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The Federal Road Safety Corps says nine people were killed and 12 others injured in an accident involving four vehicles on the Kaduna-Zaria highway on Thursday. The FRSC Kaduna State Sector Commander, Hafiz Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the accident occurred at about 5a.m. on the Rigachikun bridge, close to the National Open University. “Two DAF trailers, a Toyota bus and a Toyota Camry were involved in the accident which is as a result of speeding, wrongful overtaking and loss of control. “The injuries they sustained included fracture, bruises and head injuries,” he said. The sector commander said that the injured victims and corpses were taken to the St Gerard Hospital and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna. Mr Mohammed said clearance of the obstructions caused by the accident was ongoing. He advised motorists to always abide by safety rules to save lives and property. The sector commander reminded motorists going through Kaduna-Zaria highway of ongoing road construction and diversions in Kawo, Ragachickun, Mararaban Jos, Birnin Yero and Jaji. Comments are closed.

https://dailynigerian.com/killed-injured-

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February 15, 2024 by The Nation JUST IN: Soludo ‘s agency destroys Nation, Sun, Vanguard newspapers in Anambra Tension heightened in Anambra state on Thursday, February 15, following the destruction of newspapers and beating of vendors in the state by the men of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA). It was gathered that they brazenly declared their disregard, suggesting the matter be left to God, while insisting that the state government forbids newspaper sales on the streets. Among the newspapers destroyed were The Nation, The Sun, Vanguard, Punch, and Guardian. The aides also attacked individuals at the popular Aroma junction, including security personnel, and destroyed the vendors’ PoS machines. The action of men of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority ACTDA, made passersby and petty traders in the area, to rein curses on the operators of such mayhem. The Nation reports that the reckless action by the ACTDA drew curses from onlookers and local traders. The vendors have therefore vowed not to resume newspaper sales until there is a change in Soludo’s administration. The tables of the vendors were equally destroyed while their umbrellas were confisticated by the agents of the government. Last week, such inhuman treatment by Soludo ‘s aides attracted the attention of the state lawmakers, who advocated for a mini market to set up for them in the state. According to the lawmakers, such was to control the menace of street trading and associated effects on the state capital. The sponsor of the motion, Henry Mbachu, is the member representing Awka South 1 Constituency. While making his submission during plenary, Mbachu said poverty rate was on the increase, adding that creating avenues for people to earn a living had become mandatory. “There are many quarters within Awka metropolis which create the need to establish local mini-markets to serve the people living within those areas. “It is nearly impossible to secure a shop within the already established markets and the limited shops available are in high and exorbitant price to rent. “The creation of mini-markets within Awka metropolis, will be a solution to solve the menace of shanties, street trading and serve as a means of encouraging micro businesses thereby achieving the goals of making Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland, ” the lawmaker said Soludo ‘s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, told The Nation, that he was not aware of the situation, but promised to reach out to the MD of the agency. Aburime maintained that keeping Anambra clean was for everyone, adding that even in Lagos, newspaper vendors were allowed to exist at their different designated areas. The Nation overheard one of the ACTDA officials saying, “our Governor is behind what we are doing, if they like, let them report to Tinubu, nothing will happen.” The destruction had not been against the vendors alone, but to every petty trader along all the streets in Anambra state as part of government’s ‘keep Anambra clean project.

https://thenationonlineng.net/just-in-soludos-agency-destroys-nation-sun-

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By Peter Duru, Makurdi A traditional ruler, Zaki Unongo Shaayange and 24 others were Monday night reportedly killed in three separate attacks on communities in Logo, Tarka and Guma Local Government Areas, LGAs, of Benue state by suspected armed herdsmen. The attack also left many hospitalised with severe machete and gunshot injuries. It was gathered from a community leader, Chief Joseph Anawa that the armed herdsmen numbering about six blocked and took over the Anyiin-Tse Kile road in Ukemberagya Ward of Gaambetiev Logo LGA on Monday night at about 7:15. “They shot and killed the traditional ruler, Zaki Unongo Shaayange at Ikyaan village, matcheted many who are now in critical condition at the NKST Hospital Anyiin. One of the victims of the attack, Mr. Aondoakura Kile also disclosed that the Fulani terrorists made away with some Baja motorcycles of their victims,” he said. It was also gathered from a local source that no fewer than nine persons were gunned down the same Monday night at about 8pm by armed herdsmen who invaded Tse-Sumaka village near Umenge, Mbadwem Council Ward in Guma LGA. The marauders were reported to have invaded the community from neighbouring Nasarawa state, shooting sporadically and chasing their victims out of their homes. “They shot at the people as they fled and anyone they caught up with was not spared. Nine persons were killed and many others sustained injuries. As we speak women and children are fleeing their homes in their numbers in search of safe areas in neighboring communities to hide themselves,” he said. Confirming the attack, the Guma Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Caleb Aba told newsmen on phone said the attack was unprovoked adding “these days these Fulani herdsmen don’t have to be provoked before they attack and kill because the agenda is to chase us away from our ancestral homes and occupy our land.” It was also gathered that the armed herders at about the same time invaded Tiortyu community which is less than 18 kilometers from Makurdi town, on Makurdi-Gboko road in Tarka LGA where 15 persons including women were either hacked or shot dead. That attack triggered an angry protest by the youths of the area who took over the busy Makurdi-Gboko road where they laid the corpses of the victim for several hours, stopping all vehicular movements on that axis of the state. Meanwhile Governor Samuel Ortom has restated his call on the people to rise up and defend themselves and save their families from the mindless killings being perpetrated in the state by the marauders. The Governor who was reacting to the simultaneous attacks in the three LGAs, in a statement issued Tuesday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur reassured that his government would not shy away from its commitment to provide welfare and security for the people. He lamented that “It is becoming increasingly glaring everyday that my people are now endangered specie and so we can no longer wait for help from anywhere. My people will have to rise up to the occasion to defend themselves and their heritage against the Fulani army of occupation. “We are law abiding citizens. We have cried for help against these invaders but nothing is forthcoming. We are left alone and it looks like it is a deliberate strategy. Now we have only one option; to defend ourselves or get extinct. This is a case for our survival. “We have been accommodating of other people in our land but our hospitality is misconstrued as weakness. We are not a conquered people. We will never be. We are free born citizens of Nigeria,” he added declared. Governor Ortom nonetheless enjoined security operatives to do more in crime prevention and protection of lives and property in the land just as he urged the people to cooperate with security agencies to flush out the undesirable elements in the society. Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene said she was at the scene of one of the attacks with the State Police Commissioner and could not talk, but promised to get back. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/royal-father-24-others-killed-as-

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Victor Osimhen, the most outstanding player of the victorious 2015 Golden Eaglets squad, has said that he will pursue his professional career at Wolfsburg, a German Bundesliga club. Osimhen made the disclosure in an interview on Friday in Abuja. According to him, the Wolfsburg’s coach assurances are morale booster for him and that he prefers playing for the German club to any other club in Europe. “I just want to clear the air on this; I visited Wolfsburg and I think with the promises the Head Coach of the team made to me when I visited the arena, I think Wolfsburg is my destination. “As long as I am enjoying myself there, I will be there for some years then, I will move on.’’ Osimhen, who won the 2015 Glo-CAF Youth Player of the Year Award, expressed confidence that he was cut out for great things in his football career, saying he would not relent in reaching for greater heights. “Actually I was born for greatness and God has been guiding me. “I think I am ripe enough to compete with big names in football and I think I still have enough to learn. “Going to Europe to compete with the best requires a lot of hard work; the under-17 and under-21 are different from the football played in Europe but I think I am ready for the task ahead. “Education is my first priority, though, I got the fame in football but I will like to continue my education in Europe; it will be best for me.’’ He urged Nigerian youths to always believe in themselves in all their endeavours. “From my own experience, irrespective of the situation, we should just keep our heads high, be focused and put God first in all we do. “I want to thank Coaches Emmanuel Amuneke and Samson Siasia for what they have done in my life.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/01/why-i-chose-wolfsburg-osimhen/

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19th December, 2022 Wife and son of Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, begged a Federal High Court in Abuja to tamper justice with mercy on Okupe’s sentencing. Omolola and Adesunkanmi Okupe spoke as witnesses shortly after the court reconvened following the defendant’s conviction. The court presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, had convicted Okupe of breaching the Money Laundering Act. Justice Ojukwu, in a judgment, held that Okupe was found guilty of contravening Sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act, for accepting cash payments without going through a financial institution, in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act. Okupe is the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Labour Party (LP). Okupe was said to have received N240 million in cash from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired). Besides the wife and the son that testified to Okupe’s good character and honesty before the court, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Idi Farouk, also gave their evidence and appealed for leniency. The judge had, earlier, stood down proceedings for Okupe to exercise his right under Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to call witnesses to testify about his character, before the court could proceed to pronounce sentence on the convict.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/12/19/wife-son-beg-for-mercy-as-

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…Current Gwarinpa development violates FCT masterplan Soni Daniel, Abuja The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Mohammed Bello, on Monday, advanced reasons why his administration has not been eager to continue with the tradition of allocating plots of Nigerians to build their houses as his predecessors. The minister, who presented the scorecard of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the FCT from 2015, explained that land allocation and administration was one of the toughest jobs of the minister of the federal territory and that he was not ready to give allocation for land that the allottee might not be able to access in two decades. The minister explained that the developed areas with infrastructure in Abuja had since been given out by previous administrations and that it does not make any sense to continue to allocate new plots with new infrastructure and access, a situation that makes the development of such plots almost impossible. The minister said: “A number of people have mentioned about land. Actually, one of the most difficult assignments of an FCT minister is land matters. I spent a lot of time with my team trying to see how can enhance the situation with land but the reality is that land in Abuja is no longer going to be available and easy as it was 20 years ago when people were being invited to come and get land so that they could develop the city. There is no land in an area where you can develop and many of us have personal experiences where previous administrations allocated land in 20 years down the line you don’t even know where the land is and you cannot have access to it. So, we realized that a secondary market was just created with allocations made and people will just have pieces of paper and at the end of the day, nobody gets to build anything. “The whole idea of land is for you to build and that is why we prefer to develop infrastructure and then provide access to the area to enable the allottees to build. What is really happening now is that the template of land allocation has to change. The system where you get land and you go in a greenfield with infrastructure and you build is no longer possible because all the areas in phases one to three have all been allocated before we came into office. So any new land allocation will be in phases four and five and infrastructure in some parts of phases one and two has not been completed. So it does not make sense for you to give people a false sense of hope that they have a piece of paper allocation for an area that will take them a lifetime to even get access to it. “We are now encouraging the private sector to develop mass housing through direct mass housing allocation for them to put up buildings and then work out with off takers and some of this is being done directly by government through the cooperative societies of MDAs or by private sector companies and now through the land swap system where we open up totally new districts and then you allow private sector to develop and sell the buildings. It is something that has not been perfect but gradually we will get there,” Bello said. On the distortion of the masterplan of Gwarinpa, turning the once serene and beautiful residential estate into a trading post and creating traffic snarls for residents, the minister blamed the flaw on the dual administration of the area by both the Federal Capital Development Authority and the Federal Housing Authority. Bello however said that with the ceding of all the areas in the FCT under the administration of the FCDA, the distortion of Gwarinpa and other residential areas in the capital territory would be addressed for the overall interest of the people. The minister said, “Gwarinpa, which was conceived as a perfect well designed as a residential accommodation according to the Abuja masterplan. But it is one of the issues we are trying to resolve because it was created by the Federal Government of Nigeria but authority to manage it was not domiciled with the FCDA but the Federal Housing Authority of Nigeria. During the previous administration there was a serious misunderstanding between the FCDA and the FHA and the misuse of purpose clause was caused by the FHA. “But that has now been resolved by the Administration of the Muhammadu Buhari and we are working towards one standard of operation between the FCDA and the FHA but Gwarinpa occupants should also try to fight and to protect the status of the area because it is not what it was designed to be. It was meant to be a serene beautiful residential estate in Abuja for sections for commercial activities, parks, educational activities and religious activities and others normally expected in residential estates. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/01/why-we-

