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LASG Announces Traffic Diversion, Begins Repair On Airport Bridge |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has implored Lagosians to cooperate with the Government as it embarks on major repairs on roads which would lead to closure, and traffic snarls of some major roads in the State.

The repairs on some of  the said roads became  necessary following the inferno that recently occurred on the Apapa Oshodi Expressway as a result of a PMS loaded tanker exploding in a fireball from collision with another truck.  The structure of the Airport Bridge at Toyota on Oshodi/Isolo Expressway has to be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic movement to enable the State Government conduct integrity tests on the bridge.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, who disclosed this in a statement Sunday also  announced alternative routes for use by motorists pending the outcome of the tests and the reopening of the bridge.

According to him, Motorists from Mile 2 to Cele on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, approaching Iyana-Isolo through Daleko Bridge, will need to make use of Aiye and Osolo Way to Asa Afariogun through 7&8 to access International Airport Road.

Motorists from Toyota will make use of the service lanes by Armed Forces Resettlement Centre to BOC Gases on old NAFDAC Headquarters, through a U-turn at Cappa on Agege Motor Road to Bolade/ Oyetayo Street (Oshodi-Isolo Local Govt Secretariat) through Bolade on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway via Charity in order to reach International Airport Road.

Motorists from Bus Terminal 2 Transport Interchange inwards Charity on Apapa -Oshodi Expressway can connect International Airport Road from Toyota through Anthony Oke to Ikorodu Road on the service lanes and return via Anthony Oke inwards Oshodi Oke to Charity and connect International Airport Road.

Oladeinde said the State traffic management officials (LASTMA) shall be deployed to the aforementioned corridors to control and manage traffic flow along the axis during the course of the diversions.

“The LASG is assuring the motoring public that the Airport Bridge shall be opened for use as soon as the tests or requisite intervention makes it safe and secure to do so.

“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government through this statement appeals to all road users along these corridors to drive safely and patiently by following the traffic advice whilst assuring them that any inconveniences this may cause are temporary,” Oladeinde further stated

Oyo: Amotekun Debunks Clash With Fulani That Invaded Ibarapa, Oke Ogun |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Amotekun

By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to rumours and speculations on Social Media that the South West Security Outfit, Amotekun, in Oyo State, clashed with Fulani Militias who invaded the State to wreck Havoc, leading to deaths of about six people. The wild speculation has been  debunked by the Commandant of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Operation Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju(rtd).

Olayanju said that there were no clashes between his men and Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa land and Oke Ogun axis  of Oyo State as being speculated.

Addressing Newsmen  in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, the Commandant said that his men launched six operations in four Local  Government  Areas, but that the team in Aiyete was attacked inside the forest by suspected bandits, three of whom were killed by his men.

According to him, the operations were fully supported by Fulani leaders living in the areas, adding that a number of Miyetti Allah members were part of the operations.

A statement by the Commandant, which was made available to this news medium after the media briefing further indicated that its operatives raided the forests of Ibarapa and Oke Ogun areas of the state in the early hours of Saturday to rid the areas of kidnappers and criminal elements.

Col. Olayanju, who equally paraded one of the suspected kidnap kingpins, Sanni Bello, said he was arrested in the forest around Aiyegun axis, in Iwajowa Lical Government Area, adding that the Amotekun worked closely with officials of Miyetti Allah, whose family members have equally suffered kidnapping in recent times.

The Commandant also indicated that the operation around the forests was embarked upon following incessant reports of killings and kidnapping in the area.

He said “Contrary to any report you might have come across, there was no clash whatsoever between Fulani herdsmen and Amotekun in Ibarapa or Oke Ogun axes of Oyo State.

What happened was that we launched clearance operations in different locations around the thick forests of the four local governments that have suffered kidnapping and wanton killings in recent times.”

He said further “When our men entered the forests at Aiyede, they were attacked, leading to a gun battle where three of the attackers died. One of our men sustained injuries.

“It is not a clash with the Fulani because the Fulani were part of the planning of the operation and we raided the forests together. We are in touch with Seriki who is the leader of the Fulani in the area.

“Even after our men were withdrawn Saturday afternoon, we got reports that some Fulani were kidnapped in one location close to the area of operation. So they are working with us because they are also victims of the dastardly acts of kidnapping in the area.”

He argued that the incessant kidnapping and wanton destruction of lives necessitated the planning of a clearance operation from Lanlate, Igbo Ora, Igangan, Iganna and Aiyegun general areas in Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North as well as Iwajowa Local Givernment Areas.

