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Tag: Abuja

  • Breaking: Four-storey building collapses in Abuja

    A four storey building under construction on Friday collapsed in Utako area of Abuja.

    Workers including some foreigners are reportedly trapped in the building said to have been abandoned for over two years.

    Emergency workers are battling to rescue some of the survivors in the building.

    The National Emergency Management Agency, Fire service, Nigeria security and civil defense corps are said to have arrived the scene.

    No crane is available for evacuation as at the time of this report.

     

     

    Details Later…

  • Dogara congratulates IBB @ 77

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara on Thursday felicitated with former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida as he clocks 77.

    Dogara, in a congratulatory message by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, in Abuja, described Babangida as a bridge-builder, committed patriot and charismatic statesman.

    According to Dogara, the elder statesman is a courageous, visionary and exemplary leader who continues to guide, mentor and inspire new generation of leaders through advice on national issues.

    “You are truly a great asset to Nigeria and a source of inspiration to many new generations of leaders as well as upcoming ones.

    “This is owing to your distinguished military and democratic credentials, steadfastness and show of uncommon statesmanship.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates Odili at 70

    “As a former Nigerian leader and elder statesman, you have consistently availed yourself to the younger generation of leaders to tap from your wealth of experience,“ he said.

    He noted that younger generation of leaders had been seeking for Babandiga’s wise counsel and advice in times of need.

    “You are indeed a great leader with vast network and influence and a promoter of ideals of democracy as well as a rallying point for genuine democrats.”

    The speaker prayed God to grant the elder statesman good health.

    “As you celebrate this milestone, I join other well-meaning Nigerians to pray God Almighty to continue to preserve you for us, bless you and grant you good health for the service of the country and humanity,’’ he said.

  • Buratai, 49 senior officers take language test

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai and 49 senior officers on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters, Abuja took a language proficiency test in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages.

    Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman, said the test was part of the army’s effort to ensure that all personnel are proficient in the use of the three major Nigerian languages.

    Chukwu said the test came after eight months of intensive lecture organised by the army headquarters for the senior officers.

    He said the belief in the army was that understanding those languages would aid troops during internal security operations across the country.

    “This will also enhance mutual cooperation between the army and the general public.” Chukwu said the senior officers that participated in the test included Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, Directors, among others.

    He quoted Buratai as commending the officers for their conduct throughout the period of the test.

    The army chief said the result of the test will be announced soon and urged them to prepare for another exam next week.

    Buratai upon assumption of office in 2015, enjoined all personnel to learn the three major Nigerian languages as part of a deliberate effort to improve communication skill among troops.

  • Osinbajo, Senate Leader meet in Aso Rock

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday met behind closed doors with the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He was with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Ita Enang.

    The meeting started around 2p.m when the dou arrived the Acting President’s office.

    Read Also: Osinbajo presides over Economic Management meeting

    It was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

     

    Details later…

  • Buhari salutes veteran Journalist, Ray Ekpu at 70

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Ray Ekpu, who turns 70 on Aug. 6 as well as clocks 45 years working as a journalist and an administrator.

    President Buhari’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday.

    The President joined the media world, family and friends of the renowned columnist and activist in celebrating the many years of exceptional contribution to national development through his writings, speaking engagements and leadership roles.

    According to him, Ekpu’s consistency and forthrightness in speaking and writing the truth to authorities deserves special commendation, especially the many times he placed his life at risk in fighting for democracy and the institutionalisation of good governance in Nigeria.

    President Buhari affirmed that his wealth of knowledge, wisdom and editorial skills should serve as a benchmark for upcoming journalists “as the future of the industry rests on the indelible tenets of fairness, accuracy and balance.’’

    The President prayed that the Almighty God would grant the prolific writer longer life, good health and more wisdom to serve the nation and humanity.

  • I am saddened by Killings in the North – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he was saddened by the spate of killings in the northern parts of the country, especially by armed bandits and other Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja criminal elements, promising that the situation would be brought under control.

    He said his administration has ordered deployment of more troops into the affected areas and further called for increasing vigilance on the part of security forces in the troubled areas.

