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  • Na’Abba was one of Nigeria’s finest lawmakers, says speaker Abbas

    Na’Abba was one of Nigeria’s finest lawmakers, says speaker Abbas

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said on Wednesday, December 27, that his predecessor, Ghali Umar Na’abba was one of the nation’s finest legislators.

    The speaker expressed sadness over the demise of a former Speaker who died in the early hours of Wednesday at an Abuja hospital.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the Speaker described Na’Abba as a lawmaker par excellence as well as a dedicated, committed, and patriotic Nigerian who served his fatherland with zeal.

    The former Speaker who reportedly died in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 65 became the Speaker following the resignation of Salisu Buhari shortly after the inception of the 4th Assembly in 1999.

    He recalled, with nostalgia, how Na’Abba had an eventful tenure as the Speaker of the 4th House, noting that his legislative exploits shaped Nigeria’s democracy.

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    According to him, during Na’Abba’s tenure, the ex-speaker brought unity and stability to the House, leading the members of the House to make some landmark decisions in furtherance of the country’s democratic journey.

    He said: “Rt. Hon. Ghali Na’Abba was a special breed as a lawmaker. He showed leadership as Speaker of the 4th House. He inspired members of the House under his leadership in many ways. Furthermore, he championed the first and only successful veto of a sitting president, leading to the establishment of the NDDC.

    “Long after his exit from the parliament, he remained active politically, and continued to encourage and motivate us all. He will be sorely missed.

    “Indeed, we have lost a great Nigerian; a legislative pillar. My heart goes out to the Na’Abba family. My prayers are with them at this moment of grief.”

    While commiserating with the people and the government of Kano State, Speaker Abbas prayed to Allah to grant Hon. Na’Abba Jan

  • FCCPC is ‘Regulator of the Year’

    FCCPC is ‘Regulator of the Year’

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has been awarded ‘Regulator of the Year’ by the Brand Journalist Association of Nigeria (BJAN), a group of media specialists who cover the entire marketing industry and consumer related matters in the country.

    This is for its conscious effort which has reset Nigeria’s market and reduced consumer abuse significantly.

    At the association’s 11th Annual Brands & Marketing Conference and Awards, Chairman of the association, Clara Okoro, thanked the jurors for a good job. Okoro said FCCPC won because the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Irukera, has put Nigeria on the world map, in consumer advocacy, rights protection, competition and global best practice.

    She said: “ Thanks to the new leadership of FCCPC, particularly its Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Irukera, who revitalised FCCPC and is worthy of commendation.

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    “What I find most interesting is how the Commission has been able to gain mileage in protecting the rights of about 220 million people with very  meagre human and other resources, hence our decision to single-out the Commission and its CEO for the outstanding work. To me, Irukera and his team are silent achievers that must be commended and celebrated.”

    Irukera, represented by the Head of Lagos Office, Mrs. Susie Onwuka, said: “This is humbling, and I appreciate the leadership of BJAN for considering FCCPC worthy of this recognition. I dedicate the award to my team at the Commission who share my dream and work round the clock. We want consumers to be respected and we want their rights protected. To me, this is a call to do more and we are not looking back.”

  • Three inmates escape from Ogun Correctional Centre

    Three inmates escape from Ogun Correctional Centre

    Three inmates of the Ogun State Correctional Centre in Ijebu-Ode allegedly escaped from the facility after scaling the heavily padded fence.

    It was learnt the inmates – Hammed Adeboyejo convicted for robbery and murder, Fatai Akande also convicted for murder, and Aliu Oguntona, sentenced for sexual offences, escaped about three days ago.

    A statement from the Ijebu-Mushin Area Command of So-Safe Corps, which confirmed this, reads: “The report reaching us is that three prisoners escaped from the Ijebu-Ode Correctional Center they are Hammed Adeboyejo who was convicted of murder/armed robbery; Fatai Taiwo Akande from Ijebu-Igbo was sentenced for murder while Oguntona Aliu was convicted of Sexual Offence. Should any of them be sighted, please contact the office of So-Safe Corps Command closer to you, the Police and any other Security agency.”

    But the So-Safe Corps Commander, Soji Ganzallo, said he knew nothing about the purported jail break and should therefore be dismissed.

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    “I don’t know anything about it, so dismiss it,” Ganzallo said

    Spokesperson of the State Command of the Correctional Service, Victor Oyeleke also confirmed the jail break, saying it happened about 3m Saturday morning.

    He said: “Yes, it is confirmed, it happened Saturday morning around 3am. A search party to bring the three of them back has been raised.

    “We have their biometrics and we have contacts of their families. We are working together with other sister agencies and in good time they will be brought back.”

