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“Help Pool The Country Out Of The Wood”, Ganduje Tells Christians At Easter

March 30, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on the Christian Community in Nigeria to use the opportunity presented by the Easter celebration to reflect on how best they could assist to free the country from its current security challenges and engender a better Nigeria for the good of all citizens.

The APC National Chairman whose appeal is contained in an Easter good will message issued on Friday March 29 2024 by his Media aide Edwin Olofu,also urged Christians to pray for the unity ,peace and stability of the country .

While felicitating with Christians ,Dr Ganduje who was the immediate past Governor of Kano state called all well meaning citizens to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its determined efforts to to find a lasting solution to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

He noted that the prevailing economic challenges are temporary ,assuring that some of the ameliorating measures put in place by the federal Government have started to yield positive results,.

The APC National Chairman who,particularly, noted that this year’s Easter celebration, is coming at a very critical period in the history of Nigeria ,emphasised the need for all citizens to be prepared and willing to make sacrifices for the unity ,progress ,peace and stability of the country.

He therefore called on all Nigerians ,irrespective of political affiliations and or religious persuasions to join hands with the present federal Government to bail out the country and Nigerians from insecurity, hunger and other identified socio- economic problems.

” May this day of reflection and sacrifice inspire unity,peace and harmony across the country . Let us uphold the values of love ,compassion ,and empathy towards one another” Ganduje prayed

How Zik Prevented The Plan To Annihilate Igbo During The Nigerian Civil War – Jim Nwobodo

The Source

March 29, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, on Friday, March 29, 2024, relieved some of the sad sides of the Nigeria civil war. He insisted that but for the intervention of late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe the igbo, as a nation, would have been annihilated.

The Elder Statesman who spoke when he received in audience the Management team of Awka Museum Foundation at his Amechi Awkunanaw Enugu Country home recounted how a crucial tripartite meeting among Dr Azikiwe ,General Yakubu Gowon then Head of State of Nigeria ,and Liberian president William Tubman eventually led to the stoppage of the massive killing of igbos ,and ended the civil war.

Chief Nwobodo a former Senator, said his reminiscence on the important roles played by Dr Azikiwe in preventing what could have led to an annihilation of the Igbo race was because the tag of “saboteur” attached to the great Nigerian Nationalist during the war by some Biafara leaders .

The former old Anambra State Governor remarked that Dr Azikiwe leverage his global perception as the most influential Nigerian, during the civil war to get some African leaders particularly President Tubman of Liberia to convoke a meeting with General Gowon and others which resulted in the Nigerian Government accepting to halt any further killings of Igbo.

“One day I asked him (Zik) why are some people calling you a saboteur. He smiled and said “If not for me ,there may not be any Igbo man alive today .

“Ojukwu had invited Dr Azikiwe, for a meeting in Portugal, and when he arrived ,two security operatives were detailed to carry out close monitoring of his movements..

“So whereever Zik went those security operatives followed him,feeding Ojukwu with information about where he went ,what he said and did.

“When he, Zik ,wanted to leave, he approached Ralph Uwechie and informed him . Uwechie being aware of the security ring around Zik sold a dummy to the security operatives by giving them money to buy something outside.

“That gave Zik the opportunity to leave without being followed by the security details, and he made another decoy by claiming that he was going to ease himself.

“Dr Azikiwe told me that he didn’t want to do that initially, but had to because he couldn’t understand why Ojukwu will invite him to a meeting abroad and surrounded him with security operatives when he wasn’t a thief and criminal ”

According to Senator Nwobodo, from there Dr Azikiwe proceeded to London where after a brief stay in hiding at his daughter’s residence, the meeting between him and President Tubman of Liberia was held.

Nwobodo noted that after meeting Dr Azikiwe, President Tubman made efforts to contact General Gowon who he said accepted to attend a scheduled meeting with Azikiwe and others on how to bring an end to the Nigerian civil war.

