The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that his first grandchild died at a federal government hospital in 2019.
Akpabio made disclosure on Friday during the screening of the Lagos state ministerial nominee, Dr Tunji Alausa.
Akpabio said that he lost his grandchild to medical negligence and dereliction of duty at a federal medical center.
According to him, the deceased bled to death after the drip he was receiving finished in the middle of night and there was no medical worker around to attend to him.
His words: “Like every other person, I have been a victim of medical neglect. I lost my first grandchild in 2019 in a federal medical centre.
“He died through bleeding. He was receiving drip and it was tissued in the night. There was no help, no doctor, no nurse.
“He bled until he lost over 60 percent of his blood and was almost going mental, he struggled and fell on the floor., he was looking for water to drink.
“He rolled on the floor outside and entered the early morning dew, and poured the dew all over his body, and that was where they found him.”
Akpabio said his grandchild was found the next morning in a coma and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
“By that time, he had gone into a coma. I was on my way to Port Harcourt for the 2019 rally when they called me.
“I entered there and struggled with the doctor to revive him. They went and brought a defibrillator to attempt to revive the heart, but it did not work.”
The Senate President said he gathered that the defibrillator stopped working eight years ago.
“I used my hand and struggled with my personal physician, I could not revive him. I had to close his eyes and put him in the mortuary,” he said
Amidst ongoing controversies trailing the launch of the new national carrier, Nigeria Air, fresh indications have emerged that the airline will commence flight operations in October this year.
This development was disclosed by Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, in an interview with Bloomberg TV.
The new carrier was first unveiled in 2018 during Farnborough International Airshow, London.
However, in May 2023, Nigeria’s former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, launched Nigeria Air 48 hours before the end of his administration with an aircraft.
This development created a significant uproar nationwide.
However, Tasew during the interview said: “The airline will begin operation with two wide-bodied planes and six narrow-bodied aircraft.
“We are eager to see the airline start flying and connecting the local market to the international market.
“Ethiopian Airlines will manage the operation. It is a proven model and the objective is to enable Nigeria to have a flag carrier.
“The prime objective is to enable Nigeria to have an air carrier. Ethiopian Airlines will have a management contract. Effectively, Ethiopian Airlines will manage Nigeria Air to be successful.
“We own a 49 percent stake in the airline, the Nigerian government five percent together while other institutional investors own the rest.”
Mr Tasew expressed optimism based on the size of the Nigerian economy and the potential inherent in it.
Meanwhile, a breakdown of the ownership of the airlines shows that, Ethiopian Airlines own 49 percent, the Federal government five percent, 46 percent by Nigerian private investors, including SAHCO, MRS and other institutional investors.
Tragedy struck in Laoso camp, Ondo town, Ondo State, as a son of a traditionalist, identified as Tunde Akinmoyewa, was shot dead by his friend, Bode, while testing the potency of a bulletproof charm placed on him.
Meanwhile, Police in the state said that the deceased was an ex-convict and cult members while the suspected killer is also a cultist.
Reports had it that the friends were trying to fortify themselves ahead of the yearly Ogun festival in the town.
Vanguard gathered that his friend was asked to test the potency of the charm put on the victim by shooting him with a Dane gun.
An eyewitness said: “It was unbelievable, because such charms never failed before. But this very day, this particular one failed and caused the death of the 27 years old son of a traditionalist in the camp.
“It was around 6:45p.m. at the Laoso camp in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state, when a friend of Tunde volunteered to test the charm on him after drinking some bullet-repelling concoction.
“A native doctor, who reportedly prepared the charm, had assured them that they could not die from gunshots.
“To test the potency of the charms, Tunde was said to have told his friend to shoot him. Immediately Tunde’s friend fired the Dane gun at him, he fell and died instantly.
“He was confirmed dead at the hospital he was rushed to by others who were at the scene. The friend fled after the incident and before the villagers arrived the scene.”
Contacted, the state police commands spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said that the victim was an ex-convict and cult member.
Odunlami said that the suspect, who shot the victim, is one of the deceased’s boys.
According to her, they were testing “a locally-made gun believed to be newly procured. He was shot and he died while being taken to the hospital for medical attention.”
