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Bomb Blast In Sabon Gari Kano; School Children Feared Dead

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Bomb Blast in Sabon Gari Kano

By Gideon Njoku

A bomb has, reportedly, exploded in the Sabon Gari area of Kano, Kano State. Precisely, the bomb exploded at Aba Street.

Eye witnesses allege it targeted a Primary School, called Winners.

Reports say it was fatal. Videos from the scene, already trending confirm it was fatal. And there are fears that a number of people, including School children, may have either died or injured.

Many buildings around the area were, also, affected. It, reportedly, exploded in the morning of May 17, 2022.

Sabon Gari is a densely populated area, especially, by Southerners, and more especially, the Igbo who live and do their businesses there.

There is yet no official statement on the blast either from the State Government or the Police.

The number of fatalities and  the injured is, also, not yet known.

Kano has been one of the most peaceful States in the North in recent times.

Also Read: Kano: Police Say Explosion Was From Gas, Not Bomb

2023: Atiku In Fresh Trouble After Aides Assault Journalists

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James Orji
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By James Orji

For Atiku Abubakar, a Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, it’s one week one problem.

Barely a week after the PDP Presidential hopeful ran into controversy over his decision to delete a tweet where he had condemned the brutal murder of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto,  by Islamic fundamentalists who accused her of blasphemy, the former Vice President has ran into another storm. This time his problem is not with a tweet he inexplicably deleted, it is with Journalists who he gave a raw deal.

According to reports, the former number two citizen ordered journalists out of the Plateau State Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, when he visited on Monday to meet with the State leadership and delegates to solicit their support for his 2023 Presidential bid.

Atiku had arrived at the PDP Secretariat where he met journalists who were, naturally, there to cover the event. But to the shock of all present, especially the Journalists, Atiku ordered them to leave. “I have no business with you here. I came to see the delegates, not you”, Atiku a serial Presidential candidate, said.

Following his order, his security aides went on rampage, chasing the shocked journalists away. In the process they damaged a number of gadgets belonging to Journalists.

Some reporters who were subjected to brutality by Atiku’s action, and his disposition to Journalists who had helped him in his stormy political career, were left wondering what pushed him and his Aides to behave in such an uncivilised manner.

“It’s so unfortunate that someone who has benefitted immensely from the media allowed Journalists to be subjected to this kind of humiliation. Even when you don’t want them to cover an event, there’s a way to do it instead of unleashing your security Aides on them to beat them up,” one of those who witnessed the incident said.

Atiku, who is contesting the Presidential seat for the fifth time was, last week, taken to the cleaners by many Nigerians over what they described as his cowardice. He had earlier condemned the gruesome murder of Deborah who was stoned to death by her school mates for an alleged blasphemy but Atiku later recanted, took down his tweet, when some Islamic Fundamentalists threatened not to vote for him in the 2023 Presidential election if he gets the PDP ticket.

“There can not be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered, and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends,” Atiku said in his tweet.

He later took down the tweet, and claimed he did not authorise it. He, also, allegedly, fired a Media Aide over it.

However, not a few people who followed the development expressed shock at Atiku’s reaction, Many said his ability to lead the country as Commander- in- chief, is in doubt.

The country, his critics say, need a fearless leader who will deal with issues objectively without pandering to religious or ethnic sentiments. He has not been able to defend his action since then, no matter how much he has tried. Said one of his loyalists: “He has dealt his credibility a bad blow.”

Peter Obi to Commonwealth boss: Education Remains Key To Solving Nigeria’s Problems

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Peter Obi and Rosie Glazebrook

The former Governor of Anambra State, and a frontline Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, against 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that education remained very critical to development, and remained the key to the many problems facing the country.

Obi spoke on Monday, May 16, 2021, after a breakfast  meeting with the Chief Executive of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Rosie Glazebrook in Lagos.

Obi, who recalled what education is doing in many parts of the world, said it remained the only enduring legacy by which the future generations would compete with their peers all over the world . He said that if our leaders understood as much, that ASUU would not be on strike now.

It would be recalled that as the Governor of Anambra State, Obi moved Anambra from 26th position in external examinations to number one among other states in Nigeria. It was after the spectacular improvement that the World Bank commissioned Prof. Paul Collier to study what Anambra State did on education, which they widely published and encouraged other countries to emulate.