    The President made the remarks at the Graduation Ceremony of Course 26 of the National Defence College, Abuja. He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.

    He said the present administration is encouraged by the efforts of the armed forces in ensuring peace and security across the country, noting that through their collective efforts and commitment, the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists group is now in recession.

    President Buhari also said although more needs to be done in several fronts to achieve the desired goals of the administration’s cardinal objectives, he noted that there is need to carry out fundamental review of the nation’s security architecture to enable the police play more roles in internal security.

    President Buhari also said his administration has achieved a lot in the fight against corruption, noting that decisive steps taken to entrench the change agenda have yeilded results in checking hemorraging and restoring confidence in the country.

    The President assured that with the commitment of the administration towards economic diversification, things can only get better and called for support and understanding of the people to enable the administration to succeed.

    In his remarks, the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo said a total of 136 participants made up of 106 officers of the rank of army Colonel and equivalent in the Nigerian Navy and Air Force, 4 Commissioners of Police, 10 Civilians participants from Ministries and Departments and Agencies as well as 16 participants from Allied Countries spread across Africa, Europe and Asia graduated from the Course 26.

    “The foreign participants in NDC Course 26 is the largest ever since the inception of the College. Among other implications, this observation represents the rising international profile of the college as it also demands that the college must reposition itself as a credible tool of National Foreign Policy action, at least in terms of quality of studies and infrastructure”, Rear Admiral Osinowo stated.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct preacher, two others in Kaduna

    Rear Admiral Osinowo said: “The graduands received 126 lectures/presentations and conducted 8 participants’ concluding seminars. They also presented 3 term papers, Strategic Leadership paper, draft Policy paper and the College Research Paper.

    “Other highlights of the course were: conduct of 4 exercises on higher defence management, strategic tour of 11 states: tour of strategic installations; visit to strategic military establishments: regional study tour of selected African countries: and geostrategic world study tour of 20 countries.

    ” Towards deepening the intellectual value and output of our activities, the College has sustained the presentation of the newly introduced Vice President’s Paper: the Second Edition was presented to His Excellency the VP, Proic Osinbanjo on 23 July 2018. Meanwhile, Participants from the NA, NN and NAF are also for the first time required to collectively produce a well researched Service Chiefs paper to their respective heads of Service”.

    Among other dignatories at the graduation ceremony are the Minister of Defence, Mansir Dan Ali, The Chief of Defence Staff of Sierra Leone, Lt. Gen Susay, The Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, and the Commandants of several military institutions in the country.

  • NBA holds elections August 6

    The Nigeria Bar Association ( NBA ) will hold its national elections on August 6.

    Its President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

    Mahmoud said the elections has been scheduled  between midnight on August 6 (when the voting portal would be opened) and midnight on August 8 (when the portal would be shot).

    He assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure a transparent electoral process that will meet the expectation of all members.

    Mahmoud added that although national elections were always held in July, the decision to conduct this year’s exercise in August was informed by some developments that required the attention of NBA leadership.

    “The delay has nothing to do with the competence of the NBA, the Electoral Committee or that of the technological services providers. It was as a result of the several issues raised by some members, which we found necessary to address,” Mahmoud said.

     

    Details later…

  • Barber, 23, docked over alleged phone theft

    A 23-year-old barber, Philip John, was on Friday arraigned at a Karu Magistrate Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing an Infinix brand of phone.

    John, a resident of Jikwoyi, was docked on charges of criminal breach of trust, theft and criminal misappropriation.‎

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Prosecutor, Vincent Osuji, had told the court that one Danjuma Alalakpe of Karu, Abuja, reported the matter at the Karu Police Station on June 27.

    Osuji said that the defendant committed the offences on June 26 and at about 9.00 p.m.

    “The complainant alleged that his daughter by name Faith Danjuma went to the defendant’s barbing salon to have her hair cut and in the process plugged her Infinix phone and left.

    Read Also: Court remands varsity students for death of colleague

    “Upon her return, she discovered that the defendant has dishonestly stolen the phone and all efforts to recover the phone proved abortive.

