A Councilor, Nelson Sylvester, popularly known as Ofunwa, representing Eha-Ulo ward, in Nsukka Local Government Area Legislative Council, Enugu State, has been shot dead.
According to report, he was murdered by gunmen on Sunday night at his residence in Eha-Alumonah.
Although details of the incident are still sketchy, sources disclosed that the assailants stormed the lawmaker’s house and started raining bullets on him.
He added that the Councilor ran into a neighbouring compound, from where his lifeless body was later recovered.
The development has sparked tension in the town and other neighbouring communities.
According to Dailypost, the source, who described the suspected assassination as one too many, added that “it is heartbreaking; it is too hard for us to swallow. We are in deep agony.”
All efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu, DSP Daniel Ndukwe proved abortive as he was yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
In another tragic development, a Lagos chief, Baale of Lotu community, Epe, Fatai Jubril, 43, has been murdered by another traditional leader,during a land dispute at the weekend.
It was alleged that the Baale(nameswitheld), led some thugs numbering over 40, accosted the deceased and took him in handcuff to the disputed land in Museyo, Epe.
It was gathered that the thugs were accompanied by security operatives in mufti who handcuffed Jubril.
A family source told Journalists that trouble started when Jubril resisted to be handcuffed and he was beaten and subdued by the thugs accompanied y some security men in mufti before taken him to the land in dispute.
The source said that at the disputed land, those loyal to Jubril wanted to secure his release,but serious crisis ensued and there was exchange of gunfiring where Jubril was shot dead.
According to the source, Jubril died on the spot, fueling speculation that his abductors had the intention of killing him as he was shot in the head a a close range.
The atmosphere at the Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos was electric as industry professionals and thought leaders gathered to celebrate the successful conclusion of the World PR Day 2023 event.
Organized by GLG Communications, a renowned PR and reputation management firm, the event was a captivating affair that showcased the immense talent and contributions of the Nigerian PR ecosystem.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Dr. Reuben Abati, an accomplished media practitioner; Lanre Olusola, the founder of the Life Coaches Association of Nigeria (LCAN); Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, the Group Managing Director at CMC Connect (Perception Managers) and President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA); Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, a public speaker and corporate executive; Nkechi Ali-Balogun, the CEO of NECCI Limited; Charles O’Tudor, the Group Principal Consultant of Adstrat BMC; and Peter Ukhurebor, the founder of Black at Cannes, among others.
In her address, the event convener, Omawumi Ogbe, described the cocktail reception as an opportunity for stakeholders and thought leaders to push the boundaries of public relations and set the agenda for the Nigerian PR industry.
The event featured insightful speeches from prominent speakers. Peter Ukhurebor shared his thoughts on harnessing the power of black creativity, highlighting the significant impact that diverse perspectives and experiences bring to the PR industry.
Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, in his address, emphasized the crucial role of public relations and how it can be harnessed to drive positive change and success.
The GLG World PR Day event also unveiled this year’s honorees of the PR Power List published exclusively by The Guardian.
The 2023 PR Power List, a comprehensive compilation of 50 exceptional PR and communication professionals who have made significant contributions to the Nigerian PR industry, showcased both returning honorees from previous years and new entrants who have distinguished themselves over the past 12 months.
see full list below
Explaining the rationale behind the PR Power List, Omawumi Ogbe emphasized the importance of recognizing PR practitioners and elevating the profession in Nigeria.
She acknowledged that PR professionals often work tirelessly behind the scenes, making magic happen for their clients. The PR Power List provides a platform to celebrate these unsung heroes who contribute to transformative change in business and society.
Furthermore, the list aims to foster creative excellence across all aspects of public relations and communications.
[MarketingEdge]
The Federal Government has withdrawn the Mobile Police Force personnel attached to several Very Important Persons, including ex-governors, former ministers and lawmakers.
The order, which was contained in a police wireless message from Mopol 45 Force Headquarters, Abuja, affected Daura Buhari, brother to former President Muhammadu Buhari as well as former First Lady, Aisha Buhari’s sibling and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The development came a few weeks after the IG vowed to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP escort and guard duties.
