IGP Celebrates PCRC @ 40

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May 8, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) is 40 years old, as a body which ensures smooth relationship between the public and the police force.

The PCRC has been an invaluable and critical partner to the Police fostering mutual trust, understanding, and collaboration between the police and the communities they serve.

Over the past four decades, the PCRC has played a pivotal role in promoting community-oriented policing, enhancing public safety, and advancing the shared goals of peace and security.

The Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has extended warm felicitations to the Committee as it celebrates with series of commemorative events, including a Dinner/Gala Night and a Grand Finale.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi in a press statement said the IGP commends the dedication of the PCRC members, volunteers, and stakeholders, who have worked tirelessly to strengthen police-community relations and build safer communities across the country under the leadership of Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan.

“Their efforts have not only improved the effectiveness of our policing, but have also promoted harmony, unity, and social cohesion.

“As the PCRC celebrates this significant milestone, the Inspector General of Police assures that the Force will continually work hand-in-hand with the Committee and other community stakeholders to address emerging challenges, uphold the rule of law, and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.”

Truce, As Nigeria Army Withdraws From Delta Community

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Ayodele Oni

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May 8, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

After about two months occupation of Okuama community in Delta state by Nigeria Army personnel, over killing of 17 military officers, a truce has been reached as the military agreed to withdraw from the community.

The Nigerian Army agreed with the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori to withdraw military personnel from the troubled Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of the State.

The Nigerian Army agreed to withdraw military presence from Okuama following discussions between Governor Oborevwori and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

Oborevwori disclosed in a press release on Wednesday that the Army has agreed to withdraw its officers and men from Okuama with effect from Wednesday.

The community in Ewu kingdom has been under military siege following the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers, including a Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors and a Captain, from the 181 Amphibious Battalion.

The press release reads in full: “My dear good people of Delta State, I have the pleasure to announce to you that we have achieved a breakthrough in the deadlock at Okuama.

“After my discussions with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Monday the 6th May, the Nigerian Army has agreed to withdraw its officers and men from Okuama with effect from today.

“With this development, the people of Okuama can now safely return to their homes and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

“I want to express my deep and profound gratitude to Mr President, the COAS, and the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army for their understanding and cooperation.

“In my engagements with them, they demonstrated the highest level of concern and care for the plight of the displaced persons. To God be the glory that we have achieved a peaceful resolution of the crisis

“I also extend my gratitude to members of the National Assembly, distinguished Nigerians, our traditional rulers, and other leaders of thought who stood with us in our travails. Your words of encouragement and prayers are greatly appreciated.

“Let me assure all Deltans and residents in the state that this administration is irrevocably committed to enhanced peace and security in the State as contained in our MORE agenda.

“It is also pertinent to point out that matters of security are better handled with tact, wisdom, and patience; it is not meant to be a subject of daily media polemics as some are won’t to suggest.

“As the people of Okuama start the process of returning to their homes, I pledge the commitment of the Delta State Government to make that process smooth and seamless. We shall render all the necessary assistance they need to enable them settle down quickly and joyfully.

“It is my prayer and belief that NEVER AGAIN would Delta experience the kind of tragedy that happened in Okuama.

“Security, as we all know, is a shared responsibility. So, we will continue to count on the support and cooperation of every citizen to ensure that our state remains safe and peaceful. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless Delta State. God bless us all”.

Third Northern Dry Port Kicks Off As President Tinubu, Commissions Funtua Inland Dry Port

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The Source

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May 8, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The third operational Inland Dry Port ,IDP in the Northern region of the country, the Funtua Inland Dry Port, will, on Thursday May 9, 2024, come on steam, as President Bola Tinubu is set to perform the official commissioning .

A statement issued on Wednesday May 8, by the Spokesperson for the progenitors of the landmark project, the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, Rebecca Adamu,noted that the NSC Executive Secretary Bar Pius Ukeyima Akutah has expressed the optimism that the Funtua Inland Dry port holds the potential to rijig the economy, create numerous job opportunities ,decongest activities at the country’s various seaports ,and improve considerably the revenue profile of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary is also of the strong belief that the Funtua IDP will bring shipping,port and other related services closer to importers, exporters and others within the international trade chain .

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded plans to officially commission the much anticipated Funtua Inland Dry Port on Thursday 9^th, May 2024.

“The Funtua Inland Dry port will be Commissioned by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,at Funtua IDP project Site Katsina state at 11 am prompt.