    “During police investigation, the defendant confessed to have stolen the phone and sold it to one Abubakar at the rate of N1,500,” Osuji said.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 312, 287 and 309 of the Penal Code.

    The Judge, Abubakar Umar, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Umar adjourned the case until Aug. 14 for hearing.

  • CBN to strengthen framework to check cyber crimes

    With the global cost of cyber crime estimated at over $600 billion in 2017, the Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday said it would strengthen its regulatory framework to check cyber-crimes on Nigeria’s financial system.

    Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability of the CBN Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, made this disclosure during a cyber-security conference in Abuja on Thursday.

    She stated that “whilst a variety of organizations are exposed to cybercrime, the financial sector is particularly vulnerable given its crucial role of financial intermediation in a highly connected global financial system.”

    Aishah Ahmad said while technology is transforming the way financial transactions are being conducted, Aisha Ahmad lamented that “the adoption of innovation such as robotic and artificial intelligence and block chains have potentials to disrupts this process.”

    This development she said has necessitated the need to further strengthen regulatory framework had become imperative because of “attractiveness of globalisation, interconnectivity and financial innovation are being undermined by incidences of cyber crimes.”

    The CBN DG said the CBN was aware of these threats and has convened the conference to tackle these threats.

    Read Also: CBN injects $340m, CNY 69m into Retail SMIS

    According to Aisha Ahmad, “technology is transforming the way we learn, communicate and conduct commercial event and the way we experience payment also innovation such as robotic and artificial intelligence and block chains all have the potential for further disruptions.”

    She noted that these series of cyber crimes “has ushered in complex security challenges some of which range from identity and intellectual property theft, emails spamming, virus dissemination, sophisticated hacking and theft by digital crime syndicate. All of which have led to a significant rise in cyber crimes.”

    She then added that “at the CBN we are committed to strengthen the regulatory framework for cyber risk, we are encouraging our regulated institutions to build realistic vulnerability testing systems for contingency planning.”

    She also revealed that “a recent study by the IMF estimated global annual losses from cyber-attacks may be close to nine per cent of banks’ net income or around $100 billion, and in a severe scenario, where the frequency of attacks are twice as high as currently experienced and with greater contagion, losses could be as high as $350 billion.”

    Also speaking at the event, the Director, Information Technology Department, CBN, Mr John Ayoh said the CBN was putting up strong measures to improve data protection in the banking industry.

    He noted that steps have to be taken to ensure that the CBN is not attacked by cyber criminals and he acknowledged that an attack on the central bank will affect the stability of the financial system.

    According to him, “it will make CBN lose tremendous reputation in the market place. People will start to wonder whether or not they can depend on the CBN, he said.

  • Man jailed for threatening to kill neighbour

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja on Tuesday sentenced a 22-year-old man, Felix Okon, to five months imprisonment for threatening to kill his neigbhour.

    Okon, who resides at Idu Village in Abuja, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal intimidation and intentional insult and begged for leniency

    “I plead with this court to reduce my punishment for I know I am guilty. I am so sorry for what I did. Please sir, temper justice with mercy.

    “ Please sir help me. I will not drink and be drunk again nor insult my neighbour,’’ Okon begged.

    The Judge, Mr Maiwa Inuwa, in his judgment, gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N8, 000.

    Inuwa warned Okon to shun crime and stop insulting his elders, noting that the sentence would serve as deterrent to others.

    Read Also: Man to die by hanging for killing 11-year-old son

    The Prosecutor, Mrs Ijeoma Ukagha, had told the court that the convict threatened to kill his 63-year-old neighbour, one Raymond Ekeoha also of Idu Village.

    Ukagha said that between Feb. 2 and July 20, Okon insulted Raymond and members of his family without any cause.

    She said that Okon also threatened to kill the complainant with a gun, noting that the offences contravened Sections 399 and 397 of the Penal Code.

    But following Okon’s plea, the prosecutor urged the court to convict Okon summarily in line with Section 112 (8) of the Administration of Criminal Justices Act, 2015.