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  • Ex-UNILAG VC, Professor Ibidapo Obe dies of COVID-19 complications

    Ex-UNILAG VC, Professor Ibidapo Obe dies of COVID-19 complications

    Former University of Lagos Vice-chancellor, Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, has died.

    Ibidapo-Obe died of COVID-19 complications on Sunday, January 3. He was 71 years old.

    Born on July 5, 1949, the former University don was a one-time President of the Nigeria Academy of Science. He attended both Ilesa Grammar School and Igbobi College from 1962 – 1968 and the University of Lagos from 1968 – 1971. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science [B.Sc.(Hons)] degree in Mathematics in the First Class Division by the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1971; a Master of Mathematics [M. Maths] degree in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy {PhD} in Civil Engineering with specialization in Applied Mechanics/Systems in 1976 both form the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

    He is survived by his wife, Olusola and four children.

    May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

  • KADUNA SEX PARTY: Woman lost pregnancy over demolition trurma in kaduna

    KADUNA SEX PARTY: Woman lost pregnancy over demolition trurma in kaduna

    ..Pays police N100,000 for bail

    By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

    A Woman Chief Executive Officer (CEO) operating a one building food business popularly known as Asher Kings and Queens restaurant Mrs  Aishetu Mercy Yakubu has lost her pregnancy as a result of trauma she suffered due to the demolition of her restaurant by Governor Nasir el-Rufai led government.

    The sympathetic looking woman who also paid N100,000 to police for balling staffs made the disclosure in a statement she personally issued and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday night.

    Mrs Yakubu, in a statement titled “THE STORY OF ASHER KINGS AND QUEENS RESTAURANT: this is my story”, stated that the restaurant is a 34 sitting capacity located at no.75, Kachia road, Sabon Tasha in chikun Local area of kaduna South.

    She stated that the “A 34 sitting-capacity- at -a -time restaurant is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, with registration number BN2463851 on 5th December,2016, under the COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 Food Production and Processing Services.

    “The Restaurant is a one-storey building structure, with a VIP Lounge section, where premium customers relax to watch football league games in a cozy environment, with all the comfort; air conditioners and light music.

    “Whilst the ground floor is where the kitchen and serving spot is, also with chairs and tables for customers to sit and eat their food as required.

    We hire/rent the VIP section for light events, of not more than 26 customers”, she stated. 

    Mrs Yakubu stated that “On the 27th December,2020, a customer hired the VIP Lounge for a 15-man reunion/Clothing line promo, to appreciate his customers for their good patronage of his brands. 

    “Before the event proper commenced, a friend of mine and i noticed an unusual movement around the main gate to the restaurant, as it was half opened to avoid a crowded environment. We approached the main gate and on getting there I saw two truck loads of heavily armed officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). 

    “I asked the team leader what was going on but he ignored my question and said he will explain to me when we get to the Police Station, Sabon Tasha Division. 

    When we arrived the Police station, my customer, who accompanied me to the station, enquired what the matter was and the Police showed us a poster on a GSM phone belonging to one of the officers, by name Inspector Felix. It was a poster of an event titled; KADUNA SEX PARTY, which the Police claimed the venue for the supposed “sex party” was scheduled to hold at my restaurant, even though with no address of where it will take place on the poster. 

    “I denied knowledge of that event as there was nothing of that sort taking place at the restaurant and that I wouldn’t stop so low to entertain such illicit activity at my place ,but the Police refused to belief me.

    “And I had my friend and two of my staff detained for one night,one day, until the customer that had earlier hired the place for usage on that fateful day was also arrested the next day. 

    “They were released after paying a “bail fee” of #100,000 to Inspector Felix and one other lady Officer,fair in complexion.

    “I noticed how incompetent the NPF were, i suggested to them to call the number on the supposed “Kaduna Sex Party” poster, which they immediately put a call through, and a name came on, using the True Caller App, as MARVELLOUS AKPAN.

