Category: News

By Daniel Edu

In the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state, a devastating car accident has resulted in the loss of eight lives within a family who were on their way home for the New Year’s holiday.

The incident took place around 3 p.m. on Friday and has sent shockwaves through the local community. According to reports, the family’s father, driving a Sienna with his wife and children, collided with a stationary truck transporting rods.

Details from both the police and eyewitnesses involved in the rescue operation indicate that the victims succumbed instantly to the impact, with the rods tragically piercing their bodies. The rescue team had to damage the car to extract the lifeless bodies of the family members.

Authorities from the Ikeduru Local Government Area Division promptly transported the deceased to a morgue. Chief Superintendent of Police Lucky Ahiole, in charge of the local police division, explained that the Sienna driver collided with the parked truck on the side of the road.

Ahiole expressed the severity of the situation, stating, “It is terrible. Eight died, and we have taken them to a morgue. We had to break the Sienna vehicle to bring out the dead bodies. The rod pierced their eyes and bodies, and even the children died.”

Eyewitnesses suggested that the accident might have been averted if the stationary truck carrying rods had not obstructed the road, emphasizing the need for caution in parking such vehicles to prevent tragic incidents.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has announced a three-day period of mourning for the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed away on Wednesday. Akeredolu, who served as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and South West Governors Forum, received this posthumous recognition from neighboring Ekiti State.

Governor Oyebanji, as conveyed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, officially declared the state mourning on Friday. As a symbol of respect, all flags at public buildings throughout Ekiti State will be flown at half-mast during these three days of mourning.

In addition to this official declaration, Governor Oyebanji paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Akeredolu at their residence in Ibadan on Friday. This move follows a similar gesture from Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, who had previously declared a three-day mourning period in honor of the late Akeredolu.

The solemn observance of mourning across states began with Ondo State, setting the precedent for neighboring regions. Akeredolu, aged 67, passed away in Germany, where he had been receiving medical treatment for prostate cancer. The loss of a respected leader has prompted expressions of condolences and collective mourning in the surrounding states.

Google has reached a preliminary agreement to settle a consumer privacy lawsuit, originally filed in 2020, which sought at least $5 billion in damages. The lawsuit accused Google of tracking users’ data while they believed they were browsing privately. The judge confirmed the settlement in a court filing, acknowledging the claims that “millions of individuals” were likely affected.

The class-action lawsuit alleged that Google’s practices intentionally deceived users and violated their privacy. Plaintiffs’ lawyers sought a minimum of $5,000 for each user tracked by Google Analytics or Ad Manager in “private browsing mode” without being logged into their Google account, totaling at least $5 billion. Google and the consumers’ lawyers have not provided immediate comments on the settlement.

The lawsuit, based in California, accused Google of amassing detailed and expansive information about users’ lives, interests, and internet usage. A formal settlement is anticipated for court approval by February 24, 2024, with no disclosed figure for the preliminary agreement.

This isn’t the first time Google has faced legal action regarding privacy concerns. In 2018, European consumer groups criticized Google for violating personal data protection rules related to continuous tracking of smartphone users’ locations. Additionally, in 2017, consumer activists filed a lawsuit accusing Google of unlawfully collecting data on over five million British iPhone users.

In 2022, Google agreed to settle a significant privacy case with 40 US states, addressing accusations that the tech giant misled users into thinking location tracking was disabled on their devices. The settlement, labeled as the largest multi-state privacy settlement by state authorities in US history, included a binding commitment for improved disclosures by Google.

…as Vice President commissions 5km Masaka-Luvu road

From Leo Zwanke, Nasarawa

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for maintaining the delicate peace in Nasarawa State, stressing that there can never be development without peace.

The Vice President laid the commendation while commissioning the 5km Masaka-Luvu road, in Karu Local Government Area, on Thursday.

Senator Shettima particularly commended Governor Sule for maintaining the peace especially at a time when agents of destruction and purveyors of death are trying to inflame passion in most of the volatile parts of the North.

Recalling his recent visit to Plateau State over the unfortunate incidence during the Christmas eve, Senator Shettima, urged the citizens to resist the temptation to plunge the country into a state of anarchy.

