Author: Day Break

  • Troops kill 3 bandits, recover arms and ammunition in Benue

    Troops kill 3 bandits, recover arms and ammunition in Benue

    The Defence Headquarters says troops of Sector-1 Operation Whirl Stroke on Sunday killed three bandits and recovered arms and ammunition in an encounter at Tsehombe-Adaka village in Benue.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Monday, said the troops responded to a distress call about an attack by suspected armed herdsmen in the community.

    Enenche said troops immediately mobilised to the location leading to a shootout between troops and bandits.

    According to him, the gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits by superior firepower, following which troops successfully neutralised three of the bandits while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with one magazine containing 5 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

    “The gallant troops have continued to dominate the area with aggressive patrols to deter further attacks, while efforts are ongoing to locate and neutralise other bandits that might still be hibernating in the area,” he said.

    Enenche, however, urged members of the public to continue to provide credible information to the troops operating within their localities.

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  • Police nab suspect in killing of university lecturer

    Police nab suspect in killing of university lecturer

    Investigations into the brutal killing of Dr. Kwaghger have revealed that one Nnamdi Jeremiah ‘M.’ of Umigwe village, Imo State, a student of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi was responsible for the gruesome murder.

    The suspect who was arrested in Abuja where he went to sell the car of the deceased confessed to the crime and further stated that his initial intention was to threaten the victim with a make believe gun and rob him of his car. However, following resistance from the deceased, he ended up killing him and took the car away.

    The Benue State Police Command in a Press Release signed by the PRO for the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command revealed that on 28 Nov. 2020 at about 2120hrs, information was received that Dr. Karl Kwaghger, a lecturer with the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi was found in a pool of his blood at J.S. Tarka Foundation where he had gone out to relax. The Command swiftly deployed Police Detectives to the scene where they met the victim brutally stabbed on his ribs and cut on his neck. The victim was rushed to Bishop Murray Hospital where he was confirmed dead and deposited at the morgue.

    The statement concludes that investigation is still on going and all perpetrators must be brought to book.

  • GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES FIRST PLATEAU FEMALE SENATOR-ELECT, PROF. NORA DADU’UT.

    GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES FIRST PLATEAU FEMALE SENATOR-ELECT, PROF. NORA DADU’UT.

    PRESS STATEMENT

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Prof. Nora Dadu’ut candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for making history as the first female Senator-elect in Plateau State.

    Prof. Nora Dadu’ut who emerged winner of the Plateau South Senatorial District bye-election defeated her closest rival George Daika of the PDP for the nod to fill the vacuum created by the death of the former occupant of the seat late Senator Ignatius Longjan.

    Governor Lalong said the victory of Prof. Nora Dadu’ut was not surprising as the APC is well rooted in the whole state particularly the Southern Senatorial District.

    He congratulated Prof. Nora whom he believes will give quality representation to the people of the Southern Senatorial District and also represent the interest of the State at the red chamber.

    He commended INEC and security agencies for working assiduously towards a successful election. He said the electorate also deserve special commendation for conducting themselves peacefully and ensuring that the execise was devoid of violence and malpractice.

    Lalong also called on other political parties and candidates who lost the election to rally round the winner in the best interest of the zone and Plateau State as a whole.

    Dr. Makut Simon Macham
    Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
    6th December 2020.

  • PDP Reps Solicit For Buhari’s Impeachment Over purported Incompetence

    PDP Reps Solicit For Buhari’s Impeachment Over purported Incompetence

    *Says ‘Nigeria Saddled With The Circus’

    Doris Ferdinand

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on Nigerians to compel those elected to represent them in the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings at once against President Muhammadu Buhari for gross incompetence, persistent and continuous breach of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
    The Section provides ” the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; …”

    The PDP caucus also wants members of the Federal Executive Council to invoke the provisions of Section 144 (1) of the Constitution by declaring that the President is incapable of discharging the functions of the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The Section provides ” The President or Vice-President shall cease to hold office, if- by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of all the members of the executive council of the Federation, it is declared that the President or Vice-President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office: “

    Leader of the caucus, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday that it was disheartening to the PDP Caucus that the President has failed to lead Nigerians from the front as he promised. Nigerians are daily and defencelessly killed by terrorists and bandits, while the economy is being freely bled by public officers.

    Rep. Chinda, was on behalf of the Caucus reacting to the recent killing of farmers in Zambarmari area of Borno state, adding that the reactions of the presidency and the military to such killings “highlight a certain crassness and lame duck attitude that has for the past five years come to define the Buhari presidency”.

