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Bangladesh security forces fire at protesters demanding government jobs

Police and security officials in Bangladesh fired bullets and tear gas at protesters and banned all gatherings in the capital yesterday, as internet and mobile services were cut off after days of deadly clashes over the allocation of government jobs.

The protests, which began weeks ago but escalated sharply on Monday, represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after elections in January.

Main opposition groups boycotted those polls.

This comes a day after the bloodiest day of demonstrations to date when 22 people were killed, according to local media, as protesting students attempted to impose a “complete shutdown” on the country.

Authorities could not be reached immediately to confirm figures for the deaths.

The chaos has highlighted cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy and the frustration of young graduates who face a lack of good jobs.

The government has deployed police and paramilitary forces across the capital to lock down campuses and break up protests.

On Wednesday, universities including the country’s largest suspended classes and closed dormitories, and on Friday Dhaka police said they were banning all gatherings and demonstrations in the capital.

An Associated Press reporter saw border guard officials fire at a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who had gathered outside the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, which was attacked and set on fire by protesters the previous day.

The border guards shot at the right crowd with rifles and sound grenades, while police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

Bullets littered the streets, which were also marked by smears of blood.

A news producer and reporter at Bangladesh Television on Thursday told the AP that protesters had broken through the main gate and set fire to vehicles and the reception area.

They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

“I escaped by leaping over the wall but some of my colleagues got stuck inside. The attackers entered the building and set furniture on fire,” the producer said by phone.

Students clash with riot police during a protest against a quota system for government jobs, in Dhaka, Bangladesh onThursday

Internet services and mobile data were widely disrupted on Thursday night and remained down on Friday in the capital, Dhaka.

Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were also not loading. It coincided with a widespread internet outage on Friday that disrupted flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world, but the disruptions in Bangladesh were substantially greater than seen elsewhere.

A statement from the country’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission said they were unable to ensure service after their data centre was attacked on Thursday by demonstrators, who set fire to some equipment.

The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify this.

Student protesters said they will extend their calls to impose a shutdown on Friday as well, and urged mosques across the country to hold funeral prayers for those who have been killed.

Major universities have said they will close their doors until tensions ease.

The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan.

They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and they want it replaced with a merit-based system.

But Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions to the war regardless of their political affiliation.

The Bangladeshi leader is credited for bringing stable growth to Bangladesh, but rising inflation — thanks in part to the global upheaval sparked by the war in Ukraine — has triggered labor unrest and dissatisfaction with the government.

Even though job opportunities have grown in some parts of the private sector, many people prefer government jobs because they are seen as more stable and lucrative. But there aren’t enough to go around — each year, some 400,000 graduates compete for around 3,000 jobs in the civil service exam.

“What is unfolding in Bangladesh is deeply unsettling for a generation that only asked for a fair opportunity in public service recruitment.

That a peaceful protest against a state policy would slip into the peak of lawlessness shows the government’s lack of farsightedness and inefficient policy governance,” said Saad Hammadi, policy and advocacy manager at the Canada-based Balsillie School of International Affairs who has advocated for freedom of speech in the country.

Pakistan police arrest Bin Laden’s former Afghan bodyguard

Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden

Counter-terrorism police in Pakistan have arrested Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Usman Akram Gondal of the counter-terrorism police said Haq, who once headed Bin Laden’s elite security unit, was arrested in the city of Gujrat.

He said that Haq’s name is on the United Nations’ list of global terrorists and he was previously arrested in Pakistan in 2007.


Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden

Haq went into hiding after he was released from a Pakistani jail in 2011 and reappeared in the Afghan region of Nangarhar in 2021 after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.

Gondal said Haq recently entered Pakistan and that the purpose of his visit was being investigated.

The al-Qaeda leader carried Afghan and fake Pakistani identity documents that he used to travel with, the officer said.

The counter-terrorism police raided the compound he was staying in on an intelligence tip suggesting his presence in the Gujrat area, Gondal said.

Haq is the first high-profile al-Qaeda figure who has been arrested in Pakistan since the fall of neighbouring Afghanistan to the Taliban.

U.S. forces killed bin Laden in his residential compound in the northern Pakistani city of Abbottabad in a raid in 2011.

Several Arab, Afghan and Pakistani al-Qaeda leaders were killed in the country in U.S. drone strikes in subsequent years, resulting in the weakening of the once formidable global terror network.

According to recent UN reports, the group has been seeking a resurgence in the region since Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021.

Vietnam’s general secretary and former president Nguyen Phu Trong dies at 80

Vietnam Communist Party general secretary and former President Nguyen Phu Trong has died after a long illness, according to an official Friday statement.

He was 80 years old.

“General Secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 1:38 p.m. Friday at the 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi due to old age and severe illness,” the statement, carried by Vietnam’s state-run news agency said. “Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away following a period of illness, despite the care and treatment by the Party, the state, doctors, leading health experts and his family.”

Thursday he was awarded the Gold Star, the highest honor of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

“The decision to award the Gold Star Order to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is the recognition of the Party, State and people for his great and exceptionally outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation,” the government said in a statement.

Trong came to power in 2011 and led a crackdown on corruption while also jailing journalists and activists to maintain government control.

The Communist Party arrested Labor Ministry official Nguyen Van Binh, an advocate for free and independent labor unions, in May.

The media and civil organizations were also targeted.

Vietnam under Trong was known for “bamboo diplomacy” that shifted and bent as Vietnam navigated complex economic relationships with China and the United States as it also maintained connections with Russia and India.

President Joe Biden met with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in an historic state visit in September 2023 that strengthened diplomatic and trade ties some five decades after what Biden called the “bitter past” of the Vietnam War.

Biden signed a deal with Vietnam on semiconductors and rare earth minerals and said the relationship had a “50-year arc of progress in the relationship between our nations from conflict to normalization.”

According to the U.S. State Department Vietnam “is an authoritarian state ruled by a single party, the Communist Party of Vietnam.”

The State Department cited the most significant human rights problems as severe restrictions on citizen’s political rights, limited civil liberties and corruption in the judicial system and police.

Under Trong’s leadership, Vietnam’s GDP per capita more than doubled as Vietnam entered a series of free trade agreements both with the West and Asian nations.

“He always believed in making the party clean and relevant so that the party could live with the country for another 1,000 years — that’s his quote,” said Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore Giang Nguyen in a statement to the BBC. “So he saw the fate of the Vietnamese Communist party and the nation as bound together.”

US election: I’ll carry out largest deportation in America’s history — Trump

Presidential candidate of the Republican, Donald Trump has pledged to carry out “the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States of America”.

In his official nomination acceptance speech on Thursday, Trump spoke to members of the Republican Party.

The GOP platform calls for “the largest deportation operation in our country’s history,” according to Trump.

The former President stated that crime is decreasing in Central American nations such as El Salvador because “they’re sending their murderers to the United States of America”.

Trump, who escaped an assassination attempt a few days earlier, stated that his deportations would be “even larger than that of President Dwight D Eisenhower from many years ago.”

“You know, he was a moderate but he believed very strongly in borders. He had the largest deportation operation we’ve ever had.”

Outrage as Enugu Catholic priest reportedly flogs women, choir members

A priest of the Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Linus Okwu, has reportedly flogged members of his church, including women, girls and choir members, for allegedly failing to clear grasses within the church premises.

Okwu is said to be the parish priest of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, Agbani in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The Nation reports that the cleric allegedly whipped the parishioners, comprising mothers, young men, ladies and teenagers.

According to the report, trouble started when the angry priest, armed with canes, interrupted a choir practice in his parish and demanded an explanation on why the church field was yet to be cleared.

Not satisfied with the responses he got, he ordered the choir members to kneel and started flogging them mercilessly.

One of the victims who pleaded anonymity said she went home with bruises.

The victim further stated that the shock would continue to live with her for a lifetime.

“The Priest, who was visibly furious while addressing the choir members told us that since we hardly comply with the teaching and instruction of the church, that he would apply the stick approach to ensure compliance.

“I was sitting on a row of seats where teenage members of our choir were, so, when he started flogging, I withdrew to the back seat with the hope that he wouldn’t flog adults and mothers amongst us, but to my surprise, he flogged everybody, including myself.

“When I tried to put up resistance, he told me that if my father flogs me at home when I wrong him, he also reserves the right to whip members of his congregation as the father of the church if they falter. I was badly bruised when he finished with me,” the victim said.

The Director of Communication of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Aneke, was yet to react to the incident.

11 travellers kidnapped on Enugu-Abakaliki expressway

Gunmen have abducted 11 passengers on the Amechi-Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki highway.

The area has become notorious for such incidents.

Among the victims were students from tertiary institutions in the state traveling in a commercial bus from Awka, Anambra State to Abakaliki, the state capital.

The abduction, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, took place when the hoodlums intercepted the bus at the Amechi-Idodo area in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu.

The location has recently become a beehive for kidnappings. A relative of one of the victims revealed that the kidnappers have contacted the family demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, stated that the command was actively working to address the situation.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, was collaborating with her Enugu State counterpart, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, to combat the surge in kidnappings along this stretch of the highway.

To stem the tide of the growing insecurity in the area, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, recently directed security agencies to intensify efforts to eradicate criminal activities in the area.

