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Twelve Years After, Retired LG Workers, School Teachers In Ondo Set To Receive Gratuities

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Local Government workers and primary school teachers in Ondo State that retired in 2012 are to heave a sigh of relief as their gratuity is ready for collection.

The State Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa, has approved release the sum of N1bn for payment of their gratuity arrears

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, who disclosed this,  said the beneficiaries would start receiving payment from Tuesday.

Takuro said the release of the money was to ensure gratuities of retirees are paid enbloc rather than piecemeal.

Takuro explained that Governor Aiyedatiwa was sensitive to the plight of the people, especially retired civil servants.

“The first tranche of the bulk payment of gratuities arrears was paid late last year, by the immediate past governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“In continuation of this good work, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa has decided not only to continue in this trend but to make it quarterly.

“He has been alive to his responsibilities as regards payment of Pensions, Salaries of Workers and other entitlements.”

He urged the retirees and the entire workforce to support the Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration.

Update: President Tinubu Re-Elected, Unopposed, As ECOWAS Chairman

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu = President

By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States,  ECOWAS.

At the 65th Ordinary Session of the Heads of States and Government at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria, President Tinubu was reelected for the Second Term unopposed.

Accepting his re-election, Tinubu appointed the President of Senegal to join in the mediation with Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.

He urged member-

states of the region to fulfil their financial commitments to the regional body to effectively tackle security challenges.

Speaking further  at the 65th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS, he said substantial financial resources are crucial to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) and combat terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.

The Nigerian President, whose one-year tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority is expected to expire tomorrow, July 9, urged Members -sakes to honor their financial obligations to enable ECOWAS meet the expectations and recommendations of its Ministers of Defense and Finance.

He contended that fulfilling the commitments will help stabilize the region and counter insecurity, adding that by meeting their financial commitments, ECOWAS member-states will demonstrate their dedication to regional security and cooperation, enabling the community to better address the security challenges facing West

He said: “Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potentials, move to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasise that the success of this plan requires, not only strong political will, but also substantial financial resources.

“We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defense and Finance in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region. Member-states must make extra commitment on providing resources for stabilizing the region.

“To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage on the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledge as one of the best on the continent.

“The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.

“Your Excellencies, dear Heads of State, I urge those of you with time to visit the centre before your departure and assess first-hand on the facilities and the capabilities of NCTC”, President Tinubu said.

Osun Traditional Ruler, Corps Member Nabbed By NDLEA For Drug Trafficking

By
Akinwale Kasali
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NDLEA officers

By Akinwale Kasali

The Baale of Akarabata community in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ba’ale Ige Babatunde, has been nabbed by Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with fresh cannabis plants that weighed 5kg.

The 50 year-Old Traditional Ruler was paraded with a youth corps member, Yusuf Abdulrahman, 25, at Corpers Lodge, Sumaila area of the city, with 1.250kg of Loud. Two suspects,  Monday Ali, 49, and Jimoh Alewi, 37, were arrested when NDLEA operatives raided Ikota forest in Ifedore LGA, Ondo State where a total of 42,500kg cannabis was destroyed on 17 hectares of farmland while 73.5kg of same substance was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects during a five-day operation that ended on Monday 1st July.

The NDLEA Operatives also raided the Lagos base of a high-profile cocaine syndicate headed by a couple: Agbakoba John Mmadu, and Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe as well as their associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, where large consignments of the class A drug meant for export and local distribution were recovered.

Spokesman of the Agency, Femi Babafemi said: “The raid carried out by a special operations unit of the Agency followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on the syndicate notorious for packaging, distributing and trafficking of cocaine within and outside Nigeria.

“The 54-year-old Agbakoba John Mmadu was arrested at Ago palace way, Okota while his wife, Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, 39, and associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, 31, who doubles as their stash keeper, were nabbed at Plot 2205 Eugene Ndubisi close, Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, all on Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

“While seven parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 7.652 kilograms were recovered from Mmadu at Ago palace way, not less than one hundred and twenty-two (122) compressed pellets of the same drug weighing 2.42kg were seized from the duo of Ijeoma and Ifeoma at Lilly Estate, bringing the total seizure to 10.1 kilograms valued at over N2.1 billion in street value.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Benue State on Thursday, 4th July, intercepted a consignment of 350 grams of cocaine at a check point along Enugu road, Otukpo.