“There were six teams in all comprising members of Amotekun, Vigilantes, Hunters and Maiyetti Allah Vigilante. All the six teams had elements of these groups. However, at Igbo Ora, one of teams had an encounter with two armed men, effected their arrest and recovered one double barrel rifle. All suspects and weapon were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO Magoro Police Station, Igbo Ora at about 9am on Saturday.

“In a related development, another team was attacked at about 9.30am in Igangan forest, Ibarapa North while on the clearance operations at a settlement, ” he said

He argued that the attack was repelled resulting to serious injury on one member of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and three other suspects. Two dane guns were recovered at the scene.

“In Iwajowa LGA, one of the teams also arrested a kidnap kingpin operating around Aiyegun axis. He was arrested with a locally made pistol and cartridges.”

However, the operation was suspended at about 12 noon on Saturday to allow for further stock taking.

MURIC Urges Buhari To Place Travel Ban On Trump |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Outgoing United States of America President, Donald Trump, who is  battling impeachment process in the USA, with less than nine days of handing over to the Incoming President, Joe Biden, has  some organizations outside the US calling for a travel ban against him.

One of them is the Islamic Human Rights Group, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, which has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government of Nigeria to, with immediate effect, place a travel ban on Trump.

While it is not known of what effect MURIC’s call will be since Trump has  never reckoned with Nigeria, nor has any plans of coming to Nigeria, but the call is significant, and part of a world-wide outrage to completely rubbish Trump, a consequence of the invasion of the Capitol a few days ago, by Trump supporters, instigated by him. While the Capitol was vandalised, five deaths, including a Police Officer. Already, an Iranian court has ordered for Trump’s arrest murder.

In addition, MURIC, also, wants Trump’s “key allies” to be sanctioned with him for their “ignoble roles in the US 2020 Presidential  elections, particularly, the storming of the Capitol.”

This advice was given in a press statement signed by the Group’s Director , Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The Group  said: “We strongly denounce the role played by President Donald Trump in the last US general elections. Trump’s refusal to acknowledge defeat shows acute desertification of the spirit of sportsmanship. His insistence on electoral fraud despite several court declarations to the contrary is a manifestation of selfishness, overambition and inordinate lust for power.

“Above all, his incitement which led to the storming of the Capitol is despicable, repulsive and preposterous. Trump has stained America’s reputation as a great democracy.

“MURIC calls on the Federal Government (FG) to speak up on the American debacle. America’s condemnation of African and other third world countries has been deafening enough to attract a tornado of backlashes at this moment. We are not happy that FG has remained silent. China, Turkey and Iran have spoken up. The voice of Africa must also be heard and the continent is looking unto Nigeria to lead the way.

“We must tell America to its face that tyranny is colour blind and dictators can emerge from the least expected places on earth. There is no country which is occupied by angels only, least of all America. We call on FG to place travel ban on outgoing President Donald Trump and his key allies. It is hoped that other African countries will key into the idea. It just has to be on record that once upon a time, America produced a tyrant, a bully and an insurrectionist.

“The American tragedy has exposed the weakness in all man-made political and economic theories. Trumpism is the Archile’s heel of Western democracy just as perestroika and glastnost spelled doom for communism. In the same vein, socialism isnot different from a fake drug administered by a quack doctor.

“The only enduring system is the one made by Allah, the Supreme Creator, who knows the nature of man and how best he should be governed. This is why Islamic political thought posits at-taohiid, al-khilafah, ash-shurah and al-akhirah. At-Taohiid is the principle of oneness of all existence: all are a miniature representation of a whole and a microcosm in a macro, which is Islam, a complete way of life.

“Al-khilafah affirms the representative nature of man. The leader holds his position in lieu of the divine physical presence. He is a shadow of Allah on earth. Just as the shadow cannot afford to live in isolation of its substance, a leader must always be conscious of Allah.

“Ash-shurah is consultation with the people. It is a reflection of Islamic democracy. But whereas Western democracy (government of the people, by the people, for the people) lays emphasis on people only, the focus of Shurah is Allah, the Creator of the people. Islamic democracy is therefore government of Allah, by the people created by Allah, for Allah’s own creatures. The leader in Islam must relate both vertically (with Allah) and horizontally (with the people). Whereas the leader only relates horizontally with the people in Western democracy, he interfaces both vertically and horizontally in Islamic political thought.

