The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eid-el-Fitri’

  • Eid-el-Fitri: FRSC deploys 36,000 officers for nationwide patrol

    No fewer than 36,000 personnel of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) will be deployed nationwide beginning from today, to forestall accidents, remove obstructions and provide rescue operations before, during and after the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, the Corps said on Friday.

    The special operation which would be coordinated by the FRSC Corps Marshal Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, would start from 31 May to 8 June 2019, with active participation of regular and special marshals; while monitors from the Corps Headquarters Abuja would be deployed to Field Commands to ensure compliance to the operational order.

    The massive deployment according to the FRSC is part of the yearly Eid-el-Fitri special patrol, aimed at averting crashes and deaths which are usually occasioned by heightened traffic movement during the festive period.

    Disclosing this in a statement in Abuja, the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem said the Corps would be deploying all its officers and men to the roads to ensure that the celebration expected to take place next week is attended by the least casualty rate across the country.

    Read Also: Eid-El-Fitr: FRSC records less deaths, more accidents

    To ensure the effectiveness of the operations, according to Kazeem, 52 critical corridors across the country have been identified and would be effectively covered within the period, while commanding officers operating along such corridors have been mandated to ensure that their routes are properly manned.

    He said mobile courts would be sitting along the routes, in order to promptly try those who run afoul of traffic violation.

    Kazeem further stated that apart from minimizing accidents on the nation’s highways, the special operation would ensure free flow of traffic, provide prompt rescue services and timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and critical corridors across the country during and after the festive period.

    He added that the focus would be on traffic light sign violation, overloading violation, fake/expired driver licence violation, lane indiscipline, removal of rickety vehicles on the roads and other obstructions as well as driving with expired/worn out tyre and or driving without spare tyre.

     

  • My father died preparing for Eid-el-Fitri, says former LASU Registrar’s daughter

    A one-time Registrar of the Lagos State University (LASU), Mr Owolabi Amisu, died yesterday morning while preparing for the Eid-el-Fitri prayers, according to his eldest daughter, Joke.

    Amisu was registrar from 1998 until 2004.

    A native of Epe in Lagos State, Amisu died at the age of 71, according to the family.

    Grieving over the father’s death, Joke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was “very disheartening and shocking.”

    She said he was not sick until he passed on suddenly.

    “My daddy woke up sound and healthy early this morning to prepare for Eid-el-Fitri prayers.

    “Not until 8.00 am that he complained of a slight headache and we immediately rushed him to Epe General Hospital for treatment.

    “But he could not survive it as he gave up the ghost at 9am,” she said.

    Condolences poured in for the family of the late LASU Registrar.

    A Lagos State lawmaker, Mr Segun Olulade, described him as a knowledgeable and intelligent man.

    According to him, Amisu had identified some societal problems and proffered corrective measures.

    “Amisu will be sorely missed by all in Epe division because he always put his deep knowledge and understanding of academics at the disposal of people.

    “I am deeply saddened by the death of the former registrar. But as a believer, we must take every occurrence as the will of God.

    “I condole with his immediate family, the Muslim community and Epe,” Olulade told NAN in Epe.

    He urged youths in the area to emulate his exemplary life style.

    Chairman, Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Adeniyi Saliu, expressed sadness over Amisu’s death, describing it as a great loss to Epe, Eredo community and the academia.

    “He will be remembered for his boldness, courageous stance and wealth of knowledge which marked him out in the present day Nigeria,” he said.

    Also, Mrs Aderonke Ige, the immediate past Registrar, Lagos State Polytechnic, said: “His death is shocking to me because I talked to him virtually every day.

    “I did not expect him to leave us so soon. I will miss him greatly and his wealth of knowledge.

    “He was well known in the academic environment as an intelligent and courageous man.”

  • Eid-el-Fitri: Police strengthen security in Borno, Yobe , Bauchi, Ekiti

    •Be security conscious, police tell Kano residents

    POLICE commands in  Yobe, Borno, Bauchi and Ekiti states have deployed special forces, including  men of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), to secure all praying grounds as well as tackle political thugs and criminals.