23-year-old arrested for allegedly defiling teenager

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man identified as Abdulrazak Muftau for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl (name withheld) in the Igbesa area of Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspect was arrested by the police division in Igbesa following a report made by the survivor’s father, identified simply as Babaoye.

According to a police document exclusively sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, Babaoye told the operatives at the Igbesa Police Division that Muftau committed the offence in June 2024 but got wind of it several weeks later.

Following his arrest by the police operatives on Saturday, July 13, the suspect told the police that he and the survivor met on social media, where they had been dating for some time.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, told our correspondent that Muftau had confessed to having carnal knowledge of the survivor and insisted that the 16-year-old was his girlfriend at the time of the incident.

She said, “The suspect has been arrested. Upon interrogation, he confessed that he had been dating the girl on the Facebook app. The suspect also confessed to having had carnal knowledge of the teenage girl. He has been detained.”

few days ago a similar incidentoccured when a police officer in Lagos State was detained for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl at the Area H Command in the Ogudu area of the state.

The suspect had earlier pretended to help the survivor recover her stolen phone but allegedly seized the momentum to assault the girl.

Considering the rising cases of rape, especially against minors in Nigeria, a co-founder, and director of Action Health Incorporated, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Dr Uwemedimo Esiet, during an interview with our correspondent, urged the government and citizens to do more in ending sexual-related offences in the country.

He said, “This (sexual-related crime) is driven by social injustices, inequality, and patriarchy. The government can provide and support a pathway to redressing these, but we, the citizens, must take it upon ourselves that we want a more equitable society.”

Court stops INEC from releasing voters register for LG polls

A Federal High court in Abuja on Friday stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

Justice Peter Lifu issued an order of interim injunction against INEC, while delivering ruling in a motion ex-parte brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The motion ex-parte was filed on behalf of the APC by a team of senior lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Ogwu James Onoja, all SANs. It was brought pursuant to Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act, Order 26 Rules 1 and 3, order 28 rules 1 and 2, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court as enshrined in Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution.

The judges also restrained the Rivers Electoral Commission and Rivers Attorney-General from receiving from INEC or using part of the National Voter’s Register relating to Rivers State to conduct local government elections in the state.

Similarly, Justice Lifu restrained the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Service (DSS) from participating or providing security protection for Rivers State Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections in the state.

Also, the judge issued another order directing INEC, Rivers State Electoral Commission, AG Rivers State, IGP and DSS to maintain status quo ante bellum and not to do any act or take any further steps in furtherance of the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State.

The interim orders are to remain in force pending the determination of the substantive suit in which the APC is challenging the propriety of the conduct of elections in Rivers local governments.

In granting the interim restraining orders, Justice Lifu directed the APC to undertake to pay damages to the five defendants in case its suit was found to be frivolous and that the restraining orders ought not to have been granted in the first instance.

Justice Lifu also granted substituted service of the orders and other court processes on the five defendants through publications in two major national dailies before the adjourned date to attract the attention of the defendants.

Meanwhile the judge fixed August 2 for all the defendants to appear before him for hearing of the substantive matter.

In a 13-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Tony Okocha, the acting chairman of Rivers APC, he averred that originating summons were taken out against the defendants due to failure of INEC to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act in respect of the management of the register of voters which it intends to release to Rivers electoral body for local government elections in breach and violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The deponent averred that it is only the voter register compiled, maintained, updated and kept in the custody of INEC that Rivers Electoral Commission can obtain and use to conduct local government polls as Rivers SIEC is not entitled to compile, maintain, update and keep in its custody any separate voters register.

The APC acting chairman further stated that its originating summons and motion on notice are pending before the court for hearing and that it has become necessary to take proactive steps to preserve the substance of the case by restraining the defendants from tampering with or dissipating the main case pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

He also averred that APC in Rivers State brought the instant application in the interest of justice for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum and preservation of the main matter.

Besides, the deponent undertook to pay damages as may be directed by the court in case the application for the interim restraining order turns out to be unwarranted and frivolous.

Meanwhile, all the five defendants have been directed to appear in court on August 2 to present their own respective responses.

Ndume breaks silence on removal as Senate Chief Whip, rejects Akpabio’s appointment

Senator Ali Ndume

The Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has spoken publicly for the first time following his sack as the Chief Whip of the Senate in the 10th Assembly.

The outspoken lawmaker, who spoke in his country home of Maiduguri yesterday, said he was unfairly treated, and his actions do not warrant his removal from the position.

He also rejected the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism, which was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, arguing that he lacks the experience and exposure to lead such a sensitive group.

Ndume added that he never wanted to be a senate whip after serving as the leader in the eighth senate, disclosing that he was given the chance to choose which committee to serve as the vice chairman, having successfully led the campaigns that brought about the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as president of the Senate.

On the recommendation of the party to leave the APC, Ndume said he is a founding member of the party.

He explained that he was one of the twenty-two senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that formed the APC when the current national chairman of the party Abdullahi Ganduje was a deputy governor in Kano State.

He, however, stated that when former President Muhammadu Buhari, in the company of President Bola Tinubu, ordered him to sign a document to join APC at the Imo House in Abuja, he informed his people before going public as such, he would consult his people before deciding on whether to leave the APC or not.

Senator Ali Ndume

Senator Ndume said he could not speak up immediately after his sack because he was mourning the death of a family member.

Dangote refinery not licensed yet, says Nigerian govt

Dangote Refinery

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA), said it has not licensed the Dangote refinery.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, who disclosed this on Thursday said the refinery was still at the pre-commissioning stage.

Mr Ahmed who was responding to reports of alleged sabotaged of the Dangote refinery expressed concerns over the consistency and standardization of the refinery’s output.

He noted that products coming from Dangote refinery are inferior compared to the imported products.

“Well, just like you rightly asked, there are lots of concerns about the supply of petroleum products nationwide and the claims by some media houses that we were trying to scuttle the Dangote refinery; that is not so.

“Dangote refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage. It has not been licensed yet. We have not licensed them yet,” he said.

According to him, the demand for the Dangote refinery cannot be met by the authorities at this time hence it could lead to energy insecurity and market monopoly.

He said: “So we can not rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop all importation of petroleum products, especially automotive gas oil (AGO) or jet kero, and direct all marketers to the refinery.

“Dangote refinery as well as some major refineries like Waltersmith refinery, produce between 650 to 1200 ppm. So, in terms of quality, their quality is much more inferior to the imported quality,” Mr Ahmed added.

Military rejigs operations against crude oil theft –DHQ

The Defence Headquarters says it is rejigging on-going operations to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region through comprehensive approach.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated this yesterday in Abuja, while giving an update on the operations of the military across the country.

Mr Buba said the redesigned strategy aims to curb the menace of oil theft in the country.

The spokesman said that the operations would be conducted through a unified command structure for all security agencies operating in the region.

He said that the operations would target specific areas that had significant capability to boost crude oil production.

The targeted areas, according to him, includes, but not limited to enforcing and ensuring transparency by International Oil Companies operating in the region.

“Others are; ensuring the integrity of the metering systems deployed at flow stations and tracking of point of loading to destination point of the crude oil.

“Furthermore, operations will also concentrate on surveillance of the pipelines, jackets and well head to forestall breaches.

“Overall, operations will galvanise the support of the people of the Niger Delta as well as the stakeholders in the oil sector to support the drive to boost the nation’s oil production.

“Importantly, operations will ensure prosecution of culprits engaged in crude oil theft,’’ he said.

Mr Buba said the military had during the week under review, apprehended 20 perpetrators of oil thieves and denied them of the estimated sum of N744.1 million.

He said the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, five boats and 20 storage tanks.

“Other items recovered include 31 cooking ovens, five vehicles, three mobile phones and 31 illegal refining sites.

“Troops recovered 715,325 litres of stolen crude oil and 148,415 litres of illegally refined AGO,’’ he said.

IPAC rejects Senate’s move to create Local Government Independent Electoral Commission

The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has strongly condemned the proposed bill by the Senate to create the Local Government Independent Electoral Commission.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa and IPAC says the move is unacceptable and unnecessary, adding that it will lead to duplication of functions and waste of public funds.

“Creating another commission will not address the challenges faced in conducting local government elections,” the council said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinyere Ogekalu.

“Instead, it will lead to unnecessary duplication of efforts and resources. The proposed commission will still rely on INEC’s voter register, IREV, BVAS, ballot boxes, and other resources to conduct a successful election.

“Rather than creating another commission, we should focus on building the capacity of INEC to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections at the local level. This is especially crucial at a time when the government is grappling with limited resources to cater to the welfare of citizens.

Nnamdi Kanu heads to Appeal Court to restore revoked bail

Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has urged the Appeal Court to set aside the revocation of his bail by the Abuja Federal High Court.

Kanu also urged the Appeal Court to restore the terms and conditions attached to his revoked bail by the court presided by Justice Binta Nyako.

In a Notice of Appeal filed by his lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, the IPOB leader urged the appellate court to restore him to a place or custody where he would enjoy a fair trial.

Parts of the Notice of Appeal reads: “My noble Lords, in view of the totality of the arguments adduced herein by the Appellant, we respectfully urge Your Lordships to resolve this appeal in favour of the Appellant (Kanu) and grant the sought as follows:

“An Order allowing this Appeal and setting aside the decision of the trial court made on the 20th day of May, 2024.