He pointed out that there is no reason why the people of Northern Nigeria should fight each other instead of coming together to fight poverty, destitution and backwardness that is ravaging the region.

“We have to learn to embrace each other, to tolerate one another. And for us in Northern Nigeria, we are all united in our heritage of poverty and destitution. I see no reason why we should be fighting each other instead of collectively fighting poverty, destitution and backwardness in our states,” he stated.

Senator Shettima further commended Governor Sule for completing the road project that was initiated almost 20 years ago by the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

The Vice President equally commended Governor Sule’s deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, for his loyalty, support, maturity and tolerance.

He used the opportunity of the event to announce that the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu administration is poised to address infrastructural deficits across the country, adding that in the coming year, the Federal Government will introduce the school feeding programme across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed appreciation that the 5km Masaka-Luvu road is being commissioned considering the historical nature of the road.

Governor Sule recounted that even though his administration executed bigger road projects like the 24km Mararaba-Udege stretch conceived nearly 30 years ago and the 18km Sisin-Baki-Farin Ruwa road leading to the first hydropower plant started by former governor Adamu, the Masaka-Luvu road is historical because successive administrations were not opportuned to construct the road.

He said he was motivated to execute the project after he accompanied former vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo to Luvu to commission a housing project, during which a journey of about 15 minutes took close to one and a half hour because of the terrible nature of the road.

“Every governor from Abdullahi Adamu that came to this place has promised them of doing this road. You can imagine my excitement today that this road has been completed,” he said.

Governor Sule appreciated the Vice President for accepting to commission the project in spite of the short notice.

He used the opportunity to call on the members of the benefiting committee to take the responsibility of maintaining the road, stressing that with the quality of work coupled with the adequate drainage, the road is expected to last for 15 years before any major maintenance.

The Governor further urged residents of the area to pay their taxes promptly especially that government undertook the construction of the road which will improve socio-economic activities in the area.

Commenting on the project, Engineer Mohammed Wada Yahaha, Managing Director, Nasarawa Urban Development Board (NUDB), said the contract for 5km Masaka-Luvu was awarded in January 2023 to a one hundred percent indigenous company.

Engineer Yahaya added that the road was designed with a haulage capacity of 25 metric tones and speed limit of 40km per hour, considering the concentration of population in the area.

He disclosed that the road was built to last for a minimum of 15 years before any major maintenance.

The event was witnessed by a host of dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanue Akabe; immediate past national chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Senator Ahmed Wadada representing Nasarawa West; member of the House of Representatives representing Nasarawa-Toto federal constituency, Hon Abdulmumin Mohammed Ari, and the member representing Awe-Keana-Doma federal constituency, Hon Abubakar Hassana Laraba.

Others are member representing Akwanga-Nasarawa Eggon-Wamba federal constituency, Hon Jeremiah Umaru; Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Danladi Jatau; members of the state Executive Council; members of Nasarawa State House of Assembly; Emirs of Keffi, Nasarawa and the Etsu Karu, amongst others.

By Isaac Kertyo

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, has urged Nigerians to pray for Leaders to enable them deliver effective service to the nation.

Senator Akume, a former Minority Leader of the Nigerian Senate, who made the call at his country home, Wannune, headquarters of Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, during a grand reception to mark his 70th birthday celebration, particularly called for prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and himself to succeed in office.

The Former Governor of Benue State, who sued for unity of purpose for the development of the country, appreciated those who in one way or another contributed towards making the event memorable and successful.

In his remarks, Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, who congratulated the celebrant on his 70th birthday anniversary, described the SGF, as the encyclopedia of politics in the state and personality who has Benue State and the Nigeria at heart.

Governor Alia, enjoined Benue people to support the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and his administration to move Benue State forward. ” I enjoined everyone, I mean all of us to join me, and let us join Senator George Akume to move Benue State forward.”

Reacting to the alleged rift between Akume and himself, the Governor denied having crises with the SGF, describing his relationship with the former Governor as very cordial. He warned those peddling such rumors to desist from it or face consequences of their actions.

