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Oba Of Benin Invested As NOUN Chancellor

April 14, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has promised to ensure more access to tertiary education in the country. The president has also called on the management of universities in the country to ensure the adequate maintenance of facilities on campuses.

President Tinubu made the admonition Tinubu on Saturday in Abuja, the nation’s capital during the 13 convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, and investiture of the new Chancellor of NOUN, Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’ Akpolokpolo Ewuare II on Saturday in Abuja.

Represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Academics at the National Universities Commission, Joel Saliu the president urged the university management in the country to ensure proper utilization of financial and other resources on campuses, stressing that the federal government, will, on its own part, ensure the smooth running of the ivory tower by providing enabling laws and environment suitable for learning.

Tinubu said: “This administration will continue to promote open and distance learning approach as one of the strategies to improve access to education.

“To this end, four private open universities were granted licenses to operate along with NOUN. This is a demonstration of the commitment of the Federal Government to the vision of integrating technology into tertiary education delivery in order to improve quality, access and affordability.

“Government is therefore committed to working with these universities through the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission to provide the enabling environment to ensure a seamless delivery of this mode of education in Nigeria.

“We must therefore give priority attention to the provision of appropriate facilities and continuous capacity building of our human resources that will engender the needed confidence of stakeholders in our graduates.”

Zamfara: Tinubu Orders Sustained Military Attacks On Bandits

James Orji

April 14, 2024

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his government’s commitment to ending banditry and other criminality in Zamfara state.

The state is among the epicenters of banditry in the northern parts of the country. The military has recently stepped up onslaught against the criminals who have killed many people and taken others hostage for ransom in the past many months.

President Tinubu however assured the governor of the state, Dauda Lawal of his government’s readiness to stamp out banditry through the deployment of more troops to the state.

Tinubu gave the assurance when the governor paid him a sallah homage in his Lagos home on Saurday, according to a statement by Lawal’s, spokesman, Sulaiman Idris.

The governor was among some leaders of the party led by Vice President Kasim Shetima, members of the National Assembly who paid Tinubu the visit in his Bourdilon, Lagos home.

Part of the statement said: “President Tinubu assured the Governor that he is committed to ending the menace of banditry in the state adding that he had ordered a sustained military onslaught and deployment of more troops to Zamfara State.

“He requested regular updates from Governor Lawal regarding the state’s security situation for effective collaboration in the fight against banditry.”

The magazine report that President Tinubu traveled down to Lagos last Sunday ahead the Eidel Fitri Muslim celebrations. He’s billed to return to Abuja, the nation’s capital at the beginning of the week.

“Junior Pope Refused Life Jacket Because It Was Dirty” – Film Producer, Adanma Luke

Adesina Soyooye

April 13, 2024

By Adesina Soyooye

Obumneme Odonwodo, popular as Junior Pope, the Nollywood Actor who drowned along with four others in a tragic boat accident, may have unwittingly, contributed to his avoidable end.

He, allegedly rejected a life jacket given to him to wear because, according to him, it was dirty.

This was revealed by the Producer of the ill-fated film, Adanma Luke in her first comment since after the incident which shook the Nollywood Industry and not a few Nigerians. She, however, did not disclose if others, including the dead and survivors were offered life jackets or not. Only two crew members were confirmed to have worn their life jackets. Both survived.

Luke, in a series of videos she released on Saturday where she spoke said Junior Pope refused the life jacket given to him to wear because he considered it dirty.

Luke has come under criticism for not making sure that her crew had life jackets before they boarded the boat.

But exonerating herself from blame over the life jacket issue, she said that a life jacket was given to the late actor which he turned down on the grounds that it was dirty.

And in a bid to dismiss the impression that she hired a bad boat and an inexperienced boat driver, she said that she would have been on the boat with her brother’s two young children but for the fact that the crew insisted on her going back to get a memory card. She did, and by the time she came back, she not only missed the boat, but she was faced by tales of the tragedy.

Explaining her current state, she said she was confused and that the whole incident seems like a bad dream to her and still unbelievable.