    The measure in the Norther states, according to security sources, was aimed at combing praying ground and ensure no explosive was planted at the venue before worshipers arrive for their prayers today.

    Yobe and Borno states have also placed restriction on movement of vehicles and animals like donkeys and horses during prayers.

    In Yobe State, restriction of movement began from 10.00pm yesterday to 10.00m today, according to a statement by Abdullahi Bego, the director-general of Information and Press Affairs to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

    The restriction of movement, Bego said, will  exempt people on emergency services or those with security clearance.

    In Borno State, Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu announced that over 5,000 policemen are to be deployed during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration .

    Chukwu said suicide attacks on Maiduguri have necessitated the need for serious security.

    Police in Bauchi said they will be deploying 2,992 policemen to secure lives and properties in the state during the Eid-el-Fitir celebration.

    Conventional police, Mobile Force, Counter Terrorist Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel, intelligence personnel, medical personnel and other operatives in the command will be deployed at strategic positions.

    The command’s spokesperson, Kamal Abubabakar, while quoting Police Commissioner Sanusi Lemu, assured residents: “The command is ready to protect lives and properties of all citizens resident in the state before, during and after the sallah.”

    Kano State Police Command advised Muslim worshipers and people attending recreational centres during the Eid-El-Fitri festivities to be security-conscious and report suspicious movements to security agencies.

    In a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police, Magaji Musa Majia, in Kano, Police said they have put machinery in place to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the Sallah celebrations.

    The police in Ekiti State said they have beefed up security in a bid to forestall breakdown of law and order and as parties embark on political campaign ahead of the July 14 poll.

    The command also said the security measure was also aimed at ensuring a peaceful celebration of Eid-el-Fitri.

    A statement by the command spokesman, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, warned political thugs and miscreants to eschew violence during the Sallah.

    It threatened that the police would deal decisively with troublemakers caught.

    He said: “We assure the good people of Ekiti State that police shall be alive to their responsibility during this celebration.

    “We are fully prepared to deal with hoodlums, political thugs, and other disgruntled elements that may cause panic among the public during this period and we will collaborate with sister security agencies and stakeholders to ensure peaceful hitch-free celebration.

    “To this effect, the command has deployed enough officers and men in all praying grounds and venues of events in the state.”

     

     

     

  • Eid-el-Fitri: IG orders massive deployment of policemen nationwide

    INSPECTOR-General (IG) Ibrahim Idris yesterday ordered massive deployment of policemen across the country, as part of measures to ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

    According to the directive, police personnel are expected to be deployed to praying grounds, recreation centres, public places and other areas.

    A statement issued in Abuja by the Force spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood, reads: “The Inspector General of Police has directed Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of zones and state commands nationwide to beef up security and ensure massive deployment of police personnel to all Eid praying grounds and other venues of celebration throughout the country, to prevent crime and ensure hitch-free celebration.

    “This operation will cover recreation centres, public places and critical infrastructure and public utilities.

    “Federal Highway patrol teams and anti-crime patrols have been deployed along major roads and highways throughout the country for the protection of public highways and major roads to ensure safety of travellers, commuters and other road users.”

    Moshood stated that the personnel are under strict instruction to be civil, polite and firm in carrying out their duties.

    Moshood said visibility patrols and surveillance, raiding of criminal hideouts and black spots, which are ongoing throughout the country, are aimed at removing criminal elements from the society.

    Also yesterday, Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, ordered the deployment of 45,000 personnel for the festival.

    He urged the state commandants to work in synergy with other sister agencies and urged the personnel to be civil and diplomatic in their approach to the populace.

    He said the personnel should be deployed to prayer grounds, shopping centres, malls, recreation centres, black spots and areas considered to be vulnerable to attack.

    According to a statement issued by the NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, the NSCDC boss said that hoodlums, vandals, terrorists and those with nefarious act targets festive periods to carry out their dastardly acts.

  • Sallah: IG orders massive deployment of cops nationwide

    To ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Fitri celebration, the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris on Wednesday ordered massive deployment of cops across the country.