The police imagemaker added that Tunde’s remains had been deposited at the morgue while efforts were in top gear to arrest the fleeing suspect.
About 1.2 million candidates registered for the on-going 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO) has said.
The Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this in Jos Plateau State, according to a statement by the Head, Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani on Friday while monitoring the conduct of the examination in some Schools.
Wushishi informed of this figure, 601,074 candidates are male while 584,814 are female.
He expressed satisfaction with the general conduct of the 2023 SSCE based on reports obtained from across the country.
The Registrar said the 2023 SSCE, which would be concluded next week, was the best organised in recent years.
Wushishi stated various measures have been put in place to check examination malpractices, adding that the measures have started yielding positive results.
The Registrar who monitored the examination at Airforce Military School; King and Queens Academy and Emmanuel International College all in Jos, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination in these schools.
Prof. Wushishi had earlier monitored the conduct of the 2023 SSCE in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin has remanded Esther Shehu and David Kpanaki at the federal correctional centre for allegedly conspiring to defraud Alhaji Kamoru Ibitoye Yusuf, owner of Kam Steel Nigeria limited of $400,000.
The defendants were brought to the court on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, screening an offender and obstruction.
The offences contravened sections 97, 322, 167 and 148 of the penal code law and 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud/other related offences act cap A6.
Alhaji Yusuf had written a petition to the deputy registrar of the magistrate court, Ilorin in a direct complaint on July 18, 2023, through Tofa Ahmed & Co Solicitors & Advocates.
According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), one Ibrahim Tenimu Shehu and Jemima Monosoko Shehu, now at large conspired with Kpanaki, who identified himself as the director of Paz Oil, an alleged “fictitious company”, to fraudulently sell a vessel MT ORYX TRADER as MT REMOS to the petitioner.
“You dishonestly presented (that) the vessel (was) free and not subject to any administrative detention, knowing fully well that it is a subject of court order.
“You also used a 16year-old- daughter of one of you, Jemima Monosoko, as Executive Director and an in-law of a suspect as another Director to fraudulently sell the vessel to the petitioner”.
“On the account of fraudulent presentation by Tenimu and Jemima, you, Kpanaki made the petitioner to spend $400,000 in addition to the purchase price of the vessel and you all absconded”, the FIR submitted.
The charge sheet further added that when the suspects were later tracked by a team of Police operatives to Abuja for possible arrest, the second accused, Esther Shehu, obstructed the officers.
“You dishonesty called your accomplice who claimed to be the DPO of the jurisdiction who deceitfully spoke to the operatives to leave the premises, that the suspect Tenimu Shehu Ibrahim (at large), will meet them at the police station by 12pm but rather with help of Kpanaki, whisked him out in a Blue Tinted Toyota Corolla to an unknown destination”, the sheet added.
Prosecutor, Nasir Yusuf, in his submission, told the court that Esther and Kpanaki confessed to the allegation during investigation at the police headquarters, Ilorin.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Imo Command has sacked one of its officers for joining protesters on Wednesday in the special marshals regalia.
Sector Commander of the FRSC in Imo, Evaristus Ebeniro, a Corps Commander, who said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State capital.
He matained that the officer had been de-marshaled and no longer an officer of the corps.
The Nation reports that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) embarked on a nationwide protest to register their displeasure with the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Ebeniro said that although the protester was a special marshal of the corps, he had since been de-marshaled and no longer holds a Special Marshals identity card.
He added that the protester was, whilst serving as a special marshal, summoned as a result of inactivity and lack of commitment to duties but absconded and was therefore de-marshaled in absentia in line with the rules of the corps.
He added that the protester was, whilst serving as a special marshal, summoned as a result of inactivity and lack of commitment to duties but absconded and was therefore de-marshaled in absentia in line with the rules of the corps.
“It is now confirmed that the protester who happened to be a unionist was once a special marshal.
“The Command hereby makes it categorically and unequivocally clear that the protester is no longer with the Corps and that he acted alone in that show of shame “, he said.
Just two days after the inclusion of Dr Maryam Shettima (Shetty)’s name on the ministerial nominees’ list submitted to the Senate on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu, on Friday surprisingly withdrew her and replaced her with that of Mariya Mahmoud.
