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  • Land owners protest over inadequate compensation in Nasarawa

    Land owners protest over inadequate compensation in Nasarawa

    The residents of Akurba Village in Nasarawa State have staged a peaceful protest over purported inadequate compensation for their lands taken by the state government for the on 330 KVA Step Down Electricity Substation Project.

    Speaking to newsmen on Sunday in Lafia, Mr Yasir Arafat, spokesperson of more than 300 protesters, noted that they were not against the project on their lands but the compensation paid to them was grossly inadequate.

    He said that though the project would help them and the state at large, but wondered why some of them were given as low as N8,000 for their land that was taken over.

    “Farming is our only source of livelihood and now that our source of livelihood is taken over, we need something reasonable to enable us start-up another business.

    “What can N8, 000 do for us to provide for the needs of the family amidst the present economic condition,” Arafat added.

    He, therefore, called on the Federal and State Governments to come to their aid to prevent them from being expose to hardship.

    Similarly, Baba Badamasi, a community leader in the area, appealed to Gov. Abdullahi Sule to intervene in the matter to ensure justice was serve to them.

    He explained that some of them are making up to N1 million every year from their economic trees, but were given an amount that cannot sustain them and their families as compensation.

    He, therefore, appealed to the government to look into the issue again with the view to addressing it in the interest of the overall development of the state.

    When contacted, Mr Salihu Alizaga, Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, said that the assessment for the payments of the compensation was done during the last administration in the state.

    “The assessment was done by the last administration before we came into office, so we paid the compensation base on the records of the assessment that was carried out,” the Commissioner added.

    Alizaga, therefore, urged people whose lands were affected by the electricity protect to remain calm and not to take the laws into their hands.

    The ongoing 330 KVA Step down Electricity Substation Project is being executed by the federal government with the state government providing the land which covers over sixty hectares. (NAN).

  • 2 bodies recovered from scene of fresh Lagos pipeline explosion -NEMA

    2 bodies recovered from scene of fresh Lagos pipeline explosion -NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday said that two bodies had been recovered from the explosion site of a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Ile Epo axis of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office, NEMA, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The raging fire caused panic among the residents of Abule Egba, Ile Epo and Ekoro Road due to the thick smoke which oozed out from the explosion scene.

    Farinloye said that several buildings and articulated vehicles were engulfed in the inferno which happened on Sunday night.

    He noted that the cause of the incident had yet to be ascertained, saying that emergency responders immediately swung into action after receiving distress calls from some residents of the area.

    “NEMA and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) officials are here. The Lagos State Fire Service officials are here trying to put off the fire.

    “We have contacted NNPC to shut down the pipelines and so far, we have been able to recover two bodies,” Farinloye said.

    Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director General, LASEMA, also confirmed the incident in a statement.

    “A raging fire from the explosion of a vandalised NNPC pipeline has caused panic among residents within Awori, U-turn and Pipeline communities in Abule Egba.

    “LASEMA, Lagos Fire Service are responding and are on top of the situation,” he said.

    It will be recalled that a similar incident had occurred on Dec. 5, 2019 after some suspected pipeline vandals disrupted the Atlas Cove-Mosinmi Pipeline, part of the System 2B Pipeline at Peace Estate, Varies, in Idimu axis of the state. (NAN)

  • Gov. Makinde says inter-agency security collaboration has boosted security in Oyo state

    Gov. Makinde says inter-agency security collaboration has boosted security in Oyo state

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, has commended inter-agency collaboration among security services in the state, saying it has greatly boosted the security situation.

    Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Makinde, quoted the governor as making this assertion during a reception organised for the 163 newly promoted senior officers of security agencies in Oyo state, held at the Lawn Tennis Court, Police Headquarters Eleyele, Ibadan.

    The governor said that the collaboration among the police and other security agencies in the state had helped the task of maintaining peace, security and protection of lives and property of the people in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    He said that the collaborative efforts of all the security agencies in state had helped to reduce crime to the barest minimum.

    Makinde stressed that the inter-agency collaboration among the security agencies has made the objective of securing the state easy to achieve.

    He thanked the all the officers and men of the security agencies in state for making the state secured.

    “I want to also specially appreciate the good work of the heads of the security agencies; the CPs, the Immigration Comptroller, Commandant of the NSCDC for the collaborative effort, because I know that there is no single agency that can cover this entire state alone,”  he said.

    Makinde, who described the inter-agency collaboration among security agencies in the state as top-notch, noted that there was always eagerness from one agency to assist the other in achieving the objective of securing the state.

    He tasked the security agencies to “keep up” collaborative spirit and not relent in pursuing the goal of keeping Oyo state safe and peaceful.

    The governor, while congratulating the newly promoted Senior Officers, charged them to see their promotions as call to do more for the country and urged them to be good ambassadors of the state.

    He charged those still expecting their promotions to work harder, praying that God would uplift them in due course.

    According to him, the heads of the security agencies cannot function and deliver without all of you that are seated here tonight.

    “Those that have been promoted should know that it is a call to do more and those who are still expecting their promotion, by the grace of God, it will come but you have to work very hard.”