    He said that the body language of the government is worrisome as it emboldens terrorists in the country, the greater worries for the country however, is “the do-nothing posturing and the effeminate reactions of the presidency and the military that follow the dastardly attacks.”

    He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives have observed with deep pain the dastardly attacks on poor farmers which have continued unabated across the vast swathes of northern Nigeria, which act came to a sad climax over the weekend in Zabarmari, near Maiduguri, north east Nigeria.”

    “The attacks continue to take a consistent pattern – a pattern that results in mass deaths and emboldens the insurgents to embark on more spectacular attacks that provide them national and global attention. While the emboldening of terrorists remain sources of worry, the greater worries for us is the do-nothing posturing and the effeminate reactions of the presidency and the military that follow the dastardly attacks.”

    “The reactions of the presidency and the military highlight a certain crassness and lame duck attitude that has for the past five years come to define the Buhari presidency,” the statement said.

    It further expressed regrets that “Northern Nigeria has long become the vortex of massacres. From Buni Yadi, Gamboru, Baga, Gwoza, Shiroro, Konduga, Kawuri, Southern Kaduna to Benue and certainly everywhere else in Nigeria, lives are being snatched by insurgents, bandits and kidnappers who have no respect for the sanctity of life. “

    “While President Buhari idles in the typical fashion of Emperor Nero as our country burns. Questions must be asked about his capacity to lead at a time that our country desires robust and responsible leadership that can pull it from the brink and rescue it from the debilitions of insurgents, terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.”

    “President Buhari is unwilling, (as it consistently appears,) to provide leadership to our fast collapsing country. Rather than take the proverbial bull by the horn, President Buhari ensconces himself in Aso Rock, typical of a Mourner-in-Chief, and issues press statements that make no meaning to a grieving nation”.

    The lawmakers reminded the President that “a true leader who is worth every ounce of respect leads from the front as you assured Nigerians that you will do; a true leader doesn’t hide away from those he leads and pretends to mourn with the circus, whilst in fact, he lacks empathy and compassion.”

    “When a country elects a clown as its President based on sentiments and deceit, the country becomes saddled with circus, pantomime jesters who reduce statecraft to utter joke.

    “Our country is in the grips of the clowns, hyenas and the circus is on.
    We need to rescue Nigeria from the clowns, acrobats, trapeze actors, hawks and hyenas manipulating the statecraft”, the statement added

    It further stressed: “As Vice-president Yemi Osibanjo SAN tweeted ‘if the President says I’ve lost the capacity to guarantee the security of lives and property, it’s certainly an impeachable offence”.

    “Most painful is that whilst leadership is completely absent in Nigeria and the country dovetailing to a state of survival of the fittest, the economy is being fleeced in an unprecedented manner by public office holders.

    “Recall the warning by Albert Einstien that ‘the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything’.

    “We call on Nigerians across tribe, religion and political party to wake up their National Assembly Members” and compel them to commence impeachment process against President Buhari to save Nigeria, the statement signed by Rep Chinda urged.

  • 50th anniversary Julius Berger expands CSA activities

    50th anniversary Julius Berger expands CSA activities

    • Company builds, hosts and partners Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) and Deutsce Gescellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) for operation of pioneer artisanal Skills Academy in Abuja
    • Hon. Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, applauds Julius Berger for providing the Workshop and Equipment for the FOCI-JBN Skills Academy
    • Engr. Nasiru Dantata, FOCI President calls on Government, other stakeholders to support the FOCI-JBN Skills Academy

    *The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, in Abuja has described it as a celebratory pride for the nation’s leading engineering construction company to participate in the great initiative to build and host the pioneer Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) artisanal skills development academy in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory.

    According to Richter, the Academy building, when completed, will house two Carpentry training workshops of 348 m2 each; two Masonry training workshops of 348 m2 each; one Plumbing training workshop of 348 m2; one Welding training workshop of 348 m2; and ancillary facilities, such as offices, kitchen, first aid area and canteen.
    The Managing Director said it was a great pleasure for him to be to be at the ground-breaking ceremony of the FOCI-JBN Skills Academy located at Julius Berger’s ONEX yard, where Julius Berger has commenced construction works for the academy’s school building.

