Author: Day Break
FG moves to end extortion on highways
Disturbed over series of complaints received due to extortion and multiple vehicular taxes imposed by agents alleged to be working with Local Governments Areas on Federal Highways, the Ministry of Transportation, has announced readiness to partner the Joint Mobile Sanitation Agency of Nigeria (JOMSAN), in a bid to sanitise the system.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, gave the assurance in a statement issued by JOMSAN President, Dr. Nnamdi Ogbogbo, after a courtesy visit to the ministry.
Saraki who was represented by the Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Mrs. Esther Ehigie, said the issue of extortion and double taxation on vehicles has raised serious concerns for the ministry.
While noting that there’s need for regulations, she disclosed that the ministry is currently working on a transformation program that will help address issues of multiple taxation especially on vehicles transporting food products on federal highways.
She said: “The issues are not new; the ministry has been bombarded many times with complaints. Around November, some people who are victims of extortion came here to complain. It’s something the ministry is looking into.
“I want to let us know that the ministry is really working on it. Similar proposals have been coming in on how to curb the extortion on Federal Highways.
“There’s need for regulations. The minister is very concerned about this and other issues.
“The minister is coming up with a transformation program because the road subsector, as you know is very important because it carries over 90 per cent of our movements.
“Currently, work is ongoing on different aspect to come out with a road transportation program which will look into all these issues you have raised.”
Man Marries Dead Woman With N2,000 Bride Price In Bauchi
One Mohammed Salisu of Abujan kwata area of the Bauchi metropolis last week married his dead girlfriend one Halima of the same address after she died.
The marriage was contracted after the man paid the sum of N2, 000 brideprice to the family of the deceased girlfriend.
our reporter gathered that the late lady once made a will that even if she died, the family should marry her off to Salisu.
It was also gathered that Salisu has been a long term lover of Halima and the duo promised to be faithful to each other forever.
Confirming the incident, Malam Bahajatu Nasir of the Bauchi state Shariah Commission explained that the marriage took place when the mother of the late Halima informed the public of her will as the funerals of the deceased set to be conducted.
He noted that the Imam who officiated the wedding ceremony one Malam Abubakar as well as the groom have been arrested by the men of the commission.
Commenting on the development, an Islamic cleric in Bauchi and Chief Imam of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi Sheikh Dr Mansur Isah Yelwa faulted the marriage saying it was null and void.
According to him, one of the rules of marriage in islam is that the couple must be alive adding that whenever a spouse dies, their marriage is over.
“So, even the ones that were already married will have the marriage dissolved immediately any of the two dies. If your spouse dies, you can marry another person. But in the case of this man that reportedly married a dead woman, the marriage is null and void as it is contrary to islamic teachings”. The cleric clarified.
FG To Build 6 Correctional Facilities picture story
The federal government disclosed on Saturday that it would establish six new modern correctional facilities in the six geo-political zones in the country.
Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, made this known in Kano while inspecting the ongoing model maximum security custodial facility project at Janguza in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.
Aregbesola said the project was part of projects initiated by the federal government to reform the correctional service.
The minister said, “we are actualising our commitment to reform the correctional service that we have in Nigeria. What we have here is a model of what we expect to have nationwide. Here, we have a 3,000 custodial facility, which we plan to replicate in each of the six geo-political zones in the country. It is designed for inmates awaiting trial, a petty, medium and maximum security facility,”.
Aregbesola, who expressed satisfaction with the project, commended President Buhari for his support to the correctional service reforms aimed at enhancing its operations.
In his remarks, the Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Ahmad Jafaru said that the project was designed with dormitories, school, hospital, skills acquisition centre and a mosque, among others. He said the project would be commissioned this year, adding that the ancient Kurmawa Maximum Prison had been upgraded into a rehabilitation centre.
Gov Akeredolu Tells Herdsmen To Vacate Forest Reserves In Ondo State In 7 Days
Today we have taken major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping, in particular, and other nefarious activities detailed and documented in security reports, the press and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases in Ondo State.
These unfortunate incidents are traceable to the activities of some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen. These felons have turned our forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.
