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Tag: David Lawal

  • Northeast PDP apologises to Jonathan over Sheriff

    Northeast PDP apologises to Jonathan over Sheriff

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Northeastern Nigeria apologises to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The apology was contained in a statement released at a stakeholder meeting which held in Gombe State over the weekend.

    The statement reads: “As you may all be aware that the PDP North East Zonal office had called for a stakeholders meeting scheduled to hold at the Gombe International Hotel main conference hall on the 22nd of April, 2017.

    “Part of the agenda of the meeting was to discuss issues of concern to the North East Zone in view of recent developments that have stained the good standing and reputation of our zone.

    “However owing to security reports from the security agencies we were compelled to postpone and call off the meeting indefinitely. A new date and venue will be communicated to parties concerned as soon as the decision is arrived at.

    “While regretting the inconveniences the Postponement might have caused our members and all invitees we wish to also appreciate you all for the unflinching support you have always given to our great party the PDP.

    “In a related development on behalf of overwhelming supporters of our great party in North East Zone we wish to tender our unreserved apology to His Excellency former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR and to clearly put it on record that the in North East disassociate ourselves from the unfortunate and lamentable actions of one of our prominent member who walked out of the reconciliatory meeting held at the Yar’adua Center on Thursday the 6th of April 2017 which was at the instance of the former president His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR).

    “As members and executives of the PDP  in the North East we strongly stand by the moves initiated by the former President and encourage him not to relent in his effort and quest to find a lasting solution to the current Challenges confronting our party.

    “Let me once again reaffirm that the proposed stakeholders meeting has been postponed and consequently it did not hold. In conclusion I wish to once more convey our apology to all invitees to the meeting as I have already done by visiting each team of State representatives to explain the need for the Postponement.”

  • EFCC denies raiding Senator’s home

    EFCC denies raiding Senator’s home

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday debunked rumours of raiding the Abuja home of Senator Danjuma Goje.

    The commission made this known through its verified twitter handle.

    The commission said: “Please disregard online reports claiming the EFCC raided the Abuja home of Senator Danjuma Goje.

    “The report is FALSE as the Commission was not a part of any such activity.”

    See tweets below:

  • +Video: Flight delayed as couple fight on tarmac

    +Video: Flight delayed as couple fight on tarmac

    A China Eastern Airline flight was on Thursday delayed as a married couple engage in a fight on the tarmac of Changshui International Airport in China.

    The plane full of passengers was delayed after the couple started wrestling on the tarmac in a blazing row before take-off.

    The couple ended up brawling on the floor – with the husband pinning his wife to the ground and swinging his fists in the direction of her face – as they clashed.
    Shocking footage of the brawl shows the man lashing out and pushing the woman to the ground as horrified passengers looked on. The woman appeared helpless as she struggles to break free by ripping the man’s shirt off.

     

    The flight was delayed by around half an hour as airport staff struggled to bring the quarreling pair on the tarmac in to order.

    The husband and wife were filmed shouting at one another at the bottom of the steps leading onto China Eastern Airlines Flight 5843 – which was minutes away from leaving Changshui International Airport.

  • FRSC Rivers commander, Ikumapayi must be penalised – NGO tells FG

    FRSC Rivers commander, Ikumapayi must be penalised – NGO tells FG

    An Abuja-based Non-Governmental Organisation, FAME Foundation – a gender biased NGO for women empowerment, on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, calls on the Federal Government to prosecute the Rivers state sector commander, Andrew A. Ikumapayi for the abuse of his office and harassment of women officers.

    The image which was shared on the FRSC Rivers state sector facebook page indicated that the Rivers state Sector commander, Andrew A Kumapayi picked up scissors to cut off the women’s hair, publicly.

    “The sector commander RS6.1, Rivers CC Andrew A Kumapayi conducting a general (hair, uniform and fingernails) inspection on the staff of RS6HQ, Port-Harcourt and RS6.1, Rivers during the parade on Monday 10th April 2017,” the facebook caption reads with pictures.

    Speaking via a press release, Founder of the NGO, Aderonke Bello, tells the government to act upon this as soon as possible because failure to do so will encourage the harassment of women officers in the nation.

