Category: Featured

By Our Reporter

All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has congratulated former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, as he turns 85 on Saturday.

Tinubu, in a statement on Friday night, made available by his Media Office in Lagos, described Gowon as a statesman who contributed immensely to nation-building.

Gowon served as military Head of State of Nigeria from 1966-1975.

Tinubu said: “I congratulate former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as he clocks 85 on October 19, 2019.

” He is a statesman and national icon who contributed enormously to Nigeria’s unity and development.

“Nigeria owes General Gowon a debt of gratitude for his efforts at resolving ethnic tensions that threatened to fatally divide the country and for his continued and untiring efforts at building one Nigeria.

“It’s on record that after the civil war, General Gowon propounded the ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ policy aimed at bringing about national reconciliation, which thrives on his personal influence. ”

Tinubu said that Gowon had not looked back since then, and not relented in his efforts geared towards forging national integration, even at advanced age.

“General Gowon has continued with the task of engendering peace and unity in the land with the ‘Nigeria Prays’ project.

“The General also laid the foundation for the decentralisation of the country with the creation of additional states and the division of Nigeria into 12 states.

“General Gowon was also one of the leaders who worked assiduously towards the formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to drive integration in the sub-region.

“I pray that God grant him many more years, good health and vitality to continue to contribute to nation-building and development, and be a shining example to the younger generation that he has always been,” he said.(NAN)

By Our Reporter

Bayer Leverkusen wasted a rare opportunity to take over the lead in the Bundesliga on Friday, losing 3-0 to Eintracht Frankfurt with two goals from Portuguese Goncalo Paciencia.

Leverkusen would have gone a point clear at the top with a win but hosts Frankfurt put in a strong first half performance to quickly take control.

They struck twice through Paciencia before Leverkusen managed to even find their footing in the game.

Paciencia fired Frankfurt into the lead in the fourth minute and doubled it 13 minutes later with a penalty, sending keeper Lukas Hradecky the wrong way.

Frankfurt keeper Frederik Ronnow then made a string of superb saves in the second half.

He even stopped a point-blank header form Lucas Alario, to protect their two-goal cushion before Bas Dost added a third in the 80th.

Victory lifted Frankfurt into seventh spot on 14 points, ahead of Leverkusen on goal difference.
Leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach, on 16 points, travel to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Champions Bayern Munich, in third place also on 14, face Augsburg in the Bavarian derby. (Reuters/NAN)

By Our Reporter

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated its National Campaign Council to complement the efforts of campaign committees set up for the Nov.16 Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections.
The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who inaugurated the council in Abuja on Friday, said that Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa would chair a 56-council member for Bayelsa while Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State would lead 56 members for Kogi.
Oshiomhole, who said that all APC governors would participate in the campaign, said that the party would also deploy its human resources to Kogi and Bayelsa to deliver the two states for the party.
“This inauguration demonstrates the party’s readiness to campaign and contest the election,” APC National chairman said.
Speaking on behalf of the council, El-Rufai thanked the party’s National Working Committee for appointing him as Chairman of the National Campaign Council for Kogi election.
He pledged that his campaign council would be committed to delivering the state to the party.
The governor, who said that re-election of a governor was always tougher than fresh election, said that his campaign council would ensure re-election of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi through performance, reconciliation and consultation.
Badaru, who was represented by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, expressed the council’s readiness to complement the efforts of Bayelsa Campaign Organisation to ensure victory for the party in the Nov. 16 election. (NAN)

By Our Reporter

Angel Di Maria once again proved his worth with a double that earned Paris St Germain a 4-1 win at Nice and a five-point lead in the Ligue 1 standings on Friday.

The result put PSG on 24 points from 10 games as Nice finished with nine men after Wylan Cyprien and Christophe Herelle were sent off during the last 20 minutes.

They however reduced the arrears in the second half through Ignatius Ganago.

Kylian Mbappe came off the bench in the closing stages to round off the win to mark his return from injury.
Nice are ninth on 13 points.

Nantes, who are second on 19 points, will play Metz on Saturday.

Olympique Lyonnais’ new coach Rudi Garcia will make his debut at home against Dijon in the day’s opening match. (Reuters/NAN)

By Our Reporter

The FCT Police Command on Friday paraded 49 suspects in connection with alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, car snatching, drug peddling and frauds.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma, said that the arrests were part of achievements made in its crime fighting efforts.

He said that the command also recovered seven firearms, two live ammunitions, 12 cars, 16 cutlasses, charms and other exhibits from the suspects.

The suspects, according to Ciroma, includes 21 armed robbers, 14 kidnappers, eight car snatchers, five drug peddlers and one fraudster.

He said that recent Joint Operation launched by the security agencies to address emerging security concerns in parts of the FCT, especially the cases of kidnapping at some rural communities had begun to yield positive resuIt.

He said that so far, a total of 10 persons suspected to be working with the syndicates behind the criminal act had been arrested around Rubochi, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji axis and were currently under investigations.

The suspected kidnapers arrested according to him were Mohammad Umar, 22; Mohammed Abdulsalam, 18; Abdullahi Bashir, 17; Abdulrazak Ibrahim, 20; Ibrahim Dogosika, 20; and Idris Ori, 30.

