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Insecurity: Troops Capture 50 Boko Haram Fighters, Commanders

By
James Orji
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The fight against terrorism in Nigeria’s Northeast is paying off.

Boko Haram terrorists are giving up their fratricidal struggle against the Nigerian state, according to close security sources who said the decision of the armed forces to step up the battles against the insurgents is producing good results.

The Chief of Defense staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor has not relented in his warning to the terrorists to surrender to security forces or be routed in their hideout.

Not a few of the terrorists have surrendered in the last few months. More are still leaving their hideout in the forest to security forces.

According to security a analyst  Zgazola Makama, no fewer than 50 terrorists have surrendered to troops in Borno state in the last few days.

Those that abandoned their arms, he said, include two commanders of the deadly Islamic sect,  Ba’a Usman (Munzir) and Alhaji Ari (Nakib), have surrendered to troops of the Operation Hadin Kai in Damboa on November 20.

In September this year, the federal government announced that close to 2000 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters alongside their families surrendered to security forces.

The government had earlier claimed in March that 7000 terrorists gave up their weapons in exchange to live a normal life.

Book on Peter Obi For Presentation In Abuja On Thursday

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The public presentation of the book, ‘The Challenge of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria: The Peter Obi Factor’ is set to hold in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

The book is centred on the stewardship of the Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi, during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra State.

A statement by the Peter Obi Book Launch Committee Abuja said the presentation is coming with the wave of quest for Political and Social Renewal by Nigerians led by the youths. They are clamouring to ‘Take Back Nigeria’ from the privileged few who have brought hopelessness to the citizens. Nigerian are demanding something new, a business unusual trajectory to national development.

So, the book is a major contribution to the remaking and repositioning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and reposition her towards overcoming its challenges and take its rightful place in the comity of nations.

The presentation of the book is being powered by the Organisation for Good Governance and Democracy in Nigeria in collaboration with the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF).

The Chairman of the book presentation is Haruna Dabin, a Professor of Political Economy and Vice Chancellor at Pathfinder University, Jos. Professor Dabin was one of the founding members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also served as Director-General People’s Democratic Institute.

The book presentation will take place at the D Franklin Apartments, Life Camp, Old Gwarimpa Road, Abuja.

The statement by the Peter Obi Book Launch Committee Abuja stated that the Chief Presenter of the Book will be Dr Bitrus Pogu – President of the Middle Belt Forum while the Book Reviewer will be Hajia Heeber Ireti Kingibe, Senatorial candidate of Labour Party for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja

Father of the Day will be Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo Amichi) and former chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC). The Chief Host is Chief Julius Abure, Labour Party chairman while the Host will be Prof Uzodinma Nwala, President of ADF.

Royal Fathers of the Day are HRH Eze Nwosu (Ezeigbo 1) and HRH Uche Egenti (Ezeigbo).

Special Guests of Honour are His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential candidate and his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

The 157-page book titled “The Challenges of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria: The Peter Obi effect Factor” X-rayed former Governor Obi’s leadership of Anambra State from March 17, 2006 to March 17, 2014.

It was produced as part of the ADF commitment to the economic and social development of the Nigerian society through proven development models and part of its responsibility to promote good governance and investment philosophy.

Ekiti Assembly Elects Two Speakers Within Seven Days, As Adelugba Emerges, Aribisogan Impeached; Fmr Gov Fayemi Connection

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

Within seven days, Ekiti state House of Assembly has elected two Speakers.

Gboyega Aribisogan from Ikole Constituency was elected last Tuesday after defeating Bunmi Adelugba from Emure with 15 to 20 votes.

He was immediately sworn in and appointed a set of new officers for the house after sacking those members that are not in his group.

His election did not however go down well with leaders of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) especially former Governor Kayode Fayemi, who is backing Adelugba.

It was learnt that the thinking of the leaders is that the position of the Speaker should be allowed to remain at the south senatorial district till the end of the sixth assembly,despite the death of the former Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye.