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By Victor Young Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, on Thursday, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to, among others, arrest and prosecute a mobile policeman that allegedly killed a petrol station worker on April 5, at a filling station in Abia State, or risk industrial unrest. NUPENG, in a statement, condemned and berated an official of the Presidential Task Force, PTF, on coronavirus, COVID-19, for allegedly twisting the fact over the killing of the 26 years old Chibuisi Chikezie Okameme, who was on duty at Greenmac Energy Limited, Umuahia Road, Aba, in Abia. The statement by President and General Secretary of NUPENG, Prince William Akporeha and Afolabi Adewale, respectively, among others, said: “We demand an immediate retraction of the lie that the deceased was not killed by a mobile policeman, but by hoodlums. “This retraction must be on the same media platform the PTF official used to tell the lie to everyone. “We also want the removal or resignation of the said PTF official, immediate prosecution of the Mobile Policeman involved and immediate payment of compensation to the family of the deceased by the Federal Government.” Insisting that its demands must be met within seven days starting from Thursday, NUPENG said “we implore the Nigeria media to visit No 29/30, Greenmac Energy Limited in new Umuahia Road, Aba, in Abia State, for proper and diligent fact-finding and interview of the family of the deceased, his employer, the Abia State Police Command and other witnesses. “Our Union takes lives of our members very serious and precious and we shall do all we can to get justice. “NUPENG also uses this medium to appeal to our members across the country, who have been saddened and devastated by this wicked lie against the dead, to still be patient, continue to render their services to the nation and exercise restraints until the national secretariat of the Union issues further directives, which may come sooner than later.” The statement on the NUPENG ultimatum noted that it condemned “the uncharitable and very provocative lie of the Federal Government official on the national network television on the facts concerning the killing of one of our members, Chibuisi Chikezie Okameme, aged 26, a petrol station worker in Abia State. “He was killed by a mobile policeman while discharging his legitimate duties as a petrol station worker and in the frontline of the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday, April 5. “The Union takes serious exception to this blatant lie and attempt to twist the fact of the incident. For the record, the policeman in question is currently in detention and he has made a confessional statement to the dastardly act and postmortem carried out on the deceased, wherein bullet wound was identified and specimen of bullet removed from his body. “So we find this lie to be very callous, wicked and uncalled for. We wonder how an elderly person and a minister of the Federal Republic will be lying against the dead. NUPENG argued that said official was not fit to hold such an exalted office in Nigeria.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/nupeng-issues-7-day-ultimatum-to-fg-over-

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March 11, 2022 by The Nation Buni, Malami, Emefiele to confer with Buhari in UK By Yusuf Alli and Jide Orintunsin Abuja Yobe Governor, Sani Bello differ on transfer of functions Tinubu: party should remain democratic The ousted caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni, is due in London to confer with President Muhammadu Buhari, it was learnt last night. Sources said Buni, who was expected to rush back home on Wednesday from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he went for medical checkup, had a rethink. “He will now travel to London to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the situation in the party,” a source said. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), it was learnt, had arrived in London also to meet with the President. Another official listed to meet with the President is Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele. It could not be confirmed last night whether the CBN governor had arrived in the UK capital. Ahead of his London trip, there was a leak of Buni’s letter, which faulted Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s narratives on how Buni was removed as chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). A source, who spoke in confidence, said the APC crisis has shifted to London with Buni struggling for survival. The source added: “Instead of coming home, Buni went London to state his own side of the crisis in the party and hear from the President on whether or not he directed that he should leave office. He has also gone there with facts and figures on the situation of the party. “He has insisted that no verbal or written directive was given to him by the President. He said he cannot depend on third party information. He wants to know his fate directly from the President. “I think Buni and his backers have succeeded in breaking some protocol barriers to see the President, who has been under pressure to hear the other side to APC crisis. “Buni confided in some governors and few loyalists that he would clarify a few things in London including court injunction to halt the convention and defiance of presidential directives on the reform of the party.” In Buni’s letter, the Yobe State governor legally handed over the affairs of the party to Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello before travelling out. In the letter dated February 28, Buni directed Governor Bello to act in his absence as the chairman of CECPC. A copy of the letter was sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of CECPC. The letter reads: “This is to please inform you that I will be embarking on a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from today, 28th February, 2022. “In my absence, I hereby transmit the functions of my office as the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to you. “This is to enable the committee conclude all arrangements leading to the National Convention slated for March 26th, 2022 and other duties that may be required of the office. “I invite all members to cooperate with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello by extending to him all the support that I have enjoyed from you. “Please do accept the assurances of my best regards.” However, Sani Bello denied receiving any transfer of authority letter from Buni. Speaking to reporters at the secretariat in Abuja, Sani Bello simply said: “I have not seen it.” An aide to Buni, who spoke in confidence, said: “Buni couldn’t have been removed by anybody or a group of governors because his letter was explicit. He followed due process and nominated Bello to act for him.” On Emefiele, a source said: “His mission was to brief the President on developments on the economy, particularly the effect of the Russia-Ukraine war on our earnings as well as the resultant huge subsidy on fuel.” Another said: “Emefiele might discuss his perceived presidential ambition with Buhari, in view of the Senate’s rejection of President Buhari’s request to amend a section of the new Electoral Act, which precludes appointed officials of government from voting or being voted for at primaries of political parties, unless they resign.” Malami is expected, according to sources, to discuss some constitutional and legal issues with Buhari. The Senate’s rejection of a presidential request to review Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 was said to be a source of concern to the Presidency. It was learnt that the President and the AGF are likely to weigh options on the Electoral Act in line with the time constraint before the 2023 primaries begin in April. One of the alternatives being considered was to approach the court for a pronouncement. The sack of Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi by a Federal High Court will also feature because Malami was yet to issue an advisory on the judgment. Another source added: “The AGF is in London to discuss the implications of the Senate’s rejection of a gentleman’s agreement with the President on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act. The President needs legal advice on whether or not those in his cabinet and states’ executive councils should resign before the primaries. “Buhari may rub minds with the AGF on any legal window which the government may explore to file an action in court. “Some parties are already in court. So, the most important aspect is the implication of any court verdict on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act on the 2023 general election. We are in dire straits because some Senators claimed that they cannot review the Electoral Act because it will affect the timetable for the 2023 poll. “Yet, the fear of the President is that some political office holders will be disenfranchised. So, Buhari sees the Electoral Act as a violation of the fundamental human rights of those in political offices. “Malami, believed to be interested in contesting to be governor of Kebbi State and others like the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Babatunde Fashola (Works), Uche Ogah (Mines and Steel), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology) and Festus Keyamo (SAN) (Minister of State for Labour and Employment) are affected. The source added: “The removal of Governor Umahi by a Federal High Court and the dilemma APC is facing on the injunction against its March 26 convention are other legal matters which are sources of concern to the President. “If the injunction is not vacated, APC cannot hold its National Convention. The party can defy the court by holding the convention and living with the consequences. This is why there is so much anger in the party. “Since the sack of Umahi, the AGF has not made his position known as the Chief Legal Officer of the Federation. He is in London to share his views before addressing the nation. “The manner in which Umahi attacked the Judiciary made most APC members to be upset with him. The AGF will also offer his advice.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/buni-malami-emefiele-to-confer-with-

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3rd September, 2019 By Jethro Ibileke Palpable fear and anxiety have gripped staff and students of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, as dangerous snakes have allegedly taken over the institution. Students, canteen operators and other members of staff who work or reside on the campuses of the federal tertiary Institution, have reportedly sighted the dangerous and poisonous visitors now laying ambush in ceilings, offices, hostels, bathrooms and other places. It was gathered that thick darkness occasioned by power outage worsened the situation, making it difficult for the hapless students to see the lurking snakes. The students, who described the situation as worrisome, called on the management of the institution to fumigate the entire campuses, to forestall a possible attack on the students. It was learnt that a female student who was bathing, narrowly escaped being bitten when a snake suddenly dropped from the ceiling of the bathroom. She had to run out of the bathroom naked. A student who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they now lived in their hostels in constant fear and anxiety. “We now live in fear over the recent discovery of snakes in the hostels. “We now live in fear in this hostel. Snakes were found and killed yesterday in one of the girl’s hostels. Snakes are now everywhere and nothing is being done about it. “Somebody was bathing and a snake almost fell on her. She ran out naked, she was very lucky. “Snakes are just everywhere as you see this hostel, even in the portals, offices, snakes have taken over, we are just confused. They will not give us light to see or read despite the fact that some of us are writing exams. “We are begging the school management to come to our aid and fumigate everywhere so we can be peaceful,” she said. The Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic, Mr. Mustapha Osahiobugie, denied the alleged invasion of reptile in the institution. He disclosed that two giant generators were set aside for the students to ensure adequate power supply in their hostels. “Whether there is BEDC power or not, we have two giant generators set aside for students alone so that they can have adequate power supply. “Our hostel building is two storeys. We do spot check every week and none of our ceilings is compromised. The roofs are well covered, so, how will a snake now fall from the ceiling? “On the environment as it relates to sanitation, the horticulture staff are fully in charge, but I will inform them right away to go and check the sports complex and every area concerned,” he added.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/09/03/snakes-take-over-auchi-poly-as-

