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Killing Of 30 Alleged Autopilots Turned-Kidnappers: “We Have Nothing To Do With Ekpa’s Group” – IPOB

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Simon Ekpa

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Leadership of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB has taken strong exception to the tendencies to associate the alleged criminal activities of  Autopilots Militia, led by  Simon Ekpa, with the genuine agitations of the group.

It has, therefore, cautioned the Enugu State Government and Security Agencies to resist the temptation of confusing the criminal activities of the group with the philosophies of the Mazi  Nnamdi Kanu-led freedom and justice seeking-IPOB.

Only on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Enugu state Government and security agencies announced the neutralization of no fewer than 30 kidnap lords ,whom they claimed were members of the IPOB led by the Finland based Ekpa .

The Source reports that Governor Peter Mba Media Team, in a statement, informed that a crack special  security team set up by the State Government has, in the last two weeks, taken the battles to kidnappers den, most of whom they insisted were the foot soldiers of the Ekpa-led IPOB.

Rising from a security council meeting early last month ,security agencies in Enugu State had, apart from declaring the State a no-go-area for sit-at-home enforcers and other criminal elements, also, vowed to deal ruthlessly with persons and/or groups bent on disrupting the peace of Enugu State.

But in a statement issued on Thursday, August 22, IPOB Spokesperson Emma Powerful, denied the existence of Autopilot militia within the structure of IPOB.

He maintained that the  group ,as led by Ekpa, has no iota of connection with the genuine agitations of the Kanu led-IPOB and the Eastern Security Network ESN.

“The global family and movement of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB, led by the great and indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, wish to debunk the fabricated and fallacious news peddled by the Enugu state Governor’s media office, which claims that the Nigeria Police neutralized 27 kidnappings gangs of ESN members loyal to the Finland based buffoon at various locations in Enugu State.

“This claim is not only false, but also a cheap propaganda against IPOB and ESN .According to reports from media outlets ,the Enugu state Governor’s media office claimed that Nigeria police neutralized 27 criminals and kidnappers within two weeks at various locations in the state .

“The Nigeria police and Enugu State Government alleged that some of the criminals were pro-Biafra agitators loyal to the Finland based double agent .

“Why then do they associate these criminals with the noble IPOB family? In their usual malicious intent ,the Nigeria Government bodies have claimed that these so-called neutralize neutralized criminals were ESN operatives loyal to Autopilot IPOB .

“For a long time ,IPOB has maintained that there is no such entity as Autopilot in IPOB . More over ,the criminal gang leader in Finland has no relationship with ESN from its formation to date and or with IPOB .

“Kidnappers have nothing in common with  IPOB ,ESN or Biafra struggle ” part of the statement reads .

World Bank, Ondo Govt Set To Extend Health Facilities To 203 Electoral Wards

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and AiAjana Afa-Okeagbe Akoko

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State is going into a partnership with the World Bank to provide facilities in 203 electoral wards in the State to support primary healthcare delivery to the people at the grassroots.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, disclosed this on Thursday during the presentation of Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the new Ajana Afa-Okeagbe Akoko, Oba Mofolorunso  Arasanyin, in Akoko North West Local Government Area.

The Governor explained that the World Bank-sponsored project, which has the counterpart funding from the state government, will take healthcare delivery closer to rural dwellers and reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary health facilities.

According to him, the new facilities in the 203 wards will complement the primary health centres across the 18 local government areas of the State.

Aiyedatiwa added that the funds needed for the project have been deployed and contractors being assembled for the implementation stage.

This, he said, is in addition to other efforts to improve the health sector including the ongoing recruitment of health workers.

The Governor also reeled out some of the efforts of his administration including ongoing recruitment of teachers, support for farmers, enhancing security, improving infrastructure and promoting the welfare of workers.

Congratulating the people of the community on the peaceful selection of their new monarch, the Governor noted the historical importance of the Ajana stool, which became vacant following the passing of Oba Oladunjoye Fajana in February 2023.

“I commend the kingmakers for their sincere and invaluable roles in the emergence of the new monarch. This demonstrates their commitment to the welfare and development of Afa, Oke-Agbe.

