Thursday, April 30

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Imo guber: IGP pledges zero tolerance for criminals
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Imo guber: IGP pledges zero tolerance for criminals

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun has warned criminals to stay away  from the Nov. 11 Imo governorship election or face the wrath of the law. Egbetokun gave the warning on Thursday in Owerri at a meeting of stakeholders ahead of the governorship poll in the state. The police boss said anyone seen with arms on the day of election would  be treated as a criminal. “We are aware that criminals who may want to come out with their arms on the day of election are around. “They have used those arms on security agents before and we are still looking for them, we may be lucky to catch them on the day of election,” Egbetokun said. He also advised parents to warn their children and wards not to be used to disrupt the election. ...
Postponed 2023 Census: Items procured available for scrutiny — Chairman
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Postponed 2023 Census: Items procured available for scrutiny — Chairman

The Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Alhaji Nasir Kwarra, has assured that the N200 billion spent on the postponed 2023 census was judiciously utilised and items procured available for scrutiny. Kwarra said this on Thursday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, while fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the opening ceremony of the Training Interviewers for the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The House of Representatives had on Wednesday sought to investigate the N200 billion spent on preparations for the postponed 2023 census by NPC. The NPC boss said the procurement preparatory processes for the census were enduring and items procured durable as they would be used for the next census because they are readily available. “We don’t have t...
INEC defends N18bn supplementary budget
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INEC defends N18bn supplementary budget

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has defended a supplementary budget of N18 billion at the National Assembly, largely aimed at addressing the issue of staff welfare and allowances. The commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, according to the INEC daily bulletin on Thursday in Abuja, led a team from the commission to defend the supplementary budget before the House of Reps Committee on Electoral Matters and the Senate Committee on INEC on Wednesday. It recalled that the commission had earlier sent a proposal of N18 billion to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and defended it before the Executive, who referred it to the National Assembly for approval. It quoted Yakubu during the budget defense, stating that N10.6 billion out of the sum will enable the comm...
NiMet predicts 3-day dust haze from Friday
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NiMet predicts 3-day dust haze from Friday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze from Friday to Sunday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja anticipated Dust haze with localiz\sed visibility of less than or equal to 1000m over the northern states throughout. “The forecast period with chances of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba  in the afternoon/evening hours. Sunny skies with few cloud patches are expected over the North Central in the morning. “Localized thunderstorms are expected over parts of Benue, Kogi and Kwara  during the afternoon/evening hours. “Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the Inland states of the South and the Coastal areas in the morning with chances of thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states...
I don’t interfere with labour matters in Imo – Uzodinma
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I don’t interfere with labour matters in Imo – Uzodinma

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State says he does not interfere in the affairs of labour unions in the State. Uzodinma said this on Thursday while fielding questions from Correspondents in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to him, his administration accords priority attention to workers welfare and their wellbeing and never delays payment of their salaries for each month. "I don't interfere with labour matters but I have convinced my workers in Imo state to believe in me and that trust is what opposition parties are trying to fight. "But I can assure you that Imo people already have taken that decision. "Nov. 11 is by (around) the corner; Come and observe the election. "I came in January 2020 and, by March, I started paying Minimum Wage of N30,000 that has been laying t...
#ENDSARS :NHRC says 16 out of 29 states submitted panel reports
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#ENDSARS :NHRC says 16 out of 29 states submitted panel reports

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it has received reports from 16 of the 29 states #ENDSARS panels set up to investigate human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units. The Executive Secretary of NHRC Mr Anthony Ojukwu, SAN said this in Abuja at an event to mark three years of #ENDSARS and submission of report on the protest by Enough is Enough (EIE), a non governmental organisation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel was set up by the Federal Government in Nov. 2020 under former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo following the “ENDSARS Protest” which was triggered by nationwide allegations of Police brutality. NAN reports that 29 states set up panels at the state level and FCT which was an Independent...
Police Deny Shooting At Fubara, Say Gov’s Presence At Assembly Complex Surprising
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Police Deny Shooting At Fubara, Say Gov’s Presence At Assembly Complex Surprising