    “Mr Ikumapayi must be penalised for abusing his office and also for harassing women officers’ right in public, this is not allowed, he carried this act out because they are women and also his subordinate, we condemn this act totally.

    “The government must investigate this matter as quickly as possible and bring him to justice, he must be penalised by all means within the rule of law, if he escapes, others will follow and continue harassing women officers who are diligently serving their nation,” she concludes.

    The action generated public outrage on social media. Find reactions below:

  • MMM rehabilitates school, donates food items, beds

    MMM rehabilitates school, donates food items, beds

    Mavrodi Mundial Movement (MMM), in conjunction with Life Changing Humanitarian Services last Saturday, paid a courtesy visit to Igbehinadun Special School for the Deaf & Dumb and physically Challenged Children, Okokomaiko, Lagos.
    During the visit, members of MMM and the foundation unveiled a rehabilitated playing ground, basketball court and also presented food items, beds and gifts.
    Speaking at the event, Amaka Benson, Offline Secretary & Events Manager for MMM Charity said: “We were brought here by Community Development Workers called Life Changing Humanitarian Services. They wrote a letter to us and we approved it to help them carry out some of their projects.
    “Today we are unveiling a new playground with swings for the children including a basketball court. This place was nothing to write home about, It had been abandoned and the kids had nowhere to play so we raised money to assist them. Basically, at MMM, we are out to put smiles on the faces of people and we do this every month across Nigeria,” Benson added.
    Also speaking, Mr O. Joseph of Life Changing Humanitarian Service said: ”Life Changing Carries out humanitarian services. We chose this school because we believe that Igbeyi Adun Special School needs help. They have been abandoned for years so we came in here to see what we can do for them. You need to see the condition of some of the children, it is very terrible.
    “We want to say a big thank you to MMM. We were shocked when they agreed to sponsor this project because many organisations turned us down.”
    Founder of the school, Mrs Victoria Cotonu disclosed that the school was founded in 1990 to cater to challenged kids: “After my training in America and the UK, I came back to Nigeria and founded this school. I realised that we have these children in our midst and we have to cater to them because they are part of society.
    “We used to have support from government, churches and individuals but since the recession, it has taken a down turn and this has affected us negatively. I appreciate what MMM has done through  Life Changing Humanitarian Services today. Only God can reward them. God will continue to bless guide and protect you and reward you abundantly.”

  • Easter: Osun gives free train ride

    Easter holiday makers have again been offered a free ride to Osun as the Government of the State on Wednesday announced that its free train would move from Lagos to the state capital, Osogbo.

    The Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, which announced the offer said the train would move from the Ido Terminus of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Ebute Metta Lagos on Friday, April 14th at exactly 10:00 a.m.

    While urging holiday makers to take full advantage of the offer, the ministry said the train would return to Lagos on Monday, April 17.

    The gesture is in line with the Rauf Aregbesola-led government’s commitment to citizens’ welfare.

     The statement noted that the government did this to ease movements of the people during the period of the festivity.

    The Government, therefore, enjoined indigenes of the state to maximise the advantage the free train ride offers them to visit home and enjoy the celebration.

    The statement said: “Free train ride as introduced by the Aregbesola government about six years ago is aimed at facilitating the easy movement of the citizenry wherever they are.

    “And this programme takes care of both Muslims and Christians whenever it is the time for their festivals. Since its commencement, we can say confidently that it has been a boost to the economy of the state.” the statement said

    Holiday makers who are to enjoy the offer include enroute Osun through Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States.

    Already, millions of people have benefitted from this service since its commitment by the State Government.

  • Aregbesola building purposeful future for Osun youths – Okanlawon 

    Aregbesola building purposeful future for Osun youths – Okanlawon 

    The Government of Osun under Governor Rauf Aregbesola has laid a solid foundation for youths in the state to face the challenges of the new world.

    This was the summary of the speech by the spokesman to the Governor Mr Semiu Okanlawon while delivering a keynote address at the 1st Conference organised by the Iwoland Youth Conference, at See Bee Hotel and Event Centre, Iwo at the weekend.

    He said Aregbesola, having realised the critical place of youths in any society, could not but address the glaring problems unemployment and others which face millions of them through carefully formulated policies.

    Okanlawon said the policies and programmes of the state are targeted mostly at the younger generation, saying the feats had earned the state many commendations.