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July 30, 2021 by The Nation Nobody can disqualify APC’s presidential candidate in 2023, says Omo-Agege By Sanni Onogu, Abuja Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege on Friday insisted it is impossible for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other party to sue to disqualify the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023. Omo-Agege’s assertion is coming against the backdrop of a row over whether Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni is competent in law to nominate candidates for elections as chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Committee (CCECPC) of the APC. The Deputy Senate, in his second statement in the issue, urged those canvassing the ward congresses of the APC be postponed in view of the ruling of the Supreme Court on a suit between Eyitayo Jegede v. Rotimi Akeredolu to “eschew mischievous behaviours and deliberate attempts at misinterpreting and misrepresenting the law to satisfy an egocentric agenda.” The statement titled: “Why there is nothing stopping the APC Ward Congresses scheduled for Saturday, 31st July, 2021” reads: “A few while ago, I issued a statement expressing my legal opinion on the purport of the decision of the Supreme Court in-respect of Eyitayo Jegede’s appeal against the election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the misinterpretation of the said judgment from certain quarters, vis-a-vis the purport of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as it affects the A.P.C Congresses scheduled for Saturday. “I have however, taken time to critically digest and juxtapose the divergent views on the issue and came to realise that the mischief-makers propagating confusion aimed at misleading our party into a state of disarray, did not study the petition filed by Jegede at the lower Court. “It is worthy to note, that a decision of court is only an authority for what it decides and nothing more. This was clearly stated by the Supreme Court in the case of SKYE BANK & ANOR V. AKINPELU (2010) LPELR-3073 (SC), Pp. 48-49, paras. E-B, as follows: “It must be borne in mind always, that each case must be considered on its own particular or peculiar facts or circumstances. No one case is identical with the other or another. They may be similar, but never identical” “Of particular importance is the fact that the Petition in Ondo State did not challenge the legality or competence of the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Committee, but rather challenged the letter dated 27th July, 2020 forwarding the name of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his running mate to INEC as the candidates of the APC, on the ground that Mai Buni ought not to have signed the letter, him being the Executive Governor of Yobe State. At the risk of prolix, but for the purpose of emphasis, I shall reproduce some of the portions of the petition as may be relevant to the issue at hand. “Relief 1 of the Petition was couched as follows: ‘That it may be determined and declared that the INEC Form EC9B containing the names of 3rd and 4th Respondents together with the letter dated 27th July, 2020 with which the 2nd respondent purportedly sponsored or communicated its sponsorship of 3rd and 4th respondents to the 1st Respondent are unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect.’ “The petition in summary went further to state that it was wrong for Mai Mala Buni and Senator John J. Akpan Udoedehe Ph.D to have signed as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party and that it was only the National Executive Committee of the APC that can validly sponsor a candidate for election to the office of the Governor of Ondo State. “From the clear content of the substratum of Jegede’s petition at the lower court, I find it very difficult to understand how it relates to the competence of the Caretaker/ Extra-Ordinary Convention Committee constituted by NEC of the APC. “In other to deliberately misled gullible minds, one of the proponents for the cancellation of the Ward Congresses alluded to the fact, that if the APC proceeds with the Congresses, the opposition would simply wait till the APC Presidential Primaries in 2023 to disqualify our candidate and destroy the party. This reasoning with all due respect, is not only tenuous in law, but strange. “It is elementary knowledge that complaints touching on the nomination or election of leaders of a political party or issues as to membership of a political party are matters exclusively within the internal affairs of a political party and are not justiciable. “The Supreme Court in the case of UFOMBA V. INEC & ORS (2017) LPELR-42079 (SC), Pp. 46-48, paras. D-B, clearly held thus: ‘…The issue now is, are claims against the nomination of members or leaders of the political party justifiable? My simple answer to that question is a capital NO. The law is trite that Courts jurisdiction is ousted in matters dealing with internal affairs or resolution of a political party regarding nomination or leadership of that political party as in this instant case…’ “How the process of electing the leaders or Executives of the APC on Saturday, 31st day of July, 2021, can be relied upon by the PDP or any other opposition party, to disqualify our candidates in 2023, is what beats my imagination. “Assuming but not conceding, that the grievances (if any) arising from the Congresses, would amount or qualify as a pre-election dispute and assuming the PDP or any other opposition party has the right to challenge the outcome of the Congresses, such a right of action will not last in perpetuity. “By 2023, the 14 days statutory period provided for in Section 285 (9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fourth Alteration, No. 21,) Act 2017 would have elapsed. “In 2023, APC would have gotten substantive National Officers, State, Local Government and Wards Executives and the NEC of the APC will constitute and inaugurate the Committees to conduct the Presidential and Governorship primaries, how PDP will sue to disqualify our Presidential and all the candidates of the APC in 2023 remains mystical. “As ministers in the temple of justice and noble men, we should all eschew mischievous behaviours and deliberate attempts at misinterpreting and misrepresenting the law to satisfy an egocentric agenda. Let us all be properly guided.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/nobody-can-disqualify-apcs-presidential-

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June 14, 2021 by The Nation I will be active in politics beyond 2023 – Ganduje By Fanen Ihyongo, Kano Despite having spent over 43 years in active politics, Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Monday hinted he would remain active after expiration of his second term in 2023. Though he did not open up whether he is nursing ambition to contest the Kano North Senatorial seat, Ganduje said his eyes will still be widely opened for opportunities as a politician. Ganduje spoke in Government House Kano while fielding questions from newsmen on Democracy Day celebrations. Answering a question on whether he would be retiring in 2023 like his Katsina counterpart Aminu Bello Masari, Ganduje said: “Maybe he (Masari) is tired. I am not.” “I am not tired anyway; neither will I resign nor retire from politics; time will tell. You know I have been in politics since 1978. In 2023, my eyes will still be opened,” he said. He also spoke on those jostling to succeed him. “The party delegates will chose my successor when the time comes,” he said. “You asked of qualities; if I tell you the qualities I want from my successor, you will be able to make computation, matching the qualities on the aspirants, then you will say that is the anointed one. Delegates will do that,” he said. On who is his choice for the 2023 presidency, Ganduje also said the APC delegates will pick the presidential candidate for the ruling party. On completion of projects before the end of his tenure, Ganduje said: “We inherited many capital projects. Some are being completed and some are still ongoing. We are not neglecting any. “We are determined to complete all the projects we started. We shall complete all the projects, except those that cannot be completed because of their nature, and government is a continuum.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/i-will-be-active-in-politics-

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Dr Chris Ngige By Enyim Enyim ONITSHA—The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Anambra state chapter yesterday tasked the minister of labour and employment, Senator Chris Ngige to ensure that the federal ministry he has been appointed to take charge would be beneficial to Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious leanings. This was contained in a two-page communique endorsed by the chairman and secretary of the group, Chief Uche Ezeliora and Chief Edwin Agbadiuno respectively and made available to the Vanguard. The group challenged the former governor of Anambra state to re-enact the good works he did in Anambra state while he was governor between 2003 and 2006, a legacy he left in the state that has not been surpassed by his successors at the federal level. “Indeed, Dr. Chris Ngige as governor and senator did well and has continued to do well to the delight of Ndi Anambra and Nigerians in general. “We are pleased with his selfless service to mankind, passion and vision and finally urge him to keep the flag flying now he is a minister of the federal republic in- charge of labour and employment.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/ministerial-

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President Bola Tinubu By Idowu Bankole The second Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting took up the issues of the economy as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun announced that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has secured $1.5bn zero-interest World Bank loan. The Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja on Monday. Mr Wale Edun said that the FEC meeting approved the application for financing from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). He said that the country was able to access $1.5 billion from the IDA, which is the virtually free or zero-interest lending arm or financing arm of the World Bank. ‘’Nigeria has been able to make the kind of macro-economic moves to take the tough decisions to restore balance in the economy in the government’s finances that have warranted support. “This had engendered support from the multilateral development banks. ‘’It is on this basis that the World Bank is willing to consider and to process on our behalf $1.5 billion of concessional financing, relatively cheap financing and financing that will be dispersed relatively quickly,’’ he said. Edun said that another $80 million in financing from the African Development Bank was approved by the FEC for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project aimed at empowering the youths in the sector of Knowledge Economy through technology and communications generally. He said, ‘’This is basically to support young people and their quest to take on technology to use it to be employed to be trained and to benefit from being part of the knowledge economy. “This is being part of the technological wave that is present very much in Nigeria, which is becoming a bigger and bigger share of the economy.’’ While briefing the state house correspondents, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, said that FEC gave approval for the agreement between labour and the government during the October 2 meeting. ‘’Presidential approval was given after analysing the agreement to provide for industrial harmony. Similarly, the 30 days implementation timeline agreed on was also approved by FEC,’’ he said Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/10/tinubu-secures-1-5bn-

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Senator Biobarakuma Wangagha Degi Eremieyo, the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Bayelsa State, has won the certificate forgery suit filed against him by Godsgift Eriaye of the Bayelsa Integrity Group. The lawmaker who represents Bayelsa East district in the National Assembly contested the November 2019 poll as a running mate to David Lyon who won the election. Lyon was, however, sacked by the Supreme Court hours to his inauguration after the apex court affirmed the judgement of a lower court which disqualified Senator Eremieyo on the ground that he presented forged and falsified documents for the poll. This paved the way for the inauguration of Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of Bayelsa State, succeeding former governor Seriake Dickson. Almost 10 months after the judgement of the apex court, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Bwari dismissed the certificate forgery suit against Senator Eremieyo. Although Justice Abubakar Musa delivered the judgement on November 13, the certified true copy was made public on Friday. “The name Degi Biobaragha on the first school leaving certificate from Ministry of Education of Rivers State of Nigeria with number RS/EV1/76/013360 from State School Bassambiri (now State School 1 Nembe) is an error and misspelling of the first defendant’s name, Biobarakuma Degi,” part of the document read. The court held that notwithstanding the error in the spelling of the name, the certificate was genuine, belonged to, and was issued to the senator. It also declared that the name Adegi Biobakumo on the West African Examinations Council’s General Certificate of Education ordinary level of June 1984 with Certificate Number SG 851767 was an error and a misspelling of the first defendant’s name, Biobarakumadegi, and that the certificate was genuine and was issued to Senator Eremieyo. The court stated that the Masters in Business Administration Statement of Result from Rivers State University of Technology dated February 14, 2002, bearing the name Degi Biobarakumawangagha was genuine, belonged to, and was issued to no other person than the first defendant. It accordingly awarded the sum of ₦500,000 for the lawmaker against the claimant, Eriaye. Justice Musa also declared that there was no evidence so far to establish a prima facie case of forgery or any other crime at all against the senator to warrant his prosecution by the IGP in the circumstances. In the suit which had the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, as the second defendant, the claimant had sought a declaration “that the First School Leaving Certificate from Ministry of Education of Government of Rivers State of Nigeria with number RS/EV1/76/013360 from State School Bassambiri bearing the name Degi Biobaragha which the first defendant claims, and has presented before various authorities as belonging to him and has obtained various benefits on account of same including, in particular, his current membership of the Senate of the National Assembly of Nigeria, was not duly issued to and does not belong to the defendant, but to another person by the stated name, and the use of same by the defendant is unlawful and constitutes a forgery and falsification of same”. He had consequently asked the court to mandate the Inspector General of Police to immediately commence criminal prosecution of Senator Eremieyo In its judgement in a pre-election matter in respect of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election delivered on February 13, the Supreme Court had affirmed the verdict of a Federal High Court which decided that Senator Eremieyo was disqualified from participating in the election on grounds that he submitted forged and falsified documents and also made a false declaration to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the election. The judgement led to the invalidation of the election of Mr David Lyon as the governor-elect and Senator Eremieyo as deputy governor-elect in Bayelsa State.

