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Anambra: Gunmen Raze Ogbaru LG  Headquarters In Early Morning Attack

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Gunmen

By Suleiman Anyalewehi

The Headquarters of Ogbaru local Council,  Anambra State, was, in the wee hours of  Friday, August 30, 2024, attacked and  razed by some unknown gunmen.

Set ablaze in the attack said to have been carried out by no fewer than 25 armed men at about 5.00 am, were some administrative blocks and town hall used as the Secretariat of Traditional Rulers in the Council.

There were, however, no casualties, in the attack said to be the second in less than eight weeks.

The Local Government headquarters and some communities were reportedly attacked same way on June 15, 2024.

Similarly, no conceivable reasons behind the early morning attack and information concerning the probable masterminds have been adduced.

But witnesses, particularly, locals, noted that the attackers, early Friday morning, emerged from nearby bushes, chanting war songs, stormed the Council Secretariat, and started  shooting sporadically.

The thick sounds of gun shots from the scene of the attack was said to have forced nearby residents to scamper for safety.

While the Anambra State Government was yet to react officially to the development as at the time of  reporting, the State Police Command which  confirmed the incident, also, said operatives confronted and repelled the attack.

In a statement, the Anambra State Police Command Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, SP, noted that while security personnel successful resisted the gunmen, some properties, including buildings, were destroyed.

He confirmed that no lives were lost in the attack.

The Source reports that ever since the Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s Government announced preparations for the first Local Council Polls in more than a decade, the political temperature of the State has risen to, almost, a boiling point.

It has been a story of displays of brazen desperation and impunity both on the sides of the Government and opposition camps.

Not a few are of the conviction that more of such violent disposition, as unleashed on the Ogbaru Council Secretariat, may unfold in the count down to the Local Government Election billed for September 28, 2024.

Obi Blasts anti-Yoruba Lady, Says Tribal Bigotry Is Divisive, Anti-development

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi has condemned in strong terms the anti-Yoruba utterances of a Canadian lady describing it as bigotry taken too far.

Obi said that such divisive comments should not find a place in our society and should be rejected by everyone.

Writing on his X handle on Friday Obi said “I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a purported Igbo woman living in Canada against Yoruba or Benin people. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society.

“As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hatred to tear us apart.

“What does tribal bigotry achieve? Does it lift people out of poverty? Does it reduce the cost of bread, rice, garri or yam, in the market? Does it improve our transportation system or enhance the electricity supply? Does it ensure good governance? The answer is a resounding NO!!

“Our priority should be to move Nigeria forward, regardless of tribe or ethnicity. We need leaders who have the competence and capability to move the country forward in the right direction, and better life for all citizens. We don’t care about the tribe of the plane’s pilot or the bus driver; all we need is competent leadership that delivers results.

“Let us focus on what truly matters: building a prosperous, united, and equitable Nigeria for all. We must reject tribalism and embrace our shared humanity, working together towards a new Nigeria that is POssible!

Gunmen Invade School, Kill Three Children In Yobe State

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Gunmen - Kidnappers

By Akinwale Kasali

Gunmen have invaded Faudiya School in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, and killed, at least, three students.

The school is reported to belong to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria — a Shi’ite sect, which has confirmed the death of the Students.

The gunmen, whose identities have not been ascertained – whether they are members of the  Boko Haram sect, insurgency group, or bandits, rode into the school premises on motorbikes, wielding AK-47 rifles.

Confirming the incident,  Yobe State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, said the police “received a distress call that some hoodlums came on motorbikes with AK-47 rifles and then entered into the school and shot dead three.” He added that one of the students who was injured has been taken to an undisclosed hospital where he is receiving treatment.

Abdulkarim also noted that a teacher who was in the school managed to escape and told the Police that there was no sort of confrontation with any member of any armed groups, saying, “It came to him (the teacher) as a surprise.”

Abdulkarim added that an investigation has commenced as the Police are working to “unravel who is behind it, the purpose and credible witnesses who might have seen the incident.”

Onyeka Onwenu Goes Home

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Onyeka Onwenu
Onyeka Onwenu

By Akinwale Kasali

Exactly a month after she passed, the funeral rites of popular, versatile artist, Onyeka Onwenu began in the morning of Friday, August 30, with a Service of songs at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos

August 30, 2024. It will end in the efternoon in the afternoon when her remains will be buried at the Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos.

It is not known why the family of the Arondizogu, Imo State-born Musician, Actress, Song writer, Broadcaster and more chose to bury her in Ikoyi, Lagos, instead of her beloved Arondizogu where her parents both of whom she revered no end were buried.