“While we strive to promote and enhance the position of our traditional rulers, it is expected that the government’s efforts will be reciprocated through actions that support and complement our initiatives.”

Urging the new Ajana to use his position to foster unity, peace, and development within his domain, Governor Aiyedatiwa underscored the significance of traditional institutions in mobilizing communities for positive development.

In his response, the newly installed Oba Mofolorunso Arasanyin, expressed gratitude to the governor and the State Executive Council for their support for his appointment as a “Grade A” Oba.

He described the appointment as a significant achievement and pledged to work collaboratively with the community to harness its cultural, social, and economic potentials.

Economic Hardship: Catholic Church Slashes Cost Of Marriages, Abolishes Calls For Donations At Weddings

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Archbishop Lucius Ugorji

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

For those scared to plunge into marriages owing to high cost of bridal preparations, reprieve, on Thursday, August 22, 2024, came their way.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, said, for just N22,500, intending couples  can hold their marriage ceremonies.

Due to the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country, the Owerri Catholic hierarchy has also scrapped such sundry pre-marital fees as Marriage Course registration, fuel/diesel and others.

The new rules on marriage ceremonies is contained in a letter dated August 15, 2024, and signed by the Archbishop, Lucius Ugorji.

The letter which was availed the media on Thursday in Owerri also urged all Parish Priests, Chaplains and Administrators to ensure full compliance with the new marriage directives.

“To ensure uniformity, equal access to the sacrament of marriage and unambiguity in the collection of its stole fees in Owerri Archdiocese, I, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, hereby give the following directives.

“The official stole fee, or the sacrament of matrimony as ratified by the Catholic Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province is N2,500.00

“This is the basic stole fee for all Parishes ,chap3lains and Special Jurisdictions within the Archdiocese of Owerri till further notice.

“Parishes, Chaplaincies and special jurisdictions may also collect the following for marriages– N10,000.00 for the Choir, N5,000.00 for the CYON, ( N2,500 for parish ad quem and N2,500 for the Mary League Girls Association ( non member) N2,500 for parish ad quem and N2,500 for parish ad quo .

“Therefore, the total amount that may be collected for Marriage in Owerri Archdiocese is N22,500 .00.only . No parish priest ,chaplain or Administrator of special jurisdictions is permitted under any guise to collect any amount of money that exceeds the above stipulated amount”, part of the letter reads .

Similarly, the Archdiocese stated that the practice of collecting money for registration of wedding transfers, reception of files, clerical work, marriage courses as well as fuel/diesel has   been abolished.

In the same vein ,the conversion of wedding ceremonies into money making events, through calls for donations has been halted .

“The reply to Banns of Marriage should NEVER be accompanied with a particular sum of money from any Parish or Priest.

“In the event of any imposition,or forceful collection ,the couple is free to apply to the Archbishop for dispensation from the Banns of Marriage.

“Mass or Retreat Weddings are to be conducted free of charge. There should be no collection of any levy whatsoever for this purpose .

“This is to ensure that the needy are not deprived of equal access to the sacrament of marriage.

“The practice of unauthorized post-nuptial thanksgiving after post communion prayer as well as calls for cash donations and support at Wedding Masses is hereby abrogated.

“Couples are however ,free to come for thanksgiving on the Sunday after their wedding”, Archbishop Ugorji stated .

EndBadGovernance Protest: Falana Threatens Legal Action Against Police, Urges It To Charge Protesters In Its Custody To Court

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Femi Falana - SAN

By Akinwale Kasali

Femi Falana, Constitutional Lawyer and Rights activist, has called on  the Police to charge the #EndBadGovernance protesters remanded in its custody to court before August 25 or face legal action.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria accused the authorities of preventing the legal representation of the protesters, leading to their remand in prison.

Falana gave the ultimatum in a statement entitled ‘HALT THE CLAMPDOWN ON PROTESTERS’.

According to him, “Out of the 2,111 arrested suspects, 1,403 have been arraigned in various courts. Painfully, the suspects were ordered to be remanded in prison custody due to a lack of legal representation.

