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Survivor Of Edo Boat Mishap Narrates Ordeal, Counters Government’s Claim, Says Eight Persons Died

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A survivor of a boat accident at Gelegele, in Edo State, Mabel Sule, has countered the claim by the Edo State Police Command that only one person died.

Sule, while giving account of the incident, explained that eight persons got drowned in the accident, adding that she was lucky to have survived the mishap, which occurred while the traders were on their way to Ekehuan market

She said that she had to swim with her baby to safety after the boat she was travelling with 26 other traders capsized last Thursday.

She said, “As we moved out of the shore of Gelegele, the engine of the boat developed a fault. The tide swayed the boat and it hit two badges stationed in the river, which resulted in the boat capsizing and getting stuck under the badge.

“I was carrying a one-and-half-year-old baby when it happened. I struggled to swim with my baby under the badge and hit my head against it several times before I eventually swam out under the badge.

“Also, everyone started scampering for safety by swimming, but unfortunately we were under the badge. Some people didn’t survive it as they were unable to swim out.

“I was carrying my baby on my lap when the accident happened and I held the baby with my one hand and used the other hand to swim. But as I was swimming and trying to raise my head above the water, I hit my head against the badge three times.

“I went deep again and started swimming until I saw brightness of the sky; that was when I raised my head. I thought my baby was already drowned, but fortunately, he survived.”

She noted that she lost all her stock, adding, “I am left with nothing as I speak with you. Plantain worth over N200,000 that I was taking to Ekehuan market to sell all perished in the river.

“I want the Edo State Government to help me so I can go back to my business. I am pleading with well-meaning Nigerians to help me. I need to feed to feed my children.”

Cultists Strike At UNIBEN, Kill 500 Level Student

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A Friday evening clash between two rival factions of groups suspected to be cultists, has claimed the life of a 500-level student at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Unconfirmed report from the university stated that the death toll may be more than that as members of the groups were said to be driving round the campus and shooting sporadically.

Three other students, who sustained various degrees of injury during the attack, were said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

It was gathered that the incident happened on Friday evening when the rampaging cult group stormed the Anatomy Department back gate to kill their target before they proceeded to Physical Science and Laboratory Department.

It was gathered that the deceased student was shot at a close range in his car, while the three others were shot while they were trying to escape.

The incident caused panic among the students and staff on the campus as they scampered for safety.

According to sources, the fight began in Ekiadolor area, a suburb of the school, some days ago during which about three persons were allegedly killed. It later spread to the Ugbowo campus of the institution.

A viral video of the incident showed a red car with bullet holes. The body of a man was seen removed from the car and taken to the back of a pick-up van.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he was yet to be informed about the incident.

“I am yet to be briefed of such an incident. When I get the brief, I will let you know, but for now no information.”

Some months ago, a final-year student at the Hall three hostel of the university was shot dead in his room by gunmen.

South East Deliberately Excluded From Supreme Court – Justice Muhammad, JSC

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The just retired Supreme Court Justice, The Honourable Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, has lamented the non-representation of the South-east Zone of Nigeria in the Supreme Court.

In a mind-blowing speech he delivered during a valedictory to mark his retirement from the Bench after a 47-year journey in the Judicial Service, Justice Muhammad said that the exclusion of the Zone is deliberate. And, he put the blame squarely on the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola who, he also accused of brazen abuse of power.

He said the deliberate exclusion of the South-east is a result of the “absolute powers vested on the office of the CJN.” The present CJN, Ariwoola, he revealed, runs  a one-man-show as he is not in the habit of consulting with his brother Justices. Ariwoola, he said, exercises absolute power, and absolute power, he reminded his audience, corrupts.

With his retirement, he said the Zone where he comes from, North Central, will  suffer same fate as the South-east.

Jusice Muhammad: “My Lord Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko JSC, who also represented the Zone, (North Central), retired on 23rd of May, 2022. It has been a year and five months now. There has not been any replacement.

“With the passing of My Lord, Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC, on 29th July 2023, the South-east no longer has any presence at the Supreme Court. My Lord, Hon. Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta JSC, died on 7th March 2021. There has not been any appointment in his stead for the South-east.”

The result, he said, is that only four geopolitical Zone – the South-west, South-South,  North-West and North-East are represented in the Supreme Court. Each of those Zones have its full representation of three Justces. He lamented this strange situation and and submitted that “It is deliberate.”