https://www.channelstv.com/2020/12/05/court-dismisses-certificate-

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April 17, 2021 by The Nation RCCG apologises to ministry over petition on Ife-Ifewara road The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Thursday in Abuja tendered an “unreserved apology” to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing over its allegation of “false claims on the rehabilitation of Ife-Afewara Road in Osun State,” saying it was based on a false premise. The RCCG, in a petition to the Senate, had claimed that it had good reason to believe the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had paid N151.51 million to Messrs. Cartill Construzioni Nigeria Limited for the rehabilitation of Ife-Ifewara Road, a work which, according to the petitioner, was indeed carried out by the Church. In the petition, dated 24th March, 2021, Secretary to the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Niyi Adebanjo, said the Church, after carrying out the rehabilitation of the road, learnt that the aforementioned company, which was awarded the contract since 2010 and had abandoned the work for over six years, had been paid by the ministry for the work, praying that the money be retrieved from the company. But responding to the allegation at a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said there was no proof to support the position of the petitioner that an unjust claim was made by contractor or paid by the ministry between 2016 and 2019. Clarifying that both the award of the contract and payment of the said contract sum were made between 2010 and 2011, four years before the Buhari administration came to being, the minister said further that the contract was awarded on December 21, 2010 to the contractor in the sum of N662, 760,771.75 with a commencement date of March 7, 2011 and completion date of November 7, 2011. On the sum of N151.51 million paid to the contractor, he said the payment made in two tranches, was statutorily made, adding that while the first payment of N99, 414, 115.76, made on March 31, 2011, represented 15 percent of contract sum, the second payment of N52,094,785, made on December 29, 2011, was based on submission of an Interim Statement.” The minister explained further that although the RCCG could be commended for the work done, there are procedures and processes for such interventions be they on federal or state roads, adding that the Petitioner could have sought clarification either from the ministry or any other relevant agencies of government instead of petitioning the senate. The Petitioner, Pastor Adebanjo, in his response, expressed deep regrets for taking the matter to the senate saying it was not, however, meant to embarrass the minister or his ministry but in the spirit of fighting corruption by ensuring that the money paid to the contractor was retrieved and paid to the federal government coffers. Adebanjo said, “For the fact that the Ministry of Works deserves an apology and because the whole world is listening to us, I tender that apology unreservedly before this Senate Committee”. A release signed by Mr. Hakeem Bello, the Special Adviser, Communications to the Minister, said in his submissions, the Chairman of the Committee commended the minister for coming personally, “as always when we invite you” to respond to the petition and throwing more light on the whole issue, adding that other officials of government should borrow a leaf from him.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/rccg-apologises-to-ministry-over-petition-

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January 11, 2021 by The Nation Ohanaeze: Abaribe, Ekweremadu laud emergence of Obiozor, Emuchay By Sanni Onogu, Abuja The Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, on Monday, applauded the emergence of Ambassadors George Obiozor and Okey Emuchay as the President General, and Secretary General of then Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide respectively. This is even as a Deputy President of the Senate and Leader, South East Caucus of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, congratulated the newly elected President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. Obiozor, saying the new Ohanaeze leader has what it takes to lead Ndigbo. In a statement by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom in Abuja, Senator Abaribe said the choice of the duo is indeed most heart-warming and will no doubt sustain the progressive trajectory, which the immediate past executive built. He said that Professor Obiozor who is widely acknowledged for his track record of excellence, honour, intellectual capacity and courage in public service – qualities that greatly qualifies him as the preferred choice to lead the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization – will no doubt inject such attributes to further reinvigorate and build an activist-driven Ohanaeze in the face of current realities in Nigeria. “I am confident that the new executive members, known for their consummate love for the Igbo race, particularly the President General who has been at the frontline in articulating the interest of Ndi-Igbo, would continue to exhibit courage and forthrightness in not only pursuing our collective interest in Nigeria, but also to weave Ndigbo as a nation bonded in love, peace and unity,” said Abaribe The Minority Leader advised other contestants who are also eminently qualified to accept the outcome of the election and look at the bigger picture with regards to the importance of unity in the pursuit of the interest of Ndigbo. Read Also: Ibe, Okwukwu lead factional Ohanaeze He however, cautioned those bent on using falsehood to engender disunity among Ndigbo to desist forthwith. Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, on Monday, described Obiozor as a man of “uncommon pedigree, unimpeachable integrity as well as a bridge-builder with national and international clout and appeal”. “I believe the former university don and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America, the former Nigeria’s Consul-General to South Africa and newly elected Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Emuchay, and others constitute a formidable and dependable team for harnessing and advancing Igbo interest worldwide at this crucial time in our history. “They have proved their mettle over the years and we trust them to bring their antecedents of quality leadership, national and international reach, and diplomatic finesse to bear in advancing the Igbo course in Nigeria and globally,” Ekweremadu added. While urging Ndigbo to pray for the new leadership, Ekweremadu, however, enjoined Obiozor and his team to “rally everyone”, noting that more than ever before, Ndigbo needed to be together the more and speak with one voice. He wished them a successful and historic tenure.

https://thenationonlineng.net/ohanaeze-

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The General Overseer of Victory Assembly Ministry (VAM), Bishop Jonathan Eze has cautioned Niger Delta militants to stop blowing up oil pipelines or face the wrath of God. Eze gave the warning in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Owerri. The Bishop was reacting to the incessant attacks on oil pipelines by the new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). According to the general overseer, who is also a UN Peace Ambassador, the avengers are incurring the wrath of God by their activities. “The Avengers are not fighting a just cause because their activities are affecting and threatening the peace of the nation. “Nigerian oil is a natural gift from God and nobody has the right to destroy it,’’ he said. Eze added that if the Avengers were aggrieved over any issue, they should address it in a civil manner rather than threaten the country. He said if the country must remain one, no group should threaten the peaceful existence of the nation in the name of militancy. Eze also blamed Niger Delta leaders for allowing the situation to “get out of hand’’. “The leaders in the Niger Delta region are to be blamed because they are the people that groomed the militants and they should call them to order. “How can there be governors, senators, traditional rulers and other top government officials from the region; and yet they cannot caution their children from destroying government assets,’’ he said. According to him, spiritual leaders will no longer seat back to watch militants destroy the country. “If the militants do not stop this madness, we will fight them spiritually and subdue them,” he said. The clergyman, however, encouraged the Federal Government to take a critical look into the issue and handle it with diplomacy. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

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An Italian youth club fired manager Massimiliano Riccini for disrespecting the opposition after his team bagged a 27-0 win on Saturday. Invictasauro, an under-18 side from Tuscany, demolished Marina Calcio and scored an incredible 27 goals. According to ESPN, the losing side were dealing with a host of injury problems and had an outfield player in goal as a result. They were also bottom of the table, while Invictasauro led the standings. Marina sporting director Tiberio Pratesi lodged a complaint and later received a phone call from Invictasauro with an apology. Their president, Paolo Brogelli, released a public statement to announce Riccini’s sacking: “We were stunned and deeply regretful when hearing that our Juniores team had beaten Marina Calcio 27-0. The values of youth team football are antithetical to such a thing. The opponent must always be respected and that did not happen today. “As president, I sincerely apologise to the Marina club. I announce that our directors decided, unanimously, to sack coach Riccini. Our coaches have the duty to train young players, but above all to educate them. That did not happen today.” Per the report, one Invictasauro player finished the match with seven goals, while two of his team-mates scored six.

https://sportinglife.ng/italian-club-fires-coach-for-

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May 11, 2021 by The Nation Ex-Governor Obi alleges blackmail plot Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2019 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over a leaked plot to blackmail him. Obi raised the alarm in a statement issued on Friday by his Media Office, signed by his Special Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem. “The present effort to blackmail Mr. Obi is by some prominent Nigerians, including a present Governor in the South-East. Our informant, whom we have no reason to doubt, revealed how five of them were invited to a meeting on how to nail Mr. Peter Obi so that, according to him, his ‘rising profile will be dimmed for good’,” Obienyem said in the statement. Read Also: ‘Why I consider Peter Obi a missionary’ He quoted the informant as saying: “Watch out; soon you will see a group call a world press conference, speak of the insecurity in the land, appeal to anybody with information on the causes to help the Government solve it and finally drop the bomb by linking Mr. Peter Obi to the sponsorship of the Biafran movement through offer of money to sustain the agitation and use of Biafran boys for selfish end, including winning of elections.” “Though our informant refused to disclose the name of the Governor behind this and the main person he is using, he assured: “In the fullness of time, the plot will unfold and the characters will become apparent on its own.” He however added that some of them are not comfortable on the way the tide is moving and may finally opt out,” Obienyem further said. He noted that “most of the previous efforts to blackmail Mr. Obi by some prominent people through hired hands backfired, because the truth eventually prevailed”, adding that “the present plot to make trouble for an innocent man will similarly come to nought as far as Almighty God remains on the throne.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/ex-governor-obi-alleges-blackmail-plot/

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The naira on Monday appreciated against the dollar at the Investors and Exporters window, exchanging at N445.38. The figure represents an appreciation of 0.07 per cent compared with the N445.67 for which the dollar exchanged at the close of business on Friday. The open indicative rate closed at N444.08 to the dollar on Monday. An exchange rate of N447 to the dollar was the highest rate recorded within the day’s trading before it settled at N445.38. The naira sold for as low as 440 to the dollar within Monday’s trading. A total of 83.57 million dollars was traded at the official Investors and Exporters window on Monday. (NAN) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/11/naira-exchanges-

