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NAF Kills Boko Haram Kingpin, Abu Asad, 100 Terrorists In Borno

By
James Orji
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Boko Haram and ISWAP

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, says it has killed Abu Asad in Borno state during an air operation.

NAF made this known in a statement on Saturday signed by its spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who stated that over 100 terrorists were also neutralized during the operation by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.

According to Gabkwet, the terrorists were killed while planning an attack on troops, describing the operation “one of the most successful strikes undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.”

The statement reads in part:  “In what could be described as arguably one of the most successful strikes undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, Nigerian Air Force aircraft, on November 24, 2023, carried out air strikes on a massing of terrorists in an isolated location consisting of three zinced structures amid several trees.

“From the footage, it was evident that the terrorists were massing up at the location for either a well-planned meeting or preparing for a major attack on own troops. Over 100 heavily armed terrorists were observed throwing banters and moving randomly around the structures which also had 4 troop carriers.

“The aftermath of the air strike revealed that two out of the three structures, as well as the entire troop carriers, were destroyed. There were also indications that one Abu Asad, a key figure in the Ali Ngulde group under Boko Haram, and

several of his fighters like Ibrahim Nakeeb, Mujaheed Dimtu, and Mustafa Munzir among others were eliminated in the air strike.”

LP’s Datti-Ahmed’s Baze University Banned From Running Law Programme

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

For violating its admission Quota, the Nigerian Law School has imposed a five-year ban on the Faculty of Law at Baze University, Abuja.

Baze University is owned by the Labour Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

The Council of Legal Education explained that the institution has been consistently exceeding its approved admission quota for years.

The decision was announced by Aderonke Osho, the Acting Secretary and Director of Administration of the Nigerian Law School, following the findings of the Council of Legal Education.

The Council’s quarterly meeting on November 23, 2023, chaired by Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, OFR, considered a report from the Accreditation panel to Baze University’s Law Faculty.

The Panel, led by Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, discovered that Baze University has repeatedly violated its approved admission quota of 50 students per session.

As a result, the Law Faculty currently faces a backlog of over 347 Law students awaiting admission to the Nigerian Law School.

Since 2017, Baze University has admitted more than 750 law students, a number that would typically span a 15-year period based on the approved quota.

The University also runs a three-year LL.B programme for some UTME candidates without the necessary approvals from the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the Council of Legal Education.

The Council recommended an imposition of a moratorium on the admission of law students to the Faculty of Law, Baze University, Abuja, with immediate effect.

The moratorium will last for a period of five years initially, and may be renewed if satisfactory actions are not taken to address the situation.

The Council will utilize this five-year period to address the backlog of Law students admitted by Baze University in excess of its admission quota, while  follow-up visits will be conducted to the University to assess the measures taken to rectify the observed anomalies during the accreditation visit.

The NUC, JAMB, parents, guardians, prospective applicants, and the public are advised to take note of the status of Baze University Abuja and its Faculty of Law.

A number of high profile accomplished Nigerians had in recent years passed out from the Law Faculty of Baze University. They include, among many others, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and a former Minister for Aviation, Osita Chidoka.

Ogun: Appeal Court Has Created A ‘Pathway’ For My Victory At Supreme Court, Says PDP Adebutu

By
James Orji
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Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 18, election in Ogun state has urged Governor Dapo Abiodun not to rejoice yet over his victory at the Court of Appeal.

Governor Abiodun’s election was affirmed on Friday by the court two months after the state’s election petition tribunal ruled in his favour that he won the keenly contested gubernatorial election.

The judgment was a spilt one by the three-man panel of the appellate court.

Reacting to the judgment, Adebutu said the judgment was a miscarriage of justice, adding that he will reclaim his stolen mandate back at the Supreme Court, which is the final court on the matter.

According to a statement signed by his Media Directorate on Saturday, the PDP candidate said he’s confident of recovering his mandate at the Supreme Court, adding that the appellate court judgment gives him an impetus to be hopeful that the apex court will rule in his favour.

He said, “The appeal judgment that can be described as the pathway to victory resolved  unanimously, five out the eight issues in our favour, only one issue in favour of the respondents ( Dapo Abiodun and APC) while the other two issues were resolved in ratio two to one.

“We are indeed glad and hopeful that the judiciary at higher level is gradually considering the merits of the petition, unlike the lower court that chose to address technicalities in place of merit.