His words: “Appropriate steps could have been taken since to fill outstanding vacancies in the Apex Court. Why have these steps not  been timeously taken?

“It is evident that the decision not to fill the vacancies in the Court is deliberate. It is all about the absolute powers vested in the office of the CJN and the responsible exercise of same.”

The Supreme Court, as it stands today has only ten Justices instead of its full complement of 22.

He, also, called for the divestment of powers vested in the office of the CJN.

“As presently structured, the CJN is Chairman of the NJC, which oversees both the appointment and discipline of judges, he is equally Chair of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the National Judicial Institute (NJI), the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) that appoints Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“In my considered opinion, the oversight functions of these bodies should not rest on an individual alone. A person with absolute powers, it is said, corrupts easily and absolutely.”, he said.

Justice Muhammad, JSC, bowed out on Friday, October 27, 2023.

Alaba Lawson, Iyalode Of Yorubaland Is Dead

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Chief Alaba Lawson

By Akinwale Kasali

The Yoruba Race has been thrown into mourning following the death of Chief Alaba Lawson, the Iyalode Of Yorubaland and Egbaland.

The former National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, NACCIMA, prominent educationist, and founder of the popular Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, died in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital in the early hours of Saturday, 28th October, 2023.

The news of her passing was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture AbdulRahman Maku.

The statement by NACCIMA and ABEOCCIMA partly read: “We regret to announce the demise of NACCIMA past President and ABEOCCIMA Matron and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, MFR, JP (Iyalode of Yorubaland) which occurred in the early hours of today, Saturday 28th of October, 2023. Burial arrangement to be announced later by the family. May God Almighty grant repose to the soul of Iyalode”.

Lawson was born on January 18, 1951, and was a Nigerian business magnate, entrepreneur, academician and champion of women’s upliftment and empowerment.

She was, until her death, the Iyalode of Egbaland and Chairman, Board of Trustees, of ABEOCCIMA.

Kidnappers Raid Abuja Estate, Abduct Couple

By
Ayodele Oni
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ByAyodele Oni

Residents of Grow Homes Estate at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are counting their loses after suspected kidnappers struck at the estate and abducted three persons.

The incident will be second time within a year after gunmen attacked the estate and abducted nine persons.

The recent incident, which took place around 9pm on Friday night, had a couple and another man taken from separate apartments in the estate.

It was gathered that the gunmen escaped through the bush track which links the community to another village.

Residents explained that after storming the area around 9pm, the gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare people away.

A member of the vigilante group stated that “On Friday, around 9pm, we vigilante, heard a gunshot. After hearing the sound, we and some Nigeria Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers searched around to locate it.

“On our way, we saw one of us. He told us they were kidnappers, numbering over 20. He was shot in his hand. At that point, we heard another gunshot. They were shooting at us, while the officers were shooting too.

“We had to stop the counter attack because of their number. They took away three persons; a couple and a man. The kidnappers haven’t contacted anyone yet.”

A resident of the area, Bello Mohammed, said the kidnappers disconnected the alert systems of the houses attacked before whisking their victims away.

Controversy Trails Nomination of Akpabio’s Aide As INEC REC

By
James Orji
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Controversy has engulfed the recent nomination of a new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, from Akwa Ibom, Mr. Etekamba Umoren, as a result of his relationship with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and also for being a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  in Akwa Ibom.

Umoren is a former aide of the Senator Akpabio, who had served the Senate President as a Chief of Staff during his time as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and also one of his top aides as Governor of Akwa Ibom state.

President Bola Tinubu has recently appointed him as one of the new RECs, according to a statement by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale.

This development has elicited ill feelings within the People’s Democratic Party, PDP,, which was expressed through a statement protesting his appointment. A group, the PDP Aborigines Initiative, in a statement said “The appointment of Mr. Etekamba Umoren as Resident Electoral Commissioner will erode the trust Nigerians have on the electoral body.”

In the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Shaibu Abubakar, the group said Mr Umoren is a member of the All Progressives Congress, and as such should not be made to play the role of an umpire in any elections.

He equally said Mr. Umoren’s membership of the “APC is not hidden as he defected officially from the PDP in 2018, with his boss, the Senate President, Dr Godswill Akpabio.

