Category: News

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The Kogi state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC has paraded one Faruk Abdullahi for an alleged procurement of fake employment letter of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Authority NIMASA to Sule Abdullahi at the cost of two million naira.

Also paraded were pastor Chimezie who allegedly collected one Million naira from AbdulBanu Ibrahim with the intent to help him invest in coal mining business, while Atahiru Abuh was nabbed for failing to sell a. Car to Aishat Abuh after collecting the sum of one Million , Seven hundred naira.

While parading the culprits at the command headquarters in Lokoja, on Wednesday, the Assistant Commandant General, Ahmad Ahmad Ghandi said the arrest was made after series of complaints by the victims.

He said, on discreet investigation, the employment letter procured for one Sule Nurudeen Darlington by Faruk Abdul , male, 31 , proved to be fake which prompted the command to swiftly swing into action with his arrest in his hide out in the state.

He added that on receipt of the complaint, by AbdulBanu Ibrahim that one pastor Chimezie has swindled him of his hard earned one million naira which he invested with the suspect for coal mining business, swung into action and got him arrested from hideout in Ankpa, Kogi state while Atahiru Kebi was whisked from his hideout at Anambra state for his failure to deliver a car to Aishat Abuh after he had collected over One Million Seven hundred naira for the transaction.

ACG Ghandi said , all the suspects have confessed to the crimes and promised to prosecute them in the law court after the completion of investigation.

ACG Ghandi, however, assured the people of the state the commitment of the command to stamp out crimes and criminality and urged citizens to avail the corps useful information that will lead to the arrest of predatory elements.

Speaking to newsmen, Atahiru Kebi accused of not delivery the car after he might have collected over one one million ,Seven hundred naira , said, the complainant was his mother in-law and that the money was not solely meant to buy her a car but monies collected for medical bills of his wife and family support.

He added that, it was when his business began to crash and unable to fend for his family with heavy debts that he decided to relocate to Anambra state before he was arrested and brought to kogi state.

He pleaded with the mother in law to temper justice with mercy promising to deliver the car when his business picked up again.

In the same token, pastor Chimezie did not deny the allegation, but noted that the money was to be used to hire excavator and for the registration of mining licence, which requires a long process.

He said , he has contacted his accomplices for the new development and promise to resolve the matter amicably with the victim.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo

Former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has pledged his unwavering support to Governor Umo Eno to surpass his records in office.

He also said that one of the secrets of his successful reign as Governor was the support he got from Christian fathers in the State and has expressed happiness that they are extending the same to his successor.

At a New Year service to usher in 2024 in the State yesterday in Uyo, Emmanuel said, “I don’t have any doubt or fear, I still stand on what I said from Day One that you’ll do 200 times better than me in all ramifications and God will give you the enablement and capacity to make that happen.”

Thanking Akwa Ibom people for their support to Eno, he maintained that the unity of the State must be upheld.

“Let me thank the youth, women, elders, and all those who believed in us. I believe that as the Preacher today said, we need one mind, and we must be strengthened together. The governor alone can not do it.” The former Governor said.

Relishing on the vision behind the worship center, Mr Emmanuel said he was moved by that fact that despite being named after God, the State had no befitting place of worship.

“Probably today, we would have been under the sun, but we now have a place that we can all gather, an altar where we can gather to worship God.

“I remember in one of my commissioning, I made a statement that the birds have their nest in the air but we christians do not have a place to worship but today,we give God all the glory.

“Once again, I stand here to give God all the glory for energizing and the sustainance of our beloved Governor , Our leader, that God has graciously given to us at a time like this. The same God that raised him up will sustain him no matter what happens. God does not send someone on an errand and forsake him.” Emmanuel added.

Eno in his remarks at the event, expressed described the new Worship Centre as a tourist attraction, particularly expressing gratitude for having the immediate past governor and initiator of the Worship Centre project at the event.

The governor assured that he would ensure the maintenance of the facility as a valuable asset of the state and to maintain the spiritual component of the Worship Centre as an altar of the State, by daily prayers in the centre throughout the year.

He therefore announced the appointment of the Uyo Field Superintendent of the Apostolic Church, Pastor Ime George, as coordinator of the prayer roaster and Rev. Hilkiah Eliatha as Secretary, as well as a technical crew to maintain the facility.

The event had in attendance clergymen across various denominations, officials of Federal and see governments including the Minister of State for Petroleum, (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo.

1st January 2024.

Protocols.