The illicit drug was concealed in an MP3 speaker sent as a waybill parcel.

A swift follow up operation at Flight motor park in Otukpo led to the arrest of the owner, 25-year-old Odeh Anthony.

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers on a stop and search operation along Ngurore – Yola road in Adamawa State on Wednesday, 3rd July, arrested a Chadian, Yves Ahmat Gali in a commercial bus coming from Kano to Yola.

The suspect was found with a loud speaker used to conceal 20 compressed blocks, and nine plastic containers of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 5.200kg.

In Kano, operatives on Wednesday 3rd July arrested a youth corps member, Yusuf Abdulrahman, 25, at Corpers Lodge, Sumaila area of the city, with 1.250kg of Loud, Two suspects: Monday Ali, 49, and Jimoh Alewi, 37, were arrested when NDLEA operatives raided Ikota forest in Ifedore LGA, Ondo state where a total of 42,500kg cannabis was destroyed on 17 hectares of farmland while 73.5kg of same substance was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects during a five-day operation that ended on Monday 1st July.

In Abuja, the FCT, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 6th July arrested the duo of Sanusi Mamman, 28, and Usaini Ibrahim, 20, in a vehicle along Abaji- Gwagwalada with 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup; 13, 540 pills of tramadol; 50,000 pills of diazepam and 59 pills of rophynol.

The suspects claimed they were bringing the opioids from Onitsha, Anambra state.

With the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students of Community Grammar School (Junior), Aroro, Ibadan, Oyo state; students of Candy Secondary School, Agu Awka, Anambra state; students of Community High School, Umuida, Enugu Ezike, Enugu state.

Others are students of School for Arabic an Islamic Studies, Kofar Nasarawa, Kano state and WADA sensitisation lecture organized by Zone M Zonal Command of NDLEA at Sabo motor park, Kaduna, among others.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, Osun, Benue, Ondo, Kano, and FCT Commands for the arrests and seizures.

He noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the tempo.

NELFUND Clears 36 State-owned Tertiary Institutions For Students’ Loan

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigerian Students

By Ayodele Oni

Students of some state-owned tertiary institutions can now apply for loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, (NELFUND).

The students were earlier stopped from benefitting from the loan due to the failure of management of their institutions to submit their data to NELFUND.

For a start, NELFUND announced that students from 36 state owned tertiary institutions have been cleared to access the loan facility.

A statement to that effect reads “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is pleased to announce that students enrolled in the following 36 state-owned tertiary institutions can now apply for student loans effective today, 7th July 2024

“The management of these institutions have successfully submitted their student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS).

“We urge all other state-owned tertiary institutions to submit their complete student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System timely to enable their students benefit from the scheme.”

President Tinubu’s Tenure As ECOWAS Chairman Ends

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu = President

By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has  finally come to an end. He is expected to pass the baton to another person at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority is holding at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Tinubu was unanimously endorsed as Chairman in July 2024 at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

Since then, the Nigerian leader has dealt with challenges particularly military coups in member- states.

The President initially took a strong stance against unconstitutional changes of government in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea, overseeing the imposition of sanctions on them.

However, the sanctions were later lifted as the sub-regional body opted for a more peaceful and diplomatic approach to resolve the issues.

The President played a critical role in ensuring the success of the 2024 Senegalese election by facilitating dialogue between stakeholders.

The Economic Council of West African States is an economic association established in 1975 which members are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

“Judiciary, Now For Big Shots” – AGF

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lateef Fagbemi - AGF
Prince Lateef Fagbemi, AGF

By Ayodele Oni

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said that the less privileged persons no longer have access to justice in the country.

He maintained that judiciary was fast losing its appellation of the being the last ‘hope of the common man’ to that of the big shots in the society.

Fagbemi, who stated this at the ground breaking ceremony of the N37 billion Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal Complex, stressed that the judiciary has become the foe of the common man and now the friend and hope of the politicians and other influential people in the country.

The Attorney General, however, expressed the hope that the Appeal Court complex would be used for the truth and the protection of people’s rights.