“Umoren has served as Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government and Chief of Staff to Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“We call on President Tinubu to reverse that appointment as his government does not need this controversy at this period that it ought to focus on delivering good leadership to the whole nation irrespective of political affiliation.” Abubakar said.

Another statement by an Abuja based and Akwa Ibom born financial expert and public policy analyst Celestine Mel, said the appointment of Umoren who he referred to as a “highly partisan operative who will stop at nothing to project the partisan inclination of his master, into the electoral management body, does great harm and diservice to this country and this democracy.”

Mel said further: “The electoral system is like the banking system. Both thrive on trust. Participants surrender themselves to the process because they perceive that it will be fair. The moment participants suspect that either of the operatives could deal unfairly, the trust is broken, irrespective of whether or not there was any intention to be unfair. With this appointee in INEC, the perception of unfairness, injustice and inequity to different political parties is already established. The simple reason is that the nominee will be perceived to more loyal to his benefactor, who is on top of the political value chain, than Nigeria his country.”

He likened Umoren’s nomination to that of Mrs Lauretta Onochie for a similar role by the Buhari administration, and urged President Bola Tinubu to “please rescind the decision and seek non-partisan professionals for this sensitive assignment, if only he is interested in preserving whatever is left of the battered image of the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

A State House release signed by Ajuri Ngelale, named Umoren as one of the RECs appointed by President Bola Tinubu in pursuant of the “powers vested in him by Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, Amended) and Section 6 of the Electoral Act (2022),” for a term of five (5) years each, subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate.

Others appointed with Unoren were Mr. Isah Shaka Ehimeakne from Edo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola from Ekiti State,  Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aji from Gombe State,  Shehu Wahab from Kwara State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi from Lagos State, Aminu Kasimu Idris from Nasarawa State, Prof. Mohammed Yelwa from Niger State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha from Rivers State, and Isma’ila Kaura Moyi from Zamfara

According to the release, President Tinubu “expects the new appointees to abide by the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties, in accordance with his determination to facilitate the establishment of a new and sustainable standard of transparent, fair, and conflict-free electoral conduct.”

Jonathan Congratulates Tinubu On His Victory At Supreme Court

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Tinubu and Goodluck Jonathan

By Akinwale Kasali

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said his visit to the Aso Rock Villa was to brief President Bola  Tinubu on his role as a mediator and also advance Nigeria’s interests as well as those of the Economic Community of West African States and the entire African continent.

The former President said it was important and necessary to consult with the current President on a regular basis, particularly when it comes to foreign programmes.

“They are not personal issues,” he clarified. “Traditionally, former Presidents, when going outside the country for continental or regional programmes, brief the President upon their return. That is the tradition”.

He stressed further that Friday’s visit was in continuation of his work as Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States, where he is leading mediation talks even as Mali remains under military rule following the August 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Keita.

Jonathan, also, seized the opportunity of the meeting to congratulate President Tinubu on his victory at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Commenting on the r verdict, Jonathan emphasized the need for unity among Nigeria’s political leaders, especially past Presidents, and said, “We need to bring all our political leaders together.”

“If top leaders continue fighting, they might not suffer that much, but the downtrodden will,” he cautioned. He called for an end to political tension for the sake of national progress.

Tinubu Set To Host Head Of Govt Since His  Inauguration As German Chancellor Scholz Visits Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chancellor Olaf Scholz

By Ayodele Oni

The German Embassy has announced that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is due in Nigeria on a two day working visit

The itinerary of his visit as released by the embassy, indicate that the Chancellor will meet with President Bola Tinubu and ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.

The Embassy, in a statement in Abuja, stated that the Chancellor is also expected to visit Lagos to open a Nigeria-German Business Conference organized by the Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce.

While in Lagos, he will also interface with representatives of Civil Societies organizations as well as entrepreneurs.

Chancellor Scholz will take part in a tour of the city of Lagos to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by a megacity such as Lagos.

The German Embassy, explained that the visit is to strengthen the over 60 years bilateral relations between both countries.

“The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Germany and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the first visit of a Head of Government to Nigeria since the inauguration of the new government.

“With diplomatic relations spanning over 60 years, Germany and Nigeria have a warm and longstanding relationship. They are natural partners as both are the strongest economy and the most populous country on their respective continents.