He had also announced plans to establish the Special Intervention Squad, which according to him, would have 40,000 highly trained police officers including selected officers from the Police Mobile Force.
This, the IG said, was to allow the police to take back its place in the “internal security architecture” of the country.
Egbetokun, who spoke during a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja, on June 26, stated, “We shall affect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties.
While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole. By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large.
“In a bid to kick-start the process of regaining our pride of place in the internal security architecture of our dear country first and foremost, modalities for the creation of a new special squad – the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated.
“This special squad shall consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units in the country.
“These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil.
“By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.”
Egbetokun set up a committee headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Adeleke Bode, to assess and advise on how the new policies could be implemented seamlessly.
[Tribune]
Russia said on Monday that it was pausing its participation in an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export its grain by sea despite a wartime blockade — a deal seen as essential to keeping global food prices stable — and would resume participation only after its conditions were met.
The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov told journalists on Monday that the agreement was “suspended.”
The deal, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative and brokered by the United Nations and Turkey a year ago, had been set to expire on Monday. There was no immediate response from either party on Monday to Russia’s announcement.
The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (CFR) will exchange views with a cross section of Ndi-Anambra in a Town Hall Meeting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday, July 20 by 6pm.
The Town Hall Meeting which is by invitation will be chaired by Sir (Dr) Emeka Offor, and the event will hold at Bolton White Event Centre, 31 Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.
Guests are expected to be seated by 5.30pm.
Solution is here.
Signed
Sir Paul Nwosu
Commissioner for Information,
Anambra State
July 17, 2023
The police have launched an investigation into the tragic killing of an individual at Bar 38 Nightclub in the Fadeyi area of Lagos State.
It is alleged that the killer was Trevboi, a former signee of popular Afrobeats artiste Davido.
The incident occurred late Sunday night, and the police say they have launched an investigation into the matter.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officer, in a tweet on Monday, confirmed that the investigations are underway.
The Force spokesman revealed that investigations started some minutes after the incident happened. He further disclosed that the suspect abandoned his car and fled on foot.
According to him, the car and the documents in it are in police custody.
As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge, even as authorities say they are actively working to gather information and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
[Channels TV]
Nigeria’s annual inflation rate climbed to a fresh 18-year high in June, after President Bola Tinubu scrapped fuel subsidies and allowed the currency to weaken before declaring a state of emergency to control the cost of staple foods.
Prices increased 22.79% in the year through June from 22.4% the previous month, according to the data published on the National Bureau of Statistics’ website.
The upswing was fueled by a 25.3% increase in food prices from 24.8% a month earlier and a slight uptick in core inflation to 20.3%. The median estimate of seven economists in a Bloomberg survey was 23%. Prices rose 2.1% in the month.
[Bloomberg]
Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, says he will not accede to requests by his friends, party members and supporters to join him in celebrating his birthday and even present some gifts.
Obi, however, appealed to those who may desire to celebrate him with gifts to look around them and extend the gesture to the people in need.
In a statement issued on his verified Twitter handle on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor said he has always maintained that the sacrifices for a better Nigeria must now start from everyone, the leaders and the well-placed, insisting that the state of the nation gives cause to pause and ponder.
While suggesting that there is far too much insecurity, violence, and bloodshed in the country,’ Obi said he would want to celebrate in a Nigeria that works for all and which Nigerians can be proud of, claiming it is the true celebration that will benefit all Nigerians.
He wrote, ”Wednesday, 19th July 2023, marks my 62nd birthday. While I remain immensely grateful to God for His infinite mercies, I still maintain my decision of over 20 years that I will not celebrate my birthdays in today’s Nigeria, with the current deplorable state of the nation.
”However, some friends, members of the Labour Party, and the OBIdient Family and supporters have asked how they can join me in celebrating that day and even present some gifts.