The sixth assembly tenure is expected to end in June next year to pave the way for a new set of members.

Sources at the assembly revealed that those working against the interest of Fayemi are mainly members that have been denied ticket for second term, including Aribisogan.

Dr Fayemi, who has been in the state capital for a week now is using the leadership of the APC in the state to ensure that his candidate is installed as Speaker.

Series of meetings were reportedly held at an hotel in Ado at the weekend to fine-tune the process of installing Adelugba as Speaker.

Some members of the Assembly on Monday attend a plenary session amidst tight security despite that the new Speaker has adjourned sitting indefinitely.

The assembly complex is surrounded by armed policemen who barred both journalists and workers from gaining entry.

Some leaders of the APC were also seen loitering around the assembly while the session was ongoing.

At the Monday’s sitting, Aribisogan was impeached and suspended indefinitely along with six of his supporters. Adelugba was reportedly elected by 17 members.

Others on indefinite suspension are  Tajudeen Akingbolu, Goke Olajide,

Yemisi Ayokunle, Adeyemi Raphael Ajibade, Kemi Balogun and Tope Ogunleye.

Monday’s session also elected new Leader of Business, Johnson Oyekola Bode- Adeoye

new Chairman of appropriation in person of Lateef Akanle.

The assembly passed supplementary budget while 2023 Budget is committed to Appropriation Committee.

Earlier, Aribisogan, speaking on Channel’s television interview programme, accused former Governor Fayemi of sponsoring some lawmakers to impeach him.

The embattled erstwhile speaker,  alleged that the former governor was against his emergence because he sees him as a betrayer.

He claimed that some lawmakers loyal to Fayemi perfected plans for his impeachment during plenary.

The former leader of Government Business, who emerged as speaker had polled 15 votes to defeat his rival, Bunmi Adelugba, last Tuesday said happenings in the Assembly since his emergence were targeted at removing him from office and impose Adelugba.

“When Fayemi called us to his residence and said he wanted us to support Hon Adelugba, I stood up to say that could not be done by fiat or by imposition.

“That we had leaders that we have to consult and that we would get back to them. Ordinarily, we should be looking at the constitution and the standing order of the House.”

He said he still tried to reach Fayemi through a text message on Saturday night, saying, “Up till now, he has not done anything on it, but he has been calling our members to go and impeach me tomorrow (Monday).

“As I speak with you, seven of our members are locked up in a guest house in Ado Ekiti in cahoots with some of his former aides.

“They don’t want democratic processes to take place in the Assembly and these people are even with arms, saying they are going to assassinate the speaker and take over the place tomorrow (Monday) morning.

“Majority of the members of the Assembly voted for me, but a few of them, who felt that perhaps I did not follow the directive of the former governor of the state, felt that they would make the place ungovernable for my administration.

“The Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Biodun Oyebanji assured that the government was looking into it and that there would be amicable resolution until about 24 hours ago when we began to see that some clandestine moves are being made to invade the House of Assembly on Monday morning.

“I want prominent people in Ekiti State like Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Wole Olanipekun and Femi Falana and all our traditional rulers to be on the lookout and save democracy in Ekiti State.”

The Special Adviser to Governor Oyebanji on Media, Yinka Oyebode, who spoke on the programme, ruled out chaos in the Assembly.

“I will assure you there won’t be breakdown of law and order on Monday because the governor is in touch with all the warring factions to ensure that they reconcile amicably their differences.

“I believe that we have absolute confidence in the leadership of the House. They have been there for almost three and half years and it has been rancour-free.”

Zenith Bank Heralds  Chrismas With Lagos Street Light-up

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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It was a great spectacle to behold as the Christmas and Yuletide season came to life at the 2022 Zenith Bank Christmas Light-Up Ceremony, which was held at the Ajose Adeogun Street Roundabout, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, November 19, 2022. The official lighting ceremony, which was performed by the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, supported by Executive Management, was witnessed by many of the bank’s staff and customers, with others joining virtually.

