If You Love Education, Inject $23million Abacha Loot Into Universities –

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has said that the Nigerian Government should have used the $23million loot recently recovered from former Head of State, late Sani Abacha, to fund the universities’ demands.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this during an interview on Channels Television.

Recall since February 2022, ASUU has been on strike to protest the federal government’s failure to meet its demands.

The federal government and the US had come to an agreement last Tuesday to return a fresh batch of money that the late dictator had embezzled.

The recovered wealth, known as “Abacha-5,” according to Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation, has been set aside for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and the Abuja-Kano road.

Following the news, debate over whether the federal government is making the correct choice about the loot discovered in the midst of the ongoing ASUU strike has been rife.

Osodeke offered his opinion on the situation, claiming that if the federal government valued the education industry, it would have used the wealth it had seized to fund it.

“Definitely. Let’s use a typical man as an example, you have a house and your child is sick seriously and you were paid money that you were not expecting. Where will you put the money?” the ASUU president asked.

“That child should be the first thing you will treat. Is it not? Before you will start thinking about how you are going to buy clothes. Your universities are shut for six months. You now have access to a fund you were not expecting; if you really love education, where should you put the money? In that particular place. They said they don’t have money. We need to love this country.”

Reacting to reports that ASUU had stopped negotiations with the federal government, Osodeke said, “In Nigeria, we have so many media — social media and what have you. They just release issues just to get popularity. We never said so. We are open to negotiations and invitations as a union.”

In The News: Fidelity Bank Acquisition of Union Bank UK

 

We refer to the news regarding the announcement of the proposed acquisition of Union Bank UK Pic. (“UBUK”) by Fidelity Bank.

Recall that in 2020, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. (“UBN”) or (“the Bank”) in a regulatory filing issued to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NGX), the Bank announced that it had entered a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement to divest 100% of its equity stake in Union Bank UK Plc following a competitive bid process. This sale was in line with Union Bank's strategy to streamline its focus on growth opportunities within Nigeria.

We also refer to another regulatory filing issued to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NGX) in June 2022 announcing the completion of a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (SSPA) between Union Bank of Nigeria Plc's majority shareholders - Union Global Partners Limited, Atlas Mara Limited, et al. - and Titan Trust Bank Limited (TTB), which effectively transferred 93.41 % of Union Bank's issued share capital to TTB. This statement reaffirmed that Union Bank UK, a former Union Bank of Nigeria subsidiary, was not included in the sale.

Therefore, the proposed sale of Union Bank UK stands alone and is not part of the recent transaction between Union Bank of Nigeria and Titan Trust Bank.

As we celebrate our 105th anniversary, Union Bank of Nigeria remains committed to providing simpler and smarter solutions to all our customers, as we work to achieve our ambition to be Africa's most reliable and trusted partner.

I’m Not Sure Of Another Chance After 2023 General Elections – Bola Tinubu Says

The All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has stated that he is not sure to contest any other presidential election if he fails to win in 2023 general elections.

 Tinubu, who had several times showed desperation at clinching the APC presidential ticket, stated this on his Twitter account.

“We are here to answer to a greater, higher calling. That calling is the love of Nigeria. We dare not miss this chance because we cannot be sure of another,” he said.

Meanwhile, there have been a lot of controversies that trail Tinubu’s choice of his running mate, former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima.

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) In Adamawa State, Vrati Nzonzo, added his voice in rejecting the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Nzonzo lambasted Bola Tinubu for undermining the interest of Christians in northern Nigeria.

He said the decision to adopt a fellow Muslim as a running mate by the presidential candidate of the APC, Tinubu may have grave consequences for the party, amongst northern Christians.

 

Update: Court Denies Embattled Super Cop, Abba Kyari Bail

Embattled Nigerian super cop, Abba Kyari has been denied bail by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court

 In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that Mr Kyari had not given sufficient grounds for the application to be granted.

The judge said the detained police officer failed to raise new facts in his latest application after being denied the earlier bail request.

Mr Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until October 19, 20 and 21 for trial continuation.

On July 20, the judge fixed August 30 for the ruling on the bail plea filed by Mr Kyari and other police officers charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for a drug offence.

Mr Kyari had prayed the court for another bail following the attack on Kuje Correctional Centre by Boko Haram terrorists who freed scores of their members.

The suspended police boss and other defendants are detained in the correctional centre.

 

Okada Riders Storm Sanwo-Olu’s Office, Protest Motocycle Ban

 

Commercial motorcyclists, known as okada riders, on Monday storm the office of the governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo -Olu in Ikeja, to protest the ban on Commercial biking in some parts of the state.

The motorcyclists, who were in their thousands, urged the government to suspend the extended ban on their activities in six Local Government Areas, LGAs, scheduled to commence on September 1, 2022, on Thursday, precisely.

The protesting Okada riders were led by chairman of Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS), Ramoni Eleniyan and few other union leaders.

Nuella's news recall that Sanwo-Olu on May 18, 2022, announced the total ban on Okada operations in six LGAs, and the respective nine Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, under them including all major bridges and highways of the State.

He also announced the inauguration of the Lagos State Anti-Okada Squad saddled with the responsibility to aid the police and taskforce to implement and enforce total compliance with respect to the law to curtail the unruly activities of the riders.

The initial six LGAs and nine LCDAs are: Apapa, Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Ikeja, Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island, Lagos Island West, Lagos Island East LCDAs, Lagos Mainland, Yaba LCDA, Surulere, Coker Aguda, Itire-Ikate LCDA.