”Let me humbly and respectfully appeal to all those who desire to celebrate me with any kind of gifts to look around them and extend such gifts to the people in need, especially in these difficult times.
”I urge them to visit hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged and people with disabilities and offer them generous gifts. They can also visit schools of basic studies in remote areas and support them with the basic amenities they need.
”Those who wish to do more can visit various IDP camps in different parts of the country. I intend to do the same thing. Aside from sharing my time and resources with the less fortunate people around me, I plan to raise money for schools, hospitals, etc.
”I have already said that the sacrifices for a better Nigeria must now start from us, the leaders and the well-placed. The state of our nation must give us cause to pause and ponder. There is far too much insecurity, violence, and bloodshed.”
[DailyPost]
Seeks Judicial Intervention, Proper Scrutiny Of Presidential Election Results
Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has described the 2023 elections, particularly the presidential polls, as the worst in Nigeria’s history.
According to Onaiyekan, “There have been previous instances of flawed elections, but what we witnessed in the last election is unparalleled. We have never experienced anything like this before.”
The respected cleric who spoke during a virtual town hall meeting organized by the Rebuild Nigeria Initiative (RNI) expressed regrets over the deep divide created by the intertwining of politics and religion among Nigerians.
Addressing the theme of the dialogue: “Nigeria-Pathway to National Peace and Reconciliation,’ Onaiyekan acknowledged that though there is nowhere in the world where elections are perfect, some of the acts witnessed during the last elections were simply foolish and absurd.
He expressed concern that while many aspects of the 2023 elections were still being challenged in court, individuals have been sworn into office, giving the impression that “nothing will come out of the court
“INEC promised us a standard election, but what transpired in the presidential election fell short of our expectations. We should not resign ourselves to accepting elections that lack credibility. These leaders claim to have been elected by us, yet we know we did not elect them.
“Even taking oaths with the Bible and Quran has become so common among politicians that they no longer have any moral compass.
“There are ongoing cases in court that have yet to be resolved. We have a president whose election is being challenged, and the court is handling the matter. It is not enough to attribute Nigeria’s problems solely to leadership. Why do we allow these same leaders, who have not denied being corrupt, to continue leading us?
“We do not need to legitimize it; what is wrong is wrong. They owe us the responsibility to wield the power acquired from public office judiciously,” he said.
Onaiyekan also recalled with nostalgia, the historical collaboration between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, highlighting a time when the nation was on the path to becoming a model country, characterized by peace and harmony.
“In recent years, we have witnessed a shift in this trajectory, a downward spiral, as religious fanatics have strained the relationship between the two religions.
“The emergence of Boko Haram caused significant damage, as it was perceived as an attack on Christians. Fanatics believe that anyone practising a different faith is in error.
“This is incorrect; we should assume that everyone is sincere and convinced of their own beliefs. That is why it is wrong for anyone to speak ill of any religion.
“I do not want it to seem as though we have lost our way as a people because we still coexist. Both religions have not given up on peace. While some individuals strive to create divisions for their own selfish gains, the majority of Nigerians still believe in unity,” he said.
The Cardinal emphasized the importance of speaking truthfully about the issues affecting the country, stressing that only the truth will save Nigeria from being destroyed.
“It is not a matter of being polite; it is about speaking the truth. For example, when I criticize a Muslim brother, it is not to provoke a quarrel but because it is the truth. We cannot refrain from telling the truth without sugarcoating it.
“When a politician wants to win or gain an advantage, they exploit ethnicity and religion, claiming, ‘I am fighting for you because you belong to this tribe or because you are a Christian or Muslim.’ This has further divided us.
“We complain about politicians manipulating situations, but why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated when the power to elect lies with the people?
“Moreover, it is challenging to distinguish between political leaders and religious leaders because their speeches blur the line between the two,” he said.
Onaiyekan reiterated the need for peace to foster national development, emphasizing the necessity of reviewing some national policies, saying accepting things merely for the sake of peace was wrong.