“This visit intends to accentuate Germany’s appreciation for the strong partnership over the years, and underlines the importance the German government places in Nigeria’s role in the region and globally.

“The visit is also geared at intensifying the relations in the economic and cultural sectors and exploring opportunities for investment in Nigeria.”

IGP Egbetokun Orders All Hospitals To Treat Gun Shot Victims Without Police Report

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Akinwale Kasali

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Dr Olukayode Egbetokun has ordered all Hospitals and all medical personnel across the country to treat gunshot victims without asking for Police report.

IGP Egbetokun issued the directive while urging health workers to sensitize Nigerians about the issue.

The IGP’s directive, based on the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, was contained in a Police internal memo dated October 25, 2023, and signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu.

The memo was addressed to all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and the Commandants of Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Oji-River, Maiduguri and Enugu.

The memo reads, “I forward herewith a copy of letter HMSH&SW/IG/CTCV/ 10/2023 dated 3rd October, 2023, received from Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare on the above-underlined subject, and write to convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you comply with and enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 without any hesitation.

“The Inspector-General of Police further directs that you make this a subject of lecture and circulate widely for the members of the public to be aware of our compliance with the National Law.”

Before now, Nigerians have died as a result of gunshot wounds due to the failure of Hospitals and Medical Personnel around the country not to accept the victims due to the failure of the victims and their families to provide Police Reports.

Before the directive of the IGP Egbetokun, there have been clamour from activists, social commentators and cross section of Nigerians calling on Hospitals to save lives first before asking for Police reports.

However, this is not the first time this order will be issued by Police authorities. But it has always been ignored by most Hospitals.

AfDB, IDB, IFAD Boost Agro-Industrial Development In Nigeria With $1 Billion

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, (IFAD)  have voted $1 billion to further deliver special agro-industrial processing zones in 24 States of Nigeria.

A statement by the SSA Media to the Vice president, Stanley Nkwocha, stated that this is in addition to an initial $520 million voted by the development partners for the development of eight special agro-industrial processing zones in Nigeria.

President of African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi  Adesina, disclosed this at the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, World Food Prize 2023, in the United States of America.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is attending the event in pursuance of the food security and diversification policy of the Tinubu administration, had on Wednesday delivered his keynote address at the ongoing Dialogue.

Delivering his own speech titled, “From Dakar to Des Moines,” Dr. Adesina noted that the decision to pump such huge funds into Nigeria’s agribusiness was part of the resolve to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in 13 countries.

Explaining that it was the core of the food and agriculture delivery compacts from the Dakar 2 Summit held earlier this year in Dakar, Senegal, the AfDB President said, “We are investing heavily in the development of  SAPZs to support the development of agricultural value chains, food processing and value addition, enabling infrastructure and logistics to promote local, regional, and international trade in food.

“The African Development Bank Group is investing $853 million in the development of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, and it has mobilized additional co-financing of $661 million, for a total commitment of $1.5 billion.

“We are deploying effective partnerships at scale. We are currently implementing 25 Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones in 13 countries.

“For example, the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development provided $520 million for the development of 8 special agro-industrial processing zones in Nigeria.

“The second phase of the program aims to mobilize an additional $1 billion to deliver special agro-industrial processing zones in 24 States of Nigeria.”

Dr. Adesina regretted that while much progress had “been made in African agriculture, 283 million people still go to bed hungry in Africa, about a third of the 828 million people that suffer hunger globally.”

He however described the  Norman Borlaug International Dialogue World Food Prize 2023, as a “journey and narrative  of how we are combining the power of science, technology,  policies, and politics to ensure that Africa fully unlocks its agricultural potential, and feeds itself, with pride.”

The AfDB President thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, for participating in the global event, saying their presence is an indication “that Africa has the political will and is fully ready to tackle food insecurity and make hunger history” on the continent.

Also speaking during the fire-side chat with the AfDB President, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Vice President Kashim Shettima who spoke on the Tinubu administration’s initiatives for food security said the quality of present leadership in Nigeria and the rest of Africa will drive transformation in agriculture and other sectors.

According to him, “a nation falls or rises fundamentally due to the quality of its leadership. Right now Africa is blessed with quite a handful of quality leaders that have the drive, passion and skills set to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

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