    Tracing the history of the academy, Dr. Richter said the idea has been in the making for several years. “The journey has been a long but fruitful one… and today, we mark the transformation of the idea – of an artisan academy to develop adequately skilled construction tradesmen and women – into reality via an academy building soon to house a world class dual vocational apprenticeship training program”, he said. Dr. Richter added that: “The academy’s goals are noble. The aim is to shore up the skills of the men and women of our industry in the areas of masonry, plumbing and carpentry. To provide well-designed programs of study in collaboration with expert partners, such as GIZ, and ultimately to improve the standards by which the entire industry is able to deliver works to our various clients”.
    Richter who has since positively established an uncommon managerial reputation in the industry for seeking all feasible and productive means to work and preserve the jobs, careers and means of livelihood of workers even in the face of the novel challenges and existential threat the construction industry encountered sequel to the advent and onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, said that the FOCI-JBN Academy will not only improve the construction industry in Nigeria, but that it will also help “to advance the livelihood of those individuals working across various trades, advancing their skills and confidence for the benefit of their long-term careers”. With a manifestly passionate sense of professional commitment to excellence through premium grade engineering output, Richter further said: “Training, progress, high quality standards and the investment in people and process are all areas close to our hearts at Julius Berger”.
    Richter, on behalf of Julius Berger and member companies, thanked the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) for its continuous efforts to bring together the construction industry and champion the causes most important to the sector. FOCI’s efforts, he said, continues to give justification for member companies’ “investment in supporting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s construction industry”.
    Dr. Richter also extended his appreciative thanks to the GIZ, a develomental initiative of the German Government, for their ongoing support to enhance the capacities of individuals and organizations in Nigeria. “The knowledge you (GIZ) bring to the Skills Academy for the implementation of the dual vocational system is invaluable, and we are grateful for your contributions towards making this project a reality”, said the Julius Berger MD.
    Not one to ever forget his company’s priceless and highly valued personnel, Richter added and said: “I would also like to thank my colleagues at Julius Berger who have collaborated and shared their time and knowledge towards the success of this project and the greater improvement of our sector for all”.
    Finally, with an optimistic forecast into a successful implementation of the FOCI-JBN Skills Academy Abuja, Richter hit a high note, saying: “We look forward to seeing the academy in full swing; and to coming together again, to celebrate the first graduating class of the Academy”.
    The Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatude Raji Fashola, SAN, who was ably represented by the Minister of State in the Ministry, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE, highlighted that President Mohammadu Buhari aims for government to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by the year 2030, adding that the inauguration of a National Skills Development Council chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, is meant to actualize that goal. He went ahead to say that the President Buhari administration places a great premium on every initiative aimed at raising construction experts and skilled artisans to meet the skills development goals of the government. To that extent, the Hon. Minister applauded Julius Berger for providing the Workshops and Equipment for the FOCI-JBN Skills Academy.
    Also speaking at the event, the President of FOCI, Engr. Nasiru Dantata, who proudly announced to the gathering that he started his engineering practice with his stint as a member of the National Youth Service Corps at Julius Berger, called on the Government and all other stakeholders to support the strategic and visionary Skills Academy..

    Other speakers at the event included the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment who was ably represented by his Special Adviser, Technical, Mrs Chinedu Dike; the Hon. Minister of Education well represented by the erudite Dr. Kudirat Ibiyemi Oladipo; and the Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Germany, Helmut Kulitz.
    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB); and the Press were also in attendance at the event. The National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture & Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) was also present at the event. The Sequa GIZ team was ably led to the ceremony by its Team Leader, Felix Nitz.
    The Director-General of FOCI, Engr. Mrs Olubunmi O. Adekoje said the Academy aspires to offer new hope and better opportunities to Nigerian youths beyond just paper certifications.

  • Zamfara bye elections declared inconclusive, two adhoc staff missing

    Zamfara bye elections declared inconclusive, two adhoc staff missing

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bakura state assembly bye-election inconclusive following gross irregularities.

    This was announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Ibrahim Magawata soon after announcing the results of some of the verified polling units.

    The returning officer who addressed newsmen in the early hours of Sunday, said the election results of some polling units in Bakura ward had been cancelled due to gross malpractice, like ballot box snatching, over voting and erupted violence.

    He said as a result of this , the results of fourteen (14) polling units were canceled as a result of serious defects and this effects 11,429 voters.

    Professor Magawata said the missing of two adhoc INEC staff, further added to suspicion to make the exercise unacceptable.

    The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) is however yet to announce the scheduled date to conclude the by-election in the state.

  • American University distances self from Ganduje’s visiting professor appointment.

    American University distances self from Ganduje’s visiting professor appointment.

    The East Carolina University (ECU), an American university widely reported to have appointed Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje as a visiting professor, has distanced itself from the appointment.

