Home Blog Page 1363

Deadly Clash Between Cross Rivers, Benue Communities Kills 20 Persons

October 30, 2023

No fewer than 20 people are said to have been killed in a renewed clash between two communities in the Yache-Ijiegu Yala LGA of Cross River State and Tiv settlers from Benue State.

The clash, which started on Thursday, is the latest in a series of violent disputes between the two communities over land ownership.

Women and children are said to be among the dead, and many more have been injured. Houses on both sides of the border have also been set ablaze.

The conflict began two months ago when the Tiv settlers reportedly refused to continue paying royalties for their stay on Yache land. The Tiv settlers claim they are being extorted and have nowhere else to go, having settled in the area for over 100 years.

A Tiv leader, Mr Jacob Uswa, has blamed the conflict on the Yache people.

He said, “We can’t fold our arms and watch them continue to exterminate our people. We have to defend ourselves. They usually hide in the bushes to launch attacks. This is also our land. We are also from Cross River State,” he claimed

“My father and his own father lived in this community for over 100 years. And I have lived here for over 50 years.

“I am surprised to hear from Yache people that we are not from here.

“We are indigenes of Cross River State, not Benue State. Despite this, we had succumbed to obeying their demands to pay royalties on lands and houses.”

Yache youth leader Augustine Odey blamed the governments of both states for failing to address the crisis. He also alleged that the military has been complicit in the violence, claiming that soldiers have been seen accompanying Tiv attackers.

A commander of the security team, who gave his name as Lt. Alex, has denied these allegations, saying that the military has tried to maintain peace in the area.

He blamed the Yache boys for the renewed violence, stressing that a meeting will hold on Wednesday with a view to brokering peace between the two warning communities.

Prof. Effah-Attoe, PDP National Woman Leader, Dies

The Source

October 30, 2023

The Peoples Democratic Party, has announced the death of its National Women Leader, Professor Stella Effa-Attoe.

In a statement on Sunday, October 29, 2023, the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the Party is devastated by Professor Effah-Attoe. “Our heart bleeds”, Ologunagba said.

The statement reads:

“The National Working Committee (NWC) and indeed the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family is utterly devastated over the death of the National Woman Leader of our great Party, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe.

“Our hearts bleed! Our Party and Nation have lost one of our best and brightest. Prof. Effah-Attoe’s death is a huge blow not only to her family, but also to the PDP, the academic community, the people of Cross River State and indeed the Nation.

“Prof. Effah-Attoe was very brilliant, towering and magnificent in all spheres, but yet lived an exceptionally humble, pleasant, sociable, gracious, compassionate and loving life. She touched lives in many positive ways and made pivotal contributions towards the growth and development of our Nation.

“She was a dedicated teacher, politician, author and fearless mobilizer who always stood for the truth; fought for justice, equity and fairness and gave her energy, passion and resources in the pursuit of the rights of women in Nigeria.

“Over the years, as Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Information and Culture in Cross River State, member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, member of Governing Board of several Cross River State and Federal Government Agencies and Programmes; a University Professor and one of the most decorated scholars in Nigeria, she distinguished herself as an amazon with extraordinary intellectual capacity for leadership and national service.

“As the National Woman Leader of our great Party, she brought in an uncommon intellectual aptitude into Party administration especially in mobilizing women for greater participation in politics and governance.

“The PDP will always remember her tireless contributions alongside other PDP leaders in the effort to rebrand and strengthen our great Party in the build-up to the 2023 general elections in line with the mission to rescue, rebuild and redirect our nation from misrule.

“Prof Effah-Attoe’s death has left a huge vacuum in our Party but we take solace in the fact that she lived a devout Christian life, triumphed in her chosen path and left indelible marks in the service of the Nation and humanity.

“The PDP commiserates with her immediate family, the people of Ikun in Biase Local Governnment Area of Cross River State, the Academic Community, the Cross River State Chapter of the PDP and the people of Cross River State.

“Our Party prays to God to grant us all the fortitude to bear the loss; and to the faithful departed, an eternal rest in His bosom.”

The late Professor succeeded Dr Betty Edu who is the current Minister for Humanitarian Affairs. She was a Professor of African Studies and Gender Affairs in the Department of History, University of Calabar.