She regretted going to Asaba for her production and lamented that she should have stayed back in Lagos for the production.

Her story: “On the 10th of April, we lost five of our members who were on their way to a location through boat and had an accident.

“I’ve been so traumatized. I’ve been so cold, this whole thing, it still feels like a dream to me.

“I’ve not been able to make any statements since, because we’ve been trying to recover the bodies. I’ve been providing fuel money to those looking for bodies, provided caskets, ambulance to make sure the bodies were conveyed to their villages and families.

“I’ve not been quiet; I’ve been doing things just so these people can rest. It’s so sad that this happened on my set.

“I blame myself that I would have been in Lagos, doing my thing in Lagos. I blame myself for coming down to Asaba.

“I was supposed to be on that boat; my production manager was calling me to bring the memory card so they could start filming, and I told him to come and collect it.

“He said, ‘Mama, you know this place is far; please just bring it for us.’

“I said, ‘Okay, why haven’t you people crossed?’ He said they were waiting for Junior Pope to arrive.

“On the 9th, they went there on their own, Junior Pope came on his own. He came alone.

“So, on this 10th, while I was getting ready to go drop the card with them, I was accompanied by my brother’s children, two kids that were supposed to go with me. We were supposed to be on that boat together.

“Getting there, I saw Emeka, my D.O.P. He was just sitting. I was surprised because I didn’t see others. I asked Emeka, “What is it?” And people surrounded him, Emeka was quiet.

“I said, ‘Emeka, talk to me. What is the problem? Why haven’t you people gone? Where is Ogolo? Where is everybody? Has JP come?’ He was quiet.

“I started shouting, ‘What is happening? Somebody talk to me.’ Emeka now said, ‘JP don go, Abigail don go, Friday don go, Precious don go.’

“I still didn’t understand what he meant by that. ‘What do you mean, don go, don go where?’ He said, ‘dem dey inside water.’

“I said, let me go and look for them. They started holding me that I should not go. I said, ‘Let me be there. Let me be sure the divers are looking for them.’ They said there were over 50 divers in the water looking for them.”

The traumatised actress has been suspended by the Guild of Actors in a statement signed by its President, Emeka Rollas.

Despite Odds, 23 Enugu Correctional Centre Inmates Bag University Degrees

The Source

April 13, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a rare display of resilience and determination, 23 inmates of Enugu Correctional Centre, on April 13, 2024, bagged various degrees from the National Open University of Nigeria NOUN, Enugu Study centre.

Mrs Jenifer Nwonyi, Coordinator of the Enugu Centre of NOUN who presented the Degree Certificates to the graduands during a virtual graduation ceremony held on Saturday, April 13, at the NOUN’s Correctional study center in Enugu, noted that it is gratifying that the graduands were able to surmount all odds to achieve the feat .

She expressed appreciation to God Almighty for granting the graduating inmates the grace of not allowing their present situation to dampen their spirits.

Seventeen of the inmates were conferred with first degrees, while five bagged Masters degrees, with one graduating with a postgraduate Diploma.

Students Body Cries Out Over Police Harassment Along Highways In Ekiti, Threatens To Shut Down Economic Activities

Ayodele Oni

April 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Association of Southern Nigerian Students, (ASONIS) has cried out over incessant harassment of students in tertiary institutions in Ekiti state by security agents.

The Association, in a letter signed by Taiwo Temitope, President elect; and Ifeanyi Gilbert, Public Relations Officer, condemned random invasion of campuses by official of anti graft agencies and molestations of student on the highways by policemen.

It warned that students from the zone might be forced to disrupt the enabling peace of necessary action is not taken against the overzealous security agents.

In a letter to beads of security agencies in the zone with copies to Ekiti state Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) the students body noted that “It has caught our attention that Nigerian Students schooling across the tertiary Institutions both Federal and State owned have been experiencing high level of molestations and harassment from security agencies in Ekiti State. As a matter of fact it is getting worse day after day.

“The Nigerian Police Force is to protect lives and properties within the society. They are to uphold the fundamental human rights of the citizens and not to put them under oppression and molestations as recorded the past few Months in Ekiti State.

