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  • Police guns down kidnapper in Ogun forest

    Police guns down kidnapper in Ogun forest

    Operatives of the Federal Special Anti – Robbery Squad ( FSARS ) of the police have gunned down a suspected kidnapper after night invasion of Ilaro forest, Ogun State, for  members of a kidnapping  gang.

    The gang’s  victim, Sanni Dan Nasarawa, who escaped from their den after spending a week with them in the forest, reported his abduction to the Police in Abeokuta which made the FSARS to storm the forest and in the process, one of them was shot dead while seven others escaped with wounds.

    Sani Nasarawa was said to escaped  when the rope used to tie him snapped by night while  his abductors were fast asleep.

    An AK47 riffle loaded with 15rounds of ammunition was recovered from them.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a release, stated that the kidnapper was shot dead on Friday morning on discovering their hide out after the FSARS combed the forest all through Thursday night.

    Abimbola the dead kidnapper is a member of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing Ilaro and its environs.

    “He was a member of kidnapping syndicate when in the early hour of Friday 2nd of February, he was shot dead by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad led by  Uba Adam.

    “The gang have earlier kidnapped one Sanni Dan Nasarawa, took him to a thick forest where they tied him down for seven days waiting for his people to pay them ransom. 

    “Luck however smiles on him when the rope they used to tie him got loose while his abductors were fast asleep. He subsequently escaped and ran to FSARS office in Abeokuta where he lodged complain.

    “Upon his report, the officer –in charge FSARS quickly mobilized his men and followed the victim to the forest. The team combed the forest from6pm of 1st February up till about 4:00am of 2nd February before they came across the gang who engaged them in serious gun battle which lasted for almost an hour.

    “At the end of the encounter, one of the suspects was gunned down while others numbering about seven escaped with various degree of gunshot injuries.

    The Police Spokesman in the state state appealed to the public, especially hospitals and traditional healers, to report anybody they see with gunshot injury in their vicinity.

  • Bayelsa to fight crimes with drones

    Bayelsa to fight crimes with drones

    Bayelsa state government, yesterday said it would launch a drone crime control system and a social park to fight criminality in the state.

    Speaking at the ongoing inter-ministerial briefings in Yenagoa, the state capital, state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Chief Blessing Ipigansi-Igbagara, said the anti-crime drones were developed by an indigenous manpower and technology system.

    He said the development was in line with the present administration’s zero tolerance for crime and criminality.

    He said the system would be directly linked to the police on patrol duty at different locations adding that about four  drones with the speed limit of 150 kilometer per hour would deployed to every police station in the state.

    He said since the inception of the Dickson’s administration, the ministry had collaborated with the Federal and Foreign Agencies in the area of training and capacity building to address manpower needs of the state.

    He said the ministry was also developing the data base of unemployed graduates.

    The commissioner also added that the era of non-completion and abandonment of projects by recalcitrant contractors was over in the state.

    Explaining further he said the ministry of Science and Technology had developed a video monitoring system to oversee the activities of the contractors handling various projects in the state.

    Also in his presentation, the Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs. Ebiere Ajua-Musa said the state government had awarded a contract for the Ox Bow Water Park to be situated behind the Silverbird Galleria.

    He said the contractor assured that the project would be completed in 60 days.

    Ajua-Musa, said to curb capital flight, the state government approved the siting of an Amusement Park opposite Government House.

     She said the Castle Hotel which is 90% completed, Golf Course, Polo Club, Ox Bow Lake Hotel which would be put to use this year.

    She said her ministry trained over 300 Bayelsans in cinematography in collaboration with the Africa Music Award; hosted the first ever New Year Festival and ensured legislation of the tourism sector in the state with plans to construct a film village.

    Also presenting his scorecard, the Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Mr. Austin Dressman commended Governor Seriake Dickson for approving the completion of eight out of the 10 mausoleum at the Ijaw Heroes Park.

    He said already Dickson had given the nod for the construction of the 400 seater pavilion at the park which would be completed in three months.

    The commissioner lauded the efforts of the governor at ensuring the completion of the Ijaw House and also resolving the lingering crisis in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ijaw National Congress (INC), payment of stipends to the Boro family and for helping Ijaws in Edo and Akwa Ibom and other places.

    Also the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Martha Jenakumo, said the state government trained over 400 women and widows in handcrafts.

    She named the handcrafts as  hairdressing, bead and soap making, fabric weaving, tailoring, catering, fashion designing, cane craft, and fabric weaving, to enable them become self-reliant and contribute to the growth and development of the state.

    She also expressed appreciation to Dickson for empowering about 500 cooperatives, comprising 10 women each with N500,000 naira each since 2013 amounting to N250m.