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By Urowayino Jeremiah The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has commended the police Operatives for the arrest and elimination of the IPOB/ESN terrorists that allegedly masterminded the assassination of Barr Ahmed Ali Gulak, a chieftain of the APC,while assuring their Igbo brothers and sisters living in the Northern part of Nigeria of security and wellbeing. NYCN made this known in a statement signed by its president Comrade Abubakar Isah noting that the “ proactive approach of the joint security operation has in no small measure calm the already frayed nerves in the Northern region, especially among the youths and renewed people’s confidence in the ability of the Police to stamp out criminal elements in the country if they are supported and willing to do so. READ ALSO[ICYMI] Gulak’s assassination, plan by Igbo to replicate events of 1966, Says Northern group The statement read “we withdraw our early threat on Governor Hope Ozodinma whom we issued an ultimatum for immediate arrest and apprehension of the culprits. “We also call on the Police and other security agencies to deploy similar energy in tackling other act of criminality across the nation including kidnapping, banditry and terrorism among others. “The way and manner the police responded to the concern of the elites, they should also demonstrate the same on the plight of peace-loving downtrodden masses who want maximum security “We are sending out heartfelt condolences to the Family, friends and associates of Barr Gulak, we wish to call on calm and warn against any form of reprisal as our security agencies are on top of the situation”. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/gulak-northern-youths-commend-

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Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, has said that drones and helicopters from Turkey will soon arrive in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the security architecture of the country. Bayraktar made this known during the commemoration of the 99th National Day of the Republic of Turkey in Abuja. Bayraktar described the security support from Turkey to Nigeria as an achievement from the defence cooperation contract signed between both countries in 2021. He said that Turkey was set to extend all kinds of support to Nigeria in its efforts to counter its security threats by sharing its experience, technical expertise and technology. “The defence contracts signed between our countries last year, marked a historical record. “Taking this opportunity, I am proud to announce that two of our flagship defence industry platforms, Bayraktar (TB-2) drones and (T-149) ATAK helicopters, are set to arrive Nigeria. “We are confident that new Turkish defence products will support the efforts of the Nigerian Government and contribute immensely to the peace, prosperity and security of fellow Nigerians,” Bayraktar said. Bayraktar said the that the Turkish Government is also expecting the Nigerian Government to reciprocate its legitimate security concerns by taking the necessary steps against the strong presence of heinous FETO terrorist group in Nigeria. “Remaining as the sole obstacle hindering our bilateral relations to develop further, we call Nigeria not to let terror groups undermine our excellent ties, by allowing this terrorist group to fund their illegal aims and activities, by generation of revenues in this country. On the bilateral relations between both countries, Bayraktar said he was very proud that 2021 and 2022 had been a period of great achievements in the bilateral relations between Turkey and Nigeria. Bayraktar said that year 2022 which marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Nigeria, had indeed gained a huge momentum recently, with the reciprocal high-level visits of President Erdogan, in October, 2021 and President Buhari, in December 2021. He said that with the current pace of increasing commercial relations, he was confident that Turkey would soon achieve the target of $5 billion of bilateral trading volume with Nigeria. “These mutual high-level visits have provided the opportunity to underline our shared goal of strengthening our bilateral ties in every field, especially in terms of commerce, defence industry, energy, construction, manufacturing healthcare, education, tourism and culture. “With its steady growth over the last decade and by emerging as an economic powerhouse in its region, Türkiye expressed its readiness to share its development experience with African States, to broaden and strengthen its cooperation in different areas. “Today, Turkish business people some of whom are present here tonight, are investing in numerous sectors, from Fast-Moving-Consumer-Goods to construction, from healthcare to transportation, from energy to agriculture. “With the current pace of increasing commercial relations, I am confident that we will soon achieve our target of $5 billion of bilateral trading volume with Nigeria, which remains as one of our top trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa,” Bayraktar said. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, said that Nigeria and Turkey witnessed increased trade and bilateral relations since the high-level visit exchange between both Presidents in 2021. Dada also said Nigerians remained keen in doing business with their Turkish counterparts which is reflected in the Turkey-Nigeria Business Congress held in September 2021 in Istanbul. “Since the last series of consultations and exchange of visits at the highest political level, involving President Muhammadu Buhari and Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Abuja and Istanbul in October and December, 2021, both countries have continued to seek new grounds to deepen relations, especially increase in trade volumes. “I wish to happily note that Nigeria and Turkiye have demonstrated a strong commitment towards friendship in all our dealings, including people-to-people contacts in recent times. “On this note, I wish to express my optimism that as Nigeria and Turkiye continue diplomatic engagements at the highest level, we would work together tirelessly to deepen engagements for the mutual benefits of our peoples,” Dada said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in attendance were members of the Diplomatic Corps, Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Turkish citizens. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/insecurity-turkish-drones-helicopters-to-

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2nd September, 2022 Mr Omoyele Sowore, the presidential flag bearer of the African Action Congress (AAC), has said Peter Obi of the Labour Party is not a threat to his 2023 ambition. He stated this on Friday night during an interview on Channels TV’s show, “Politics Today.” According to Sowore, the former governor of Anambra is not “new to the rotten system” and is part of the “old system”. Sowore said; “I don’t see Peter Obi as a threat. He’s not new to the rotten system. Somebody who was Anambra’s governor for eight years. He didn’t build any schools, he didn’t build any industry, he didn’t build a power station. He’s not my kind of progressive. ” “I was the only candidate who participated in 2019 that did not stop campaigning or advocating.” I engaged, immediately after that election, in a number of revolutionary activities that took me to jail, and I have been doing this for about 32 years now. “Peter Obi is part of the old system that I’ve always fought against. I understand where he is coming from. This is 1999 repeating itself. “Nigerians want change, some young people are genuinely interested in change to a different direction, and then they are presented with somebody who worked for the establishment; somebody who has been in the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, came back to the PDP, and now in the Labour Party. We can be emotional about it, but that’s the truth.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/09/02/peter-obi-not-a-

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April 15, 2021 by The Nation Outcry over suspension of TB Joshua’s Emmanuel TV from YouTube By Adebisi Onanuga Emmanuel TV, the YouTube channel belonging to Pastor TB Joshua of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, has been suspended from the platform. A statement by the church on Thursday said Emmanuel TV was suspended for allegedly propagating ‘hate speech’. The announcement however led to public outcry from Joshua’s followers who vented their frustrations on social media about the suspension. The channel, which had over 1,800,000 subscribers and 600,000,000 views before suspension, was among the largest in Nigeria and reportedly the most watched Christian ministry ever on the video-sharing platform. In the announcement of the suspension on their official Facebook Page, the ministry clarified: “Emmanuel TV’s mission is to share the love of God with everyone, irrespective of race or religion and we strongly oppose all forms of hate speech!” It added that the Christian network enjoyed “a long and fruitful relationship with YouTube” and believed “this decision was made in haste”. Suzanne Mare, one of the followers of Emmanuel TV, expressed anger and frustration over the development. “I have followed SCOAN and Emmanuel TV for 18 years and not once have I encountered any form of hate speech,” Suzanne Mare wrote to YouTube’s official Facebook Page. “I find your censorship extremely disturbing. “Dear YouTube,” wrote Mr Mutepfe on Twitter. “Emmanuel TV has done nothing but spread love… Not a single day has the channel promoted hate or prejudice towards any race, gender, colour or creed.” “I had depression and attempted suicide twice but after watching Emmanuel TV and realising how much God loves me, my life was saved,” Rita Machipanda emotionally wrote on Facebook, pleading with YouTube to restore the channel. “I have nothing again to watch on YouTube,” lamented Mr Gumwesh, adding that the American video-sharing platform would lose a significant number of subscribers if the channel was not reinstated. Another user, Lone Malone, announced on Twitter he had started an online petition to see the channel’s restoration. YouTube had earlier awarded Emmanuel TV a ‘Gold Creator Award’ for surpassing 1,000,000 subscribers, an achievement which attracted commendation from the company’s CEO, Susan Wojcicki.