“An Order restoring/reinstating the bail of the Appellant on same terms as earlier granted; or an Order restoring/reinstating the Appellant’s bail on any new terms and conditions.

: An Order remanding the Appellant to an alternative place of custody or home detention/house arrest that can accord the Appellant the atmosphere to have a fair trial.

“Any Order the Honourable Court of Appeal deems fit to make in the circumstances of this Appeal.”

Ejimakor informed the Appeal Court that the Notice of Appeal was lodged against the ruling of Justice Nyako delivered on the 20th day of May, 2024 refusing to restore Kanu’s bail erroneously revoked on the misrepresentations of the Nigerian government that he jumped bail.

He said: “The learned trial Judge refused to restore the bail or even order home detention in spite of the affidavit evidence and the pertinent finding of the Supreme Court before the Court.

“The Notice of Appeal bears 4 grounds from which the issues herein have been distilled. 2.0. summary:2.1. On or about 14th October 2015, the Appellant was arrested and charged, with three other suspects, for the offences relating to managing an unlawful society and other offences which were later dropped/struck out and amended to offenses relating to conspiracy, treasonable felony, false declaration of imported goods and defamation of the President.

“Upon arraignment, the Appellant was granted bail on the 25th day of April, 2017 by the trial court on grounds of ill health. See Paragraph 2.03 of the Respondent’s Brief of Argument before the Supreme Court in SC/CR/1361/2022 at page 7 of the Additional Record of Appeal. 2.2.

“The Appellant while on bail and in compliance with the terms of bail was in Afiaraukwu Ibeku, his hometown in Abia State when the Respondent devised a means of unlawfully assassinating the Appellant through a lethal military operation code named “Operation Python Dance” levied by the armed forces of the Respondent in the said Appellant’s hometown. 2.3. By providence, the Appellant escaped assassination though casualties were recorded in the operation. The Appellant was later awarded One Billion Naira in damages for this military operation and the judgment was on record before the trial court and later the Supreme Court. In the interim, and because of Appellant’s flight to safety, the Respondent deceptively approached the trial Court for the revocation of the Appellant’s bail on the ground that the Appellant had jumped bail.

“The order as sought was made on the 28th day of March, 2019. 2.4. Pursuant to the order revoking the Appellant’s bail, the Appellant was abducted by agents of the Respondents and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 and on the 20th day of October, 2021, the erstwhile charge was amended to try the Appellant separately from others with whom the Appellant was initially charged. The Respondent further amended the charge to include offences relating to terrorism, on the strength of which the Appellant filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection on the 19th day of January, 2022.

“The validity or otherwise of the charges/counts vis-à-vis the extraordinary rendition of the Appellant was contested up to the Supreme Court and in its judgment, the Supreme Court, though allowed the appeal in favour of the Respondent, agreed with the Appellant that the rendition was unlawful and in particular- that the Appellant did not jump bail but was justified in running for his life given the circumstances of the Operation Python Dance and stated that the revocation of the Appellant’s bail was erroneous and made the impartiality of the trial Court suspicious. See EXHIBIT MNK 1 at pages10 – 14 and 19-23 of the Record of Appeal.

“The Appellant was also, by the Federal High Court, awarded Five Hundred Million Naira for the said extraordinary rendition and illegal detention.”

Uzodimma has restored absolute peace in Ohaji/Egbema –Chairmanship aspirant, Lemachi

An aspirant for the Chairmanship position of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Steven Lemachi, has commended the governor of Imo state, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his pragmatic leadership, which he said, has helped to restore absolute peace in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

Lemachi made the commendation, while fielding questions from newsmen, after returning his completed Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the APC Secretariat, Okigwe Road, Owerri, Wednesday.

He described himself as a core member of APC who has paid his dues.

“I felt my people need me this time around, in fact, I was busy with my business, but they kept beckoning on me to come back home and see how we can salvage our area”.

He, however, called on the good people of Ohaji/Egbema to continue to sustain the peace that is currently existing in the area.

Adding his voice, Pastor Emeka Nwulu, an APC political leader in the area, who accompanied Lemachi, described him as a man to reckon with.

“We have avalanche of aspirants, but this is someone who has the weight. He has what it takes to give what Ohaji/Egbema wants. Ohaji Egbema has been agitating for his kind of person. Those who lead in the past didn’t do what we expected from them.

“Now is a new time, it’s a new face, a new dawn. Definitely, by the time he is declared winner on the 21st of September, Ohaji/ Egbema will start breathing fresh air of economic and all-round emancipation,” Pastor Nwulu enthused.

Former Reps Aspirant buries Mum, Late Ezinne Ifeanyichukwu, August 10

Obituary

All roads will lead to Umuodom , Ibeme Amaise Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state, for the burial ceremony of Late Ezinne Josephine Chinyere Ifeanyichukwu (Oso Di Emere Oha ) , who will be interred at her husband’s compound at aged 76.

Until her demise, Late Ezinne Ifeanyichukwu was the mother of a former house of Representatives Aspirant, Publisher of Masses Newspaper Abuja and owner of so many business conglomerates Hon. Chief Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu.

In a press release signed by the Son of the deceased, Hon.Chief Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu, made available to Newsmen, there will be a Christian wake -keep on the 9th of August 2024 at Late Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Onyemara’s compound, Umuodom, Ibeme Amaise Autonomous community, On the 10th of August 2024 her body will leave Rapha Mortuary Umuezefeke Ugiri for her husband’s compound, which will be followed by a requiem mass at St

Ita’s Catholic Church Ibeme Amaise Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state.

According to her biography, Late Ezinne Josephine Chineyere Ifeanyichukwu was born to the family of late Mr/Mrs Micheal Onwunali and Janeth Akuruonye Inyama of Umuokoh, Umuhu, Eziuodu Autonomous Community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State on 24th November, 1948.

Her childhood days were riddled with challenges and obstacles, consequent upon the demise of her mother at the tender age.

Determined to succeed against all odds, she moved to Abakiliki with her uncle, late Gilbert Ewulonu, where she started primary in 1955.

Her brilliant performance and peaceful disposition in school endeared her to her teachers, pupils and those who came in contact with her during that period.

Having completed her primary school and there was nobody to sponsor her secondary as well as university education, Ezinne Josephine left Abakiliki for her hometown to stay with her immediate elder sister, Ezinne Juliana Njoku.

After a couple of years, she decided to travel to Aba, Abia State in search of a job. This time she was to live with her eldest sister late Margaret Chikere and her husband.

No sooner she arrived Aba than she secured employment in a marketing company as a typewriter. From her salary, she was able to carter for herself as well as assist her sister in providing for the family.

In 1969, Ezinne Josephine got married to late Mr Godwin ifeanyichukwu Onyemara of Umuodom, Ibeme, Autonomous Community. By His grace, their marriage was blessed with seven children: six boys and one girl. She and her husband had exemplary marital relationship, which to date, serves as a reference point to many young couples.

Economically, Mama was hard-working, diligent and resourceful. She traded in vegetables and other foods stuffs at Ahia Ohuru Market in Abia, Abia State in the 70s. Even before her death, she remained a trader at the Cemetery Market in Aba. She used the proceeds from her business to assist her husband in building their home and the training of their children.

Religiously, Ezinne was a devoted Catholic, who committed herself to the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ and honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She prayed her rosary daily, observed and kept all rituals and beliefs as enshrined in Catholic Church doctrines. She was a member of Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Biblical Movement of Nigeria (CBMN) Ezinne Nwere Ugwu, all in our lady of Lourdes Parish, Aba.

As a member of C.B.M.N, Mama went to various remote villages, communities and towns, evangelizing and winning souls for our Lord Jesus Christ, in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Socially, Mama was bold, courageous and fearless in standing for fairness and justice. She detested injustice and oppression of the downtrodden. She was peace-loving, forgiving and exceptionally philanthropic. Those who knew her and her husband closely will attest to the fact that the couple was hospitality personified.Both could risk hunger to ensure strangers were well-fed. Also, the success of her husband, as one of the pillars that held Ugiri Clan and Ibeme Town Union in Aba, would not have come easy without Mama’s backing and encouragement.

As a good family woman, Mama loved her children dearly. She did everything in her power to ensure they were brought up with the fear of God. She promoted peace, unity and good sense of brotherhood in her husband’s family; village and beyond.

On 20th March, 2024 Mama departed this world to be with the Lord.

Customs intercept bulletproof jackets, drugs worth N3.6bn

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Ikeja said it intercepted 150 cartons of bulletproof jackets worth N1.687bn.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Kola Oladeji, said the contrabands were intercepted along the Ijebuode-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun state.

Oladeji explained that each carton contains 10 packs of the jacket, adding that these contrabands were seized in June.

He explained that under Schedule 4 of the Customs Common External Tariff, the importation of all kinds of military wares by individuals is under absolute prohibition.

“An end-user certificate is required for the importation of controlled items and products into Nigeria and it comes from the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Oladeji said.

Oladeji vowed that the unit is working on credible intelligence to get the importers of these contrabands.

“These seizures were unique because it was a breach of security, no end-user-certificate

“Because you get the certificate before you can bring your cargo and if you bring it after importation we would arrest you,” he said.

The CAC said the unit also intercepted kilograms of cannabis sativa and expired drugs within the period under review.

