The Nation Newspaper

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  • UPDATED: Seun Onigbinde resigns amid social media backlash

    Following a public outcry over his appointment as a Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Co-founder of BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde on Monday announced his resignation.

    Onigbinde had prior to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari tweeted that whoever plans to vote for Buhari in 2019 don’t love Nigeria.

    He wrote: “I will say this for the last time, if you plan to vote for Buhari or you encourage him for another term, you really don’t love Nigeria. You are either a closet ethnic jingoist or someone who worships mediocrity.”

    His acceptance to work under the same administration he tongue-lashed backfired as many on social media blasted and described him as a man without “integrity.”

    Onigbinde made his resignation announcement on his Medium Page, a link he shared on his official Twitter handle.

    He said the recent media reports about his appointment have created a complex narrative, which I believe would engender an atmosphere of mistrust, as I planned to proceed.

    “Upon further reflections on the furore that has been generated by my new role as the Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, I humbly resign the appointment.

    “I am very grateful to the Minister, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, for believing in my expertise and I also thank everyone who sent his or her congratulations to me in the short period. I have also been humbled by the faith and belief that numerous persons have expressed in me,” he wrote.

    Read Also: Mixed feelings as Budgit’s Onigbinde becomes Technical Adviser in Budget Ministry

    Onigbinde said his sincere interest is to see a Nigeria that grows and optimises resources for the benefits of all Nigerians, adding: “My loyalty to the good cause of our nation, Nigeria compelled me to accept the call to provide technical skills and this experience has more than strengthened it.

    “I also want to wish the Nigerian Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, well. I will always be of help to the federal government in my capacity as the Director of BudgIT, a critical fiscal transparency group, as I have been to several agencies. I would also work to ensure that BudgIT continues to build civic awareness on the right of every Nigerian to know how public resources are managed. Thank you all.”

     

     

  • Makinde vs Adelabu: Security heightens as PDP, APC supporters besiege court

    The premises of the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, the seat of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was jam- packed with heavy security personnel manning all the two major gates leading into the venue of the tribunal.

    Many lawyers in their flowing gowns and wings have seated in the Tribunal room as at 9am awaiting the three man tribunal to take their seats. As at 11am, the full session has begun, with the commencement of the reading of the judgment.

    Security agents were seen at every entrance to the premises, subjecting everybody wishing to enter the venue of the tribunal to thorough screening.

    Both uniformed and plain clothe security agents were spread all over the area, keeping watch, while security patrol vans were used as shield , preventing people from entering the court premises with vehicles.

    At times, the policemen would chase the surging crowd of supporters distance away from the major gates leading into the premises , while the supporters would shout, in abuse against the security men .

    The atmosphere had remained tensed, both outside and inside the courtroom, as the people anxiously awaited the outcome of the judgment.

    Also, in the tribunal room, were heads of scores of supporters of Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the respondent, and Oloye Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the petitioner.

    The crowd of supporters outside the tribunal, was overwhelming, with all the roads around the court complex almost rendered impassable to road users.

    The tribunal had fixed today for the judgment after adopting the written addresses of the parties to the petition.

    The electoral umpire, INEC which conducted the March 9 governorship election, had declared Engr Seyi Makinde of the PDP as winner, having scored 515,621 votes to defeat Adebayo Adelabu of the APC, who polled 357,982 votes.

    After studying the election results, and having been dissatisfied with the conduct of the poll, Adelabu filed a petition before the tribunal, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the election.

    In the petition, Adelabu listed INEC as the first respondent, while Makinde and the PDP are second and third respondents.

  • Adamawa director in trouble for alleged certificate forgery

    The Director of Administration in Adamawa State Health Management Board (ASHMB), Halilu Abba, has been taken before the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) allegedly for forging a Master’s degree certificate.

    Halilu is alleged to have tendered the document, issued by the Adamawa State University, Mubi, in 2013 to gain promotion into the office of Director of Administration in the Board, following which the ICPC, after a complaint to it, made its investigation and found that the degree was not validly issued to him.

    Investigations showed that he had actually been a student in the university but did not complete the Master’s programme.

    A document on the case indicates that he had instead sent a letter, on June 17, 2019, to the institution requesting to complete the programme.