In her lifetime, Onyeka was very proud of her Arondizogu, and had sought, at least, two times, unsuccessfully, to be its Local Government Chairperson.

However, the funeral of the Star Artist is in tandem with her request from her Children, long before her passing, to be buried not too long after her demise, and without much mourning or fanfare. She only wished to be celebrated by family and friends.

The elegant stallion as she was fondly called passed the on 30th day of July 2024, at Reddington Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where she was rushed to on  collapse, after she performed at the 80th birthday party held in honour of Mrs Stella Okoli, the Chairman/Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals.

She died at the age of 72 and survived by her two sons, and other family members.

Ganduje’s, Letter To ENSIEC Fake,  Fraudulent – Onyeacholam,  Enugu APC Chairman

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Chief Nwafor Onyeacholam

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The festering leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, appears to be fast assuming a melodramatic dimension.

Chief Nwafor Onyeacholam, factional Acting Chairman, has described a letter written to the Enugu State Independent Electoral  Commission, ENSIEC, by the National Chairman Dr  Abdullahi Ganduje to clear the air on the authentic leadership status as fake.

The Source reports that the APC National Chairman had, in a letter dated August 26,2024, berated the ENSIEC for side tracking the Ugochukwu Agballah-led State Working Committee, SWC, in the count down to the State’s scheduled Local Government Polls.

In the letter personally signed by him, and addressed to the Commission’s Chairman Professor Christian Ugwu, the APC National leadership  insisted that Agballah remains the authentic and  only recognized Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the party.

He, also, warned that any further dealings by the electoral body with faceless elements will elicit a legal action from the party.

The National Chairman’s letter was availed the Media on Thursday August 29,2024.

” Our attention has been drawn to your Commission’s meddling with,and undue interference with the management ,Control and Administration of the All Progressive Congress as a political party especially in Enugu by the Commission’s recognition and acceptance of a group of faceless persons who are unknown to the party as the authorized officers of the All Progressive Congress in Enugu state in violation of the Constitution of APC and the extant laws of Nigeria.

“Kindly be informed that Hon Ugochukwu H Agballah is the duly elected and recognized state chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Enugu and is the only officer authorized by our party to submit names for the chairmanship and Councilorship election that would be conducted by your Commission ” part of the APC National Chairman’s letter reads.

But just a few hours after, factional Chairman, Onyeacholam, in a statement, insisted that the National Chairman does not have time to engage in  such a frivolous mission as writing the said letter.

“The National Chairman of the APC is a distinguished scholar whose reputation will not be tarnished by some opportunists .

“Dr Ganduje is focused on party affairs and does not have time for such frivolity .He is aware of the law, including the Enugu State High Court’s ruling on the party leadership in the State, and would never bypass legal protocols.

“Our National Chairman once faced suspension by the APC in Kano State and as a law abiding leader, he sought judicial recourse to annul the suspension, unlike the reckless bravado displayed by the dissident elements in Enugu.

“Consequently, the letter circulated by these suspended members of our party is fraudulent, and should be dismissed as invalid.

“Those spreading this fake document should, instead, approach the court to quash the suspension of Ugochukwu Agballah. This reflects true leadership and respect for the rule of law as demonstrated by our National Chairman during his own challenges.

“If the National Chairman were ever to write such a letter, it would need to be issued by the National Legal Adviser of the party.

“We have confirmed that the alleged letter is fake and did not originate from the National Chairman”, Onyeacholam stated .

It will be recalled that Onyeacholam and his group had, on August 9, 2024, secured a court order restraining the Agballah-led Enugu State APC, SWC, from parading itself in office.

The restraining order granted by Justice CVC Ugwu had, also, restrained relevant entities, including electoral bodies from recognizing, and dealing with the Agballah-led SWC .

The court also barred  the leadership from accessing the party offices, assets, including bank accounts in Enugu state.

Before then, the Onyeacholam faction had also slammed an indefinite suspension on the Agballah led SWC members, citing abuse of office and highhandedness as major reasons.

Hon Onyeacholam, insisted that the Agballah-led leadership, which initially backed out from the forthcoming Local Government Elections, but had to suddenly reverse, should first seek the vacation of the court injunction before plunging itself into matters relating to the scheduled Local Council Elections.

“Those issuing threats against the ENSIEC should pursue legal avenues instead of making empty statements.