The PUNCH reported on Thursday how Nigerians on social media reacted to Shetty’s nomination. While some praised the Kano State-born Shetty and Tinubu, some others blasted Tinubu for her nomination.
Here are five things to know about Maryam Shettima;
1. Her full name is Maryam Shettima Ibrahim, but popularly known as Maryam Shetty.
2. She was born April 8, 1979 (44 years old)
3. She is a political and social activist. She is a national leader of #WeBelieve, an APC support group.
4. She graduated from Bayero University, Kano, with a distinction in BSc Physiotherapy. She also has an MSc in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of East London.
5. She was once chosen to represent Nigeria at the United Nations General Assembly.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has expressed shock as most actresses in Nigeria have left their husbands.
Edochie spoke about the spate of failed marriages in Nollywood in a recent chat on the ‘WithChude’ podcast.
He also made reference to Chioma Akpotha, Ireti Doyle and Tonto Dikeh’s failed marriages.
The 76-year-old actor said most women make the mistake of thinking the grass is greener on the other side.
According to the ace actor, women should take their wedding vows seriously and remain in their marriages “for better or worse”.
Edochie also argued that “men and women are not equals in the home. In our culture, a man does not kneel to offer a ring to a woman”.
“If you come to our industry today, most of our girls who got married two or three years ago have all left their husbands,” he said.
“I was even shocked to hear that Chioma Chukwuka, Ireti Doyle, Tonto had also left.
“You know you take a vow when you are getting married for better or worse. Not for better for us but for better or worse.
“You will always think it is greener on the other side. That is the mistake that we all make.”
Edochie and his wife Josephine celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary in October last year.
With several awards and recognition, the actor has established himself as a household name in the Nigerian movie industry.
President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking its support for military intervention against the military junta in the Niger Republic.
He also sought the backing of the legislature on the cutting off of electricity to the country.
The PUNCH had reported that Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was toppled by his guards.
Tinubu, Nigeria’s president and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, had on Sunday met with some fellow ECOWAS leaders to discuss appropriate ways to restore democracy in Niger.
The leaders of the West African regional bloc met to discuss sanctions to be placed against the military personnel who toppled Bazoum on July 26, 2023.
The President’s letter read, “Political situation in Niger. Following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.”
The president further sought support for, “Military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.
“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.
“Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic, mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique.”
“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports,” he added.
Tinubu also told the Senate that the country was embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.
The immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has reacted to his nomination as a minister.
Naija News earlier reported that President Ahmed Tinubu included Keyamo in a fresh list of ministerial nominees sent to the Senate.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this on Friday while reading a letter sent by the president during plenary on Friday.
Reacting to his nomination in a tweet via his verified Twitter handle, Keyamo appreciated God for the appointment with a popular Gospel song.
He wrote: “He’s a miracle-working God. He’s a miracle-working God,He’s the Alpha and Omega, He’s a miracle-working God!”
This development comes hours after Keyamo was mocked on social media after his name was missing from the second batch of ministerial nominees.
It would be recalled that Keyamo and former Minister of Aviation, Femi-Fani Kayode were actively one of the leading voices on Twitter during the 2023 presidential election that saw the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president.
Following their missing names, some Nigerians besieged both the Twitter account of Keyamo and Fani-Kayode to query and mock their omission from the ministerial list.
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On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu assigned two delegations to address the crisis in Niger Republic.
A delegation led by Nigerian diplomat Babagana Kingibe was dispatched to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria, while another delegation, headed by former Nigerian Head of State Gen.
Abdulsalami Abubakar, was sent to Niger to swiftly resolve the current political impasse.
Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, charged both delegations to robustly engage with all stakeholders and work towards an amicable resolution that promotes African peace and development, avoiding the adoption of geopolitical positions from other nations.
“We don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region,” the Nigerian President said.
Speaking after the meeting, Abdulsalami said the delegation would meet the coup leaders in Niger to present the demands of the ECOWAS leadership.
“We have just been given our marching orders to go to Niger and convey the feelings of our Heads of State in the region that they are not happy with what happened.
