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Christian Girl, Lois John,  Abuja-Kaduna Train Victim, To Be Married By Terrorists Commander; Four Victims Released

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Kaduna-Train Abductee - Azurfa Lois John

By Adesina Soyooye

An unfortunate abductee of the Abuja-Lagos gruesome and embarrassing attack, 21-year old Christian Girl, Azurfa Lois John, is about to be forcefully married to one of the top Commanders of the Terrorist Group which abducted them.

Tukur Mamu, Publisher of the Desert Herald and Media Consultant to controversial Cleric, Sheik Abubakar Gumi, raised the alarm when he received four abductees of the tragedy who were released on Friday by their abductors.

Mamu received them in his office when they visited to thank him for his efforts which culminated in their release even though he said he had withdrawn from the mediation team.

The released four are the oldest abducted of the victims, 85 year-old Hajia Halimatu Attah, her daughter, Hajia Halimatu, 53,  Adams Mohammed Sani Abdulmaji (M.S. Ustaz, who Mamu said suggested his name to the Terrorists as a mediator), and Alhaji Modin  Modi Bodinga, an indigene of Sokoto State.

But on Miss Lois John, the a Christian girl, Mamu expressed fears over her fate. He said if urgent steps are not taken by the Federal Government,  the 21-year old, would suffer the same fate as Leah Sharibu, the student who was abducted from her school along with her colleagues but was the only one not released because she, allegedly, refused to renounce her Christian faith.

Leah has since been married off to one of her abductors, and has since, allegedly, given birth to two children in captivity.

Mamu disclosed that one of the terrorist Commanders is in love with Lois, and has concluded plans to marry her. He said the marriage would materialise if the Federal Government does not take urgent steps to rescue her. He also warned the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, not to politicise this information, but to, along with the Nigerian Government treat it as serious and urgent.

It is not known if any ransom was paid before the latest released four. But the Terrorists have, allegedly, been, receiving the sum of N100m per released victim.

Said Mamu in a statement on Friday: ” I can confirm that earlier on Friday, four additional victims of the train attack were released by their abductors. The four released victims just left my office.

“They said they came, collectively, to thank me for the past efforts I made to mediate on their behalf, and for convincing their abductors to  drop the threat of executing them, and to plead for all stakeholders, especially, the Federal Government, to intensify efforts as the condition of the remaining 23 victims they left at the forest is pathetic.

“Amongst those that were released on Friday include the oldest victim, a grand mother, Mama Halimatu Attah. She is 85 years old. Also released is her daughter, a 53 year-old married woman, Adama Attah-Aliyu ( the woman that was shown in the last video, bravely protesting and challenging her captors and lamenting failure to secure their release), the victim that first suggested my name to the abductors, as one of those to be contacted to mediate between them and the Federal Government, Mohammed Sani Abdulmaji (M.S. Ustaz), and a Sokoto indigene, Alhaji Modin Modi Bodinga were also released on Friday.

“This is to alert the Federal Government, and especially, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), that I can confirm, through credible information at my disposal, that if urgent action is not taken to immediately secure the release of the youngest victim of the train attack, a 21-year old Azurfa Lois John, the abductors, as they have done in the case of Leah Sharibu, are planning to marry her any moment from now. One of the top Commanders is said to be in love with her.

“This important information is to be treated with the urgency it deserves. Even though I know that releasing this information will not only unsettle her immediate family and loved ones, but Nigerians as a whole, it is necessary to do so to avoid a repeat of Leah Sharibu’s case.

“I advise CAN in particular not to politicise this issue or reduce it to mere press releases as I have seen in the past, but to work closely with relevant authorities to engage the abductors on her case as soon as possible, before it gets late.

“I pray that in view of the uncertainties which are becoming alarming, the Federal Government will also act very fast to ensure the release of the other victims.”

With the release of the four, 23 victims are still in captivity. They were abducted on March 28, 2022, in a commando attack after the terrorists bombed the train they boarded from Abuja to Kaduna. They followed up with gunfire, killing nine of their victims and kidnapping over 60 of them. They have been releasing them in batches.

The Federal Government has expressed its helplessness over the fate of the victims. Recently, a Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the FG has met every demand by the terrorists, including releasing those they asked the FG to release in exchange for the train victims. But the Terrorists reneged on their own side of the bargain to release the victims. Instead, they chose to milk the victims’ families and release only those whose families, allegedly, pay N100m per victim.