“Obviously, that human decision has no place in our rule of law and cannot stand. It is however heartwarming that the appeal court resolved all the issues.”

Adebutu salutes Justice Jane Inyang who delivered the minority judgement, describing her as a reputable judge who based her judgment on the Electiral Act.

Adebutu said further: “We specially want to salute the courage and boldness of Justice Jane Inyang who delivered the minority judgment that was well-detailed and true to the provisions of the rule of law.

“The judgment sacked the incumbent governor, recalled his certificate of return and ordered INEC to organise a rerun within 90 days in the affected 92 polling units where election was cancelled due to violence and election malpractices.

“This reputable judge also said that INEC should not have made a declaration on the March 18 governorship election, a fact that is enshrined in the Electoral Act considering the margin of lead rule.

“We make bold to say that if our courts can emulate the uprightness of Justice Jane Inyang, there will be a great hope for a greater Nigeria and democracy.

“It should be crystal clear to the placeholders in the government of Ogun State that they need not to rejoice over nothing as what they enjoy now is temporal and cannot last because the truth will still prevail.

“We call on all the good people and stakeholders in Ogun State to celebrate  Justice Jane Inyang as a role model for true justice and pray for more of such courageous Justices as we move up the ladder. We remain committed to our vision of a brighter future for our beloved state.”

RCCG Donates Multi-million ICU To Lagos State

By
James Orji
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The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has built the first intensive care unit to be located in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Built by Region 36 of the church, the multimillion health facility was named after the General Overseer of the church, Enoch Adeboye, and his wife, Folu.

Unveiling the facility on Friday, at the Alimosho General Hospital in the Igando area of the state Mrs Adeboye said health is wealth because “a person who is not in perfect health, such person cannot enjoy the millions”.

“So, health is more important than prosperity. That is to say that whatever you may be desiring to have, materially today, let us have and desire good health,” she stated.

The pastor in charge of the region, Dele Jaiyeoba, said the project was part of the corporate social responsibility drive of the Pentecostal church.

According to him, “RCCG has always been involved in corporate social responsibility. In 2011, Daddy Adeboye made a meeting of the felt needs of members and the host community mandatory for every branch of the church. Today, in RCCG as a pastor, your monthly report is incomplete until you have reported your monthly CSR activity.

“When we commenced as a region in September last year, we decided to embrace a culture of ‘if it is not very good, it is not good enough.’ This excellent culture is what brought CSR to our region, our CSR should have an impact on the host community and this is the inspiration that gave birth to Enoch and Folu Adeboye Intensive Care Unit of the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando.”

Ebonyi: Gov Nwifuru’s Appeal Court Victory, Validates People’s Will – Nwite

By
James Orji
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Micheal Nwite, Ebonyi state Agro- Entrepreneur and Chief Executive of Reunion Group, has hailed the Appeal court victory of Ebonyi state governor, Francis Nwifuru, as “a validation of the will of the people whose mandate he overwhelmingly received at the last governorship election.”

The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos yesterday upheld the election that declared Francis Nwifuru as the governor of Ebonyi State.

In a statement congratulating Governor Nwifuru, in Abakiliki, Ebonyi state capital on Saturday, Nwite, who is also the Chairman of Desiderata Food and Drink, producers of Nero Premium Rice, said  the appeal court verdict was a victory for the Ebonyi electorate who voted massively for the youthful Governor.

According to him, “Democracy thrives when the will and interest of the people are protected by institutions of democracy as the judiciary has done on this matter.

“The verdict is a validation of the will of the people, without which there is no democracy. And we are happy about that

“It is now time for our dear governor to roll-up his sleeves and get to work to give our people quality leadership and governance, in the true sense of servant-leadership and democratic accountability, without unnecessary tribunal distractions, in order to reassure the people that they’ve made the right choice, by giving him their mandate. And also reawaken their hope in democracy.

“I urge everyone in Ebonyi, irrespective of political affiliation, to join hands with our dear governor as he strives to give Ebonyi the deserved  best across board.

Congratulations, Your Excellency!”

The court on Friday dismissed the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the outcome of the Saturday, March 18 governorship election.

The three-member panel, led by Justice Jummai Sankey, ruled unanimously that the PDP and its candidate lacked the legal standing to challenge Nwifuru’s nomination as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

The court also dismissed all five issues raised by the petitioners, declaring Nwifuru’s election valid and upholding his victory.