Obi Urges Blacks To Shade The Slave Trade Psyche And Deploy Their Talents

The Source

October 30, 2023

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi has urged blacks to deploy their abundant natural resources and talents to shade off the slave trade effect.

Obi who spoke at the Weekend in England as a guest at the Celebration of Black History Month by the black community at Oxford University said that the time has come for Africa and the black community to engage in productive activities, good governance, and purposeful leadership.

Mr. Obi who shared ideas with the black community reminded them that life, irrespective of color, race, or tribe, should be about building a better society and making humanity better recalling this was what motivated him to enter politics.

He noted that he joined politics leaving his lucrative business, to serve the public not minding the huge loss available.

“I relayed to them my experience in 2001 while taking an Executive Management Course at Kellogg School of Management, a personal encounter I had with Prof Donald Jacobs, the School Dean, which eventually motivated me to join politics back home in Nigeria, to help build a better nation for all.

“Looking back in time, not minding the bold challenges I have faced, I am grateful for all I have accomplished, especially the positive changes I have engendered in the nation.

Especially in the areas of health, education, and pulling people out of poverty.

He reminded them that Africa needs to invest heavily in Education and utilize its energetic youth populations.

Africa should not be attending the summit asking for concessions, pointing out that the era of tokenism for Africa has passed.

According to the LP standard bearer, ‘Africa with a landmass of 30.3 million km² and a population of over 1.4 billion people, continues to fall short, economically, far below Europe, with a landmass of 10.18 million km² and a population of about 746 million.

‘Africa will rise and enjoy development and progress.

Obi went further to say that with a land mass of Europe of 1,152,000km almost the same as Nigeria with 923,000km Nigeria with a youthful population should be more productive but is hindered by poor leadership.

Obi noted that “Development is a journey. Time was when Europe faced similar challenges, as we face today but tackled by engaging in productive activities.

Nigeria, and indeed, Africa need only committed ethical leadership to lead it on the path of development.

He noted that the three biggest economies in Europe, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France with a population of about 216m have a GDP almost 25 times the GDP of Nigeria with an almost similar population.

Germany has $ 4.4 trillion with a land mass of 349, 223km, plus a population of about 84m and France has a GDP of $3.049. and 551695km land mass, plus a population of about 54m the UK has a GDP of $3.3.., and a land mass of 243,610km with a population of about 67m while Nigeria has a land mass of 923 769km and a GDP of $489.80 billion.

Obi told his audience that what This means is that what is lacking in Nigeria and many African countries is a lack of productivity arising from poor and focused political leadership which Africa should strive to achieve and take their destiny into their own hands and stop looking for tokens from areas not as blessed as the continent.

Uzodimma: We Have Done Well, We Will Continue To Do Well

The Source

October 30, 2023

Barely two weeks to the Imo State governorship election slated for November 11, Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has said that his government has done well, nearly four years in office, to deserve a reelection and will continue to do well in the second term.

He told a gathering of Anglican Communion faithful and their guests at the Third Session of the 10th Synod of the Diocese of Isi Mbano, in Okigwe zone, where he was lauded for excellent performance by both the clergy and the laity, that his administration will even do more for the State when reelected.

“We have done well and will continue to do well to the benefit of Imo people,” he assured the congregation in a brief remark he made after the service.

The theme of the Synod is – My Boulder Roller: The quest for divine Intervention – while the host Church, incidentally, is the new St. James Church Umueze 1 in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State single-handedly built for the Anglican community in the area by business mogul and All Progressives Congress chieftain, Chief Tony Chukwu.

Chief Chukwu is an illustrious son of the community.

Governor Uzodimma who thanked God for the beautiful edifice said he followed and listened carefully to the sermon by the Bishop on the Lake, The Rt Rev Chijioke Oti on the Synod’s theme.

The Governor acknowledged that at any point in time God will surely intervene in our situation and life, noting that the Church Chief Chukwu built for his community is a true manifestation of the sermon.

“Whatever God has blessed us belongs to God and we should take joy in the works of God.”

He congratulated all that contributed to the success of the Synod and appreciated the host Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Godson U. Ukanwa of Diocese of Isi Mbano for the strong but encouraging words in his Charge.

The Governor granted two major requests by Bishop Ukanwa – to provide a Generating set for the Church and to rebuild the road leading to the Bishop’s Court in the Diocese.