“When things are not done properly, development stagnates. The immunity clause, which shields wrongdoings, has hindered progress. We should not forget that Nigeria is the only country in Africa capable of making significant strides. If Nigeria fails, what other country can succeed?
“It is becoming shameful that despite our abundant natural and human resources, we remain at this level. I believe we can achieve more, not overnight, but a four-year term can make a significant difference.
“As a people, I do not believe we are powerless, as the people play an active role while the politicians play a passive role in elections. For far too long, we have placed trust in our leaders.
“We should no longer trust them, as they have taken us for granted and betrayed our trust. Those who have betrayed us still hold positions of power.
“We strive for peace, but I fear that if the court does not resolve the election petitions in a timely manner, issues may arise. Some of the president’s actions are in response to public protests, and we must continue engaging the government to voice our concerns.
“Although we have not seen the ministerial list, it will likely comprise the same old faces. The positive aspect is that no one remains in office forever; there will be an end when officials vacate their positions.
“We need functional structures in place. When these leaders leave the country, they behave properly, not because they are guarded, but because the system enforces it,” he said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on Sunday night reportedly resigned from office.
There had been indications that Adamu was pressured to turn in his resignation letter while President Bola Tinubu was out of the country for an African Union (AU) meeting in Kenya.
Adamu speaking on the controversial development in a chat with Daily Trust promised not to comment on the matter until President Tinubu returns from the AU’s meeting.
The former governor of Nasarawa State said, “I won’t talk about the issue because the president is away.”
Meanwhile, a source that spoke with the platform revealed that Adamu submitted his resignation letter to the Chief of Staff of the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, around 4 pm on Sunday.
The source said, “He has resigned. The resignation letter signed by him has been sent to the villa. The letter was addressed to President Tinubu. But since the president is away in Kenya for the AU meeting, the letter was sent to his chief of staff.”
A source close to Adamu also confirmed the development, he said, “The national chairman resigned following a gang up by people around the president to embarrass him during the meetings of the party slated for tomorrow and Wednesday.”
The source, however, denied a report that it was President Tinubu that asked Adamu to resign ahead of the National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings of the party fixed for tomorrow and Wednesday.
A founding member of the APC claimed that Adamu resigned from his position following reports that two influential members of the party are mobilising against him ahead of the NEC meeting.
The politician said, “He resigned because they have started to collate signatures to impeach him during the forthcoming meetings. He resigned to save himself from humiliation.”
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Nigeria’s prosperous future can only be assured by supporting the private sector to unlock wealth that will lift the populace, President, Africa Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said.
Speaking during the BusinessDay CEO Forum in Lagos at the weekend, he said the rejuvenation of the moribund manufacturing sector and fixing the perennial power problems were key in engineering an industrial revolution for the country.
Adesina, who spoke on the theme: “The Day the Lion Roared! Making Nigeria a Global Industrial and Economic Giant”, lamented that Nigeria, despite her potential, still lags behind other contemporary economies.
He made serious case for speedy and systematic development of the economy through private sector-led initiatives.
Adesina said Nigeria must learn that simply using foreign exchange reserves to back and overvalue the naira is not a sustainable policy.
“To grow Nigeria’s economy in a transformational way, there is an urgent need to move away from solely depending on “managing a demand for forex” to “expanding the supply and availability of forex” through greater export-oriented manufacturing,” he advocated.
He said such move would extricate Nigeria from relying only on the export of crude oil for access to forex and the instability that arises from the shocks to global oil prices.
He commended the bold decision of President Bola Tinubu in removing the distortions in the multiple foreign exchange windows, which he said, would help turn the tide on foreign direct investment flows into Nigeria.
He said: “While the share of manufacturing in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has hovered around seven per cent for decades, the nation has not been able to extricate itself from a comatose industrial manufacturing sector, in sharp contrast to the dynamic and rapid performance of manufacturing in Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, India, and China”.
He said Nigeria’s manufacturing sector represents only three per cent of the total revenue from exports, but accounts for 50 per cent of imports.