With the theme “Let There Be Light”, this year marks the 16th edition of the Light-up Ceremony at the Ajose Adeogun Roundabout. The Light-Up event is an annual Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR) initiative by the bank to herald the yuletide season through the beautification of Ajose Adeogun Street – home to Zenith Bank’s Corporate Headquarters – which has come to be recognised as an iconic place, attracting people from all walks of life who visit with their families and friends to take pictures and make videos of the wonderful spectacle, especially at night and enjoy the ambience of the street and season.

Speaking during the ceremony, Onyeagwu expressed his delight in heralding the yuletide season of 2022 through the iconic Ajose Adeogun Street lighting up. In his words, “today is a unique day. It is unique in the sense that we are going to turn on the Christmas light and activate the spirit of Christmas, which we usually have annually. It is also unique in the sense that we are honoured and delighted to have in our midst the wife of our Founder and Chairman, Mrs. Kay Ovia”.

He praised Quantum Markets, the company responsible for the annual decorations, for the outstanding, very creative and extremely beautiful work that they have done. According to him, “when you look at the Christmas set-up we have every year, it looks completely different, and there is no repetition of themes. And when we think we have seen it all, by the time a new one comes, it is something completely different and massively so. The one for this year, as I entered here, I was wondering if this is a theme park”.

Whilst urging everyone to imbibe the message and spirit of Christmas, which is about peace, love, forgiveness and above all, respect for humanity, Onyeagwu prayed for peace in every home, business and in the country and that this year’s celebration would be like no other that we have seen.

Zenith Bank has clearly distinguished itself in the Nigerian financial services industry as an institution committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive economy and promoting responsible business practices in Nigeria through integrating sustainability principles in its business operations.

The bank’s sustainability and CSR initiatives are hinged on the belief that today’s business performance is not all about the financial numbers – the bank believes that an institution’s social investments, contributions to inclusive economic growth and development as well as improvements in the condition of the physical environment, all constitute a balanced scorecard.

Through its CSR initiatives, Zenith Bank has embodied the overarching objective of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a framework for addressing the major challenges confronting society. Its social investments are targeted at health, education, women and youth empowerment, sports development and public infrastructure enhancement. Overall, Zenith Bank’s total CSR investment in 2021 was NGN4.37 billion, representing 1.79% of its Profit After Tax (PAT) and 33.1% increase from 2020.

The bank remains committed to furthering the economic, cultural and social development of host communities, particularly through community-based initiatives and philanthropy. As a good corporate citizen, it continues to deliver projects that have long-term social and economic benefits for the communities because it believes that its business is only as strong as the communities in which it operates.

To demonstrate its commitment to creating and expanding opportunities, the bank regularly makes donations towards setting up ultramodern ICT centres in several educational institutions and cities across the country. It also supports various developmental projects, and healthcare delivery causes in Nigeria and contributes to the development of sports in Nigeria through its sponsorship of the Zenith Women Basketball League and the Zenith Bank Delta State Principal’s and Headmaster’s Football Competitions, amongst others.

In recognition of its contributions and social investments to its host communities and the society at large, the bank was recognised at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021 as the “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa”.

NNPC Reveals How Army, Navy, Others Steal Crude Oil In Niger Delta

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Mele Kyari. Group managing director/ chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company says it will be difficult to combat crude oil theft in the country so long security agencies are collaborating with oil thieves.

The nation’s crude is being stolen “by people supposed to provide security for these assets,” Kyari said.

The NNPC chief executive disclosed this during a Channels Television programme on Sunday.

Security forces which include the Navy, Army, Airforce, Police and others have been accused of aiding crude oil theft in Nigeria’s oil-bearing region in the Niger Delta, a situation that has been going on for years.

At least 700,000 barrels of crude are siphoned through various oil pipelines in the region, leading to a huge loss of revenue to the federal government.

At $90 per barrel, the country is losing a lot of dollar revenue that would have been channeled to areas that will benefit Nigerians, analysts said.

As a response to the threat, the federal government had recently contracted a company owned by repentant militant Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo to assist in combating oil theft, and the firm seems to have made some progress within the period to rid the region of oil thieves.

