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Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Community tells IG to unravel killers of Traditional Ruler, wife

    Community tells IG to unravel killers of Traditional Ruler, wife

    The Numana Community Development Organisation (NCDO), has condemned the murder of their paramount ruler, Etum Nunama, Dr. Gambo Makama, his wife and two others.

    The Organisation also called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to unravel the killers.

    The traditional ruler and his wife were on Sunday, 31 December, 2017 killed, their vehicle, house, and other valuebles were also burnt burnt down.

    They were killed in Tsauni Ayuba (Asik)village, when they left the palace at Gwantu, the Sanga Local Government Headquarters in Southern Kaduna for the New Year celebration.

    Their son was also shot during the attack.

    This is contained in a statement made available to The Nation by the National Secretary of the Organisation, Mbachi Adams.

    The statement reads: “We condemn in strong terms the brutal assassination of our paramount traditional ruler- Etum Nunama, His Royal Highness, Dr. Gambo Makama, his wife and two others on Sunday, December 31, 2017.

    “The paramount traditional ruler, who was the Chairman, Traditional Council, Sanga Local Government and his wife were murdered, his vehicle, house and other valuebles were also burnt down by yet -to -be identified killers at his ancestral village Tsauni Ayuba (Asik), when he left his palace at Gwantu, the Sanga Local Government Headquarters to celebrate the New Year with his brethren.

    “The two others were also killed outside the same village, their bodies were recovered the following day.

    “Apart from the killing of the paramount ruler, his wife and two others, the killers also shot his son who is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

    “NCDO, the socio- cultural umbrella body of the Numana ethnic group in Nigeria, therefore sees this gruesome murder of our paramount ruler as one too many, considering that in recent times, the Sanga Local Government Area, and in fact, the entire Southern Kaduna has been serially attacked and many people killed by these merchants of death”.

    The statement further resds: “We are worried that, it seems, these agents of darkness have set their deadly eyes on our people and are determined to annihilate us.

    “We, therefore, call on the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, to, as a matter of urgency, spread their tentacles and unravel the killers of our traditional ruler, his wife and two others so that they can face the wrath of the law.

    “We also call on the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of 2 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Zango Kataf and the Kaduna State Police Command to take proactive measures to protect our people from these deadly killers

    “This call has become extremely important so as to avoid the patience of our people from being overstretched.”.

    The Organisation however urged members of the community to remain calm and not take the law into their hands.

  • Foundation lifts Makoko community

    Foundation lifts Makoko community

    The President/Founder of Bomarah Foundation, Hajia Bola Muse, has urged well-meaning Nigerians to donate to the less privileged.

    She spoke to selected primary schools in the Ilaje/Makoko Community in the Yaba Local Community Development Area during the foundation’s outreach

    Her organisation donated gifts, food items and conducted free medical tests on residents.

    At the Makoko Anglican Nursery and Primary school, Aiyetoro African Church Nursery and Primary School and Adekunle Primary School, the foundation donated school bags and writing materials to pupils, including food items at Yuletide.

    According to Muse, the outreach became imperative, in line with its vision to create an all-inclusive society devoid of poverty and prejudice.

    According to her, she chose Makoko after a critical appraisal of needs of the people coupled with her resolve to expand the horizon of her NGO to smaller communities.

    She noted that the foundation has awarded scholarships to indigent persons, from primary to the tertiary level, adding that skill acquisition is one of the foundation’s cardinal policies.

    Muse said aside the educational items, the medical outreach would ensure people became serious with their health seriously.

    The Baale of Ilaje/Makoko, Chief Samuel Adebowale Erejuwa said the Bomarah gesture was a good thing because some of the parents could not afford school bags and exercise books for their children.

    I am delighted at this gesture because before now in Makoko we didn’t have event like this; Bomarah has done a lot for our children with this donation. We have more than 700 children that they donated bags and books to,” he said.

    Asipa of Lagos Mainland Prince Idowu Olaiya, said: “It is a good idea; it will make the people to be happy because they are our greater tomorrow. This is the first NGO donating school bags and books to our children.”

  • Community pledges support for Ambode on project

    Residents of Igbogbo community in Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have pledged their support for the ongoing construction of Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Igbe Road in Ikorodu.

    They thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for bringing the project to the town.

    The residents, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the palace of Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, admitted that it was painful to see some structures paved way for the road construction.