    “The Police asked me to pay a fee of #20,000 for them to do their job of tracking down the user of the phone number, which I immediately paid them so that they will swing into action. 

    “Marvellous Akpan was arrested the next day. He was interrogated and he obliged to owning the phone number on the poster and printing of the poster which was posted on Social Media, assisted by a friend of his named Noah and one other guy. On further interrogation,

    “Mr Marvellous Akpan confessed to the Police that he doesn’t even know me and has never being to my restaurant nor have any knowledge of its address. He claimed that the poster for the supposed “Kaduna Sex Party” was just a prank !

    “Mr Chimeze,who had hired the place was released, summarily, after the successful arrest of Mr Akpan. 

    “The next day, 31st December, 2020, while at the other Branch of my restaurant, at Court Road,Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, a friend of mine called me and asked me to go to the main Restaurant and see what was going on. I immediately went and saw a combined team of Police men,Soldiers,KASTLEA and Vigilante groups guarding a Pay loader to demolished my restaurant. 

    “No prior notice was served to me before the demolition, there was no any form of communication between I and the Kaduna State Property Development Agency (KASUPDA) who came to demolished the building structure. 

    “Even when they arrived the location, the main entrance to the main Restaurant and the restaurant was under lock and key. There was no any form of communication to me ! 

    “I watched them pulled down the building without allowing me remove any item before the demolition. As a result of the trauma, I lost my one month old pregnancy”, she lamented.

    She also stated that “I also incurred the following loses;

    1. cooking utensils
    2.furniture,
    3.Electric appliances, 

    4. Chillers,
    5. Deep freezers

    6. Bemarrings out door catering utensils,
    7. Cash, et al worth over #32 million, as the place was abruptly vandalised after the demolition.

    “I plan to seek legal redress for defamation of my character and the loss of my properties, in the building, plus other sundry issues as would be advised by my lawyers”, she added.

  • Under-age married voters: HURIWA to write E U on alleged Paedophiles in Nigeria’s legislature.

    Under-age married voters: HURIWA to write E U on alleged Paedophiles in Nigeria’s legislature.


    The Prominent Civil Rights Advocacy group-: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has condemned the move by some law makers to amend the electoral Act to allow for under age girls who are married to vote saying that it will write to the European Union and the United Kingdom to probe some of the legislators for possible links to paedophilia.  


    “We are definitely going to send powerful letters to member nations of the European Union, the United King, the United States of America, Australia and Canada to call their attention to the possibility of a network of paedophiles in the current National Assembly of Nigeria”.


    “We will be asking these developed societies to take steps to impose travel restrictions against these identified members of the National Assembly who may actually be running a network and a gang of Paedophiles. We are disappointed that in a time like this,  when nation’s around the World are using their instruments of legislation to advance Women’s Rights and stop gender based violence, the Nigeria’s national Assembly is busy drafting a pro-paedophilia bill to enable UNDER-AGE MARRIED girls to enjoy voting rights which inevitably amounts to legislating Paedophilia into law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”


    HURIWA  recalled that the  national assembly joint committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is recommending that married underage girls be recognised as eligible voters even when the Nigeria’s constitution currently pegs the eligible age for voting at 18.


    HURIWA  recalled that the national assembly joint panel made the recommendation to a technical committee which will work on the new electoral act proposed by the federal lawmakers even as the technical committee is made up of lawyers, lawmakers, INEC officials and civil society organisations (CSOs).

    HURIWA recalled that at a public hearing organised by the joint panel about two weeks ago, some stakeholders recommended that married underage girls should be considered as voters.


    The Rights group said the decision by the joint Committee of the National Assembly to promote this sort of anti-social behaviour of encouraging Under age marriages with all the attendant health complications such as VesicoVaginal Fistula (VVF) which is scientifically caused by early marriage is one of the greatest set backs we are witnessing since the coming of Constitutional democracy in the Country and this must never be allowed to happen. 