“Instead of being forward-looking in expanding the share of manufactured goods in its total export revenue, Nigeria focuses on an unsustainable model of import substitution. Import substitution, while important, is a very restrictive vision. It is focused primarily on survival, instead of looking to create wealth through greater export markets and value diversification. The result is a manufacturing sector that cannot even develop to reach its full potential nor compete globally. Rather, it is limited to a “survival mode,” and not a “global manufacturing growth mode,” he stated.
Adesina advocated Nigeria shifting toward being integrated into and moving up global and regional value chains, in areas of comparative advantage, specialisation and competitiveness.
“A well-developed and policy-enabled manufacturing sector, with export orientation will spur greater innovation, accelerate business and investment-friendly industrial policies to drive export market development and structural transformations of the economy,” he said.
“For instance, while Vietnam raked in $348 billion in 2020 from export and the export-led growth, Malaysia’s exports was valued at $234 billion while by contrast, Nigeria’s exports were valued at $29.7 billion. Nigeria’s total export value was a mere $33.5 billion,” he added.
He said African countries, including Nigeria, have had policies, templates and programs for industrialisation and expanding industrial manufacturing for decades.
But there is a huge gap between policy ideas and actions.
“Today, capacity utilization of factories hovers around 40 per cent compared to a desired 70 per cent. The reality, in view of several challenges facing the industrial manufacturing sector, is that firms are moving to other neighboring countries, where there is greater macroeconomic stability, more supportive enabling environments, and a better ease of doing business. To be a manufacturer in Nigeria is not an easy venture. You succeed not because of ease of doing business, but by surmounting several constraints that limit industrial manufacturing,” he said.
Adesina said major challenge facing the industry in Nigeria is the very high cost and unreliability of supply of electricity.
“Load shedding and unreliable power have made the cost of manufacturing extremely high and uncompetitive. Most of the manufacturing companies self-provide energy through a reliance on cost-prohibitive generators and diesel and heavy fuel oil. The polluting emissions, make them brown industries, not green industries,”he said.
He said that unless Nigeria decisively tackles its energy deficiency and reliability, its industries will remain uncompetitive.
“There should be massive investments in gas to provide power and to ensure stable base load power for industries, hydropower resources, large-scale solar systems, direct power preferentially to industries, and to support industrial mini grids that concentrate power in industrial zones. In addition, we should develop more efficient utilities, reducing technical and non-technical losses in power generation, transmission, and distribution systems,” he said.
Adesina said Nigeria’s industrial development is constrained by a poor state of transport, ports, and logistic infrastructure. “It costs $35,000 to export 100 tons of produce from Nigeria compared to just $4,000 in Ghana. About 90% of passenger and freight movements in Nigeria rely on roads but only 18% of the roads are paved.”
He said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, with a collective GDP of $3.3 trillion, presents a huge opportunity for Nigeria to drive an export-driven industrial manufacturing pathway.
“Nigeria can unlock its industrial manufacturing capacities by taking advantage of duty-free exports within the zone. Doing so requires decisively tackling infrastructure and logistics bottlenecks that hamper industrial capacity and competitiveness; establishing and enforcing quality, grades, and product standards; ensuring the access of industries to land and providing investment relations management to attract and maintain investors and trade facilitation,” he said.
He also stated that the future of manufacturing will be digital. “The global digital economy is estimated to be worth over $16 trillion. The Internet of Things will raise productivity of labor in manufacturing, deploy smart machines, manufacturing platforms and systems, connecting machines and people, and using machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve speed and efficiencies of complex manufacturing processes,” he said.
In fixing the problems, Adesina recommended that Nigeria establishes Skills Enhancement Zones––new zones in partnership with industries, dedicated exclusively to skilling up Nigeria’s workforce.
“Students can be supported to be exposed to skills delivered by different industries. This will build up their vertical skills in such industries and horizontally across different industries. This will reduce the labor market skills mismatch that several industries face and allow feedback by private sector industries into the curriculum of universities and colleges,” he said.