As the Chief Law and Security Officer of the State, it is my constitutional obligation to do everything lawful to protect the lives and property of all residents of the State. In light of the foregoing, the following orders are hereby issued:
1. All Forest Reserves in the State are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January, 2021.
2. Night-grazing is banned with immediate effect because most farm destruction takes place at night.
3. Movement of cattle within cities and highways is prohibited.
4. Under-aged grazing of cattle is outlawed.
Our resolution to guarantee safety of lives and property within the State shall remain utmost as security agencies have been directed to enforce the ban.
In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business to register with appropriate authorities.
Yahaya Bello: I’m In 2023 Presidential Race To Liberate Nigeria
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State at the weekend said he has what it takes to provide purposeful leadership and good governance for Nigeria if elected as president in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking exclusively with Daily Independent, the governor, who is currently in his second term, appealed to Nigerians to join hands with him in the struggle to liberate the country from many of the challenges confronting her.
While praising President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts so far since assumption of office in May 2015, the governor, who said he wants to consolidate on the achievements of President Buhari, said the president is a kind-hearted leader who means well for the country and has genuine interests of Nigerians in all his dealings.
According to him, aside President Buhari and few Nigerian leaders, majority of the present crop of leaders today do not have the interest of the country at heart.
He further urged Nigerians to keep faith with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ignore the antics of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying it is the only party that can take Nigeria to the Promised Land.
He said, “I want everyone to join me in the struggle to liberate this country. We must seize this golden opportunity to save our nation.
“By the grace of God, I’m ready to lead and I will provide all the quality leadership that is required in the country.
“Let us do our bit to support the current administration and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to save this country. Those that are leading today, I can assure you that apart from Mr. President and very few ones, others don’t have the interest of the country at heart. They don’t care about us and that is the truth”.Last week, Arewa Youth Trust Foundation (AYTF), a Zaria-based group with roots across the six geo-political zones of the country, urged Governor Bello to declare his interest in the presidential race.
The group’s leader, Dr. Fahad Chikaji Ahmed, said the youthful governor has the ability to take the country to a higher pedestal in its quest to attain the best in terms of growth and development.
Ahmed described Bello as a political leader and an administrator who is imbued with a genuine passion to facilitate and promote the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the country.
“Many Nigerians are proud to endorse his candidature for the presidential seat, not only in the near future, but also in the 2023 elections because he would be a candidate who has the potential to restore peace to Nigeria and also effectively carry the youths along.
Nigerians deserve better and ought to demand better. Governor Bello, as the president, will provide an opportunity for Nigerians to regain their long-established appetite for compromise to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges at home and for an international common cause to safeguard the gains of internal democracy and prosperity.”
The South-East Coordinator of the group, Mike Festus, said: “He is a man of faith and unquantifiable love for others. He took seriously, too, the Quranic Hadith that those who have been given great abilities must use those abilities for others.”
It would be recalled that in December 2019, Kogi House of Assembly passed a resolution in which it asked Yahaya Bello to run as either president or vice-president in 2023.
In a motion sponsored by Hassan Abdullahi, the Majority Leader of the House, Bello has performed well since he assumed office in 2016 and has initiated sound economic policies and programmes.
The right honourable speaker and honourable members of the Kogi State House of Assembly upon due deliberation of proper motion therefore, do hereby unanimously make and pass a vote of confidence on His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State,” the lawmaker said.
“That this Kogi State House of Assembly further makes a call to national service to His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and we hereby impress it upon him to run for the office of the president or vice-president of Nigeria in 2023 – after his current assignment in Kogi State.
“That this solemn call is first and foremost premised upon and borne out of our belief that the subject, Yahaya Bello, is a fit and proper person, with the right mix of youth, experience and track record to answer – same firmly and decisively in 2023 and beyond.”
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, said they (lawmakers) will move across the country to mobilise fellow lawmakers in all the states of the federation to support the governor’s presidential ambition.
Woman Hijacks Commercial Bus From Lagos Driver
An elderly Nigerian woman has gone viral after she was caught on camera hijacking a commercial bus following a disagreement with the bus driver.
Twitter user @iamprofstar who shared the video online, said the incident happened because the driver failed to drop his passengers at Orile Bus Stop along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and refused to give them their balance.