“Our dedicated officers also intercepted 989kilograms of cannabis sativa and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs,”

According to him, some of the interceptions took place at various times and locations within the South-Western States.

“Other items seized include, 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit, 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 32 units of used vehicles, 120 bags of sugar, 3,560 cartons of poultry products,” the CAC said.

The CAC stated that four suspects were arrested in connection with the various offenses, “including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives,”

He disclosed that the cumulative duty paid value of the various intercepted goods amounts to, N3.6bn.

Oladeji said that the unit also recovered the sum of N62m as revenue for June 20024 through documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate duties.

He urged Nigerians to provide the service with useful and timely information that would lead to the arrest of illegal importation of military wares, illicit drugs, and counterfeit goods.

“Importers and licensed agents are also urged to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their goods,” he said.

Court remands fake lawyer at Correctional Centre

Court...gravel and hammer

.A suspected fake lawyer identified as Kenneth Nwuke has been ordered to be remanded at the Umuahia correctional center by a magistrate court sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

The suspected fake lawyer was arrested by the police following a tip-off while he posed as a lawyer representing a client in a murder case at the Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia.

It was gathered that the suspected fake lawyer claimed he was given the power of attorney by the father of the deceased to represent him in the murder case which the Zone 9 Police Headquarters was investigating.

A source stated that the alleged power of attorney bears the name of a popular law firm in Aba.

It was also gathered that some members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aba branch who were at the police zonal command had alerted the police about the fake lawyer while he made efforts to negotiate with the parties in the murder case.

Nwuke was then arrested and arraigned at Magistrate Court 4, in charge number,U/449C/2024, Commissioner of Police Vs Kenneth Nwuke.

The Magistrate, Jane Mba, granted the application for a remand order by the police and adjourned the matter to August 30, for report of compliance.

The the chairman of NBA, Aba branch Charles Onuchukwu, who followed up the matter in court at Umuahia, commended the police for the arrest of the fake lawyer.

“Some of our members were at the zonal police command where the man came, posing as a lawyer to represent a client in a murder case. We alerted the police that he was an impostor. He was arrested”, he said.

Trafficking: Police rescue 23 female teenagers, arrest suspect

The Delta State Police Command says it has rescued 25 victims of human trafficking in the Ugheli area of the state.

The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, stated this on Thursday in Asaba.

He said, “On June 15, 2024, acting on credible information received by the Command on the activities of one Chinyere (surname unknown) who specialises in trafficking women from the East and brings them to Ughelli Delta State for prostitution.

“Intelligence further revealed that she lures them by telling them that they are coming to Delta State to work as a salesgirl in a restaurant.

“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, who has zero tolerance for human/child trafficking, detailed the DPO, Ekpan CSP Aliyu Shaba, to immediately work on the gathered intelligence and ensure that the hotel is located and the suspect is arrested.

“Consequently, one of the victims (name withheld) was located, and she revealed the illegal activities of the said suspect, Chinyere, unknown, currently at large.”

According to Edafe, the victim stated further that the suspect deceived her parents into following her down to Delta State from Abia State to be a salesgirl in a bar with a salary of N30,000 monthly.

He, however, said that the victim and two other young girls followed the suspect down to a town, later understood to be Ughelli, but on getting to their final destination, they saw other teenagers.

“They were naked and were informed that it was prostitution; they were brought for which they declined, and as a result, they were immediately thrown out of the hotel.

“Based on the information, a combined team of surveillance stormed the hotel ‘Big Dafe Hotel’ by Ughelli/Patani Road and arrested one Chioma Edafe, 36, who runs the hotel, and 35 others, among whom 23 are all teenagers,” Edafe added.

He said a serious manhunt for the main suspect, Chinyere, was ongoing.

Appeal Court upholds Gov Diri, deputy’s election

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Thursday, upheld the election of Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Oborwahariewo as governor and deputy Governor of Bayelsa state respectively.

The three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice James Abundaga held in a unanimous judgement that, the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was right in dismissing the appeals by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva challenging Diri and Oborwahariewo’s election.

The appellate court held that Sylva and his party failed in their duty to call necessary witnesses to prove their case and that the appellants did not bring BVAS machine, neither did they bring extracts to prove their allegations.

The appellate court explained that there was no cogent proof founded on law to quash the earlier judgement of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and dismissed the appeal by Sylva and his party for been incompetent, abuse of court processes and lacking in merit and upheld the judgement of the Tribunal, which affirmed the election of governor Diri and his deputy.

The court also awarded a cost of N500, 000 in favour of each of the respondents in the appeal to be paid by Sylva and his party.

Reacting to the judgement in Abuja, Governor Diri said, his government will now concentrate on delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Bayelsa state.

“It is a victory for democracy and I will not border myself calling on opposition parties to join me in developing the state since they said, they will be going to the Supreme Court. We will themthem there”, he said.

It would be recalled that the Tribunal, in its judgment delivered on May 17, 2024, in Abuja, upheld the election of Governor Diri and his deputy and dismissed Sylva and APC’s petition.

The Tribunal’s three-man panel led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, dismissed Sylva and APC’s petition for lacking in merit.

The tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove any credible evidence to back up any of the allegations they raised against the re-election of Diri in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa state.

The tribunal declared that the prayers of the petitioners were contradictory and further held in the unanimous judgment that Sylva and APC did not tender any electoral material to show any irregularity that occurred during the election as claimed.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the Tribunal, Sylva and his party approached the Court of Appeal with an appeal seeking to set aside the judgement of the Tribunal.

Man ‘kills’ 19-year-old son with shovel

The police in Lagos State have begun investigation into the death of a 19-year-old boy allegedly beaten to death by his father.

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

The spokesperson said that the Alagbado Police Division received a report on Tuesday of the alleged crime.

He said: “At about 12.00 p.m. on July 5, at about 2.00 p.m., one Olumide gave his son, Adeyemi, a deep cut under moderate correction, at his right hand side with a shovel over an undisclosed offence.”

Hundeyin said that the young man sustained injuries as a result of the impact of the shovel attack.

“The young man was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.

“But when the injury became serious, he was taken to the General Hospital Ikeja, where he gave up the ghost as a result of tetanus infection, as confirmed by the doctor on duty.

“The scene was visited by detectives of the division.

“However, the father of the victim is currently at large, and the case is under investigation,” he said.

Proper diagnosis bedrock of quality healthcare delivery – First Lady

Mrs Tinubu

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says that proper diagnosis is the bedrock of quality health care delivery to achieve health and wellness for all Nigerians.

Mrs Tinubu said this in Lagos on Thursday at the commissioning of the Diamed Centre of Dr Kessington Adebutu and his daughter, the Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Dr Abiola Olorode in Lekki, Lagos.

The first lady said that collaborations across sectors and borders are necessary to drive innovation, share knowledge, and improve patient outcomes.

She said: “I am here to honour a great man. As we gather in this multi-specialist centre, we are ushering in a new era of advanced medical care and innovation in Nigeria.

“I must say that proper diagnosis is the bedrock of quality health care delivery.

“Therefore, this facility will further strengthen Nigeria’s effort in repositioning the health sector and aid quality healthcare delivery for Nigerians, and this truly gladdens my heart.”

Mrs Tinubu further described the event as a critical one that would advance imaging services to play a pivotal role in timely diagnosis.

“As I was informed, the vision and mission of Diamed Centre, and its positioning to offer comprehensive, evidence-based medical services across various specialities resonates deeply with the healthcare agenda of President Bola Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Action Plan For A Better Nigeria.

“The administration has implemented reforms and is investing significantly in the health sector to deliver better health outcomes for Nigerians.

“This is in line with the reforms and policy agenda defined by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“I have also been informed that this centre occupies a strategic position in the four-point agenda of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

“These are improving governance and leadership; improving population health outcomes; medical industrialisation/unlocking value chains; and health security (enhancing emergency preparedness),” she said.

Adebutu, in his goodwill message, expressed gladness at the completion of the edifice, while acknowledging the efforts that Dr Olorode put in place until their dreams became a reality.

He said that the centre would help Nigerians to have quality diagnosis for healthcare instead of traveling abroad.

“It is a great privilege to be part of this ceremony, this will be medical tourism and strengthen the value of our currency,” he said.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, who represented the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the centre was a milestone achievement for the nation.

He said that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to attract foreign investors and bring back the professionals that had fled the country.

Alausa added that the government was also putting policies in place to end quackery in the health sector.

Breaking: Minister Bows to Pressure, Reverts University Admission Age to 16

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has reverted to status quo on the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions from 18 to 16 years.

This follows the protest from stakeholders at the on-going Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting.

Stakeholders argued that 18 years as the minimum age was too high, and the decision comes at the wrong time, giving that candidates below 18 have already written the exams.

Stakeholders including Vice Chancellors and Rectors also kicked against the age enforcement, saying the decision will force students below 18 years to stay at home for two to three years more, since they were not informed earlier of their ineligibility.

Responding, Mamman said the points raised were valid and so the minimum age be reduced from 18 to 16.

However, he said this was just for the 2024 admissions and subsequently, 18 years will be the minimum age.

Furthermore, the minister revealed that the federal government was considering the adoption of 18 years as the entry age for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions of learning in the country.

The minister had in April said that the federal government would look into adopting 18 years as the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions in the country.