Nigeria must also make agriculture a major wealth creating sector. It is time to take bold policy measures to drive the structural transformation of agriculture, with infrastructure and spatial economic policies that will help turn the rural economies of Nigeria away from being zones of economic misery to new zones of economic prosperity.
He said a perennial binding constraint facing manufacturers in Nigeria is the unpredictability and availability of foreign exchange.
“It also triggered a major decline in foreign direct investment inflows into Nigeria. The World Investment Report (2023) showed that foreign direct investment inflows into Nigeria declined precipitously from $3.3 billion in 2021 to a negative $187 million in 2022 ––the largest decline on the continent,” he said.
The distraught father of a two-year-old boy allegedly killed by stray bullet from operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Delta Command, has cried out for justice.
The operatives on July 13, raided a suspected den for drug peddlers at Okpanam, a suburb of Asaba, Delta State, where they allegedly opened fire.
But bullets fired at the scene allegedly hit the toddler and his infant sibling on the abdomen and eye, respectively, while they were in their mother’s shop, outside of the drug den.
The bereaved father, Fidelis Okogbe Omorhia, 40, a salesman, who expressed fears that the case may be swept under the carpet because he had no influence; told newsmen yesterday that his toddler son, Ivan Omorhia, was eating corn with his mother and two other siblings in their mother’s shop, Hillsi Cakes n More Academy, when the straybullet hit him.
He said the bullet narrowly missed his wife and four year old daughter, wondering why the NDLEA operatives would shoot sporadically in a crowded and busy area.
According to him, the operatives fled the scene after they were accosted for shooting the toddler, adding that his 18-month-old baby, Eromosele, was injured in his left eye from shrapnel from shattered glasses.
He said the straybullet pierced his son’s lower abdomen, exiting from his back and further pierced a plastic chair, shattering a glass door before lodging in a cupboard.
He said both children were rushed immediately to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba, for surgery where Ivan died around midnight July 14, after doctors battled in vain to save him.
Omorhia said: “I am a complete wreck. I cannot express my pain in words. As we woke up that fateful morning, it was Ivan who prayed for the family. I had no premonition of death at all. Even when I picked them from school, they wanted me to buy icecream, but I bought cooked corn which they were eating when he was hit.
“What really happened was that I went to my kids’ school to pick them up, and dropped them off at my wife’s shop, at a Plaza close to Sweet Spirit Hotel.
“That is where my wife’s shop is located so that I can go and meet up with my other activities. As usual I pick them up after we close for the day.”
“So, as I was going back to the house to pick up something, my house is just five minutes drive from the shop, my wife called me, sweetheart, please come! They don’t understand whether it is a bullet or anything. There is no gunshot within that environment. I then rushed back to the place, and when I got to the place, my wife called me and said that they are going to FMC, urging me to meet them there.
“It is like a gunshot because my wife said she saw my boy’s intestines coming out even the glass that the bullet penetrated, affecting my son’s eye. She held two of them and started shouting for help, that was when she then called me to meet them at FMC.
“As I was going to FMC, I said no, let me stop at the shop and know what was happening. When I got to the shop, I saw a Hilux Van, fully loaded with armed operatives of NDLEA.
“I saw another Sienna mini bus, they drove to turn at an intersection up the road and I saw another Honda saloon. The vehicles were all occupied by NDLEA operatives. So, they then parked close to my wife’s shop.
“According to the people around, they were chasing those guys that sell drugs but the guys ran away but I don’t know how the bullet got to my wife’s shop.
“So, I was trying to ask some of my neighbours. My wife just told me that there’s a gunshot that hit my boy and his intestines are coming out.
“Then one of the boys said it was the gun that was shot that hit my son. They had already parked and were trying to arrest some other boys while others ran away. The place was rowdy.
“The information I got emboldened to meet them and I was trying to take pictures and trying to take some videos. One of the operatives came out and asked why I was videoing him, asking me if I am mad.
