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Ahead Of Eid-El-Kabir Durbar, Emir Bayero Writes Police Seeking Special Security

June 13, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Perhaps to ensure a hitch-free Sallah Durbar amidst the turbulence and rancour surrounding the Royal Stool of Kano Emirate, one of the claimants to the Throne, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, has requested for an enhanced security.

The Source reports that Emir Bayero, who since May 25, 2024, has been dragging the Kano Emirship with once deposed but reinstated Emir Muhammad Sanusi had on Tuesday June 11 signaled his intention to hold the Traditional Sallah Durbar beginning from Sunday June 16.

Subsequently, he had through a circular dated June 10, and signed by the Emirate’s Senior Counselor Abbas Sanusi, the Galadinman Kano, directed all District and Village Heads to adequately mobilise for the all important traditional festivity.

In a letter dated June 10 and made available to the media on Wednesday, June 12, Emir Bayero requested the State Commissioner of Police Muhammad Hussaini Gumel to provide special security arrangements ahead of the Durbar.

He also appreciated the efforts of the police and other security outfits in maintaining peace and security in Kano ,since the beginning of the crisis that trailed the reinstatement of Emir of Sanusi.

“His Highness instructed me to request special security arrangements for the conduct of Sallah (Eid-El-Kabir) festivities in Kano which commences on Sunday June 16 , to Thursday June 24,2024 .

“All activities will emanate from the Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano .These festivities are significant cultural and religious events that attract a large number of participants and spectators from within and outside Kano .

“In the light of the importance of maintaining peace ,order ,and security during these celebrations ,we kindly request the support and assistance of your esteemed agency towards the successful accomplishment of the events” Emir Bayero’s letter to the police reads .

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court, Kano, presided over by Justice S A Ameobade will on Thursday June 13 deliver judgement on whether or not it has the jurisdiction to entertain an application brought before it by Emir Bayero challenging his purported dethronement by the Kano state Government on May 23 2024 .

The Court had earlier, while ruling on an ex parte motion granted an interim injunction restraining the kano state Government from deposing Emir Bayero and five others ,and also reinstating Emir Sanusi ,who was dethroned in 2020 by the immediate past administration headed by Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,now the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The restraining order was however ignored, as Governor Yusuf proceeded to reinstate Emir Sanusi, after signing into law, an amended Kano State Emirate bill 2024 earlier passed by the state’s law makers.

Kogi: Ministers, Govs Protecting Ex Gov Bello From Arrest – EFCC

James Orji

June 13, 2024

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has revealed those allegedly aiding Yahaya Belllo, a former governor of Kogi state to evade justice.

They include, ministers, governors and other top government officials in the country, those EFCC has urged to prevail on the former governor to submit himself for justice.

Effa Okim, EFCC’s acting Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Command made the remark yesterday in Asaba, Delta state while on a familiarisation visit to the State’s Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

The magazine reported that the immediate past Kogi helmsman has become a fugitive of the law after he failed to submit himself for trial after the EFCC accused him of over N80 billion fraud.

Bello, the magazine also reported, was aided by his successor, Usman Ododo to evade the commission’s attest in Abuja on April 17 this year.

The EFCC official said it’s a disgrace to the country that Bello has not been arrested to answer for his allege crime against the people of Kogi state, whose funds he allegedly stole.

He said these officials should surmount the courage to tell the former governor to give himself up for prosecution.

He explained that the evasion of arrest by Bello “is our own shame!” noting that those protecting him has lost “morality”.

Okim said: “Can’t we catch him? We can, but do we go all out to catch him? Do we need to do that when he has his masters? Can’t they call him and tell him, ‘You are disgracing Nigeria’? What are you telling the world? Tell him to go and explain himself like others have done.

“Where are the ministers? Where are Yahaya Bello’s colleagues, even in his hiding? So, Nigerians can’t tell him ‘This is not fair, go and report; they are not going to kill you’? But people are still eating and dining with him.”

“Where has morality gone before legality that we can’t summon that man and tell him to go and report himself to the EFCC? Some persons are writing, supporting him, while some are criticizing the commission.

“The problem is our own problem that borders on Nigeria’s image. Our children are watching their parents behave like children.

“To me, the truth has vanished. Even in Animal Farm, this will not happen, that a man who was part of the system that was a custodian of our culture, rules and laws can behave like this and you are asking questions.’