    Their support for the road project, they said, was based on the need to join hand with the government to open the town up for development.

    They said anyone or group that opposed the road project was acting alone, adding that they would support the government till the project is completed.

    The meeting was organised against the backdrop of opposition mounted against the project by some groups.

    The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, said the meeting was to engage residents on the need to adopt a resolution in support of the project. He warned antagonists against misinforming the residents about the construction.

    Asiwaju of Igbogbo Kingdom and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun, wondered why some residents opposed the project initiated by the governor. Noting that the gains the projects would bring to the town would be more than the pain, Basorun, a member of Governor’s Advisory Council, said the seven kilometres road project was initiated as part of the government’s plan to decongest the major highway.

    Basorun warned the people he called “fifth columnists” not to jeopardise the ongoing construction.

    Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Housing, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, appealed to aggrieved groups to support the project, saying: “rejecting the project would not be in the interest of the people that have been craving for development.”

    She assured the Igbogbo residents of Ambode’s readiness to compensate all residents whose properties were demolished for the road project.

    Akinsola said: “Every family affected by the construction will be compensated. The four-man committee set up by the town to liaise with the government has been briefed about compensation.”

    The community after the meeting thanked the governor for approving construction of the road that will pass through Igbogbo, Igbe and Ijede.

    “We stand by the government in the current phase of demolition of structures to pave way for the project. We believe the completion of the project will bring gains. We have emphasised that the government would not delay payment of compensation of those affected by the demolition. We passionately appeal that the government should give this a priority.

    “We shall not shirk in our responsibilities to keep peace in Igbogbo,” they said.

    Others at the meeting included All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Chief Adenrele Olowu, member representing Ikorodu II in the Lagos House of Assembly, Nurudeen Solaja-Saka, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA Chairman Olusesan Daini, councillors, traditional chiefs, traders, among others.

  • Community banishes prophet over death of woman seeking spiritual help

    Community banishes prophet over death of woman seeking spiritual help

    •Police: Prophet now faces murder charge

    The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe and his council of chiefs have banished a prophet, Oni Olakanye, from the town over the death of a woman seeking spiritual help in his custody.

    Olakanye, of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Palace of Mercy, Olokuta, Ado-Ekiti, was said to have carried out a “spiritual cleansing” on the woman, simply identified as Mrs. Olawale.

    The woman was said to have come all the way from Lagos to seek Olakanye’s help over her inability to conceive after over seven years of marriage.

    The case was reported to the Ewi’s palace by her relatives after she took ill and her health deteriorated after the spiritual cleansing in Olakanye’s church.

    The woman told the palace investigation committee and her relatives that Olakanye ordered her to remove her panties and placed a mirror under her private parts, which she said the prophet described as “spiritual examination.”

    Olakanye allegedly asked Mrs. Omowale to take a spiritual bath standing on a mortar taking the bath with a black local soap and local sponge right in the presence of the prophet.

    After the bath, the prophet was alleged to have told the deceased to lie down on a bed inside a room where he spread a white cloth over her and pour a liquid substance on her private part.

    Olakanye was also alleged to have used his manhood to push the liquid substance into the deceased genital.

    The prophet allegedly collected the sum of N50,000 from her being payment for the items used for the assignment and  later gave her a ball-shaped item to insert inside her genitals when she returned to Lagos.

    She was also given a black local soap which she should use to wash her genitals and breasts.

    After carrying out the Prophet’s order few days later, she discovered her private part began to get rotten and smelling. She was taken to different hospitals in Lagos for treatment but all to no avail.

    When all her efforts yielded no result, she narrated what transpired between her and Olakanye to family members who stormed Ado-Ekiti in October to meet the prophet.

    Following his alleged refusal to cooperate with the woman’s family, the prophet was dragged to the Ewi’s palace which swung into action and launched an investigation.

    Olakanye, who admitted knowing the deceased, claimed that she only assisted the woman to tackle her barrenness.

    He denied allegations levelled against him.

    The palace handed over the prophet to the police to continue investigation but he was later granted bail after.

    The monarch immediately handed over the prophet to the police to take over the matter. Olakanye promised to cure the woman and was later granted bail by the police.

    But Mrs. Olawale’s death on December 13 prompted another visit to the palace by her family with the Ewi-in-Council giving its verdict that Olakanye be banished from Ado-Ekiti forthwith and should not be seen in the town and its environs.

    Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi said the prophet had already been charged to court. He said the charge would be amended following the reported death of the woman.

  • Community without king seeks Ambode’s intervention

    Community without king seeks Ambode’s intervention

    Hundreds of residents including members of Olofin Royal Family of Isheri-Oke Church in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos on Wednesday stormed the Lagos House and House of Assembly to demand for immediate intervention in the prolong “obaship tussle” in the community.

    They said there had been vacuum since the demise of the former king about 18 years ago.

    Government, they said, is yet to install the heir-apparent to the stool despite several appeals and petitions.

    The protesters, led by Lekan Odunsi, accused some influential persons in the government of behind the delay.

    They carry placards, which reads, “All we are saying give us Olofin Chieftaincy,” “Isheri Oke Church deserve a king,” “Governor Ambode Please stop the injustice and give us our throne,” “Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, stop embarrassing Ambode’s government.”

    According to Odunsi, a prince in the community: “For 18 years, the government has consistently refused to listen or consider the yearnings of our people’s request for the approval of their chosen monarch notwithstanding judicial and historical facts presented to successive governments.

    “Our long sufferings and oppression became manifest and aggravated in recent time when the family’s Chieftaincy Declaration for the Obaship stool presented a name to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for the requisite approval.”

    Odunsi lamented that the vacuum had led to the under development of the area because no leader could present their cases before the government

    “We demand that Governor Ambode to use his Executive Fiat to settle the matter,” he said.

    Responding on behalf of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Adebisi Yusuf, assured that the matter would be given speedy attention and appropriate action be taken.

    “I can assure you that we, lawmakers will be thorough in looking at this. The house will set up a panel to investigate the matter and appropriate recommendation will be made and we shall surely invite you back as soon we arrived at a decision,” Yusuf said.

  • Community begs Wike to intervene in chieftaincy crisis

    Community begs Wike to intervene in chieftaincy crisis

    The people of Umuebulu in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have urged Governor Nyesom Wike to call the lawmaker representing Etche II in the House of Assembly, Tony Ejiogu, to order.

    In a save-our-souls letter to Wike, the people said Ejiogu’s desperation and ambition to forcibly become the Ochimba/paramount ruler of the community would create chaos.

    The letter, titled: “Tony Ejiogu’s Disrespect Against the Traditional Head of Etche,  (Ochie) E.N.B. Opurum, Onye-Ishi-Etche/Ochie of Etcheland, is Fast Destroying the Stronghold Support Base of Governor Wike in Etche Local Government Area”, was signed by the oldest man in the community, Elder Enyiazu Okere; the Ochimba/paramount ruler Eze James Nwagwu; the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Victor Okere; the Youth President Prince Tony Anele; and 45 others.

    They pleaded with Wike to ask Ejiogu to stop acts that could cause crisis in the community, following his desire to double as their paramount ruler.

    The letter reads: “Sir, we humbly implore you (Wike) to call Tony Ejiogu to order, to stop using your good name and hard-earned political image to advance his chieftaincy tussle, to prevent further damage to your strong political grip in Umuebulu and other parts of Etcheland.

    “This should be a cause for concern for anybody who truly loves Governor Wike, our own Mr. Project.

    “We are piqued at the fact that the only project and appreciation we have received from Ejiogu is to engage us in crisis, due to his quest to be our Ochimba. All his constituency allowances are now being used to prosecute only his chieftaincy tussle.

    “Your Excellency Sir, our greatest fear, worry and concern is that Ejiogu’s ambition to double as our Ochimba is fast eroding your greatest stronghold and grassroots support base in Umuebulu community in particular and Etcheland in general

    “Ejiogu’s challenge against the decision of the traditional head of Etche, over his final settlement and resolution of the Ochimba of Umuebulu, is also becoming a serious political baggage to the massive loyalty and support to Governor Wike.

    “On May 16, in a town-hall meeting, all the people of Umuebulu, led by the eldest man in the community, the Onye-Oke-Manu, unanimously resolved, agreed and endorsed Eze James Nwagwu as the Ochimba and paramount ruler of Umuebulu, in line with our tradition.

    “On October 24, the head of Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, E.N.B. Opurum, unanimously confirmed and crowned Eze James Nwagwu as the Ochimba of Umuebulu.”

    But Ejiogu urged discerning minds not to take the protesters serious, describing the allegations against him as frivolous.

