Home Blog Page 1950

Ekiti: Amotekun Arrests Ex Convict, Three Others For Crime

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Amotekun Arrests three suspects

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, has nabbed a run away ex convict, Rasaq Bashiru and three others for various crimes.

Parading the suspects in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, the Corps Commander, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe, (Rtd), said  Rasaq Bashiru, has been on the trail for various criminal activities.

He disclosed that Bashiru, an ex-convict who has served various jail terms twice, is a kingpin of criminals known for stealing and burglary in the state.

“The leader escaped that day and luckily we have been able to apprehend him and we interrogated him and he said he was released during the last leniency that they normally grant in June.

“When we arrested him yesterday, Bashiru Rasaq, we trailed him in company of two other people, one Ajayi Toyin and Sunday Tunde in possession of Indian hemp.

“He confessed to going to Damleck Event Centre to remove armoured cable and sold it out. He confessed that they went to other places to go and pack goats.”

Others paraded are 31-year old Niyi Komolafe for removing BEDC cable in Ado Ekiti, 28-year old Ajayi Toyin in possession of fake naira notes and Sunday Tunde who was in possession of Indian Hemp.

“The other suspect, Niyi Komolafe, was arrested after vandalizing BEDC Transformer and took armoured cable.”

Yoruba Group Urges New British PM To Deal With Nigeria’s Historic Errors

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Liz Truss

By Akinwale Kasali

Pan Yoruba Coalition, under the aegis of Apapo O’odua Koya, AOKOYA, has urged the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, to use her position to correct the historic injustice in Nigeria by supporting the campaign to correct alleged time-long errors.

In a letter sent to Downing Street on Wednesday, AOKOYA said successive British Prime Ministers had turned blind eye and  deaf ears to the festering calamity in Nigeria, a British creation which the group said is inching towards another African calamity.

In the letter signed by the group’s newly elected Assistant Foreign Affairs Secretary, Abdulahi  Olasunkanmi, Apapo Oodua Koya, (AOKOYA) said Britain has a heavy burden on her shoulders which if not addressed has the capacity to invent one of the worst human catastrophes.

The Coalition said two elements make the intervention of Britain in Nigeria’s slip into the abyss crucial: First, Britain is a permanent member of the United Nations, (UN) the world body which responsibility is to promote global peace and prevent war, secondly, Britain created Nigeria out of her own self-conceived economic interests without consideration for humanity and the fears and aspirations of indigenous communities that have continued to suffer cultural and economic genocide intensified with the handing over of Nigeria to the country’s most incompetent, vile, inept and retrogressive Fulani ethnic ruling class.

‘Nigeria is at a stage that war can be let loose any time. The fragments forced together in 1914 by Britain can no longer hold. The possibility of a violent collapse is real. We are certain the British intelligence services are aware of a tottering African country and certain the British political leaders are conscious of the hovering vultures.

“If only for the sake of our innocent children, women and the aged, you as a mother and the new Prime Minister of Britain should tell the political jackals in Nigeria that they should  unbundle the country and free the bottled up spirits to safe the country from needles war’, Olasunkanmi said.

The group said since the 1914 forceful amalgamation by Britain, Nigeria has been an atomic society in constant violent conflict with itself, a contradiction that once led to a civil war that took close to 1 million lives. ‘If one million people died between 1967 and 1970, how many people should die in another war if global voices fail to speak out against the torrents of repression, terrorism, stealing and brigandage the Fulani leadership and their cronies represent in Nigeria.

Apapo O’odua Koya, (AOKOYA) said Nigeria’s foreign debt is about $80b.

‘The country now services foreign debt with 120 percent of her earning. The state hosts and sustains fundamentalists who lay their hands on strategic positions from where they source funds to fuel terrorism and carnage which is spreading across Southern indigenous territories and the middle belt. Rural and urban communities of indigenous peoples have been invaded by armed terrorists whose actions have led to food insecurity, rape, death and ceaseless killings.’

AOKOYA recall that the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect said 35,000 Nigerians have been violently murdered by terrorists since 2009.