“He then cracked his gun, I then told him that the gun you people shot has killed my son, and if you want to kill me, just kill me as I won’t leave. The guy (operative) punched me, I then held his hand. Immediately they heard that their gunshot killed my child, they immediately entered their cars and zoomed off.
“I jumped inside my car and followed them till we got to Issele-Azagba, they then stopped while I pulled over in one filling station and they came to me. I told them that the gun they shot killed my son, they said they know and they have called their Commander.
“They said I should follow them to their Head Office in Ogwashi-Uku, and getting to their office, their boss brought them out, and talked to them before coming in.
“They started pleading with me and enquired about the condition of the child and I told him that I haven’t seen him as I decided to stay around the shop to know what happened. That was when I discovered that it could be these guys who were armed.
“The Oga then said that was true. According to their Oga, he said what they told him is that they were chasing someone or that they wanted to cross the road and a bike or a vehicle hit the NDLEA guy, that was when the gun went off.
“He said I should not worry and that I should go and see my children as that is the most important thing to everybody right now and that he will send one or two persons with me. Immediately, I left for Asaba to come and see them and they told me that they were in the theatre and that they were looking for blood.
“After one and a half hour, the people that the Commander sent, then came that their Oga sent them to come and see the situation and I told them that they are trying to look for blood for him(Ivan) to survive.
“The blood they said we should donate is a fresh one and not the one they have in their blood bank. So, we were trying to look for some of my friends that came around as I could not donate because I am B positive.
“So, we then got one of my wife’s workers that is O positive who donated blood. We were running around and they were doing X-ray and all of that. About 7:00pm to 1:00am, Ivan had died because his intestines and kidneys were badly affected.
“The glass shrapnel hit my eighteen months old son in his left eye and body. They took him to the theatre yesterday at about 2:00 am and they came out at 6:00am this morning trying to ensure that the cut and wounds are treated.
“We need justice for our children. We need to take it up, it cannot just go like this. I don’t even know the condition of this one. I don’t know his fate, we need justice.
“The one that died is supposed to graduate next tomorrow. They have given the graduation gown to him,” he lamented.
State Commandant of the NDLEA, John Tunde, confirmed the incident but insisted that his men did not open fire on the kids.
Tunde said when his men stormed the notorious drug joint to raid and dislodge the place, there was a Toyota Camry parked within the precincts.
He said while the operatives were surrounding the place, the Camry “ran over one of our men while escaping. In attempts to demobilise the car, our men shot at it.
“What we cannot tell now is whether the children were inside the car at the time of the shooting. Our men did not open fire at any shop.
“As we speak now, our man who the car ran over, is at the Central Hospital in Ogwashi-Uku. Our attempt to stop the car was not successful as he escaped.
“So I can confirm that it happened but it is the true account that I have told you, we can’t be that unprofessional to open fire on a shop. I was at the hospital in the night with the father of the child. We are investigating it.”
Delta Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, condoled with the family of the slain toddler.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the Governor said the tragic incident was regrettable and avoidable if the officers had operated based on their rules of engagement.
He urged the NDLEA authorities and the Delta Police Command to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the boy and injury to his brother, with a view to bringing the culprits to book and avoiding a future occurrence.
“This incident is tragic, painful, and grievous because of the loss of a child and injury to his younger sibling.
“I condemn this unfortunate incident because no matter the provocation, armed security men must operate within the ambit of standard procedure as enshrined in their rules of engagement.
“Any action taken outside these international best practices could be catastrophic as in this case.
“I therefore call on the NDLEA and Police authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident and bring all the culprits to book,” he said.
Also, a youth group, Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide (AYF-W) in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ekwukwo Elvis, condemned the “shocking incident”, describing the action of the anti-drug agency as “reckless”.
He raised alarm over the lack of professionalism in handling firearms by security agencies in the state, warning that killings of innocent people by security agents will no longer be tolerated.