“The concept of al-akhirah evokes the fear of Allah in the heart of politicians as they weigh the consequences of their actions on the Last Day before taking them. Al-akhirah is about leaders being held accountable on the Day of Judgement.

“This is what is lacking in Western democracy, including communism and socialism. This is why Donald Trump made a mess of the American written constitution which is based on George Washington’s Boston Tea Party, and Mikhail Gorbachev swept the rug off the feet of Lenin, man of steel and Stalin in a single sweep”, the Statement said.

Former Adamawa State Governor, Bala Ngillari, Says PDP, Dead, Awaiting Burial |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bala James Ngillari

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Adamawa State Governor, Bala James Ngillari, who cross-carpeted to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2020, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has labelled the PDP  a ‘dead Party’, awaiting to be taken to the graveyard.

Ngillari ascended  the Adamawa State Government Seat on the crest of the PDP, having served as Deputy Governor to former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako.

He made this statements at the APC stakeholders meeting on Saturday in Yola, Adamawa State Capital.

The former Governor who defected to APC in 2020, was the PDP’s Adamawa North Senatorial Candidate at the 2019 general election.

” One of the reasons why I dumped PDP for APC is that PDP is a dying party. In fact, PDP is dead and it will be buried in 2023.

” Secondly, I don’t see PDP as an alternative for the future of Nigeria, because the contradictions in the party will make its members go to the graveyard and we will help them bury themselves.

” And the reason why I identified myself with APC is because of its laudable objectives that will take us to the promised land and give hope to our future generations,” Ngilari said.

He said that any nationalist who wanted the country to move to the next level should join APC as it has no alternative at present.

He said that there was hope for Nigeria and its citizens under the APC led Federal Government, urging progressive politicians across the country to rally round the party.

” I wish those who chose to remain in PDP well, ” Ngilari said.

He said that the APC currently has 90 percent followership in Adamawa, assuring that the party would take over the state in 2023.

“Adamawa has abundant natural resources. If properly harnessed, the resources would boost the economy of the state and the country at large,” he said.

He called on the people of the state to support APC for the future development of the State in all ramifications.

Nigeria: Covid-19 Cases Hit 100,000, PTF Reveals |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Boss Mustapha

By Akinwale Kasali

The Covid-19 Pandemic cases in Nigeria, has continued to skyrocket.

The Presidential Task Force, PTF, on Covid-19  led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, revealed that Nigeria’s total confirmed cases surpassed the 100,000 mark on Sunday, with the discovery of 1,024 new cases.

According to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, confirmed cases of the virus in the country stand at 100,087.

It was reported that eight new deaths were reported on Sunday, taking the total deaths so far from COVID-19 to 1,358.

Benue State posted four deaths to take its toll to 15. The FCT had two deaths and now has 109 death toll.

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has also gone into isolation for the second time within a space of five months, as he revealed that symptoms of Covid-19 is surfacing and he needed  to take Precautionary Measures and go into isolation.

Edo and Adamawa recorded one death each. Edo State which has the highest fatalities after Lagos’ 256, now has 120 deaths, while Adamawa State has 26.

Lagos topped Sunday’s infections with 653 cases, more than half of the national total.

So far, 80,030 survivors have been discharged since the pandemic broke out in February 2020.

New cases were confirmed in 16 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

See figures below:

Lagos-653

Plateau-63

Benue-48

Zamfara-45

FCT-42

Rivers-27

Ondo-26

Adamawa-26

Kaduna-22

Edo-18

Ogun-16

Imo-12

Kano-9

Yobe-6

Ekiti-5

Jigawa-4

Osun-2

100,087 confirmed

80,030 discharged

1,358 deaths

Nigeria’s External Reserves Hits $36b, Highest In 12 Months

By
Bayo Bernard
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Godwin-Emefiele-CBN-Governor

By Fola James

Nigeria’s external reserve has risen to close to $36 billion according to latest figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN last week.

The apex bank said at the week end that the reserves rose by $461 million to $35.834 billion, the highest in six months after it plunged to an all time low of $35 billion dollars for the most part of 2020.

Figures released by the Bank indicate that the reserves rose from $35.373 billion at the close of last year to $35.834 billion as at January 7, 202, the highest in 12 months..

Thus the reserves have recovered from the nine weeks decline of $847 million to $34.825 billion on December 17th from $35.672 billion in October.

For most part of 2020, the nation’s external reserves remain stuck at below $36 billion, as the country faced a foreign currency crisis that has led to multiple devaluations of the national currency (naira), three times before the end of the year.