‘In 2021 alone, 2,600 Nigerians were killed by bandits. Thousands of women have been raped and children butchered. While Britain continues unimpeded economic relations with Nigeria, it would be humane for your country, which we believe is not in short of men and women of conscience to ask questions about a system in your former colony that is sustained by blood, avarice and bullets’ AOKOYA said.

The group said further ‘Your country has rolled out a 40billion pounds energy supply scheme to lower bills to save hundreds of thousands of businesses this winter. You have also rolled out various initiatives to deal with the pitfalls of the Ukraine war.

In Africa, the 200million Nigerians are waiting to see how your government will deal with the mess created in Nigeria with the forceful 1914 merger, a mess that has consumed millions of human souls and now threatening to consume even more millions as the country wobbles through a thick tunnel of misery and hopelessness.

‘Nigerians are footnotes in the books of their leaders. We urge you Madam Prime Minister put pressure Nigerian political class, especially President Mohammadu Buhari to release political detainees, allow  self determination exiles who have fled the country to return home and to allow the United Nations conduct a referendum on ethnic self determination.

AOKOYA said  ‘If you are in a position to rally Europe on any crisis in your continent, we think you should not be averse to doing the same thing in Nigeria to avoid what looks like an impending carnage in a country notorious for blood letting and horrendous human sufferings’.

Police Special Constables Protest Over Non Payment Of Allowances

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Police Special Constables Protesting

By Ayodele Oni

Commercial activities in Osogbo, Osun State capital were disrupted as some Police Special Constables, on Wednesday, took to the streets  to protest the non payment of their allowances.

They are said to be owed 18 months allowance.

The Police Constables, who converged at Oke-Fia roundabout in the morning, moved through major streets  to register their displeasure over the unpaid allowances.

Dressed in police uniforms, the protesters were armed with placards with different inscriptions. Some of the inscriptions read, “pay us now”, “we’re dying”, we’re hungry.

One of the protesters said; “We’re dying. We spent so much at the College. I have children but it’s 18 months now and I have not been paid.

“Four of us have been killed by armed robbers during attacks on banks in Ikire, Iragbiji and others. We want our money.”

Mini drama ensued as the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, tried to calm the protesters, who looked so determined to press home their demands.

The Commissioner promised that the issue being raised by the recruits is being addressed.

Ooni Of Ife Officially Gets Married For The Third Time In Seven Years

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Mariam Anako

By Akinwale Kasali

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has, for the third time in his Seven-year reign, married. He is now, officially married to Mariam Anako, who automatically, becomes his Olori.

The new wife of Ooni of Ife arrived late on Tuesday at the Palace of the Monarch in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The new wife was ushered into the palace after brief rites at the entrance to the Palace.

She was thereafter led into the inner court of the Palace to meet her husband and other guests waiting to receive her.

Oba Ogunwusi in a video shared on the Facebook page of his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, around 10:30 pm on Tuesday, was assisted by Chiefs and close aides to welcome the new wife into the Palace.

Also, Ooni’s  elder brother, Sooko Adegboyega Ogunwusi, and the Monarch’s other siblings were present.

During the ceremony, Anako’s relations from Ebiraland in Kogi State and Ilorin in Kwara State were also present and they took turn to greet Ooni.

The new wife is coming into the Palace about 10 months after Naomi Silekunola, the last wife of the monarch left him.

Specifically, Naomi announced separation from the Monarch on Thursday, December 23, 2021, thus  ending a marriage that produced a son, Tadenikawo and lasted for about three years.

2023: Obi Denies Receiving $150m Diaspora Fund

By
James Orji
-
0
Peter Obi

By James Orji

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP has denied receiving $150 million in funding from Nigerians living abroad. Obi spoke on the background of a claim that he received diaspora funding in contravention of the Electoral Act.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has recently said the government will go after any political party and candidates that receive funding from the diaspora.

The justice minister said doing so will contravene the country’s extant laws. But legal analysts have disagreed with him, saying the Act did not prevent individual candidates from receiving financial support for their political aspirations from their supporters living abroad.