    The matter was blown open by whistleblowers who, in a letter dated May 28, 2019, alerted the ICPC, which in turn wrote to the university on June 11, 2019, to verify the truth.

    The management of the university, in a letter signed by its registrar, Yahya J Bobboi, said the candidate who was of the Department of Public Administration of the Postgraduate School of the university, had MPA 7091 (Research Methodology) as outstanding carryover as of July, 2019.

    Read Also:  Adamawa, Taraba, Benue in risk of flood due to rise in water level of River Benue – NIHSA

    “The statement of result issued on 4th September, 2013 was issued without the candidate completing the MPA programme,” the university said.

    The ICPC has evidently responded to the reply from the university by demanding the immediate prosecution of Halilu.

    And the ‘concerned citizens’ who blew the whistle against the embattled officer are said to have told Governor Ahmadu Fintiri through the Head of Service to act appropriately, especially against a history of forgeries in government circles, including a celebrated case, just before the exit of the last administration, of a secondary school leaver who, using someone else’s medical qualification, practiced for years as a doctor under the state government.

    Halilu Abba could not be reached for comment, as he repeatedly shifted requests for interview.

  • Alleged N6.9bn fraud: Trial of Fayose to resume Oct. 21

    The trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, will now resume on Oct. 21 before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Ccommission (EFCC) over N6.9billion fraud and money laundering charges.

    He was first arraigned on Oct. 22. 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.

    He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.

    The defendant was subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2.

    He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted.

    After his re-arraignment, Justice Aneke had granted leave for the defendant to travel aborad for medicals.

    The court had however, ordered that his International passport be returned to the court, on or before Sept. 16.

    Aneke had then adjourned the case until Sept. 16, 17, 18, and 19 and also to Oct. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 for continuation of trial.

    Meanwhile, the case will now come up on Oct. 21, as Judges are away for the annual judges conference, which takes place after the annual long vacation of the court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the pendency of the charge before Justice Olatoregun, EFCC had opened trial on Nov. 19, 2018, and had so far called 13 witnesses out of the15 listed.

    However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon.Justice Adamu Abdu-kafarati had transferred the case from Olatoregun, to Aneke, following a petition by the EFCC.

    During trial before Olatoregun. the prosecution had called witnesses, from several commercial banks, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.

    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Read Also: How I made Fayose Ekiti Governor, By Olujimi

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

    He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, to retain the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.

    The offences contravenes the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

  • BREAKING: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue in risk of flood due to rise in water level of River Benue – NIHSA

    The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has said the rise in water level of River Benue may increase the likelihood of river flooding in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states.

    Director- General of the agency, Clement Nze, said this at an ongoing press conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    He said water from six out of the eight countries that make up the Niger Basin Authority has arrived Nigeria as at today.

    The DG said that the water will empty itself into River Niger, thereby leading to increased flooding in ten states.

    He gave the names of the states as Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa and Kogi.

    Other states likely to be affected by the river flooding are: Edo, Anambra, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa.

    Details shortly…..

  • Umahi appoints 180 additional aides

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has approved the appointment of 180 additional aides to serve as Executive Assistants (EA) as Executive Assistant and Senior Technical Assistant (STA).

    Mr Clement Nweke, Principal Secretary to the governor in a statement in Abakaliki, directed the appointees, which include two former members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, EBSHA, and ex-deputy speaker, Mrs Dorothy Obasi, to report for their documentation on Monday.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the appointed executive assistants include: Mr Chidiebere Egwu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South East Zonal Youth Leader and Mr Igberi Nweme, former Charmian of Ikwo Local Government Area among others.

    The appointees into the STA position include: retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Kelvin Opoke and Stephen Orogwu, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

    Read Also: Nigeria partners with Niger, Chad on rehabilitation of Lake Chad Basin

    Others are: Mr Maxwell Umahi, state Vice Chairman of PDP, Mrs Dorathy Obasi, former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Oliver Nwachukwu, former member of the state House of assembly among others.

    The new appointees into the technical assistant position include: Chief John-Williams Nwode- former LGA Development Centre Coordinator, Nnannna Nwangele and Nkem Madu, prominent Youth leaders in the state among others.