The Nigeria Police Command in Rivers State has denied claims that its personnel deliberately attacked the state governor Siminalayi Fubara during his visit to the state House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt. Fubara alleged that some policemen shot, tear-gassed and used water cannons on him and his aides while on his way to assess the damaged state parliament building on Monday. A video trending on social media also confirmed that the governor’s claims drew wide condemnation from Nigerians across the country. Reacting, the spokeswoman for the police command in Rivers, Grace Iringe-Koko, denied the claim in a statement issued on Wednesday. She said the anti-protest policemen deployed to secure the assembly complex from further attacks were unaware the governor was among the ...
EFCC Bans Overnight Raids
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EFCC Bans Overnight Raids

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has banned “sting operations at night time” for officers in all its commands across the country, it said in a statement late Wednesday. The development came after the night raid on students of Obafemi Awolowo University and amid backlash from Nigerians. The anti-graft agency had also labelled the undergraduates as internet fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) after seizing their mobile phones and laptops. Dele Oyewale, a spokesman for the EFCC, in a statement on Wednesday night, said the executive chairman of the commission, Ola Olukayode, gave the directive to stop the night operations. Mr Oyewale confirmed that the directive was in reaction to the arrest of 69 “suspected internet fraudsters” by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal of the commi...
We will revamp health services in Benue -CMD BSUTH
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We will revamp health services in Benue -CMD BSUTH

We will revamp health services in Benue -CMD BSUT By Bridget Ikyado Chief Medical Director, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Dr. Stephen Hwande has promised Benue citizens the best and affordable medical services they deserved under the Governor Alias' Administration. He made this known to newsmen on Tuesday after taking a facility tour of the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, Makurdi in preparatory to commencement of services. Dr. Hwande expressed appreciation to Governor Hyacinth Alia for his interest in the healthy wellbeing of Benue people, pointing out that his proactiveness was the reason why the Federal Government did not take back the hospital from the State Government due to under utilization. The Chief Medical Director said with full com...
NMA tasks FG to improve the health sector
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NMA tasks FG to improve the health sector

  The Nigeria Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory (NMA-FCT) has called on the Federal Government to appropriate the health sector financing and increase the the annual budget for the development of the sector. Dr Ishola Ibrahim, member of the association, made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the 2023 Physician Week, celebrated annually in October, with the Theme titled "This is Our Chance: To get it Right in the Health Sector." Dr Ibrahim told NAN that the physician week is an event to introspect and reflect on the essence of being a physician and the ethical implications of organ donation, which he described to have historic antecedents in the sector. According to him, the period was also a time for the association ...
Appeal Court Affirms Natasha Akpoti As Winner Of Kogi Central Senatorial Seat
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Appeal Court Affirms Natasha Akpoti As Winner Of Kogi Central Senatorial Seat

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the election victory of Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Kogi Central senatorial election held in February. The three-member panel, in a judgment, upheld the decision of the state’s election tribunal and dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court agreed with the submission of counsel for Ms Akpoti-Uduagan, Joshua Usman, SAN, as meritorious. The appellate court also awarded N500,000 against Mr Ohere. The Kogi State National and State Assemblies Tribunal had, on September 6, declared Ms Akpoti-Uduagan the validly elected candidate for the poll. The tribunal also invalidated the victory of Mr Ohere. The tribunal c...
We Have No Plans To Redenominate Naira- CBN
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We Have No Plans To Redenominate Naira- CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says there are no plans to redenominate the country’s legal tender, the naira. The development is coming amid speculation that the CBN plans to change the naira notes to support the local currency against international currencies in the foreign exchange market. CBN had previously told Nigerians to ignore the rumours after a WhatsApp message was circulated in September, informing users of the messaging app that the apex bank plans to redenominate the naira. In a statement on Tuesday, signed by Isa AbdulMumin, CBN’s director of corporate communications, the apex bank reiterated that the financial regulator does not intend to redenominate the naira. Redenomination is the recalibration of a country’s currency, typically due to hyperinflation and cu...
Gov. Alia seeks increased military presence in Benue
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Gov. Alia seeks increased military presence in Benue

By Bridget Ikyado Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, has called for the deployment of more troops and more army Forward Operating Bases in some parts of Benue to address the security challenges bedeviling the state. Alia made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday in Abuja. He requested that the forward operating bases (FOBs) be established in Guma, Logo, Ukum and Kwande local government areas to help stem insecurity in the areas. He said that the people of Benue were agrarian people with farming as their main stay, adding that most fertile parts of the Benue Valley had become inaccessible to farmers due to threats by bandits and violence from armed herders. According to him, two to five or more people are kill...
FG to institute presidential taskforce to monitor projects in power sector
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FG to institute presidential taskforce to monitor projects in power sector