In rounding off his remarks, Governor Uzodimma seized the opportunity to reiterate his call on the young men living in the bush in any part of the State and perpetrating evil therefrom, to come out and be rehabilitated.

Bishop Ukanwa had earlier eulogized the Governor for his numerous achievements in office and prayed that “God will continue to energise and strengthen him to do more.”

He also called for prayers for Chief Chukwu whom he described as a “great gift of God to Ehime Mbano LGA, Okigwe zone and Imo State in general.”

In his sermon, Bishop Oti listed six ways he said God intervenes in our lives – Restoration, Provision, Position, Healing, Delivery and Our Welfare.

He emphasised that God as the Boulder Roller is always involved in everything that concerns his children and “intervenes in our lives because we cannot do it by ourselves.”

Highlights of the programme was the Nehemiah Award bestowed on Chief Chukwu by the Diocese and freewill donations in support of the Synod programme and the honour done to Chief Chukwu by his friends.

Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe, members of the Imo State expanded executive council, among others graced the occasion.

House Of Reps Backs Police On Treatment For Gunshot Victims

Ayodele Oni

October 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The House of Representative has urged the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA) to enforce the order to treat gunshot victims without police order.

The house, in a statement on Sunday, signed by Makki Abubakar Yalleman, Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs and Akin Rotimi, Spokesman / Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs stated that there should be strict compliance with the Act and ensure prosecution of offenders who contravene the same.

The house stated that ” we welcome the recent publicized signal from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police to various formations and commands of the Nigeria Police Force, on the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.

“The internal memo dated October 25, 2023 directed the Officers to comply with the law and enforce its provision without hesitation.

“Worthy of note in the memo signed by the IGP’s Principal Staff Officer, CSP Olatunji Disu, is the directive to the various police formations and commands to ‘make the law a subject of lecture’ in order to cure the ignorance in many hospitals about the position of the law, which unfortunately has led to the loss of many lives.

“It is to be noted that issues around compliance with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act recently became a subject of public discourse following the death of Ms. Greatness Olorunfemi, a brilliant Nigerian who was victim of a one chance robbery in Abuja on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

“A petition was laid before the House in respect of this incident during plenary on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, by Hon. Chris Nkwonta representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency of Abia State. The matter is now before the House Committee on Public Petitions.

“To be clear, the House maintains that the professional calling of physicians, nurses, and emergency care personnel, as well as dictates of extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, prescribes that every Nigerian brought to any hospital deserves the duty of care, stabilisation, and dignity, regardless of the condition they are brought in, or the apparent cause of the distress or trauma.

“The House therefore views this development from the Nigeria Police Force as timely and commendable considering rising complaints by Nigerians about hospitals that decline prompt treatment of victims of gunshot incidents, robberies, and even vehicular accidents who do not present police reports.

“The IG’s action offers relief that value is placed on the life of every citizen, and restores confidence in our hospitals.

“The House urges the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Medical Association to follow through on this commitment to strict compliance with the Act and prosecute offenders who contravene the same.

“We also call on the Media and relevant agencies of the Executive Arm of Government to give wide publicity to this matter.”

Arase Urges Nigerians To Fight Against Those Threatening The Nation’s Sovereignty

Akinwale Kasali

October 29, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Solomon Arase, Chairman, Police Service Commission, PSC, has called on Nigerians to brace up and collectively fight against those threatening the sovereignty of the Nigerian State.

The retired Inspector General of Police made this submission in Abuja at an International Symposium on Countering Organized Crimes in Africa, themed, ‘Drug Crimes, Terrorism, Arms Trafficking, Marine Crimes, Environmental Crime and Auto Theft,.

The event was organised by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch.

In a Statement Ikechukwu Ani, PSC’s Spokesperson, quoted Arase to have said: “As a people, we must rise and stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian State, as no security agency can deliver on its mandate without the support of the people,”

Arase further promised that the PSC under his watch, shall collaborate with other agencies of Government to fight organized crimes in Nigeria.

“Our will, therefore, must be strong because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria. It has become not only a statutory mandate but a moral imperative to re-enact our old fighting force, re-strategize and redesign our tactics, and promptly arrest and contain the growing insecurity challenge in our country.