Banditry: Govt Officials Involved – Police

Tosin Olatokunbo

June 13, 2024

The Nigerian Police Force, NPF, has accused top officials of government in Zamfara state of involvement in banditry.

The state commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan Shehu made the remark in Gusau, the state’s capital on Wednesday.

The Nigerian north east state is one of the epicenters of banditry and terrorism in the country.

The criminals, who many say, are currently on rampage in the state despite the efforts of the security agencies to stamp them out, have killed many people, and displaced countless others.

According to the commissioner, the state police command, in its fight against banditry has arrested some government officials who aid the criminal activities in the state.

Those arrested include a lawmaker, former local government chairman and a district head.

He said the involvement of state officials has made the problem more complex, describing banditry as an “industry” now thriving in the state.

“We can say now banditry is an industry in Zamfara state,” Shehu declared.

“Last month, we arrested a member of the state House of Assembly in banditry here in Zamfara state, we arrested a district head, we also as well arrested a former local government chairman, so you can see that, the involvement of this class of people in banditry is making the situation to become more and more complex.

“So, in essence, i can say that all calibre of people are involved, all manner of people are involved in this banditry. More alarming and more disturbing, is the involvement of a district head in supplying drugs to the bandits.”

In 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan claimed that members of the extremist Boko Haram sect have succeeded in infiltrating his government, planting its members in government agencies and security outfits.

The former president’s remark, critics insist, hallmarked the fight against terrorism in the country at the time.

“You Are The Father Of Protests, Free Endsars Prisoners,” Shehu Sani Tells Tinubu

Tosin Olatokunbo

June 13, 2024

Shehu Sani, a former senator has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pardon prisoners of the Endsars protest.

The former lawmaker spoke on Wednesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital at a dinner organised by the federal government to mark Democracy Day.

Present at the event were President Tinubu and other top government officials.

On October 8, 2020, many youths across the country trooped to the streets to protest police brutality, calling for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, a special unit of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF known for its human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings.

While some of the protesters were believed to have been killed, others sustained various degree of injuries, for instance, in Lagos where the military, in their quest to disperse the protesters, allegedly shot at the young protesters.

Many youths who took part in the protests are still being detained by the police, according to those familiar with the issue.

Speaking yesterday, Senator Sani described the protesters as heroes of freedom and democracy, stressing that they didn’t do anything wrong by fighting for their rights.

According to him, the young protesters learned from Tinubu who Sani described as the “father of protest” in Nigeria.

Sani said: “Mr president there are some people who are still in prison as a result of the Endsars protest. They are young people who are protesting injustice, freedom and champions.

“Any young protesters in Nigeria leaned from you, because you are the father of protest in Nigeria, Do something about it, give them the freedom, you taught us, you funded us to stand up and fight. They are your children and grandchildren, please do something about it.”

Abia Woos Foreign Investors To Set Up Fertilizer Company

Ayodele Oni

June 12, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to encourage foreign investors, Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has expressed excitement at the prospect of Abia being the hub for organic fertiliser production in Nigeria.

Governor Otti said his administration would do all that is necessary to enable a group of investors from Turkey set up organic fertiliser production plants

He pointed out that such venture would derive its raw material from the sediments underneath rivers, lakes and swamps, saying that the State is open for business.

The Governor spoke when he received the executives of Alliance Enterprises Limited, Turkey, who visited him to discuss the possibility of setting up organic fertiliser plants in Abia and making the State not just a regional but a national hub for the product.

“For us in Abia, we are very open for business. You know that when you talk about food security, it is very, very important, particularly these days when the economy is in turmoil. So, we must think of alternatives.

“When you talk about gross domestic product (GDP), it speaks to the productivity of the State. When you talk about poverty reduction, when you talk of job creation; all those can be located along business. So, for us, we don’t even need to give it a thought, we say, yes,”

Governor Otti pledged to support the realization of the dream of the Turkish investors and their Nigerian partners, led by the former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Professor Placid Njoku.

According to the Governor, who expressed optimism that his visitors must have done their homework before approaching government for support, Abia is blessed with abundance of water bodies across the various local government areas.

Specifically, he said: “Just without any investigation, I know that the Ukwa area, all the way to Azumini, the blue river; the Abam area, these are places where you find water, and, of course, the Owerrinta-Imo River; parts of Arochukwu too, towards Itu River. I’m not an expert but I’m just pointing towards the area where you can find lakes and water.

“Its very interesting that all you need to do is take sediments from the water, that is what science does.”