The additional four councils affected by the pronouncement, include: Kosofe, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs, Oshodi-Isolo, Isolo, Ejigbo LCDAs, Shomolu, Bariga LCDA and Mushin, Odi-Olowo LCDA.

 

Police Arrest ‘Army Captain For Armed Robbery

 

A 39-year-old fake army captain identified as Andy Teddy Edwards has been arrested by detectives of the Lagos State Police Command.

 

According to police, the suspect pretends to be a modeling agent and invites ladies for an audition, then robs them at gunpoint of their cars and possessions.

Lagos police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrest on Sunday via Twitter

According to him, the fake soldier was arrested after an investigation was initiated when a victim reported the theft of her Lexus RX330 SUV.

Court Stop Federal Government Request To Extradite Abba Kyari To US

An application by the federal government seeking to extradite suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Abba Kyari to the United States to face criminal charges, has been dismissed by a federal high court sitting in Abuja.

 

Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo on Monday August 29, held that the extradition request filed by the Attorney General of the Federation AGF on behalf of the Federal Government lacked merit and was liable to dismissal.

Ekwo also stated that the Federal Government has no basis to file the extradition request having put Abba Kyari on trial in Nigeria in relation to the allegations against him in America. He added that the Extradition Act prevents the surrender of a defendant who is currently being tried by a local court of competent jurisdiction.

The Judge also asked why the AGF had requested extradition since he had also given the National Drug Law Enforcement (NDLEA) a fiat to bring charges against Kyari relating to drug trafficking.

Ekwo said “The AGF could not say that he was not aware of the pending proceeding against the defendant which was entered against him by the NDLEA.”

 

Re: Media Reports Alleging 1.6 Billion Naira Fraud Against Union Bank

The attention of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (“Union Bank” or “the Bank”) has been drawn to reports of an alleged court action regarding a 1.6 Billion Naira fraud case involving a staff of Union Bank and other individuals. 

A large portion of the published reports are factually inaccurate and patently false; therefore, Union Bank seeks to make the following categorical clarifications: 

Union Bank was not defrauded by any syndicate

No staff of Union Bank was involved in any criminal activities or named in the alleged charge

We understand that the alleged court action may be related to a legacy case dating back to 2018, in which a criminal suit was brought by the Police in response to a complaint made by Union Bank’s debt recovery agent against a defaulting customer. 

We urge media outlets of repute to reflect the correct facts in reporting this matter and avoid any recourse to sensationalism or inaccurate coverage.

Update : One Dead, Four Rescued Under Abuja Collapsed Shopping Mall

 

At least one person has been confirmed dead, two still stuck in the rubble, and four rescued from a collapsed shopping mall in Kubwa, a satellite town in Abuja.

how the mall, which is under construction, crumbled on Thursday night.

It was gathered that about six workers and a security guard, were within the premises of the mall when the incident occurred.

So far, four of the victims have been rescued with varying degrees of injury by officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), currently searching the ruins for one other persons reportedly stuck in the building

“Sadly, around 11 p.m. yesterday, we got a call that a building had collapsed and we rushed here to commence evacuation. It is very painful. The building was approved as a shopping mall, after the approval, the owner started altering it.

“The owner added some blocks to it, that is why the load became very heavy,” Ikharo Attah, an aide to the FCT Minister, disclosed.

He said the building was a two-storey building which had fallen flat and had been completed but the tiling work was ongoing before the incident.

Mr Attah, who is also the chairman of FCT Minister’s task force team, said his office will commence testing on the collapsed building and others in the area to ascertain the quality of materials used.

Afeez Olayinka, who was almost covered by the rubble, was among the three lucky victims that merely suffered minor injuries.

Mr Olayinka, an artisan, was awake when the building collapsed. He said he and one other person were within the building but not at the innermost part of it when the incident happened.

“The thing happened around 11:30, in the evening, we’ve entered inside to sleep already when the building collapsed. We were seven in number in the building. Five were already asleep while two of us were still working in the compound.

“When the thing happened, I noticed that the thing did not press me down much. So, I escaped with the other person. When I stood up from where I was, I saw a light through an opening, and I traced it till I got out.

Later on, we started hearing people’s voices,” he told journalists as FCDA officials continued to curb the rubble for the remaining two victims.

 

25-yr-old Lady, Two Others Arrested For Killing A New Mom After Selling Her Newborn Twins For N3million

 

Three women who allegedly conspired to sell a set of newborn twins and also kill their mom has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Enugu.

The suspects: Ukorie Cynthia, 25, Onyia Pauline, 56, and 39-year-old Aroh Ijeoma, were arraigned on Friday, August 26.

DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson of the state police command, in a statement on Friday, August 26, said: “The suspects, who were arrested on 26/07/2022, by Police Operatives serving in Central Police Station (CPS) Enugu, were remanded in Enugu Correctional Custodial Centre, pending further hearing of the case.

Their arrest was sequel to the receipt of a report alleging that they conspired and sold the newborn twins of one Chinenye Odoh aged 31, and thereafter caused her death by poisoning her food, when she realized that the suspects gave her an amount lesser than the total sum they sold the babies.

Investigations revealed that Ukorie Cynthia accommodated the deceased in her house till she put to birth on 05/07/2022, while Aroh Ijeoma facilitated the sale of the babies by contacting Onyia Pauline, a Nurse, who brought a couple that bought the babies upon their birth at the sum of N3million.