Part of the statement reads, “Such a blatant display of unprofessionalism, where firearms are handled carelessly, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, is an occurrence that has become a recurring decimal and must not be tolerated any longer.”
He added, “the wanton disregard for safety and professional best practices demonstrated by certain operatives in Delta demands immediate attention.”
1963 Constitution Best For Nigeria; 1999 Constitution Vests Too Much Powers On The President And Governors — Robert Clarke, SAN
AdminA Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), Chief Robert Clarke, has said the country would continue to linger in her socio-political problems until there is a change of the current 1999 constitution which lacks certain elements of federalism.
He said for over the years he has been practicing as a lawyer, the best constitution for Nigeria is the 1963 constitution.
He suggested that if a committee can be set up to look into the 1963 constitution and tinker with it in the light of modern developments, most of our problems as a country would be solved automatically.
Chief Clarke said the 1999 constitution has vested so much power on the president and governors, such that no one could hold them responsible for any misconduct or mismanagement of public funds while they are still in office.
“We call ourselves a Federal Republic of Nigeria, but is there any element in the constitution that makes it a federal republic? Every month, all the governors of the 36 states go to Abuja to collect (allocation) stipends and if the federal government gave them for instance, ecological fund and they decide to divert it for personal reasons, nobody may know because the funds are not appropriated.
“The constitution in section 5, aided this abnormality. For instance, it vested so much powers on both the executive president and the executive governors.
“Until a committee is set up to look at the 1963 constitution in the light of our modern development, the country may remain with current problems for a long time to come. The cost of governance is too much. We don’t need more than four or five regions with one House of Assembly because that is where all the money goes”
Chief Clarke stated this during a celebration of his 85th birthday and merger of two legal Chambers: Chief Robert Clarke SAN and Ade Oshodi Partners as a company in Lagos.
Reacting to question on the appointment of sitting judges as members of the Electoral Tribunals, the senior lawyer, who was unwilling to open up on past experiences retorted: “So far the judiciary is neither here or there. The problem of Nigeria is the people. However, federalism still remains the best option because our diversity is complex and corruption is our worst enemy and the people who dominate our public offices.
“There is need to look at the constitution as it pertains to appointment of judges. Today, if you are not a friend of the governor, you may not be appointed as a judge because the constitution has vested governors with the power to appoint judges.”
Also speaking on the occasion, Barrister Ade Oshodi, expressed his commitment to the legacy and legal journey bequeathed him by Chief Clarke. He also expressed his optimism that the judiciary would soon get over its current challenges, and still remains the last hope of the common man.
One Esther Godwin has inflicted bodily harm and severe injury on a nursing mother, Endurance Samuel, over alleged extra marital affair with her husband.
The 39-year-old food vendor reportedly attacked and poured hot water on Samuel.
The incident took place in Olofin community of Idanre, in the Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo state.
Esther has since been arrested by police in the southwestern state.
According to sources in the community, the suspect, had contacted Endurance via phone to come for the debt of palm oil owed her by her husband, Sunday Godwin.
Oblivious of Esther’s sinister plan for her, Endurance rushed down to Esther’s residence, in the hope of receiving the palm oil owed her.
However, upon her arrival, Endurance greeted with violent attack as Esther, who was spurred by suspicions and allegations of infidelity, allegedly poured hot water on her, causing severe burns.
The victim, who sustained injuries from the scalding water, was subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital, where she received treatment for the severe burns
Narrating how the incident happened, Endurance, explained that “She (Esther) called me from where I was learning tailoring to come and collect the palm oil her husband is owing me. I also work as a labourer for some farmers in the town.
”I rushed out of my oga’s shop excitedly to the place, not knowing that the call was just to lure me to her own shop where she was selling food, to pour hot water on me for the offence I did not commit.”
Meanwhile, the suspect’s husband, denied having a relationship with Endurance and claimed that he merely hired her as a farm labour.
“I was surprised by this development and have been paying for the victim’s treatment at the hospital since the incident occurred.”