Governor Otti promised to allocate lands for the establishment of the plants at the location of the investors’ choice, but advised that he would rather have them set up in areas already defined for such purpose.

The governor added that it would make economic sense as cost of starting up in other places will be reduced and they would take advantage of economies of scale.

“The people that you require are in the room; Commissioner for Agriculture, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, everything about land is under him. I am giving him the mandate to provide you with land wherever you want to locate.

“So, I want to once again welcome you to Abia. Thank you for this opportunity and I assure you that the Government will collaborate with you to make this a reality in the shortest possible time,” he restated.

Introducing the team earlier, Professor Njoku said he brought the investors to Abia because, according to him, the State has great resources that can be transformed to better value, while assuring the Governor that if exploited Abia will be better for it.

In his speech, the Managing Director of Alliance Enterprises, Engr. Melham Farah, said the company, based in Istanbul, Turkey, is into oil and gas, and agriculture.

He said Alliance Enterprises is interested in transferring its technology to Africa, especially Nigeria, while Abia State appears to be the right destination.

He explained that the technology involves taking sediments from the bottom of the water, swamps, and lakes, treat and convert them into organic fertiliser.

FCTA Intensifies Move For FG To Criminalise Sending Children To Buy Tobacco

Akinwale Kasali

June 12, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Disturbed by the rise in Child Abuse and Children engaging in smoking and other illicit drug activities, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has called on the Federal Government to initiate a law that will prosecute parents who send children on errands to buy tobacco related products.

This call was made by the FCTA as the World is planning to Commemorate the 2024 World No Tobacco Day.

Doris John, Director, Public Health Department, FCTA, at a Press Briefing in Abuja, the Nation’s Capital, said that the Department decided to carry the students along in the road walk in tandem with the theme of the 2024 World Tobacco Day – “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.”

She warned parents who smoke before their children to stop.

John condemned the attitude of sending children to buy tobacco-related products and called for strict prosecution of such categories of parents.

She also advocated that schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should form “No Tobacco Club”, adding that it would help to reduce the menace of tobacco intake in the country.

“Today marks a pivotal moment in our collective journey towards the control of tobacco use in our society especially among adolescents and youths both in and out of school.

“There are 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide and tobacco use in whatever form or level is harmful and kills more than half of the users if taken as intended by the tobacco manufacturers.

“Tobacco kills around 8 million people every year (more than 7 million active smokers and over 1 million non-smokers exposed to second hand smoke); the life expectancy of smokers is at least ten years less than that of non-smokers.

“ The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced; killing over 8 million people a year around the world.

“More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.3 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

“In Nigeria, more than 25, 000 children between 10 and 14 years are daily tobacco users, while the age of tobacco use initiation is between 13 and 15 years; secondary school and university studies show ‘shisha’ smoking rates between 3 to 7 per cent,” she said.

The Director regretted that the tobacco industry was actively focusing on children and youth to cultivate a new generation of customers, adding that studies had revealed that most smokers started before age of 18.

Dr Kumshida Balami, the FCT Coordinator for World Health Organisation (WHO), urged the children to join the movement to help in driving the campaign against tobacco intake; to get a world that was free of tobacco.

Balami urged the students to shun tobacco even whenever they were approached with it.

He added that such product could shorten their lives as a healthy life style was always the best.

June 12: Mandate Group Launches 40 Million Membership Drive For President Tinubu, Shettima

Akinwale Kasali

June 12, 2024

Mandate Group Launches 40 Million Membership Drive

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Nation celebrates 25 Years of uninterrupted democracy, the Mandate Group with its Head Office in Lagos has launched a 40million-membership drive aimed at boosting support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

The group which was created in the early 1990s as an independent campaign group while Tinubu was the Governor of Lagos State, played a significant role in ensuring the sustenance of Tinubu’s leadership in Lagos and ensuring the incursion of the Tinubu Group into other South West States.

At a huge rally held at the Police College Ground, in Ikeja, Lagos State Capital, the group said it hoped to realise the 40-Million membership target in the 36 states in the next 12 months.

The Group said it is aware of challenges currently facing Nigerians but added that it has received assurances from President Tinubu that in the next few months, the economy would bounce back and the country would regain her strength and fortunes.

It described the current situation as a process of ‘removing the landmines’ in order to clear the route to stability and prosperity of Nigeria.