The CBN devalued the naira in March, July, and in August 2020, in the midst of pressure from the World Bank for the unification of the exchange rate, which is now between N380 and N386/$1.

As a way out of the plunging reserves CBN resumed forex sales to BDCs, but the situation barely changed as the reserves remain stuck at $35 billion.

At the beginning of 2020 Nigeria’s Forex reserves stood at $38.5 billion but fell by over $2 billion to 436 billion within the first quarter, as the country was hit by the corona virus pandemic which ravaged the economy.

Meanwhile, analysts have adduced the increase to the rise in crude oil price in the international marker. Nigeria’s crude was sold for $50 per barrel as the close of business last week.

COVID 19: NCDC Releases Frightening Figures, Over 100,000 Infected

By
Bayo Bernard
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coronavirus

Bt Tosin Olatokunbo

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC has disclosed that the number of COVID 19 cases in the country is on the rise, and has now hit over 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic broke last year.

The centre, on Sunday, said on its website that eight persons have also died of the virus between Saturday and yesterday, adding that 1,358 persons have now died from the pandemic. The agency urged Nigerians to take personal precautions to save their lives and stop the virus from further spreading.

According to the figures released by NCDC, Lagos recorded the highest number of cases while Akwa-Ibom recorded the least number of cases.

NCDC said ”Abia-11, Adamawa-27, Akwa-Ibom-9, Anambra-19, Bauchi-17, Bayelsa-21, Benue-11, Borno-36, Cross River-12, Delta-52, Ebonyi-30, Edo-119, Ekiti-7, Enugu-21, FCT-107, Gombe-38, Imo -17 and Jigawa-55.

”Kaduna-55, Kano-70, Katsina-27, Kebbi-13, Kogi-2, Kwara -31, Lagos-256, Nassarawa-13, Niger -13, Ogun -35, Ondo-41, Osun -24, Oyo -54, Plateau -46, Rivers -67, Sokoto-20, Taraba-7, Yobe-8 and Zamfara-5,” it stated. The public health agency said that the country’s active cases were 18,699, while only two states, Kogi and Cross River, had no active case of the infection as at Jan. 10.

The agency said over 80,000 persons has now recovered from the deadly virus, adding that more patients have been discharged after receiving treatment.

NCDC said “There are 613 COVID-19 patients discharged across Nigeria in the last 24 hours with the total number of successfully treated cases rising to 80,030. Our discharges today include 253 community recoveries in Lagos State, managed in line with guidelines.”

The agency said 1,025,560 people had been tested for the virus since it was first detected in the country 11 months back, with 13,976 tests carried out in the past 24 hours. The public health said that the 1,024 new cases were reported in 16 states and the FCT.

It added that Lagos State with 653 cases led the pack with Plateau and Benue following with 63 and 48 cases respectively, Zamfara-45, FCT-42, Rivers-27, Ondo and Adamawa-26 each. Amongst other states with new COVID-19 cases are Kaduna-22; Edo-18; Ogun-16; Imo-12; Kano-9, Yobe-6, Ekiti-5, Jigawa-4and Osun-2.

Oyo Crisis: NCC Chairman Calls On Makinde To Cancel Foreign Trip

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Seyi Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde

By Tosin Olatokunbo

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Adeolu Akande has called on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state to do something about insecurity in the state before it gets out of hands.

Governor Makinde is on vacation abroad but Akande, who’s also the chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) said the governor must cut short his trip to tackle the problem of insecurity at home.

The PDP chieftain said the people of the state are seriously worried over the activities of kidnappers, herdsmen and thugry. He however urged well meaning residents to join hands with the governor to tackle the problem.

The PDP stalwart, in a statement on Sunday, said the problem the state is facing should receive a bi-partisan approach, noting that the governor cannot solve the problem alone.

Akande said the people of the state are “disturbed by the events of the past few weeks in Oyo State. While Ibarapaland, which used to be very peaceful, has become a haven for kidnappers to operate and assassins to kill, gang wars have not been abated in Ibadan and Oyo,” he said.

“In Okeogun and Ogbomoso, the stories are not different. It is now one day, many crimes. Like I said in my Christmas message to the people of our dear state, insecurity has assumed an alarming rate. It is neither time to blame anybody or fold our arms because of our political leanings and watch things degenerate. There is no doubt that Governor Seyi Makinde needs help and we have got to support him with whatever we have.