“Student leaders have been notified concerning the antics of police officials across the highways and domestic routes of Ekiti State and at some point lives have been lost due to accidents caused by unethical chasing of cars by police officers and security agencies.

“It is quite disheartening that students who are to be future leaders and savior of their families from poverty have surrendered their lives to the cold hand of death due to highway accidents initiated by these security agencies. We detest, negate and reject these high level of unethical conducts from officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

“However, NANS EKITI JCC has written a letter dated Saturday 13/04/2024 to the peace loving and students friendly Governor of Ekiti State to please speedily intervene in this issue so as not to witness massive reactions from the student union bodies across the State.

“As a matter of fact some days ago, the new leadership of ASONIS engaged with the Police Public Relations Officer Of Ekiti on this particular issue and he gave us assurance that the excesses of these Police officers on the roads in Ekiti will be controlled to the bearest minimum because the Commissioner of police Ekiti police command wants peace and harmony and unity between the security agencies and the students community.

“Thus, we call on the Chief Security Officer of Ekiti State to expedite actions and see that these officers are cautioned and comported in the discharge of their duties. Enough is enough.

“Finally, we won’t hesitate to shut down the economy and smooth running of Ekiti State if they continue to put our Students under unworthy embarrassment and molestations.

“ASONIS national and NANS EKITI JCC as well as other student bodies will not relent on the agitation for proper conducts of the Nigerian Police Force.

“We won’t allow them to put the Nigeria Students into danger of riots as experienced during the endsars and this is the more reason we are calling on Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the Inspector General Of Police and the Assistant Inspector General Of Police Southwest Zone to call them to order.”

Matawalle Tackles Northern Elders Over Tinubu Says NEF Has Become Political Paperweight

Ayodele Oni

April 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

In a direct attack and confrontation of the Northern power brokers, the Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle, described the Northern Elders Forum as a mere relevance-seeking body, political paperweight, on the destructive journey.

Matawalle, while reacting to a report credited to the Forum against President Bola Tinubu, described NEF as “a group of people seeking political relevance to overburden the system and create political disunity among Nigerians.”

The group had in a statement stated that it regretted voting Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election and would not repeat it in 2027.

Responding to the statement, the Minister described the statement as reprehensible and naive.

He said: “The so-called NEF is more or less a political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute for the group’s personal and selfish gains.

“This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights in order to be recognized or made relevant in the scheme of things, despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections.

“They cannot offer any positive idea or thought about the future of Northern Nigeria or, indeed, of Nigeria and its unity and togetherness.”

The Minister maintained that it was glaringly clear that President Tinubu won the February 2023 presidential election convincingly, querying “who is the NEF to want to undermine the president’s victory and even threaten to unseat him?

“This same group of people have intentionally shy away from their responsibility of engendering unity in the North by appreciating the incremental development being brought to the North by Ministers appointed by President Tinubu from the North, especially North-West.

“The NEF has not deemed it fit to seek audience with Mr. President to discuss issues affecting the Northern Region despite the numerous challenges facing the North as rightly highlighted by the President and being addressed by him.

“The group is yet to visit any of the ministers dealing with issues of security, agriculture, water resources, police affairs, Education, Health, Budget, foreign affairs, or any head of security agencies in the country so far for first-hand knowledge of government programmes and actions.

“Our region, the North, is united, disciplined and politically driven enough not to listen and accept being teleguided by any group of elites who had fed fat in the past on the North’s resources and opportunities, which had retarded development in the region and nation due to their selfishness.”

Matawalle said Tinubu is poised to do a lot for the North “as President of Nigeria, elected by the people of Nigeria, not by one ethnic group or the other, therefore, anyone mistakenly seeing President Tinubu as a failure or a weakling is making a mistake and should rethink.

“Such a person or group is either blind or misguided and unable to see the new Nigeria that is emerging.

“NEF is not more than a group that has refused to accept reality and is living in delusion. The truth is that the North is proud of its support and vote for President Tinubu and will continue to be proud of her relationship with the President given the enormous change and development his government has brought to the region.”