It is with renewed hope and high optimism that I stand to address the Nigerian youth today! We give God the glory for keeping us alive and keeping the country together, despite daunting and hurting challenges. Welcome to 2024.
Since my captainship of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) from 2019, we have passed through a lot of remarkable epochs. Some of them are very pleasant, and some very troubling or challenging. In all of it, we have steered the ship, making the voices of the youth heard and indeed, we have survived all anchored of an unwavering hope and undying tenacity. Having come to the evenings of my stewardship in the National Youth Council of Nigeria, this shall be my last address as we prepare for the conduct of elections to pave way for a new breed of vibrant young leaders to emerge and steer the affairs of the Council.
May I begin by commending the resilience of the Nigerian youth, I offer my salute and extend my gratitude to a generation that has refused to be bowed; we have been challenged but not chained; hopeful and confident; progressive and productive. It is my earnest belief that by our sheer determination and abiding faith, we have crossed the toughest times.
It is on record that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda came with excruciating reforms, but these were only made to save us from a pending and inevitable economic doom. We have had to take it with stoicism and equanimity. The criminal subsidy regime was ended and the worst forex round tripping crime ever known to this country was also ended. It dealt us some blows to the masses also, but it was the right and righteous things to do. We thank the Nigerian youth for your patience and urge you to continue to support President Tinubu. It is still “Morning Yet on Creation Day.” And the signs of massive improvement are already showing in few months.
Apart from the Dangote Refinery which will certainly begin full production this year, the Port Harcourt Refinery is also ready to start production. These are undeniable achievements which will change the economic narratives. President Tinubu did not start these projects, but he has clearly opened the economic space and swiftly completed them. Others are following in quick successions. We must remain focused, vigilant and have faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
As a nation, we are faced with security challenges. My heart goes out to the families and communities that have lost their loved ones to insecurity, especially the people of Plateau State whose Christmas Celebration was turned into mourning. We, condemn in the strongest terms that act of monstrosity. May the soul of the victims rest in peace.
The Nigerian Youth herein reiterate our faith and unflinching confidence in the Nigerian Military under the command of the Chief of Defence Staff – Gen. C. G. Musa and other Security Agencies who are facing an unusual war which is asymmetric and frustratingly tricky. We urge them not to relent. Our prayers and thoughts are with them. We call on all Nigerians to give them needed support and cooperation.

Having interacted with some persons in the upper echelons of the Tinubu Government and the Security Agencies, we are confident that succor is on the way and this administration as led by President Tinubu will do more to restore peace to the country. We therefore call on the Military and other Security Agencies to maintain crushing pressure on all terrorists and criminal elements till they are eliminated from our territorial space. May we seize this medium to commend the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi for providing the needed intelligence to foil several attacks planned by enemies of the State. The Nigerian Youth shall keep playing our role in assisting with information to counter the activities of all renegade elements.
It is a fact that we cannot run a country where we are not progressively active stakeholders. I therefore urge the youth to continue to be solution providers rather than naysayers and destabilizing tools in the hands of purveyors of crisis and agents of instability.
To this end, let me recognize the strength of young people on the internet, social spaces and mainstream media. It is a great strength. But I plead that our intellect, creativity and energy should be channeled to the promotion of “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” which is the motto of Nigeria. We must shun all calls for ethnic hatred, religious division and regional supremacy tussles. Our strength is in our numbers and unity. We must therefore focus on our respective Comparative advantages for the overall economic growth and development of the nation. We all need each other as a nation to emerge stronger
As we plan to exit the stage to allow younger people take the stage, we plan to harness the strengths of the youth and middle-aged on another platform to keep the light of the young people on. All stakeholders are invited to ensure that young Nigerians are not allowed to only react before the are called negative names or engaged. Government must be proactive. We therefore call on the Federal government and the respective State governments to embark on massive technical and vocational education training programs for youth to guarantee improved local productivity and improve our balance of trade. Our vast lands should also be deployed to engage youth in innovative agriculture to shore up agricultural productivity, tackle food inflation and ease the plight of the masses. Governments at all levels should ensure that all intervention programs are geared towards sustainable productivity and jobs creation rather than political appeasement and looting. The 75billion naira Nigerian Youth Investment Fund has remained largely unaccounted for and its impact has not been felt by the youth and the nation because it was used as a tool for political settlements while a considerable amounts were stolen. Mr. President should ensure this is investigated and such should not be allowed to reoccur.

May we use this medium to thank President Tinubu for already entrusting a lot of young people with high responsibilities starting from Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Heads of MDAs. He must not relent. And on our part, we will reciprocate with our love and support.