“At that meeting , Dr Azikiwe told Gowon that he would not want to see any further killings . Gowon accepted ,and that was how the entire process that led to the end of the war began,” Nwobodo stated

Kebbi To Integrate Almajiri System With Formal Educational Framework

The Source

March 29, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kebbi State Government has said that plans are on going to integrate the Almajiri education system into the Secular and Formal education arrangements in the overall interest and development of the State.

This is even as it has asserted that the current Almajiri system which allows children, particularly teens to roam the streets, soliciting alms for survival, is in conflict with the tenets and preachings of Islam. He added that it has resolved to halt the development.

Alhaji Muhammad Sani Aliyu, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs ,who spoke on behalf of the State Government on Thursday March 28 2024, during the ongoing Ministerial briefing put together by the Ministry of Information and Culture,in Birnin Kebbi ,the state Capital, assured that his ministry will commence the regulation of the conduct of Almajiri system of education ,with a view to curbing the vices ,that are associated with its current operational dynamics.

According to him, owing to the poor social and moral nature of their upbringing, the Almajiris are usually prone to use by some selfish forces as thugs and other criminal activities,with most of them hooked to hard drugs and other dangerous substances

Alhaji Aliyu ,reiterated the Kebbi State Government’s determination to nip in the bud all perceived trends that have the potentials of impacting negatively on the wellbeing,security of lives and property of the people.

Be Weary Of “Unrepentant PDP Praise Singers;” Rivers APC Urges President Tinubu

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has advised President Bola Tinubu to be weary of some ‘unrepentant PDP praise singers’ who are now trying to get closer to him.

Some chieftains of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) including former Minister of Transportation and leader of the Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abiye Sekibo, former PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, Celestine Omehia and former lawmaker, Austin Opara had on Thursday pledged loyalty to President Tinubu.

They also condemned the direction of events unfolding in Rivers state, asking the President to caution ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of Rivers APC, Tony Okocha, pointed out that it was laughable that people like Sekibo and Secondus, who once described the president with unprintable names in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election could be paying lip service to warm their way into his heart.

Okocha warned Tinubu that they are ‘unrepentant PDP praise singers’ who can never forgive him and Wike following the manner they made Atiku lose the last election.

“The undeniable fact remains that all those who lined up at that table are still ardent believers of Atiku Abubakar and lucidly introduced themselves as unrepentant leaders of Atiku’s 2023 Presidential Campaign in Rivers State.

“Even the flex banner behind the table they sat still carried the picture and name of Atiku Abubakar. It was deliberate and intentional.

“These persons can never forgive Tinubu, Wike and APC Rivers over the sin of their woeful electoral defeat. Of course, it follows therefore that anyone whose action or inaction contributed to their dangerous fall is inadvertently their sworn enemy.

“No wonder they are surreptitiously targeting to cut out a pound of flesh from the minister of the FCT.

“No sane host tolerates a guest who attempts to enter his house through the window when the door is open. We vehemently reject it.

“Nigerians know the scenarios that played out uniquely in five PDP-controlled states in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election and the aftermaths.

“This assembly of protesters did not only vehemently carry out excruciating campaigns against Asiwaju, they trumped up and funded hate speeches against Asiwaju.

“They promoted the devilish narratives that Tinubu was frail, extremely old, and incapable of presiding over Nigeria, mentally senile, defecates on himself, and so, wears diapers.”

Rivers: APC Labels Atiku’s Men’s Allegiance To Tinubu As Hypocritical, Challenges Fubara To Conduct LG Elections

Akinwale Kasali

March 29, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than 24 hours after some People Democratic Party, PDP, heavyweights in Rivers State pledged their loyalty and allegiance to President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has labeled their action as hypocritical.

The Stalwarts of the PDP who pledged their support to President Tinubu were one time loyalists to PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar prior to the February 25th, 2023 Presidential Election, prompting the APC to question their loyalty.

The APC said it is deeply concerned that those who said the most unthinkable things against Tinubu as its Presidential candidate in 2023, are now the same persons offering support, describing them as tongue-in-cheek politicians and mid-night pseudo lovers of Mr President.

It would be recalled that on Thursday, the former Director General of PDP campaign Council, Abiye Sekibo, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital said, rising from a meeting of the leadership of the former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council and members of the PDP in Rivers State, they decided to declare support for President Tinubu and Governor Fubara.

