Author: The Nation

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Nelson family over the death of former Southwest Zonal Women Leader of the All Progressives (Congress APC), Chief Kemi Nelson.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari, who conveyed First Lady Aisha Buhari’s condolences along with his, described Nelson as “a frontline politician and advocate of the womenfolk”.

The President also sent condolences to the Government and people of Lagos State, Presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Lagos APC family, on the loss of “a consistent and faithful party member who devoted so much to the evolution, development, sustenance and relevance of the party in Lagos and around the country.”

Read Also:What to know about late APC Women Leader Kemi Nelson 

Buhari noted the contributions of Nelson as a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Lagos State, the State Women Leader, National Deputy Women Leader of APC, and former Executive Director of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, remarking that she was such a grassroots mobiliser and an achiever who left her footprints wherever she served.

“As the only female member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Kemi Nelson continued to be part of the governance structure that led to the transformation of Lagos State into the Centre of Excellence it has become,” he said.

The President prayed that almighty God will grant the husband, Adeyemi Nelson and the family, friends and associates of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the loss and repose her soul.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned statement credited to Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa (Bauchi North) over alleged inciting genocide against the Igbo race.

The group described the senator’s alleged outburst as reckless, wondering why a man of such standing should describe the Igbo race as criminals that should be exterminated on the face of the earth.

In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, IPOB called for the lawmaker’s arrest and trial.

It asked the international community to hold him responsible for any eventual genocidal action against the people of the zone.

It added that the unguarded utterances had further exposed the hypocrisy and double standard of Nigeria, arguing were it to be an Igbo Senator or non-Fulani that made similar utterances he would have been a guest to the security agencies by now.

The group’s statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the hate speech by the Senate Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs, Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa from Bauchi State, against the Igbo race and Biafrans in general.

“What else could be more inciting than such a reckless utterance by a supposed Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Bulkachuwa to say that South-East is home to criminals, rebels and deserve to be eliminated?

“This statement which he made while featuring on a live programme of a national television, Chanels TV is a call for genocide, and should not be swept under the carpet.

Read Also: JUST IN: Gunmen abduct four travellers in Anambra

“We, therefore, want the international community to hold Senator Bulkachuwa responsible for any eventual genocidal action against the innocent people of the South East of Nigeria.

“Why will a supposed Senator of a Federal Republic call for the death of a tribe and still be parading the streets free of charge? The only reason he is still parading freely unarrested is simply because he is speaking the mind of the cabal holding Nigeria captive.

“How can Senator Bulkachuwa in his mischief forget so easily that the South East has been the most peaceful zone in the country until the Federal Government sponsored unknown gunmen to unleash violence in the zone in their desperation to demonise Biafra agitators?

“How come Bulkachuwa forget so easily that despite the insecurity in the South East, senseless killings and terror attacks are worse in his North East? Has he called for the death of the mass murderers in the North who have been killing both civilians and security operatives?

“Why is he so mischievous that he forgot that his Boko Haram kinsmen were killing Nigerians like fowls and asking for an Islamic caliphate yet Buhari was elected President both in 2015 and 2019? Even today Boko Haram, bandits and herdsmen have not stopped kidnapping for ransom and killing Nigerians yet Buhari remains the President, and another Fulani, Atiku Abubakar wants to take over power?

“Why should Bulkachuwa call for death of the Igbo race and he is still walking around as if nothing happened?”

Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi has sacked his political appointees ahead of his exit from office on October 16.

This was contained in a memo by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. T.G on behalf of the SSG on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

According to the memo dated July 15, 2022, the political appointees were the Senior Special Assistants, the Technical Assistants, the Special Assistants and Executive Assistants.

It stated the termination of the appointment take effects from July 30, 2022, adding that the decision was to ensure seamless transition from the current administration to Governor-elect Biodun Oyebanji.

Read Also: 114 Kogi varsity’s lecturers ask court to reverse sack

It further said the action will pave way for the State Government to process all outstanding allowances to affected appointees, for a smooth transition from the incumbent administration to the new government.

The memo reads in part: “A Transition Committee was constituted to among others, evolve strategies for a smooth transition from the incumbent to the incoming government.

“One of the duties of the Committee, in line with Ekiti State Transition Law, is to ensure the payment of entitlements of political office holders including their terminal benefits.

“His Excellency Dr John Kayode Fayemi has approved that the services of all Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Technical Assistants and Executives Assistants would end on 31st July 2022 to enable the State Government process all outstanding allowances of the affected officials more so that the Government is winding up.”

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has sent good wishes to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is recuperating from a leg surgery in a Lagos hospital.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, on Saturday announced Osinbajo was going in for a surgical procedure.

However, in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, on Sunday, FEC wished the Vice President quick recovery.

Read Also: Osinbajo undergoes successful leg surgery

“The Federal Executive Council (FEC), wishes the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo quick recovery following a successful operation on account of a fracture of his right femur (thigh bone), possibly related to a long standing injury associated with the game of squash.

“The surgical operation which was performed by a team of specialist doctors in Lagos has been reported to be successful.

“As Professor Osinbajo recuperates from the surgical operation, FEC wishes him quick recovery so as to continue to give the needed support for the overall growth and stability of the country,” the statement reads.

No fewer than four travellers were abducted by suspected gunmen in Anambra State on Sunday.

The suspects burnt their Hilux vehicle and made away with a SUV belonging to their victims.

The incident happened around 3pm on Sunday at Nise market in Awka South local government area, few kilometers away from the Governor’s lodge at Amawbia.

The Nation gathered the suspects stopped at the arena, robbed some persons before making away with the SUV.

Read Also: Osun 2022: IGP hails security operatives

The operation by the hoodlums, according to a source, lasted for about 30mins.

When contacted, Anambra Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident.

He said the suspects were being trailed by security operatives, who had been deployed by Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng.

Tochukwu said security operatives had cordoned off the area to protect the residents, while further investigation continued.

According to him: “We’ve not got the details of the incident in full, but our men have been deployed to the area.”