https://thenationonlineng.net/outcry-over-suspension-of-tb-joshuas-

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Security and Privacy Since a live streaming app opens the gates for everyone, business owners should have the option to manage privacy settings, as users may post inappropriate videos and comments. To keep the app clean, proper moderation options are essential. Our admin features make it easy for you to manage and maintain a safe environment. Customizable Tiktok Clone Script Aspiring businesses can find good potential in the video-sharing segment, that’s why there are an increasing number of competitors battling for a piece of the profits. With your distinctive app made by relying on TikTok Clone Php Script, you can also grow your user base and continuously amuse them. Just select our services, then get ready to maintain your new app’s cutting-edge features and stay on the trending page by building your own Tiktok app Clone!! Launch the enjoyable, intuitive, hath video sharing services with the TikTok clone that is completely adaptable and affordable in this competitive market. Growth hacking marketing strategies align with mobile application development. Our TikTok clone app fosters the potential for a viral user network by integrating a referral program. This program encourages users to share the app with their friends and family, earning bonus points or gems when invited users join the network. Keeping users connected is easy with our TikTok clone app. Users receive updates on their network, such as likes, shares, and comments on their videos, important app release and fix notifications, video upload statuses, and scheduled maintenance alerts. All these notifications can be managed through the admin panel’s push notification feature. Followers / Following Integrating efficient data science for user networking functions, such as following, helps users discover known and close-circle users within the app. This feature also allows users to modify their follow settings at any time. Additionally, users can view a complete list of their followers and followings. As live streaming apps like TikTok primarily rely on mobile apps and their components, our solutions focus on developing robust Android app and iOS app, along with a comprehensive admin panel. For marketing purposes, we help our clients create an appealing landing page to highlight the key features of their live streaming TikTok clone app. Revenue Perks of Short Video Sharing Platform Online video-sharing platforms are goldmines for business owners looking to cash in. Inspired to tap into serious revenue potential by learning how does TikTok make money? Our TikTok clone comes loaded with powerful monetization strategies, including: As an admin of your live video streaming app, you can earn commissions on every virtual gift users receive when they convert virtual gifts to coins. Selling the App Building a strong brand for your live streaming app and increasing users and revenue can attract potential buyers, providing an opportunity for you to profit by selling your app. You can allow users of your TikTok app clone to purchase virtual coins, which can be used within the app for sharing virtual gifts. This generates direct income for admin. From the admin panel, you can enable features that allow only premium members to access important functionalities of the app, such as uploading their own videos. Admins can also generate revenue from paid advertisements displayed in the app’s ad sections. You can charge for ads based on the number of days they are displayed. Bring Your Own Idea You can bring your own monetization strategy to the live streaming app. We offer custom app development to integrate your unique ideas into the app. Admin Panel Demo of Our TikTok Clone !! Check out Fundoo, a TikTok clone app that helps bring your business ideas to life with short video solutions for any specific use case. Talk to our live support for custom TikTok app clone development. The source code is 100% open-source, configurable, and editable by any developer. Get Our Quick User Demo Now! Check out the user demo of our iOS app and Android android of TikTok clone to explore features that match your project startup idea. We can customize this TikTok clone application by trimming down or enhancing features to suit your needs. Build An App Like TikTok With Exciting Addons Don’t just copy the TikTok business model with just a tiktok clone app development, add more value by purchasing our additional components. These will help you refine your project idea and make your app stand out from TikTok. Integrate a separate ad portal within the app and configure the ad metadata to display video ads between online videos and get paid by advertisers for these ads. Integrate voice messaging addon into your tiktok like short video application to facilitate easier communication and enhance chat interactions between friends. Using Google Smart Replies API and ML Kit, we offer an addon that enhances the chat experience by providing automated suggestions for responses. Capture your users’ attention by displaying a stunning video intro in the background of your short video application login screen which will boost their interest. By selecting this option, we will create a marketing campaign based on your market research and provide you with an explanatory video about the TikTok clone app. Static splash screens on your app’s welcome screens can be dull. Replace them with animated splash screens to make the app more appealing and interesting for users. Excited For a Price? Been here before? Check your query Let’s Craft More Ideas With Experts! Decide and Lead the charge in the revolution of short-form videos., take your budget into consideration, and get building! Want to Develop TikTok Clone but Unsure Where to Start? Get Answers and Stay Informed To maximize your mobile resources, we recommend native solutions. While native solutions can be costly, our TikTok clone is developed using Swift for iOS and Java for Android. The filters are created using reliable 3rd party SDKs, which require regular updates. With a one-time payment, you receive complete copyright ownership of the app. We will deliver everything you need, including source codes and design elements. You can sell your app along with its user base and revenue figures as a company or a product. However, you cannot resell this app as an installable product for other businessmen. Yes, we offer service packages to support you in submitting your apps to the Android Play Store and Apple App Store. We handle the entire process, including uploading the apps, creating promotional graphics and content, optimizing for search results, and negotiating with the app review team for final approval. Yes, there is a premium user option that allows users to upload their videos and audios to the video content creation. This option can be enabled from the admin panel to generate additional income by encouraging users to become premium members. When it is disabled, all users can access this feature. With the rise of short video platforms, there are now more cost-effective streaming servers available. Before choosing a streaming server, read our best video streaming server blog. We have also partnered with ZEGOCLOUD streaming servers, which we have integrated into many live streaming applications. Besides streaming servers, regular infrastructure components like the backend system can be found under our changelog and requirements. You can use any servers such as AWS, GCP, Azure. We also prefer Digital Ocean for Hosting service, you can use the link below to sign up quickly. Also you can get free $200 which will be automatically credited to your account and you can use it for 60 days. Billing will be applicable only after this time period. When we released the last version, we matched almost all of TikTok’s features. However, as TikTok continues to update its features daily, we are constantly working to match them and add new features that TikTok doesn’t have. We do not clone any code from TikTok, and our tech stack is entirely different from tiktok tech stack. Since we work under NDA for almost all our customers, we cannot disclose their development details. However, some clients are willing to share their experiences. To learn more about these completed projects, please contact our live support. Yes, ABS is becoming a game changer in the live streaming world. To provide a seamless video streaming experience to your users, we recommend using Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABS). Read our blog on adaptive bitrate streaming to understand how it enhances video streaming. Our Fundoo product includes all the core features of TikTok. Read our blog on how to develop an app like TikTok to learn more about the TikTok algorithm and the important features you shouldn’t miss in your project. Yes, this service is tailored to industry and specific requirements. As an additional service, we use artificial intelligence or create our own engine to gather users’ interests and deliver personalized content on your short video platform based on their preferences. Apache server, the most popularly used web/http server. It can installed as external server or on the same server as per your convenience For Instant Chat SMTP for PHPMailer() function. “sendmail” recommended for linux based servers Ion cube loader version 10 [Updated] Home UI Changes [Added] FFMpeg conversion for video optimization [Added] Watermark logo added for video [Added] Short video preview in thumbnail [Updated] Video list based on interest in Home [Added] Video download option in Home for Prime members [Updated] Multiple user & hashtag banners section in Search [Added] Search – Popular Creators, Most watched, Growing Stars, Trending Hashtags, Top Markers, Trending Music List [Added] Extended see all list for Popular Creators, Most watched, Growing Stars, Trending Hashtags, Top Markers, Trending Music List [Updated] Profile UI Changes [Added] Report and Block option in for Other Profile. [Added] Post Video with original audio [Added] Provided an option for user to control the original audio for others to use. [Added] Video delete option [Added] Video edit option [Added] Subscription module manage from Admin [Added] Continuous video playback option for search, profile, video list [Updated] Notification section moved to home [Updated] Users & Video list UI [Updated] Hashtag & Music List UI [Added] Interest and Bookmark option in Settings [Updated] Bug fixes & Performance improvements [Removed] Audio call & Video call

https://appkodes.com/tiktok-clone/

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By Peter Egwuatu The Federal Government is to subsidise this year’s Hajj pilgrims with a maximum of N7.9 billion (N7,944,508,970) as against N2. 4 billion (N2,442,000,000) of the previous year, representing a growth of 225.3 per cent. Vanguard’s findings revealed that with total Hajj pilgrims of 65,167 for the year 2016 as published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and a maximum of $1000.00 per pilgrim, the total foreign exchange entitled to the pilgrims amounted to sixty five million, one hundred and sixty seven thousand dollars ($65,167,000). Therefore, when $ 65,167,000 is multiplied with the difference between the Foreign Exchange, (Forex) market (N318.9 per dollar ) and the concessionary exchange rate of ( N197 per dollar), that is N121.91 per dollar, it would amount to N7.9 billion (N7,944,508,970) , while with a minimum of $750 per dollar for each pilgrim, it would amount to N5.9 billion ( N5, 958,381,727). It should be noted that in 2015, the Federal Government subsidised the Hajj prigrims with N37.00 per dollar as the official exchange rate was N197 per dollar, while the pilgrims were offered $160 per dollar. Therefore, in 2015, the Federal Government would have subsidised the Hajj pilgrims with N2. 4 billion (N2,442,000,000). Further findings on the 2016 pilgrims for the top ten states showed that Kano state with total pilgrims of 5,808 had the highest entitlement with subsidy of N708,053 million followed by Kaduna state with 5,649 pilgrims with subsidy of N688.6 million. Others are Sokoto State 5000 pilgrims with subsidy of N609.5 million; Katsina state 4,598 pilgrims with N560.542 million; Kebbi state 4,107 pilgrims with N500.684 million, Niger state 3,226 with subsidy of N393.281 million; Abuja (FCT) 2,975 pilgrims with N362.682 million; Bauchi State 2789 pilgrims with N430.006 million; Borno state 2581 pilgrims with N314,649 million and Jigawa 2,405 with N293.193 million. They are to purchase a minimum of $750.00 and a maximum of $ 1,000.00 as Purchase of Pilgrims Travelling Allowance, PTA. The CBN in a circular issued on Thursday to all Authorised Dealers and General public, signed by Acting Director, Trade & Exchange Department, W.D Gotring stated that the Federal Government has approved that intending pilgrims are to be sold the PTA at a concessionary exchange rate of N197.00 to the US dollar. According to the circular “No commission shall be charged by the banks for the sale of PTA to the intending pilgrims; The CBN shall sale the PTA to the designated banks in Lagos and Abuja and the accounts of the respective banks shall be debited as soon as the funds are disbursed.” The CBN further said, “Each designated bank is required to sell to the CBN the unutilised funds not later than two weeks from the date of the last inward flight to Nigeria from Jedda, while the accounts of the banks shall be credited promptly.” The apex bank further noted that “The approved schedule showing the distribution of the pilgrims expected to perform the 2016 Hajj and the designated banks that will handle the sales of the PTA to the pilgrims in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT ,each states state of the federation , the Armed Forces and the National Hajj Commission Headquarters , is stated for guidance. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/2016-hajj-kano-kaduna-get-

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January 23, 2020 by The Nation BREAKING: $1.2b Malabu Oil deal: Court begins arraignment of Adoke, 6 others Eric Ikhilae, Abuja The arraignment of former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Bello Adoke (SAN) and six others has commenced before the High Court of the Federal Capita Territory (FCT) in Gwagwalada, Abuja. The defendants are being arraigned on a 42-count charge in which they are accused of committing fraud in the handling of the settlement agreement on the Malabu Oil deal effected under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. An official of the court has started reading the charge to the defendants.

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-

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Pandemonium as Abuja residents loot govt warehouse - NEMA denies ownership of burgled facility - Police arrest 15 There was chaos yesterday in the Gwagwa area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as hoodlums broke into a government storage facility and carted away food items. Some residents said the youths in their numbers broke into the warehouse located around Tasha at about 7am, looting bags of maize and grains. Ibrahim Alfa, a resident, said the looting continued unhindered for several hours, adding that the situation caused gridlock on the Gwagwa-Karmo Road, which leads to the Dei-Dei and Jabi axis. Another resident, John, bysaid the looters did not spare even protectors used to barricade the site as they picked anything deemed useful from the warehouse. The Nation reports that the same warehouse was looted during the COVID-19 lockdown and grain bags as well as pumping machines meant for intervention were stolen from the site by the looters. After raiding the store, the rampaging youths headed towards Idu Industrial Estate, an area that hosts warehouses owned by individuals and also the government. The FCT Police Public Relations officer, SP Josephine Adeh, when contacted said officers were already on ground trying to control the situation. Adeh in a statement yesterday said: “The FCT police command is fully informed about the impulsive attack on Agric Department Strategic food store located at Tasha, Abuja, on 2/03/2024 by some irate crowd, which resulted in the vandalism and looting of the warehouse. “The command wishes to state that normalcy has since been restored to the environment and the situation is very much under control, as 15 suspects were arrested, including two local security guards employed by the warehouse management. “Exhibits such as 26 bags of maiz, five motorcycles and some vandalized aluminum roofings were recovered from the suspects.” Debunking earlier reports that claimed the warehouse was owned by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Head, Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, said: “This is to clarify that the looted warehouse does not belong to NEMA. However, the agency sympathizes with owners of the looted facility. “To forestall any security breach at NEMA facilities, the Director General Mustapha Habib Ahmed has directed Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations to strengthen security in and around the agency’s offices and warehouses nationwide.” When our correspondent contacted the Public Relations Officer of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Agric Secretariat, Zakari Aliyu, he accepted that the looted warehouse belonged to the FCT. He said: “It’s an FCT warehouse at Gwagwa. We have visited with our Mandate Secretary. He will repeat the visit with the HMS tomorrow.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/pandemonium-as-