Deborah: Post Graduate ABU Student Renounces Studentship In Protest Over Murder

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Ahmadu Bello University and Deborah Samuel

By Gideon Njoku

A Post Graduate student of the Ahmadu Bello University,  Zaria, has renounced his Studentship of the University, over the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel Yakubu.

The ABU post graduate student of Political Science, Oyeniyi Oyewole Iwakun, in a letter to the Vice Chancellor of the University, so he no longer felt safe at ABU,  Zaria, Kaduna, ” which has similar features of religious cum tribal intolerance, orchestrated insecurity and uncurtailed activities of bandits and terrorists.”

Deborah, 22, a second year Home Economics student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was on Thursday, May 12,  stoned and clubbed to death by her school mates for alleged blasphemy. Her body was set ablaze thereafter. Her murderers videod the gruesome murder and posted on Social Media.

Two persons – Bilyominu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci – were arrested. But on Saturday, May 14, Muslim fundamentalists, in their hundreds, stormed the streets of Sokoto, asking for the release of the arrested persons. In the process, they  went on a destruction and looting spree. At least two Churches, including the Catholic Cathedral, a Centre, and an uncompleted hospital were destroyed.

Business premises and shops belonging to Southerners were also destroyed and looted.

On Monday, when the two culprits were arraigned at a Magistrate Court, a Professor of Law at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Professor Mansur Ibrahim, led 33 other Lawyers in their defence.

Iwakun, in his renunciation letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the University, said it is Deborah today, and it will most likely be somebody else tomorrow.

He said the Vice Chancellor should accept his letter as a protest against the gruesome murder of Deborah, and his quest for justice for her.

Following is his letter, dated May 13, 2022.

The Vice Chancellor,

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU),

Zaria,

Kaduna State,

 

13th May, 2022.

“Dear Sir,

“RENOUNCEMENT OF MY STUDENTSHIP IN PROTEST OF THE GRUESOME MURDER OF SOKOTO COLLEGE STUDENT

“I, Oyeniyi Oyewole Iwakun, a Political Science postgraduate student with the admission number: P21SSPS8018 wish to inform you of my decision to renouce my studentship at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

“This decision is in protest of the gruesome murder of an innocent 200 level student, Miss Deborah Samuel of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto on Thursday, 12th May 2022 by some uncultured and evil-minded religious extremists.

“I opine that no matter her offence, nothing justifies the action of her murderers.

“More worrisome, as shown in the online video in circulation on the social media, is the supervised and organized manner of her killing and cremation in  broad day light.

“As a detribalised young man with liberal views on religion, I see this ugly incident as most unacceptable. In recent times, it, therefore, births my skepticism about my safety in Zaria, Kaduna state which has similar features of religious cum tribal intolerance, orchestrated insecurity and uncurtailed activities of bandits and terrorists.

“It may be her today, but who knows who is next tommorow?

“Please accept this open letter as my contribution to the demand for justice for the late Deborah Samuel.

“It is my hope that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book as against the usual narratives in the past.”

“Yours Sincerely,

Oyeniyi Iwakun

Department of Political Science,

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria”

How Accountant General Of The Federation, Ahmed Idris, Milked Public Treasury – EFCC

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The Source
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EFCC Arrests Accountant General Of The Federation- Ahmed Idris

By Gideon Njoku

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has finally disclosed why it arrested the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

The Commission had intercepted Ahmed at the Kano Airport on Monday, May 16, 2022, and flown him to its headquarters in Abuja for interrogation.

When the story broke, there was no official confirmation from the Commission. But late Monday, it finally confirmed the AGF’s arrest for alleged stealing, diversion of public funds, and money laundering to the  tune of N80 billion.

The statement reads:

“On Monday, May 16, 2022, operatives of the EFCC arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion (Eighty Billion Naira) only.

“The Commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.

“The funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.

“Mr. Idris was arrested after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts,”

Mr Idris was re-appointed  the AGF in June 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari to a second four-year term in office even after he had reached the retirement age of 60 years.

He is not likely to go back to the office again.

EFCC Arrests Accountant General Of The Federation, Ahmed Idris

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EFCC Arrests Accountant General Of The Federation- Ahmed Idris

By Gideon Njoku

The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Idris was arrested at the Kano Airport, in the evening of Monday, May 16, 2022.