    He said most of the government’s interventions were designed to reawaken the dormant energy in the youths by building the necessary capacity to harness their potential.

    He said with the pioneering efforts of the Aregbesola in Osun on youths advancements, the Aregbesola government has inadvertently motivated youths in Osun and elsewhere to critically examine the youths advancement contents of political parties and candidates seeking elective positions before they support them.

    Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy Office of the Osun state Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon (2nd right); his wife, Alhaja Ronke Okanlawon (right), Member House of Representatives representing Iwo Federal Constituency, Hon. AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere (2nd left), Chairman Iwoland Christian Association, Evangelist C. O. Ayoda (3rd right), Mallam Baquo Alabede (3rd left) and Former Member Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Ayofe Adisa
    R-L: Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy Office of the Osun state Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon (2nd right); his wife, Alhaja Ronke Okanlawon (right), Member House of Representatives representing Iwo Federal Constituency, Hon. AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere (2nd left), Chairman Iwoland Christian Association, Evangelist C. O. Ayoda (3rd right), Mallam Baquo Alabede (3rd left) and Former Member Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Ayofe Adisa.

    He said youths, for their own good, must realise they have attained a state where they can jointly decide to vote against candidates and parties with no clear-cut policies for the advancement of the youths.

    He said it is gratifying to note that the Federal Government today is implementing youths programmes that were inspired by initiatives in the state.

    Okanlawon said, “Today, the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is implementing some specific programs targeted at youths and ensuring that as bad as the global economy gets, strategic initiatives are put in place to cushion what could have been a totally hopeless situation.

    “The former government tried with programmes such as SURE-P and YuWIN schemes. We are not happy that youths have complained that those schemes, rather than alleviate the problems of the youths and bring them hope, brought them more pains and disillusionment.

    “I am certain that this was why it took the Federal Government a much longer time to ensure proper birth and implementation of the on-going N-Power Scheme which is a pure youth advancement program in Nigeria of today.”

     

    Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy Office of the Osun state Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon; Chairman Iwoland Christian Association, Evangelist C. O. Ayoda, Mallam Baquo Alabede, Member House of Representatives representing Iwo Federal Constituency, Hon. AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere and former Member Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Ayofe Adisa
    R-L: Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy Office of the Osun state Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon; Chairman Iwoland Christian Association, Evangelist C. O. Ayoda, Mallam Baquo Alabede, Member House of Representatives representing Iwo Federal Constituency, Hon. AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere and former Member Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Ayofe Adisa, during the 1st 2017 Iwoland Youth Conference, at See Bee Hotel, Iwo, State of Osun

     

    Aregbesola’s aide said his boss realised early enough that acute unemployment was a major cause of the scourge of kidnapping, insurgency and armed robbery rampant in various parts of Nigeria.

    “Who are the major foot soldiers of the Boko Haram scourge in the northern part of Nigeria? Youths!

    “Who are the brains behind the series of kidnapping in the South-East? The youths! Who are the bombers and vandals of the nation’s oil-rich South-South where the bulk of our national resources come from? The youths! Who are the people behind growing cases of armed robbery in the South-West part of Nigeria? The youths.

    Now, back home in our state and particularly in my hometown, Iwo, who are the faces we associate with the growing cases of cult groups that clash incessantly and create fears in our once peaceful, harmonious city? The youths of course!” He noted

    He said through programmes such as the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), Osun Rural Agricultural Enterprises Programme (OREAP) OYESTECH and others, the state has been able to provide opportunities.

    He added, “I am glad to say here today that what was condemned as unbefitting jobs by some people who, however, never proffered any alternative, ended up providing the Osun youths with the opportunities to exhibit their courage, doggedness and creativity. The over 40,000 beneficiaries of that scheme that we have had never remained the same again as from that point, found some other positive, more rewarding engagements, that have provided them with the much-needed chance to find their paths.”

    Okanlawon said, however, that youths must recognise the opportunities that are open to them especially in this information technology driven world adding that their parents never had the opportunities that are open to them in this ICT-driven world of today.

  • UN medal: 140 Nigerian peacekeepers honoured in Mali

    UN medal: 140 Nigerian peacekeepers honoured in Mali

    No fewer than 140 Nigerian Blue Helmet peacekeepers on a mission in Mali have been honoured by the United Nations with a medal. 