    The Rights group said it was shocking that even ad the nation has spent millions of public funds to try to rehabilitate underage married girls suffering from VVF, the National Assembly is busy seeking to pass a bill to unleash more VVF sufferers on the National health sector that is weak and grossly underfunded.

      
    HURIWA however expressed shock that whilst speaking at the inauguration of the technical committee in Abuja, Kabiru Gaya, chairman of the senate committee on INEC, said the recommendation is a unanimous decision by the joint panel saying thus: “The joint committee has proposed that if a lady who is not up to 18 years is married, she should be considered to be mature enough and be eligible to vote,” Gaya said.

    HURIWA applauded Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, who said the issue of voting age is a constitutional matter, adding that the law also recognises 18 as marriageable age  just as the Rights group said the hierarchy of the Independent National Electoral commission headed by Professor Mahmoud Yakubu should refused to capitulate to the primitive lifestyle of those who actively supports Paedophilia because apart from it being an illegality, the practice of Under age marriages comes with devastating consequences for the girl child because it inherently denies the girl her fundamental human rights to pursue her academic and other developmental goals in her chosen careers apart from the serious health problems associated with early marriage which includes VVF. 


    HURIWA said it will be tasking the member nation’s of the European Union and other Western Civilised Societies to impose travel bans on all the law makers promoting the bill to legalise early marriage because there is a very thin line between showing passion for early marriage and practicing Paedophilia which is a very serious crime all around the World.
    “We will be writing to these nations to investigate these members of the joint Committee on the Electoral Act amendments with a view to ascertaining if any of them is a Paedophile so the person can be stopped from travelling around the World to avoid contaminating other teenage girls of other nations since they are in a position to have access to slush funds to fund such an illicit lifestyle.

    They should be investigated thoroughly because at this time everyone is talking against early marriage and other sexual violence against girls, here in Nigeria there are persons whose passion is to move to legalise early marriage in Nigeria. We as a civilised constitutional democracy must resist and reject this obscene and immoral lifestyle”. 

  • Gunmen invades Bayelsa community, set ablaze over 20 houses

    Gunmen invades Bayelsa community, set ablaze over 20 houses

    Gunmen suspected to be militants on Sunday, invaded Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and set ablaze about 20 houses.

    It was gathered that the armed men stormed Peremabiri in 50 speedboats in a bid to take control of the community from an ex-militant leader, Paul Eris, popularly known as Ogunboss. 

    Recall that gunmen had on Christmas day attacked the home of the ex-militant leader and burnt down his private residence.

    According to a source who spoke to the Nation, the gunmen chased out community members suspected to be loyal to Paul Eris and have taken over control of the town.

    “As I speak with you many people are still hiding in the bush and many houses have been burnt down. The gunmen came in over 50 speedboats shooting sporadically and gained entrance into the community. People had no other option than to run into the bush for safety,” the source said. 

    “Our intelligence report has it that the gunmen have vowed to remain in the community and ensure that Ogunbos and his followers never return to the community. I was told that the Christmas day attack on Ogunbos’s house was to drive him out of the town. And that today’s attack is aimed at taking total control of the community.” the source added. 

  • FCT minister decorates newly promoted security personnels

    FCT minister decorates newly promoted security personnels

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju 

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has decorated some newly promoted men of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the FCT.

     Mallam Bello also called for support for the security agencies in the country as a whole for their efforts at combating security challenges.

    The minister made this call while decorating his newly promoted Chief Security Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rasheed, and three other officers in his security team with their new ranks, and stressed the need to give the Nigeria Police and other security agencies the support and appreciation they duly deserve for their job of policing the country, particularly the FCT.

    Contrary to the negative perceptions of the Police Force he  commended the FCT Police Command for keeping the nation’s capital safe.

    According to the minister   most  times the police officers are not given due credit for their efforts. He said “in the FCT Command, I know the kind of work you have done, tirelessly, day and night. I am telling you, for each robbery incident, the FCT Command are able to prevent 10; for each kidnapping in the papers, they must have prevented up to 20; and every day, arrests are being made”.

