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Disunity In ECOWAS, Sign Of President Tinubu’s Leadership Quality – Timi Frank

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has said the withdrawal of three member-states from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), casts a doubt on the  leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Describing the action as a national disgrace and a shame to Nigeria, Frank noted that the inability of Tinubu to peacefully resolve the lingering issues leading to the exit of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the regional body was a challenge to the leadership roles Tinubu’s predecessors have played in keeping the subregion united and peaceful.

In a statement on Tuesday, Frank stated that “Whether Tinubu likes it or not, he met the 15-member regional group established about 49 years ago intact when he assumed the reins of leadership as chairman in July 2023.

“But history will record that things fell apart during his ineffectual, rudderless and neglectful stewardship in less than seven months.”

The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger had last Sunday announced their immediate breakaway from the ECOWAS and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States.”

The regimes have been having fractured ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020 as they have been struggling with jihadist violence and poverty.

The three regimes were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions but they had maintained their hard-line positions in recent months.

Frank in his reaction to the withdrawal said the buck should stop at the table of President Tinubu, who is the present chairman of the body.

He accused Tinubu of failing to use his position to foster peace through effective dialogue, but rather had maintained a hardline stance including a botched attempt to spearhead the use of arms to restore democracy in Niger.

“Since assuming office as President of Nigeria, Tinubu has demonstrated his lack of understanding of regional politics and empathy for poor and suffering Nigerians – his primary constituency.

“No man can give what he does not have. His poor leadership of the regional body has led to its ongoing disintegration just as it has brought untold hardship upon Nigerians.

“Your inexperience  and that of those handling the economy has destroyed our economy.

Investors have refused to come into the Region and particularly in Nigeria  as they are seen pulling out of Nigeria on a daily basis .

“For instance, Tinubu met the exchange rate of Naira to Dollar at about N600 to a dollar but today it is about N1,500 to a dollar.

“Besides, his knee-jerk removal of fuel subsidy has further impoverished Nigerians with people finding it difficult to feed or afford skyrocketing transport fares.

“Above all, insecurity is on the increase with the nation’s capital – FCT – and other parts of the country rendered increasingly unsafe by incessant kidnappings and gruesome killings.

“How can a man who has not been able to secure and ensure peace in his house be counted upon to provide leadership to a politically, culturally and religiously diverse 15 sovereign nations?

“Today Tinubu is destroying ECOWAS just like he is doing to Nigeria. Tinubu has introduced regionalism into the governance of Nigeria.

“His latest move which must be rejected and resisted by all is to move the nation’s capital back to Lagos through the back by relocating key government agencies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos. Injustice cannot but breed discontent and disunity.”

Owerri-West, Imo: Police Burst Kidnappers’ Hideout In Avu-Ihiagwa Forest, Arrest Five Suspects, Find Dead Bodies

By
The Source
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Imo Police Comb Forest

By Charles Igbo

  • All Five Suspects Are Of Northern Extraction

The Imo State Police Command on Monday, recorded a breakthrough in its efforts to clean forests within and outside the State Capital, Owerri.

The forests in Owerri, particularly, within the Communities which are hosts to two Federal Institutions, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, and the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, have recently been taken over by kidnappers who have reduced the areas to dangerous zones, and hell for residents.

A few days ago, the National Association of Nigerian Hunters raided the forest opposite FUTO and discovered five corpses in different stages of decomposition, including that of a woman, and one man who was tied to a tree until he died.

On Monday, Operatives of the Imo State Police Command raided the forests in Avu-Ihiagwa Communities, and discovered two corpses in different stages of decomposition, other personal effects, and arrested five suspects.

Instructively, all the arrested suspects are of Northern Nigeria extraction. None is from the South-east, or even Imo State where they were arrested.

Following is the full text of the Police Command on the operation, signed by the Command’s Spokesperson, ASP Okoye. The Operation was led by the Commissioner of Police,  Aboki Danjuma, in conjunction with local hunters.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Imo State Police Command Special Tactical Unit led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma in synergy with some local hunters stormed a suspected kidnapper’s hideout in a forest between Avu and Ihiagwa, on 29/01/2024 and arrested of 5 suspected kidnappers namely; Muazu Awuta, 30 ‘m’ yrs, Abdullahi Abubakar, ‘m’ 32yrs, Ozeru Sabo ‘m’ 25yrs, Saddam Suleiman, ‘m’ 27yrs, Bashir Yahaya, ‘m’, 28yrs all of Jau LGA of Jigawa State. The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and have provided useful information to the Police that will lead to the arrest of other syndicates at large.