Pandemonium In Oyo State As Alleged O’odua Nation Agitators Take Over Government Secretariat; Apprehended By The Police

Akinwale Kasali

April 13, 2024

Odua Nation Agitator in Oyo State house Assembly

By Akinwale Kasali

Men who wore Military Camouflages invaded the Oyo State Secretariat causing fear and panic among the people of the State.

The Men who attempted to overwhelm Security Operatives in the State, by occupying the State House of Assembly Complex and the State Secretariat were alleged to be Yoruba Nation Agitators.

It was gathered that agitators dressed in military camouflage and armed with weapons, hoisted their own flag within the Assembly premises and sought to occupy the entire area.

Security personnel within the state secretariat quickly called for backup.

Sporadic gunfire ensued as a combination of security forces including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) converged on the scene to restore order and overpower the agitators.

It was also gathered that the agitators had arrived in an ash-colored Hiace bus and two motorcycles, which were seized and taken to the State Police Headquarters.

The gunmen reportedly headed straight to the State House of Assembly premises, removing the Nigerian national flag and replacing it with their own O’odua Nation flag before security forces intervened.

While several of the agitators were arrested, others fled the scene, pursued by security personnel into the nearby bushes and forest.

According to unconfirmed reports, a total of 16 suspects have been arrested, with two sustaining bullet wounds, while some others escaped with gunshot injuries.

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who is the Special Security Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Security, confirmed that the situation has been brought under control, with the combined team of security personnel successfully subduing the agitators.

He described the gunmen as “miscreants” and urged the public not to panic.

“We were able to arrest some of them while others fled,” said Owoseni. “There is no need to panic. Everything is under control.”

Security personnel have been stationed at the secretariat gate to ensure the safety of the area. Adewale Osifeso, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, confirmed the incident but noted that he was still gathering details about the situation.

It was gathered that Panic spread throughout the area as security personnel on duty attempted to manage the situation.

Men of the Oyo State Police Command and other anti-crime agencies stormed the entrance to the Secretariat in numerous patrol vans, including Operatives of the Oyo security network code-named Amotekun were said to have also arrived at the gate.

It was learnt that the security men have arrested some of them.

Details Later…..

“We Have Had Enough Of Kidnappings, Abductions, Raping Of Our Women” – Ogah To Muslim Leaders

The Source

April 13, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Abia communities in Isukwuato, and Isuochi/Umunneochi Local Councils have warned that they will no longer tolerate incessant cases of kidnappings, abductions, and continued harassment and raping of their farmers and women by people suspected to be killer herdsmen .

The communities lamented that due to kidnappings and other criminal activities allegedly being perpetrated by suspected criminal elements of Fulani extractions along ,the university town of Uturu, Isukwuato Umunneochi and Isuochi, farming activities in the affected areas have stopped, leading to wide spread hunger and deprivations among the people.

The Communities who spoke on Wednesday April 10, through the Member representing Isukwuato/Umunneochi/Isuochi at the House of Representatives, Dr Amobi Ogah warned that they have had enough of the abductions, kidnappings, killings and raping of their of people.

Hon Ogah who is the Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS,Tuberculosis and Malaria Control issued the warning when he paid a Sallah visit to the Muslim leaders of the Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umuchieze, Umunn eochi local council of Abia state .

Hon Ogah, regretted that most people in his constituency have since abandoned farming owing to the high level of insecurity in the area occasioned by the criminal activities of suspected Herdsmen, noting that hunger and poverty now ravage the people as a result of the disruptions of their legitimate means of survival.

“The hunger in our place today is because our people don’t go to the farm again.. Herdsmen are raping our women and they are giving you people a bad name.

If we have Elders like you here and you can not call the criminals to order ,then that means there is a serious problem. I want the right things to be done and we must change our attitude”the House of Representatives Member told the Muslim leaders

Hon Ogah ,used the occasion to appreciate Governor Alex Otti for his intervention in the security challenges in the area ,through the establishment of the state’s special security outfit- Operation Crush,

He noted that the Operation Crush came timely and has so far been able to curtail most of the criminal activities within the Lokpanta Cattle Market .