       Malam Bello also called on Nigerians to provide them with credible information to enable them perform their duties well.

    He  said that celebrating the newly decorated officers was a good way to end the year 2020 which has been fraught with a lot of challenges for the security agencies.

    While commending the officers on their promotion, the Minister urged them to reciprocate the gesture by putting in more effort in the discharge of their duties.

    Speaking earlier, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Bala Ciroma congratulated the officers for their promotions and reminded them that the reward for hard work was even more work.

  • Gov Wike Direct Schools in Rivers To Reopen On Monday

    Gov Wike Direct Schools in Rivers To Reopen On Monday

    The Rivers State government has directed private and public schools in the state to reopen on Monday.

    This was announced by the Permanent Secretary at the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Chidi Adiele, in a statement on Sunday.

    According to Adiele, all schools in Rivers are to resume academic activities on January 4 for the completion of the first term academic session.

    He explained that the directive was issued with the approval of the state governor, Nyesom Wike, in line with the school calendar published in August 2020.

    The government, however, warned the schools to maintain all COVID-19 protocols, including the wearing of face masks and the use of hand sanitisers.

    It also asked them to introduce staggered classes for morning and afternoon in order to avoid overcrowding of the schools.

  • Tinubu hospitalised but free from COVID-19 says spokesman

    Tinubu hospitalised but free from COVID-19 says spokesman

    Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos state, has been hospitalised in Paris, France, after falling ill it has been reported.

    However, contrary to speculations, he has not been diagnosed with COVID-19.

    Tunde Rahman, his spokesperson, has denied that the APC stalwart is down with COVID.

    “This story is inaccurate. Asiwaju is healthy and does not have COVID-19,” he said.

    “He took his annual trip and as part of the preparation for the trip he took a COVID-19 test which was negative.

    Since the advent of the pandemic Asiwaju has always done his level best to observe, as strictly as humanly possible, all government advice and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus and to keep himself and those around him safe from harm.

    “This has not changed. Shortly before Christmas, he indeed travelled out of Nigeria for his annual holiday. This is something he does each year to give himself a chance to rest and reflect on the year just passed while also preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the one to come.

    “There will be no further comment on this story from our office.” he said in the statement.

  • BREAKING: FG suspend workers over extortion at NIMC centres

    BREAKING: FG suspend workers over extortion at NIMC centres

    The Federal Government has suspended workers fingered in extortion at enrolment centres of the National Identity Management Commission.

    It was gathered that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, ordered the immediate suspension of the staff members involved in extortion of applicants at the NIMC Bauchi and Kaduna state offices.

    The NIMC on Sunday said the directive came on the heels of public outcry that some personnel of commission, particularly at enrolment centres in Bauchi and Kaduna were capitalising on the rush for National Identification Number by the public to perpetrate fraudulent activities.

    A spokesperson for the commission, Kayode Adegoke, said in a statement issued in Abuja that the act was inimical to the policy directive of the Federal Government, which required mobile network subscribers to update their Subscriber Identification Module registration with a valid NIN.

    Pantami restated his zero-tolerance stance on extortion, bribery and corruption.

    He noted that such unethical practices if allowed to fester and not nipped in the bud by taking stiffer actions against the culprits, had the potency of derailing the SIM-NIN integration project.

    The minister said enrolment for NIN was free of charge, adding that on no occasion should anyone pay to obtain an enrolment form or to have their biometrics captured.

    “All personnel involved in the enrolment and NIN issuance exercise must carry out their respective duties professionally, fairly and with integrity,” the statement stated.

    It added, “In light of the above, we wish to call on the general public to assist us in putting our commitments into action by sending proof of any nefarious activity within and around our enrolment centres.”

    It urged the public to provide snapshots, footage and other proofs to help the government address the matter.