“On combing the forest, two decomposing unidentified corpses suspected to be kidnapped victims and other items like telephones, wristwatches, shoes, and slippers were recovered. The command intends to carry out further DNA confirmatory test to ascertain the identity of the deceased. Five operational motorcycles of the suspected kidnappers were also recovered.

“Intense operation is still ongoing in the forest and other identified black spots with the aim of stamping out all forms of crime and criminality in the State.”

Six Pupils, Three Teachers, Driver Are Victims Of Ekiti Abduction, Gov Oyebanji Sues For Peace

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The number of children in the school bus hijacked by kidnappers in Ekiti State, on Monday, has been confirmed to be six.

The bus was ambushed by the abductors at Eporo near Emure while returning the children and their handlers back home from school.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the citizens of the State not to despair over the kidnapping of the school pupils and their teachers in Emure- Ekiti, assuring that efforts are on to get the children and their teachers rescued.

Six pupils of a private school in Emure-Ekiti, three teachers and the bus driver were abducted while returning to Eporo- Ekiti, Monday evening.

The Governor, who described the kidnapping of the school pupils, as callous and unacceptable, said nothing would be spared in the efforts to rescue them.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Security Agencies in the State are already on the trail of the abductors with a mandate to bring the pupils and their teachers back safely.

Governor Oyebanji said security is being stepped up across the State with a view to flushing out criminal elements from their hideouts.

While calling on the citizens to remain calm and vigilant, he urged them to cooperate with Security Agencies, by making available relevant information to the authorities.

We Must Be Part Of Minimum Wage Negotiation, Pensioners Tell FG

By
James Orji
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The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s decision to leave pensioners out of a committee set up to negotiate a new minimum wage.

On Sunday, the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, announced that a 37-member Tripartite Committee it set up last year would be inaugurated today.

The magazine reported that the committee under the chairmanship of the…… is made up of the organized labour, government representatives, and business leaders from the public and private sectors.

The pensioners are unhappy that they are not part of the committee.

They expressed their feeling in a letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, saying that they are major stakeholders in the new minimum wage negotiations, considering that the new wage and pension are supposed to be reviewed together.

According to the pensioners, if the federal government is prepared to increased the pensions being received by their members they must be represented in the negotiation.

If they are mistakenly left out, the pensioners said the omission must be addressed immediately.

The pensioners said: “We draw your attention to the non-inclusion of   Nigeria Union of Pensioners to represent the interest of pensioners in such a committee on minimum wage.

“The Committee is to review the National Minimum wage as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy that inflicts hardship on many households in Nigeria, pensioners inclusive.

“Accordingly, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Section 173/10 explicitly states that ‘pension shall be reviewed every five years or whenever workers’ salaries are reviewed, or whichever comes earlier’.

“In view of the above, it is our considered opinion that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners should have been represented in the Committee in the interest of justice and fairness to the Senior Citizens who are worse hit by the economic hardship and have the constitutional ‘locus’ to a five yearly salary review.

“Therefore, we appeal to your Excellency to correct this great omission before the inauguration of the Committee on the 30th of January, 2024.

“lmperatively, this is to avoid a situation where pensioners’ issue will be addressed separately after the workers’ issue are already settled,’ they said.

The letter was signed by NUP’s General Secretary, Actor Zal.

Ibadan Blast: Atiku, Makinde Rekindle Presidential Election Battle

By
James Orji
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Seyi Makinde and Atiku Abubakar

Months after the end of the 2023 presidential election, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the election has re-enacted the battle. 

The governor on Monday stirred the hornets next after he accused the PDP candidate of not empathizing with the people of the state after the January 16 explosion in Ibadan, the state capital. 

The governor made the remark during a visit by Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to the Agodi Government House.

The governor said the PDP presidential candidate was trying to politicize the bloody blast which killed at least five persons, injured 77 and destroyed 58 houses in the Old Bodija area of the state.

Makinde Remarked: “I am particularly grateful because the musketeers that went for the presidential election have reached out to me. The President has called me, and you have reached out to me, but my own party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has not called or even sent a text message.

“And I am saying it openly so that our leaders will know that there is time for politics. You have a time for governance and you have a time for humanity. So, we want to say thank you so much, sir. We appreciate this visit.”

Reacting, Atiku said he had condoled with the state immediately after the blast. He was short of describing Makinde as a mischief-maker. 

In a statement issued by one of his media aides, Paul Ibe, the former number three citizens said the governor has lost touch with what is happening, not to have noticed his statement empathizing with the state within “24 hours of its occurrence”.

     

Atiku said, “With due respect to Governor Seyi Makinde, we wish to correct his expression about the response of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to the recent explosion in the city of Ibadan.

