President Bola Tinubu has condemned the escalating violence and killings in Plateau, charging various sociocultural and religious bodies in the State to take steps to halt the carnage.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, President Tinubu particularly, in strong terms, condemned the most recent internecine killings in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and parts of Benue State.
Tinubu found very depressing the festering reprisal attacks, needless and avoidable bloodletting among communities in the two States.
“It is most unfortunate that in this orgy of violence, an innocent eight-month-old baby in Farin Lamba community of Vwang District, Jos South Local Government, died in a conflict she knew nothing about.
“A major consequence of perennial conflict is always the tragic loss of innocent lives.
“To build virile, peaceful and prosperous communities demand tolerance and forgiveness for every perceived wrongdoing,” the President said.
To rebuild trust and restore harmony to these conflict areas, the President urged community leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, sociocultural organisations as well as the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to work together to help foster genuine and long-lasting peace.
While reaffirming his government’s strong determination to stamp out violent crimes and all forms of criminalities everywhere in Nigeria, the President has directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the dastardly acts to face the full wrath of law.
He charged the governments of Plateau and Benue States and emergency response agencies to provide support and immediate relief to victims who have been displaced as a result of the conflicts.
The House of Representatives has tasked the Federal Government to lift the ban on the sale of fuel in border communities, following the removal of fuel subsidy.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Adegboyega Isiaka(APC-Ogun) at the plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.
Presenting the motion, Isiaka said that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had in November 2019 banned the sale and supply of petrol in communities within 20kilometres of the Nigerian border. He said that the ban was to prevent smuggling of subsidised petroleum products to the neighbouring countries.
Isiaka said however, that the ban was no longer required since government had removed the subsidy on petrol, calling for immediate lifting of the ban as it had caused untold hardship on millions of Nigerians living and conducting businesses within the affected area.
He said the communities were located in15 states adding that residents had to travel kilometers to get the products or pay extra amount to secure the products for their daily needs.
He said the ban had continued to impact negatively on the socio-economic activities in the affected areas.
Adopting the motion, the House urged NCS and other relevant government agencies to ensure immediate lifting of the ban.
The House also mandated the Committee on Customs and Excise when constituted to ensure compliance.(NAN)
Rapper Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba aka MohBad has stated he has no plans to ever return to his former record label.
On the ‘Big Friday Show’ with reality TV star, Tacha, the musical act delved briefly into the saga-cum-split from his former boss and record label, Naira Marley and Marlian Music respectively.
When asked to address the matter without necessarily giving too much detail, the 27-year-old artiste stated: “We just had a split, you know. From Marlian music to Imolenization. We just wanted to be on our own but it didn’t come easy.
“Doing my own thing, I’m happy being all by myself because that’s what I wanted ever since. It’s been more difficult, normal cos nothing good comes easy.”
On reneging on his exit from his former record label, Mohbad said: “There’s nothing that has made me consider going back to Marlian Music. It’s forward ever. Ajeh!
“Between Naira Marley and I, it’s ‘Hi, hi’ from far, you know”, he added when quizzed on their relationship moving forward.
In October 2022, Mohbad officially ended his contract with Naira Marley’s record label, Marlian Music.
His legal team recently served a letter of termination to Marlian Records alleging criminal acts of assault and battery against their client.
The termination notice issued on Tuesday, October 25, 2022; accused the Marlian boss of orchestrating constant attacks on Mohbad.
Furthermore, it claimed the music executive had failed to pay advances owed to Mohbad and royalties due him from his intellectual property since 2019.
Prior to the contract termination notice, the singer via his Twitter handle recounted how he was allegedly assaulted by his record label owners, Marlian.
In a series of tweets, Mohbad narrated the events that led to the assault of some of his guys and himself right inside the Marlian house after reportedly demanding a change of manager.
He emphasised while they were being assaulted Naira Marley was present and as a matter of fact, ‘coordinated some of the attacks as he instructed the boys to beat them up.’
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment as the Chairman of ECOWAS has sparked optimism and high expectations for the future of West Africa and the continent as a whole. Renowned for his visionary leadership and bold strategies, President Tinubu is poised to effect transformative change across Africa.
Even before assuming his new role, President Tinubu had crafted an ambitious agenda, known as the Renewed Hope action plan, aimed at propelling Africa forward. This comprehensive plan encompasses vital foreign policy initiatives designed to foster unity and development throughout the region. Let’s delve into some of the key policies.