    Umahi had on Aug. 6, Gov. Umahi said that he will no longer appoint more aides, with the members of the state Executive Council increasing from 70 to 83.

  • Challenges before Bande as UN prepares for 75th anniversary

    All eyes will be on Nigeria as from today as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, takes charge of the global body as the president of its General Assembly (UNGA).

    The Muhammad-Bande presidency, which is coming 30 years after this country’s first, presents Nigeria and Africa a unique opportunity to ensure the implementation of the existing mandates for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

    It is noteworthy that the Bande’s tenure will also witness the direction of the global body as it marks its 75th year anniversary next year.

    Bande is a Nigerian political scientist, administrator and career diplomat. Muhammad-Bande was born on 7 December 1957 in the town of Zagga in present-day Kebbi State. He attended Ahmadu Bello University for undergraduate studies, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1979 before proceeding to Boston University, where he graduated with a Master of Arts in Political Science in 1981.

    He was the permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and served as the Vice President of the General Assembly during its 71st session in September 2016.

    A year from now, on June 26, 2020, the international community will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter.

    May be months before the anniversary, the global body will hammer out a forward-looking and unifying declaration that captures member states’ commitment to multilateralism, global peace and global hunger.

    The anniversary may invariably put the UN in a state of reflection, giving it a chance to assess achievements, renew commitments, strengthen its systems and mechanisms for global governance and peace.

    Read Also: FG applauds emergence of Nigerian Bande as 74th UNGA President

    The UN missed the boat during its 50th anniversary, in 1995, compelling Secretary-General Kofi Annan to push for the adoption of several new goals, including one aimed at improved peace-building, 10 years later.

    The outgoing UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, a former Ecuadorian ambassador to the UN, said recently that the 75th anniversary of the creation of the institution is a time for reflection as well as celebration.

    In a remark, she said the anniversary offers both “opportunities” and “serious challenges.” Espinosa said the UN is more vital than ever in a time of rising nationalism and extremism.

    “We sometimes speak of this moment as ‘a crossroads’ – where things could go either way,” she said. “But it feels more and more like a tipping point – as though we are on the brink of irreparable damage to our rules-based international system.”

    Espinosa warned that as these forces rise, public confidence in the UN is declining. “We are seeing a growing disconnect between people, governments and institutions,” she said.

    She said the world “badly needs an effective United Nations,” and that in addition to challenges of poverty and conflict, rapid shifts in technology and the present threat of climate change means “there is virtually no challenge – or opportunity – that does not require cooperation between nations.”

    Espinosa must be speaking the minds of many the world over as the world body refuses to change the membership of the Security Council to reflect new power blocs.

    Analysts believe that the UN should be a body that prevents conflicts and not the one that tackles crises – even though the world cannot exist without conflicts.  This is more so with the money being spent on peacekeeping all over the world and the number of casualties being suffered by countries contributing troops.

    The Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN was elected President of the 74th session of the General Assembly by acclamation on Tuesday, June 4, to serve the one-year role with a strong mandate from his home government, that nominated him, endorsed by the Group of African States and adopted unanimously by the member-states.

    Bande’s mandates particularly will be focusing on peace and security, poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, climate action and inclusion.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has dispatched a three-man team to witness Bande’s assumption of office.

    The ceremony will take place at the UN New York headquarters, United States of America, today and tomorrow, ahead of the high-level week of the UNGA when leaders of the nations of the world take turns to address the General Assembly.

    However, the world is watching the fruits Bande’s tenure will bear.

     

  • Police warn against illegal assembly as NANS ‘relocates’ to Ekiti

    The administrative machinery of the National Association of Nigerians Students (NANS) will relocate to Ado-Ekiti in response to the killing of two students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti ((FUOYE), its National Secretary, Comrade Yusuf Farouk, has said.

    The students last Tuesday protested in Oye-Ekiti over incessant power outage in the community, leading to an attack on the convoy of the governor’s wife, Erelu Fayemi, while on an empowerment and advocacy tour to engage with women in the local government.

    They were said to have engaged the security operatives detailed with the governor’s wife in a clash.