“In the present situation we have found ourselves, nothing can thrive and the state, especially its residents are bound to be at the receiving end. When there is insecurity, job owners flee and this will lead to job loss and dwindling IGR. This will lead to more insecurity as many jobless individuals may consider kidnapping and other vices lucrative to survive.

He applaud the governor for purchasing vehicles and platforms for the state security outfits to combat the menace, adding that the officials of various security bodies need to be well trained to face the rising wave of insecurity.

He said “Yes, Governor Makinde has purchased vehicles and distributed to various security outfits across the state. It is beyond that. They need equipment, they need motivation from both government and the governed, they need training and retraining and more.

“ It is sad that despite the fact that our governor has more than five former police commissioners as advisers, insecurity is rearing its ugly head. I am sure Governor Makinde has not made good use of our friend and former Lagos police commissioner, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, a super cop who led the flushing of the dreaded Badoo boys in Lagos.

“To those of us in the opposition, it is time we dropped our political toga and offer advise to the incumbent administration. Let’s deploy our network of connection to assist the administration as we don’t have any other place to call our state other than Oyo State. Governor Seyi Makinde should, as a matter of fact, be receptive to advise and assistance. Anything that is done to tame this insecurity will be to his credit. Nobody is competing with him as it is not yet election time.”

 

Gunmen Kidnap Petrol Dealer In Ekiti |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Kidnappers
Kidnappers

By  Ayodele Oni

Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted the popular Ekiti petroleum dealer, Alhaji Sulaimon Akinbami.

It was gathered that Akinbami was kidnapped on Sunday night at Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The State Police Command, in a statement, confirm the incident happened at about 2105hrs, as reported by the wife of the victim one Mrs Mariam Akinbami.

“She came to Odo-Ado Divisional Police Headquarters and reported that her husband, Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami, was kidnapped at the premises of his Petrol Station along Ijan/Ado Road at about 2030hrs on the same date. ”

According to her, four men quietly approached her husband,  ordered him into his Toyota Jeep, and whisked him away.

“Upon receipt of the information, the DPO led his team to the scene but the abductors had  already gone.

“Meanwhile, the Command has deployed a Special Team of Policemen to be assisted by the Amotekun Corp, the Local Hunters and the Vigilantes to comb the bush for possible tracking of the suspects and the release of the victims.

Ekiti Imposes Curfew, Bans Public Gathering Of More Than 20 |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Worried about continued increase in the  number of COVID-19 patients, the Ekiti State Government has imposed a curfew from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am, and has banned all gatherings of more than twenty people in the state until further notice.

These restrictions took effect Monday,  January 11, 2021.

The Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akinbowale Omole, announced these new guidelines in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, citing the alarming rate at which the second wave of COVID-19 is spreading in Nigeria, and elsewhere as reason for these drastic steps.

He said there was need for the Government  to be proactive and take decisive steps to secure the citizens from falling prey to the second wave of the pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives all over the world recently.

He urged the people to continue to observe the Covid-19 protocols strictly and also abide by the curfew and new restrictions placed on public gatherings by the State Government.

Mr Omole called on the people to ensure that they wear nose masks properly, wash hands with soap and use hand sanitizer regularly, as well as keep social distance to avoid contacting the virus.

According to him, the curfew placed throughout the State from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am will be strictly enforced except for those that can prove that they are on essential services.

“There is also a ban on all public gatherings of more than twenty people while Covid-19 prevention protocol should be strictly observed even in such gatherings.

“To allow faithfuls observe their religious worships, the government allows for two services to take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday accordingly and that all these services should not extend beyond 2.00pm on such days.”

He re-emphasized that all worship centers are expected to provide necessary facilities for hand washing, soap and hand sanitizer at the entrance and infra-red thermometers to take worshippers temperature before they are allowed in for service.

He added that the State Covid-19 Response Committee put in place by the State Government and other relevant enforcement agencies would be going round to ensure compliance with these directives and any person or group of persons caught violating the guidelines put in place to curtail the pandemic in the state will be prosecuted and sanctioned accordingly.

The Commissioner called on all top Government functionaries both at the State and Local Government levels, Local Government Chairmen, Kabiyesis and law enforcement agencies not only to obey Covid prevention protocols themselves, but also to monitor compliance and report any violation to the Covid-19 Response Taskforce promptly.

Omole assured that Government will continue to do all within its power to ensure that this second wave of the pandemic does not have a foothold in the state.

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