Your Victory Is Just The Beginning – President Tinubu Tells Victorious APC Governors

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu on Friday hosted Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, the returning Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and the Governor-Elect of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in Abuja.

At the occasion, the president advised the Governors to always put the interest of the people first and work for the good of their states.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, stated that the President expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the elections, which he described as free, fair, and peaceful.

“You worked hard for this victory. I am very proud of you, but the real challenge has only started, and it will stare you in the face.

“That is the challenge of good governance. Make sure that everyone is carried along. You are now the servants of the people. To God be all the glory for the victories, and may God guide you.

“Once the people of Nigeria and their concerns are the focal point of your plans and actions, not only will governance be easier for you, but you will enhance the value of your states and the masses of the people will have new opportunities to grow and enjoy a new standard of living.

“This must be your driving focus as governors, but especially as governors elected on the platform of our great party.

“Two out of three is not a bad way to start. We will focus not on winning the elections alone but on delivering for the people. They are sovereign, and when we achieve what we promise, voters will respect us.

“We will work with you at the sub-national levels, and we will uphold the strength and superior excellence that is symbolized by the eagle on our coat of arms.”

The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, who led the Governors-Elect and APC stalwarts to meet with President Tinubu, said the party’s candidates conducted themselves with integrity as directed by the President during the elections, and that the party had conceded victory to the opposition in Bayelsa State.

“We lost the election in Bayelsa, and we have conceded in good faith. You directed that the elections should be free, fair, and peaceful, and it was so.”

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, who spoke on behalf of the Governors thanked the President for providing strong and purposeful leadership at the center, which enabled and energized their campaigns.

“We won because of the leadership you demonstrated. The country was struggling, but the economy has been responding to the reforms and rapid-response strategy you have put in place.”

“Save Our Lives, Leave Kano For Gov. Abba Yusuf, He And His Party Won Clearly” – Yoruba Community  In Kano Tell Tinubu

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

“In spite of the pronouncements by the Courts, we must never forget that Governor Abba Yosuf’s Party won in 2019 but were denied the victory. Now in 2023, the same scenario is unfolding which is already being met with resistance.”

The Concerned Yoruba Community in Kano has warned of the dangers inherent in sacking the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf who the Community says clearly won the election.

Yusuf, the New Nigeria People Party, NNPC, was declared the winner in the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. But both the Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal sacked Yusuf in favour of the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna.

The judgement of the Court of Appeal, in particular, has ran into troubled waters as it was contradictory in some places. While it pronounced that that the APC Candidate, Gawuna won, what was captured in the Certified True Copy of the judgment is that Abba Yusuf remains the duly elected Governor, and his victory affirmed. Indeed, Gawuna and his party were fined the sum of N1,000,000.

Not a few people and groups have shouted foul and dismissed the Court judgment as fraudulent.

One of the groups is the Concerned Yoruba Community in Kano which has  dismissed the Court judgment as foul, and insisted that Yusuf won the Election.

At a Press Conference it addressed in Kano Thursday, the Community said that the lives of the Yoruba in Kano are presently endangered because Kano indigenes think that they are being cheated out of their eletoral victory because the Nigerian President is Yoruba.

They also insist that the crisis in Kano over the election “has a strong relationship with political elite interference in the political results and mandate so obviously given to Abba Kabir Yusuf by the citizens of the State.”

They warned President Bola Tinubu to look beyond politics and allow the right thing to take its course. They warned: “Kano must not be allowed to burn on the altar of political expediency or interest, or calculation towards 2027 for  that matter. We must face the truth!

“In spite of the pronouncements by the Courts, we must never forget that Governor Abba Yusuf’s party won in 2019 but were denied the victory. Now, in 2023, the same scenario is unfolding which is already being met with resistance.”

Just so the Yoruba are not  the victims, the Yoruba Community called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo and their prominent Traditional Rulers to talk to President Tinubu to listen and look beyond what he is being told.

“For our interest, the Yoruba in Kano, we are using thus platform to call on our leading Obas and leaders to come to our assistance by engaging President Bola Tinubu on the Political situation in Kano. The average man already believes that the Judiciary has been interfered with”, the Community said.