    Two persons were killed and several others injured. Over a dozen of vehicles were vandalised by the students.

    In a statement signed and issued by Farouk, NANS called on affiliate unions, elected and active members of the organisation in Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states to mobilise in solidarity with FUOYE students.

    Read Also: FUOYE killings: NANS arrives Ekiti

    According to the statement, the students’ body national secretariat will be relocated to Ado-Ekiti on Sunday with a meeting fixed for FUOYE SUG executives and NANS/JCC Ekiti leadership and stakeholders.

    The two-day showdown will end with a world press conference and proceeded by mother of all procession to the Government House on Tuesday.

    The mapped out plan by the secretariat is to visit the school management, families of the deceased students, traditional rulers of each community, injured students at the hospital, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Ekiti State Government, Department of State Security Service and the Police command.

    The statement said: “The national secretariat notified all affiliate unions, elected and active members of the organisation in Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun to mobilise in solidarity with the oppressed students of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

    “Kindly note that in mourning the departed comrades and seeking justice on their behalf, no unruly attitude will be tolerated.”

    The Ekiti State Police Command has warned that students should desist from unlawful assembly that can worsen the insecurity situation.

    In a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by its spokesman DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, the police said it has discovered through intelligence gathering that a group under the auspices of  ‘ex-graduates’ , who are not currently students of any higher institution, are moving into the state with the sole aim of fomenting and precipitating trouble over the FUOYE crisis.

    “However, the police command is using this medium to warn anyone or group of person(s) against any unlawful assembly with an intent to cause breach of the peace.

    “The command has the constitutional mandate to maintain law and order and also to stop or advice any gathering which it thinks may lead to the break of law and order.

    “Furthermore, the police command shall deal decisively with anyone or group who takes the law into their hands. Such a person will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, no matter how highly placed.”

  • X-raying Oye-Ekiti varsity tragedy

    The circumstances that led to the death of two students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti are still creating a mournful atmosphere in Ekiti State. Different sides of the story have been heard but there are still more untold, reports RASAQ IBRAHIM

    When Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Ekiti State governor’s wife, planned a tour to Oye-Ekiti, the headquarters of Oye Local Government and home of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), she had no inkling that she would be at the centre of a tragedy, which saw the shooting of live bullets at students. Two died.

    The tour was day two of an empowerment programme tagged Obinrinkete tour. Mrs Fayemi’s visit was in continuation of her tour across the 16 local government areas of the state to campaign against gender-based violence, genital mutilation and rape among other women -related issues.

    The tour commenced on Monday, September 9, with visits to two local governments- Ekiti East and Ikole.

    Three local government areas, Moba, Ilejemeje and Oye, were billed for day two. The first two visits were peaceful.

    When the empowerment train arrived in Oye-Ekiti, it met a protest staged by the students of the Federal University over poor power supply to the community and other adjoining communities. The protest turned violent when the students and the security detail around Mrs Fayemi engaged in ‘mortal combat’.

    One of the protesting students, who craved anonymity, told The Nation: “We had gathered as early as 6:39 am in front of the gates of the twin campuses of the institution in both Oye and Ikole to press home our demands.

    “We were frustrated with the protracted issue of poor electricity in the academic area knowing full well it is a necessity to us as students. It was on this basis we proceeded to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) with Aluta spirit to vent our anger. If not for the appeasement by the policemen we would have burnt the offices to ashes.

    “The policemen appealed to us and we left for our various hostels. But when we heard that the wife of Ekiti State governor would be visiting the town for the empowerment and advocacy programme, we regrouped to interface with her and express our grievances.”

    Mrs Fayemi was received by hundreds of excited commercial motorcyclists when she got to the town. At the venue of the event, the old women were anxious for their food bank (Ounje Arugbo), school girls were waiting for their sanitary pads and artisans were there to benefit.

    An 80-year-old widow, Priscilla Adetilu, said the students bombarded the venue of the event.

    “When there were no more spaces inside the hall, I decided to sit outside. Suddenly, I saw a large number of FUOYE students with cudgel and stones. They approached the security operatives at the entrance to allow them into the hall. But they declined.