“And then gave them an ultimatum that the coupists should desist from what they are doing and give back power to an elected President.
“We are going there to convey this message to them and hear their response and report back what they have said,” Abubakar explained.
On his part, Kingibe said talking with Libya and Algeria, two countries bordering Niger to the North, would stimulate the solidarity required for peaceful talks.
“Of course, this kind of situation requires solidarity. It requires coordination with all parties that are relevant to the situation.
“In that regard, Libya and Algeria are also very important neighbours of Niger. So, my mission is to go there with a message from President Tinubu; to brief them on the ECOWAS position and solicit solidarity and cooperation,” Kingibe said.
He expressed optimism that the talks would avert a possible military intervention.
“We hope to find a diplomatic solution. Nobody wants to go to war, especially with neighbourly, brotherly people across the border with whom we share a common language, culture and religion,” he said.
On the Abdusalami’s delegation is the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray.
The media and publicity adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale has assured workers of a significant salary increase with the implementation of the new minimum wage.
During an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Ngelale stated that workers should expect their current salaries to at least double once the new minimum wage comes into effect.
Ngelale’s announcement came as part of a broader discussion on what the Tinubu administration is doing to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on the population.
He said, “I don’t want to preempt the president or the work of the minimum wage committee that is getting it down in those states, but what I would say is this: the president will want nothing less than a doubling. I mean doubling of the current minimum wage.
“As of June 36 states have received N300 billion more than they had received in any previous month in the last two years. They already have more money right now.
“The federal government on its part is making sure it brings down the cost of food and energy by supporting transport companies and coming up with agriculture intervention as well as SMEs capitalization. States have all agreed during the last NEC meeting that they would support the new minimum wage.”
The contract extension talks between Italian Serie A champions Napoli and the representatives of Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, have reportedly been halted due to unresolved aspects of the deal.
Since the 2022-2023 season ended in which Napoli won their first Scudetto in 33 years, the Italian giants have been trying to extend Osimhen’s contract even though it is set to expire on June 30, 2025.
Reports from an Italian publication, Football Italia claimed that Roberto Calenda, who represents Victor Osimhen, communicates frequently with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis over the pending contract extension. Despite multiple discussions, no agreement has been reached yet.
So far, Calenda has had six meetings with Napoli over the contract extension of Victor Osimhen but nothing has been accomplished from the meetings.
Reports claimed that De Laurentiis has placed about £150 million price tag on Osimhen who scored 26 goals and provided 5 assists in 32 games last season.
The reigning Italian Serie A champions are anxious to sign the 24-year-old Nigerian striker to a new long-term contract, but talks have not yet resulted in a new agreement amidst interest from clubs throughout Europe.
According to Football Italia, Osimhen is willing to continue with Napoli but wants a release clause that would provide him some security for the future.
Tuesday’s meeting between Calenda and Napoli was intended to resume contract discussions; however, as highlighted by Corriere dello Sport via TMW, Calenda left without reaching a new arrangement.
Reports claimed that the negotiations are hanging on the failure of the parties involved to agree on Osimhen’s wage demands and the release clause Napoli are proposing.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has approached the Court to seek protection from his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to avoid an imminent impeachment and removal from office.
In a motion of notice brought before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and made available to the media on Thursday, the Applicant (Shaibu) sought an order of interlocutory injunction stopping the Respondents or their agents from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing or preventing him from carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State including attending State Executive Council (SEC) meetings and other functions pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The Court papers, which listed the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, the Governor of Edo State, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State as Defendants, were sighted by our Correspondent.
Further investigations revealed that in the past two months, all have not been well at the Denis Osadebey Avenue seat of power in Benin City between Governor Obaseki and his Deputy, Shaibu.
Trouble started when Comrade Shaibu was seen in a viral video with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly in Abuja.
Sources further alleged that a few days after the Abuja viral video, the governor summoned all PDP members of the State House of Assembly to his mansion, excluding his deputy, which was extremely unusual.
The deputy, who was briefed about the meeting, drove directly to the governor’s mansion but was rebuffed and stopped by the DSS personnel, who told him he was not on their list of invitees.
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