Last month, Tompolo’s men uncovered an illegal 4-kilometre pipeline connected from Forcados Terminal and operated for 9 years with about 600,000 barrels per day of oil lost in the same period. The company later disclosed that it has discovered close to 60 illegal oil points in the region where crude is being stolen.

In spite of the startling discoveries Kyari said security forces are frustrating efforts to further reduce oil theft.

He said those siphoning the country’s crude oil have employed modern technology in their quest to steal more, adding that some of the methods being used by the criminals are sophisticated and unknown to the company.

According to him, “When you introduce technology into stealing, and this is precisely what they did, and when there is a collaboration of people who should not be part of those activities, you can lay pipelines and no one will see it.

“You can do it at night if you have the ability, and ultimately this is what we think happened. You can lay pipelines for the wrong reasons to assets that may have been abandoned or even active, assets which are not meant for such purposes. That means you will see end-to-end collaboration either by people who are around those assets, people operating the assets, people supposed to provide security for these assets, and so on.

“And you can eliminate anything. When you find collaborators in the system, then you can get anything done. We didn’t know because the extent of collaboration is unknown to us, and essentially what this intervention process brought to the table is that knowledge that we didn’t know before.”

Recall that the hasty burning of an oil bunkering tanker arrested by Tompolo’s men had recently put the military on the spot.

Not a few said some powerful Nigerians with the connivance of the military are trying to conceal something from the public in the manner the vessel was hastily destroyed.

Qatar 2022: World Cup Begins As Host, Qatar Lose To Ecuador

By
The Source
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Qatar vs Ecuador

By Akinwale Kasali

The long awaited 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has kicked off in the Middle Eastern Country, with the host, suffering a 2-0 defeat to their South American opponent Ecuador.

An Enner Valencia brace was all the Ecuadorians needed to claim victory in the opener of world soccer fiesta.

The Asian Champions, Qatar, couldn’t match the fire power of the Ecuador team despite enjoying  the backing of the majority of the crowd at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium, but could not follow a glitzy opening ceremony with a statement performance.

Ecuador thought they had made a dream start when they silenced the home fans as Valencia headed in, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for an offside in the build-up.

Valencia did break the deadlock with a penalty in the 16th minute and doubled his tally just after the half-hour mark.

Qatar improved slightly in the second period, but by the end of the 90 minutes, the excitement which greeted the build-up – featuring Morgan Freeman and BTS star Jung Kook – was a distant memory as thousands of fans left early amid a deflated atmosphere.

Felix Sanchez’s Qatar will likely need a positive result in their second Group A match against Senegal on Friday just to avoid the ignominy of becoming only the second hosts, after South Africa in 2010, to be dumped out in the first round.

Hopes were high among the crowd that Qatar could make a winning start, but the deficiencies of the World Cup debutants were ruthlessly exposed by an impressive Ecuador.

Qatar failed to even muster a shot on target in the game, with spectators filing out of the stands long before the final whistle.

In the 92-year history of the tournament, home countries had previously won 16 and drawn six of their opening matches.

Ecuador were completely dominant in the early exchanges, though, and were awarded a penalty after Valencia was tripped by Al Sheeb when through on goal.

The former West Ham forward coolly sent Al Sheeb the wrong way from the spot and stroked the ball into the bottom corner to score his 36th international goal.

Ecuador did not have to wait long to double their advantage as, after a surging run from Moises Caicedo, right-back Angelo Preciado swung in a cross which Valencia met with a thumping header.

Almoez Ali, the hero of Qatar’s 2019 Asian Cup success, should have pulled one back on the stroke of half-time but could only steer a free header wide from eight yards out.

Ecuador allowed Qatar more of the ball after the break but still looked the more dangerous side, with Romario Ibarra bringing a diving save from Al Sheeb.

Valencia hobbled off in the 77th minute after being on the wrong end of a series of heavy challenges, although that would only have taken some of the shine off a famous night for Ecuador.