“I encourage ENSIEC to remain firm and disregard the fake letter, as it has the judicial authority to work with the legitimate leadership of the APC in Enugu” Onyeacholam noted .

But Agballah and the top echelon of the party in the State have dismissed the court order as illegal, and against the grains of the APC’s Constitution.

They maintained that members are prohibited from recourse to legal actions, until the exhaustion of all internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the party.

They have similarly domiciled the blame for the crisis on the door steps of the Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party PDP-led administration.

Agballah has repeatedly branded Onyeacholam and his group as moles planted by Governor Peter Mba to destabilize the APC in the State.

CBN: Many Nigerians Will Borrow To Survive Economic Hardship

By
James Orji
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Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, says many Nigerians may resort to borrowing to mitigate the current economic hardship in the country.

The CBN made this known in a report highlighting the impacts of the current economic situation on many families, analysts insist.

According to the report, titled “Inflation Expectations Survey Report” for July 2024, the apex bank said many Nigerians will struggle to meet their expenditures between now and 2025.

The magazine had earlier reported that some Nigerians lamented their incapacity to afford basic food items due to the worsening economic situation in the country.

“My husband is a monthly earner with less than N100,000 salary. A few years ago, he used to buy rice, beans, noodles and spaghetti for the family, but now he can’t afford them. That is why he asked me to manage the little he can afford with the kids and be eating only twice a day; nowadays, we don’t even give food to our visitors,” Fatima Idris, a Kaduna resident told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

Muhammed Bello, another resident said the cost of meat and fish has been priced beyond his family reach, saying they have to improvise to make ends meet.

My family, Bello said ”eat food, but I don’t buy meat or fish because I feel those are luxuries for now, and I can’t afford them. I do ensure I buy them eggs once a month.

“The situation we are in this country, family men are really facing hard time; from food to school fees and rent, we are just living by the special grace of God..”

To survive, the CBN stated further that increasing cost of living may push many Nigerian families to eat up their savings.

The survey, conducted from July 14 to July 26, involved 1,600 businesses and 1,650 households across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The purpose of the survey was to gauge how businesses and households perceive current and future inflation trends, as well as the primary drivers of inflation.

The report revealed that 83.7 percent of respondents viewed the current level of inflation as high, with an overall perception index of -61.1 points. Businesses were slightly less pessimistic about inflation compared to households, with an index of -58.7 points and -63.3 points, respectively.

The report also highlighted that large businesses are particularly concerned about inflation, with an index of -70.8 points, reflecting a strong belief that the current inflation level is excessively high.

Meanwhile, the federal government, on Thursday, issued a marching order to food retailers in the country to bring down the prices of food items within one month.The ultimatum was issued by the chairman,  Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, Tunji Bello yesterday.

Obi Condemns Canadian-Based Woman For Saying Yoruba, Benin People Should Be Poisoned

By
James Orji
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Amaka Sunnberger - Canadian Woman

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP,  has described the threat made by a Canada-based woman, Amaka Sunnberger, against the Yoruba and Benin as highly condemnable.

The former presidential candidate issued the condemnation on his X handle on Friday.

The diaspora woman had in a TikTok video clip said Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent should be poisoned wherever they live by Igbo people.

She said her comment was based on the ‘hate’ against her people by other Nigerians.

Speaking in Pidgin English Sunnberger said “Record me very well; it’s time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai one by one.

“I want make Ndi Igbo get that heart of wickedness. Una too dey quiet.

“Enough is enough! If you have any means of kpaing them, kpai them commot for road.”

The comment has been widely criticised world over, particularly by Nigerians who described it as dangerous capable of turning other Nigerians, against Igbo across the world.

For instance, the Igbo social-cultural organisation had in a statement described the woman as a ‘dangerous psychopath’ urging well meaning Nigerians to ignore her.

Reacting, Obi, in a series of posts shared on his X handle this morning, said the comment is capable of polarising the country the more. Sunnberger’s behavior, he said, has no place in a decent society.

He called on Nigerians of all ethnic backgrounds to come together to build a strong and virile nation, adding that division cannot take the country anywhere.

Obi, “utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a Nigerian woman living in Canada against other Nigerians of diverse origins. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society.

“As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges rather than allowing tribalism and hate to tear us apart. I have consistently stood against the polarisation of our country along tribal, religious or political lines.

“What does a nation achieve through tribal or religious bigotry? Does it contribute positively to development by fixing our numerous health and education challenges and pulling people out of poverty? Does it reduce the price of bread, rice, garri, or yam on the market?