On Monday, Professor Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the Labour Party said the party will soon release dedicated accounts for his party supporters to send their financial support.  

Obi however said he has not received ‘anything’ so far, describing the claim that he collected $150 million as speculation.

According to him, “Nobody has given me anything. That is speculation. What I need is not what they would give me. But what they would give Nigeria, because we need them to turn around Nigeria.

“This is the energy, the capacity that we need to turn around Nigeria. Every country that was turned around, was done by the diaspora. Even in the Bible, Joseph who left later came back to feed his people.

 “I am consulting Nigeria diasporans to know why they should be involved in the Nigerian electoral process. And you can see from my conversation and everything that what I am doing is saying let’s get involved.

“They are the most critical components of turning around Nigeria. The investment Nigeria needs to turn around is diasporans. If they believe in Nigeria and bring their resources, both in terms of their material, talent, and energy, we will turn around the country,” the LP presidential candidate said.

FG Restates Plan To Supply Gas To Europe

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Timipre Sylva, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has disclosed that the country will soon become a major gas supplier to Europe in the face of a glut of energy supply to the continent from Russia.

The minister said the Russia/Ukraine war has opened an opportunity for the country to position itself as an alternate supplier of Gas  to Europe.

Sylva spoke a day after the President Vladimir Putin-led Russia blocked gas supply to Europe through the Nord Stream pipeline. Supply will not resume until the West lifts the sanctions imposed on Russia, according to the Kremlin.

In June, the federal government approved the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline which will transport gas to some parts of West Africa, Africa, and Europe.

Speaking on Tuesday during a panel session at the 50th Anniversary Edition of Gastech Conference 2022 in Milan, Italy, the minister said Nigeria is trying to take advantage of the Russia/Ukraine crisis.

 According to him, “Today we are seeing gas being weaponized and every country will at least require some alternative supply.

“So, we are positioning ourselves to be an alternative supplier to Europe. We are already working with Algeria to build the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline that is going to take our gas all the way to Europe.

“We are also having a partnership with Morocco to extend the West Africa Gas Pipeline to Morocco and across the Mediterranean to Europe.

“We believe that Europe needs this gas and it is a win-win for all of us and it is in their interest to reduce these discriminatory investments that their banks are doing.”

He said the recent passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill will help the country to become a major player in international gas supply politics, adding that a policy framework has been put in place to attract investment to the sector.

He said,“For Europe, we don’t know how the winter is going to be but for us, we know that gas is going to be with us for some time and it is in our collective interest for us to provide funding for gas.

“For Nigeria, we just need a few interventions. We need collaboration, and of course we need funding and then technology.

“By the time we get this together, we should be able to unlock a lot of gas.

“Today, we have over 200TCF of proven gas reserves and we know that if we really target gas exploration we can increase this figure to up to 600TCF of gas.

 “As a country, we are also increasing our investment in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). We were producing about 22MTPA of LNG but we are building a train to increase it to 30MTPA.

“We are also planning to increase our gas production which is about 8 billion cubic feet per day (cf/d) to about 12. 2 billion cf/d.

“We have declared the year 2021 to year 2030 as the Decade of Gas, so we are focused on actually investing in gas.”

Uzodimma: Evidence Abounds There Is God in Imo State

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma has said evidence abounds everywhere to show that God is in Imo State.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square in Owerri on the occasion of the second edition of ‘Imo Unity Prayer and Praise Convention’ organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Imo State Chapter.

The theme of this year’s event is “Oh God Our Help in Ages Past” (Ps 46:1).

In his remarks at the end of the prayer and praise session that attracted believers from different Christian denominations – Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals among others, Governor Uzodimma said God has remained faithful and gracious to Imo State hence the prayer and praise session is appropriate.

Governor Uzodimma said: “God has been there for us.  In good times and in challenging times, he is always there. There is evidence everywhere to show that Almighty God is in Imo State.”

The Governor said  Imo has remained in God’s hands despite challenges confronting her.