In the words of Fagbemi, “Gone were those days when the judiciary was regarded as the last hope of the common man. I take objection to it. It is the big people now who patronize the judiciary, not even the common man.

“If you have any doubt, the election is approaching, come and see the way, with all due respect, some people behave like rain-beaten chickens. Forgive me, I don’t mean to be rude.

“So, the judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man alone, it is also, or majorly now, the last hope of the big shots.

Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved N30 billion of the N37 billion in the 2024 budget for the structure, adding that the project would be delivered by September 2025.

NNPP Re-Echos Stand On Kwankwaso, Galadima, Gov Yusuf

By
Ayodele Oni
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Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

By Ayodele Oni

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has extended the suspension of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State until December.

The Party, also, announced that its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, and the entire former National Working Committee led by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji remain expelled from the NNPP.

This information was conveyed in a statement by the Party’s  National Secretary, Mr. Oginni Olaposi Sunday, in Abuja.

According to the statement, the Party will hold a strategic stakeholders meeting in Abuja later this month to address pressing internal matters affecting the NNPP. All party leaders and elders nationwide are expected to attend.

Sunday elaborated that critical issues affecting the 23-year-old political party will be discussed, and decisive actions will be taken to reinforce the expulsion of its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Rabiu Kwankwaso; Elder Buba Galadima; and the entire national working committee led by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji.

He further emphasized the importance of the stakeholders meeting for the leadership of NNPP, aiming to advance democracy and develop the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The personal commitment of all stakeholders and elders in terms of capacity and participation will greatly contribute to the success of the meeting.

“All members, especially those holding sensitive positions of great responsibility, are required to attend this upcoming meeting.

“All elected members on the NNPP platform should understand the consequences of anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general election if they choose to boycott the meeting.

“For the record, Kwankwaso, Galadima, and the entire former National Working Committee led by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji remain expelled from the NNPP.

“Additionally, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, remains suspended until December.”

According to the National Secretary, the NNPP’s constitution is supreme for all members, without prejudice to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We hope that INEC will take responsibility to respect the essence of internal democracy and the inherent objectives for the growth and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.”

AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Rohr Boasts, Says Benin Republic Will Upset Super Eagles Again, As Nigeria Draws Libya, Rwanda

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Squirrels of Benin Republic

By Akinwale Kasali

Gernot Rohr, Head Coach of the Squirrels of Benin Republic, has stated his team’s preparedness to upset the Super Eagles of Nigeria again, after securing a historic 2-1 victory against the Nigerian National side in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Rohr was in the saddle for over Five Years as the Coach of the Super Eagles before his sacking by the Nigerian Football Federation,  NFF, in 2021.

When the Confederation of African Football,  CAF, held the AFCON 2025 Qualification series draw over the weekend, the three-time African Cup of Nations,  AFCON, winner, was pitched  against West African neighbour, Benin Republic, the Amavubis of Rwanda and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

Though the Super Eagles, Benin Republic and Rwanda are in the same qualifying Group for the 2026 World Cup,  many are of the opinion that this is an opportunity for the Super Eagles to avenge its defeat by the Beninoise, and also prove its mettle as a force to be reckoned with in modern day Football.

At the moment, the Super Eagles do not have a Coach,  but the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF had promised to get a new handler for the team, as it is presently shopping for a new gaffer.

The six-match qualifying series have been spread over the FIFA windows in September, October and November, with two matches in each seven-day window.

GROUP A: Tunisia, Madagascar, Comoros, The Gambia

GROUP B: Morocco, Gabon, Central African Republic, Lesotho

GROUP C: Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Botswana

GROUP D: Nigeria, Benin Republic, Libya, Rwanda

GROUP E: Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Liberia

GROUP F: Ghana, Angola, Sudan, Niger Republic

GROUP G: Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Chad

GROUP H: DR Congo, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia

GROUP I: Mali, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Eswatini

GROUP J: Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe

GROUP K: South Africa, Uganda, Congo, South Sudan

GROUP L: Senegal, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Burundi.

Kaduna Journalists Abduction: NUJ Kicks, Demands Swift Action By Security Agents

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Gunmen - Kidnappers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has condemned in very strong  terms, the abduction of two of its members and their families.

