for victims, and ultimately advance the people’s right to vote as well as bolster voter confidence in the electoral process.
“Electoral violence and other electoral offences reportedly committed during the 2023 general elections are contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act and international standards.
“According to a report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), several polling units recorded violence and/or fighting across the country.
“These violent incidents were often focused in political strongholds of opposition or perceived opponents which suggest that the use of BVAS – which limits overvoting when properly used – has resulted in a more concerted effort to stymie citizens casting their votes in opponent’s strongholds.
“Similar incidents of intimidation were reported in the six geo-political zones.
“In several states, political thugs, apparently with the support of law enforcement officials, disrupted and sent back voters intending to vote for opposition parties.
“Party agents were reported to be directing people who to vote for while those unwilling to do as directed were denied ballot papers and forced to leave the polling units.
“According to the CDD, there are reports of vote trading in zones across the country, with both cash and goods used by all political parties in an effort to entice voters to cast their ballots at their direction. The CDD noted vote buying at polling units during the elections across the country.”
Meantime, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
[Vanguard]
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has declared that Nigeria lacks the technological capability to develop and produce military equipment for the sustainable development of the country.
This was even as the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) has declared that its members have a role to play towards the security of lives and property in the country as the drivers of technology and innovations.
Irabor spoke in Abuja at the 2023 Annual Public Lecture of the NSE, Bwari Branch, which was held with the theme, “National Security as a Panacea for Sustainable Economic Growth: The Role of Engineers”.
Irabor, who was represented by the Director, Engineering Services, Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Gat Ochigbano, urged the NSE to deepen its partnership with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
He said: “To this effect, engineers and researchers could focus attention on training and R&D in critical areas of defence such as missile design, military vehicle engineering, marine architecture etc.
“Thus, low investment in R&D is a constraint that hinders the utilisation of ETI for production of defence equipment towards enhancing national security in Nigeria.
“Nigeria lacks the technological capability to develop and produce her military equipment. It is a generally held belief that the lack of iron and steel has prevented Nigeria from manufacturing ships, cars and airplanes. The advancements in material science have presented alternatives for the same purpose.”
He noted that poor investment on R&D has made it difficult for Nigeria to perform excellently in technological innovation and industrialisation, adding that the Armed Forces depend largely on foreign countries for arms and military materials.
Delivering his keynote address, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, noted that most security gadgets and equipment used by security agents in the country were imported.
Alkali, who was represented by AIG Rudolph Obe, said: “To effectively secure the nation, there should be locally developed crime-prevention gadgets, tools, equipment and facilities. They should be domesticated from conception, bearing our peculiarities in mind, to tackle security challenges of our nation in particular. This is a wake up call on Nigerian engineers and their umbrella body, the NSE, to up their game and tap into the vast opportunities in this important sector thereby contributing their quota to the development of the nation.
As an important stakeholder in the security of the nation, I make bold to say that it is your duty to design, construct/fabricate and maintain security tools, gadgets, weapons, equipment and infrastructure. Such design must, however, focus on complementing physical security policies of the Federal Government in addition to aiding its implementation by the security agencies.
“This will save the nation the foreign exchange expended on their continued importation. It will also enhance the economy of the country and provide jobs for the teaming unemployed youths, among other benefits. You are hereby charged to rise up to this responsibility for the sustainable development of our nation.”
In his remarks, President of the NSE, Tasiu Gidari-Wudal, also advised engineers to contribute towards economic growth by applying technology and logical thinking to solving the country’s security challenges.
He said: “A lot of people who are not in the security circle don’t really know the level of technology the security officials and armed forces are using; if that is out now, I doubt if we are going to be secure. So, the role of the engineer is very important in making sure that the security forces perform optimally.
“Knowing that national security impacts the socio-economic growth of any nation, security is a concern to all. Engineers have a great role to play concerning security, as we are the drivers of technology and innovations. We therefore must apply technology and our logical thinking to solving our security challenges.”
In his address, the Chairman of NSE, Bwari Branch, Ijirortimi Olanrewaju, lamented that insecurity was affecting every sector of the country’s economy.
[Guardian]