    According to the university, the appointment letter said to have been sent to the governor by one of its faculty members was neither authorised by the management of the institution nor sent with their consent.

    This is coming barely three days after Governor Ganduje, through his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, made it public that he has been appointed by the university’s International Center for Information Technology and Development, (ICITD), College of Business, as Senior Mentoring Scholar and Visiting Full Professor of e-Governance and International Affairs.

    But, ECU in the letter said, “It has been brought to my attention that you received a letter from a faculty member dated November 30, 2020, that appeared to offer an unpaid appointment in the “International Center for IT and Development” at East Carolina University College of Business.

    “I must inform you that the letter you received from Dr. Victor Mbarika, on November 30, 2020 does not convey an authorized offer of appointment or establish any position of scholar or professor at East Carolina University (ECU),” the letter read.

    Signed by its Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, B. Hayes Grant, ECU in the letter said only him, the Chancellor, or another official identified in its published statement may authorize or sign appointment letters under which faculty are employed.

    According to them Dr. Mbarika is not such an official, hence, the appointment is not authentic.

  • CNA: Ojo Olatunde Amos Bags forensic’s Awards Of Excellence and Fellowship of Nigeria Institute of Architects (fnia)

    CNA: Ojo Olatunde Amos Bags forensic’s Awards Of Excellence and Fellowship of Nigeria Institute of Architects (fnia)

    The Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Olatunde Amos, has bagged the ‘Award of Excellence’ by the Forensic Insight International Limited & Corporate Integrity Limited, during its 5th Annual Conference on Financial Fraud, Cross Border Crime & Illicit Substance Abuse, in appreciation of his ‘leadership and support towards the fight against corruption’ in Nigeria as well as the fellowship of the Nigeria Institute of Architects conferred on him by the National President Architect SONNY ECHONO who is also the Permanent Secretary, Federal ministry of Education.

    The above fact was made available to the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly, in a plaque specifically dated 10th of November, 2020 and duly signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forensic Insight International Limited & Corporate Integrity Limited, Tunji Aworinde.

    It will be recalled that the 5th Annual Conference On Financial Fraud, Cross Border Crime And Illicit Substance Abuse, which was supported by reputable organizations/outfits like the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC); Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); National Institute of Police Studies; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, (LAUTECH), and the Federal Ministry of Justice, etc, took place between November 10th, 11th, & 12th, 2020, in Abuja, where Architect Ojo Olatunde Amos, presented a goodwill address while he was decorated with the fellowship during a courtesy call by the professional body who came on a solidarity visit to the clerk as one of their own.

  • Northern elders  Reveal Why Buhari must resign immediately

    Northern elders Reveal Why Buhari must resign immediately

    Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari should resign and allow a more competent hand to pilot the affairs of the nation.

    Renewing its call for the resignation of Buhari, the group said the President has failed as the Commander in Chief.

    The Spokesman of the group, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, said this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

    He insisted that the fact on ground has supported their calls for the President to resign.

    “The fact on ground supports what we are saying. The President swore under Quoran to protect the lives of citizens. He has failed to do so,” he said.

    “This is his fifth year in office. The situation under him is getting worse and there is no indication that it is likely to improve.”

    Recall that following the killing of over 43 farmers in Zabarmari rice farm in Borno State, the northern elders had issued a statement, faulting Buhari government’s approach in tackling the numerous security challenges in the country.

    Over 43 innocent civilians were beheaded on their farmland in Borno State at the weekend as they tried to harvest their rice.

    Although, Governor Babagana Zulum told reporters that the insurgents killed 43 residents of Zabarmari in their farm, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau boasted that his terrorist group killed over 78 persons

  • Imo community were shocked  as man allegedly kills brother over bride price

    Imo community were shocked as man allegedly kills brother over bride price

    Umueje village in Obinze community in Owerri West Council Area of Imo State has been visited by tragedy following the death of Bright Odi who was allegedly killed by a brother, Victor Iwu over who takes the lion share of their sister’s bride price.

    According to a resident of Obinze community, Cosmas, the suspect and the victim were engaged in a serious argument about the sharing formula of the proceeds of their sister’s bride price when Victor Iwu (who seemed to be the elder), kicked the victim on his scrotum, leading to his death.

    Our reporter gathered that the victim was pronounced dead the following day to the consternation of the villagers.

    Further reports revealed that angry youths of the area, on hearing the news of Bright’s death, rushed to the suspect’s house and set it ablaze.

    The Imo State Police Public Relation Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu when contacted by our correspondent, confirmed the incident, saying that the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal and Intelligent Department for further investigation.

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