“Does it improve our transportation system or enhance the electricity supply? Does it ensure good governance? The answer is a resounding NO!! Our priority should be to move Nigeria forward, regardless of tribe or religion.

“We, as Nigerians, must live together in peace and love, and ensure that we enthrone leaders based on integrity, competence, consistency, capacity, character and compassion, so as to overcome our present challenges and move the country forward in the right direction,” the former Anambra state governor said.

Meanwhile, Sunnberger had in a reaction to Nigerians’ demand for her to be prosecuted by the Canadian government, remains defiant saying she cannot be deported.

Unprotected Sex Among Teenagers Surges, Says WHO

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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World Health Organisation - WHO

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has raised alarm over the surge in unprotected sex among teenagers in the country lamenting the serious risks involved.

The world body blamed the problem on the  significant decline in condom use among sexually active adolescents since 2014, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

In a statement released on Thursday, the WHO’s Regional Office for Europe highlighted a troubling trend revealed by a new report, which showed a decrease in condom use among young people.

The report warns that this decline is putting adolescents at greater risk of sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortions, and unplanned pregnancies.

According to the reports, the findings is based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, surveyed over 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada between 2014 and 2022.

The data indicates a widespread reduction in condom use, with the proportion of sexually active boys using a condom during their last intercourse dropping from 70 per cent to 61 per cent, and from 63 per cent to 57 per cent among girls during the same period.

Furthermore, nearly a third of adolescents reported using neither a condom nor the contraceptive pill during their last intercourse, with socioeconomic disparities also playing a role.

Adolescents from low-income families were more likely to report not using protection compared to those from more affluent backgrounds.

Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said youths must be equipped with necessary knowledge to make informed decision concerning their sexual choices, blaming the decline in condom use to a lack of comprehensive sex education.

We Are On Course To End Terrorism, Banditry- Army Chief

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Lt General Taoheed Lagbaja

Amidst worrying state of insecurity in the country, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja,has assured Nigerians that the situation will soon be a thing of the past.

The Nigerian Army boss made the remark on Thursday in Akwa Ibom state during the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined 2nd and 3rd Quarters Conference 2024.

“I assure Nigerians of the Nigerian Army’s resolve to continue to collaborate with its sister services and other security agencies to ensure security of lives and property across the country. I encourage law-abiding Nigerians to continue to support the government and the security forces in their efforts to make our country safe and prosperous,” Lagbaja said.

The COAS remark comes on the heels of serious insecurity resulting from the activities of Boko Haram, bandits in the country.

Two weeks ago, a traditional ruler was killed in Sokoto state because his family could not pay the N1 billion demanded by his abductors.

Not a few Nigerians say they are worried that the northern part of the country has witnessed an upsurge of banditry and terrorism in recent months, while the southern part of the country is plague by the clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

The Army chief however insists that the situation will soon be brought under control, saying the military and other security agencies are on top of the problem.

For instance, the Army boss stated that 1,166 terrorists were neutratlised this month, an indication that security forces are making progress in their plans to defeat terrorism.

Lagbaja solicits the support of Nigerians for security agencies to ensure that the enemies of the country are defeated, describing the task of totaling eliminating bandits and terrorists as ‘daunting’ but ‘surmountable’.

N70,000 Minimum Wage: We have Not Decided Yet – Yobe Govt

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Mai Mala Buni - Yobe State Governor

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Yobe State Government on Thursday, August 29, 2024, flatly rejected the news making the round that it has finalized plans to start implementing the N70,000 minimum wage recently approved by the Federal Government.

The Source reports that after a protracted negotiation and intense horse-trading, the leadership of the organized labour and Federal Government settled for a N70,000 minimum wage for Nigeria’s workforce, a couple of months ago.

But most State Governments have insisted that they will not be able to pay the agreed sum.

Instead, they have opted for a further downward negotiated amount in agreement with their financial capacities.

A statement issued by the Governor’s Media Aide, Mamman Mohammed, said the Yobe state authorities have not arrived at a  conclusion over the new wage .

He noted that the issue is still under consideration, with a firm promise that a formal pronouncement will be made once the modalities are in place.

“The Yobe State Government has become aware of a duplicitous social media post falsely claiming that a new minimum wage has been approved.

“We have not issued any official communication concerning this matter and will ensure that relevant updates are shared as soon as they are finalized”, part of the statement reads .

Governor Mai Mala Buni’s Spokesperson, therefore, called on the public to disregard the information regarding the minimum wage payments as recently published by some social media outlets.

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