His words: “We were challenged but we didn’t go retaliating. We put our knees on the ground. We prayed and God answered us.”

Governor Uzodimma who assured the Church of his government’s partnership 

said his is a God fearing government.

He added that as long as one is God fearing one will be his friend, brother or sister.

Governor Uzodimma thanked God for the wisdom given to Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Imo State Chapter to organize the event at a time it is needed most.

He recalled that in the last two years Imo State has been enveloped in fear as a result of high level of criminality, because we came together, prayed and glorified God, He in His infinite mercy rescued the State from the hands of the devil.

The Governor said he acknowledges what the Holy Book says that “prayer is the key whenever and wherever you find yourself in time of agony, sorrow, humiliation and celebration.”  

He, therefore, encouraged Imo people to continue to pray and thank God “for he hears our prayers.”

Governor Uzodimma also thanked the leaders of other Church groups who joined CAN in the prayer session, particularly for the various prayers they offered for the people and the State.

He said their continous prayers at a time in Imo State all hope was almost lost and people almost gave up hope, made the difference. “But to the Glory of God, “Imo Prayed and God Answered Us.” 

He used the opportunity to encourage Imo people not to give in or lose hope because “God has taken over the battle, so we have every reason to glorify God. Today Imo State is free.”

“There is nothing God cannot do  and there is nothing hidden under the earth or below the heavens that God doesn’t know about, therefore it behoves on all of us to continue to serve God and humanity, especially by being fair to our neighbours. We have no other person to take care of our problems other than God Almighty.” 

Waxing spiritual Governor Uzodimma said: “I will continue to look unto God as I have no business with Satan, with letting blood, with those who kill because they are looking for power, with those who want to punish innocent human beings because they are looking for power. Power belongs to God. Satan will do all it will do, but my Government and people of Imo State will tell Satan to go its way. In God We Trust.”

Earlier in his remarks,  the Chairman CAN Imo State Chapter, Rev Dr. Eches Divine Eches acknowledged that “Governor Uzodimma has brought peace, unity and development through his giant strides in infrastructural development in Imo State.”

Highlights of the programme were the presentation of a Holy Bible and prayers for the Governor, family and government of Imo State by the Southern CAN Chairman, Bishop Maxwell C. Korie.

Those who accompanied the Governor to the prayer session were his wife,  Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Bola Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Barr. Kennedy Ibe represented by the Majority Leader, Hon Kanayo Onyemechi, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other members of the expanded Exco among others.

ASUU Strike: FG Set To Increase Lecturers Salary By 23.5 Percent, Professors 35 Per cent

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Adamu Adamu

By Akinwale Kasali

To put an end to the lingering strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, which has crippled educational activities in the Federal and State Tertiary Institutions for over Six Months, the Federal Government has stated that it can only afford a 23.5 per cent salary increment for lecturers.

This development was made known by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who said that the Federal Government is set to increase the salary of lecturers by 23.5 percent  for lecturers, while a 35% increment will be enjoyed by Professors.

The Minister also noted that  President Muhammadu Buhari warned against signing agreements which the Government will not be able to meet.

Adamu disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking during the meeting with Vice Chancellors and other stakeholders in the University system.

He said: ”The Federal Government can only afford a 23.5% salary increase for all category of the workforce in Federal Universities, except for the professorial cadre which will enjoy a 35% upward review.

Henceforth, allowances that pertain to ad-hoc duties of the academic and non-academic staff shall be paid as at when due by the Governing Councils of Universities to which such services are rendered and to the staff who perform

them.

“That a sum of N150 billion shall be provided for in the 2023 Budget as funds for the revitalization of Federal Universities, to be disbursed to the Institutions in the First Quarter of the year, and that a sum of N50 billion shall be provided for in the 2023 Budget for the payment of outstanding areas of earned academic allowances, to be paid in the First Quarter of the year”.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, the Pro-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Peter Okebukola, noted that the Government was ready to go all out to ensure that the University lecturers return to school.

