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  • Sanwo-Olu unveils inauguration committee ahead of swearing

    Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Thursday unveiled an inauguration committee that will usher in his administration on May 29th this year.

    Mr Sanwo-Olu, who was in company of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, presented the committee members at his campaign office on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

    A statement signed by media officer to the Governor-elect, Gboyega Akosile said the committee is chaired by the Director-General of Babajide Sanwo-Olu Independent Campaign Group (ICG), Mr Tayo Ayinde, while the Lagos State APC Women Leader, Honourable Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Mr. George Osifeko will serve as Vice Chairmen respectively and Mrs. Titi Oshodi will act as secretary.

    While unveiling the inauguration team, the governor-elect said the committee is mandated with a responsibility of organizing a smooth programmes that will usher in his administration. The committee is also billed to reach out to Nigerians in corporate and political sectors, stakeholders and various interest groups locally and internationally to grace the swearing-in.

    Sanwo-Olu urged members of the committee to co-operate and work diligently in achieving their mandate. He also tasked the team members to streamline their activities with the plans of the outgoing government and work with security agencies in order to have smooth transition.

    Read also: Sanwo-Olu,  Hamzat to unveil key roadmap

    Mr Ayinde assured the governor-elect and his deputy of the committee’s readiness to organize a seamless swearing-in programme.

    He pledged the committee members’ readiness to work assiduously towards achieving an inauguration ceremony that will become a reference point in annals of political events in Nigeria.

    ”I want to assure your Excellencies that sitting before you are highly experienced men and women who have contributed tremendously to various industries. I can attest to their individual capacity to deliver on the terms of reference of a smooth inauguration ceremony.” Ayinde State.

    Other members of the committee include:

    Mrs. Obiageli Onu

    Mrs. Funke Bucknor Obruthe

    Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo

    Mr. Kamal Salau-Bashua

    Mr. Olatunji Disu

    Mr. Kappo Emmanuel

    Mr. Bolaji Durojaiye

    Mrs. Olabopo Odiachi

    Mr. Bimbo Onabanjo

    Mr. Ajala Rasaq

    Mrs. Taiwo Abiodun

    Ayiri Oladunmoye

    Mr. Gboyega Akosile

    Mr. Lanre Adeyinka

    Mr. Sesan Daini

  • Senate Presidency: Lawan’s choice majority decision– Group

    Sen. Ahmed Lawan Media Support Group (SALMSG) says the choice of the senator as President of the 9th Senate was beyond the decision of a single leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Convener of the group, Malam Abdul Abuh, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Abuh said various levels of the party had expressed support for the candidature of Lawan including the APC National Working Committee, the Presidency, majority of APC senators-elect and governors of the party.

    He said these are the critical stakeholders of the party that reserve the right to intervene in the affairs of their party.

    “The attention of the Sen. Ahmed Lawan media support group has been drawn to a statement exposing desperate antics by agents of those that have lost out in the ongoing democratic process ahead of the election of presiding officers of the ninth NASS.

    “We have been foretold of plots to sponsor political jobbers in the garb of youth associations to disparage the person of Sen. Lawan and to also berate the ruling APC on its decision to endorse Lawan as President of the 9th senate.

    “Such predicted desperate approach manifested in a statement issued by a group in the name of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) which has a well-known reputation as opportunistic and political hirelings.

    “This is a self-delusional claim as AYCF cannot be said to represent Arewa youths going by its antecedents, especially in the just concluded elections, when it rejected President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

    Abuh said aside his endorsement by the party, Lawan had been actively engaging all senators-elect across party lines with the view to securing popular support.

    “At the moment, he has succeeded in garnering the support of majority of senators-elect,” he said.

    He said that Lawan was qualified for the position and remained the most experienced amonh other aspirants. (NAN)

  • Gunmen attack Adamawa community, kill 4

    A husband and wife and their two granddaughters have been killed in an attack on Bolon, a town in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    Witnesses said on Thursday evening that the armed killers descended on the town about 10 pm on Wednesday, shooting and burning down houses.