  • Woman faults EFCC over re-arrest for contempt of court

    Woman faults EFCC over re-arrest for contempt of court

    A woman, Floriana De-Stefani, has faulted a media report linked to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) that she was rearrested for contempt of court over her failure to vacate her property on Warring Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

    EFCC had said in its statement that it re-arrested De-Stefani for failing to obey a court order upon her conviction by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

    However, a statement by De-Stefani’s lawyer, Clinton Anwara, explained that EFCC was aware that an appeal and stay of execution had been filed against the judgment of the lower court at the Court of Appeal in Lagos, yet, it insisted on forcible ejection of De-Stefani and misled the public about the facts of the case.

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    The statement reads: “We restate emphatically that an application for stay of execution of the judgment of the trial court ordering our client to give up possession of the property at 14 Warring Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, to Waterside Properties Limited, has been filed at the Court of Appea and parties are expected to maintain status quo pending the hearing and the determination of the application for a stay of execution.

    “The record of proceedings having been compiled and transmitted to the Court of Appeal, the lower court has lost jurisdiction to take any step as regards the subject matter which includes the enforcement/ execution of the said judgment.”

    The statement described a recent attempt by the EFCC to enforce the judgment as unlawful.

    It added: “It came to our notice that on December 18, 2023, some officers of the EFCC charged into the said property without a court order or court sheriff to execute the said judgment. We had taken the liberty of contacting both the sheriffs of the high court and the Appeal Court, whose duty it is to enforce the judgment of the court and none is aware or approved the purported enforcement of the said judgment of the Court of Appeal.” 

  • Three injured in Lagos accident

    Three injured in Lagos accident

    A mother and her nine-year-old son were rescued yesterday by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) after a sand-laden truck collapsed on them.

    The accident happened at the Iyana-Ipaja axis of the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, by Danco Filling Station.

    Driver of the truck (AGL 48 YD) lost control due to reckless driving and the truck somersaulted in the process. The woman, her son and the driver sustained serious injuries.

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    According to LASTMA, the truck driver was dragging Right of Way (R.O.W) with another heavily loaded containerised trailer.

    LASTMA officials from Zone 16, led by Salau Akeem (aka Alfa) carried out the rescue operations, while ambulance from the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) took the injured to the General Hospital.

    Policemen from Ile-Epo Division provided security back-up till the truck was evacuated from the road.

  • Pipeline explosion kills 20 in Rivers

    Pipeline explosion kills 20 in Rivers

    • NAF strikes six illegal oil refining sites

    About 20 persons reportedly died in an explosion from an illegal pipeline tapping point in Omoku, Ogba/Egebema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    It was learnt that the explosion happened on Christmas Eve when some youths broke a pipeline operated by one of the multinationals. Many of the indigenes rushed out to scoop fuel thus resulting in the accident.

    While 20 persons reportedly burnt to death, many others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in various hospitals in the area.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “It is a very terrible incident. Imagine the death of 20 people in such a time. We leant some youths bust a company pipeline. If you go to the General Hospital and other private clinics in Omoku, you will see many of the injured taking treatment.”

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    Chairman of Niger Delta Youth Movement, ONELGA chapter, Emeka Ukwuosah, urged youths in the area to shun oil bunkering.

    He said: ”Let me join in condemning the oil bunkering going on within ONELGA. We are also calling on security agencies to be up and doing and checkmate what is happening within that circle.

    “We also call on the multinationals that own the oil facilities to overhaul their ageing facilities to forestall such incidents.”

    Assistant Secretary of a vigilante group, Onelga Security Peace Advisory Council, Emeka Agbabere, insisted that the incident was caused by illegal oil bunkering.

    Agbabere said the vigilante group, the Community Development Committee and youths had been asked by a monarch in the area to stop illegal bunkering.

    He said: “We proclaimed they must put a stop to it and this is the aftermath of it. When they busted the pipeline, fire engulfed immediately and 19 of them died instantly and about 12 are in two different hospitals.”

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, on December 23, destroyed six illegal oil refining sites in Opu Arugbana, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    A statement yesterday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the air strikes were in continuation of efforts to rid the Niger Delta of activities of oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals.

    He said the illegal sites were sighted clustered within a radius of about 80 metres at a location about 6 nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana. According to him, having been confirmed to be active, authorisation was obtained to destroy the six sites, thus discouraging the criminals from continuing with their acts of illegality.

    “In spite of the festive season, air operations against criminals in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country continue unabated. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has commended efforts of the Air Component Commanders in all the theatres of operation.

    “Abubakar, who spent the Christmas day with troops in the Northeast and currently in Katsina to fete troops, urged them not to rest until criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum,” he added.