Other arrested suspected kiddnappers were Friday Taiye, 22; Abdullahi Ibrahim, 30; Garba Abubakar, 25 and Abdullahi Mohammed, 35.

He said that sequel to the ongoing investigation into a reported kidnap incident at Asokoro on Sept. 14, Police detectives from the Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested one Saadu Abubakar, 23.

“The Suspect was arrested around Apo after the phone number used for the criminal act was traced to him. The Command is making concerted effort to arrest other persons involved in the criminal act.”

He said that on Oct. 3 following a tip-off Police detectives from the Command‘s Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested one Isiaku Shuiabu, 20 and Husseini Chiroma, 45, suspected to be members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating around Gargwada in Kuje area Council.

“The suspects have giving useful information about some of their criminal activities in the axis. One single barrel dame gun and one cutlass were recovered from the syndicate as exhibits.

“In another development, Police detectives following a complaint have arrested one Opoma Terry, 24, who specialize in sending threat messages to his unsuspecting victims through electronic mail.

“The suspect who operates from Lagos state sends messages to his victims threatening to assassinate or kidnap them if some specified amount of money is not paid to designated back account,” he said.

The CP added that the arrest was aimed at stamping out the particular ugly trend to ensure that what occurred in other part of the country did not occur in Abuja.

“We are making progress. The joint operation were able to make significant arrest. These suspects we are parading today are under investigation and as soon as we conclude our investigation we will let you know the result of our findings.

“The operation is not a one off thing. We are continuing the operation until we are able to get rid of all hoodlums within the FCT and most especially, kidnappers that operates in difficult terrain,” he added.

He said that the suspects would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of the investigation. (NAN)

By Our Reporter

The Kaduna State Police Command, said the Police Academy Wudil will begin the screening of candidates for the 7th Regular Course on Oct. 24.
The Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo made the disclosure in a press statement issued on Friday in Kaduna.
The screening will begin with candidates from the North west from Oct. 24-Oct. 30
It said candidates from the states who passed the aptitude test conducted on Aug. 24 should proceed to Wudil for the screening.
The statement explained that the shortlisted candidates would undergo medical and physical screening.
It added that the candidates should go along with their original and 15 copies each of their credentials, birth certificate or declaration of age.
They are also expected to have proof of local government of origin duly signed by the chairman of the Local Government, Original UTME result slip 2019, Police Academy acknowledgement and Examination forms downloaded from the internet, second copy of postcard signed by supervisor during examination.
“Also 15 white backgrounds passport-sized photographs, two blue shorts, two white T-shirts, a pair of white canvass, two pairs of white socks, toiletries, cutlery, sufficient transport money, as well as scratch cards for NECO, GCE and NABTEB examinations.
“Also candidate who fail to bring or tamper with the documents listed above will automatically be disqualified,” he said.
“In the same vein, state governments are to send their representatives on relevant dates to authenticate the indigene letters from their respective state,” the statement added.
” Parents and guardians are advised to stay clear of the venue as they will not be allowed into the academy while accommodation and feeding will be provided for the candidates during the exercise.”(NAN)

By Our Reporter

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, on Friday, said that the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation bill would be passed by the Assembly before the end of October.

Ogundoyin (PDP/Ibarapa East) said this at a town hall meeting, organised in Eruwa by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

The meeting had, as its theme, “Promoting Enduring Democratic Culture through Stewardship by Elected Public Officials”.

He said: “The bill, when passed into law, will address the crisis between farmers and the herdsmen, and other insecurity matters, especially in the rural areas without violating the rights of any ethnic group”.

Ogundoyin also said that Eruwa dam would be rehabilitated next year to serve as an irrigation source for the N4.6 billion farm settlement in the town and its environs.

“Without water, farm settlement cannot be achieved, while the primary healthcare sector will be also be renovated,” he said.

In her speech, the state Director of NOA, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu, said that the town hall meeting was organised to entrench the culture of dialogue and foster harmonious relationship between the people and their representatives.

Dosunmu said: “The town hall meeting is to provide a platform where an elected official will have the opportunity to give feedback to his constituents on his legislative activities.

In his remarks, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, charged the speaker to hit the ground running, as the quest for development by Eruwa indigenes was very high.

The monarch urged the people of Ibarapa East constituency to continue to pray for Ogundoyin, saying that his success in office was their gain.

People of the constituency complained about inadequate electricity supply and bad condition of the road, while also calling for the overhaul of all the tertiary institutions in Ibarapa zone. (NAN)

By Our Reporter

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has congratulated former Head of State, Gen.Yakubu Gowon, on his 85th birthday, describing him as a rare gift to the State, Nigeria and the world.

In a birthday message by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Saturday, Lalong said Gowon’s lifestyle and enormous sacrifices toward nation building and global peace were exemplary.

“Gen. Gowon is a distinguished statesman, gentleman, prayer warrior and bridge builder.

“Continue to provide inspiration and hope for the nation as it wades through its challenges.

“While wishing you good health, God’s grace and divine strength, I urge you not to relent in deploying your wealth of experience and knowledge in the pursuit of unity and national integration,” he said.

The governor also said that Gowon’s sense of duty and responsibility throughout his military career and other national and international assignments remained a shining example for generations to come. (NAN)