They however threw jibes at the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, asking the President to be wary of him and possibly sack him.

Tony Okocha, APC Chairman in Rivers State, while addressing the Media at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja said, “The undeniable fact of the matter is that all those who lined up on that table and signatories to the text in issue, are still ardent believers of HE Atiku Abubakar. Kindly take a look at the flex banner behind the table where they sat and see the picture/name of HE, Atiku Abubakar. It was deliberate and intentional. Res ipsa loquitor.

“ These persons can never forgive President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, HE Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and APC Rivers over the sin of their woeful electoral defeat.

“Of course, it follows therefore, that anyone whose action or inaction, contributed to their dangerous fall is inadvertently their sworn enemy. No wonder, they are surreptitiously targeting to cut out a pound of flesh from the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, His Excellency, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, GSSRS.

“ A spectacularly failed mission indeed. This wicked subterfuge cannot work under our watch.

“This assembly of protesters did not only vehemently carry out rigorous and excruciating campaigns against Asiwaju but they trumped up and funded hate speeches against Asiwaju. They and their ilk, championed the obscene and absurd denigration of Asiwaju in the media. They promoted the devilish narratives that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was frail and unhealthy.

“ Infact, they played God by promoting that Asiwaju was on the departure lounge and will pass on in a bit.

These protesters raised the issue of the political crisis in Rivers State and made attempts to link the Honourable Minister of the FCT to the fray. What a puny logic they espoused!

“It is so shameful that those champions of the slogan “serving son after father “, when Sir Siminalayi Fubara emerged in the PDP Governorship Primary, are now the ‘errand boys’ of the son they despised.

“Rivers State is more than drifting to a pariah state, to atrophying into abysmal oblivion to say the least.

“How does it concern the Honourable Minister of the FCT serving under our beloved APC-led Federal Government, who had long left the rostrum of power in Rivers State Government House?

“ If the protesters feel concerned, shouldn’t it be honourable for them to look inwards to seek solutions to the problems than constituting themselves as snitches and fifth columnists and crisis merchants and so to justify their lucre, cast aspersions on the Abuja transformer and reformer, Honorable Minister E. N. Wike?

“Why do they want to further insult Mr. President and APC by telling him that he as leader of APC, appointed a kleptocrat into his cabinet as Minister?

“When have they repented and withdrawn their suits in court, challenging the powers of Mr. President to mediate in the political crisis in Rivers State?

“Have they repented from emboldening Governor Fubara to disrespect Mr. President by refusing to implement all the indices on the 8~point Presidential Proclamation, as panacea to the political crisis in Rivers State, which, by their actions, they have continued to fuel?

“If they have respect for Mr. President as they mouth, why would they publicly condemn and refer to as illegal, a proper Assembly made up of 27 members out of now 30 (note that the Rivers State Assembly seats are 32, One member died and one claims to have resigned), who are all members of the APC, even when Mr. President in index – 6 of the Presidential proclamation, recognized them as the legitimate Assembly in Rivers State and instructed Governor Fubara to present the 2024 State budget to the legitimate Assembly led by Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule?

“ Why are they calling out and trolling Mr. President, the leader of our Party in such a derogatory manner?”, Okocha queried.

APC Chieftain Reveals Role Of Party In Funding Tinubu’s Election

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Former Vice Chairman’s of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North West Region, Salihu Lukman, has adduced reasons behind the enormous power being enjoyed by President Bola Tinubu over running of the party.

Lukman who appeared in a viral video shared by the AIT, stated that failure of the APC to give financial support to Tinubu during electioneering has given the President enormous power.

Lukman claimed that despite substantial mobilization of funds, amounting to over N30 billion, the party did not allocate financial support to its Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, or any other candidates during the election period.

He attributed the financing of Tinubu’s campaign to the candidate himself. This self-funding, Lukman opined, has led to Tinubu acquiring considerable sway within the APC.

The financial autonomy reportedly enjoyed by Tinubu has, according to Lukman, diminished the party’s leverage over his actions.