That contrary to this sum, Ijeoma informed the deceased and mother of the babies, Chinenye, that the children were sold for N2,350,000 and thereafter, gave her the sum of N1.8million. She gave Cynthia and Pauline N50,000 each; and kept the remaining proceed to herself.

However, when the deceased eventually knew the exact amount they sold the babies, she demanded for the balance, but was thereafter said to have eaten a suspected poisoned corn given to her by Cynthia, leading to her death.

The case was adjourned to September 5, 2022 for further hearing.”

 

2023: I’ve No Preferred Candidate – Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said he has no preferred candidate among those contesting the 2023 presidential election

Obasanjo said this in Minna on Sunday when he paid former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar a visit.

He also said he only had a national agenda and not a preferred candidate.

“I don’t have a special candidate, I have a national agenda.”

The former President also said he was in Minna to visit the former Head of State who had been indisposed.

“I came to see my brother who has been a little indisposed. I had plans to visit him when he was still in London, but the day I arrived London was the day he returned home.

“So that is why I decided to come and see him at home. He is very special so I had to come.

He also said that “if there is anyone who is indisposed, I will visit and I am still strong.”

The former President who was in a close meeting with Abdulsalami arrived at 12:30 and left at 1:13pm.

Strike: NANS Rises Against ASUU Members

 

National association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has lashed out on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), accusing them of deliberately prolonging the six months nationwide strike that had crippled academic activities in Nigerian universities.

NANS President, Sunday Asefon, in a statement, on Thursday, said the students have observed that university lecturers have consistently presented unrealistic conditions to the Federal Government and insisting that it will be met before they call off the strike.

He said the students have been sympathetic and supportive of ASUU demands, but have now decided to withdraw their support because ASUU has been inconsiderate to the plight of the students.

He said: “Since the commencement of this ASUU strike six months ago, the NANS has advocated and pushed in favour of ASUU. We directed our protests, advocacy, and struggles against the Federal Government, requesting they accede to the demands of the striking lecturers.

“We have supported their demand for earned allowance, revitalization funds for tertiary institutions, and the adoption of the UTAS platform for the payment of university lecturers against the Federal Government’s insistence on IPPIS. In the same vein, we rejected the Minister of Education’s suggestion that students should hold ASUU responsible and seek legal compensation for liabilities suffered as a result of the strike.

Undoubtedly, we have supported ASUU this far because we believed those demands are just and reasonable. But we condemn in totality, the insistence of ASUU on the payment of a six month arrears salary for the entire period of the strike before they can call off the strike.

“This demand is not only insensitive; it is also selfish, inconsiderate, and uncharitable. The six months are periods of no work. As much as we encourage the government to pay their arrears irrespective, it is unfair to base resumption of academic activities on full payment of the arrears.

“We have also, unfortunately, noticed that since the beginning of the strike, ASUU had refused to put the students who are the major losers into consideration whatsoever. They have hidden from us the major areas of contention. Every other stakeholder, except ASUU, has met with us directly to discuss the issues.

“ASUU has masqueraded some of their interests as the interest of tertiary education in Nigeria, and at some point masqueraded their interest as the interest of the students. We know that ASUU is less concerned about the interest of the students because of our experiences with them at our various tertiary institutions.

University authorities have used ASUU members and leaders to expel, suspend and rusticate students for merely protesting for improved welfare. They expel and rusticate students for protesting for basic needs such as water, power, habitable hostel accommodation, etc. At some point, their anti-students actions are so reckless that you continue to wonder if these lecturers even understand the right to dissent.

“ASUU members arbitrarily fail students for questioning their positions or opinion and sometimes asking too many questions. These same people cannot suddenly turn around to claim they are fighting for our interest, our interest they trample upon at every given opportunity at our various tertiary institutions,” NANS said.

The NANS President, however, advised the striking lecturers to call off the strike if the government has met substantially major areas of their demand, adding that, “we demand an immediate end to this strike, as we encourage the government to fulfill all their promises to ASUU in good faith.

 “We no longer believe that this continuous strike is fashionable, reasonable, justifiable, and necessary. If the Federal Government has acceded to most of the requests that necessitated the strike in the first place, the continuation of the strike means there may be other ulterior motives not known to the public and the students, and we will no longer continue to support ASUU to hold the nation and tertiary education ransom.

“Demanding for six-month salary arrears before calling off the strike is just like kidnappers that demand for their ransom before releasing their victim. If ASUU members are insisting that their six months’ salary that they’ve been on strike be paid as against Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act, who will pay the students for their six months house rent and other expenses?” he queried.

 

Minister Blames Neighbouring States’ Traders, Beggars For Insecurity In FCT

 

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Muhammad Bello, has accused traders and beggars from neighbouring states of being behind the security breaches witnessed in the territory.

This is as the FCT Security Committee, chaired by the Minister, said it would  work with the various communities to build a viable vigilante network in the rural communities, especially those prone to incidences of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism, among others.

Represented at the meeting by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramotu Tijani-Aliyu, the minister also said the committee had concluded plans to launch the resuscitated G-7 Security Joint Operation in September 2022, involving states that are contagious to the FCT.

The G-7 Joint Security Operation is expected to fight crime in all the nooks and crannies of the member-states, especially the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism in the rural areas of the FCT and states bordering the FCT.

These were contained in a statement by Director, Information & Communication, the FCT, Muhammad Sule, on Friday.

 The statement partly read, “The Security Agencies in the FCT have up their game. People who have no business being here, are being sent away.