The Ministry of Youth in particular has taken an unusual trajectory in terms of the agencies and backgrounds of the Minister and Minister of State. For the first time, the Ministry is run by young persons, with the correct youth backgrounds. We hope they break away from the old tradition that disconnected the youth from Government because merchants took over the Ministry. We urge all young appointees of the government to be more in the field with their sleeves rolled up better understand the felt needs of the youth and convey the needed government intervention to them.

Finally , we herein appreciate the National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio for sacrificing their holidays to ensure that the 2024 Appropriation Bill was passed into law in record time. The Nigerian Senate led by Sen. Akpabio and the Federal House of Representatives led by Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas have shown that there can indeed be a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature amidst the appropriate checks and balances. We urge the National Assembly to continually give Mr. President the veritable support at all times.
I urge all Nigerian Youth to maintain faith and unflinching confidence as we march into the year knowing that Nigeria is in safe hands under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency. We shall be open at all times to interface with the youth and provide solutions to emerging challenges as we march on to take our pride of place in the frontlines in the comity of nations.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Amb. Solomon Adodo
President, National Youth Council of Nigeria

The Lagos State Government has urged the arrest and prosecution of six northern candidates involved in the Nigerian Army recruitment process, who falsely claimed to be indigenes of Lagos. In a viral video, the candidates from Kaduna State attempted to secure recruitment slots designated for Lagos State indigenes. While the government awaits an official report, Commissioner for Information Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, emphasized that such fraudulent acts should be treated as perjury, calling for police intervention.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the arrest of the candidates, asserting its commitment to a transparent and credible recruitment process. An investigation will be conducted to identify those responsible for fraudulent activities, and the Army pledged cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure justice.

Former Minister of Communications and retired Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju called for an investigation into the violation of constitutional rights, highlighting procedural flaws and the need for stringent verification measures in Lagos State’s indigenship application conditions. Olanrewaju urged responsible agencies to address the abuse of identity claims and proposed the establishment of a Verification System Unit for autonomous and accurate verification in the recruitment process.

The incident sparked concerns over the integrity of the recruitment process and calls for proactive measures to prevent such manipulations in the future.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

In the current rampaging reign of terror across the middle belt, no fewer than four persons including a staff of CBN have been reportedly killed in Karu LGA of Nassarawa State by gunmen suspected to be assassins.

They were killed following alleged raid by the suspected assailants believed to be on the trail of the CBN staff at a supermarket on Tuesday evening in the LGA.

The suspected assailants reportedly stormed Wisdom Supermarket located in One Man Village in Karu LGA at about 8.45 pm and opened fire on the customers killing the CBN staff and three others including a lady.

It was gathered that the CBN staff drove into the super market in a new “Muzzle” Toyota Camry where he was attacked and killed. His cellphone was allegedly taken away living his car untouched as the killers also left without taking anything from the supermarket.

The residents of the area said the incidents are becoming a serious source of concerned as citizens no longer find peace in the state.

One of the residents, Adamu Jacob who spoke, recalled the recent abduction of the Chairman of Akwanga LGA and three others last Monday in Andaha, the abduction of a lecturer in Kokona and some students at both Federal University of Lafia, and Nasarawa state University Keffi respectively.

They therefore called on the state government to step up the security apparatus in the state to secure the safety of lives and property of people in Nasarawa state.

Confirming the raid, the public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa state Police Command, DSP Ranham Nansel said the hoodlums invaded the supper market at 8.45 pm and shot the four persons to death.

“I wish to confirm that on the second of January 2024 at about 8:45 hours, some hoodlums numbering about four, attacked wisdom supermarket at Adeyi in Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa state and killed four customers”, he said.

According to the PPRO, the hoodlums opened fire on the customers and as a result, four affected persons were recovered and taking to the hospital where they were confirmed dead by a medical doctor and their corps have been deposited at the Maraba medical center.

He said the commissioner of police, Nasarawa state command, CP Umar Shehu Nadada has directed the deputy commissioner of police in charge of criminal investigation department, Lafia to move to the scene of the incident and carry out a comprehensive investigation into the case adding that the out come of the investigation will be made known.

President Bola Tinubu, Aliko Dangote, Victor Osimhen, and Burna Boy have been named among the most influential Africans of 2023, according to the New African magazine’s annual list released on Tuesday.

The list recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions and positive impacts across various fields, reflecting excellence, innovation, leadership, resilience, and vision. With 31 representatives, creatives dominate the ranking, showcasing Nigeria’s influence in the creative sector and business.

Tinubu, alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Akinwunmi Adesina, and others, was acknowledged in the politics and public service section. Osimhen and Patrice Motsepe were recognized in the sports category, while Burna Boy, Tems, and Dangote were highlighted in the creative and business sectors.