According to Premium Times, he has been flown to Abuja where he will be interrogated.

Reportedly, he was arrested for alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds.

Idris is said to have been under the scrutiny of the EFCC, but had refused to honour the Commission’s invitation extended to him on a couple of times.

Money involved is about N80 billion, allegedly laundered through family members and associates.

The EFCC is yet to confirm the arrest.

Deborah’s Spirit At Work: Family Relocated, Siblings Offered Scholarship; Killers Arraigned, Prof Mansur, 33 Others, Lead Defence

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Pastor and Deborah Samuel Father and Mother

By Charles Igbo

Even in her grave after a horrific death,  Deborah Samuel Yakubu’s spirit is still at work. By her painful death, relief has come to her family.

As the first child of her parents’ eight children, and the only one in a higher institution, she was supposed to help her parents take care of her siblings.

But on May 12, 2022, 2022, the hope died. Deborah was killed in a most horrifying manner by her school mates who accused her of blasphemy over her comment on a Class WhatsApp Platform. She had asked that the posting of Religious matters be stopped since the Platform was created for academic information only. Some of her Muslim school mates, who obviously are Islamic Fundamentalists, took offence, and accused her of blasphemy.

She was stoned and clubbed  to death, and her body set ablaze. Deborah was a Christian, and a level 200 student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

Her absolutely traumatised mother, in response, aside from leaving everything to God, has stopped her other children from going to school. She said, in tears, that she would never allow any of her children go to school again. Apparently,  for fear that Deborah’s fate may also befall them.

But respite has come to the family, whose breadwinner, Deborah’s father, is a security guard. Respite came to them, not from the Government, but from a Church.

The General Overseer of a Pentecostal Church in Porthacourt, Rivers State,  Apostle Chibuzor chinyere,  of OPM Church, has offered the family a lifeline.

In a statement, he offered to relocate the family to Porthacourt, give them free accommodation for life, give the father of the family a decent job, open a shop for the mother of the family, and most important, he also offered scholarships to all Deborah’s siblings so they can comfortably go to school.

The Apostle’s words:

“I just watched a video clip where the parents of Deborah Samuel said they will not be sending their children to school again.

“GOD FORBID!

“Anyone with their contacts should inform them, immediately,  that I,  Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, the General Oversear  of OPM Church,  is relocating them to Porthacourt.

“They would be staying in one of the OPM free estates where they will never pay rent forever.

“All their children are given automatic scholarship in OPM Free schools.

“I will get the father a job, and I will, also,  open a shop for the mother.

“Please, get in touch with them, immediately.

God bless you.

Please, continue to share until it gets to them”

Deborah has been buried in her Niger State Community. Incidentally, her State Government has said no word since her gruesome murder.

In another development, a Professor of Law at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Professor Mansur Ibrahim, led 33 other Lawyers in defence of two of Deborah’s murderers who were arraigned on Monday, May 16, at a Sokoto Magistrate Court.

On Saturday, May 14,  hundreds of Muslim Fundamentalists had trooped to Sokoto Streets to demand the release of the two arrested persons. In the process, they   went on a destruction and looting spree, targeting Churches and businesses owned by Christians, especially, Southerners.

Jonathan Celebrates Mary Odili

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Goodluck Jonathan and Mary Odili

Former President, Dr. Goodluck  Jonathan has congratulated Hon. Justice Mary Odili on the occasion of her 70th birthday and retirement from the Supreme Court of the land.

Dr. Jonathan, in a goodwill message he personally signed, described Mrs. Odili as a dedicated Justice and shining example in public service.

He said; “I congratulate Hon Justice Mary Odili, JSC, on the occasion of her 70th birthday and retirement from the Supreme Court after a meritorious public service.

“She is an exceptional judicial icon whose service at the bench will continue to be referenced as a result of her sense of balance, fairness, integrity and confidence in the nation’s judiciary.

“She is leaving the bench as an eminent jurist.  Her devotion to duty took her to the peak of her career, having served creditably as a magistrate, high court judge and justice of both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court of the land.

“Her support for women, advocacy for legal reforms and crusade for positive change in the society are part of her legacies that will continue to endure, long after she had left service.”

Dr. Jonathan further wished Hon. Justice Odili well in her future endeavours.