    Speaking on the need to end maternal mortality rate in the state, the Commissioner scored government high for the training of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA).

    She lauded the ongoing construction of an eye clinic, the Glory Land Children’s Home, Women Affairs School, signing of the Child Rights Bill and acquisition of 700 hectares of land for construction of remand home at Elebele.

  • LAUTECH ranked as Nigeria’s best state varsity

    LAUTECH ranked as Nigeria’s best state varsity

    In spite of repeated workers strike that held down academic and other activities at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso in the last one year, the institution has been ranked as the best state university in Nigeria.

    A statement by the institution’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Lekan Fadeji, said the latest ranking by Webometric, which puts the Institution as 14th overall in the country and 3680 in the World, goes to confirm that despite the debilitating effect of the industrial crisis, LAUTECH’s leadership position among its peers remains unchallenged.

    Reacting to the news, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, reiterated the commitment of management to ensuring that the Institution’s present financial position is not allowed to affect its determination to train eggheads to man the various technological spaces of the future.

    He added that the Governing Council, led by Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, has assured that whatever the university needs to stay on top would be encouraged.

    LAUTECH had in the past been named the number one state university in Nigeria by various ranking organizations, including the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    Webometrics ranking of world universities, also known as Ranking Web of Universities, is a ranking system for the world’s universities based on a composite indicator that takes into account both the volume of the web contents (number of web pages and files) and the visibility and their impacts.

  •  Delta to establish rape and domestic violence referral centre

     Delta to establish rape and domestic violence referral centre

    The Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor has said victims of rape and domestic violence of speedy justice.

    He assured that the Violence against Persons Bill before the State House of Assembly would further protect the rights of women and children against abuse and violence.

    Mrakpor made this known yesterday during a courtesy visit by the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Asaba-the Delta State Capital.

    Peter Mrakpor while expressing joy on the impactful presence of FIDA in the State in championing the rights of women and children pledged the administration’s commitment to their cause.

    He said the Ministry of Justice would to grant a fiat to members of FIDA to enable them prosecute offenders.

    Mrakpor informed the female lawyer’s efforts to establish a Rape and Domestic Violence Referral Centre in the State, including a Rehabilitation Centre for victims, and charged them to intensify their public enlightenment campaign efforts in order to create adequate awareness.

     While lamenting that women and children are the most vulnerable in society, the Attorney-General promised to mobilize staff of the Ministry and other top government functionaries to be part of FIDA road walk to create awareness on rape, cultism, drug abuse and all forms of harmful practices and discrimination against women.

    Earlier, the chairperson of Delta FIDA, Mrs. Lauretta Omezi stated that the organization which is non-governmental and non-profit organization has affiliate organization in 73 countries across the globe.

    Mrs. Omezi who solicited for partnership with the Ministry towards the attainment of its selfless services, including a request for the establishment of an Office in the Ministry of Justice for the handling of all FIDA related cases, disclosed that FIDA is a dynamic organization whose membership cut across all strata of society including the bench, academia and the business world.

  • Benue’ll not succumb to any move to repeal law – Ortom

    Benue’ll not succumb to any move to repeal law – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says his government would not succumb to any intimidation or move to repeal the open grazing, prohibition and ranches establishment law.

    Governor Ortom stated this when he visited Three Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camps including Abagena, LGEA Primary School Daudu and United Nations High Commission for refugees ( UNHC ) Shelter.

    He restated his resolve to continue to call on the Federal Government to rise and stop the killings and displacement of Benue people by Fulani herdsmen as such was the lawful thing to do.

    Governor Ortom stated that the federal government with the capacity to stop the killings in the state had allowed People to be playing game with the matter to divert attention by accusing his administration of raising Six Thousand militia men and making inflammatory remarks.

    The Governor directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo to deploy a team of medical personnel to the Abagena IDP camp newly created to provide health services there.

    Governor Ortom also directed that security Personnel be provided at the new Abagena camp housing displaced persons from neighbouring Nasarawa State to ensure adequate security.

    He also called for humanitarian assistance from civil society groups,spirited individuals and the international community,adding that the number of displaced persons and their needs far outweigh resources of the state.

    Earlier, Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Emmanuel Shior said the Abagena camp has over Six Thousand most of who were from Nasarawa state, adding that relief materials had equally been deployed there.

  • We will respond to Obasanjo’s Coalition Movement at the right time – Tinubu

    We will respond to Obasanjo’s Coalition Movement at the right time – Tinubu

    ….Obasanjo playing politics with letter to Buhari 

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress ( APC )  and former governor of Lagos State,  Bola Tinubu, yesterday said that the party will respond to the Coalition Movement launched by former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the “appropriate time “.