 

“Atiku Abubakar made a condolence message about the Ibadan explosion, less than 24 hours of its occurrence, where he shared his commiseration and empathy with the good people and government of Oyo State over the incident.

 

“Perhaps the Governor has been too busy to take track of media reports on the incident. But we wish to put on record that on the 17th of January, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar did make a widely available message on the Ibadan incident.”

Not a few watching the brickbats between the two politicians, described it as an extension of the last presidential election.

Recall that as a member of the G5, a group of  PDP governors that refused to support Atiku, Governor Makinde and four other governors worked for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the opposition candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who later won the election.

The group led by Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers state refused to back Atiku for the election, insisting that power must shift to the south. Others in the G5 include former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State) Governor Samuel Ortom (Benue), Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State).

Atiku blamed Makinde and other four governors for the historic loss.

ECOWAS: Nigeria Tackles Mali, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso; Shehu Sani Sues For Peace

By
James Orji
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The federal government says Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso exit from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS was not done in good faith.

The Nigerian government position comes on the heels of warning by Senator Shehu Sani that the problems in ECOWAS should be settled through dialogue, confrontation, according to him, will not be in the interest of Nigeria.

The human rights lawyer said Nigeria needs the cooperation of the sahel countries, particularly Niger in its war against terrorism.

The three military junta -led Sahel nations, on Monday, announced their departure from the bloc, citing the need to protect their sovereignty and the interest of their people.

In a joint statement read on state television, they said ECOWAS has betrayed the ideals of the founding father of pan-Africanism.

“Furthermore, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure,” the statements said.

Foreign affairs analysts described the exit of the three countries as the latest confrontation between ECOWAS and the three countries now firmly under military rule.

ECOWAS said after the announcement that it has yet to received a formal notice, citing a provision in the treaty which says nay countries leaving the bloc must give one year notice.

The three countries said in the statement that their exit took immediate effect.

Responding on yesterday, Francisca Omayuli, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that the three countries decision to depart ECOWAS was not done in good faith, adding that such was done without considering the interest of their people to choose leaders of their choice.

The statement said Nigeria will continue to employ dialogue to resolve issues in other to promote peace within the region.

“It is now clear that those seeking to quit the Community do not share that same good faith. Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders.

“Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces,” the statement said.

Ekiti: Kidnappers Intercept School Bus Carrying Children, Abduct Them

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

  • Gov Oyebanji Orders Security Agencies To Fish Out Killers Of Two Ekiti Monarchs

Tension and anger and outrage run high in Ekiti State as an unspecified number of Children returning from school have been kidnapped by gunmen.

Incidentally, the abduction of the Children happened the same Monday that gunmen gruesomely killed two Traditional Rulers in the State during a kidnap attempt.

The Children, pupils of a yet- to-be disclosed School were returning home from School when the hoodlums intercepted their school bus at Eporo Village  near Emure Ekiti, and diverted them to an unknown destination. Nothing has been heard from the abductors to the horror of parents and the community.

Meanwhile, an outraged Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has condemned Monday’s deadly attack in Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government, which led to the gruesome killing of two Traditional Rulers.

The Governor has, therefore, ordered security agencies in the State to fish out the killers.

The two Traditional Rulers – the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola were killed in an ambush by armed men while returning from, ironically, a security meeting.

The third Traditional Ruler, the Alara of Ara –Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped the attack.

Oyebanji, in a statement, signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said Security Agents have been despatched to the area to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The Governor, who had just presided over the State Security Council meeting in Ado-Ekiti, barely an hour before the incidence occurred, said no stone will be left unturned in the bid to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He expressed the condolences of the Government and people of Ekiti State to the people of Imojo Ekiti and Esun Ekiti over the sad incidence.

The Governor also urged the people of the two towns to remain calm and refrain from taking the laws into their own hands. Government, he said, would ensure that justice is served.

Governor Oyebanji charged security agencies in the state to remain vigilant and resolute in the efforts to stamp out crime and criminality from the state.

Restating the commitment of his government to security of lives and properties of citizens in the state, the Governor said his administration would continue to deploy technology for crime detection and prevention, as well as provide necessary support for security agencies in the state.

Kidnapped Airforce Squadron Leader, His Wife, Still In Captivity, One Month After

By
The Source
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1
Kidnappers
Kidnappers

By Gideon Njoku

A Nigeria Airfirce Officer,  Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola who was kidnapped from his Kaduna residence is still in the hands of his abductors, one month after the incident.