  • COVID-19: Lagos Govt Asks Civil Servants To Work From Home For Another Two Weeks

    COVID-19: Lagos Govt Asks Civil Servants To Work From Home For Another Two Weeks

    The Lagos State government has directed all public servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to continue working from home for another two weeks.

    It explained that the extension order to the workers who were expected to resume on Monday followed the increase in recorded cases of COVID-19 in the state.

    The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the workers would now resume on January 18, 2021, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, revealed in a statement on Sunday.

    Noting that essential duty staff and first responders were excluded from the directive, he urged all the public servants to stay safe and keep adhering to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic in the shortest possible time.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu’s directive was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, to members of the State Executive Council and all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Sunday.

    The circular entitled “Re: Stemming the Tide of the Second Wave Of COVID-19 Pandemic” also stated that the Year 2021 First Work Day Prayer Session for all public servants in Lagos State would be held virtually on Monday.

    It read:

    Sequel to Head of Service Circular Ref. No: CIR/HOS/’20/Vol.1/139 of 18th December 2020 on stemming the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the state, it is hereby notified for general information that Mr Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has further directed all State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to continue working from home till Monday, 18th January 2021.

    Expectedly, the directive excludes Essential Duty Staff, as well as First Responders.

    Furthermore, while wishing all staff, a prosperous and fulfilling year, please be informed that the Y2021 First Work Day Prayer Session for all Public Servants in Lagos State shall be held in line with tradition on Monday 4th January 2020.

    However, in keeping with COVID-19 Protocols, the session shall be held via zoom and streamed live on Facebook.

    In addition, all public servants are enjoined to stay safe and to keep adhering to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic in the shortest possible time.

    All heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are urged to note the contents of this circular for compliance and give it the deserved Service-wide publicity.

  • Police Parade 45 Suspected Criminals In Ogun

    Police Parade 45 Suspected Criminals In Ogun

    The Ogun State Police Command has paraded about 45 suspected criminals including a 35-year-old mother of two arrested for human trafficking.

    Parading the suspects which include rapists, armed robbery suspects, cultists among others, the state commissioner of police, Edward Ajogun said 113 armed robbery, 227 suspected cultists, 24 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the last six months while 1,139 suspects are undergoing prosecution

    Seeking more collaboration and synergy with other security agencies and residents, the commissioner, however, promised tougher times for criminals in the state

    The arrest of the 35-year-old mother of two, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, followed a report by one Oluwaseun Aduratola and one Sakirat Fasasi both residents of Siun town in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state who reported at Owode Egba police station that the suspect abducted their teenage daughters.

    “The suspect who is a notorious human trafficker is about taking the two girls to Libya where they will be forced into prostitution,” he said on Thursday.

    He said that On the strength of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Owode Egba division, Mathew Ediae, quickly swung into action with his detectives and through intelligence-driven investigation; they succeeded in arresting the suspect.

    “On interrogation, the suspect confessed been a human trafficker and that she has been into the business for a long time.

    “She confessed further that her husband is based in Italy while she stays in Nigeria recruiting young girls and send them to her husband in Italy, enroute Libya where they will be used as prostitutes,” the police spokesman explained.

    According to Oyeyemi, the two girls she recently abducted had been taken to Kaduna State from where they will be transported to Libya.

    But stating her own side of the story, the suspect, Comfort Innocent, denied any wrongdoing, saying that she was only trying to help the two victims

    “I did not engage in human trafficking. I was only trying to help because those two girls always coming for financial assistance that is why I introduced them to one of my friends who told me that she needed girls for her hairdressing job,” she said.

    “That was what she told me, I did not know that she has another motive. I am a petty trader; I have a shop in Owode where I sell provisions.”

    She, however, appealed to the police authority in the state to allow her to see her nine-month-old boy whom she saw last when she was arrested for the alleged crime.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

    The police boss also appealed to parents to always be mindful of their children well-being, especially the female ones in order to save them from those he regarded as wolves in human skins.