“The Commissioning ceremony will feature key dignitaries ,Government officials ,and industry stakeholders .This significant milestone marks a pivotal moment of the Nigerian Shippers Council’s commitment towards facilitating trade in Nigeria .

“It is also in line with the performance bond signed by the Hon. Minister of Marine &Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“It is worthy to note that this initiative is part of the Council’s performance Indicator KPI to deliver the Funtua Inland Dry Port project before the end of the 1st Quarter 2024,” Part of the statement reads.

The Source reports that former president Muhammadu Buhari had early last year ,declared the Funtua Inland Dry Port ,a port of Origin and Destination ,thus paving the way for importers and exporters alike to officially consign their cargo from the port to any part of the globe

Cybersecurity Tax: Planned Digital Robbery By Buhari, Executed By Bola & Co.

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James Orji

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May 8, 2024

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Mahdi Shehu, a prominent social critic has described the cybersecurity levy imposed by the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, bank customers in the country as a robbery.

Shehu made the remark on his X handle on Wednesday, describing the levy as “pure sadism and “digital robbery” by the federal government.

The Source magazine reported that the CBN had directed commercial banks in the country to deduct 0.5 percent from any transactions made by customers.

The proceed, according to the apex bank would be domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, in line with the enabling Act the government-controlled bank said in a circular to financial institutions on Tuesday.

The implementation of the directive also takes effect from May 20, the Yemi Cardoso led ban k said.

The issue has generated a serious condemnation from not a few Nigerians, who said the decision should be reversed immediately.

Reacting Mahdi claimed that N3 trillion is expected to be realized from the cybersecurity fee, adding that more hardship are being imposed on Nigerians by the Tinubu’s administration.

Below A Full Text Of Mahdi’s Comment

FROM 20th May 2024, every person living in Nigeria who transacts electronic business transacti will pay 0.5% tax to BOLA TINUBU.

N3Trillion will be extorted annually.

This is pure Sadism, digital robbery, breach of social contract, an assault on Nigerian, and an indication that our prayers are being answered early enough.

So far, Tinubu has exposed all of us to fuel subsidy withdrawal, fertiliser subsidy withdrawal, electricity subsidy withdrawal, educational subsidy withdrawal, increased import and export duties, closed boarders and opened them when, maximum damage has veen done to the economy, collected over N30.Trillion loan sofar.

We are waiting for the introduction of taxes on atmospheric oxygen and carbodaoxide,on cemetries, on rural and urban roads, on all parties where Buga dance will not be performed, on all naming and marriage ceremonies, on all traditional and cultural ceremonies, on mosque, churches and shrines etc so that Bola &.Co can have enough for.2027 elections, carry the balance to the graves and use same to intimidate angels.

We await the withdrawal of taxes on tobacco, COCAINE, hard drugs, indeed on all intoxicants, on lottery & gambling, on prostitution houses.

With this visible greed and sadism, A DAY IS COMING AND FAST APPROACHING. AMEN

Lagos 2027: George Issues Quit Notice To APC

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James Orji

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May 8, 2024

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Bode George, chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has announced plans to take over Lagos state from the ruling All progressives Congress, APC .

The PDP leader said yesterday that his party is poised to take over the state from the APC.

George, a former PDP Vice National Chairman South disclosed this during an interview with AriseTV on Tuesday night.

He made the comment on the heels of the ongoing reconciliatory efforts by the party to appease aggrieved members and supporters who have left the party.

The PDP has never ruled the State of Excellence, as Lagos is widely known since the return to democratic rule in 1999. Past efforts to snatch Nigeria’s Economic capital from the ruling party had failed woefully.

George however stated that the problems that have bogged the party down from achieving its aim of wining elections positions are being addressed, noting that such challenges are normal with political parties.

He explained that the party is now working assiduously to ensure that loyal party members are brought together to win elections for the party.

He cited some reconciliatory efforts being led by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, as one of the pointers that the PDP is now serious about wining election in the country.

He noted, “How did we lose the elections, who were the people who were committed and loyal to the party, who were the other people who didn’t perform, who are the other people who are pretending that they are members of your party when they are working for your opposition?

“This is what we are going through now and I’m very happy that yesterday’s meeting in Ibadan that was chaired by the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and with all the other leaders from all the states of the Southwest came out to be a brilliant move.