FG takes delivery of 17 train wagons for freight services

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has taken delivery of 17 locomotive-driven wagons for cargo operations on the national rail networks.

This is in continuation and consolidation of freight services launched by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in June this year.

The cargo train which arrived in Lagos on Monday, July 15, will depart for the Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano, on Friday, July 19.

While monitoring its arrival at the Ebute Metta station in Lagos, NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria described the feat as part of efforts at realising the federal government’s objective of promoting the ease of doing business.

He added that the journey was made during the daytime, to ensure the safety of the personnel and the goods.

The Nigerian government believes the cargo haulage system will ease the movement of goods from the ports to the hinterlands while reducing not only the number of articulated vehicles on the roads but also averting possible mishaps.

Appeal Court dismisses Abba Kyari’s request to quash drug charge

ABBA Kyari

The Appeal Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed an application filed by suspended DCP Abba Kyari requesting that the unlawful drug deal charge against him be dropped.

A three-member panel of justices dismissed Kayri’s appeal, marked: CA/ABJ/CR/516/2023 for being unmeritorious.

IJustice Adebukola Banjoko who led the panel held that there was no reason to tamper with the findings and conclusions reached on the issue by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, in the ruling he delivered on March 22, 2023.

“In conclusion, this court finds no reason to disturb the findings and conclusions reached by the learned trial judge of the Federal High Court, and in the ruling delivered on the 22nd day of March 2023 is affirmed.

“The learned trial judge is directed to continue and conclude the trial at the Federal High Court.

“The appeal is found unmeritorious and it is accordingly dismissed.”

Kyari had appealed against the March 22 ruling by Justice Nwite, in which he refused to quash the charges and dismissed an application filed by Kyari.

Kyari had, in his application, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him and four other serving police personnel when they were yet to be subjected to the internal disciplinary mechanisms of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the Federal High Court has the exclusive right and jurisdiction to hear drug-related cases as enshrined in the Constitution and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.

Justice Nwite held that the powers of the Police Service Commission (PSC) do not supersede the powers of the Federal High Court

ABBA Kyari

Kyari, was a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force and he is being prosecuted by the NDLEA.

He and four members of the IRT – ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu are charged with conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine.

They were also accused of dealing in cocaine without lawful authority; conspiracy to tamper with cocaine and unlawfully tampering with the 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers.

JAMB pegs cut-off mark at 140 for varsities, 100 for polytechnics, others

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has approved 140 as the cut-off mark for 2024 admission into the nation’s universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education, respectively.

The National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score (NTMUS), popularly known as the cut-off mark, for 2024 admission into tertiary institutions was arrived at on Thursday during the 2024 annual policy meeting on admissions, which was held at the Body Benchers, Headquarters, Abuja.

The meeting was held following the successful conduct of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). A total of 1,989,668 registered candidates for this year’s UTME.

Out of the 1,989,668 registered candidates, 80,810 were absent, while a total of 1,904,189 sat for the UTME within six days of the examination.

The policy meeting was chaired by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, and decided following recommendations by the heads of institutions.

Registrar of JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, who announced the cutoff marks, explained that individual institutions were at liberty to raise their minimum benchmark approved at the policy meeting but could not go below what was approved for various institutions.

Meanwhile, after the protest that greeted his decision to benchmark entry year into tertiary institutions in the country to 18 years, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has rescinded the decision.

He said his decision that only candidates who have clocked 18 years be offered admissions now takes effect from 2025.

To this effect, the minister said heads of tertiary institutions could be allowed to admit candidates who are 16 years of age.

The minister was forced to succumb, following the argument that students under the age of 18 had already registered, sat, and passed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, and were awaiting admission.

Leading the motion, Vice Chancellor of Elizade University Prof. Kayode Thadius Ijiadunola who got massive support from other heads, registrar, and admission officers participating in the policy meeting, proposed 16 as the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions.

He said, “What happens to those who have written this year’s exams and passed their exams? We reject 18 years as the minimum age requirement and are proposing 16 years.”

While the hall erupted in support of 16 years as a minimum requirement, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, asked where parents and candidates were rushing to.

Oloyede said: “The only point is they have taken examinations and at that time they were not told or aware and therefore if we want to enforce it, it should be from subsequent years.”

The minister in response had said, “I can work with that but I want to remind you of one thing, even that argument cannot stand if we want to go by the law which states 6-3-3-4 as our system of education.

“It won’t stand, but for practical reasons, for this year, I will allow it to stand.”

Reiterating the minister’s decision amidst a resounding applause, Prof Oloyede added, “We thank the minister for conceding but from next year we will enforce it.”

Earlier, the minister while delivering his address as chairman of the 2024 Joint Admissions Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) policy meeting on Education holding on Thursday in Abuja, had called for enforcement of 18 years as the new minimum admission age for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

Immediately after the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman made the announcement, the stakeholders who turned out their members from across tertiary institutions in the country, voiced resistance which turned the session into a rowdy one.

The minister who was unable to proceed with his address as a result of the uproar, had asked “Are we together?”

However, the stakeholders responded with a resounding “No!”

The minister who seemed unperturbed with the development, had continued with his address as he tried to give reasons for pegging the new admission benchmark at 18.

It took the intervention of the registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, to restore order to the policy meeting with his plea of “Please pay attention please!”

The policy meeting on education is an annual event. It authorised the commencement of admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

PDP govs warn against presidential interference in Edo, Ondo guber polls

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, rose from their meeting in Enugu yesterday, warning against any presidential interference in the forthcoming off-season governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

They also denounced what they described as an abysmal and lacklustre performance of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led federal government, while also commending the governors of PDP-controlled states for their innovative approaches to developmental projects across the country.

The meeting, which had in attendance 12 of the 13 governors of the PDP extraction physically present, also threw its weight behind the embattled Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and pushed for expedited negotiation of a new minimum wage.

Presenting the communique, at the end of the meeting, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said the governors admonished all the parties to ensure that campaigns were issues-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The communique read: “The Forum urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and unimpeachable elections as any act of bias will be totally resisted.

“The Forum also urges Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process,” the communique read in part.

The governors, while frowning at the state of the economy and nation, however, assured Nigerians that the PDP would return to power in 2027 to wipe away their tears and restore the nation’s lost glory.

“Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government.

“The Forum regrets that the 16 years of tremendous development under the PDP-led Federal Government, during which the country witnessed single digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living for every Nigerian has been eroded during the life span of the lacklustre APC-led Federal Government.

“The Forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days, of low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI inflows resulting in high naira value and the greater quality of human life as recorded.

“The forum, therefore, calls on all Nigerians to refrain from anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027.’’

The governors expressed displeasure over the protracted minimum wage negotiation in the face of extreme hardship, and asked the federal government to expedite action on it.

They, however, noted that the ability of other tiers of government to pay should be taken into consideration.

“Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands the total support of the Forum

“While the Forum fully supports Labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and federal government.

“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately, the collapse of the economy,” the opposition governors said.

The Forum equally threw their weight behind Governor Fubara in the crisis rocking Rivers State and pushed for a political solution.

“The Forum notes the crises in the Rivers State chapter of the party and commits to ensuring peace. The Forum has resolved to stand Sir Sim Fubara, the governor of Rivers State; while at the same time employ wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises,” the governors said.

The governors, while welcoming the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy, promised to continue to support LG autonomy but urged that “the implementation of the court decision must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal government and sub-national governments.”

They commended the host governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for holding the party together not only in Enugu State but also the entire South Eastern geo-political zone as well as extolled his virtues and achievements as evidenced with major landmark projects and interventions”.

Apart from Governor Mohammed, other governors who attended the meeting were Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and the host, Mbah.

Nigeria commits to ending pediatric HIV infection

As Nigeria faces urgent challenge in ending Mother-to-Child HIV transmission, the Federal government has taken a decisive step in the fight against HIV & AIDS by inaugurating a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric HIV Scale-Up Acceleration Plan Committee at the national level.

The move comes amid disturbing statistics revealing that an estimated 170,000 children under 14 are living with HIV in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa who inaugurated the committee at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, headquarters in Abuja, said in line with global best practices, the multi- sectoral committee, comprising technocrats and bureaucrats, was inaugurated to ensure delivery on the mandate, tracking implementation along the federal four pillars of plan.

Alausa stated that the federal government is committed to ensuring that no child is born HIV positive and that those who are positive receive quality care, saying government will unlock value chains by collaborating with those willing †o commence domestic production of HIV commodities, ensuring health security.

“Through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NAC A) and the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), we will provide effective governance for this programme. Working with all our partners and other departments within the ministry, we will faciIitate efficient, equitable, and quality healthcare for our children.

“This will ensure that no child is born HIV positive and that those who are positive receive quality care. We will also unlock value chains by collaborating with those willing to commence domestic production of HIV commodities, ensuring health security for our children.

“I have decided to provide personal leadership to this programme component. I will work closely with †he committee to review implementation and track data regularly, ensuring that we reverse the negative narrative of our contribution to the global burden of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

“Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and ensuring care for all persons living with HIV, especially our children, aligns with the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President. As a country, this is a moral duty we owe to this generation.”