Gymnastics: 11-Year Old Gymnast, Stephanie Onusiriuka Makes History, Puts Nigeria On World Map

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Stephanie Onusiriuka - World Best Gymnast

By Akinwale Kasali

Before now, little or nothing was known of 11-Year Stephanie Onusiriuka, not until she wrote her name in Gymnastics history book, by winning a Gold Medal in her discipline at the Africa Gymnastics Championship in South Africa.

The Continent stood still for the young gymnast sensation who took the world by storm.

The media beamed its light on her as she became ‘a golden fish’.

With this superlative outing and performance, the Anambra State born Stephanie has joined the league and class of sport men and women that hail from Anambra, who made the State and Nigeria proud as whole.

The likes of Innocent Egbunike, Mary Onyali, John Mikel Obi, Francis Obikwelu and others had, at different times, hoisted the nation’s flag, on a soaring height.

The teenage sensation, Stephanie, started professional gymnastics with TIG Gymnastics at the National Stadium, Abuja, in October 2018 and participated at the 8th Edition TIG International Level System Gymnastics Championship Competition.

At the 2019 National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State,  she grabbed several silver and bronze medals to become Nigeria’s youngest medallist in gymnastics.

If not for her age, Stephanie could have represented Nigeria at the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, but, with the zeal, strength, passion, determination and her skills, she will compete in 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled for France.

Her ambition is to compete with world athletes. She is very enthusiastic to show the world her talents.

Her young career has continued to grow in leaps and bounds culminating into the recent victory in South Africa.

CNPP Calls For Reversal of Order Revoking Licences of 52 Broadcasting Stations

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has condemned the decision of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to revoke the licenses of 52 broadcast stations in Nigeria, describing the action in an election as a draconian.

The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, noted that “President Muhammadu Buhari administration has not hidden its disdain for media organisations in Nigeria.

“The CNPP recall that one of the first actions taken by President Buhari administration on assumption of office in 2015 was the ban of African Independent Television (AIT) from covering the presidential villa, Abuja.

“The CNPP equally recall that Bashir Abubakar, the Chief Security Officer to President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2017 also expelled the correspondent of Punch Newspapers, Lekan Adetayo, from the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to end this assault on the media and rather engage them, particularly in an election period as we find ourselves.

“There is no enough justification for the shutdown of the 52 broadcast stations by the NBC considering the after effects, including the magnitude of job loss by citizens.

“The NBC should have engaged the stations, using less draconian approach to debt recovery.

“Has NBC thought of the number of citizens employed by the 52 broadcast stations before revoking their licences?

“The CNPP therefore calls for immediate reversal of the shutdown order by the NBC to save million of jobs in the country and reduce the pains inflicted on Nigerians who voted the All Progressives Congress (APC) into office”, the statement concluded.

Rivers: Wike Seals Hotels Over Political Gatherings; Arrests Staff, Guests

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has made good his threat to seal Hotels and other Recreational Centers where Politicians hold meetings, and according to him, allegedly hire thugs and cultists to cause a breach of peace in the State.

In the wee hours of Friday, August 19, 2022, Security Agents, allegedly, from Government House, Port Harcourt, stormed two hotels and a filling station, all located in Porthacourt city, sealed them and made a number of arrests including staff and guests.

The hotels which fell under Wike’s hammer are: Priscy’s Lounge, Elekahia owned by Hon. Jones Ogbonda and  Preray Hotel, Eagle Island owned by Ikechi Chinda, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Porthacourt.

The Petrol and Gas station sealed belongs to Hon. Chinese Igwe.

Ironically, they are owned by PDP members. However, the owners are said to be Political associates of a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Austin Opara. It is speculated, strongly, that the action was targeted at Opara.

Opara has been a close Political ally of Governor Wike until recently when they fell out because Opara dared visit PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar who, for now, Wike has an untidy relationship with.

When Wike made the threat that he would seal Hotels and other concerns over Political meetings, the main opposition Party in the State, the All Progressives Congress, APC, had dared him to seal any concern belonging to its members.

He has just started with those of his Party. It is to be seen if he will extend it to the concerns owned by APC members  and what would happen thereafter.

President Buhari Takes Full Charge Of Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign

By
Ayodele Oni
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Tinubu and Buhari

By Ayodele Oni

The operation and funding of campaigns of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are now under President  Muhammadu Buhari.

This follows the President’s appointment as Chairman of the Party’s  Presidential Campaign Council.

This was one of the outcome of a meeting between the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu and APC Governors in Abuja.