    The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos, Nigeria disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday.

    The Chief of Operations of the United Nations Police (UNPOL), Amadou Camara, Divisional Commissioner, representing the UNPOL Commissioner, decorated 140 elements of the Formed Police Unit (FPU) including 22 women.

    Decorated with the United Nations Medal on March 29 in Timbuktu, Mali, the honourees are members of the Nigeria Mobile Police Force who are keepinf peace in Mali.

  • BREAKING: Chemical attack kills 100, injures over 400 in Syria

    BREAKING: Chemical attack kills 100, injures over 400 in Syria

    Approximately 100 people were on Tuesday killed and at least 400 wounded by a chemical weapon attack in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib.

    At about 6:30 a.m. Damascus time, warplanes dropped a chemical weapon on the neighbourhood of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib. At least 25 of the victims were children. Three UOSSM medical staff were affected by the attack, and rushed to the ICU while treating patients.

    Medical facilities are overwhelmed with patients and unequipped to handle chemical attacks of this Syria man foamsmagnitude.

    Victims are experiencing the following symptoms:

    •Redness of the eyes
    •Foaming in the mouth
    •Myosis
    •Face cyanosis
    •Severe dyspnoea
    •Asphyxiation

    “Today’s gas attacks on children and civilians is inexcusable and the international community should take responsibility for their years of inaction. The international community must do everything in their power to immediately prosecute perpetrators for war crimes.

    “There have been over 170 reported chemical attacks in Syria since the UN Security Council Syriapassed resolution 2118 in September 2013, outlawing chemical weapons in Syria.

    “A massive investment must be made to prepare all medical facilities for these attacks and equip civilians with protective equipment. I am horrified and sickened that these attacks keep happening every week,” Dr Anas Al Kassem said.

    Many area hospitals have been attacked and put out of service, significantly complicating the situation:

    On April 2, the Maarat Al Nouman Central Hospital, the largest and best-equipped hospital in the region, was attacked and put out of service.

    Similarly, on April 3, Kafer Nabel hospital was attacked, one doctor was killed, and the facility was put out of service.

  • Syria: Chemical weapons attack in Latamneh, Hama injures 70

    Syria: Chemical weapons attack in Latamneh, Hama injures 70

    The Latamneh area in the suburbs of Hama was hit on Thursday by an airstrike which deployed a chemical weapons agent.

    At least 70 civilians, including medical personnel, have been reported injured from exposure to the chemical agent.

    Injured patients were rushed to area hospitals and were experiencing the following symptoms: nausea, agitation, foaming at the mouth, muscle spasms, and pinpoint pupils. Two patients went into cardiac arrest but no deaths have been reported.

    The patients had their clothing removed, were washed with soap and water, and treated with atropine and hydrocortisone.

    Much medical staff and ambulance drivers were also injured and experienced bronchial irritation as they were transporting and treating patients affected by the chemical agent, including two paramedics from the Sham Humanitarian Foundation.

    Personnel attending to injured persons in the ward
    Personnel attending to injured persons in the ward

    The organisation that provides medical support in the region, UOSSM reported that area hospitals did not have protective masks to protect the staff from exposure and injury.

    The Tashreen and Qaboun neighbourhoods in eastern Damascus city were also attacked with a chemical agent injuring dozens by intoxication and exposure to the poisonous gases.

    In addition to the chemical attacks, the Ibn al-Haitham pharmaceutical factory in western Aleppo was also put out of service yesterday, after the Mansurah town suffered an intense bombardment.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddae68″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]The security council resolution 2118 (2013) prohibits the use of any type of chemical weapons in Syria, as do resolutions 2209 (2015) and 2235 (2015) – Al Kassem.[/quote]

    “Since UNSCr 2118 was issued, chemical weapons were used over 150 times. The OPCW, who is mandated to prevent and prosecute the use of chemical weapons, is so clearly failing this mandate that it is an embarrassment to the international community.

    “There is both a lack in timely investigation and prosecution. How can we expect any international laws to be taken seriously when blatant violations go unpunished in Syria. “- Said Dr Anas Al Kassem, Chairman of UOSSM, Canada.