“Even when we mobilized more than N30 billion throughout the election season, we didn’t contribute a dime to Tinubu or other candidates of the party during the election.

“Let anybody come and dispute it. President Tinubu almost single-handedly funded his campaign which is what earned him the authority he has now in APC to the extent that almost everybody in the party is weak in terms of influencing his conduct because the party didn’t earn its space.”

How 20 Years Old Kidnapper Abducts, Kills Son Of Police Officer

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Bauchi State Police Command, has arrested a 20-year-old, Rabi’u Adamu, for allegedly kidnapping and killing 12 years old Christopher Bala.

The suspect, resident in Magama-Gumau of Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, allegedly abducted and murdered 12-year-old Christopher Bala.

The victim was a son of ASP Bala Yarima serving in Gumau Police Division under Bauchi State Police Command.

According to the Police, the suspect had collected N200,000 as ransom, but later decided to murder and bury the victim in a shallow grave for fear of being caught.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Muhammed Wakil, said detectives attached to Toro Police Division tracked and arrested the suspect.

Further inquiries uncovered disturbing details of extortion and a blood relationship between the suspect, the victim, and the victim’s family.

“Adamu eventually confessed to the kidnapping and the tragic murder of young Christopher. He admitted to having extorted N200,000 ransom from the victim’s father, ASP Yarima.

“He admitted that fearing that the murdered Christopher recognized him, he went ahead to strangle the 12-year-old victim and buried the body in a shallow grave at Bazale village hill.”

He noted that having followed established procedures, the Police Command exhumed the victim’s remains, adding that a postmortem examination conducted at the General Hospital Toro confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.

“Subsequently, the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, following a directive by the State Commissioner of Police.”

Ekiti: Persons With Disability Demand Access To Public Buildings, Healthcare

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By odele Oni

Persons With Disability, (PWD) in Ekiti State have cried out over their neglect by Government in the areas of access to healthcare, inability to enter public buildings and education above secondary school.

The demands by the PWDs were put forward at a forum in Ado Ekiti organized by Ekiti state chapter of Justice Development and Peace Initiative, (JDPI), of the Catholic church.

The Director of JDPI in Ekiti State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade who briefed participants at the forum, said discussions centred on how to enhance the rights of PWDs within Ekiti State and validation of citizens agenda.

“We have been able to get from the PWDs that free healthcare is an area that needs attention to them, for them it is zero percent and again education is another area that the government also needs to pay attention to.

“They gave kudos to government for free education up to the secondary schools in special schools. So what happened to PWDs in other public schools, government equally needs to pay attention to this.

“They also gave kudos to the government as regards participation in people and also the people of Ekiti state for allowing them to come out to vote and they are prepared to ask for our votes when they come out for positions.

“Accessibility of public premises and building which is a particular right for physically challenged people, visual impaired and hearing impaired is also another area that is a red area because attention is needed.

“For them their experiences have not been very palatable eg banks, public places, no consideration for PWDs, no facilities for PWDs and so we have been able to look at this and we will be urging all of us to treat PWDs like human like us and give them their due rights.”

Rev Akingbade tasked residents of the state to accord equal rights to Persons With Disabilities, as their protection is fully enshrined in the statute.

He said: “Today’s meeting is for PWDs within the context of their right. This is not the first time we are meeting with them, this meeting is for us to consolidate on early conversations we have had with them.

“Today we have been able to validate citizens agenda as it affects PWDs. We administered questionnaires first to 1702 persons in Ekiti State from the 16 local governments and 78 were PWDs. Secondly, we carry out interviews with 337 persons, 47 were PWDs and so we have started the process of validation of citizens agenda which is basically to ask people on what government can do for them.

“The meeting today was to interact with them on what they want government to do for them with regards to the rights enshrined in the law, Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 and Law for the Ekiti State 2020.

“To the glory of God the conversation has been very successful. We have been able to get from the PWDs that free healthcare is an area that needs attention to them, for them it is zero percent and again education is another area that the government also needs to pay attention to.”