Sources at the meeting, also, disclosed that the party, which is still battling with criticisms trailing its choice of Muslim/Muslim ticket,  is expected to kick-off campaigns in September ahead of the 2023 elections.

The choice of President Buhari does not however affect the position of the Governor of Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong who still retains his position as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign.

Governor Lalong, however, would be reporting to President Buhari, who has been given the power to take the final decision on operations and funding of the campaigns.

ASUU Faction Seeks FG’s Support To End Strike

By
James Orji
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ASUU President and Ngige

A group of lecturers under the aegis of Congress of University Academics, CONUA has called on the federal government to register the union.

The union, which broke away from the Academic Staff Union of the Universities, ASUU said this is the only way to break the current monopoly enjoyed by the foremost union.

It blamed the ongoing strike of ASUU as confrontational, adding that strike should be the last resort when trying to resolve issues in the nation’s ivory towers with the federal government.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday, the National Coordinator of CONUA, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, said the ASUU strike has paralysed the nation’s university system.

Summonu said its own members are not on strike, calling on the federal government to pay them arrears of salary.

Recall that the minister of Education Adamu Adamu had on Thursday said the government will not pay striking university teachers for the period they were on strike.

The CONUA leader said there would be stability in the universities if his union is registered with relevant federal government authorities, adding that freedom of association is enshrined in the country’s constitution.

According to him, “We need a paradigm shift from the old order in our universities and CONUA will focus on inculcating the spirit

” We underscore the fact that what we are asking for is liberalisation. And what that will bring on the table is that before you embark on any industrial action, cross-fertilisation of ideas is needed.

“What we have noted over the years is that ideas are usually muffled and what you see is the perspective of some people and the perspective of other people not actually reflective of what transpired at the end of the day.

” So when we have liberalisation, what we will eventually have is healthy competition, the interest eventually resulting in the protection of the interest of other stakeholders would be protected,” he said.

APC Calls For The Impeachment Of Governor Ortom Over Local Government Funds

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has called for the impeachment of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, over alleged high handedness, illegal and unlawful maladministration of the Local Government Councils of the State.

At a Press Conference held at the APC Secretariat in Makurdi, Benue State capital, Friday, August 19, 2022, the APC said It has become necessary  to intimate the general public about the nefarious deeds of  Governor  Ortom regarding the day to day running of the Local Government Councils in the State.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary,  Daniel Ihomun, APC alleged that Governor Ortom is presently mismanaging the Local Government Councils and has adopted measures aimed at totally annihilating the Local Government system in Benue State.

APC, the opposition Party in the State said that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, places a duty on the Governor of a State to ensure that the system of Local Government continues unhindered, but the Governor has resorted in destroying the survival of the Local Government Councils.

“It is the duty of the Governor of a State to ensure the uninterrupted existence and survival of Local Government Councils democratically, rather than being responsible for destroying them. Local Governments are creations of the Constitution. However, it is rather unfortunate that, Samuel Ortom’s administration is not aware of this fact.

“Local Governments in Nigeria derive their survival and legality from the provisions of section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which provides that;

“The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the Government of every State shall, subject to section 8 of this Constitution, ensure their existence under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils”.

“The law is therefore trite that, it is the duty of State Governments to ensure the smooth running of Local Governments in their various States. This responsibility includes the conduct of free and fair elections, to elect both the Local Government Executive and Legislative arms. Not just that, it is the responsibility of the State Government to ensure that, the elected officials are duly inaugurated to enable them carry out their duties accordingly.

“The legal status of a Local Government as an important tier of government has been recognized in the Constitution of Nigeria , the Constitution makes it is mandatory for the State Government to ensure the survival of Local Governments by conducting periodic free and fair elections of the local government officials.  It is also the duty of the State Government to ensure that, the elected local government officials are duly sworn into office”.

The APC said it is sad and disheartening that Governor Ortom’s undying desire to mismanage Local Governments in Benue State, and run them as his private ventures has made him to disregard every provision of the Constitution on Local Government administration.

“Firstly, Ortom has failed to conduct democratically free and fair elections as required by Section 7 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Although, there are certain persons, parading themselves as Local Government chairmen in the various Local Government Areas in Benue State, in actual fact no elections held. The PDP government dubiously handpicked loyalists of the Governor and announced them elected. This singular act is  unconstitutional and illegal

“Most questionable is the fact that, even although, Governor Ortom has inaugurated his so-called Local Government chairmen, he has failed to direct his chairmen to swear-in their deputies as well as the Councilors representing the various Council Wards in the various Local Governments in Benue State. What Ortom aims to achieve from this dubious tactic is clear for everyone to see; The absence of the Councilors comprising the legislative arm of the Local Government will make it easier for members of the Ortom’s admin to embezzle funds meant for the running of those Local Governments and  divert same into their personal  pockets.