“The is a historic gathering. We are proud of thousands of people that have gathered here today to mark the 31 years after the annulment of June 12 election. On this occasion, we hereby launch the 40m membership drive in the 36 states and Abuja. The membership mobilisation will move with the speed of light,’ Hon Ayinde Abdulllahi Enilolobo, the leader of the group told thousands of people that gathered at Ikeja for the rally”.

Newly recruited members of the group came from across the 36 states to grace the event.

Said the Leader: “We announce here to the world that the Mandate Group has put in place the structure in all the 36 states of the Federation. We started in Lagos as a pro-democracy movement. From the month of July, 2024, the Mandate Forum new New Ageda is to begin the launching of state chapters in the 36 states of the Federation. At present the Mandate Group has 580,000 members in Lagos”.

He said the National Mobilisation Strategy is to have 40 million members across the 36 states of the Federation in the next 12 months adding that already contacts have been established with the 36 states and very soon, the leadership would begin the launching of the State Chapters.

“The Mandate Group will mobilise students, workers, artisans, teachers, fishermen and men in the creeks, nomads in the Savanah, farmers in the Middle Belt, workers in the industrial plains. The mission is to defend the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima and to defend democracy. The Mandate Group has thus assumed the status of a National Movement for the defence of democracy and for the promotion of unity, justice and liberty in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu is the first leader that was not a product of the clique that has ruled Nigeria since 1960. He is a product of radical and progressive struggle. It is the first time Nigeria is being led by a product of pro-democracy movement in Nigeria.We have the historic responsibility to mobilise support for him all over the country”.

According to him, Mandate Group is not targeting only members of All Progressives Congress, (APC) but non-party members. ‘We are not looking at registered APC members alone, we target students, workers, artisans, fishermen and women from across the country. Enilolobo also announced the launching of an endowment fund that would be used to empower members to enhance their economic wellbeing.

The crowd caused traffic slowdown for most part of the morning hours as thousands of people dressed in white with yellow cap and headgear stormed the vast venue for the event. Leaders of All Progressives Congress,(APC) from across the country attended the event.

At the event, APC chieftain Prince Wale Arogundade said ‘I am delighted to speak to you on this great day marking the One Year Anniversary of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which coincides with the 31st Anniversary of the June 12 election annulment”.

He said June 12 is a unique day in the history of Nigeria.

“As we celebrate the June 12 Anniversary, we also remember the historic contributions of the current President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We recall the exceptional sacrifices made by Tinubu to the bitter struggle for democracy in the tough campaign to install democracy in the dark ages of Nigerian history”, Arogundade said.

Speaking on June 12 Enilolobo ‘Let me say that of all the activists that fought the June 12 election, President Tinubu stood out as a colossus. He risked his life, he sold his properties, he was hunted by the most vicious dictator in Nigerian history. A price was placed on his head. At the fullness of time, he won the battle alongside his comrades for the greatness of Nigeria, for the freedom of you and me, for the liberty of all, poor and rich, armed and defenceless people alike”.

Listing the achievements of Tinubu the Mandate Group said Nigeria still faces very difficult challenges but that the striking intervention of the President in certain areas in the past one year cannot be denied.

He listed some of these striking achievements are:

The students’ loan remains a milestone which has seen more than 60,000 applications from poor and indigent students from across the country.

The construction of the Lagos-Calabar Highway: This will no doubt open up business potentials in Nigeria. No fewer than 50,000 Nigerians are expected to be direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project. The highway is the first phase while the second phase is the Calabar-Enugu highway and the Lagos Sokoto highway.

Establishing probity in the Central Bank. For the first time, the CBN is being sanitised and made to be accountable to Nigerians. In the past few years, we have seen the politicisation of monetary policies in Nigeria.

“We have seen the CBN assuming the status of commercial banks while usurping the traditional roles of conventional banks”.

The group praised the President for the gradual stability in the Oil sector: Under this regime, we have seen massive investment in the oil sector to checkmate oil theft. For instance, you have taken a bolder intervention to prevent oil theft and oil vandalisation in the past one year.

“There has been a remarkable stability in oil production, peace and sustainable development in the Niger-Delta.This year alone, over N5billion worth of crude oil have been recovered from oil thieves while no fewer than 89 illegal refinery sites have been discovered. Suspects have been arrested.’

He said in the past few months, your efforts have helped the country to recover stolen crude worth over 1billion dollars which represents a significant input into Nigerian economy.

“Very soon the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries will be fully operational. These are landmarks that stand out President Tinubu as the best President Nigeria ever had since 1999 judging from the first one year anniversary of the regime.’