“The suspects were denied legal representation even though the Nigerian Bar Association had publicly announced its intention to provide lawyers to defend them.

“We have also confirmed that individual lawyers who had applied for the bail of the detained suspects in police stations were not informed that they were going to be arraigned in the courts.

“We submit that the decision of the authorities to deny the suspects legal representation constitutes a violent breach of their fundamental right to fair hearing guaranteed by section 36 of the Constitution and article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

“This is highly discriminatory and illegal on the ground that politically exposed persons who are arrested for looting the treasury to the tune of several billions of Naira are usually informed in advance of the dates and of their arraignment in the courts. Such highly placed suspected looters are always granted bail in liberal terms and even authorised by trial Judges to travel abroad for medical treatment.”

On the arraignment, Falana said: “Whenever the suspects are going to be arraigned, they must be given adequate notice to be able to contact the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and their family members to make arrangements for their defence.

“However, if all the suspects are not charged before August 25, 2024, the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, will approach the Federal High Court to demand their immediate release.

Falana who is the Chair of Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, said, “ASCAB has also resolved to defend the cases filed against the protests by two state governments and the Federal Capital Territory.

“More fundamentally, it’s important to remind the Nigerian state again that beyond legalism, the solution to the political problem of which protests are mere symptoms lie in the honest application of socio-economic justice.

“Elements of this socio-economic justice include policy instruments fashioned to fight hunger, ignorance, disease and the scandalous inequality which define the Nigerian society today.”

Kano Constitutes Committee To Address Growing Conflict Among Ethnic Group

By
Ayodele Oni
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Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano Sfate

By Ayodele Oni

Following mounting crisis, Kano State Government has set up a reconciliatory committee to address the growing conflict among the Yoruba community in the state.

The committee was inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdullahi Bichi, on behalf of Governor Abba Yusuf.

The committee, comprising 11 members, including academics and a representative from the Kano State Emirate Council, is tasked with resolving the conflict between the Oba’s group and the Aare group.

Their terms of reference include, inviting the conflicting parties to address the crisis, receiving written/oral submissions from relevant associations, interest groups, and individuals.

The committee is also expected to dialogue with organizations and institutions, such as the Kano Emirate Council, identifying the immediate and remote causes of the crisis, proffering solutions and recommendations.

It is expected to submit a report to the state government within four weeks.

The committee’s chairman, Prof. Usman Muhammad, promised to deploy effective conflict resolution strategies to address the issue.

The co-chairman, Dr. Ransom Bello, thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-community Relations for Yoruba Affairs, Abdussalam Abiola, urged the Yoruba community to cooperate with the committee and make sacrifices to ensure peace in the state.

Abia Medicine Dealers Voluntarily Hand Over Millions Of Naira Worth Of Expired And Counterfeit Drugs To NAFDAC

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Abia Medicine Dealers Expired Drugs

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a rare move at self cleansing ,the leadership of the Abia State Medicine Dealers, Eumi Plaza Aba, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, handed over expired and counterfeit drugs worth over N100 million to the National Agency For Food, Drugs Administration and Control NAFDAC for onward destruction.

The rare and unexpected action attracted praises, huge commendation from the regulatory body to the Medicine Dealers for summoning the will to embark on a self sanitization process.

Speaking while presenting the expired and fake drugs to the South East Zone of NAFDAC led by the Director, Martins Iluyomade, President of the Ecumi Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Association ECPPMDA, Chima Amadi, said the fake and counterfeit drugs were voluntarily mopped up by the traders as a way of ensuring sanity within the drugs distribution chain in the country.

He maintained that the move is part of their collaborative efforts with the Abia State NAFDAC Authorities to combat all forms of sales and distributions of expired and adulterated medicine products in the state.

“When we relocated to this Ecumi Plaza from Ariaria International Market, we inaugurated an Internal Taskforce to carry out serious self- cleansing activities.

“The Taskforce is charged with, among other things, go round the market to enforce the decision of putting an end to any form of sales and distributions of expired and fake drugs within the precincts of the market.