“The primary role of the Legislature in every tier of government, be it at the Federal, State or Local Government level is to ensure checks and balances, especially when it comes to the financial expenditure of the executive arm. Therefore, the importance of the Legislative arm of a Local Government cannot be overemphasized. The Councilors have a duty of supervising the discharge of the functions of their Local Government chairmen, succinctly provided for, under the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is also the duty of the Councilors to approve budget before money is expended on any project in the Local Government. Currently in Benue State, there exists Local Government chairmen with no Councilors in the Legislative arms. However, these chairmen have been working and spending money on a daily basis for several months, without any corresponding legislative arm of Government in office, approving same. This has rather turned the chairmen into Sole Administrators, contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“It has become a matter of public concern that, the State Government has a dubious agenda, targeted at killing the Local Government system in Benue State. The Governor’s desire to become the richest man in the world, has pushed him to install in office, stooges as chairmen into the 23 Local Governments in the State, so as to achieve his unquenchable agenda of plundering all the resources meant for the people and to invest into private and personal projects, and to build castles for himself, his children and for generations yet unborn. This  rather devilish agenda has become more suspicious, due to his outright instructions to his Local Government Chairmen not to inaugurate the legislative arms in their various Local Government Councils”.

The APC insists that Governor  Ortom is aiding corruption. It also alleged that under his watch, huge sums of money have escaped the State’s coffers, unaccounted for.

“The Governor cares less about the people , to say the least. He has been standing against the people development by misappropriating monies meant for the growth and development of the various Local Governments in the State. Those at the receiving end of Governor ortom’s maladministration, mismanagement and acts of rascality concerning Local Government resources are the common people, who have been thrown into poverty and unbearable hardship. Local Governments are supposed to be the tier of Government with the closest ties and meaningful impact on the people. However, in Benue State, Governor Ortom has stood firm and in the most despicable manner, in ensuring that the people do not benefit anything from their various Local Government Councils.

“From the foregoing, we submit that, Governor Ortom’s acts of maladministration in piloting the affairs of Local Governments in Benue State, coupled with his illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional overlapping interference into the smooth running of the said Local Government Councils is unforgivable.

“Ortom must be impeached, so as to save the Local Government administrations in the State from being driven into total and comprehensive extinction. Ortom is the problem and must therefore vacate office in line with the Latin Maxim, “CESSANTE CAUSA, CESSAT EFFECTUS” meaning, “The cause ceasing, the effect ceases”. We therefore, call upon the Benue State House of Assembly, to forthwith and without more, initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Samuel Ortom. When Ortom is ruthlessly shown the exit door out of Government House, only then would sanity return to Benue”, the statement reads.

GTCO: Agbaje Promises More Support For Autism Patients

By
James Orji
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For 20 years, Guarantee Trust Bank has provided opportunities for autism patients who had initially lost hope, the Group Managing Director/ chief executive officer of Guarantee Trust Company, GTCO Segun Agbaje has said. He spoke ahead of the 12th edition of the annual GTCO Autism Conference themed coming up next week.

This year’s conference tagged “Creating a Community of Awe-Tism Advocates” will hold on Monday and Tuesday, August 29th and 30th, 2022, at MUSON Center, Onikan, Lagos, the financial behemoth has said.

“The 2-day conference will bring together some of the world’s leading experts on Autism to share with us, amongst other insights, how we can best support children and adults living with Autism in our communities. You can also request a one-on-one consultation with our medical experts if your child or ward is facing a developmental challenge. Specialists are available from Tue 23rd to Sat 27th August 2022,” the bank stated.

Speaking on the conference Agbaje said the company has already done much and will still do more in ensuring that autism patients live a normal life and ‘reach their full potential”.

According to the chief executive “While much has been done over the years to increase the social consciousness around Autism and to improve the available support systems for managing developmental disorders, we strongly believe that we can do more individually and collectively to create and uphold a culture of inclusion towards people with ASD to enable them to reach their full potential.

“The Orange Ribbon initiative was created to support children and adults with developmental disabilities with a focus on those with autism spectrum disorders.