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May 7, 2021 by The Nation Kaduna suffering from evils El-Rufai once wished Rivers – Wike By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has mocked his Kaduna counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, saying the insecurity in the latter’s state was a payback of the crisis he once plotted against Rivers. The Governor spoke on Friday when Vice-President of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Rotarian Obiageli Ejezie, led other leaders of the association to the Government House, Port Harcourt. A statement signed by Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said the delegation was in Government House to confer on the Governor the “2019/2020 Good Governance Award” for his outstanding achievements in project execution in Rivers. While accusing the Federal Government of instigating security crises in Rivers, Wike said Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by El-Rufai, visited the Presidency to demand the withdrawal of a Commissioner of Police from Rivers. He said: “Now, in order to cause crisis in our state, they brought the CP they wanted. At the end of the day, God did not allow them to have their way. “But see what is happening in his state now. When you are plotting evil against somebody, evil will visit you. And that is the problems Governor El-Rufai is facing today in Kaduna State. “I remember when I came in 2015, when they were honouring one of their friends as a Minister on live television Channels, El-Rufai had the temerity to say that (my) election cannot stand in Rivers state and that they will kick me out.” Wike accused the Federal Government controlled by the APC of dragging Nigeria fifty years backwards following its abysmal performance. The Governor maintained that the APC mismanaged the opportunity Nigerians gave them to make a difference and deserve to be voted out in 2023. The Governor told the delegation in 2015, APC convinced Nigerians they were going to offer better governance than the former President Goodluck Jonathan. But he said: “There can’t be good governance without security and this is based on rule of law. All of us are living witnesses in 2015 when it was alleged that the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan, could not perform. So Nigeria needed a change. What has happened to the change? They have taken Nigeria back by 50 years.” Wike wondered how long the Federal government would allow the needless killings and abduction of innocent Nigerians to continue. He said it was no longer acceptable for Nigerians to wake up daily to such ugly news of killings because they expected the government to guarantee security. He said: “Now, you wake up every morning, students are being kidnapped in so and so State University, people have been killed in so and so State. So, it has become a norm. “Just wake up in the morning and the first thing you will see on the front page of dailies is 10 people have been kidnapped in Niger State; 20 have been killed in Zamfara State, 5 have been killed in Imo and this happens virtually every day. So, where are we heading to?” The Rivers Governor said his administration was doing everything possible to secure life and property of all residents in the state.

https://thenationonlineng.net/kaduna-suffering-from-evils-el-rufai-once-

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The Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba, has appointed AIG Hafiz Inuwa, as the Force Secretary and a member of the Force Management Team. The IGP also re-appointed CP Frank Mba as the Force Public Relations Officer and Ag CP Idowu Owohunwa as his Principal Staff Officer, PSO. Mr Inuwa takes over from AIG Mustapha Dandaura who has been redeployed to Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja. The new Force Secretary holds a Masters’ degree in Public Policy and Administration, MPPA. Prior to his appointment as the Force Secretary, he was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 13 Ukpo-Dunukofia in Awka, Anambra State, covering Anambra and Enugu State Police Commands. He previously served as the Commissioner of Police, Delta and Cross River States, among other positions. He is a member of the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru, Jos. Mr Mba, a lawyer and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, is an alumnus of the University of Dundee, Scotland – United Kingdom, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Law. An IVLP scholar, he holds a Diploma in Police Strategic Management from the University of Virginia, USA and a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy, FBINA, in Quantico, Virginia, USA. The PRO holds a Certificate in National and International Security from Harvard University, USA. Mr Owohunwa, the new PSO, holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Studies and Policing from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. A Chevening Scholar, he holds a Diploma in Police Strategic Management at the University of Virginia, USA and a graduate of the globally recognized FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, USA. Mr Owohunwa was the PSO-IGP between 2015 and 2016, and to the immediate past IGP, Mohammed Adamu. This re-appointment marks the third time he is holding the position as the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police. The IGP also ordered the posting of CSP Idris Abdullahi Abubakar as the PSO II to the IGP, SP Isah Abdulhamid as PA-IGP, SP Nura Kabir Hanga as Secretary.

https://dailynigerian.com/breaking-igp-appoints-aig/

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By Ozioruva Aliu – Benin City With the controversy surrounding the final destination of artefacts expected to be returned to the country topping the public space recently, Edo state government on Monday said it would continue to engage the palace of the Oba of Benin to secure the final return of the A statement by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Edo State, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the publicity being given the issues creates a wrong impression of conflict between the government and the Oba of Benin, His Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II. He said “The Government of Edo State and the Governor have always acted transparently and in consonance with existing Federal and State laws in all matters relating to the proposed return of the artefacts and monuments. “The actions of the government thus far on this issue have been driven by selfless, patriotic considerations and in the best interest of Edo State and Edo people. “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has displayed and will continue to display immense respect for our traditional institutions and therefore will continue to make effort to secure a private audience with His Royal Majesty to discuss his concerns. “The Governor has consequently ordered that on no account should anyone, whether in government or acting independently, engage in disrespectful exchanges and/or altercation with our revered Royal Majesty and the Benin Royal Palace. “Governor Obaseki, meanwhile, expresses his gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other officials of the federal government for their patriotic and tireless efforts that have brought us to the verge of this eagerly anticipated achievement which has remained elusive for over a century. “While thanking and congratulating the Federal Government, the President, the Minister, the Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin and all stakeholders who have contributed to the successes so far recorded in this endeavour, the Governor assures that he will continue to work assiduously with all local and international stakeholders for the eventual and final return of these valued records of our great and glorious heritage back to Benin City for the benefit of all Edo people, Nigerians and the black race.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/07/benin-artefacts-edo-government-

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By Dr. Francis Akin-John Growing to their full Potentials Effective ministers grows person-ally, spiritually and profession-ally. - Transformed and changed lives. Changed lives and destinies are the hallmark of effective mini-stries. - Raising people for their mini-stries. Effective pastors coach and mentor people for ministries in the local church and in the world. Effective pastors have Timothys’ and Titus in ministry. - Raise a godly family. Your family is your first ministry. Effective ministry always starts at home. If it doesn’t work at home, it will not work anywhere else. To be an effective minister is to be able, capable and competent. It is to be an able minister of the New Testament. II Cor. 6:3-10. He is someone who had been with Jesus. Mark 3:13-14: grow into Christ-likeness. Heb. 7:26 and maintains a vital relationship with Christ. Permit me to examine the factors that will greatly help you to become an able minister of the New Testament so as to achieve ministerial success. - The Making of an Effective Minister (II Cor. 3:6; Mal. 3:3). First and foremost, you cannot become an effective minister if God did not make you. If God did not make you, you can’t make anybody. The making of God is a process, not a programme. God makes His ministers in slow-cooker, not in a microwave oven. You must be in the furnace of God -Malachi 3:3. You must be clay in the Potter’s hand Isaiah 64:8; Jer. 18:1-6. Surrendered and pliable in His hand. God makes his ministers through the follow-ings: * Test and trials -Deut. 8:1-3. * Responsibilities and Opportu-nities * Problems and Crisis * Serving in secret and unre-cognised * Suffering and wants – I Pet. 5:10 * Dissapointments and failures * Faithfulness and fruitfulness in little * Divine timing Hab. 2:1-3. God makes us by first bringing us to Himself – You are saved, growing, allowing trials to come our way and He keeps making us until we die -Phil. 1:6. He wants to make us into real manhood. I Tim. 2:5; John 1:6. God makes a man before manifesting mighty ministry. The man is more im-portant than the ministry, position and performance. Jesus manhood was made for 30 years and His ministry 31/2 years. Ratio 10:1. A growing ministry means a grow-ing man. If you are not a God-made, God-moulded and God- sharpened man, you cannot go far in this ministry. You must allow God to continually mould, re-mould and re-make you if you really want ministerial success. God must continue to form and fashion you. If you are going to be an effective minister. - The Motive of the Effective Minister (Matt. 6:1) You cannot be an effective minister if your motive is wrong. God weighs the heart and cross-check our motives. Pro. 16:2. Why do you want to be a minister? To serve or to be seen? Fulfil personal drive or God’s desire? What is your true motivation? To minister or to be ministered to? To herald the truth or just to be heard by man? Are you motivated by God’s love or lust for power, fame and name? Motive can be described as the reason why you are doing what you are doing. It can be right or wrong. Wrong motives of being a minister and being in the ministry are: Seeking for fame; Financial lucre; Respect and honour; Self-importance and Self-worth and to Prove a point to others. Once you have any of these motives, you cannot really become an able minister. Right motives of being a minister are: the clear call of the Lord; readiness to serve; doing the will of the Lord; fulfilling your pur-pose; desire to add value to others and contributing your own quota to Kingdom expansion. I Cor. 16: 15. It is your motive that will conti-nually motivate you. It is your mo-tive that will determine whether God will be with you or not . It is your motive that will determine your reward with God. Check and re-check your motives to see that they are the right ones. - Mandate for Ministry of the Effective Minister. Matt. 28:19-20; Acts.1:8; I Cor. 7:20. No one can become an effective minister without a clear mandate from the Lord. There can be no ministry without a clear mandate. While the general and non-negotiable mandate is to preach the gospel, yet God must give you area to preach. You must preach the gospel according to youth, marriage, raising leaders, reach-ing gentiles, Jews, women, men, rich, poor or widows or church planting and missions. It is your mandate that will be-come your ministry. (Col. 4:17; Acts. 20:20; II Cor. 4:1; II Tim. 4:5.) Ministry is a vision, objective and divine assignment. It is given by the Lord to individuals. There are ministries in every church, but there is no church in every mini-stry. If you are called and gifted as an evangelist, teacher, prophet, pastor, apostle,singer or inter-cessor, stay in that calling and ministry. We are: Saved for ministry Called for ministry Commended for ministry Authorised for ministry Anointed for ministry Gifted for ministry Rewaded for ministry Your ministry must be productive, proven, pure and positive. Your ministry must lead to transformations. Tranformations of lives, homes, destinies, communities and cities are the hallmark of effective ministries. Make sure you receive your mandate from God, not from men, circumstances and wrong motives. - Message of the Effective Minister Eph. 4:15; II Tim. 4:2; II Cor. 13:8. There can be no message without a messenger. Every good messenger must have a clear message from the Lord. II Sam. 18:19-30. Don’t run without a clear message from the Lord. Every able minister must run with the true message of the gospel. No matter what we preach, it must revolve around the truth of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Live the truth of the gospel Stand in truth of the gospel Stand for truth of the gospel Defend the truth of the gospel Preach a balanced, scriptural, doctrinally sound and relevant gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Don’t preach only one-line-of truth,but a wholesome gospel. You may start on one line of truth, but grow to preach the whole truth of God’s word. You may start with faith, finances and grace, but balanced it with godliness, faithfulness and purity as time goes by.Ministers with only one line of truth don’t usually last long. It’s either they move into error or they are ruined by scandals. II TIm. 2:15-19. God will confirm His word,not your theories. Mark 16:20. - The Magnet of the Effective Minister Ecc.9:8; Acts.10:38; Ps. 92:10; Every effective minister must have magnet in their lives. This speaks of the presence and power of the Lord in your life. The anointing of the Holy Spirit that draws people into your life and ministry. The Charisma of God that produce results. The workings of the Lord in you and through you that produce unmistakable and undeniable results. Acts. 2:22. This magnet will be the seal of God’s approval over your life and ministry. Check the following: The supernatural power of God must flow through you. It is the working of God in you that will attract men and money It is the results you produce that will hasten your credibility. An effective minister must key into God’s power through fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, fastings, prayers, holy living and dedication to God, so as to be true channel of His unlimited power. Matt. 17:21; Roms. 8:26. - Mentality of the Effective Minister Heb. 11:6; Luk. 1:37; Romans 4:17-21. Effective ministers must be men and women of possibility thinking faith. They must have positive outlook. They must possess the mentality that nothing is impossible with God. They must reject negative mindset of doubt, fear, worry, anxiety and unbelief. Acts. 27:22-25. Positive mentality and mindset results in strong faith that: - Sees the invisible - Rejects the contrary words of men - Refuses to walk by sight - Hopes in the love and faithfulness of God - Believes that todays problem will lead to future praise - Confess his victory over satan and circumstances - Sees God as greater than his situations. An effective minister maintain positive outlook in a negative world. To an effective minister, faith must drive out fear, lest fear drive out faith from the heart. Faith in God, the word of God, faithfulness, goodness and love of God is strong in the heart of an effective minister. - The Maturity of the Effective Minister James 3:17; I Cor. 13; Galatians 5:22-26 No one can truly be an effective minister without displaying high degree of maturity in his life and ministry. Maturity doesn’t answer to age, experience, class, status or position. It answer only to personal growth and development. Maturity is the ability to do what is right, irrespective of how you feel. It is having the right attitude, mature in human relations and displaying heavenly wisdom. It manifests as fruits of the Spirit, Christ-like character, being dependable, steadfast, responsible and consistency. Heb. 14; I Cor. 14:20. Maturity means: You are free from childishness and babyhood Freedom from pettiness and narrowmindedness Carnality, frivolity and unseriousness are gone Having the ability to face and solve problems Possessing a large heart and deep understanding Self-control,emotionally stable and trustworthy Knowledgeable, broadminded and accomodating. Maturing effective ministers do not have ‘destination disease’- the feeling of having ‘arrived’ and no more, rather, they keep learning, improving, preparing and building strong character everyday. Maturing ministers embark on life-long journey of personal growth and development. Your maturity and depth will be that of your ministry. - The Morality of the Effective Minister I Cor.6:9-18; Matt. 5:28; Pro. 6:25. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/true-pastoral-calling-ministry-3/