The group called on Nigerians from all works of life, to stand up and ensure the defence of democracy for prosperity of Nigeria and for a greater future for the continent of Africa.

Ondo Police Commänd Näbs Pässenger With Eight Humän Heäds

Ayodele Oni

June 12, 2024

Yusuf Adinohi - Merchants of Human Parts

By Ayodele Oni

A suspected merchänt in humän pärts and rituälist, Yusuf Adinohi, has been ärrested at Isua-Akoko in Ondo State for being in possession of eight humän heäds.

The suspect, who is a middle-aged man, is said to be coming from Okene in Kogi State and heading to Osogbo in Osun State before he was apprehended by security officers at about 11.00am at Agbasi Locust checkpoint in Ase area of Isua Akoko.

Reports had it that a team of Security Operatives in Ondo State intercepted, and arrested the suspected ritualist with eight dry human skulls and charms while on board to Osogbo, in Oke-Onitea area.

It was confirmed that a commercial car with four passengers and with registration No;-LKJ 148 AJ, deep ash colour, driven by Kabiru Abubakar of about 35-years old was coming from Okene, in Kogi State,and heading to Osogbo in Osun State.

The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Abayomi Oladipo, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Akure, said the suspect was apprehended during stop and search security operations at Isua Akoko.

“He was stopped at the above mentioned Locust checkpoint on ‘Stop and Search’ exercise by the security operatives.

“However, in the course of searching the vehicle, the operatives discovered eight smelling dried human skulls hidden inside a Sac bag of gari and one other big aluminium basin of garri respectively and a handful of some charms and amulets.

“Upon investigation, one of the passengers of the vehicle, Yusuf Adinohi of about 37- years old, admitted being the owner of the eight smelly dry skulls and that he was going to Osogbo around Oke-Onitea area to deliver the human skulls to one Opeifa, an herbalist.

“He equally mentioned other customers he usually supply human skulls to, include; Almonsoo who lives at Oke-Onitea, Osogbo, Alfaa Agba who lives at Oke Ontea and also Oshoyemi who resides around Oja Oba area.

The suspect further confessed that the human skulls were usually handed over to him by one, Imaila living at Oboroke in Okene, and that each head is being sold for between N30,000 N35,000.

However, the Police Commissioner said the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID in Akure with his case file for further investigations.

Fear, Panic As Cholera Hits Lagos, Five Confirmed Dead, Over 60 Hospitalized

Akinwale Kasali

June 12, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The outbreak of severe Gsatroenteristis in communities around Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe Local Government Areas of Lagos State has spread fear and panic to numerous Lagosians.

The disclosure of the death of five persons and over 60 hospitalised as a result of Cholera outbreak, is an issue the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Health is contending with.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this while reacting to the state surveillance reports, said the state government has issued a call for heightened vigilance and the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a potential cholera outbreak in the state.

Abayomi further revealed that sadly, five deaths have been recorded mainly from patients with extreme dehydration who reported late.

According to Abayomi, “ We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response.

“The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have been alerted to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki Victoria Island axis.

“We suspect a possible cholera outbreak; however, samples have been taken for confirmation. As of April 28, 2024, Nigeria reported 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states,” he said.

The Commissioner noted that following recent rains, Lagos State has seen a notable increase in cases of severe vomiting and watery stools, adding that urban slums and crowded areas with poor sanitation are particularly at risk.

Atiku Sympathizes With President Tinubu Over Fall, As Presidential Aide Says “It Was A Mild Misstep, No Cause For Alarm”

Akinwale Kasali

June 12, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate at the 2023 Presidential Election, has sympathised with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the President slipped at the Eagles Square during the 2024 Democracy Day celebration, while boarding the Parade Motorcade prepared for him for the occasion.

The former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expressed his empathy over the incident, hoping that all is well with the President.

President Tinubu quickly regained his balance and continued with the proceedings without further issues.

Atiku wrote on X: “I sincerely sympathise with President Bola Tinubu, @officialABAT, over this unfortunate incident as he was set to review the parade on Democracy Day. I do hope that all is well with him. -AA.”

But Dada Olusegun, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Social Media, has reacted to the incident.

In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Olusegun reassured the public, stating: “Mr. President missed his step while climbing into the truck at the June 12 Democracy Day celebration and tripped. It was a mild misstep. He immediately went on with the ceremonial rounds. No issues.”

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