Tribunal Dismisses Suit Against DSTV, GOTV Operators Over Tariff Hike

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
DSTV and GOTV

By Akinwale Kasali

The Suit filed before the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal sitting in Abuja, against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the operator of satellite televisions – the DSTV and GOTV challenging the recent price hike by the company has been dismissed.

The three-member panel tribunal headed by Thomas Okosun, in its judgment, dismissed the suit which was filed by Mr Festus Onifade on behalf of himself and the coalition of Nigerian consumers, as lacking in merit.

In the suit, MultiChoice was the first respondent while the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission was cited as the second.

The plaintiff approached the Tribunal shortly after MultiChoice announced its plan to increase subscription tariffs on all its products, from April 1.

In the amended suit on June 20, Onifade asked the Tribunal to issue an order, directing and mandating the Cable Service provider to adopt a pay-as-you-view model of charging for its products and services in Nigeria.

He also demanded damages be awarded against the company to the tune of N10 million.

The Tribunal had initially granted an ex-parte order that directed the parties to maintain status quo ante Bellum, but the company allegedly proceeded with the price increase on DSTV and GOTV subscriptions.

Jamiu Agoro, MultiChoice’s lawyer, had challenged the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to entertain the case.

He urged the Tribunal to set aside its interlocutory order, arguing that the claimants lacked the locus standi to institute the action.

The Tribunal, however, dismissed the matter for want of merit, despite affirming its jurisdiction on the case.

The Tribunal noted that: “Only the President has the powers to regulate or fix prices of goods and services under stipulated circumstances which do not apply in this instance.”

It also posited that the claimants could not prove how they suffered psychological trauma, hardship or how their rights were trampled upon by the said hike.

Ondo: Owo Catholic Church Victims Get Cash Reward

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government on Tuesday provided succor for the victims of the June 5 attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo with presentation of cash gift.

Chairman of the donation management committee, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa who led other members of the committee to Owo, explained that the move was in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, to give required support to all the victims of the attack.

Governor Akeredolu had constituted a committee to manage funds donated by public-spirited individuals and corporate organizations into the Owo Terrorists Attack Relief Fund.

The committee, which has the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa as its Chairman also has as members representatives of Olowo of Owo and that of the Catholic Church.

Akinterinwa explained that the committee collated names and addresses of all the victims, families of the deceased and the injured, based on the funds received into the account so far.

He noted that each of the families of the deceased and the injured have been given cash gift, adding that the disbursement will continue if more funds are received into the account.

”This is another series of support the Ondo State Government is giving to the victims.

“What we have done on this occasion is to collate all the victims, families of the deceased and the injured, based on the funds we have received into the account we opened.

“We felt that it was proper with the approval of the Governor to reach out to these families and that is why we are here today.

“We have given each of the families of the deceased and the injured cash gifts and as we receive more funds into the account, we will continue to disburse.

“At the end of the day, we will make public all the funds received, the amount received from home where we were allowed to and it will be transparent and how it was utilized.

“We want to thank all those who have donated on behalf of the Ondo State Government, we thank them for their immense contribution, as God will continue to bless them.

“Also to let all the members of the public know that the account is still very much open and we are still expecting and willing to receive donations.

“It can never be too much and for those who still want to donate, our account will be made available. If you go to our website, you can still make donations.”

Some of the families of the injured and deceased thanked the state government for the relief fund given to them.

One of the injured, Ayo Adetunji, a young boy, said the incident happened with no prior notice, adding that it was God that saved his life.

Adetunji appreciated Ondo State Government for remembering him with such a relief fund.

Those who benefited from the cash gifts included: Mr. Agbom Paul who lost his late brother’s wife; Evaristus Oluchukwu; Mrs. Helen Ifeanyi; Fabian Nweke; Mrs. Theophine Ogoegbunam; Chief Titus Oranuba, injured; Sunday Festus; Precious Sunday; Oladele Christianah; Ozorchukwu Angela; and Ofene Joseph.

1...1,9491,9501,951...2,987Page 1,950 of 2,987