“Now in its 2nd decade, the annual Autism Conference has over the years created a community of people with a shared commitment to create better outcomes for those who find themselves in the margins of society simply because they are different from the rest.”

The annual Autism Conference has gained wider support for bringing together global leading Autism experts. This year’s conference has received support from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu; Autism Compassion Africa, Ghana; The Color of Autism Foundation, USA; Meharry Medical College, USA, and Behaviorprise Consulting Inc., Canada.

There will also be keynote addresses from world renowned Autism experts who will address the conference virtually or in person, the bank said.

ASUU: Kogi Gov Slams FG, Says Buhari Ministers Failed

By
James Orji
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Yahaya Bello
Yahaya Bello

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has attacked the federal government for spending trillions of naira to manage the covid 19 pandemic.

The governor who maintained his position that he doesn’t believe in the existence of the coronavirus pandemic noted that such a humungous amount should have been used to settle the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU whose members are currently on strike across the country.

The university lecturers have been on strike since February, and have vowed never to return to classrooms until their demands have been met.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Education Adamu Adamu somehow shocked the country and lovers of education after he said the federal government has decided not to pay the striking lecturers for the period they are on strike.

The minister said “all contentious issues between the government and ASUU have been settled except the quest for members’ salaries for the period of strike be paid, a demand that Buhari has flatly rejected.

“On the contrary, unions in tertiary institutions in the country, especially ASUU, have been engaged in recurring and avoidable strikes that have crippled the university system.

“This is in spite of the huge investments of over N2.5 trillion in tertiary institutions in the last 10 years from TETFund alone. Common knowledge as it were, many Nigerians may not know that the Federal Government is paying the salaries of every staff in its tertiary institutions, academic and non-academic staff, while these institutions are also in full control of their IGR.”

The minister said President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the lecturers not to be paid arrears of salary for six months.

Those watching the stalemate said the ASUU problem is far from being over.

Speaking Governor Bello said government negotiators with ASUU has failed, adding that ‘trillions’ spent on nose masks and hand sanitisers should have been invested in the education sector.

He said the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF has waded into the matter with a view to resolving it.

Bello said “The trillions spent buying nose masks and hand sanitisers… a lot could have solved this ASUU issue, but that’s that.

“I don’t think they [ministers] are representing Mr President well. This is a man that cares so much about education, and even children during that lockdown were being fed at home.

“Those who Mr President entrusted to handle this protracted issue are not doing justice to it.”

“The NGF has been making every effort to ensure that on behalf of all the governors, we discuss with ASUU and all those that are involved, we are making such efforts.”

Meanwhile, parents and students have continued to appeal to the federal government to come to an agreement on all contentious issues so that the striking lecturers could return to work in order for academic activities to return to the nation’s ivory towers.

2023: PFN Gives Reasons Why Muslim-Muslim Ticket Is Dangerous For Nigeria’s Democracy

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Since the decision of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to field  Muslim-Muslim Candidates – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Running Mate, Kashim Shettima  for the Presidential Election, there have been mixed feelings, condemnation and brickbats from different quarters, especially, from  the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.

Giving reasons for the inappropriate fielding of a Muslim-Muslim Ticket, the General Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Cosmos Ilechukwu,  said same-faith ticket, either Christian-Christian or Muslim-Muslim, will not augur well for the unity and future of Nigeria.

Ilechukwu made the position of the group known at a press conference on the state of the nation, held at the PFN National Secretariat in Lagos on Thursday.

He said the decision by some political parties to go by the same faith ticket would  further jeopardise the future of the nation, hence a framework had been prepared by the Christian Association of Nigeria as a guide for Christians.

The Group made a a four key point embedded in a flier which capture  what Christian voters should consider before voting.

The areas are character, competence, capacity and policies of the candidate or party.

The statement reads:“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria reaffirms its position that the same-faith ticket can, in no way, be justified, as it is not in the interest of Nigeria, as it further jeopardises the prospects of peaceful coexistence and building of a united nation.

“PFN has never been in the business of endorsing candidates and will not be doing so in the 2023 elections. However, it will continue to mobilise the church to ensure full participation in the political process by all Christians.”

He encouraged all Christian  members to vote in line with what is best for Nigeria and the Church at all levels, with the framework prepared by the Christian Association of Nigeria as a guide.

“The Fellowship will continue to be open-minded and broad-minded, leaving the door of engagement with all political parties open, so that all the issues that are holding back the development and unity of Nigeria can be comprehensively addressed.”

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