“Mankind must put an end to organised crime or organized crime will put an end to mankind” and on the ” keyboard of life, let us as a nation always keep a finger on the escape key to survive,” he added.

NAFDAC Laments Proliferation Of Substandard Drugs, Calls For Vigilance

Akinwale Kasali

October 29, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Perturbed by the influx of substandard drugs in the country, Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, has warned Nigerians to be vigilant when taking these drugs.

Adeyeye said that the proliferation of sub-standard and falsified medicines pose danger to public health and economic growth.

Speaking at the 23rd NECCI PR Roundtable in Lagos yesterday, Adeyeye said illicit sales and distribution of sub-standard and falsified medicines were threatening the attainment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and leading to global assault on public health globally.

With the theme: “Fighting the Scourge of Illicit Trade In The Pharma Industry: The Role of Communication,” she said the menace portends grave financial losses, possible divestment and close of shop for the pharmaceutical industry.

Adeyeye said no single agency could undertake the battle alone, adding that the approach must be multi-faceted.

To her, concerted efforts were needed.

She identified challenges as uncoordinated drug distribution and supply chain system; drug hawking and proliferation of street/ open drug markets; increasing use of postal/ courier services for dispatch of small parcels of sub-standard and falsified medicines; availability of advanced technologies; reduced risks of prosecution; non-deterrent laws and weak penalties; proliferation of rogue online pharmacists/ unregulated sales of medicines online; ignorance, poverty and high cost of living; scarcity of medicines and abuse of free trade zones and lawful trade facilitation mechanisms.

On what NAFDAC is doing to bridge the gap, she listed attainment of ISO9001:2015 certification and WHO Maturity Level 3, which implies that NAFDAC has reached the level of regulatory system operating as a stable, well-functioning and integrated system for the regulation of medicines and imported vaccines in an efficient, effective and transparent manner, to achieve Universal Health Coverage by access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicine and vaccines for all Nigerians.

In her welcome address, convener, NECCI PR Roundtable, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, noted that the pharmaceutical sector plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health, alongside legitimate trade, a shadowy underworld of illicit activities, that “undermines our progress.”

APC, PDP At Loggerheads Over Governor Adeleke’s N100bn Infrastructure Plan

Akinwale Kasali

October 29, 2023

Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Akinwale Kasali

The Osun State All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are trading words over the unveiled plans of Governor Ademola Adeleke to spend a whopping N100 billion on infrastructural amenities across the state in the next 12 months.

The Governor had listed projects he plans to embark on to include five flyovers, 45-kilometer roads across the 30 local government areas, and rehabilitation of health centres and schools, in his one-year infrastructure plan for Osun.

Discrediting the plans of the PDP Governor, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, described Adeleke’s plan as a “scam skilfully designed to enrich some economic buccaneers close to the government.”

Lawal said since Adeleke had declared that he would not borrow to finance the projects, the citizens deserve to know the source of the funding and the modality for its settlement.

The statement read in part: “Adeleke should tell the world the economic importance of the proposed construction of a flyover at Owode Ede if not only to serve his personal ego as a native of Ede.

“Is there any justification for the construction of five flyovers at this time in the history of the state when the state government under Governor Adeleke is yet to come up with its planned succour for the people of the state when some other state governments have been dolling out the second or third tranche of their government’s support for the governed?

“What sense is therein, for a government which is yet to make a pronouncement on the acceptable minimum wage for its workers as initiated by the federal government, to toy with the plans to build five flyovers in the state at a time?

“All concerned stakeholders in the Osun project should raise up their voice with a view to condemning the seemingly gang-raping of the economy of the state by some disgruntled elements who are parading themselves as political leaders in the state.”

Reacting to the submission of the APC, Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, described APC’s position on Adeleke’s infrastructural plan as an ill-intentioned one to a development agenda adjudged to be commendable, long overdue, sustainable for Osun’s economic revival.

Bisi noted that the Governor disclosed at the event that he created a project account into which savings from leakages, refunds, and infra-related interventions were being lodged.

The PDP Chairman’s statement further read: “Reading through the APC statement, we see a party that is in bewilderment and severe pain at the ingenuity, innovation, and financial engineering of the Adeleke governorship.