    This was contained in a statement issued by police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP).

    According to Moshood, zonal Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police in charge of states have been asked to beef up security as well as ensure massive deployment of personnel to all Eid prayer grounds, other celebration venues.

    Moshood said the directive was to prevent crime, adding that the deployment covers recreation centers, public places, critical infrastructure and public utilities.

    He said: “Federal Highway teams and Anti-Crime patrols have been deployed along major roads, highways across the country to ensure safety of travellers, commuters and other road users.

    Read Also: Senate proceeds on Sallah break

    “They are under strict instruction to be civil, polite and firm in carrying out their duties.

    “Police visibility patrols and surveillance will be maintained, raiding of criminal hideouts, black spots currently ongoing throughout the country will be sustained through the period of the Eld-el-Fitr celebration and beyond. Special Police deployments will be made to flash/vulnerable points.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is hereby imploring members of the public to cooperate with personnel deployed in their localities.

    “The Inspector General of Police once wishes the Muslim faithful and all Nigerians happy Eid-el-Fitri celebration. He enjoins them to be security conscious, vigilant and report any untoward incident or happening observed in their locality to the nearest police station.”

  • Winners named in Badagry quiz

    Yaqub Muqtedir, an SS1 pupil of Ansaru-Deen Grammar School,Badagry; Adbulrahamon Abubakri, a JSSI pupil of Vanguards Academy Odushengolu, and Sulaiman Morgan, also of Ansar-U-Deen, have emerged first, second, and third in the quiz contest organised by Badagry, Olorunda and Badagry West Local councils to celebrate the Eid-El-Fitri.

    The children quiz contest, which also produced Andulrahmon Najiyyah, a JSS2 pupil of Vanguards Academy, as well as Moshood Assmau, a JSS3 of Easter Springs International School, for the fourth and fifth places, formed a part of activities put together for the celebrations.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who expressed his appreciation to the quartet as they were being presented with their gifts at LASG VIP Chalet, Badagry, venue of the event, urged youths in the area to acquire knowledge so they would not be available for atrocities.

    Addressing guests and residents of Badagry, Ambode lamented the growing cases of ritual killing in the area, saying Badagry was not known for such.

    Speaking through Babatunde Hunpe, his Special Adviser on Environment, Ambode said youths who ought to have been empowered through quality education constitute a majority of perpetrators of heinous crimes.

    “Very recently,” Ambode said, “we realised cultism has been gaining ground and lives are being lost. Unfortunately, this is not good for us because Badagry is known for peace. I therefore call on the youths to buckle up and work with the security agencies to address this problem.

    “We are also aware that youths around here have been throwing punches at government through social media. I want to indulge the youth that whatever you heard in the community, always find time to cross check and hold your leaders accountable rather than spreading rumours online.”

    Hunpe described the event which was first of its kind, as Ambode’s initiative geared towards celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir festival and fostering unity among Badagry residents regardless of political or religious affiliations.

    Both Badagry and Badagry West local governments chairmen, Oluwasegun Oniludae and Gbenu henugbe Joseph, attested to the capability of such event to foster oneess among residents.

  • Eid-El-Fitri: Peterside preaches unity, felicitates with Nigerians

    Eid-El-Fitri: Peterside preaches unity, felicitates with Nigerians

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has felicitated with Muslim faithful on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast and celebration of the Eid-El-Fitri, while calling for unity among Nigerians.

    He urged Muslim faithful to learn from the significance of the fasting period, which he said dwelt on sacrifice, selflessness, love and unity.

    Peterside, yesterday in a statement by his media team, stated that the lessons learnt from the Ramadan fast should continue to guide the faithful’s daily living and their contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria.

    The NIMASA chief tasked Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to continue to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and more wisdom for the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in the discharge of his responsibilities.

    He said: “Let us continue to pray for President Buhari and his team as they think of ways and means of bringing Nigeria out of recession. This period calls for commitment on the part of everybody. I am confident that in due course, the economy will get better.