By the time an official attendance of 67,372 was read out over the tannoy, the stadium was barely half full.

Defunct Diamond Bank Former MD, Alex Otti Set To Float New Bank

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Alex Otti

By Akinwale Kasali

Labour Party, LP, Governorship Candidate in Abia State, Alex Otti, is allegedly planning to set up a new Bank.

The former Managing Director of defunct Diamond Bank is said to be planning to float the new Commercial Bank called Signature Bank .

It was gathered that the new regional licensed commercial bank will be unveiled before the end of  this month with its headquarters located at 31B, Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, the nation’s Capital.

The New Bank will be commissioned to provide personal, private and business banking services to the south-south, south-east, north-East  region of the country, including Abuja.

It is  expected that the new bank will begin operations in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Aba, Sokoto and Kano.

Aggrieved PDP Governors Form Integrity Group

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Any Atiku Supporter Is An Enemy – Governor Ortom

By Akinwale Kasali

The aggrieved Governors in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, fold known as the G5 has announced the formation of the Integrity Group within the party.

The Governors include: Nyesom Wike, Rivers State, Seyi Makinde, Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State and Samuel Ortom, Benue State. They  have been at loggerheads with the Party since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential Candidate of the Party. They are calling for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

The  Integrity Group was inaugurated in Lagos where the G5 had a closed door meeting.

Addressing the media before going into a closed-door session, Makinde said the Integrity Group remained the face behind the struggle within the PDP.

Makinde said: “We are here this morning to hold a meeting of the Integrity Group within our party, the PDP. We have been of the G5 – that is, the five PDP Governors. The G5 is all about the Integrity Group.

“You can see us, five serving Governors, as the face of this struggle, both the leaders and elders of the party that you see here are the people behind those faces.

“We are in the South-West to review the situation within our party, to review where we are and to also look at what is going to happen in the coming elections,” he said.

The Oyo State Governor said that Nigerians will be informed about the outcome of their closed meeting, but it  will majorly center on the burning issues within the PDP.

“On behalf of our leaders and elders in the South-West, I want to welcome members of the Integrity Group and wish us well,” he said.

According to the News Agency Of Nigeria, NAN, the  PDP leaders at the meeting were former governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo State), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Donald Duke (Cross River), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and former deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George.

Also present are, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke, Deputy National Chairman South of the PDP, Taofeek Arapaja; Seator Nasif Suleiman, Nnena Ukeje, Senator Sandy Onor and Senator Mao Ohabunwa.

Tinubu Flays Infrastructural Decay In Delta, Says State, ATM For PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Speakers at the presidential rally of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Warri, Delta state on Saturday took swipe on various administration in the state for infrastructural deficit, despite being an oil producing state.

APC Presidential Candidate,Bola Tinubu  hit at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to develop Delta State despite the huge resources accruing to the state.

A statement by the APC media office stated that the rally, which took place at the Warri Township Stadium, was attended by Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, APC Deputy National, South, Barrister Emma Enekwu, representing National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu.

Others are  the Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the presidential candidate.

While addressing the rally, Tinubu accused the opposition party of abandoning infrastructural development in the state and leaving the state to rot away.

“Delta is among Nigeria’s largest oil and gas producing states. Revenue from oil and gas has historically been the backbone of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

“As such your state and other oil producers have made a one-of-a-kind financial contribution to the building of modern Nigeria. The nation is thankful to you.

“Delta has all it takes to be great and help lead the nation forward. Yet, for the past twenty-three years, those governing your state have taken you for a hard and long ride by selling you short. They have not done the things they should have and could have done for you.

“The infrastructure in the state was better 30 years ago than it is now. The state has recorded historic debts run up by the incumbent yet the infrastructure and other things still remain lacking because of under investment and neglect.

“The money is much but it does not have legs. Where did it go? Not to your welfare. Perhaps, it has found a home with a certain presidential candidate who loves Dubai more than Nigeria.

“But Delta State is not an ATM for migratory politicians. It is a place where good and hardworking people reside and work to create decent and peaceful lives for themselves and their families.”