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By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Muslim leaders and traditional rulers in Kaduna State have commenced moves to strengthen inter-religious harmony by joining worshippers at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Gospel Church, Lemu Road, Kaduna, on Sunday. The Chairman, Community Relation Committee of the church, Senator Haruna Azee Zego, said the invitation extended to Muslims within their host community to worship with them was borne out of the love to sustain religious coexitence and commended the Muslim invitees for honouring for coming to the church. “Their attendance was at the instance of the church in her efforts at strengthening religious harmony and peaceful coexistence among all, regardless of religious differences. “Some of the Muslims who attended the church service were Nigeriens living within and around the community where the church is located,” he said. Traditional leaders, who attended the Sunday service, were the District Head of Barnawa, Alhaji Kabiru Zubairu; the Wakilin Shehu Borno, HRH Bata Madaki Auta, and Sarkin Dutse Alhaji Shuaibu Balarebe Abdullahi among others. Among the Muslim leaders who were in the church and spoke on peaceful and religious coexistence were Sheihk Dahiru Abdullahi, Sheihk Dr. Hamisu Ya’u and Sheihk Shehu Ayotola. They unanimously agreed that there is no basis whatsoever why Christians and Muslims to fight instead of being each other’s keepers. “You cannot be said to be a good Muslim if you don’t like your Christain neighbours and vice versa,” they said. “We should join hands and bring back the good old days where Christians relate with Muslims as brothers and vice versa. “Muslims and Christians are twins. Christianity and Islam has not changed but Christians and Muslims have changed and people have succeeded to divide the two religion for their selfish gains. “We must return to olden days where Christains and Muslims see each other as brothers,” they said. Sheihk Dr. Ya’u, the Executive Secretary of Sultan Bello mosque, said that “the devil is our common problem and we must all unite to fight the devil. “Humanity should be respected above religion and we should accept each other the way we are. “We must love one another and not allow politicians to play with our intelligence because the present political dispensation could cause Nigeria a lot of problem. “We must not allow politicians to use our heads. We must unite together as one and allow politicians to do their things,” he said. District head of Barnawa, Wakilin Shehu Borno and the Sarkin Dutse all commended ECWA for the good initiative and called on other churches and Islamic bodies to emulate the peace advocacy. During the Sunday sermon, the Preacher, Mr. Zak Bungwon, said lack of fellowship is the cause of most crisis and called on Christains and Muslims to focus on what bind them together and not what separates. He said the invitation extended to Muslims to worship with them in a programme tagged “Friends of the Church”, holds annually. The Senior Pastor of the Church, Rev. Joshua Anyam, said the church is willing more than ever before to relate with their neighbours regardless of their religion to promote peaceful coexistence. “We do this annually, basically to promote religious and peaceful togetherness among ourselves, and we are thankful that whenever we call they respond in their numbers,” he said. The Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) represented by Mr. Reuben Buhari said “it is better we live together and survive or live apart and suffer.We must be United.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/07/muslim-leaders-kaduna-monarchs-join-

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By Jacob Ajom A three-day programme aimed at exploring the power of sports in youth development and conflict resolution has been put together by the Sport Global Ambassadors. The programme which is to mark the 2023 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace begins Wednesday, April 5 with an opening ceremony at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere. The opening day’s events also include a debate session as delegates will be debating and discussing on the topic: “Sports as a tool for equality to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” The programme which is being put together by The Ambassadors Initiative for Youth Development and Conflict Resolution in collaboration with Lagos State Sports Commission is in its second edition. Last year’s edition was a great success, as it brought together students from 24 schools, 12 schools each from private and public schools. Organisers said the theme for this year’s event is “Lagos United in Sports” and due to the success of last year’s event, the activities will go beyond a single day. “Three days are dedicated towards this event,” said Ndidi Edeoghon, (Coach Didi), adding, “the athletics competition comes up on April 6th at Caleb British International School, Lekki, while an exclusive award ceremony shall be Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Education to be present, along with other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/global-

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March 18, 2021 by The Nation Biafra: Uwazuruike, MASSOB back Asari-Dokubo By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM-MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has hailed Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo on his emergence as the leader of the new Biafra De Facto Customary Government. Asari-Dokubo, a former militant in the Niger Delta region, had a few days ago, announced himself as the leader of the new Biafra de facto Customary Government, citing “injustice and marginalisation” on the Igbo people found in various zones of the country as the reason for his aspiring for a “better life for his people.” In a statement issued on his behalf by his media assistant, Chris Mocha, Uwazuruike described Asari-Dokubo’s emergence as a clear manifestation of “our monthly concerted efforts at reconciling different pro-Biafran groups towards achieving greater harmony against our common enemy”. The MASSOB leader, who extended his unalloyed support to the new leader of Biafra Customary government, also congratulated Asari-Dokubo for towing the line of non-violence agreement in the crusade for the emancipation struggle of the people of Biafra. “Asari-Dokubo is a fearless principal actor in our quest for Biafra actualization mission and has remained ever assertive and vocal and indefatigable. His principled stand on Biafra restoration project is an encouragement to all and a deterrent to the warring enemy. And in this struggle, he finds favour in my endorsement.” Uwazuruike said Dokubo’s unrelenting contributions and efforts made by notable leaders from different pro-Biafra groups. Uwazuruike said, “As we march on, we ask all to be part of this commitment and in our efforts towards unifying eastern region; certain that we are building for ourselves, and for our generations yet unborn.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/biafra-uwazuruike-massob-back-asari-

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1st May, 2022 Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has travelled to Cotonou, Benin Republic to visit Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, known as Sunday Igboho. The literary icon was seen at the Seme border around noon on Sunday, crossing to Cotonou, the capital city of Benin Republic. He was mobbed by a crowd while waiting to complete immigration formalities and he was repeatedly asked where he was headed. His response was that he was on a visit to Sunday Igboho to break the Muslim fast with him. Reminded that neither he nor Ighoho was a Muslim, Soyinka asserted that it made no difference. He said he had wished to see Igboho, so as to sympathise with his predicament. “Ramadan is as good as any other season to express non-denominational solidarity,” added the Professor. Igboho was arrested in Cotonou on July 20, 2021, while trying to flee to Germany as the Nigerian government had declared him wanted. He was arrested with his wife, Ropo, who was later released. Igboho spent eight months in prison before he was released by the Benin Republic government, but he is not allowed to leave the country. Igboho had been at the forefront of agitation for the Yoruba Nation in Nigeria until his house was invaded by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ibadan. He managed to flee while some of his aides were killed and others arrested.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/05/01/breaking-soyinka-hits-benin-

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The Federal Government says train services on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line will resume this November. The Minister Of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo made this known on Monday while giving the score card of his ministry in Abuja. He said adequate security has been put in place to ensure the safety of passengers but did not give any specific date for the resumption. Sambo said the ministry has learnt enough lessons from the attack in March that led to the suspension of train service on the Abuja-Kaduna route. The minister also noted that a system has been put in place that will ensure prompt monitoring of movements on the rail tracks. According to him, the system would afford President Muhammadu Buhari, concerned ministries and agencies as well as security agencies the opportunity to see what goes on on the tracks without delays. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) suspended train service along the route after Boko Haram terrorists attacked a moving passenger train in Kaduna on March 28, 2022. The insurgents had blown up the rail track and bombed the moving train, killing some and abducting more than 60 passengers. The unprecedented attack had attracted international and national outrage. The terrorists, who attacked the train in Kaduna, released hostages piecemeal with the last release being on October 5, 2022. Distraught family members had protested several times to demand the release of their loved ones. Sambo had said the Abuja-Kaduna rail line will not resume until all those kidnapped by bandits in March are rescued and reunited with their families. A terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu, was on September 6, 2022, arrested in Cairo, Egypt while on his way to Saudi Arabia and returned to Nigeria the next day. The Department of State Services (DSS) had alleged that Mamu, who negotiated between terrorists and families of kidnap victims, was part of an international terrorist network and used the cover of journalism to perpetrate his deeds. Popular Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, to whom Mamu is an aide, had faulted the arrest of Mamu. Gumi had asked the security agency to charge Mamu to court if it had any evidence against him, rather than keeping him in custody. But the DSS, in its reaction, said it would not be distracted by some skewed narratives in the media and requested to be left alone to concentrate on the ongoing investigations, the outcomes of which it said have remained ‘mindboggling’.

https://www.channelstv.com/2022/11/07/breaking-abuja-kaduna-train-

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