“Some of them come under different guises such as begging, street trading, among others. They usually come from neighbouring states and are causing security breaches here. That is why we have decided to send them out.”

The FCT Police Commissioner, Sunday Babaji, said the G-7 Joint Security Operation that was being revived had received the support of sister security agencies as well as the Commissioners of Police in the member-states, who had all agreed on the need to collectively flush-out these criminals.

He revealed that the security agencies have gathered useful and actionable intelligence and would soon go after all criminals within its jurisdiction.

 

Police Arrest Woman In Ogun For Selling Three-week-old Daughter For N600,000

 

Mary Olatayo 23years old has been detained by the Ogun State Police Command for reportedly selling her three-week-old child for N600,000.

 Abimbola Oyeyemi, the command’s police public relations officer, revealed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Oyeyemi, the suspect was detained after the baby’s father filed a complaint.

The PPRO claimed that the father reported the incident to Mowe divisional headquarters.

He claimed that he met Mary Olatayo sometime ago and they started dating each other.

The statement reads: “The man stated further that Mary got pregnant in the process and he rented an apartment for her where she lived till she was delivered of a baby boy.

“He complained further that the lady suddenly disappeared with the baby from the apartment three weeks after delivery only for her to be found in a hotel where she has gone for a hook-up with another man.

“All efforts to know where the baby is proved futile; on the strength of his complaint, the DPO Mowe division, SP Folake Afeniforo, detailed detectives to the scene where the suspect was arrested and brought to the station.

“On interrogation, Mary Olatayo confessed to the police that she has sold the baby to someone in Anambra State at the rate of N600,000. She confessed that it was her friend, Chioma Esther Ogbonna, who led her to the buyer in Anambra and that they both shared the money equally.

“Her confession led to the arrest of Chioma Esther Ogbonna who also corroborated Mary’s claims. Further investigation revealed that Mary Olatayo, a native of Omu-Aran in Kwara State, is a call girl, who sees the baby as a disturbance to her business. Hence, she decided to do away with the baby.

“Fortunately for her, she has an accomplice in Chioma, a native of Imo State who quickly contacted the buyer in Anambra State.”

The PPRO further said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the transfer of the suspects to the anti-human trafficking and child labour unit of the state Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation.

“The CP also directed that everything possible must be done to recover the baby.”

 

Breaking : Many Trapped As Abuja Shopping Mall Collapses

 

Several persons have been trapped after a shopping mall in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Collapsed in the early hours of Friday.

The shopping mall is close to Aso Savings Bank.

It was gathered that there was no presence of a rescue team at the time of filing this report.

Details later…

Road To 2023: Tinubu Meets Wike, 2 PDP Govs In London

Crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, took a new dimension as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and some PDP governors in London on Monday midnight.

It was gathered that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, his Abia State counterpart, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, and other PDP stalwarts loyal to Wike attended the meeting.

Governor Wike and some of his allies travelled out of the country for what was described as a critical meeting on their political future.

The team, which comprised some PDP governors and other major personalities in Wike’s camp, were said to have left the country at the weekend, after the flag-off of new projects by the governor in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Wike had been engaged in a cold war with his party over his defeat at the PDP presidential primary and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s choice of a running mate.

He recently gave the party some conditions for an amicable resolution of the crisis and is currently at loggerheads with other top party faithful in his state opposed to his antics.

Also recall that a reconciliation committee set up to end the frosty relationship between Atiku and Wike met last week, though no concrete resolution was reached.

A reliable source privy to the meeting told Vanguard that the gathering centred on the need for the Wike camp to support Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Thource said: “It is true that there was a meeting where Tinubu met with Wike, Makinde and Ikpeazu. The meeting was held on Monday night, it was not in France, it was in London.

‘’The meeting had to do with Wike and his camp staying in PDP, causing crisis in PDP and asking his supporters to work for APC. Asiwaju is coming back today (yesterday) or tomorrow morning (today).”

Another source, who confirmed the London meeting, said: “I know Tinubu and Wike’s team went for a meeting outside the country. What I know is Atiku will go ahead without Wike.

‘’From what I know, if the internal crisis is not resolved, Wike will be an albatross. I know some leaders are confusing Atiku not to work with Wike but that is dangerous for the progress of the party.

“If they want the PDP to win in 2023, Ayu must resign and if he does that, it will help the party. If Ayu resigns today, the PDP crisis will be over but Ayu has insisted that he won’t resign because of his four-year mandate.

‘’The likes of Uche Secondus will not want the crisis to be over, Austin Opara, who was denied ticket will not want the crisis resolved.”

Makinde Will Lose Reelection In 2023 – Nigerian Cleric Declares

 

An Ibandan based cleric Prophet Moses Olagunju has declared Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde would not be re-elected in 2023.

Olagunju claimed he prophesied victory for Makinde in 2009, which later come to pass 10 years after.

 

He said chairman of the Governor’s advisory council, Senator Hosea Agboola and former Commissioner for Budget, Niyi Farinto are aware of the 2009 prophesy.

Speaking while featuring on Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto anchored by Olayinka Agboola on Splash 105.5FM, Ibadan, Olagunju, the General Overseer of Divine Seed of God Chapel Ministries, Ibadan said his prophecy is not because the Governor denied him attention but based on what God told him.

 

APC Muslim-Muslim Ticket Designed To Kill, Oppress, Northern Christians – Ex-Secretary To Nigerian Government, Babachir Insist

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal says the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is designed to oppress, kill, and eliminate Christians in the North from the political and economic system.