The four pillars of plan include early testing and optimized comprehensive, high-level treatment and care for infan†s, children, and adolescents living with HIV and children exposed to HIV; closing the treatment gap for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV and optimizing continuity of treatment towards eliminating vertical transmission, preventing and detecting new HIV infections among pregnant and breastfeeding adolescents and women, among others.

In her remarks, the Director General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, said the inauguration of the acceleration plan committee to provide oversight to the PMTCT and Paediatric HIV programme implementation is in line with the three-one principle of one coordinating agency, one strategic framework and one M&E system.

“Nigeria is grappling with a significant public health crisis: the alarming rate of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and inadequate care for children living with HIV. According to UNAIDS data from 2021, an estimated 170,000 children under 14 are living with HIV, with devastating consequences including 26,000 new infections and 17,000 AIDS-related deaths. The current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage stands at a concerningly low rate of less than 35 percent, falling far short of the 95 percent target.

“In 2021, national and state-level data analysis with consultations with states led to the development of Nigeria’s Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children Action Plan. This was designed to scale up PMTCT efforts and paediatric HIV addressing the coverage gaps.”

According to Ilori, despite this comprehensive strategy and accompanying financial commitment, the PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remains critically low.

“Consequently, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare constituted this acceleration plan committee to drive the implementation of this crucial initiative in line with the sector-wide approach to health care in Nigeria.

“As a family physician, I long to see that no child is born HIV positive in Nigeria, and as the Director General of NACA, I know that together we can change this infamous narrative of Nigeria’s contribution to the global burden of PMTCT and paediatric HIV,” she remarked.

Also speaking, PEPFAR Coordinator, Funmi Adesanya observed that Nigeria had an estimated 170,000 children under 14 living with HIV in 2021, 26,000 new infections and 17,000 AIDS-related deaths in children, noting that PMTCT and paediatric HIV coverage remain low at less than 35 percent, far short of the 95 percent target.

“The US Government through the President’s Emergency plan for AIDS relief has invested $8.3 billion over the last 21 years to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030 here in Nigeria.

These resources have been invested in health systems strengthening, health products including ARVs and rapid test kits, Human Resources and surge staff. We commend the leadership of the Government of Nigeria for your vision and convening us to address this urgent issue because it is an emergency.

“No child in Nigeria should be born with HIV and the U.S. Government is committed to our partnership to ensure that this is a reality. Now is the time and we believe we have the right leadership represented in this room to achieve this goal,” Adesanya asserted.

The First Lady of Kwara State and Chairperson of the Governors’ Spouses Forum, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazak, said that the PMTCT/Pediatrics AIDS acceleration committee will scale up existing plans and achieve substantial progress in preventing mother to child transmission of HIV while ensuring care for children living with the disease.

Abdulrazak who is founder of Aijike People Support Center said, “The statistics surrounding mother-to-child transmission of HIV and pediatric AIDS in Nigeria from all accounts are alarming; hence the propriety of today’s event as it would no doubt bolster efforts and improve interventions in this regard.

“Also the strategies laid out in Nigeria’s Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children Action Plan are both necessary and timely, expanding Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission services, implementing targeted outreach programs and prioritizing testing for children are equally vital steps in the right direction.

“ The composition of this committee, I am convinced is borne out of expertise, experience and track records and as such I enjoin members to deploy their competences to ensure that the committee delivers on its mandate.

Akpabio has reduced Senate to FG parastatal — Lukman

Akpabio

Former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC), Salihu Moh. Lukman has accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio of reducing the Nigerian Senate to a parastatal under the President Bola Tinubu APC-led administration.

Lukman’s position is against the backdrop of the sack of the Senate Whip, Mohammed Ndume by the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee( NWC) of the party.

In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja and titled “Fanatical Mindset”, the former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum( PGF) said all patriotic Nigerians must wake up to the responsibility of rescuing the country.

Querying how Nigerians can have a democracy that produces leaders who are intolerant to criticisms, Lukman Nigerians should not allow a situation whereby so-called leaders of the ruling party will behave like officials of military tribunals who operate with the fanatical mindset of condemning everyone accused of wrongdoing without the benefit of fair hearing.

“It is quite interesting that Dr. Ganduje and Sen. Basiru could ask Sen. Ndume to ‘honourably resign the membership of APC and join any opposition party of his choice formally’. Already, with non-functioning organs, the APC has basically dismissed all its members.

“Nowhere in the Constitution of APC where the National Chairman, National Secretary, or any official, or even the National Working Committee is given the powers to summarily remove any principal officer of the National Assembly.

“It is a shame that the APC Senate Caucus will permit such an act of illegality. By so doing, they have set a precedence that will further erode the independence of the National Assembly.

“Already, with the way Sen. Godswill Akpabio has been conducting himself almost reducing the Senate Chamber to the status of a parastatal of government, the action of the APC under the leadership of Dr Ganduje to direct removal of principal officers for criticizing President Tinubu’s government highlights the fanatical mindset undermining Nigerian democracy.

“Any democracy that cannot accommodate criticisms is no democracy. A democracy that subverts fair hearing is a dictatorship. A democracy that permits a ruling party to demobilize its organs and inadvertently expels its members is worse than a military government. All patriotic Nigerian political leaders must unite to restore Nigeria’s democracy. Nigerian opposition leaders must unite to build a truly strong political party to rebuild Nigerian democracy. All our opposition leaders and orphaned leaders of APC must come together and unite. Sen. Ndume being the newest APC orphan is welcome to join the efforts of political leaders in the country to restore and rebuild our democracy.

“So long as APC, its leadership and Asiwaju Tinubu’s government have taken the self-destructive path, which is equivalent to a declaration of working to end their tenure in 2027, patriotic Nigerians must help them to ensure their defeat in 2027!”

APC had in a letter to Akpabio alleged that Sen. Ndume “have been making uncouth and rabid outbursts against the government, before the international and before the global community is not only harmful to the government’s image alone but also undermines the party’s unity and cohesion and in addition, undermines the government’s efforts to bring in foreign direct investments to Nigeria”.

The letter referred to a televised interview with Arise Television where Sen. Ndume expressed the concern that the APC government of President Tinubu was going down because according to him the government is being run by kakistocrats, which he explains to mean ‘a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens’.

He went further to add that the ‘government is populated by kakistocrats and kleptocrats’, explaining that kleptocratic component refers to people ‘who are in government for what they can make for themselves’.

Accordingly, the letter to the Senate requested Sen. Ndume to ‘honourably resign the membership of APC and join any opposition party of his choice formally instead of hiding behind the veil of crass activism to decimate the hard-earned cohesion and goodwill that …the APC is enjoying within and outside the country.’

However, Lukman said in an ideal democratic setting where the organs of the party are functioning, a competent organ of the party would have been convened to deliberate on the issues raised by Sen. Ndume.

He said if the organs of the party were functioning, instead of raising the issues in a television station, the issue would have been raised at a meeting of a competent organ of the party. Such a competent organ would have been the National Caucus, National Executive Committee (NEC) or National Advisory Council.

“Somehow, the letter directing the removal of Sen. Ndume confirmed the allegations of a government of Kakistocrat. Dr. Ganduje and Sen. Ajibola and perhaps a small group of party leaders who have caged the President usurped the powers of organs of the APC and proceeded to pass judgement on Sen. Ndume. It is very doubtful if members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party are given the benefit of being part of those who took the decision to remove Sen. Ndume as the Chief Whip of the Senate. It is also doubtful if members of the APC Caucus in the Senate were consulted before the decision was taken to both remove Sen. Ndume and appoint Sen. Monguno as his replacement. It is simply an action taken by party leaders with fanatical mindset of blocking any attempt to scrutinize the President and actions being taken either directly by him or by his representatives, in whatever guise.

“Beyond issues of fair hearing, the substantive allegation made by Sen. Ndume is that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is inaccessible. Those he refers to as Kakistocrats and Kleptocrats have caged the President so much so that even Ministers are not able to access him. These are not new allegations. The way the government is being managed is quite worrisome. Anybody who knows Asiwaju Tinubu and how he has operated throughout his political life, will certainly know that it is unlike Asiwaju Tinubu to be insular. Many of the decisions taken betrays the true Asiwaju Tinubu. For instance, it is doubtful if Asiwaju Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State for eight years has had any instance of reversing any of the decisions he took. But as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the last one year, Nigerians are beginning to lose count of the number of decisions he took and ended up reversing them”, he submitted.

Minimum wage: Tinubu agrees to pay N70, 000

Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has agreed to pay N70, 000 as the new minimum wage.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris disclosed this at the end of the meeting between the organized labour and the government.

The meeting was attended by Labour leaders, including the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and that of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo.

The labour leaders who arrived at about 2.15pm in a white 32-seater Coaster bus headed straight to the first floor office of the President where the meeting took place.

FG makes U-turn, sets 16 as minimum age for tertiary institution admission

The Education Minister Prof Tahir Mamman, has made a U-turn in his earlier statement, where he directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to admit only candidates who have attained 18 years in tertiary institutions.

Mamman on Thursday, in an ongoing policy meeting organised by JAMB, in Abuja, announced that only applicants who were 18 years and above were eligible for admission.

Stakeholders in the meeting kicked against his statement, noting that its illogical for a 16-year-old student to pass WAEC, JAMB and be denied admission.

Reacting to that, the minister later accepted the suggestions of the stakeholders that from 16 years and above should be eligible for this year’s admission, while the law would apply from next year.

Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has approved 140 as the cut-off mark for 2024 admission into the nation’s universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education respectively.

The National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score (NTMUS), popularly known as the cut-off mark, for 2024 admission into tertiary institutions was arrived at on Thursday during the 2024 annual policy meeting on admissions, which was held at the Body Benchers, Headquarters, Abuja.

The meeting was held following the successful conduct of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). A total of 1,989,668 registered candidates for this year’s UTME.

Out of the 1,989,668 registered candidates, 80,810 were absent while a total of 1,904,189 sat for the UTME within the six days of the examination.

The policy meeting was chaired by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, and decided following recommendations by the heads of institutions.

Registrar of JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, who announced the cutoff marks, explained that individual institutions were at liberty to raise their minimum benchmark approved at the policy meeting but could not go below what was approved for various institutions.

Senate committed to development of Ekiti – Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has told the people of Ekiti State, through the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, of the readiness of the 10th Senate under his leadership to influence development projects to the state.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja when received the Ewi-in-Council in his office, the President of the Senate

noted that the calibre of political office holders from Ekiti State are those who know their onion and can be relied upon at anytime, just as described the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji as a great man, saying,” with people like him, Nigeria has a great future”.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Senator Akpabio said, “we are happy to receive our father and other traditional council members here today. The 10th Senate has the interest of Ekiti people in mind and that is why the very first appointment that was made by the leadership of the 10th Senate was that of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who is one of your very illustrious sons in the Senate.

“Any request from Ekiti is not what should be delayed. Let me assure our revered Kabiyesi that your request has been acceded to particularly on the bad roads, and it is very possible that before the festival, that would be given a facelift to ease transportation to the festival

“We in the 10th Senate and the National Assembly as a whole, are like a family. The Senate collaborates with the House of Representatives in the overall interest of all Nigerians. We accord so much respect and regards from the traditional institution. We hold them in very high esteem because of their roles in the society.

Akpabio described the Ekiti monarch as a man whose names open doors for his people, assuring them that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu led- administration would get to the door steps of all the people of Ekiti.

Earlier in his remarks, the Ekiti monarch, thanked Senator Akpabio for accepting to receive him even at a very short notice, which is a demonstration of who he is.

Oba Adejugbe who commended Akpabio for running a rancour free Senate and by extension the National Assembly, told him that he was in his office to pray for his success in office and to formally invite him as the Principal Guest of Honor and his colleagues to the 2024 Odun Olorunborun UDIROKO festival.

He said, ” I am here today with my people to pray for your success in office and to formally invite you as the Principal Guest of Honor in our 2024 UDIROKO festival. You are doing a very job as the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly. You have in the last one year, ran a rancour free Senate and by extension the National Assembly.

” The people of Ekiti can honour anyone no matter where he comes from provided, he is doing the right thing for his people. As the governor of Akwa Ibom State, you did so much for them and it is those uncommon achievements that we want to honour you for in Ekiti. It our prayers that you will physically be with us on that day. No national assignment will take you out on that day. I pray for the success of your leadership.”

My emergence will usher in remarkable development in Owerri West –Asoluka

Hon Barr. Clement Asoluka

A chairmanship aspirant for Owerri West Local Government Area, come September 21 Imo State Local Government election, Hon Barr. Clement Asoluka has asserted that with his expected emergence as the Executive Chairman, Owerri West was in for remarkable growth and development.

Asoluka made this assertion while fielding questions from newsmen after purchasing the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship form for the election.

“I have been very very consistent. I am the only aspirant who won in all the Polling units during the last election. I won five over five. There is none of them who had up to four. I am at home with my people.

Hon Barr. Clement Asoluka

“Also I was the LGA Collation agent for the member representing Owerri West, who is currently the Majority Leader, we did credibly well, and I made sure that the result was properly collated, not only that, I was able to supervise other agents. I made sure that I trained and retrained them.

He enthused that with his expected emergence, Owerri West was in for remarkable growth and development.

Asoluka reeled out some of his blueprint for the local government, which included; Renovation of the chapel in the LGA, completion of an ongoing one storey building for modern office accommodation, construction of rural roads in the LGA, comprehensive environmental sanitation, starting from the markets, among many others.

“I will work in tandem with His Excellency, who I believe is doing very well”.

On what gives him confidence of winning the election, Asoluka had this to say; Intellectually I am equipped, spiritually I am equipped. In terms of knowledg and experience, I am well equipped and in terms of contact, I have strong contact with God Almighty”.

Soil professor expresses worry over poor soil texture in SE …Warns planting along dumpsite can cause cancer

Professor of soil science at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, (MOUAU), Abia State, Professor Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka

From Henrietta Ashikodi/Umuahia

A Professor of soil science at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, (MOUAU), Abia State, Professor Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka

Professor of soil science at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, (MOUAU), Abia State, Professor Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka

has expressed worry over poor soil texture in the southeast region, advocating for proactive measures to mitigate looming food insecurity.

Onwuka, who disclosed this on Tuesday during a community outreach organized in collaboration with Peri-Urban Agricultural unit of National Roots Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, at Umuajata Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA,

She disclosed that so many Nigeria families are facing hunger as prices of food items are in the increase while she calls on Nigerians to begin to grow some of the crops they consume in their homes

 

Prof. Onwuka identified bush burning, population pressure, climate change, erosion, indiscriminate use of fertilizers, among others as major factors that affect the soil negatively and lead to poor yields.

The professor of soul science, also warned farmers against planting crops at dumpsites, adding that it could lead to cancer.

She revealed that the presence of heavy metals like mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), thallium (Tl), among others would be absorbed by crops and may lead to cancer and other health conditions.

Onwuka used the occasion to demonstrate to the women Biochar Production and how to convert their domestic and agricultural waste into organic fertilizer, urging Abia farmers to take advantage of MOUAU community services outreaches to boost food production.

She however lamented the inability of the rural women to access fertilizers, while noting that the reason of the rural outreach to farmers was to extend new research innovations to them.

Otti talks tough, warns Chinese company against maltreatment of workers, host community

From Henrietta Ashikodi/Umuahia

Following series of complaint from the people of Umuahala-Obuzor, Ukwa West LGA about Inner Galaxy Steel Company, owned by Chinese,

Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has charged the company to evolve initiatives that can contribute positively to the socioeconomic growth of the host communities and the State in extension.

Governor Otti was speaking during a meeting with the management of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and the Ukwa West Traditional Rulers Council held at the Governor’s Nvosi residence.

He noted that he received a petition written by the Traditional Rulers Council of Ukwa West against the company, sited in Umuahala Obuzor, Ukwa West LGA, alleging acts of employees abuse and non performance of corporate social responsibility by the company.

The Governor said that the matter involving the company showed that there was no good communication between the company and the host communities.

“Successful companies set up a host relations department, some people call it community relations, who interface between the company and the host community”.

“It is not very good for it to be reported that you have not sat down with the leadership of your host community and if they write you letters you ignore those letters”.

“The truth about it is that if the community is not there, you cannot exist. If the community is in turmoil, your business will be in turmoil, no matter how much of security agencies you surround yourselves with”. Governor Otti stated.

He urged the management of the company to conduct an internal audit to find out the exact amount their staff are being paid to address the issues being raised about the minimum wage it pays.

The Governor said that the government’s resolve to broker peace between the company and the host community relied on its determination to encourage businesses in the state.

He however said that the continued operation of the company in Abia would be based on its good behavior and in playing by the rules, respecting the host community, carrying out its cooperate social responsibility and paying taxes accordingly.

The Governor stated that under his watch, Abia State Government would not tolerate any form of non-compliance to government directives.

He said that his administration would follows due process in addressing every matter and called for a meeting to give fair hearing to all the parties involved but warned that he would not tolerate any form of disrespect to government directives.

“The reality is that, if the government gives an instruction and it is not carried out, I will shutdown the place.

“I don’t joke, but I follow due process and this is the due process that we are following, by saying that the Mayor should coordinate periodic meetings between the company and the host communities.

“The issues raised must be discussed in the meetings and the parties must comply. If they do not comply, I will bring out the big stick and nothing will happen.

“I am sure they have seen our government. It is a very serious minded government. We don’t cut corners, so if you are supposed to do something, you do it.

“Somebody was trying to pollute the waterway in Umuahia, I shut down the company and everything until they complied:.

“The first thing to do is to listen to people and then give them room. So, you assume that everybody is innocent until they prove themselves guilty”.

“We cannot pass a guilty judgement without giving them opportunity to fair hearing. I will not even tolerate it. Otti disclosed.

Youths Commissioner seeks synergy with police  for youth development

Dr Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu (6th from right), Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Imo CP, Aboki Danjuma (7th from right) in group photograph with Staff of the Ministry at the Police Command Headquarters, Owerri.

By Fred Njoku…

The Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Imo State, Hon. Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, in company of staff of the Ministry has paid courtesy visit on the Imo State Commissioner of police, Aboki Danjuma .

Addressing the Police boss, Mandela thanked him for the wonderful reception accorded them.

He eulogised his unwavering commitment and dedication in ensuring adequate security across the State, and stressed that their visit goes beyond familiarization.

He emphasized the need for a synergy with the State Police, to curb and cripple certain heinous crimes like cultism, kidnapping, robbery, among others, perpetrated by some misguided youths.