  • Policeman, journalist die in Edo cult clash

    Policeman, journalist die in Edo cult clash

    • NUJ seeks justice

    A policeman attached to the Edo State Police command has died in a cult battle.

    Commissioner of Police Mohammed Dankwara, who confirmed this yesterday, said some suspected cultists were also arrested in Benin metropolis.

    He condemned attacks by cultists on innocent residents, particularly a reporter with Independent Television and Radio (ITV/Radio), Hillary Odia.

    He said: “The command is sincerely fighting cultism, and wishes to end it for Edo State to be peaceful for all. Its efforts are visible in the loss of one of its personnel during an operation in the Ugbowo axis of Benin, on December 24. 

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    “Nevertheless, some of the cultists have been arrested and will soon be prosecuted.”

    Dankwara also pleaded with residents to remain calm and be peaceful. He assured them that the command is committed to ensuring the safety of their lives and property.

    He also urged them to come up with information that can help in the fight against crime.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder of Odia.

    The union prayed for the repose of the soul of its fallen soldier and urged his family to take solace in the fact that Odia would be remembered on the positive side of history.

  • Over 30,000 Osun residents get palliatives 

    Over 30,000 Osun residents get palliatives 

    No fewer than 30,000 residents of Osun State from 10 local governments have benefitted from food bank initiatives to celebrate the Yuletide. 

    The beneficiaries, who are mostly the vulnerable, include widows, the aged and people with disabilities.

    The palliative programme was convened by a non-profiting organisation, Oluwasheun People’s Foundation.  

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    The food bank was taken to Iwo, Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Egbedore, Ayedaade, Aiyedire, Irewole, Ola-Oluwa and Isokan local governments. 

    The founder of the organisation, Oluwasheun Alabi, speaking in Ikire yesterday, said: “Food distribution programme for the vulnerable is not basically on annual basis, but every month. During this festive season, the foundation strives to impact on people of different categories.” 

  • ‘Render selfless services to humanity’

    ‘Render selfless services to humanity’

    The Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, has urged Christians and religious leaders to render selfless services to humanity.

    The renowned cleric, who congratulated Christians at CAC Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain World Worldwide, Ekiti State and Nigeria at large for witnessing another Christmas, advised them to make the lessons of love and giving, which the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises, their watchword.

    The clergyman, speaking at Jesus City Camp, Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lagos after the church service, through his personal assistant (PA), said the country would get over its economic challenges and enjoined the people to be optimistic that 2024 would be a year of prosperity for the country and its citizens.

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to extend a helping hand to one another “during this Yuletide and beyond, especially to the less privileged.”

    Said he: “National development will be enhanced when Nigerians see themselves as brothers and sisters, regardless of religion and tribe.”

    The cleric said every Christian must remember the needy by extending the love of the season to them and also ensure they give genuinely.

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    “We must demonstrate the love of Christ by reaching out to the needy around us and we will see what God will do in return.

    “It is a well-known fact that the birth of Jesus Christ is what we are celebrating at this period. Jesus loves cheerful givers and never wants anyone to lack.

    “Every Christian is expected to share with the needy by giving out gifts of any kind, anything worth giving out to make them feel a sense of belonging.

    “A good Christian must not be selfish. He or she must remember the poor ones and give out to them for Christ to bless him or her more,” he said.

    Alo said despite the personal and collective challenges and struggles, the faithful should always remember that the good news of Christmas and the message never change, as they are timeless.

    The prophet, wishing Nigerians Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance, advised them to intensify prayers for Ekiti State and Nigeria to witness a higher dimension of blessings, progress and prosperity in the coming year.

  • Makinde vows continuous collaboration with investors

    Makinde vows continuous collaboration with investors

    Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has said the state has been developing at a great pace under his watch.

    He added that his government still remains open to collaborating with individuals and businesses to further develop the state.

    The governor said this yesterday in Oyo town where he inaugurated Dynasty FM, Oyo.

    He said his administration had engineered a modern Oyo State and had attracted accelerated development in major corridors of the state.

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    He noted that through the upgrade of the moribund Fasola Farm to an agribusiness industrial estate and the building of Oyo-Iseyin Road, which made the journey from Fasola to Oyo not more than 10 minutes, his administration had ensured that Oyo zone was not behind in the progress being made by the state.

    The proprietor of the radio station, Engr. Ajisafe, said Dynasty FM is a victory for Oyo people, adding that he has fulfilled the dreams of his late father for Oyo town and Oyo State.

    ArchBishop Ayo Ladigbolu hailed Governor Makinde for his roles in the development of Oyo town since he assumed office in 2019.

    The Chairman Emeritus of Dynasty Radio, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, thanked the governor and his team for honouring the Ajisafe family.