By Constance Athekame President Bola Tinubu said the Federal Government (FG) would institute a Presidential Taskforce to monitor and unblock the progress of deployment of key projects in the power sector. Tinubu, represented by Mr Sodiq Wanka, Special Adviser to the President on Energy and Power Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President said this at Nigerian Electricity Supply industry(NESI) Market Participants and Stakeholders Round Table (NMPSR) 2023 in Abuja on Monday. The round table was themed’’NESI Privitasation and Its 10-Year Milestone :The Journey So Far, Opportunities and Prospects According to him, there is need to institute a presidential taskforce that will monitor and unblock the progress of deployment of key projects in the power sector. ``This includes pro...
Atiku: Judiciary Has Become Lost Hope Of Common Man
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Atiku: Judiciary Has Become Lost Hope Of Common Man

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has rejected the judgment of the Supreme Court that validated the election of President Bola Tinubu. The former vice-president in a press conference in Abuja condemned both INEC and the judiciary for defending what he called“illegality”. According to him, the judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man but a lost hope of the common man.
Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment Process Against Fubara
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Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment Process Against Fubara

The Rivers house of assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state. On Monday, members of the state house of assembly signed the impeachment notice against the governor. 24 of the 32 members of the assembly were said to have been present during Monday’s plenary. The assembly has ordered its clerk to serve the impeachment notice on the governor.
Kogi women group dvocates increased participation in governance
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Kogi women group dvocates increased participation in governance

  By Gami Tadanyigbe The Kogi Professional Women for Ododo/Joel 2023 Project, has called on women in the country to participate actively in governance and politics for the development of democracy in the country. The convener of the group, Mrs Raliat Anako Abdulsalam, made the call during a press conference in Abuja to endors Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman for the Governorship elections in kogi state under the All Progressives Congress (APC) come November 11. Chief Mrs Raliat, while calling on all women in Kogi state to come out en mass and vote for Ododo during the elections also pledged the groups support in ensuring that Ododo emerges victorious in Kogi state. According to her, the group’s efforts on the grassroots mobilisation and other positive strategies could not be ov...
Troops Kill Three During Conduct Clearance Operations In Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo
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Troops Kill Three During Conduct Clearance Operations In Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo

Troops of “Operation UDO KA II” in the Southeast conducted a clearance operation on terrorists’ hideout in Orsumoghu Forest in Ihiala local government area of Anambra on Wednesday. The troops neutralised two terrorists, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, stated on Saturday in Enugu. He added that the clearance operation centred on suspected hideouts of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN). Mr Unuakhalu stated that the terrorist group deployed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to slow down the troops, but the latter were undaunted. “The troops were able to dislodge the group; neutralised two of them, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. “Items recovered from the cam...
Ebiraland Traditional Council Announces Ohinoyi’s Burial
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Ebiraland Traditional Council Announces Ohinoyi’s Burial

The remains of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Abdulrahman Ado-Ibrahim, who died at 95 early Sunday morning, will be buried today. The Secretary of Ebiraland Traditional Council, Alhaji Yunusa Sule, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja. Sule said that arrangements were being made to give him a befitting burial in Okene, by 2:00pm. “The burial ceremony is being scheduled for 2:00 p.m. today in Okene. We are waiting for the arrival of the corpse from Abuja, where he died, ” the secretary said. He confirmed that the paramount ruler died at around 2:00. a.m. on Sunday in an undisclosed Abuja Hospital after a protracted illness. The scribe said his death was “very sad and a big blow” to Ebiraland.
Aiyedatiwa: Adebowale should recant, apologise, group demands
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Aiyedatiwa: Adebowale should recant, apologise, group demands

A stakeholders' group in Ondo State, over the weekend rose from an emergency meeting, asking the senior special assistant to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties, Mr Doyin Odebowale, to tender apologies over his unrestrained media attacks on the Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa. In a communique in Akure on Friday, the Ondo Progressives Forum (OSF), a pressure group under ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) lampooned that Odebowale's repeated castigation of the person of the deputy governor smacked of disrespect and lack of decorum, "for reasons best known to him". The OSF said Odebowale's unguarded attacks on Aiyedatiwa reeked of the attitude of 'atohunrinwa to'n dale ru (a bad guest), noting that as a non-indigene who got political appointment in Ondo State, he had s...