 Lawal and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who are top chieftains of the APC, had kicked against the selection of a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, by the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as his running mate.

Both Tinubu and his running mate, Shettima are Muslims.

On Monday, they were in Minna, Niger State, where they met two former Heads of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The meeting, according to Dogara’s media aide, Turaki Hassan, was also attended by a former deputy governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba.

According to Daily Trust, Babachir said though they were in Minna to see retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who just returned to the country from a medical trip, they also used the opportunity to visit former dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd).

He also said the issue of the Muslim-Muslim ticket was discussed.

“But there is no way we will be there without the Muslim-Muslim ticket issue coming up. It came up and naturally we discussed it.

“For us Christians in the North, the Muslim-Muslim ticket is existential. It is designed to oppress, kill and eliminate us from the political and economic systems. There is no other reason. It was done to isolate us from any political, economic and educational benefits of this country.

“As a card-carrying member of the APC, it is the PVC(Permanent Voter Card) that counts in this matter and not APC membership because the party’s card will not vote,” he said.

 

Many Soldiers Feared Dead As Terrorists Ambush Nigerian Army Convoy

 

A yet to be ascertained number of soldiers has been killed following an ambush on a military convoy by gunmen Suspect to be terrorists in kekun Waje district of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State

The troops were said to have been ambushed during a patrol in the area on Wednesday.

Some of the personnel were said to have been injured during the attack and are currently receiving medical attention.

A military source who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters claimed that “about five bodies of slain soldiers have been recovered”.

Both security agents and civilians have suffered several attacks at the hands of terrorists in Zamfara State in recent times.

Agrarian communities in the state have also been terrorised by gangs who raid villages, steal cattle and kidnap residents for ransoms.

In 2019, the state government signed a peace agreement with bandits.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were also given to leaders of different ‘repentant’ gangs of bandits by the governor in 2020.

But despite all these, communities in the state are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.

It Will Take Nigeria 30 Years To Defeat Boko Haram – Army

The Nigerian Army says it will take a minimum of 30 years to eradicate the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram.

 According to Tribune, the Acting Director of Nigerian Army Information Management, Brig-Gen. Folorunso Oyinlola disclosed this in Benin at the 22nd Edition of Social Media Seminar on Civil-Military Relations.

Oyinlola said it will take a new generation of Northeasterners with education and the right orientation for the militancy to be completely wiped out.

The deputy military spokesman said the new generation will have to be educated and re-oriented before Nigeria can truly declare victory against Jihadism and terrorism.

He recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was proactive when he sought to nip the activities of the Nigerian Taliban in the bud during his twilight years but lamented that things degenerated when Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, was killed by policemen.

Oyinlola said, “Insurgency is not something that can be filtered away with the snap of a finger. The insurgents live with us. We can’t bomb the whole of Edo State under the guise of fighting Boko Haram.

“We’ll need a minimum of 30 years to be able to defeat the Boko Haram. We will need a new generation of Northeasterners who will have to be educated for us to declare that we have defeated Boko Haram.”

He said the civil war in Libya which is yet to be resolved has led to the destabilisation of the West African subregion as lots of weapons have poured in from the North African country, exacerbating the security situation in Nigeria and elsewhere.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya who was represented by Maj-Gen. Marcus Kangye, the head of Civil Military Affairs solicited the support of media practitioners to wipe out the insurgents.

Yahaya appealed to social media influencers to stop using screaming, gory and scary headlines for the sake of national interests and humanity, adding that such headlines have a negative impact on the fight against insurgency by the Nigerian Army.

 

Tension As WHO Confirms Fresh Ebola Resurgence In DR Congo

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Ebola has resurfaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following confirmation of a case in the restive eastern province of North Kivu.

 

WHO, in a statement on Tuesday, cited authorities in the country that the case concerned a 46-year-old woman who died on August 15 in the town of Beni.

She had received care at the Beni Referral Hospital initially for other ailments but subsequently exhibited symptoms consistent with Ebola.

Virus samples were taken from the patient, and the diagnosis was confirmed by two branches of the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research, located in Beni and Goma, the provincial capital.

Analysis showed that the case was genetically linked to the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, the country’s longest and largest.

“Ebola resurgences are occurring with greater frequency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is concerning.

“However, health authorities in North Kivu have successfully stopped several Ebola flare-ups, and building on this expertise will no doubt bring this one under control quickly,” Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said.

Staff from the UN agency and Congolese health authorities are working to halt the disease spread.

They have identified 160 contacts whose health is being closely monitored while investigations are ongoing to determine the vaccination status of the confirmed case.

Currently, 1,000 doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine are available in the country’s stockpile, and 200 doses will be sent to Beni this week.

WHO said “ring-vaccination” – where contacts, and contacts of contacts, are vaccinated to curb virus spread and protect lives – is expected to begin shortly.

The last Ebola flare-up in the Beni health zone was brought under control in about two months, ending on December 16, 2021.

Overall, 11 cases were recorded – eight confirmed and three probable – including six deaths.

 

 

Federal Government Ban Use Of Foreign Models, Voice Over Artists For Adverts Targeted At Nigerians

 

The Federal government has banned the use of foreign models and voice-over artists for advertisements targeted at Nigerians.

Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, August 22. According to Fadolapo said the new policy will take effect from October 1, 2022.

He said the move was aimed at promoting local content and talents and increasing economic growth.