Tinubu assumed the presidency on May 29, 2023, after winning against major rivals Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Burna Boy secured the Best Global Music Album category at the 63rd Grammys in 2021, and Osimhen was crowned the 2023 African Player of The Year.

The list reflects the evolving trends and priorities in Africa, addressing new challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic era. Nigeria’s prominent representation underscores its influence in diverse fields, from politics to sports and the creative industry.

On Wednesday, residents of Ondo State gathered for an eighth-day prayer in honor of the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, at his residence in the Owo Local Government Area. The event, attended by Akeredolu’s family, associates, political followers, and the community of Owo, was shared on Facebook by the Chief Press Secretary to the late governor, Richard Olatunde.

The prayer service, held on January 3, 2024, included participants offering prayers for the families and followers of Akeredolu, as well as for the state and Owo town. The Akeredolu family was represented by Toyin Akeredolu, the younger sister of the late governor. The service, led by Rev. Canon S.B Oladimeji, aimed to provide solace and commemorate the life of the former governor.

Following Akeredolu’s passing on December 27, 2023, at the age of 67, while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in a German hospital, tributes have poured in from across the country. The town of Owo is gripped in sorrow, mourning the loss of a distinguished son who exhibited unparalleled love for both the town and the state. On the same day as Akeredolu’s passing, Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the substantive governor of Ondo State.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Armed gunmen have reportedly abducted a mother and three children in Maraba Rido, Chikun LGA of Kaduna state.

The mother who is a trained Nurse and widow of late Judge of upper customary court, Kaduna was allegedly kidnapped from their residence in the area alongside her 3 children on new year day and takrn to an unknown destination.

Eyewitness told our correspondent that both JTF and the Army gave them a hot chase but the Bandits succeeded in escaping with the victims under heavy exchange of gun fire.

Most residents of Maraba Rido have been terrorised by Bandits almost on daily basis, according to residents.

A family friend and lawyer of the victims, Barrister John Haruna who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, said some residents of the area have reportedly relocated to nearby communities from their personal house in the area for fear of kidnappers.

Contacted, the Kaduna police state command spokesman, Mansur Hassan could not respond to clarification sought for.

Findings revealed that they were kidnapped in anticipation of payment of entitlement or benefits of the late husband who died over three years ago as a judge.

Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff, has given approval for the implementation of a Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy for all personnel in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). This move aims to address gaps in the existing insurance coverage for military personnel.

While the Ministry of Defence has a Group Life Assurance Policy, the new policy fills the void by covering medical expenses resulting from accidents. Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, emphasized that the policy aligns with the Air Chief’s commitment to enhancing the welfare and infrastructure of the force.

The new policy, known as the Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP), is designed to provide additional coverage for NAF personnel. It incentivizes personnel to perform at their best, offering assurance of adequate care in the event of disability or death during military operations or accidents.

Under the GPAIP, the insurance company, KBC Insurance Brokers Limited, will provide compensation for bodily injuries, death, disablement, and cover medical expenses directly resulting from accidents. The scheme aims to address the diverse hazards and challenges faced by NAF personnel during military operations.

In addition to compensating personnel for injuries and medical expenses, the GPAIP extends coverage to the families of personnel who lose their lives accidentally during operations. It also includes salary reimbursement to the NAF for injured personnel during hospitalization.

This comprehensive insurance scheme is part of ongoing efforts to continuously review and enhance policies to cater to the well-being of military personnel and their families. The GPAIP is expected to provide broader coverage, ensuring the families of personnel killed in action receive adequate support and covering medical bills in cases of accidents or permanent disabilities.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

State Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation,Barr. Muhammad Bello Goronyo donated one million naira to his old school, Nagarta College during the college old boys meeting.

The ceremony that took place at Sokoto Guest Inn was attended by the students of 86 of the then Government College Sokoto.

The occasion featured award presentations to deserving Almamata as well as the former teachers of the school.

Among them were the former Principal of the School Alhaji Garba Bello Yabo, the Vice-principal Alhaji Sani Mande as well as Hajiya Sutura.

Presenting the award to the Honourable Minister, the former principal of the school, Alhaji Garba Bello Yabo described him as a committed, hard-working gentleman who is always ready to serve his people, he prayed to Almighty Allah to guide the Minister and protect him in his new assignment.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of the recipients of the award, the Honourable Minister thanked the Exco and the entire members of the Class of 86 for the award and promised to be their good ambassador and will do his best in the discharge of his new assignment.

The Minister later donated 1 Million Naira cash to the class and promised to build boreholes in the school.