    He accused Obasanjo of playing politics with his open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, where he accused him of (Buhari) of non performance.

    Tinubu who made a stop over in Owerri, the Imo State capital on his way to Anambra State for the burial ceremony of late former Vice President in the company of another APC leader, Chief Bisi Akande, insisted that Obasanjo could have exploited other better ways of communicating his observations about the Buhari’s administration other than open letter if not politically motivated. 

    According to the APC leader, who jocularly said that the letter was not written to him, “Obasanjo wrote it about the government. It is a very good awareness on his part and they are both from the same background. I believe that is the doctrine  of Military Officers (retired) because he has unrestricted access to the President, either through the Council of State or by any other means that he need to see the current President privately and he was his junior in the Army.  So I think Obasanjo was playing politics with his public letter that’s all I see. He could have used other means,  he met him in the AU too he has a way of discussing privately but the letter is being responded to by the government”.

    Also responding to the former launching of Obasanjo’s Coalition Movement, in the brief interview with journalists at the Imo State Government House,  Tinubu,  said that it is still too early to respond to the development, 

    He said, “the appropriate time is not now for response on the Coalition Movement but we are in a democracy, we are in a country that is a signatory to the Charter of the United Nation which guarantees free movement, free association and free speech”.

    On the reason for his visit, he stated that, “the governor is a very good friend and the government that is here is our government, the APC government. We are here to pay final  respect to the gentleman and Nationalist, Alex  Ekwueme”.

  • Kenyatta is Kenya’s President, U.S. tells Odinga

    Kenyatta is Kenya’s President, U.S. tells Odinga

    The U.S. Government declared that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was validly elected as the president of the country in accordance with Kenya’s constitution.

    The U.S. Department of State in a statement said it was gravely concerned by Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga’s self-“inauguration” on Tuesday as Kenya’s ‘People’s President’.

    The statement issued by Ms Heather Nauert, Department Spokesperson, said: “We reject actions that undermine Kenya’s Constitution and the rule of law.

    “Uhuru Kenyatta was elected as President of the Republic of Kenya on Oct. 26, 2017 in a poll that was upheld by Kenya’s Supreme Court.

    “Grievances must be resolved through appropriate legal mechanisms”.

    The U.S. commended the restraint shown by security forces and urge them to continue to refrain from any unnecessary or excessive use of force.

    The U.S. said any arrests and prosecutions must be made in full accordance with the rule of law and demonstrate transparent due process.

    “We urge all Kenyans to reject violence and hatred. Protesters have a right to assemble peacefully, to express their views freely, and to hold opinions without interference.

    “We are also deeply concerned by the Government’s action to shut down, intimidate, and restrict the media.

    “Freedom of expression, including for members of the media, is essential to democracy and is enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution,” the statement read.

    The U.S. urged the Government and all Kenyans to respect freedom of expression and implement court orders calling for the restoration of television broadcasts.

    The U.S. further said: “We again urge Kenyan leaders and citizens to begin a national conversation to build cohesion and address long-standing issues.

    “The U. S. continues to support efforts by religious, business, and civil society leaders to begin this conversation in the near future and calls on everyone to participate in this endeavour.

    “The U. S. stands firmly with the people of Kenya; it is only Kenyans who can find a way to resolve their differences and chart the destiny of this great country”.

    NAN

  • 2019: APC embarks on CVR grassroots sensitisation in Ebonyi

    2019: APC embarks on CVR grassroots sensitisation in Ebonyi

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ), has commenced grassroots sensitisation tour to mobilise the electorate in the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi, to register in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

     Mr Eze Nwachukwu, Acting APC Chairman in Ebonyi, led other members of the State Working Committee (SWC) to launch the campaign on Friday in Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area.

     Nwachukwu, who addressed the people, said that the sensitisation was in line with the directive from the national headquarters of APC.

     According to him, the exercise is aimed at mobilising , educating and sensitising eligible grassroots voters on the need to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.

     He said that as the 2019 general elections draw closer, that it was imperative that rural communities were mobilised to fully participate in the ongoing CVR, stressing that bulk of the voters reside in rural areas.

    “Registration and collection of the voter cards is the only qualification to vote in the elections; any eligible voter without his or her voter card will have no business at the polling booths during election,” Nwachukwu said.

    He said that current reforms in the electoral system would make it difficult to rig elections in 2019, assuring the people that their votes must count in the elections.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has assured Nigerians of commitment to conduct credible elections in 2019.

    “The electronic transmission of election results to be adopted in 2019 will make it difficult to rig in 2019, and this will put election riggers out of business.