“It shows that we still have leaders with the ability to rise above the pettiness, the inuendos of those who are struggling to get into positions in the party. You’ve got to work for it.”

Recall that Chief George supported the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor in the 2023 election citing division in the PDP.

Presidency Announces Tinubu’s Arrival To The Country; President Yet To Be Seen

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James Orji

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May 8, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has returned to the country after close to two weeks absence. The president’s return was announced by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

Onanuga made the revelation in a terse statement on his X handle on Wednesday, saying that the president arrived the country with his aides who travelled with him.

“Welcome Home Mr President!,” he wrote.

The magazine reported that President Tinubu has not been seen in public since he left the country for a business meeting in The Netherlands and Saudi Arabia on April 28.

His absence had caused serious apprehension in the country, leading to some speculations in some quarters that he’s not well and is receiving treatment in a European country. The magazine could not confirm this information.

For instance, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has criticized the president for leaving the country rudderless.

The PDP candidate described the president’s action as unprecedented, adding that Tinubu had abandoned the country at a very critical time that his presence is required.

He said, “I have been inundated by reports of the absence of the president and vice president from the country.

“It is unprecedented that the two leaders will be absent from the country at the same time, especially now that the nation is faced with daunting challenges.

“The question that readily comes to mind is: who is in charge of government at this point, or is it right to assume that we are on autopilot?”

Meanwhile, Nigerians are yet to see the president since Onanuga announced his return earlier today. The thinking is that the Presidency should make available photographs depicting his arrival in line with normal norm.

Veteran Actress, ‘Ovularia’ Of New Masquerade Dies At 81 Years

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 8, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Exactly Four and Half Years after her rumoured demise in November 5, 2019, veteran and iconic actress, Elizabeth Evoeme, popularly known as Ovularia for her role in popular Sitcom, The New Masquerade in the 1980s is dead.

The Actress was the onscreen wife of Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo alias 4.30 in the rested 1980s sitcom.

Ovularia played the character in the sitcom as a confident wife who never hesitates to challenge her husband, creating tension and friction within the household.

The Thespian was said to have died last weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Announcing her demise is her daughter, Justina Ngozi Evoeme, based in London, United Kingdom. She stated that the thespian was surrounded by loved ones before her death.

Justina described her mother’s demise as painful and shocking, adding, “I need to get my head around what has happened.”

Also confirming Ovularia’s death in a terse statement, Evoeme Emekalam’s family said, “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in ‘The new Masquerade,’ of her passing. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans.

“We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.”

Ovularia’s career thrived from 1982 to 1993, preceding the rise of Nollywood.

Born on 1 December 1942 in Calabar, Cross River State, she hailed from a family associated with maritime endeavours.

In a curious revelation, she admitted to never fully comprehending the significance behind her stage name, “Ovularia.”

The actress starred in the 1993 Nollywood movie, ‘Circle of Doom’4.

Following her retreat from the television spotlight, she maintained a relatively subdued presence, occasionally grappling with unfounded rumours of her demise.

In March 2017, Veronica Njoku, popular for her role as Ramota in ‘The New Masquerade,’ passed away. The late Njoku played the role of Chief Jegede’s (played by Claude Eke) wife and a close ally of Ovularia.

‘Cyber Security Levy Is Milking Dying Economy’, Obi, Says Will Further Impoverish The People

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The Source

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May 8, 2024

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The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has described the newly introduced Cyber security LEVY by the Federal Government as taxes too many and aimed at milking a dying economy.

Obi said that instead of nurturing the recovery and growth of the economy, the government by its multiple taxation is more interested in heaping more burden on the people who are already suffering severe economic stress.

Writing on his X handle on Wednesday morning Obi said that “the introduction of yet another tax, in the form of Cybersecurity Levy, on Nigerians who are already suffering severe economic distress is further proof that the government is more interested in milking a dying economy instead of nurturing it to recovery and growth.

“This does not only amount to multiple taxation on banking transactions, which are already subject to various other taxes including stamp duties but negates the Government’s avowed commitment to reduce the number of taxes and streamline the tax system.

“The imposition of a Cybersecurity Levy on bank transactions is particularly sad given that the tax is on the trading capital of businesses and not on their profit hence will further erode whatever is left of their remaining capital, after the impact of the Naira devaluation high inflation rate. It is inconceivable to expect the suffering citizens of Nigeria to separately fund all activities of the government.

“Policies such as this not only impoverish the citizens but make the country’s economic environment less competitive.