“In line with the federal government’s policy of developing local talent, inclusive economic growth and the need to take necessary steps and actions aimed at growing the Nigerian advertising industry, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), being the apex advertising, advertisement and marketing communications’ regulatory agency of the federal government, has in accordance with its statutory mandates, responsibilities and powers as conveyed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, bans the use of foreign models and voice-over artists on any advertisement targeted or exposed on the Nigerian advertising space with effect from 1st October 2022.

All advertisements, advertising and marketing communications materials are to make use of only Nigerian models and voice-over artists.

Ongoing campaigns are permitted to run out their terms, however, subsequent applications for re-validation for continued exposure of such materials will not be granted by the advertising standards panel (ASP).

Advertisers, advertisement agencies, media houses, advertising community and the general public are hereby enjoined to take note.”the statement in part read

US Return Another $23 Million Of Abacha Loot To Nigeria

 

Nigeria and the United States government have reached an agreement on the return of over $23 million of the Abacha loot.

 The agreement signing ceremony was held in the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami on Tuesday, August 23.

Mr. Malami signed on behalf of the Nigerian government and the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, signed on the behalf of the U.S government.

According to Mr Malami, the fund when returned will be invested in three ongoing projects by the Federal Government, including the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna road and the 2nd Niger Bridge.

Nigeria has in the past recovered several other tranches of the Abacha loot.

In 2006, about $723 million in Abacha loot was returned to Nigeria from Switzerland.

In 2020, the US and Jersey also agreed to return over $308 million in confiscated funds to Nigeria.

 

ASUU Fixes Date To Decide On Calling Off Strike

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to meet next week Monday to consider the offers by the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for it to end its ongoing strike.

Recall that ASUU, who had been on strike since February 14, had three weeks ago extended it for another four weeks that would terminate next Monday.

It was gathered that the meeting of ASUU’s NEC may also determine whether the present administration would penalise the union.

Speaking to Vanguard, the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said his union was yet to get any offer from the Buhari government officially.

He said: “We have been negotiating with them through collective bargaining, and whatever they have should not be made to us on the pages of newspapers. It should be done the way it is expected to be done. Our main problem with the government is that there is trust deficit. They will say something and will do another thing.

“After the Memorandum of Action was signed last year with them, they were supposed to pay some money in two tranches starting from August last year, but they did not do the needful.

As for other unions suspending their actions, ASUU is not a one man show. We will look collectively at whatever is presented to us. But as of now, nothing has been officially offered.”

Buhari’s Government Has Surpassed Other Administrations In Provision Of Infrastructure – Minister Of Information, Lai Mohammed

 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s commitment to infrastructure development covering roads, bridges, rail, water dams and sea ports was unprecedented.

 

While inspecting the newly completed Terminal Two of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Mr Mohammed said Mr Buhari’s performance surpassed past administrations.

“No administration in the history of Nigeria has done this much, especially at a time of scarcity of resources,” the minister told journalists on Monday.

Meanwhile, he said the new terminal can process 14 million passengers per annum, just as he clarified that it was not built to replace Terminal One but to complement it.

Mr Mohammed also disclosed that over 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities had been created in the new terminal.

He said the edifice, replicated in Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Enugu and Kano airports, is a testament to the achievements of Mr Buhari’s administration in infrastructure development.

Speaking on the facilities and fittings in the terminal, the minister said it was a whole new experience, especially in terms of aesthetics, comfort, free trolley services, hotel and premium lounges, friendly customer services and free wifi.

“I must confess it was an exhilarating experience comparable to what obtains anywhere in the world,’’ he said.

The new terminal has 60 check-in counters and seven passenger boarding bridges. Five baggage claim belts, 16 departure desks and 28 arrival desks.

There are eight security screening points, a fully automated security control room with CCTV and eye-based lie detector machine.

 

2023: Tinubu Will Do Wonders Like I Did In Borno If Elected President – Shettima

 

Kashim Shettima, the vice presidential candidate for All Progressives Congress has said that his ‘boss’ Bola Tinubu will do wonders if elected president in 2023.

 

The former Borno governor stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference, where he represented Mr Tinubu on Monday.

“And we have the antecedents. I built some of the best schools in Nigeria. Go to Borno and see wonders; you will never believe that it is a state in a state of war.

“So, we are going to replicate our achievements in Lagos, in Borno and some of the frontline states so that our nation will be a better place. The fundamental issue is pure leadership,” Mr Shettima said.

However, Mr Shettima governed Borno State between 2011 and 2019. Boko Haram insurgency escalated under him.

In 2014, over 250 school girls were kidnapped from their dormitory in the Chibok community, an incident that gained global attention and condemnation.

 

Nigeria Will Overcome Security Challenges Very Soon – Aregbesola

 

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has said that the security challenges facing the country will soon be overcomed.

Speaking at the presentation of an award for the ‘best minister of the year 2022’ at the 10th edition of the Heroes of Democracy Award, Africa, which was held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Aregbesola said the challenges are temporary and do not define us.

He said;

“Our nation is going through challenges, especially on security. These challenges are temporary and do not define us. We are defined by the greatness of the Nigerian people, in their strength, ingenuity and resilience, as exemplified by the quality of the recipients of today’s awards.

“We shall overcome all the challenges. A time is coming when we shall look at this period in retrospect and give thanks to the Most High for the stormy waters we have waded through and the triumphs we have recorded over the challenges that look so huge and gargantuan today.”