“The PDP government inherited a state with over 95 infrastructural deficits as of November 2022. Our internal state infra audit when PDP took over revealed that the infrastructural decay cut across all sectors education, health, roads, and water among others. We then developed an initial emergency plan that led to the complete renovation of 31 schools, 45 kilometers of roads, 332 functioning boreholes, the commencement of rehabilitation of water works, rewarding intervention in the health sector, and major actions on such roads as Osogbo-Ikirun and the Osogbo ring road among others.

“We call on the APC to read the full speech of Mr. Governor in which he spelt out the strategies, the projects, the funding plans, and sources of such funding. The APC should get educated that not all Governors are interested in diverting public funds as was the practice when the opposition holds sway.”

Obaseki Says Incoming Administration In Edo Will Not Inherit Uncompleted Projects

Ayodele Oni

October 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has assured that his administration will not leave any uncompleted project for the incoming administration.

The governor spoke when he inspected the ongoing renovation of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, the Edo School of Health Technology, and the Palm House, all in Benin City, the State capital.

The governor, who was in the company of members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), assured speedy completion of the projects and all other ongoing projects in the State.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection tour, Obaseki said, “The whole idea is that as part of our finishing well agenda, we want to make sure that every project we started as a government is completed. So, we wanted to see the status of these projects under construction.”

At Stella Obasanjo Hospital, the governor expressed satisfaction with the level of work done, adding that the facility would be ready for use in no distant time.

According to him, “You saw that we have finished with the Out-patient Department and work is in full gear to complete the in-patient ward and the emergency section.

“The whole idea is that, having brought down the Central Hospital, we now have a network of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and the Edo Specialist Hospital. You now have this comprehensive health hub that would compete with international hospitals with up to 12 specializations.”

He explained that his government took a deliberate step to revamp the School of Health Technology having met it in a state of disrepair.

“You know I visited here several months ago and you could hardly believe the state of the school. For any government that wants to render services to the people, the foundation of any health care system is the primary health care system.

“That is the school that trains and equips manpower to support and service the health care system.

“We have six specializations, and at any point in time, we would be able to cater for over a thousand students or five hundred for each stream.

“I am pleased with the progress of work done so far. As I promised, before the middle of next year, these projects would have been delivered.”

Obaseki also inspected the Palm House Benin, which is the last project among the series of projects that have been completed at the Secretariat Complex along Benin- Sapele Road, noting that the upgrade was a total overhaul from its former state of disrepair.

War On Terror: Turkish-Made Attack Helicopters Arrive In ‘Few Weeks’-Minister

Tosin Olatokunbo

October 29, 2023

Mohammed Bdaru, the Minister of Defence has disclosed that efforts are ongoing to ramp up the war against terrorism and banditry with the delivery of two Turkish-made attack helicopters in a few days.

According to the minister, the helicopters are part of the six fighter air platforms ordered from the President Edogan-led country.

The development comes two months after a NAF helicopter on a mission crashed in Niger state killing some top military officers.

The remaining four helicopters are expected to be delivered before the second quarter of 2024, the minister said in a statement.

The minister and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar are currently in Ankara, the country’s capital to facilitate a speedy delivery of the T-129 ATAK NAF, according to a statement released on Sunday by NAF Director, Public Relations and Information, Commodore Edward Gabkwet

The statement stressed that the federal government procured six units of T-129 ATAK helicopters from the Turkish Aerospace Industry.

The minister further stated that efforts are ongoing to collaborate with some Turkiye defence industries which he described as among the best in the world, to strengthen ties with the two countries.

The delegation also met with Turkiye Minister of Defence retired Lt.-Gen Yasar Guler, in other to foster bilateral and defence cooperation, the statement said.

The statement said, “These companies are among highly-rated global defence companies renowned for the production of quality defence and military equipment.

“While at these companies, the minister of defence called for improved synergy between the companies and Nigeria through the transfer of defence technology to Nigeria.’’

Meanwhile, Defence analysts insist that the federal government is in a hurry to acquire more air-fighting platforms due to the loss of some fighter jets and helicopters in the war against Boko haram and bandits in Northern Nigeria.

Two months ago, a Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed near Chukuba Village in Niger State killing some top military personnel.

1...1,3621,3631,364...2,903 Page 1,363 of 2,903