    “We should also pray for the unity of this country. God has a reason for bringing us together. We can achieve greatness if we put aside our differences and work together with oneness in fulfillment of our aspirations.”

    On the incessant killings and insecurity in Rivers, Peterside, the 2015 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, admonished Muslims and Rivers people to pray for peace and unmasking of the persons behind the evil acts.

  • Eid-el-fitri: Jigawa donates cows, rams to prison inmates, warders

    THE Jigawa State government has donated cows and rams to all prison inmates across the state to celebrate Eid-el-fitir.

    This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the state acting governor, Alhaji Ahmed Haruna, in Dutse, the state capital

    The statement stated that five cows and 15 rams are for inmates, while two cows and two rams are to be shared by the prisons personnel.

    Presenting the cows on behalf of the state government, the staff officer in the deputy governor’s office, Malam Nura Ringim, said the gesture is to help the inmates have a sense of celebration.

    Responding while receiving the gifts, the state comptroller of prisons, Malam Magaji Ahmad, thanked the state government for the gesture, noting that this was the first time such gesture is being extended to the prison communities.

  • Eid-el-Fitri: Osun offers free ride

    THE Osun State government yesterday announced the 30th edition of its free train service to residents travelling during the Eid-el-Fitri.

    It urged indigenes wishing to travel home for the festivity to use the free train.

    Thousands of Eid-el-Fitri holiday makers are expected to benefit from the free train scheme.

    The government said the train will move leave Lagos for Osogbo, the state capital, as usual since the service started in 2011.

    A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Government quoted the Commissioner for Industries, Commerce and Co-operatives, Ismaila Adekunle Jaiyeoba-Alagbada, as saying the free train service is in continuation of the commitment of Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to making life more meaningful for the residents.

    The free train is expected to pick travellers in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states before stopping in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The statement added that the free train ride would be offered between Saturday and Tuesday.

    It urged indigenes of Osun State to maximise the opportunity.

  • Thousands observe Eid el-Fitri prayer in Ibadan

    Thousands observe Eid el-Fitri prayer in Ibadan

    •Ajimobi appeals to workers to embrace dialogue

    Thousands of Muslim faithful in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday observed the Rakat prayer to commemorate this year’s Eid el-Fitri festival.

    Worshippers, as early as 7.30 am, converge on prayer-grounds,  to observe the yearly festival.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi worshipped at the popular Yidi prayer ground with hundreds of other Muslim faithful.

    He appealed to striking workers to suspend the one-month-old industrial action, calling on their leaders to meet with government representatives to share the available fund in the state’s coffers.

    The governor made the appeal in an interview with reporters after observing prayers at the Eid ground.

    The governor stressed the need for labour to show understanding by coming to a roundtable to discuss how the outstanding salaries of workers could be paid as well as the new education initiative of the state government.

    Ajimobi said: “I am using this opportunity to call on labour and stakeholders in the state, including teachers, workers, students, traders and even thugs to come together and join hands with me to improve Oyo State.

    “Let us live peacefully among ourselves. We don’t want anything else, but peace. Where there is peace, there will be progress. Democracy is about dialogue, not about fighting.

    “We must come to the roundtable. So, I am appealing to labour to imbibe peace and dialogue. We will pay outstanding salaries when we have the fund. But let them come so that we can sit together to discuss how to allocate the little money that we have now.”

    The governor admonished the Muslim faithful to imbibe the lesson of the Holy month of Ramadan in their daily affairs, urging them to guard against returning to some of the sinful acts they dropped during the fasting.

    In his message, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Abubaker Agbotomokekere, called on Muslims not to go back to their bad ways, which they left before the month of Ramadan.

    Speaking on Islam as a religion of peace, the cleric urged Muslim adherents to live peacefully with brethren from other faith and avoid utterances and actions capable of causing religious crisis.

    Agbotomokekere prayed for sustenance of peace, progress and development of the state.

    At the University of Ibadan, the Chief Imam of UI, Prof.  Abdulrahman Oloyede, enjoined the Muslim faithful to be patient, saying the economic crisis would soon be over.