“Majority of the dealers, in deference to our rules and regulations, willingly submitted the expired and fake drugs we are handing over today to NAFDAC.

“This will be a continuous process. We have resolved that within three month interval, the Taskforce will go round the market in search of expired and fake drugs.

“Therefore, henceforth, anybody caught dealing on  expired and counterfeit drugs at this Ecumi market will be arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities.

“We have decided to cleanse ourselves and as such, nobody and group of persons will be allowed to continue to smear the image of this market”, Amadi stated.

The South-east Director of NAFDAC who was accompanied by some zonal officials and the Abia State Coordinator, also, noted that such self-cleansing exercise will positively project the market and attract goodwill and attention from customers.

According to him, much as the regulatory agencies are in place, stakeholders in the system have crucial roles to  play in the efforts to rid the system of fake and harmful products.

He appealed to the market leadership to sustain the efforts at eliminating all forms of dealings on unwholesome products, noting that a lot of human lives have been lost owing to the consumption of fake and expired drugs.

“I will enjoin you to continue to make the market a better place. You can do this by resolving that you only want to deal on original products at Ecumi market .

“Yes, people make more money through fake products, but such should not be your guiding principle. Your slogan is: ‘health is wealth’ and anything you do at this market should be in agreement with the motor.

“The first thing that should be on your mind while selling is how the drugs will assist the consumer to come out from his/her health challenges.

“We are having serious treatment failures in the country today because of the administration of counterfeit drugs. A lot of people die as a result of the consumption of fake drugs.

“Mind you, that money you made through the sales of fake products is blood money because a whole lot of people die as a result of the fake drugs.” Iluyomade noted

He charged the market Taskforce to discharge its duties without fear and or favour, as well as  be guided in its operations by NADAC rules and regulations.

In his remarks, the Grand Patron of the market ,Chief Aloysius Enyoghasi, described the development as the first of its kind.

He appreciated the traders for their resolve to place the interests of consumers above profit making.

“When I discovered that the leadership of the market is collaborating with NAFDAC in their activities,I became proud of them .

“I am in full support of this move because it will restore the confidence of people and help save lives

“I am happy to see dealers willingly bringing out expired and fake drugs for NAFDAC to them away. It is a beautiful day for me as someone who has been in this  business for over four decades”,  the Grand patron stated.

NNPC Intensifies Oil, Gas Exploration In Northern Nigeria

By
James Orji
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0
Mele Kyari - NNPC GMD
Mele Kyari

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited has denied claim that it has suspended crude oil exploration in the northern part of the country.

The company said it has intensified oil exploration in the region in its quest to meet the country’s OPEC quota.

The Mele-Kyari-led NNPC said in a statement on Wednesday that oil exploration is still ongoing in the Wadi-2 and Ebenyi-1 wells, noting also that significant discoveries have been made in the Kolmani River ll Well.

According to the statement signed by NNPCL Chief corporate communications officer, Olufemi Soneye, the clarification is necessary in view of the contrary suggestion in some quarters that exploration in the region has been halted.

The government-controlled oil company has no intention to stop exploration in  the north whether now or in the future in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, Soneye said

“NNPC has not and will not suspend its inland basins oil and gas exploration activities, as some have suggested. Instead, the company is intensifying efforts to expedite the process and ensure the efficient exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in these areas, thereby contributing to national energy security.

“In collaboration with co-venturers, we are working towards the next phase of field development,” the statement noted.

FG Hikes Passport Fees To N100k

By
James Orji
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0
Nigerian Passports

Effective Sepetember 1, 2024, the Federal Government has approved the increase in the fees for obtaining Nigerian passports.

This was revealed by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, DCI Kenneth Udo, in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, the fee adjustment is part of the government’s efforts to uphold the quality and security of the Nigerian Standard Passport.

Udo said, “Based on the review, 32-page Passport booklet with 5-year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (N35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only; while 64-page Passport booklet with 10-year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000.00) will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only,” the statement reads.

“However, the fees remain unchanged in Diaspora.