Squadron Leader Popoola was kidnapped along with his wife, Dr Ganiya Olawale-Popoola, an Ophthalmologist, from their National Eye Centre Quaters,  Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna. Kidnapped, also, was the couple’s 16- year old guest, Abdulmungiy Folaranmi.

Their ordeal began on December 27, 2023, when gunmen broke into their residence at an uncivilised time of 1.00am, and abducted the three of them.

For four days, the hoodlums made no contact with either family or friends. When they finally did, they demanded for the sum of N100m in ransom money for their freedom.

Family sources, who expressed shock that the Airforce has not been able to effect the release of its own officer, his wife and guest, said all efforts to negotiate downward the N100m ransom demand has failed.

The family, he said, has been able to raise the sum of N20 million, but the hoodlums, rejected it and stuck to the demanded N100m.

Last week, according to the family source, the hoodlums called, and threatened they would kill their victims if the family keeps delaying in the payment for their freedom.

Reports say both the Police and the Airforce insist they are making efforts to secure their release without exposing them to more danger than they are in already.

“I Have No Agreement With President Tinubu Or Anybody To Join APC Or Abandon Our Programmes – Kano’s Governor Yusuf

By
The Source
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0
Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano State

By Daniel Maduka

Governor Abba Yusuf Kabir of Kano state has rejected claims that his supreme court triumph was premised on a four point truce entered into with the Presidency, noting that he secured his position through the mandate of the Kano electorate ,which was also affirmed by the Supreme Court.

In  a statement issued on Monday January 29 by his spokesperson , Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa , the Kano state Governor, while appreciating President Bola Tinubu and the Justices of the Supreme court for toeing the paths of fairness, justice and rule of law, insisted he had no pre- Judgment agreement with any body, including the President.

“We wish to categorically state that, Governor Yusuf did not enter into any agreement with any body before the Supreme Court judgment.

“The public is, therefore, urged to disregard some tales being peddled by enemies of progress.

It is on record that our Lords  Justices of the Supreme Court delivered  a land mark judgment with justice, equity, and fairness guiding them and by so doing largely protected the integrity of the judiciary, the statement noted.

Governor Yusuf described as an imaginary piece, a document making the round in social media circles  purporting that he entered into an agreement to decamp to the All Progressive Congress, APC, from his New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP post Supreme court victory .

“For the purposes of emphasis, the rather fake agreement claiming that Governor Yusuf has accepted to cross carpet to the APC , jettison purported plan to dissolve or allow the five Emirate Councils, discontinue the demolitions of illegal structures and establishment of Kano Elders Council should be disregarded.

“We debunk the rumours and also state that no amount of blackmail will distract His Excellency, Governor Yusuf, from delivering on laudable projects and programmes for the good people of kano state ” the Governor stressed.

The Governor blamed the situation on some  political forces solely out to distract his administration.

“Let me also remind the political jobbers hiding under the leniency of  Mr President, that whatever political decisions,and/or direction that would be taken will be determined within the confines of the rule of law and executive powers vested in the office of the Executive Governor .

“No doubt the refusal of the President to carry out the wishes of some prominent members of his party has brought about enduring peace in Kano.

“On this singular act  the people of kano will continue to appreciate  Mr president and pray for him to succeed in his administration.” Governor Yusuf stated.

Anambra: Outrage Over Bodies Of Two Brothers Dumped In Car Trunk

By
The Source
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Two Brothers Dumped In Car Trunk in Anambra

By Charles Igbo

“They Are ‘My Sons’, Says Anglican Priest

Disbelief, shock and outrage have greeted the discovery of the bodies of two brothers inside the trunk of their Toyota Corolla Car.

Identified as Onyema and Nonso, their bodies were dumped in the the trunk of their car which was abandoned along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, precisely, close to Tempo Mills, Umunya, Anambra State.

Initially when the gory video of the bodies inside the trunk made the rounds on Whatsaap platforms a couple of days ago, most people thought they were the bodies of a couple – husband and wife. But it was later confirmed to be the bodies of the two brothers.

They were said to be on their way home after attending a Church programme along Oguta road, Onitsha.

According to Venerable Emmanuel Onovo, both brothers were of the Anglican Faith.

Venerable Onovo, who is based in Aguleri, in a post on Facebook disclosed: “They are my two sons in Anglican Children’s Ministry (ACM), Omogba Onitsha  years back. I called their parents yesterday to offer them prayers.”

Nobody knows why the two brothers were murdered in such a gruesome manner. But speculations are strong that they were victims of violent and blood-thirsty  kidnappers who killed them, perhaps, because they resisted and/or gave them tough time or recognized them.

There has been no statement from the Anambra State Police Command so far.

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