Ukaegbu, regarded in the administration of Uzodimma as the youngest Commissioner, also recounted the cases of Police Officers abusing their office, with all manner of harassment, extortion, dehumanization, brutality among others, on Imo citizens, especially the youths.

Dr Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu (6th from right), Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Imo CP, Aboki Danjuma (7th from right) in group photograph with Staff of the Ministry at the Police Command Headquarters, Owerri.

The Youth Development Commissioner also pleaded for the presence of the Police boss at an upcoming Town Hall Meeting where worrying issues would be addressed.

Responding, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, extolled the Pan-Nigerian Youth Governor, Sen Hope Uzodinma CON for appointing a young and resounding figure, describing the young Commissioner as an Orator.

The State Police Chief assured the Commissioner and the entire staff of the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt of full support and cooperation, adding that he will respond anytime he is called upon.

Danjuma also promised to fetch and punish police officers who indulge in ungodly acts, adding that he will attend the Town Hall Meeting requested by the Youth Development Commissioner, so as to address certain disturbing issues and to educate Imo youths and elders on patriotism and sportsmanship, in order to achieve a greater Imo State.

The visit featured the presence of The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hamma Joda Barka.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edwin Mkpa. among others

Organized Labour accepts N70,000 minimum wage

Organised Labour

Leaders of the organised Labour have confirmed accepting the N70,000 minimum wage President Bola Tinubu approved for Nigerian workers.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, had told State House correspondents that the president announced the offer at a meeting with the labour leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Thursday.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said the unions had accepted the offer.

Flanked by Comrade Festus Usifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other representatives of Nigerian workers, who attended the meeting, Ajaero said the unions agreed to the offer because of other incentives attached.

He said another reason for accepting the offer is because the president promised a review every three years as against what obtained in the past.

Massive solidarity, as Ibekwe picks form, declares for Ngor Okpala chairmanship

It was a show of massive and unprecedented support and solidarity from women, youths and elders of Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Tuesday, as Hon. Chief Mrs Chika Ibekwe picked the chairmanship form of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to contest for the chairmanship position of the LGA.

The youths, women and elders of the area trooped out in their numbers and rolled out the drums to accompany Chief Mrs Chika Ibekwe to pick her form at the APC secretariat, Okigwe Road Owerri. The women were beautifully adorned in their uniform, while most of the youths and others appeared in the branded T-shirt of Chief Mrs Ibekwe.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the youth leader of Okpala, Mr Collins Okereke said he came with all the youth leaders from Ngor Okpala, to show their hearty solidarity to Hon. Mrs Chika Ibekwe, declaring that she is the popular choice of all segments of Ngor Okpala people for the chairmanship position.

He said among all the people who have expressed interest in the position, the stakeholders have checked, reviewed and came to the conclusion that Chief Mrs Ibekwe is more credible, reliable, transparent and accountable.

Speaking, the Ngor Okpala LGA mobilizer of APC, Mrs Juliet Ejealo enthused that Ngor Okpala, both men, women and youths are unanimous in agreement that a woman should be given opportunity this time, since the men have been serving for a very long time.

“We want a woman, Hon. Chief Mrs Chika Ibekwe to go this time around, because if she goes, she will feel our pulse and do things that will alleviate our sufferings. As a mother, she knows the need of mothers and children. If she goes we will be happy, there will be peace, our children will be happy, there will be job for our youths”.

Also speaking, the chairman, “door to door” women campaign in Ngor Okpala, Comr. Onyemauche Ekwugha said they have looked round and considered all the aspirants and concluded that the best candidate for the Executive Chairmanship position is Hon. Chief Mrs Chika Ibekwe.

“She is the one we have brought out for the position. She is the one we will campaign for, because she is the one we need. It will please us for a woman to lead this time. The men have lead for a very long time, we need a change this time around”.

Also fielding questions from newsmen, a close supporter of chairmanship aspirant, Mr Chibueze Chigbu described Chief Mrs Chika Ibekwe as a woman of substance, adding, “I have known her for years. She is a breed we need in that sensitive position at a time like this. She is primed to deliver, and I think the cap fits her. He who the cap fits let him wear.

“We are in alignment with her, giving her the necessary support, to make sure that we get to our destination”, Chigbu enthused.

Together, We Can Take Recreation To All Imolites –Imo Deputy Governor

The Deputy Governor of Imo state, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru has advocated for a strong partnership between the government and organizations or private individuals to ensure that Imolites use their free periods to engage in recreational activities that keep the mind and body sound and healthy by providing recreational facilities across the state.

This was contained in a press statement endorsed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Charles Uzopuo.

“When we establish a good Public Private Partnership (PPP), it becomes easier to provide recreational facilities and awareness to all Imolites, especially at the grassroots”.

The Deputy Governor made said this when the Safari Recreational Club, Owerri, paid her a courtesy visit in her office at the government house, Owerri, today, Tuesday, 18 July 2024.

The Deputy Governor, while thanking the group for their selfless efforts in assisting their immediate community with recreational facilities and other basic needs for livelihood, recalled with nostalgia, her time and experience with Safari club, stressing that she witnessed first hand, their philanthropic activities in the Shell Camp area of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, where the club complemented the state government’s efforts in the provision of portable water and recreational facilities for the Department of Physical and Health Education, Alvan. She prayed for the consolidation and improvement on such commendable gestures.

The Deputy Governor encouraged the group to seek for partnership with the government, other clubs, corporate organizations and private individuals in order to, not only provide recreational facilities across the state but create more awareness on the need for recreation, stating that Gov. Hope Uzodimma in execution of the 3R mantra of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery welcomes recreational ideas and projects, hence in 2021, one year after his assumption of office as Governor, renovated and rebranded the Dan Anyiam Stadium with enough sporting facilities.

Addressing the Deputy Governor earlier, the leader of the group and its president, Dr. Michael Ajileye, congratulated the Governor and the Deputy Governor on their election victory and triumph at the court while appreciating the Governor for his developmental initiatives and projects in the state.

Dr. Ajileye, who described the Deputy Governor as a calm, God fearing, loyal and supportive personality prayed she continues her effective assistance to the Governor in steering the Shared Prosperity Administration to the betterment of Ndi Imo.

He, while reeling their support to the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education community, especially, in the provision of portable water to the Shell camp area and recreational facilities to aid the accreditation of the Physical and Health Department, however requested the presence of the Governor, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma, who by their constitution and establishment, is the Premier of the Safari Club, Owerri, to their planned official investiture.

As the motto of the club goes “Sound mind and sound body”, recreational activities will keep every individual healthy and ensure longer living. Imolites are therefore enjoined to take advantage of it.

Part of the delegation included; Dr. Joe Osuji, a former Commissioner of Health in Abia state, Barr. Osita Nwosu, the Auditor General of Local Governments, Imo state, Prof. D. C. Emejuru, a Patron of the Club and other prominent members.

I want to make Orlu better -Hon. Mbarie

Hon. Mbarie

The former Sole Administrator of Orlu Local Government Area, Hon. Pastor Christian Mbarie has picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship form to contest the Executive chairmanship of the LGA, declaring his intention to make the LGA better in all ramifications.

Fielding questions from newsmen, Hon. Mbarie said he did a lot to improve the lot of the LGA which was in disarray before he was appointed the Sole Administrator. He said before his appointment, insecurity held the LGA hostage.

“But as a result of my emergence as the Sole Administrator, God used me to restore security to Orlu. And because I believe I have an unfinished work, because my time as Sole Administrator was short. I want to go in now as the executive chairman, to put things right.

“I want to set a pace, a legacy that will stand the test of time, which our future generation will see and know that someone like me once occupied that seat”.

On his chances of victory, Pastor Mbarie said because of his antecedents, both in and out of government, he is almost certain of victory at the polls.

“I am certain other contestants will soon step down for me, because I am the most qualified. They know I have all it takes to take Orlu to the next level”, Pastor Mbarie enthused.

UNICEF, NPC incorporate NIN into digital birth registration

UNICEF logo

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), has incorporated the National Identification Number (NIN) into digital birth registration in Nigeria.

It also says that the new e-birth registration will give a child an identity and the opportunity to be a Nigerian citizen.

UNICEF child protection specialist Denis Onoise stated these in an interview in Lagos, on the sideline of a two-day media dialogue on e-birth registration in the South-West held in Lagos.

According to Mr Onoise, the e-birth registration certificate will automatically generate and secure NIN for such a child. Therefore, he urged parents to ensure that their children were registered digitally, as it would be useful during school enrollment or visa or international passport applications.

Mr Onoise added that the e-birth registration could be done immediately after the child’s birth, either by the mother or the father, before such a baby would be discharged from the hospital.

The director of NPC in Lagos, Bamidele Sadiku, said e-birth registration would promote efficient government planning and effective use of resources.

Mr Sadiku said that a well-developed and functioning civil registration system entailed the registration of all vital events, including births and deaths.

He added that e-birth registration would provide an identity that usually enabled access to various basic rights and services as bona fide citizens.

According to him, e-birth registration has the potential to check double registration, identity forgery, and other birth data manipulations.

Mr Sadiku said plans were underway by the government to launch e-birth registration in five states, with the target of capturing 928,523 birth registrations of under-five children in Southern Nigeria before the end of the year.

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