President Tinubu envisions establishing a strategic alliance among major African nations to collectively address critical continental and global challenges. This united front will empower Africa to influence key issues and shape its own destiny. He also plans to lead Africa in seeking reforms within international financial institutions and the World Trade Organisation to prioritize African industrialization and secure equitable trade deals for the continent’s benefit.
Through active diplomacy, President Tinubu aims to bring an end to conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the West African sub-region. By fostering peaceful resolutions, he seeks to create an environment conducive to progress and prosperity. Additionally, President Tinubu envisions enhancing internal sub-regional trade within ECOWAS, facilitating joint industrialization efforts, and promoting collaborative infrastructural projects. These initiatives will unlock the economic potential of the region and amplify West Africa’s collective voice.
Recognizing the vital role of security in fostering development, President Tinubu aims to enhance regional cooperation to combat cross-border terrorism. His focus is on deterring terrorist movements and preventing non-African terrorist organizations from infiltrating West Africa, ensuring stability and prosperity for the region. Moreover, President Tinubu is committed to rallying Africa in a united effort to eradicate malaria, a longstanding obstacle to health, economic development, and productivity. By working together, the continent can conquer this pervasive challenge and create healthier, more prosperous societies.
President Tinubu emphasizes the immense potential of West Africa in agriculture and gas sectors. By harnessing these resources and fostering unity among nations, he aims to unlock the region’s true capabilities. With his impressive track record as the former governor of Lagos, President Tinubu’s appointment fills West Africa with anticipation for a promising future. His visionary leadership and proven ability to execute plans bode well for the continent’s progress.
President Tinubu’s transformative agenda, with a projected success rate of 70%, has the potential to rewrite Africa’s narrative. As West Africa embraces this new chapter, the continent stands on the precipice of meaningful and lasting change.
President Tinubu enjoys significant support and enthusiasm across West Africa for several reasons. First, his extensive experience in Nigerian politics, including his tenure as governor of Lagos State, has demonstrated his leadership capabilities. He has a track record of implementing progressive policies and driving development, earning him respect and support from the public.
Second, President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to democracy resonates with many people. His emphasis on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting good governance aligns with the aspirations of citizens who seek accountable and transparent leadership.
Third, President Tinubu’s ambitious agenda, as outlined in his Renewed Hope action plan, demonstrates his vision for transforming West Africa and the continent as a whole. His focus on economic integration, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation has struck a chord with those who aspire for progress and prosperity in the region.
Fourth, President Tinubu’s leadership within ECOWAS signifies Nigeria’s continued influence and active engagement in regional affairs. His commitment to fostering regional unity, cooperation, and collective decision-making resonates with citizens who believe in the strength of collaboration for the betterment of West Africa.
Lastly, President Tinubu’s emphasis on security and conflict resolution is highly valued in a region that has faced numerous challenges. His determination to combat terrorism, promote stability, and strengthen regional security frameworks has garnered support from those seeking peace and safety in West Africa.
President Tinubu’s support stems from his proven leadership abilities, commitment to democratic principles, visionary agenda, and focus on regional unity and development. As he assumes his role as the Chairman of ECOWAS, many people are optimistic about the positive impact he can make in shaping a brighter future for West Africa and the continent as a whole.
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ondo State has called for accurate release of information on the actual state of health of Governor Oluwatotimi Akeredolu.
It said residents of the State deserve to know correct information about their Governor so as not to give the public opportunity to draw from beer parlour talks and speculations.
Spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement in Akure, said National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adamu Abdullahi opinion on Akeredolu’s health added petrol to a raging fire in the state.
Peretei stated the responses from the Ondo Government and the APC proved there was a disconnect between the national leadership and the party in the Sunshine State.
He said the disconnect was evident in the appointments made so for far by the President Bola Tinubu’s.
The PDP said: “One is tempted to think that those responsible for the information management of Governor Akeredolu have made nonsense of their assignment, keeping people in dark until a spatula is put in their mouths to speak.
“Even if Akeredolu is “extremely incapacited”, is it Senator Adamu Abdullahi that should announce it to the world? Who gave him the briefing from which he spoke? What was he insinuating with his “extremely incapacitated” narrative? We leave all of that in the realm of speculation. Since those concerned cannot effectively communicate with the people of Ondo on what is happening to their Governor.