 

SSANU, NASU Can’t Run Universities Without ASUU ― VCs

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities in Nigeria, on Sunday, said it was simply impossible for their schools to run without the academic staff on the ground working.

The committee said this was because universities are primarily meant anywhere in the world to teach students and it is only the teachers who can perform such roles effectively and to get them on board is not a daydream.

The Chairman of the committee, Prof Sulyman Abudulkareem, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), said this in his reaction to the suspension of strike by both the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non- Academic Staff Union (NASU) portends for university operations, was sought.

He said even though both SSANU and NASU had directed their members to resume work on Wednesday, no tangible activities would take place in the universities if the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is still on strike and the students are at home.

He said ASUU members are so important that it is impossible to replace them if anybody is thinking in that direction.

According to him, no right-thinking government would even think along that line as university lecturers are not unskilled workers but professionals in various fields.

He asked rhetorically where would government source for their replacement and also get people that will match their levels of performance.

“It is simply unthinkable,” he stressed.

When also asked if the Federal Government was at any time during the ongoing ASUU strike directed the vice-chancellors to reopen schools, he said such directive can only be passed through the National Universities Commission (NUC), but nothing of such had come from any quarter so far.

He said even at that universities are not closed down; it is only that the lecturers are on strike and that such kind of directive for VCs to reopen schools would not solve any problem if they remain off work.

He, however, said what Nigerians should do now was to pray and be hopeful that both the Federal Government and ASUU would reach a compromise without further delay for activities to come alive again on campuses.

 

Unknown Gunmen Kidnap Four Catholic Reverend Sisters In Imo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted four Catholic Reverend Sisters in Imo State.

The nuns were kidnapped on Sunday, August 21, along Okigwe-Enugu Road which has become notorious for criminals.

The names of the victims are; sisters Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu.

The Sisters Of Jesus The Saviour (Generalate) confirmed the incident in a statement signed by Sister Zita Ihedoro, the Secretary-General.

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great pain that we bring to your notice the kidnapping of four of our sisters mentioned above,” the statement read.

“The sad event of their abduction occurred around Okigwe-Umulolo area this morning shortly after the sisters were on their way to thanksgiving mass of our sister

“We implore for intense prayer for their quick and safe release. May Jesus the Saviour listen to our prayers and may our mother Mary intercede for the unconditional release of our dear sisters.”

 

5 Arrested over Attack On Osun First Lady’s Convoy

The Osun State Police Command on Saturday said five people had been arrested in connection with the attack on the convoy of wife of Osun state governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola at Owode, Ede.

The command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola in a statement obtained in Osogbo, said operatives were contacted at about 8:30pm on Friday that the convoy of Mrs Oyetola had come under attack.

She said, “Information was received that at Owode, Ede Market Express way, some hoodlums were attacking convoy of the First Lady. DPO ‘A’ Division Ede promptly mobilised and led the detectives to the scene, where they met CSP Dauda Ismail, the CSO to His Excellency (Adegboyega Oyetola), the executive governor of Osun State.

“He stated that one Omolola Opeyemi ‘M’ of Ijebu Ode, a driver of one truck without reg number blocked the movement of the First Lady, as a result of the traffic blockage.

The driver was wounded on his forehead while some hoodlums took advantage of that and started stoning vehicles in the convoy that got one DSS personnel wounded. However, five suspects were arrested at the scene.”

Information Officer to the office of the First Lady, Oluwatunmise Iluyomade, also confirmed the incident, saying, “No life was lost in the incident. Some security personnel attached to the convoy sustained various degrees of injuries.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun state, has accused the office of Mrs Oyetola of attempt to cover up the conduct of her escort who “beat up a truck driver at Owode, leading to public angry reactions against her entire convoy.”

A statement by the party’s spokesperson, Oladele Olawabamiji, obtained in Osogbo on Saturday, stated that an eye witness account has it that the affected truck had developed fault at the middle of the road with the driver making efforts to get it to work.

“That was the point the First Lady’s convoy arrived the scene and instead of helping to clear the traffic hold up , the security operatives around the First Lady pounced on the truck driver, beating him to a state of stupor.

“Realising the outcome of their criminal misadventure, the operatives rushed the driver to the hospital after the former had slumped. It was at this point that people around the market angrily reacted, pelting the convoy with stones and others,” he said.

The party called on the First Lady to apologise to the truck driver for the in-human treatment.

“Instead of blaming the PDP, we call on officials of the outgoing government to be mindful of their interface with the people of Osun state,” Oluwabamiji concluded.

Kidnapped Nasarawa Information Commissioner Regains Freedom

Mr Yakubu Lawal, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism that was abducted by gunmen has regained freedom.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lafia.

NAN recalls that the Commissioner was kidnapped at his residence in Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Area (LGA) by gunmen on Monday, at around 9:45pm.

The PPRO said the Commissioner regained his freedom around 6:00pm on Friday and was reunited with his family

He said the victim was also taken to the hospital for medical examination.

The Police spokesperson however said no suspect has been arrested in connection with the abduction, but said the police would not relent until the perpetrators are arrested.

Nansel, however, said that the police command was not aware whether any ransom was paid before the release of the commissioner.

He explained that the commissioner was released due to sustained pressure from the combined team of security agencies

 

Breaking: Gunmen Attack Osun First Lady’s Convoy

Convoy of wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, was reportedly attacked by suspected hoodlums Friday evening.