Governor Alia, warned those sowing the seed of discord to stop heating the polity, describing the rumor mongers as detractors. He assured that people of Benue State will remain united for development to thrive.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Southern Kaduna, an indigenous people of Kaduna in Southern part of Kaduna State have announced that the Zone is one of the largest producers of ginger in the world.

The Chairman of Southern Kaduna Leadership Council (SKLC), Chief lshaya Dare Akau, made the declaration Thursday at the inauguration of the maiden edition of the Southern Kaduna Festival, originally branded as SKFEST 2023.

Chief lshaya Dare Akau, who made the disclosure in a speech at the inauguration in Kafanchan said the SKFEST goes beyond a mere display of cultural extravaganza to a platform aimed at drawing the attention of investors and companies, showcasing the vast opportunities the region has to offer.
“Southern Kaduna, with its fertile soil and favorable weather conditions, is one of the largest producers of ginger in the world.

“It is time for us to harness this potential and explore the uncharted territories of agricultural development. By investing in our homeland, we can create sustainable jobs for our people and reduce our dependence on the government”, he said.

He maintained that all the Southern Kaduna elites and those residing in the diaspora to think beyond personal gain and consider investing in the development of their homeland.

Chief Akau noted that the purpose of the festival is to bring together their diverse communities, to celebrate their shared history, values, and traditions, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.

“It is an opportunity for us to not only rediscover our roots but also to forge stronger bonds amongst ourselves. For it is in unity that our true strength lies.

“This is the place where our roots are deep, and our hearts find solace. Together, we have the power to transform Southern Kaduna into a prosperous hub of economic growth. Let us not simply rely on the government to supplement our efforts, but instead, let us take charge and shape our own destiny.

“Moreover, Southern Kaduna holds immense potential as a prime destination for tourism and hospitality. Our beautiful landscapes, historic landmarks, and welcoming communities have the power to captivate hearts and minds.
“By investing in the tourism sector, we bring not only revenue for the state but also more employment opportunities for our people. It is time for the government to recognize the importance of this industry and heavily invest in its infrastructure development.

“Let us place Southern Kaduna on the global stage as a must-visit destination that offers a unique experience and draws visitors from far and wide*, he added.

According to him, the Southern Kaduna Festival is not just a celebration of our culture and heritage, but a stepping stone towards a brighter future.

“It is a call to arms for all Southern Kaduna natives, urging us to come together, appreciate our roots, and invest in the development of our beloved homeland. Let us seize this moment and make Southern Kaduna a shining example of progress, unity, and success.

“Together, we can build a future that not only honors our past but also empowers our present and ensures a prosperous tomorrow for generations to come”, stated.

Also in an welcome address,
the Chairman Central Planning Committee, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, explained that the journey has not been without its challenges, “As time eluded us and threatened to dash our dreams. But faith in God and the unwavering dedication of our incredible committees have carried us here today.
“Oh, how the skeptics advised us to shift the goalpost, to delay our ambitious endeavor until the year 2024. Yet, we dared to dream bigger, trust deeper, and work harder. And here we stand, on this hallowed ground, bathed in the triumph of turning mere sketches into awe-inspiring reality.

“As we embark upon this enchanting journey of SKFEST 2023, let us set aside any fears or reservations. Open your minds and hearts to the splendid array of activities that lie before you.

“Discover the kaleidoscope of Southern Kaduna rich cultural heritage, expressed through traditional dances, captivating beauty pageant, and mouthwatering culinary delights.

“Immerse yourself in sports entertaining endeavors, from fascinating game of archery and traditional wrestling to endurance testing marathon and exciting football play-offs.

“Bask in the laughter and joy of the vibrant carnival parades, as they weave through the streets of Kafanchan, painting smiles on the faces of young and old alike.

“Let us not forget the magnificent display of local craftsmanship, showcasing the skill and ingenuity of our artisans. Adorn yourself with exquisite handmade jewelry, embrace the warmth of meticulously crafted traditional attires, and take home a piece of SKFEST 2023 to cherish forever”, Admiral Bobai stated. #