Following is the full text of the Press Conference addressed by the Chairman, Concerned Yoruba Community, Kano Chapter, Alhaji Nuradden Yahaya, and the National Youths Coordinator, Yoruba Community Northern States and Abuja, Taofeek Olalekan Olaosebikan at Dallas Hotel, Sabongari, Kano.

“Gentlemen of the Press, we warmly welcome you all to this press conference which we have called to address some crucial issues as they affect us in relation to the prevailing political situation in Kano since the Appeal Court sacked the  state Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

“Of course, you are all living witnesses to the whole developments which are clearly suggesting ill-winds because of the anticipated threat to peace and stability in the state.

“Importantly, we the Yoruba in Kano have been here long enough to articulate and appreciate the political tendencies here and implications for our common good. For the record, many of us were born and raised in Kano, indeed, we have become “Kano indigenes” in some strategic sense. This is our home as we have come to acknowledge and appreciate our stay in Kano and indeed our economic sustenance, wellbeing and development. Our children are doing fine in schools here as well as many of different ages engaged in one activity or the other. So Kano is our home and we are happy being here.

“THE UNFOLDING POLITICAL SITUATION:

“For one, we know the political tradition here in Kano and the issues surrounding such positions. In the case of the last election cycle in Kano, we know how the election went and the outright winners compared to the losers. And this is our major concern right now. It is some form of Deja Vu! We are very worried that the unfolding political situation will have adverse effects on us the Yoruba in Kano.  History is there to enlighten us better. Kano is a very volatile state politically and this is the reason why all men and women of goodwill should be concerned about the situation in Kano and rally round towards a collective initiative to save the state from any calamity which will affect us and our livelihood.

“In this regard. we are using this platform to call on all Youruba Obas and leaders of thought to wade into the Kano situation without further delay by engaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a possible political settlement of the Kano logjam.

“Kano must not be allowed to erupt into such preventable chaos as it happened in the past. Of course, many enlightened minds believe very strongly that what we are witnessing in Kano today has a strong relationship with political elite interference in  the political results and mandate so obviously given to Abba Kabir Yusuf by the citizens of the state. There must thus be an elite formation to quickly come together and talk with Mr. President so that he sees beyond whatever briefing he is getting on Kano by vested interests within and outside his party, and act as a statesman! It is clear to all that the NNPP won the state. Take a look at the results across board. 2 senators out of 3, 18 rep members out of 24, and 26 out of 40 assembly members. Is it the same people who voted this way that will accept a situation where the Governor they elected is removed by some technicality? The answer is a resounding NO!

“Kano must not be allowed to burn on the altar of political expediency or interest, or calculation towards 2027 for that matter. We must face the truth!

“In spite of the pronouncements by the courts, we must never forget that Governor Abba Yusuf’s party, won in 2019 but were denied the victory. Now in 2023, the same scenario is unfolding which is already being met with resistance.

“For our interest, the Yoruba in Kano, we are using this platform to call on our leading obas and leaders to come to our assistance by engaging President Bola Tinubu on the political situation in Kano. The average man already believes that the judiciary has been interfered with. We are hereby calling on our fathers, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and  the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, to intervene without further delay.

“We are also calling on the Oba of Lagos, Alake of Egba,  Awujale of Ijebuland, Olubadan of Ibadan and other Yoruba leading lights to come to our aid as we won’t  find it easy if the situation degenerates further as we actually expect that it would. The people here will believe that they were cheated on by a Yoruba President. That is the word going round now. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

“Gentlemen of the press. we thank you all for your attention

“Alhaji Nuraddeen Yahaya

Chairman, Concerned Yoruba Community, Kano State Chapter

“Comrade Taofeek Olalekan Olaosebikan

National Youths Coordinator

Yoruba Community Northern States and Abuja”

For now, Kano State is gripped by tension and the people live in fear of the unknown as both supporters of both the NNPC and the APC are threatening fire and brimstone. The Military and other Security Agencies have taken over the State, especially, the capital city.

Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf and the NNPP have approached the Supreme Court for a possible reversal of the Court of Appeal judgement.

Governor Uzodinma Presents Certificate of Return To President Tinubu

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

A victorious and relaxed Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, on Friday, November 24, 2023, presented his Certificate of Return, CoR,  to an excited President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The CoR was given to Uzodinma by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as a confirmation of his overwhelming victory at the Governorship poll.