Though information about the incident was still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, sources in Owode, Ede, where the incident occurred said the convoy of Mrs Oyetola was heading to Osogbo and was around Owode market when intermittent gunshots were heard around 8:pm on Friday.

A resident of the area, who preferred to be simply identified as Alayande, told our correspondent on Saturday that a truck had created obstruction of traffic when the convoy arrived Owode market junction.

It was while trying to make the truck driver to move that altercation ensued between security men attached to the convoy.

“I heard several gunshots where I stood near the junction. It was dark but there was altercation between security men and some people suspected to be hoodlums,” he said.

Osun police command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, has not responded to text message sent to her on the matter as of the time of filing this report.

But Information Officer to the office of the First Lady, Oluwatunmise Iluyomade, said the convoy was attacked.

She said “No life was lost in the incident. Some security personnel attached to the convoy sustained various degrees of injuries.”

We Used N18.9 billion To Clear Bush — Agric Ministry Tells House Of Reps

 

According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Wole Oke, a whooping N18.9 billion has been spent on bush clearing, land preparation among others during the COVID-19 lockdown.

 

Mr Oke who is the chairman of the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives Committee (PAC), said the ministry disclosed this while responding to a probe on how it spent the said sum.

The agric ministry is the subject of an investigation by the House committee into a N18.9 billion contract for bush clearing, preparing the ground, and restoring soil plant laboratories during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.

According to Oke, “During the lockdown of the country as a result of COVID-19, some companies took contracts worth about N18 billion for bush clearing from the federal ministry of agriculture for land preparation, rehabilitation of soil plant lab and others. We cannot shave their heads in their absence.

We have invited them to come and give us their own side by responding to the issues and show us the places they are supposed to have cleared. They have to take us to the land they cleared.

We have invited the ministry of agriculture, and they have made (a) submission. But some of our members whose constituencies these projects were supposed to be domiciled doubted the existence of these projects, and for (a) fair hearing, we have invited the companies that got the contract for them to come and tell this committee where and when the jobs were executed.”

 

Buhari’s Government Has Reduced Terrorism To Almost Nothing – Festus Keyamo Brags

Spokeman for all progressive Congress (APC) presidential campaign, Festus Keyamo, has said the party-led federal government has reduced Boko-Haram’s dominance to “almost nothing.”

Mr Keyamo, who is also the minister of state for labour and employment, said this on Monday in an interview with Trust TV.

He was defending the performance of the APC-led government in the last seven years that it has been in power.

The programme also featured Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for the PDP Presidential Campaign Council who was paired with the minister.

With President Muhammadu Buhari as its flag bearer in 2015, the APC had promised to ensure a buoyant economy, fight insecurity and corruption to reposition the country.

Despite the overwhelming deadly attacks on communities by terrorists in some parts of the country, particularly in north, Mr Keyamo said the government had reduced terrorism significantly when compared to what it was under the PDP-led government.

He alleged that the news highlighting the failures of the current administration were sponsored by the opposition to discredit the ruling party.

“The cliche that the government has failed has become a song that the opposition has virtually rammed down the throats of everybody without looking at the details of what we have done, the statistics and put them in a context. What the opposition has done in the last few years is to memorise some highfalutin words and those are the highfalutin words that the press repeats – government has failed, security has collapsed.

“What did we inherit? We inherited the Boko Haram problem. At that time, they had taken over more than 14 local governments in the North-east and hoisted their flags. We inherited the farmers-herders crisis that had been going on even before Obasanjo’s time. These are existential problems.

“What have we done about those two problems? A club like El-kanemi Football Club of Borno that were playing their football matches in Bauchi because of insecurity— nobody could gather in one place in Maiduguri to watch a football match – now El-kanemi is back to Maiduguri, that is success.

“Boko Haram has not been totally wiped out, but it has reduced significantly because we constructively engaged our neighbours. We reduced them to almost nothing. I am not saying these things have totally wiped out, but on the scale of what we met and on the scale of what we have, it has reduced significantly,” Mr Keyamo claimed.

We Are Mobilising Support For Tinubu In South East — Governor Uzodinma Says

Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun consultations and mobilisation of support for standard bearer of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate Kassim Shettima in the South East region.

 

Uzodinma disclosed this on Tuesday evening during an interview on Channels TV Programme Politics Today.

He dismissed the threats of other candidates, noting that loyal party members will mobilise support for Tinubu.

Uzodinma said: “I think I’m a politician and you know my party is APC, and I’ve my candidate (Tinubu) in my party.

“We are currently consulting, and speaking to our people to vote for our candidate.

“I’m concerned with what will come out of my campaign for my party.

“I don’t want to join issues with Peter Obi who you know is not a member of my party. But I know members of APC are obedient to APC i.e loyal to the party. In my dictionary, what’s there is APC.

“I’m confident that the reasonable minds will vote for our party in the next polls.”

 

Blackout Looms In Nigeria As Electricity Workers Begin Strike On Wednesday

 

Nigeriansmay be thrown into total blackout from Wednesday as the organised labour had directed electricity workers to shut down the power sector in commencement of an indefinite strike over pending labour issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Ahead of Wednesday, the power sector workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have been scheduled to picket the Abuja National Headquarters of the TCN on Tuesday.

According to a circular by the General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, titled “Call for Action”, to the Senior Assistant General Secretaries and Zonal Organising Secretaries dated August 15, 2022, the union directed that the electricity workers should ensure total compliance with the directive.

This is coming amid erratic power supply being experienced across the nation and at least five National Power Grid failures already recorded this year.