Falana Faults Declaration Of Eight Suspects Wanted Over Murder Of 17 Soldiers Illegal, Warns Army

Akinwale Kasali

March 29, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

A senior Lawyer, Femi Falana, has said the declaration of Eight Persons wanted in connection to the killing of 17 Soldiers in Okuama Community, Delta State, by the Nigeria Army is illegal. He has urged the Army to withdraw the declaration.

In a statement on Thursday Falana said: “ The decision of the Defence Headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal. Let the Federal Government direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers. It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters. If the Federal Government fails to call the Defence counsel to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled”.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday promised to punish perpetrators of the heinous crime, and advised the elders and chiefs of Okuoma to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime.

But Falana warned the Military not to bungle the case of the slain soldiers by publishing names of suspects that it had declared wanted.

He said: “The authorities of the armed forces should be made to realise that the Military cannot arrest, detain, investigate and charge civilian suspects with any offence whatsoever.

“In Dr Issa Perry Brimah v Nigerian Army, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu held that “It must be stated here without equivocation that the defendant [Nigerian Army] has no right to declare the plaintiff wanted without following the appropriate procedure.

“The Judge further said that the defendant cannot arrest the plaintiff arbitrarily without making a formal report to law enforcement agency with the mandate to enforce law and order. Otherwise, it would transmute to self-help. The duty of the defendant is to make a formal report to the appropriate authority like the police and await the outcome.

“ In Miss Grace Anita Paul v. The Chief of Army Staff, the Army, Inspector General of Police & the Nigerian Police Force the Federal High Court where held that the Nigerian Army lacks the power to arrest, investigate and hold in custody, anyone who is not subject to the Armed Forces Act or any other military law.

“Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on Wednesday, warned the military not to usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police under Sections 4 and 84 of the Police Act which empowers the police to detect and investigate crime.

“ We have also read the 8 people alleged to be involved in the cruel murder of the soldiers have been declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters it is trite law that the police and security agencies lack the power to declare any suspect wanted without a court order.

“In Benedit Peters v Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a high court in Abuja ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lacks (EFCC) the powers to declare anyone wanted without obtaining a court order or charging the suspect with an offence.

“The presiding judge, Justice Othman Musa ruled that though the EFCC could declare as wanted persons who fail to honour its invitation for investigation, it could only do so if it obtains a court order for that purpose. So, the decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.

“Let the Federal Government direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers. It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a Military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters.

“If the Federal Government fails to call the Defence Headquarters to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.”

Kaduna Governor Offers Scholarships To 137 Abducted Freed Children, N10m To Family Of Dead Teacher

The Source

March 29, 2024

Kuriga Students Released from Kdinappers Den

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The recently freed 137 abducted School children from kuriga Government Secondary School and LEA primary school on Thursday March 28 2024 formerly reunited with their parents and guardians.

But they did not return empty handed . They returned with a scholarship offer from Governor Uba Sani Foundation, and a firm promise that their schools will receive a face lift from the Kaduna state Government.

However , the school children returned without one of their teachers – Malam Abubakar – who lost his life in the abductors’ den owing to some complications in his health conditions.

Governor Sani of Kaduna who disclosed this at the Government House before handing over the school children to their wards announced the donation of the sum of N10 million to the immediate family of the deceased teacher in addition to a promise of over seeing the education of his children.

The Kaduna Governor who was visibly elated by the safe return of the school children from captivity, reiterated his commitment to ensuring their wellbeing and educational pursuit, adding that his administration will take all steps necessary to return normalcy to Kuriga which he said is known for its peaceful nature.

Governor Sani noted that the State Government, before handing over the school children provided adequate psychological assistance through counseling and series of therapy sessions ,with a view to canceling out the trauma and psychological torture which they must have passed through while in captivity.

The Governor, however, insisted that no ransom was paid to secure the freedom of the school children,noting that the federal Government through the Minister of Information Mohammed Idris had earlier denied any suggestion of payments to the abductors .

The school children were rescued last Sunday March 24 ,after spending about 16 days in the abductors’ den in Zamfara State ,having being whisked away from their schools on Monday March 7 2024.

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