 

Magu’s Last Laugh: PSC Promotes Him AIG; Confirms Amadi, DIG Appoints Senchi DIG

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Ibrahim Magu promoted

For  Ibrahim Magu, it is sunlight  after a  dark  period. Removed in a very  humiliating manner as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC, after five years in office without  confirmation,  he was arrested, detained,  probed and left without an office.

But close  to his retirement,  Magu has been promoted  to an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG.

The Police Service Commission, PSC, rose from its 15th Plenary Meeting on Friday May 13th 2022 in Abuja, and promoted him.

The PSC also confirmed Acting DIG John Ogbonnaya Amadi as a substantive Deputy Inspector General of Police and, approved the appointment of Zama Bala Senchi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police.

The Commission promoted eight Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors General of Police. And, also, approved the promotion of 23 Deputy Commissioners to the next rank of Commissioners of Police; 31 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners of Police and 63 Chief Superintendents of Police promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police.

The Plenary Meeting which began on Wednesday, May 11th 2022 was presided over by Alhaji Musiliu Smith, Chairman of the Commission.

DIG Amadi  replaced late DIG Joseph Egbunike and will be representing the South East in the Force Management team while DIG Senchi was the most senior in the AIG cadre.

Other decisions taken by the Commission at the Plenary were the promotion of 57 Superintendents of Police earlier skipped when their mates were promoted to the next rank of Chief Superintendents.

Other categories of Superintendents of Police such as the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Course 4, Inspectors Course 37 and regular ASP’s course 25 and 26 were also promoted to Chief Superintendents having met established requirements. The Commission also promoted 1698 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) to Deputy Superintendents of Police, 6119 Inspectors who attended the recent Departmental Selection Board (DSB) were promoted to ASP11 while 1965 ASP11 were confirmed ASPs. The Commission also approved the conversion of 19 Engineers from General Duty to Specialists and upgraded to the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police which is the statutory entry level for Pilots and Aircraft maintenance engineers in line with Aviation scheme of service.

The eight Commissioners of Police promoted to AIGs are CP  Mustafa Magu Ibrahim who is the most senior in the CP cadre and who missed the last two promotions after returning to the Police; Abraham Egong Ayim; Okunlola Kola Kamaldeen; Andrew Amieengheme; Akeera Mohammed Younous; Celestine Amechi Elumelu; Ngozi Vivian Onadeko and Danladi Bitrus Lalas (Airwing).

The new 23 Commissioners of Police are: Taiwo Olusola Jesubiyi, former DC,    Admin and Finance, Akwa Ibom State Command;  Kolawole Olajide former DC, Force CID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos; Julius Alawari Okoro, former DC, Maritime, Lagos; Adelesi Ebunoluwa Oluwarotimi, former DC DFA, Kwara State Command; George Chijioke Chuku, fomer DC Ops Ebonyi State Command; Paul Alifa Omata, former DC Ops, Kwara State Command; Effiong Dominic Edem, former DC Ops, Zone 2 Lagos;  Yusuf Adesina Akeem, presently at the National Defence College; Mary Gbemudu George, former DC, Anti Human Trafficking Abuja; Etim Oqua Efiom, former DC Ops FHQ, Abuja; Mohammed Yakubu, former DC SCID Anambra Command; Ganiyu Alhaji Salami, former DC ZCID Zone11 Osogbo;  Magaji Kontagora Ahmed, former, DC Ops, Lagos State Command; Kolo Yusufu, presently O/c IGP Special Tactical Squad & TIU; Bzigu Yakaba Kwazhi Dali, presently on secondment to ECOWAS Commission, Guinea, Bisau; Ahmed Ammani, presently at the National Defence College;  Afolabi Babatola Adeniyi, former DC, Ops Yobe State Command; Njoku Henry Eronini, former DC, JTF, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State; Abiodun Oladimeji Asabi; Dankwara Adamu Mohammed, former DC, SPU FHQ, Abuja; Mohammed Usaini Gumel, former DC TIU FHQ, Abuja; Ogundele Ayodeji, former DC Central Intelligence, Force CID Annex, Lagos and Idris Nagoyo, former 2i/c Force Animal branch.