    “We are here today to appeal to the people of Afikpo North to go to any INEC office nearest to them and register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    “It is your civic right and obligation to vote and you must resist anything that will deny you opportunity to exercise this important civic duty.

    “We again assure you that your votes will count in 2019. “

    Nwachukwu urged party faithful and APC supporters to ensure that they effectively participate in the CVR exercise and other vital electoral processes.

    He advised the electorate against selling their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and urged them to resist politicians who would come to demand their PVCs in exchange for employment, empowerment or to give them bank loans.

    “It is a criminal offence to engage in selling or buying of voter cards and you must report those found to indulge in such illicit transactions.

    “Your voter card is your property and the only right you have as citizens to exercise your voting rights to elect your leaders; selling it means disqualifying yourselves.

    “There is no rule in the civil service that requires your voter card for employment or empowerment and no bank will require you to submit your voter card to give you loan.

    “You must resist any attempt that will make them disenfranchise you and must report such persons to the Police,” Nwachukwu said.

    He said that the party would constitute local government and ward committees in the 13 local government areas of the state that would be charged with the mandate of door-to-door mobilisation of rural communities to come out and register.

    Meanwhile, the chairman has charged APC faithful in the local government to remain supportive of the party and to work hard to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the area in 2019.

    He announced that the party would commence membership registration, and urged members who were yet to formally register with the party to avail themselves of the opportunity.

    “We have over 18,000 registered members of our great party in Afikpo North and we are opening another window of opportunity to enable members who are yet to formally register to do so.

    “It’s only those with our membership registration cards that will be allowed to participate in voting during the party primaries and congresses,” he added.

    NAN

  • Magu: Lawyers differ following court ruling

    Magu: Lawyers differ following court ruling

    Senior lawyers yesterday expressed different views on the status of Ibrahim Magu as Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) following yeaterday’s judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Justice J. T. Tsoho said the senate acted within the law when it screened and rejected Magu’s nomination as EFCC chairman.

    Prof Itse Sagay SAN, Seyi Sowemimo SAN, Festus Keyamo SAN and Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ) Vice President Monday Onyekachi Ubani offered their thoughts pending when they read the full judgment. 

    Sagay said: “I don’t expect that the judgment will have an effect on Ibrahim Magu’s status as Acting EFCC Chairman. I don’t expect that there’s anything externally that is going to affect Magu’s position. 

    “I don’t know whether the judge considered Section 171 of the Constitution which even allows the President to appoint heads of agencies like Magu’s agency without any reference to the Senate. That is already there, so I don’t know what was brought to the court’s attention. When we see the full judgment we will be able to express our opinion. 

    Sowemimo observed, among others, that in the event that the ruling includes a court order removing Magu from office, he would probably seek a stay of execution and launch an appeal.

    Keyamo noted, among others, the law did not prescribe a time limit for Magu to remain in an acting capacity. 

    Keyamo said: The fact that the law has not circumscribed the amount of time or the time period that someone can act as the head of an agency, it would mean therefore that I see no legal problem at all in Ibrahim Magu continuing to act as the Chairman of the EFCC, there is no legal impediment at all.”

    But Ubani advised the Executive to “respect and obey the judgement of the 

    Federal High Court unless they have secured a contrary judgement from the appellate courts.”

  • Herdsmen /farmers violence: NEC to visit affected states for consultations

    Herdsmen /farmers violence: NEC to visit affected states for consultations

    The National Economic Council, NEC, on the Herdsmen /Farmers violence  has constituted a Sub-Committee to visit frontline States involved  in the conflict.

    They are to hold consultations with stakeholders and interested parties on how to end the conflicts.

    At the meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday,  a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said that it was resolved that the Sub-Committee which has Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State as Chairman would visit Benue, Taraba, Zamfara and Adamawa States in order to understand the different dynamics of the conflict and develop long term workable solutions.

    Other members of the Sub-Committee are the Governors of Plateau, Benue, Taraba, and Adamawa States, while the committee would co-opt relevant experts and technical groups in the discharge of its assignment.

    The meeting at the Presidential Villa was attended by the Governors of Zamfara; Abdul’aziz Yari, Ebonyi; David Umahi, Kaduna; Nasir El-Rufai; Plateau, Simon Lalong, Adamawa; Bindo Umaru Jubrilla and the Deputy Governors of Oyo, and Benue States; Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo & Engr. Benson Abuonu. 

    The Minister for Agriculture & Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and the Interior Minister, General Abdulrahman Dambazau were also in attendance. 

    At its meeting last month, the National Economic Council decided to constitute a Working Group that will work in accordance with the President’s commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators of violence in the clashes between the herdsmen and farmers are brought to book and bring an end to the conflicts.