    “The students insisted that they wanted to see Erelu but one of the policemen said the First Lady could not break protocol and that they should allow her to finish her speech so that they could have an audience with her. It was then the students started shouting it is now! It is now! It is now,” she added.

    “And the next thing I saw was that they started throwing stones and broken bottles into the event centre. They destroyed vehicles in the arena with stones and big sticks. And that tinker the peaceful atmosphere. While trying to scamper for safety, I fell and lost my phone.”

    The protesting students barricaded the Oye-Ikole-Omuo-Lokoja highway and made bonfires to prevent the convoy of the wife of the governor from leaving the town. In an attempt to disperse the students, the security operatives used teargas canisters but the protesting students were unrelenting.

    In the end, two students, a 100- level student of Crop Science and Horticulture, Oluwaseyi Kehinde, and Joseph Okonofua, a 300-level student of biology education department, died. Several students sustained injuries of varying degrees. Also, over a dozen vehicles were vandalised, while that of the security operatives were burnt and two AK47 rifles seized by the rampaging students.

    Mrs Fayemi said her convoy was attacked by the protesting students with stones and sticks.

    She said: “While we were at Ilejemeje, we received a call from our advance security team that FUOYE students were protesting lack of electricity in Oye town.

    “We were told that more information would be provided on the situation. Shortly after, we received words that the students had dispersed and the coast was clear for my visit.

    “When my convoy got to the Oye-Isan junction, we were met by a convoy of excited Okada riders who led us into Oye town. We made a stop at the primary health care centre along the road for me to present delivery kits to expectant mothers.

    “There was no sign of any trouble. We proceeded to the venue of my town hall meeting at the civic centre with women in Oye Local Government. The atmosphere was very peaceful, the women were singing and dancing and there was nothing to indicate that anything was amiss.”

    Fayemi added: “Half-way through our event, there was a disturbance outside. The FUOYE students (and possibly infiltrated by local thugs) had re-grouped and were trying to get into the venue. The security officers prevented this from happening.

    “We finished our programme, and by the time we got outside, we found that vehicles from my convoy and those of my guests that were parked outside the venue had been vandalised.

    “As we were driving out of Oye town, we encountered at least two roadblocks that the students had mounted to prevent the movement of vehicles. I could see students/thugs throwing stones and large sticks at us as we drove by.

    “However, the casualties that were recorded did not take place while I was there. There are eyewitnesses, photographs and video footage to confirm this.”

    But, the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) Publicity Secretary, Adeyemi Azeez, claimed that the crisis occurred because Fayemi’s wife refused to address the protesting students. He alleged that she ordered her security aides to be ruthless with the students – an allegation Mrs Fayemi denied.

    She described the allegations as a concocted falsehood and monumental misrepresentation of facts in all its measures.

    She said she didn’t come across protesting students, noting she couldn’t have objected to civil protest being a human rights crusader.

    She said: “I did not encounter any group of students when I got to Oye town. They had dispersed before my arrival, and when they regrouped I was at the venue.

    “It is possible, as I stated earlier, that the group that came to the venue trying to gain access with sticks and stones in hand might have included local hoodlums, but there was no way of telling the difference.

    “I am scandalised and shocked beyond words to hear that I instructed security officers to shoot at students.

    “If I had met a group of protesting students, as a social justice activist myself, I would have listened to their complaints and addressed them. I firmly believe in citizens’ rights to protest on issues of concern.

    “I am deeply saddened that at least one fatality has been recorded. As a mother, my heart bleeds. All these students are my children, and no mother prays to weep over her offspring.”

    The National Association of Nigerian Students/Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Ekiti chapter, condemned Azeez for his attempts to blackmail Mrs Fayemi to score cheap political points.

    A statement by Ogunleye Abiola Johnson, Ojo Pius Oluwaseun and Owaraye Damilola, chairman, General Secretary and PRO of the group said: “It is imperative to state that the version of the story been promoted by the self- acclaimed PRO of NANS is nothing but a mere conjunction of poorly package lies and blackmail by some rent-seekers who derive pleasure in cashing out from Nigerian students woes.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we will resist any attempt by some fifth columnist to turn this ugly and very regrettable recklessness of the Nigerian Police to a political instrument of blackmail or a paycheque for rent-seekers.”