The 31 Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to Deputy Commissioners include:  Peter Ugochukwu Ezebuike, Anambra State Command, Gabriel Onyilo Elaigwu, NIPSS; Ajewole Adebayo, Provost Headquarters Annex, Lagos; Emefile Tony Osifo, 54 PMF Onitsha; Umar Ahmed Chuso, Ops Delta State Command; Mohammed Abubakar Guri, Mopol 45, Abuja; Aina Adesola Police Training School Oyin Akoko; Uduak Otu Ita, Ogun State Command; Sylverster Edogbanya Nnewi Area Command, Anambra; Naziru Bello Kankarofi, Ikot-Ekpene Area Command, Akwa Ibom;  Nendel Joseph Gomwalk Life Camp Area Command, FCT; Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, Finance and Admin Zone 2, Lagos;  Wilson Aniefiok Akpan Ops, Kwara State Command; Morkwap Dongshal, 39 PMF Osun; Abdullateef Ajape Yusuf, Commander 69 PMF Toto, Nasarawa State and  Audu Garba Bosso, Area Commander, Ugo-Niyi  Orhinmwon, Edo State amongst others.

The Commission re-confirmed its earlier approval for the rectification/harmonization of promotion date and proper placement of eight Chief Superintendents of Police and subsequently promoted them to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police. They are Sunday David Ogenyi; Andrew Simon Ali; Manger Iorlumun Fergus; Juliet Ireju Barasau; Moses Aikuola; Francis Osagie Irabo; Ahijo Ditina Lawson and Ukponge Ephraim. The Commission also approved the promotion of another set of 55 CSPs to ACPs, which included; Janet Ademuyiwa Salami, Oyo State Command; Francis Ebhuoma, Lagos State Command; Iliyasu Tanko Doma X Squad, SCID, Kaduna and Ogonnaya Okpara, DPO, Ogui road, Enugu State Command.

Two Superintendents of Police skipped in the earlier promotion – Adebayo Olayinka and Abdulrazaq Bello, were promoted to the next rank of Chief Superintendents of Police. Some DSPs promoted to SPs were: Ibrahim Lawan Rano, SPU Base 7 Abuja and Lucas Yohanna, Adamawa State Command, Nnadozie Peter, Enugu State Command; Chinemelu Martholomew, Force Headquarters; Christopher Umukoro; Suleiman Yahaya, PPRO Adamawa Command and Umar Sani;

One thousand, six hundred and ninety eight (1,698) Assistant Superintendents of Police promoted to Deputy Superintendents of Police include; Yesuf Umar Faruk, IGPs Secretariat; Okwor Lovina Obiageli,  B Division, Awka, Anambra State Command; Esson Aigutun, PMF 38 Akwanga; Roseline Damilola Ogunleye, Ojaoba Division, Osun State; Sunday Ogodo Ogbodo, Enugu State Command; Daniel Ndukwe, PPRO, Enugu State Command; Rabiu Shittu,  24 PMF, Zamfara State Command; Ochenehi Mathew, Commander, Judges Protection Unit, Force Headquarters; Eziulo Susan Uchenna, CPS, Umuahia; Tochukwu Ogalagu, Force Legal Department; Kunde Lovet Hambadoon, Gwagwa Division, FCT; Ugwu Regina, Anambra State Command;  Iguisi Usunobun, 44 PMF, Abuja; Odetayo Owolabi Iniobong, Ago Okota Division, Lagos; Ani Dennis Ekene, CPS Awka; Johnson Agwu, CPS Onitsha; Grace Ishaya Waziri, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Adigo Peace Uloma, Force PROs Office; Eboko Okwudrichi Egwu,  Independence Layout Division, Enugu; Ayuba Felix, Kogi State Command;  Eze Chidebere, PRO, Force Medical;  Kwaghiri Fanen, Kwara State Command; Obeji Ibeabuchi Eric,  CPS Umuahia and Agbelemose Deborah Busola, Ojaoba Division, Kwara Command.