“Talking seriously, the people of Ondo State across party lines are genuinely praying for Akeredolu to return to his desk soonest. Only a few have openly declared that the Governor’s return may be injurious to their aspiration and hence secretly wish the Governor dead. Unfortunately, in spite of medical postulations, only God knows who will be alive in the next minute.”
Whether intentional or accidental, grabbing someone else’s toothbrush or letting them use yours could expose your teeth, gums, and mouth to many nasty things that could in turn lead to illnesses and infections.
It’s therefore important to know that, in the case of toothbrushes, sharing really isn’t caring.
To protect one’s oral health and that of others, individuals are advised to avoid sharing toothbrushes as this would stop the spread of bacteria and viruses that can have serious effects on one’s health.
Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo has offered scholarship to Nkechinyere Umeh, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) best performing candidate in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations.
This is contained in a statement on Tuesday by Soludo’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime.
Soludo said the scholarship was awarded to her following JAMB’s recent announcement of Umeh from Anambra State as the highest scorer with a cumulative mark of 360 in the examination.
The Governor congratulated Umeh for making the state proud with her exceptional performance.
The statement reads: “Following the recent JAMB declaration of Miss Nkechinyere Umeh from Anambra State as the highest scorer with a cumulative mark of 360 in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has congratulated the remarkable student on doing the state proud with her exceptional performance.
“In further celebration of Umeh’s feat, Soludo announced a well-deserved scholarship for her to study any course of her choice at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Anambra state.
“The scholarship will not only serve as a token of the state government’s appreciation for her hard work but also provide her with the opportunity to pursue her dreams and contribute to the development of the state in the future.”
While wishing Umeh continued success in her future academic pursuits, Soludo also encouraged other young ndi Anambra students within the state and across the country, to take inspiration from Umeh’s outstanding performance and take advantage of the improved conducive learning environment in the State to strive for excellence.
Cheta Igbokwe’s unpublished play, Awele, is a testament to his writing prowess, cultural ingenuity and more so a daring social commitment to revitalizing the fading notion of rebirth or afterlife evident in Igbo cosmology. Directed by Ugochukwu Ugwu, Awele premiered on the 21st of June at the New Arts Theatre of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The play which has a runtime of an hour and twenty-five minutes bewitches one, keeping eyes fixed to the stage in earnest anticipation. The first act unveils the vivid beauty of Awele’s celestial court, which is a symbolic space for the orchestration of man’s destiny. There, Awele’s right-hand man, Olekota, ably dramatized by Dansey Mbah, acts as the narrator of the play, feeding us with the stories of people who died prematurely and left behind unfulfilled lives. Thereafter, Awele, played by Grace Okonkwo, proceeds to judge them and decide their fate. Thus, the plot’s basic premise affirms to the pattern of classical Greek tragedies where the gods—in this case, Awele— wield the powerful authority to predetermine man’s destiny and fate.
What becomes particularly interesting about the play is the manner with which it not only commits to teaching but also revives a fading tradition of rebirth, reincarnation and the afterlife, especially in relation to Igbo cosmology. Amongst the Igbos, it is a widely held belief that the dead can reincarnate within a different body, especially after a tragic and premature demise. As such, it is not uncommon to see those who believe that departed loved ones have returned to them in the body of a newly-born relative.
Despite the erosion of this belief over several decades of social, cultural and religious flux, the playwright — Igbokwe, considers this issue of reincarnation important and deftly sets out to dramatize it. One imagines that the unfortunate loss of Igbokwe’s beloved parents was circumstantial towards birthing this play, coupled with the intense curiosity to know their fates in the hereafter. A curiosity that many experience in the aftermath of loss, often with desperate hope. This hope is contained in the dialectical conceptualization of Ilo-Uwa, which means reincarnation or rebirth, enabling the bereaved to believe that all is not entirely lost and that one day, they would be reunited with their loved ones.
It is on this framework that the basic premise of Awele tells the story of good people returning to the earth after dying prematurely from a first, unfulfilled life. The First Woman, dramatized by Chika Ugorji, is a good woman who unfortunately becomes a victim of religious falsehood. Her so-called pastor deceives her into avoiding antenatal treatments and hospital visits. While this biblically allegorizes the story of the birth of our Lord and Master, Igbokwe subtly satirizes the religious dogmatism pervasive in modern Nigerian society. In a show of deserved mercy, The Great Deity — Awele, sends the First Woman back to the world.