Nigerian doctor suspended for flogging son in UK reinstated
A Nigerian consultant anaesthetist Adekunle Okunuga based in the United Kingdom has been reinstated following his suspension from work for beating his son.
The 59-year-old medical personnel, who was arrested after the incident in June 2014, blamed his cultural upbringing in Nigeria for the act, Daily Mail UK reports.
He said corporal punishments are common in Nigeria.
Okunuga caned his son for misbehaving in school and made him stand one leg with his arms in the air while he kicked him.
He also caned the boy’s open palms with a walking stick.
The boy got into trouble in school for not submitting homework, lying to other pupils, using the word ‘rape’ and for stamping in any injured girl during PE lesson.
In 2015, Okunuga’s name was ordered to be removed from the medical register after he was found guilty of professional misconduct by a disciplinary panel.
The doctor, who has been working at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos, is now free to return to work at the University Hospital Coventry.
“My actions embarrassed the medical profession and brought it into disrepute and as a member of the medical community, I should be role model. I apologised sincerely to the GMC and the wider public,” he was quoted to have said.
“My behaviour was born out of my cultural upbringing, I should have known better and I take full responsibility for my actions.
“If I were to witness a similar occurrence by one of my colleagues, I would be the first to speak up and take action and report it to the appropriate authorities.
“I have been working abroad but have always given full disclosure of my sanction to all employers and the relevant medical authorities.
“I have attended courses in order to maintain my professional development and am clinically ready to resume practice in the United Kingdom where I could be of tremendous support to the medical community.”
After the incident, he was arrested and convicted at Leamington Spa magistrates court for ill- treating a child and was sentenced to eight weeks in jail and ordered to complete 160 hours unpaid work.
The boy was temporarily put in foster care and was later returned to his family.
247 Fulani women to get Federal Government’s N20,000
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has launched the Federal Governments Special Cash Grant for Rural Women at the Fulani settlement of Hutawa in Kebbi State.
Under the scheme, about 247 Fulani women under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), will receive N20,000 each to improve their economic wellbeing and take care of their families.
Farouq made this disclosure in a statement, signed by her Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Anibeze, in Abuja on Sunday.
The Minister who visited the Fulani settlement located on the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, expressed happiness at the economic empowerment training being given to the Fulani women by the Kebbi state government.
She said: “I am delighted to see that these Fulani women are being taught the modern methods of yoghurt production using cow milk. This will go a long way in empowering them to be self reliant and able to provide for their families.
“I enjoin all the Fulani women who have received this training by the Kebbi state government to put it to practice as this will also improve the economic status of not just the women but the state and country at large”.
The Federal Government’s Special Cash Grant for Rural women has so far been launched in 16 states including Plateau, Sokoto, Imo, Ebonyi, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Bauchi, Taraba, Ekiti, Ondo, Adamawa, Gombe, Kano , Jigawa and Zamfara states.
NDLEA intercepts 21.9kg of cocaine in NAIA
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja has intercepted 21.9kg of Cocaine.
This contained in a statement signed by the NDLEA airport Commander, Mr Kabir Tsakuwa on Monday in Abuja.
The statement signed by the agency’s Spokesman, Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Jonah Achema, the illicit substance concealed in two suite cases was the largest single seizure by the Command.
He noted that the two unaccompanied and unclaimed suit cases were discovered after the arrival of Ethiopian Airline, ET 910 in Abuja from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to him, during the inward clearance of the flight, the vigilant officers of the Command became suspicious upon noticing that the two brief cases were abandoned on the conveyor belt without any of the passengers claiming them.
Tsakuwa directed the officers to keep an eye on the suit cases and informed the Airline and its handlers of NDLEA’s interest in the luggage.
According to him, after few days of not claiming the luggage, we formally contacted the station Manager of Ethiopian Airline and the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO Aviance) being the handler for the Airline, indicating the suspicion of the agency of the suitcases.
“I placed a standing order that NDLEA should be invited before the luggage would be released to the owner or in the event that the luggage would be returned to the point of embarkation.
“After many weeks of no claim by the owners, we informed the Airline on the need for search to be conducted on the unclaimed suit cases.