    Earlier in his remarks, Mr Shina Olukolu, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo, appreciated the administration of Gov. Makinde for the huge support it has been giving to the security in the task of securing the state.

    Olukolu noted that the Makinde administration, in just seven months, has surpassed the previous administrations in the state in terms of provisions to enhance the performance of the police in securing the state.

    He added, “Some of the things that make officers of all the services to want to continue rendering efficient, dedicated services to the society, which will enhance their performance, are training and retraining, logistics to carry out their operations, welfare matters and appreciation.

    He stated further that the police and other security agencies in the state would continue to work together to maintain peace and
    security of lives and property across the length and breadth of the state.

    He appealed to the governor to continue to ensure that security remains top priority in his administration.(NAN)

  • Amotekun ploy to declare Oduduwa republic – Balarabe Musa

    Amotekun ploy to declare Oduduwa republic – Balarabe Musa

    By Samuel Itsede 

    Former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa. has described Operation Amotekun as a ploy by some leaders of the South West to declare secede and declare Oduduwa republic

    Balarabe Musa stated this while speaking with journalists at the weekend. He cautioned the Federal Government and Nigerians not to allow the establishment of Amotekun to stand.

    He further explained that some of the security components of the outfit like the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, have records of recklessness in terms of securing the lives and property of non-Yoruba.

    Balarabe Musa also dismissed comments comparing Hisbah and the Civilian JTF operating in the northern part of the country with Amotekun as untrue, saying both groups are legal having gone through the scrutiny of the police, army and legal processes.

    He further described Afenifere, one of the supporters of the Amotekun project, as a group made up of people with secessionist agenda.

    “First of all, taking into account what happened in the history of Nigeria, this Amotekun will lead to a declaration of Oduduwa Republic. Look at the composition of those who constitute the organization in addition to the six-state governors”, he added.

    He blamed the evolution of Amotekun on the incompetence of the Federal Government even as he queried Yoruba leaders for coming up with what he sees as a sad development.

    “There is also the OPC, Afenifere, and others. So, the fear is quite obvious, and this is in spite of the fact that this government is incompetent. Definitely, this government is incompetent, and it is because of the incompetence of this government that this problem has arisen, but let us also not forget that this Federal Government is an alliance between the North and the Southwest. So, why should this happen? Any correction in the set up of the country is possible if this alliance, which controls the government in the country can do its work”, he maintained.

  • NAF acquires brand new Agusta attack helicopters

    NAF acquires brand new Agusta attack helicopters

     

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to induct the second batch of 2 new AgustaWestland 109 Power Attack Helicopters procured by the Federal Government as part of the fleet enhancement efforts to enable more effective and efficient employment of airpower to tackle the security challenges facing the Nation.

     The two helicopters, along with associated equipment and spares, according to air force spokesman air commodore,  Ibikunla Daramola, arrived Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja on board a Boeing 737-400 Cargolux Airline aircraft from Malpensa International Airport in Italy on 15 January 2020.

     The helicopters were received by a NAF Team, led by Air Commodore Halim Adebowale, as well as the Country Representative of Leonardo Helicopters, manufacturers of the aircraft.

     NAF engineers and technicians, in collaboration with a Team from Leonardo, have commenced assembly of the helicopters preparatory to their induction into service. 

    Daybreak news recalls  that the NAF had earlier received the first batch of 2 new Agusta 109 Power Helicopters that were inducted into the Service on 29 April 2019 during the 55th NAF Day Celebration in Abuja. It would also be noted that the  Service, within the last 5 years, has taken delivery of 21 brand new aircraft, including 10 Super Mushshak, 5 Mi-35M Helicopter Gunships, 2 Bell 412 Helicopters and 4 Agusta 109 Power Helicopters. Besides these, 15 additional aircraft have been ordered by the Federal Government, which include 12 Super Tucano attack aircraft and 3 JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircraft. 

    In addition, the Service also took over 11 aircraft from other MDAs. These include 3 EC-135 helicopters and 3 Dauphin helicopters from NNPC, 3 Donier 228 aircraft and 2 Agusta 101 from the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF); making an unprecedented total of 47 aircraft that have either been inducted into the NAF or ordered for the Service since 2015. In the same vein, over 20 previously grounded aircraft have been reactivated within the past 5 years. 

    The statement further noted that after induction, the 2 new helicopters  will be deployed to theatres of operation across the country to reinforce NAF capability in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality.

  • Benue govt. says negotiations on N30,000 minimum wage still ongoing

    Benue govt. says negotiations on N30,000 minimum wage still ongoing

    The Benue Government on Friday said that negotiations on the N30,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state had not been concluded.

    Prof. Anthony Ijohor, Secretary of the State Government, made the clarification in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Makurdi.

    He was reacting to reports that a member of the New Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee had claimed, in a social media post, that the negotiations had been concluded.

    According to him, the Benue government and labour unions are still negotiating on the issue.

    “It is necessary to state that negotiations between Benue government and labour unions on implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage have not been concluded.