Other characters in the play are the Second Woman (Lauretta Ikeme) and the Motorcyclist (Toochukwu “Teekay” Oguayo) who were both good people in their first lives, before being betrayed and hurt. To them, Awele also extends her benevolent mercies for rebirth. The play’s plot advances through the actions a pair of twin brothers, Ehi and Mgbada, whose roles are masterfully played by Simon Ugwu and Innocent “MC Onachi” Chisom. Both brothers were “good thieves” who tragically became victims of jungle justice in their first lives. Just like the others before them, they are also offered a a second foray into the world. However, they both plead with The Great Deity to be reborn into upper class families. Although Awele agrees to this, it is at this juncture that the abundance of choices begins to become a curse to the brothers!
In the progression which follows, Awele further impresses due to its relatability. For instance, those amongst the audience would have seen parts of themselves in the decisions of these two brothers who descend into confusion in their bid to configure their own fates and destinies. This plot twist affirms to the superiority of the wisdom of the gods in rationally predetermining man’s destiny, as opposed to man’s inability to be certain and content.
Furthermore, Awele comes off subtly as a protest drama. This is because it indirectly offers a narrative which counters the false postulations of the Europeans about African gods being impatient with their children and consequently destroying them. Contrary to such opinions, Awele is patient with the two brothers but warns them against wasting her time. This portrays the largeness of heart the gods have towards men. Moreover, the gods possess good sense of judgement as opposed to what the Europeans falsely painted them to be. In the play, we see Awele masterfully evaluating the unfulfilled lives of each of the dead persons before deciding a new and better life for them. In a way, the play also succeeds in depicting every man to be an imitation of the supernatural; which is in fine concordance with Igbokwe’s affinity to recreate classical art through the eyes of modernity while also satirizing multifarious societal ills to enormous comedic effect.
Singing beautiful odes to Igbokwe’s Awele would not be fair without recognizing the theatrical performances of all the actors which were nothing short of excellent. The stage lightings, costume design by Power Egbogu as well Amazingrace Okonkwo and Roland Odo’s stage management expertise all contributed in easing the audience into the world of the metaphysical while still residing in fleshy temples. On the other hand, a chorus of stirring and sonorous voices provided harmonious melody to affirm, witness and set a grand undertone to the play’s progression. Any questions about the excellence of Awele are immediately rested by the fluidity and cohesion of stage props, costume, lighting, action and music, all interwoven to craft an unforgettable expression of artful magic.
Ultimately, Awele invites us to reconsider the potency of mysteries beyond this world; to ponder on fate and the conscientious issue of rebirth or reincarnation, especially within Igbo cosmology. After the high-sounding cymbals of praises, the showering of laurels and whatever buzz attends this play, one cannot help but be reincarnated into its self-contained world and likewise, let the play be reincarnated into the heart, soul-deep. Only then can one truly begin to reminisce on the striking lessons and ethereal sensations which Igbokwe gifts us through Awele. And in being empowered by the overall experience, one can become free through art, and charge through life’s vicissitudes with the parting graces of The Great Deity: “Don’t look back! The world is yours!”
The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known at the launch of NAFDAC Media Sensitisation Workshop On Dangers of Drug Hawking in Abuja on Tuesday.
Adeyeye also reiterated the agency’s readiness to increase surveillance on those using artificial methods in ripening of fruits, and to further prosecute them if caught.
She, however, solicited the cooperation of law enforcement agencies to help in the surveillance to rid the country of dangerous practices.
She said “several national dailies and organisations have raised concern about these dangerous practice drug hawking and ripening of fruits with calcium carbide.
“This workshop is also a fulfilment of my promise to collaborate with the media to continue to raise awareness about bleaching creams.
“NAFDAC will constantly engage the media on regulatory activities.
“The menace of drug hawking poses serious challenge to the nation; drug hawkers are merchants of death who go around with drugs full of poison, prescribing to gullible patients.
“Drug hawkers are major distributors of narcotics. They constitute serious threat to national security. Any drug hawker arrested will be prosecuted, we want to put an end to the menace.”
The NAFDAC boss, who also decried the use of carbide to ripen fruits, said that the practice may have effect on the skin. She added that “fruits ripen with chemicals may also make it to lose colour, taste and the natural aroma, and can cause serious health hazards such as kidney and liver failure. The director-general said the agency is confident in winning the war against the hydra-headed problem. (NAN)