“At a time when the government should be reducing taxes to curb inflation, the government is instead introducing new taxes. And when did the office of the NSA become a revenue-collecting center?

“And why should that purely national security office receive returns on a specific tax as stated in the new cybersecurity law?”

Northern Coalition Berates Atiku Over Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highways, Lauds Sokoto-Badagary Road Project

By

The Source

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May 8, 2024

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A coalition of Northern Stakeholders, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, not to allow his electoral defeat in the 2023 Presidential Elections to stop him from collaborating with the Present Federal Government and all other progressive forces to move the Country forward.

This is just as it has thumped up President Bola Tinubu’s foresight in muting coastal highways in the country, noting that the project has the huge potentials to grow the foreign investment portfolio of the country.

At a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kaduna State secretariat on Tuesday, May 7 2024 , Chairman of the Arewa Advocates For Good Governance, AAFGG, Alhaji Jamilu Mato, while cautioning Atiku over his scathing criticism of the planned Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project, applauded President Tinubu for giving the nod for the design of the planned 1000 km Sokoto- Badagry Coastal highway .

The AAFGG, while also appreciating the commitment, dedication and sincerity of purpose shown towards the realization of the coastal highway projects by the minister of works , Engr .Dave Umahi, noted that the landmark coastal highway routes when completed will potentially rijig connectivity, and trading activities across the various regions of Nigeria..

Alhaji Mato, asserted that so far the coastal highway project, remains the most audacious and signature project of the President Tinubu’s administration, as well as most eloquent statement to enhance the economic development of the country.

“It is also imperative to note that the coastal highways would. connect the Southwest , South south, Northeast ,Northwest, and North Central regions of Nigeria when completed.

“This is just as the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project is ongoing among many other federal Government’s roads projects .

“Today, we can proudly thank President Tinubu for his renewed hope agenda, particularly its profound impact on transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructural landscape.

“The approval of the construction of Sokoto-Badagary road underscores president Tinubu’s commitment towards advancing infrastructural development across the nation ,bridging gaps, fostering unity and economic growth .

“We are also aware that the Tinubu’s led Government is planning to connect the six geo-political zones in the country with a network of roads that would foster a more secure ,safer, sustainable transportation system ..

“It is on this note that we are assuring Mr president and the minister of works of our support and solidarity in their efforts to advance Nigeria’s infrastructural development agenda and fulfill the aspirations of our people.” AAFGG stated.

“The Source reports that the decision of the federal government to give teeth to the #13 trillion Lagos- Calabar Highway project, has continued to elicit knocks from not a few Nigerians, including Atiku, and Peter Obi, who have come to perceived the project as not only misplaced, but unnecessary in the face of the realities of the country’s economic predicaments.”

Abia: Chinedu, Former Governor T.A. Orji’s Son, Dumps PDP For APC

By

The Source

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May 8, 2024

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By Charles Igbo

The Rt. Hon Chinedu Orji, a son of Senator Theodore Orji, a former Governor of Abia State, has dumped his political party of many years, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The younger Orji, popular as Ikuku, in his years in the PDP, was a very powerful and influential member. When his father was the Governor, he was so powerful that not a few people referred to him as the de facto Governor of Abia State. The ante of his influence and power was raised higher than ever when he was elected to the State House of Assembly, and ultimately became the Speaker under the Administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

But his influence began to wane when he had a running battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged issues which took place during his father’s Governorship of the State. It waned further over the seemingly unpopularity of Ikpeazu as a Governor, and was worsened by the the popularity of the Labour Party in the State.

So, when in 2023, he contested for the Federal House of Representatives, neither his influence, his father’s influence, nor that of Ikpeazu who was the Governor at that time, helped him to win his election. He failed. Since then, he, the embattled Ikpeazu and the PDP, have had little or no influence in the affairs of Abia State.

However, two days ago, the younger Orji took his fate in his hands. The tsunami which has suddenly hit the PDP in the South-east recently, hit him. He dumped the PDP, according to him, after deep thoughts and consultations and considerations. Hours later, the former Speaker showed his hands as to where he is headed to. He declared for the APC, the ruling party at the Federal level.

He has since registered in his Ward for his new Party, and has been welcomed by the leadership of the APC in the State. It is not yet clear if his father, the former Governor, is still a member of the PDP or not. He was, until the 2023 Senatorial election, the Senator for his Abia Central District.