    “The member of the State Government Committee on the New Minimum Wage, who posted on social media that the negotiations have been concluded and approval given, did so in haste and error, and has since been told to retract the report.

    “We wonder why the committee member rushed to the media with the report when we and labour leaders are still meeting to agree on the new minimum wage for workers of the state.

    “Our administration has presented its proposal and labour leaders have given assurance that they will study the proposal and get back to government,” he said.

    The statement further called for patience on the new minimum wage, stating that all grey areas would soon be ironed out in the best interest of the state. (NAN)

  • NUJ declares one week mourning for assassinated journalist

    NUJ declares one week mourning for assassinated journalist

    The Adamawa Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) has declared a one week mourning for late Maxwell Nashon, a journalist who was murdered on Wednesday in the state.
    Nashon was a reporter with Fombina FM, Yola, before he was killed.
    Mr Ishaku Donald, the state NUJ Chairman said this in a statement on Friday in Yola.
    The NUJ, Adamawa Council has declared one week mourning and prayers for the repose of the soul of our great member, late Maxwell Nashon.
    “His killing was not only inhumane and barbaric but unpardonable injury meted on the union.
    “While the union condoles with the family of the deceased, management and staff of the FRCN Fombina FM Yola, it calls on the State Government and security agencies to step up measures to stem the current insecurity challenge,” Donald said.
    He said that the council would continue to remember Nashon for his commitment and sacrifice to duty.(NAN)

  • FG feeds 194,707 pupils in Enugu

    FG feeds 194,707 pupils in Enugu

    No fewer than 194,707 pupils in Enugu State have continued to benefit from the ongoing Federal Government National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.

    The Programme Manager in the state, Mr Ifeanyi Onah, disclosed this to newsmen in Enugu on Friday.

    It would be recalled that National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme was an initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration designed to fight poverty and malnutrition among children.

    The programme entails feeding of pupils daily, increase pupils’ enrolment and class attendance nationwide.

    Onah said that the federal government had also engaged about 2,230 cooks currently in the ongoing programme in the state.

    He noted that Enugu state was among the first set of states that joined the exercise by fulfilling all the conditions in 2016.

    According to him, the programme has been running hitch-free in the state and gained a lot of acceptance and applause from the people.

    “I will applaud Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for ensuring that Enugu State was among the states in the country to benefit in the first batch of the scheme.

    “This pragmatic and futuristic step taken by Gov. Ugwuanyi is yielding a lot of fruits, which has impacted much on our children and the pupils’ primary school system.

    “The programme is currently running smoothly and without any hitch in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Fuel tanker burns in Onitsha again, no casualty – FRSC

    Fuel tanker burns in Onitsha again, no casualty – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra  Command, on Friday said no casualty was recorded in the tanker that burnt at Upper Iweka in Onitsha.

    The state Sector Commander, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of petrol with no registration number, caught fire about 2:30.a.m. on Friday.

    “The tanker caught fire due to electrical fault in the engine of the vehicle. The driver started shouting fire! fire!!,the neighbouring houses tried their best to put out the fire.

    “But Fire service men, FRSC officials and the Policemen responded promptly and the fire has been extinguished.  No casualty or injury was recorded.

    “Officers of FRSC are diverting traffic and cordoning the scene to avoid running into the carcass and the fire service vehicles,” he said.

    A similar incident happened on Thursday when a truck loaded with goods going to Enugu went into flames along UNIZIK main gate, Awka-Enugu expressway about 2:30 p.m.

    Kumapayi told NAN that the FRSC patrol team alerted the state fire service which responded and was able to put the fire under control.

    “The vehicle which loaded from Onitsha Main Market, was heading to Cameroun. The Driver, Mr Chimezie Aneke said they were traveling with the manager of the company and two others.

    “Some of the goods in the vehicle included: AC gas cylinders, perfumes, cosmetics, grinding machines, soaps, etc.
    There was no injury, ” Kumapayi said. (NAN)

  • FRSC decorates 34 newly-promoted officers in Anambra

    FRSC decorates 34 newly-promoted officers in Anambra

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Command, on Friday, decorated 34 newly-promoted officers in the state with new ranks, urging them to rededicate themselves to service of their fatherland.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, gave the charge during the ceremony held at the command’s headquarters in Awka,

    Kumapayi explained that 34 officers who were senior officers, middle cadre officers and marshals were decorated.

    He called on the officers to work harder to ensure sanity on the state’s roads.

    “We thank God for the recognition of your hard work and I urge you to brace up to the challenges of making our roads safe for users,” Kumapayi said.

    Also speaking, the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abang urged the officers not to be carried away with the new ranks but to see it as a demand for more responsibility.

    Abang said that the promotion was an opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the nation through safety on roads.

    “For every rank you are wearing, you are making your families, communities and country proud. So continue to walk the talk and discharge your duties without fear,” Abang said.

    Mr Gabriel Adaji, one of the newly-promoted officers, promised to be more dedicated to duties, saying that the promotion had not been easy.

    “I will continue to promote the image of the FRSC and do my job diligently. I thank the command for the opportunity,” he said. (NAN)