The Source reports that the Lokpanta Cattle Market and its environs, and the Isukwuato- Uturu axis were the epicentres of kidnappings ,abductions ,killings ,raping and other criminal activities through out most parts of the immediate past administration in the state.

Several high profile abductions for ransom by suspected herdsmen including the kidnapping of the immediate past prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria His Eminence Samuel Uche were recorded on the route .

However, public out cry led to the prioritization of the security challenges in the area by the Dr Otti, administration, with the demolition of some parts of the Lokpanta Cattle Market strongly believed to be the sanctuary of criminal elements, as well as the setting up of the states Special Security outfit.

During the Eid El Fitri Visit ,Hon Ogah donated to the Muslim Community the sum of Two million Naira for the completion of their Mosque and some essential commodities as part of his contributions to their Sallah celebrations

Joint Task Force Neutralizes Suspected Bandits, Kills Ten, Recovers Weapons, Assets

Ayodele Oni

April 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Military troops fighting banditry have again claimed success in the war against insurgents.

The Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) announced that it continued offensive operations against violent extremist with a view to restoring normalcy in the region.

Report said in the early hours of Friday, the troops successfully dominated Babban Doka, Gobirawar Challi, and Kabaro axis under Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, engaging the terrorists in a heavy gun duel.

A statement on Saturday by Suleiman Omale, information officer attached to the troop stated that “During the operation, our brave troops from Dansadau Forward Operating Base exhibited exceptional courage, overpowering the criminal elements and neutralizing 12 terrorists, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“In a subsequent mop-up patrol, the gallant troops recovered significant weapons and assets from the scene, including 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 magazine, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 locally made gun, 1 Dane gun, and 18 cows.

“Additionally, 10 motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were recovered and destroyed on the spot.

“Brigadier General S Ahmed, the Commander 1 Brigade and Sector 1 OPHD, commended the resilience, doggedness, and gallantry displayed by our troops.

“He urged them to maintain the momentum and not relent until normalcy is fully restored in the region.

“Furthermore, Brigadier General S Ahmed extended his appreciation to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, and Commander, Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), Major General GM Mutkut, for his tactical leadership and unwavering support to the troops in achieving their mandate.”

PSC Chair, Arase Slams Pre-trial Detention, Says Commission Staff Will Join Bar In Prison Visitation

The Source

April 13, 2024

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, on Friday, April 12th 2024, received a delegation from the Nigeria Bar Association, Garki branch, led by its Chairman, Bar. Obioma Ezenwobodo.

The delegation was in the Commission to fratanize with the Chairman and Management Staff of the Commission and to invite the Chairman and Staff of the Legal Department to the Annual Conference of the Garki Bar.

Bar. Ezenwobodo said the Garki Bar was created in 2022 and has already attracted 1500 members.

He noted that the branch has remained the most progressive in the Federal Capital Territory and populated by young and dynamic lawyers.

He observed that the Commission as the Police of the Police plays a great role in the Justice system, adding ” our work will be half done if we are able to build a synergy between the Garki Bar and the Commission.

He regretted the recurring cases of Police Officers locking up lawyers on official duties and solicited the protection of Lawyers by the Commission (as the employers of the police) in their day to day work so that they can as well protect the weak and vulnerable in the society.

Bar. Ezenwobodo announced that Garki branch would soon start prison visitations to give legal assistance to the needy.

The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Arase welcomed the decision of the Branch to visit the Prisons and disclosed that staff of the Commission will be released to accompany them on such visits.

Dr. Arase spoke against pre-trial detention and assured the visiting Bar that the Commission will quickly Intervene in cases where Police have not followed due process in arrests and detentions.

He also promised that the Commission will participate in its Bar Conference. He told the Visitors that the Commission has put in place customised training programmes for Staff lawyers and have paid in full their Bar annual dues. He said he will continue to encourage the Commission’s lawyers to give their best to the service.

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