    FUOYE’s Students Union Government (SUG) President Oluwaseun Awodola insisted that the students were unjustly killed by the governor’s wife’s security details.

    Awodola claimed the peaceful protest turned violent after he was slapped by a security detail attached to Mrs Fayemi.

    “The CSO to the Governor apologised and went to the extent of saying he was ready to take me to the Governor’s office and ensure the CTU officer apologised.

    “He also said we should meet with the governor’s wife but we were unable to meet with anyone as the students didn’t allow their leader to be taken away to meet anyone but kept requesting for the CTU officer.

    “I wasn’t sure what was happening any longer as I saw stones flying from different corners and stray bullets and CTU Officers advancing towards the road and entered the streets.

    “I had to run for safety as I couldn’t move well and fast. Although, where I was heading wasn’t so far, in a few minutes I was indoors as I narrowly escaped different stray bullets by armed police and CTU officers.”

    Ekiti Police Command spokesman DSP Caleb Ikechukwu said the students attacked the convoy of the governor’s wife. He also claimed the police fired no shots.

    The university management shut down the school indefinitely and suspended the students’ union. It also set up a panel to investigate the protest and the circumstances of the death of the students.

    The Ekiti State government sent a delegation to pay condolences to the families of the deceased students.

    The delegation visited Usi Ekiti and Ido Ekiti where the families of Dada Kehinde and Okonufua Joseph stay.

    A source close to the Government House said since the FUOYE incident, Mrs Fayemi has been in “emotional stress”.

    “Her heart is bleeding for those that died and sustained an injury in the occurrence. She is in her saddest moment.

    “It is unfortunate that the ugly occurrence could come at a time when the present administration in Ekiti State is trying to put things aright as a foot gap from the past administration.

    “Many people know that Erelu Fayemi cannot instruct her security detail to shoot the protesting students. It is just a cock and bull story to blight her good name.

    “She’s a mother after all. She understands the value of life. She knows what it means to bring forth and she is like most mothers would never pray for other mothers to lose their children,” she said.

  • Navy warns personnel against substance abuse, violence

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) at the weekend warned its operatives to keep off hard drugs or any substance that could cloud their sense of judgment.

    They were also warned to shun violence or any act that could smear the image of the Navy.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) Rear Admiral Stanfford Enoch gave the warnings at the weekend after the quarterly 10km route march.

    The exercise saw over 600 personnel marching from the headquarters at Harbour Road, Apapa to Costain and back to the admiration of elated road users.

    Rear Admiral Enoch, who was represented by NAVTRAC’s Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Rear Admiral Idowu Yusuf said the NN was warning the personnel against drugs because they carry firearms.

    He said the navy was mindful of the doom it would spell for the country if firearm bearing operatives take to substance abuse.

    Read Also: Navy arrests fishing trawlers for ‘illegal’ activities

    The FOC said: “Stay away from bad substances. There are serious repercussions if you are caught.

    “Remember we carry firearms and so, it could spell doom for the nation if a rifle-bearing rating influenced by hard substance opens fire on people.

    “The warning does not mean there is an issue of drug abuse in the navy. The military is orderly and we do not  wait for things to go bad before we take action. We take action in advance to prevent occurrence of such issues.

    “That is why we are doing this exercise. It is often said that the more we sweat in peace time, the less blood we shed in war time.”

    The Nation reports that the quarterly route march, a directive from the naval headquarters, was held simultaneously across all units and formations in the country.

    According to Enoch, the exercise was aimed at enhancing the mental and physical alertness of personnel as well as assuring Nigerians of their preparedness to defend the country.

    He advised the personnel to undertake routine medical checks, just as he emphasised the need for synergy with other security agencies.

    “You must eschew violence. Running away from violence does not make you a coward, it shows maturity,” he said.

    Similarly, the FOC Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Oladele Daji during the command’s march which held inside Navy Town in Ojo said the need for personnel to keep fit cannot be overemohasised giving the current security challenges in the country.

    Rear Admiral Daji,who was represented by the command’s Operations Officer Commodore Livingstone Izu charged the operatives to remain law abiding citizens and maintain improved.