On his plans for Delta State, which he described as another home to him, Tinubu promised to re-activate the gas revolution industrial park while also seeing to the cleaning of the whole Niger-Delta region to ensure that the host communities do not suffer for building the nation’s economy through their oil.

“Our government will further re-activate the Multi-Billion Dollar Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project. President Buhari’s administration has made great strides in revisiting this project. We will complete it.

“Gas will become a national priority. I envision fertilizer and petrochemical plants, aluminium smelters, methanol plants, all creating jobs for the unemployed while producing goods that bolster farming, construction and other industries.

“We will step up and clean up the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of the Niger Delta.

“The NDDC will be improved. Greater cooperation with Communities which have suffered the environmental degradation will be my policy.

“I am saddened by the environmental cost which the oil and gas industry has exacted. Our moral and economic duty call us to clean the Niger Delta and to create new opportunities for young Deltans to build better lives for themselves,” he added.

On infrastructure development in the state, which he affirmed had been in a sorry state, Tinubu said, “We will help develop the infrastructure of your state.

“The deep sea port project and the Omadino – Escravos Road project will be revisited. We will rehabilitate Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu ports, creating yet more jobs in the State.

“My government will deploy new technologies to protect the safety and security of law- abiding Deltans as well as the critical national infrastructure situated in this state. We will also introduce greater funding and reform policies to bring the Nigerian police closer to the communities they serve”.

Addressing the rally, APC Governorship candidate in the state, Senator Omo-Agege said the Governor of Delta State and Vice Presidential Candidate of the opposition PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had failed the state and should step down.

He said Delta under Okowa’s watch had become poverty and slum capital of the country and urged the people of the state to vote for Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2023 general elections.

Okowa also came under criticism from former governor of Edo State, Comrade Oshiomhole who accused him of under-developing the state.

Speaking in pidgin English, he said he was backing Asíwájú Tinubu for the presidency because “anyone wey want higher responsibility, you look hin past record service” stating that Tinubu as governor of Lagos State turned the state around and made it one of the biggest economies in Africa.

Senate President Lawan paid glowing tributes to both Asíwájú Tinubu and Senator Omo-Agege, his deputy, who he described as an eminent son of Delta State.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a daughter of the soil addressed the people in her Itsekiri language, urging them to vote for APC so they could have one of their own in the corridor of power.

Zamfara Celebrates Ceasefire By Bandits

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Zamfara state is celebrating one week ceasefire by bandits, with people going about their businesses unhindered.

Zamfara is one of the states in north west axis of the country that has been experiencing bombardments from bandits, with residents being killed right away in front of their homes or kidnapped.

The state commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara, in a statement on Sunday,  notes that “government of Zamfara state is happy to notify the general public that security situation has  significantly improved in the state.

“A survey conducted last week across the state shows that there has been little or no banditry activites in most of the local governments areas of the state,  except in some isolated cases in parts of Bukkuyum, Gummi, Anka, Maru, Talata Mafara, Gusau and Maradun.

‘The recent order by the President and Commander in – Chief, Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies to deal decisively with the bandits in the North-west states and central, coupled with the synergy between and amongst security operatives has greatly helped in reducing the scale of the banditry in Zamfara state.

“Following this development and the support and cooperation from the press has been overwhelming and welcomed development in our state.

“The hitherto waves of attacks, killings, kidnappings and raping of women has drastically reduced and people are now seen carrying out their legitimate businesses in most parts of the state with relative ease, except those places mentioned above.

“The government and good people of Zamfara state are therefore expressing their appreciation to the collaboration between the security agencies and government, as well as the renewed determination of the Federal government to deal decisively with the menace.

“We are urging both the security agencies and President Mohammadu Buhari to continue to support the unwavering resolve of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawallen Maradun to bring back the lasting peace enjoyed by the state before now.

“I can confidently assured the general public that, Zamfara is on the path of peace and harmony. It will insha Allah be secured and peaceful.”

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