Messers Abdul’Gafar Alabelewe and Abdulraham Aodu of the Nation and Blue Print Newspapers respectively, their wives and children were, on Saturday night kidnapped at their Millennium City homes in the Danhonu area of Chukun Local Council of Kaduna State by gunmen.

Police said rescue efforts are ongoing.

In a statement jointly issued by Asmau Halilu and Gambo Sanga, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the Kaduna NUJ Council, described the attack and subsequent abduction as brazen and barbaric.

“The attack resulted in the abduction of the Kaduna State Correspondents of The Nation Newspaper and the Blue Print Newspaper along side their families last night at their residences in Danhonu area of a Kaduna suburb in Chukun LGA

“We strongly condemn the ugly incident and appeal to the Security Agencies in the State to swing into action with a view to rescuing the journalists from the kidnappers’ den.

“We implore the Government at all levels to intensify efforts towards guaranteeing the security of lives and property of the citizenry at all times .

“The ugly phenomenon of kidnappings in Kaduna and environs is now resurfacing and must be checked to avert the experiences of the recent past.”

The Kaduna State Council of the NUJ, however, enjoined all practicing journalists in the State to be vigilant in their daily activities while also praying for the safe return of their abducted colleagues and their families.

IMHA Deputy Minority Leader Commends Uzodimma On Execution Of Signature Projects

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Hope Uzodimma- Governor of Imo State

By Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

“Today, quality infrastructural development in the State, reminiscent of the Dee Sam Mbakwe Government, has come back” –  Hon. Amadi

The Deputy Minority Leader of the Imo State House Of Assembly and Member Representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency,  Hon Clinton Amadi, has expressed profound appreciation to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for  what he termed “the effective and efficient management of State resources in the execution of signature and people oriented projects in the State, particularly the State Capital, Owerri.

Hon. Amadi made the commendation on Friday, 5th, July, 2024, when he paid an observatory visit to the flyover construction project site at Assumpta Cathedral roundabout Owerri, to see the level of work so far done.

The Deputy Minority Leader, in his capacity as the Member Representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency, visited the site to evaluate the level of work done and, if any, identify challenges confronting the execution of the signature project, with a view towards how he could use his office and constituents to assist in the construction, so that the project would be completed on record time.

Addressing the Chief Site Engineer, Mr Seba El Nemer, and his workers on site, Amadi praised them for using high quality construction materials in the execution of the flyover project, describing it as an honest, sincere and patriotic approach to construction, unlike what was obtainable in previous administrations where contractors were reportedly allowed to use inferior materials for the execution of major projects, and those projects have all collapsed before the very eyes of Imo citizens, thereby wasting, most irresponsibly, the little resources of the State.

Amadi who is the House Committee Chairman on Digital Economy and E-Govenment said: “In terms of quality infrastructure, the Imo State Government is not doing badly. This is a departure from what Imo citizens, particularly, Owerri people, experienced on poorly executed projects, from previous administrations. Today,  quality infrastructural development in the State, reminiscent of the Dee Sam Mbakwe Government, have come back. All the entry roads into the State Capital, Owerri Municipal, which I am representing in the Imo State House Of Assembly, are wearing good and quality looks. The shabbily constructed inland bridges by previous Government, have been reconstructed. The collapsed Imo International Conference Center, IICC, is being reconstructed.  I therefore commend Governor Hope Uzodimma for his dedication, sincerity and hard work”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Site Engineer of the construction company, Craneburg, handling the flyover project, Mr Seba El Nemer, while welcoming  Hon Clinton Amadi and his entourage, explained that his company is known for quality and durable work, assuring that the flyover project, when completed would stand the test of time, like the ones they constructed in other states of the country. He also pledged to deliver on record time.

Amadi, also, visited the Okigwe Road/IMSU junction, to see the possibility of government extending another flyover project in the area, which would assist in easing traffic jam. He promised to raise a Motion on the floor of the House to that effect.

Those in his entourage were the Vice Chairman, House Committee On Digital Economy And E-Government, and Member Representing Isu State Constituency, Hon Barrister Emeka Ozurumba and former Deputy Speaker of IMHA, 2011–2015, Rt Honourable Donatus Ozoemelam.

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