Others include Obasi, Theresa Nkechi, Anambra Command;  Tukur Abdullahi; Opayemi Kadara; Mavi Ogbaudu; Chukwuegbo Nnaemeka; Elvis Ibe; Osondu Ifeanyichukwu, Unit Commander 3PMF, Enugu; Aneke Nkechi Loveth, Intel Command Onitsha; Akuma Igbota Irene Ifeoma, CPS Awka, Ozoeze Victoria Chekwubechukwu; Omeoga Princess, CPS Umuahia; Loveday Chibuike Ukaenyi, Nsukka Division, Enugu, Ambi Kadiri, Nasarawa State Command, Awa Henry Ifeanyi, CP Monitoring Unit, Abia State Command, Ruth Danladi, Crack Squad, FCT Command; Orji Linda, State CID, Port-Harcourt and Idris Ibrahim Shippo

DSP Musa Garba Kuta, one of the Members of the Police Airwing whose conversion were approved by the Commission was promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police while others were promoted to DSPs. They include; ASP Ajama Samuel Timi; Inspector Haliru Badamasi, Inspector Erigbara Franklin; Inspector Ihukor Sixtus Valentine; Inspector Kanja Victor; Inspector Jimoh Samuel; Inspector Ezeme Charles; Inspector Aruleba Kayode and Inspector Adedosu Adeyemi. Others upgraded and promoted to DSPs were; Sgt. Ekheomo Fredrick; Sgt. Oyejobi Olusegun; Sgt. Nweke Chekwube; Sgt Abel Ukpong; Sgt. Uba Shedrach; Sgt. Igba Joseph; Sgt. Ibukun Benson and CPL. Bello Suleiman.

The Commission also approved the Confirmation of unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police ASP11 to ASP 1. They include  Egbo Obianuju Rosemary, Department of Operations, Delta State Command; Sanusi Hammari, Sokoto state Command; Zakka Bulus, FCT Command; Elegbe Kudirat Omolola, Lagos Command and Okpaleke Felix, Police Staff College Jos amongst others. .Inspector Kenneth Asogwa, Anambra State Command; Thaddeus Utazi, Zone 13 Zonal Command Ukpo; Aliyu Okajine, FIB, Kaduna and Abdullahi Ndakolo, Niger Command were among the Inspectors elevated to the rank of ASP11.

A release signed by Ikechukwu  Ani, Head Press and Public Relations, PSC, said Chairman of the Commission, Musiliu Smith, congratulated the promoted Officers and charged them to redouble their efforts in the service of their fatherland. He said the Commission will continue to monitor their performance and will not hesitate to discipline any Officer found wanting in the discharge of his/her duties.

Sylva Does The Expected, Drops Presidential Ambition, Returns To Work; Pauline Tallen Too

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Timipre Sylva

By Gideon Njoku

Nobody in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was surprised when on the final day President Muhammadu Buhari, asked all his appointees aspiring to elective offices against 2023 to quit, they saw their Minister back to work at his desk.

Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State, Petroleum, had surprisingly picked the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to run for the Presidential seat, and replace Buhari in 2023.

Not many people took him seriously for obvious reasons. The former Governor of Bayelsa State, aside being a good Party man, and President Buhari’s Deputy in the Petroleum Industry, did not quite fit the bill. They felt he neither had the clout nor the reach.

On May 9, 2022, Sylva revealed, standing before a crowd in the premises of the Ministry, that the Northern Solidarity Group purchased the forms for him to take part in  his party’s 2023 presidential primaries.

Not a few people knew the game was up for Sylva and a couple of other Ministers when Buhari gave them a deadline – May 16 – to quit office. One by one, they began to drop their ambition. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN who wanted to be Governor in his State, Kebbi.

Today, May 16, 2022,  Sylva went back to his job. And so did the Minister for Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who was aspiring to be a Senator  from Plateau State where she had been a Deputy Governor.

A Petroleum   Ministry official who, some people insist, spoke with Sylva’s permission, but who pleaded anonymity, said:

“He (Sylva) promised to consult the leader of the country and his political leaders the day he was presented with the form.

“He believes that concentrating on his work will attract more investments for the oil and gas sector.

“He has consulted and he believes that the challenges at the ministry and oil and gas sector are enough issues for him to begin to deal with now than going to pursue presidential ambition at the expense of the nation.

“The oil and gas sector is the mainstay of the economy and it is not like any other ministry somebody can just come in and take over.

“It requires some measures of time for the person to understand what is happening in the system.

“For the interest of the industry and the nation, he has decided to wave that personal ambition to see what he can contribute in the remaining part of President Buhari’s administration.

“The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 is very critical and he wants to continue to make his own contribution to the day-to-day running of the country and support Mr. President for robust achievements.”

However, many people hardly believe this argument. They simply say that for Sylva, “a bird in hand is better than a million in the bush.”

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