Uzodinma, a very high profile member of the President’s Political Party, All Progressives Congress, APC, trounced a field of 17 other contestants in the November 11, 2023, Imo State Governorship Election.

In an unprecedented victory in the history of Governorship Elections in the State, Uzodinma won in all the 27 Local Government Areas, beating his rivals even in their Local Government Area. He beat his two closest rivals, Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chief Athan Achonu of the Labour Party, LP, to a very distant second and third places respectively. The other contestants were just the “also ran.”

It was an excited President Tinubu who received the Governor and congratulated him on his reelection victory.

Recall that Tinubu backed Uzodinma to the hilt during the Governor’s campaign for reelection. Two times,  Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, went to Imo State to campaign for the Governor’s reelection.

Uzodinma was accompanied to the Villa for the presentation of the CoR to President Tinubu by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

NEC Advises Governors To Prioritize Agriculture

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The 137th meeting of the National Economic Council, (NEC) which ended on Friday in Abuja with Vice-President Kashim Shettima presiding, has implored governors to revamp Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

This, according to the meeting, will reduce dependence on food imports and attain food self-sufficiency.

Shettima, while addressing the meeting, stressed that “Our upcoming task must be rooted in recognizing the agrarian nature of our economy.”

The Vice-President is Chairman of the NEC, with all governors as members, is a statutory body with the mandate to advise the President on the nation’s economic affairs. Other members are Governor of the Central Bank (CBN)  the Minister of Finance and other stakeholders.

The vice president added that “We must strive for deliberate value addition in the agricultural sector, moving away from commodity exports towards job creation.

“Collaboration is vital in enabling the Specialized Agro Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, in partnership with the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development spearheads the SAPZ.

He noted that the Federal Government needed to develop its agricultural sector towards self-sufficiency and export processed agricultural products.

This, he pointed out, is in line with the African Union’s Agenda.

IGP Speaks On Manpower Needs Of Police Force

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Ayodele Oni

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, has revealed  there is shortage of manpower in the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF).

He restated the readiness of his administration to address the manpower deficit.

The IGP spoke while addressing men and officers of the Kwara State Police Command during a one-day visit to the state Command in Ilorin, the state capital on Friday.

He said as a testament of the manpower shortage affecting the NPF, a police man is currently doing the job of two policemen in the country.

Egbetokun, who said his administration would increase the NPF manpower gradually, added that President Bola Tinubu has recently given approval for yearly recruitment in Police.

“We’re paying attention to manpower. I know there’s a shortage of manpower in the command. I know the stress that I had gone through while as CP in making sure that the job is done. I know one policeman does job of two policemen.

“A policeman would close from night duty and resume for morning duty. And as he’s closing from morning duty, he’s resuming night duty. And when he dozes off in public, his photography is taken and posted and make ridicule of him. I’m aware of all these.

“We’re making efforts to increase your strength. The President had recently given approval for yearly recruitment in police. That’s the way forward.

“We need to double the strength of police in the country. We cannot do it overnight, but gradually and gradually we’ll get there. We’ll also emphasize training to achieve professionally competent police force.

“We’re also looking into welfare in the increase in salary and other areas to improve lives of officers, just as equipping Police Force is a priority. We promise to take care of the insurance plan too.”

The IGP, who noted that he had an interesting time while in Kwara state as the Commissioner of Police, said, “I’m so excited to be with you seeing your smiling faces. I’m aware of your sacrifices to make Kwara peaceful. I’m aware of your exploits, arrest, convictions, breakthrough, and recovery of arms you are making.”

He also shared the new vision of the Police, which he said “is to have a professionally competent police force, service driven, rule of law compliant, citizen- friendly and a police force that will support the agenda of the government in economic recovery and growth as well as social integration and political development of our country.

“A police force that will respond to dynamic of crime and criminality in our community”.

During a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, the IGP described his visit as a homecoming, while he appreciated the monarch for his support and assistance during his service in the state from 2019 to 2020.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, requested the supply of an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) from the IGP to further enhance security of banks and improve crime fighting capacity.

The CP also said that the number of Policemen and women policing Kwara state has dropped far below the accepted United Nations policing ratio of one policeman to 400 citizens.

He said that Kwara state was created on May 5, 1967  with a strength of 8,000 policemen, when the population of the state was far below two million

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