“While the Nigeria Immigration Service regrets any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants; it assures Nigerians of unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times.”

Cardoso’s CBN Assures Investors Of Better Business Outlook

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has disclosed that investors in the country will feel the impact of its various monetary measures as their businesses will begin to improve form August.

The Yemi-cardoso-led CBN, in the Business Expectations report released on Wednesday, assured business owners that their businesses will experience better outlook henceforth starting from this month.

Basically, the apex bank projects that businesses will experience 7.6 points Optimism Index for August, 19.3 in three months, and 30.7 points for the next six months.

CBN said, “the outlook for next month, next three months, and next six months all indicated optimism with indices of 7.6, 19.3, and 30.7 points, respectively,” the report read.

It explained that the Mining, Quarrying, Electricity, Gas & Water Supply, Agriculture, Market Services, Manufacturing, and Non-Market Services will drive optimism in the macro economy.

According to the apex bank, “The expected drivers for the optimism on the macroeconomy in the next month are Mining, Quarrying, Electricity, Gas & Water Supply (35.3 points), Agriculture (9.9 points), Market Services (7.8 points), Manufacturing (6.3 points), and Non-Market Services (4.8 points).

“Respondents indicated optimism on the overall business outlook in July 2024, as the business conditions in Nigeria are expected to improve. This optimism is driven by the opinion of respondents from the Agriculture Sector.

“Respondents’ outlook for the next month, next 3 months, and next 6 months all indicated optimism. The positive outlook in the volume of business activities of the firms in the next month implied improved prospects for employment in the same period. The sector with the highest prospect for employment is the Agriculture Sector, followed by the Industry and Services sectors.

“The respondent firms opined that insecurity was the major factor constraining the business activity in July 2024. Other constraining factors are high interest rate, insufficient power supply, and high/multiple taxes. Respondent firms expect the exchange rate to depreciate in all review periods except the next six months. However, they expect the borrowing rate to rise in all the periods under review. Respondents also opined that the current inflation rate of 34.19 is too high.”

The overall confidence index had slowed in July to 0.1 percent, according to records from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

NIMASA DG Restates Commitment To Quality Training For NSDP Beneficiaries

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Dayo Mobereola - NIMASA DG

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dr Dayo Mobereola has restated the Agency’s commitment to the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP noting that the two hundred and ninety six (296) NSDP beneficiaries at Centurion University, India will be given adequate capacity development to acquire quality training and qualify as Seafarers employable globally.

Dr Mobereola described media reports claiming that the Agency plans to withdraw the NSDP cadets from the Centurion University India as false, adding that the Agency is only carrying out due diligence on the existing MoU to align the processes in the best interest of the Nigerian students.

According to the DG, We are “not recalling any NSDP beneficiary from Centurion University. We are only working to close out all identified gaps in the existing Memorandum of Understanding before proceeding to the next stage. A situation where the Agency entered into a contractual agreement with Springdale Academy of Maritime Education and Training, SAMET with agreed courses and timelines only to be faced with additional course duration and an alien programme by the agent, SAMET, unilaterally converting the programme without the consent of the Agency as prescribed by the MoU may not be in the best interest of the students.

Speaking further, he said “There were issues of non-accreditation of one of institution as at the time of the execution of MoU, change of course from Marine engineering to Mechanical engineering without recourse to the Agency, preparing the grounds for additional years of studies and uncertainties for the students, raising issues related to funding, and the various third parties arrangements without duly informing the Agency.

The NIMASA DG also noted that the Management of NIMASA is aware of a sponsored media campaign of calumny against the NIMASA Management stating that it will not deter NIMASA from doing the right thing.

We are aware of orchestrated media campaigns and petitions against the Agency reviewing the existing arrangement.  We will not give in to blackmail as the safety and well being of our students are paramount.

The Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme was introduced in 2009 to develop capacity by training young Nigerians as seafarers and bridge the gap of dearth of seafarers globally. Nigerian youths are trained in specialized courses such as Marine Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Nautical Surveys amongst others, to ensure they qualify as Seafarers and are employable globally.

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