  • Community leader for burial

    Funeral activities for Mrs. Mercy Ifeoma Ifenkwe, mother of Organising Secretary of the Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sir Roy Iwuala, will begin with a service of songs on Thursday.

    A statement by Sir Roy Iwuala, on behalf of the family, said relatives, friends and well wishers will gather for an evening of songs and testimonials at St. Andrews Anglican Church, Anara, at 5pm.

    Lying in state will hold on Friday at the family house before proceeding to St. Andrews Anglican Church, for a commendation service, at 10am.

    The deceased, 77, died on October 30, after a brief illness. She is survived by her husband, Reginald Iwuala, six sons, two daughters, many grandchildren, brothers and sisters.

    She was conferred with the Nneoma title, the highest recognition for service reserved for women of the Okigwe Diocese of the Anglican Church.

    She was a community leader, who held various positions in Anara Women Association and was chairperson of the Women’s wing of the Umuneke Development Union (UDU).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Strange deaths cause fear in Abia community

    The death of Mrs. Emereole, a retired headteacher, and a yet-to-be-identified woman, at Umuala Nsulu village in Isiala Ngwa North Area of Abia State, is causing ripples in the community.

    The deceased are co-tenants, it was gathered.

    According to a source, Mrs. Emereole’s mutilated body was found in her room; her neighbour’s at the backyard.

    “We didn’t know what happened until members of her church (Faith Tabernacle) raised the alarm. They came to visit her since she was absent in church.

    “After knocking without getting response, they were forced to break the door. They saw her body in a pool of blood.

    “They went round to see if her neighbour was aware of what happened. They also saw her dead body in a plantain farm at the backyard,” the source said.

    He added that residents now live in fear, as more people have gone missing without trace.

    They called on the Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi, and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, to intervene.

    The matter, first reported at the Isiala Ngwa North police station, has been transferred to Umuahia, the capital, for further investigation.

    Efforts to reach police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna were unsuccessful.

  • Three feared killed as suspected militants attack community 

    Two Calabar residents were feared killed yesterday, following attack by suspected militants on Anantigha community in the Cross River State capital.

    A resident said the militants came from the creeks and shot a gunboat, which affected houses at Bassey Effiom Street, near Jebs Street.

    He said the area was notorious for bunkering, adding that it was suspected that the militants came to attack the bunkerers they had issues with, who stayed along a beach called Offshore. This, however, could not be confirmed last night.

    The source said: “The militants came from the creeks with a gunboat. They shot sporadically at the beach where the bunkerers stay. The beach is called Offshore. There are houses in the area. The shooting affected people.

    “As I speak with you, two people are dead, others are injured. I hope they will survive. The incident caused confusion. Nobody expected such a thing on a Sunday morning. We ran helter-skelter.”

    The Nation learnt the militants escaped through the creeks in their boat.

    13 Brigade spokesman Cpt. Kayode Owolabi said they got information about the incident and deployed their men to repel the attack.

    He said one of them was killed and a pump action rifle recovered.

    Owolabi said the body had been handed over to the police, adding that others escaped through the creeks.

  • Delta community calls for federal presence

    I llah community in Delta State has urged the lawmaker representing Aniocha-Oshimili in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Joan Mrakpor, to attract Federal Government’s presence to it.

    The community said it lacked democratic dividends.

    The President of Illah Development Union of Nigeria (IDUN), Mr Christopher Osamade, spoke when he led members of Abuja branch of the union on a visit to the lawmaker in Abuja.

    He said Illah in Oshimili North Local Government  had been contending with infrastructural challenges, which include inadequate medical facility and lack of electricity supply.

    Osamade said the community had been longing for government’s presence, adding that besides Mrakpor’s recent effort, the few amenities in the community were provided “through self-help.’’

    Osamade hailed the legislator for bringing an integrated skill acquisition scheme to the community, saying the project was nearing completion.

    He appealed to the lawmaker to push for more life-lifting projects, hoping  that through her office, “there will be light at the end of the tunnel’’.

    The president said IDUN is the umbrella body of  sons and daughters of Illah, saddled with socio-cultural, economic and political advancement of the community.

    Mrakpor said efforts were being made to address infrastructural issues in her constituency through interaction with agencies of government.

    She said projects and amenities, including transformers, had been included in the 2018 budget of the constituency.

    The legislator said  projects in the 2017 Appropriation Bill for communities had not been attended to due to poor performance of the budget.