    The village head of the affected town, Robinson Filgona, said: “Over one hundred households in my community are now homeless because their houses have been burnt down.

    “Our food stuffs have also been burnt to ashes just like that. If you go round town now, you will see several of our houses are still on fire.”

    The village head added: “At about 10 pm, the Fulani militants descended on our community heavily armed and started shooting at everyone they could see.

    “We quickly mobilised to defend our lives and property but all we have are just our local bows and arrows, so they overpowered us. In fact, it is because of the resistance we mounted that you still see some few houses standing.”

    Read also: Gang members kill student, injure octogenarian, others in Adamawa

    The member-elect from the Demsa LGA, Kate Mamuno, corroborated the village head’s account.

    He said: “This is the third time this community has been attacked by this murderous group and yet they go away without being apprehended by the security people. Almost three quarters of the village has been burnt down.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Othman Abubakar, said although he had been informed of the attack, he was yet to get the details of it.

    Demsa is a neighbouring LGA to Numan, an LGA about 45 minutes’ drive to the state capital, Yola, where gunmen attacks have been frequent in the last couple of months and years.

  • NBA Next Generation will help shape players’ careers

    NBA Academy Africa Technical Director, Roland Houston has commend the players that took part in the Next Generation programme that took place in Minneapolis and Tampa from April 6-8, saying the experience will go a long way in shaping their careers.

    Seven Nigerian male basketball players – Chukwudalu Calistus Egbejiogu, Victor Ezeh, John Kenoye, Oluwatobi Samuel Ariyibi, Joshua Ojianwuna, Nelly Joseph and Abdou Aziz Bandaogo. Others African players who took part in the event are Papa Malick Thiam (Senegal), Kurt-Curry Wegscheider (Central African Republic), Babacar Faye (Senegal) Saliou Seye (Senegal) and Mouhamed Lamine Mbaye (Senegal)

    Four African female players – Diouma Berthe (Mali), Alexia Dizeko (Angola), Yacine Ndiaye (Senegal), Aicha Ndour (Senegal) also took part in event.

    Houston, who led the players to the US, said the team performed extremely well and represented the Academy and the continent in a positive matter adding that the players showed character, intelligence and toughness.

    While admitting that it is too early to say at this point who will play in the NBA, Houston, however, noted that “we do have guys who have shown a high skill set and dedication. With continued work and the help of the staff they will have all the resources and information to make the jump.”

    Speaking on the impact the programme will have on the career of the players, he stated the NBA Academy has a 360 degree holistic approach towards developing players both on the court and off. “If a player is a hard worker and wants to be special, the programme has all the necessary components to help them being successful in life,” he added.

    He continued: “I am very impressed with basketball on the continent. I have been to some great countries here and hopefully will visit Nigeria soon as well. Some of the coaches have very few resources and what they do with what they have was not only a great education for me, but it also opened my eyes on how good some of these coaches are.”

     

  • Court orders INEC to withdraw Buhari’s ex-aide Certificate–of- Return

    A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Thursday disqualified AbdulRahman Kawu Sumaila as the elected representative of Sumaila/Takai federal constituency of Kano at the National Assembly.

     Shamsudeen Dambazau of the APC had sued INEC, APC and AbdulRahman Kawu  Sumaila challenging the recognition of AbdulRahman Kawu  Sumaila  as the APC House of Representatives candidate for Sumaila/Takai federal constituency.

    The presiding judge, Justice Lewis Allagoa ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued Sumaila, ruling he was not the duly elected as a member of the House of Representatives member for Sumaila/Takai federal constituency.

    The court declared he did not participate in the primary election.

    The plaintiff in the suit, Shamsudeen Dambazau had approached the court, praying the nullification of Sumaila’s recognition by INEC as duly elected as he never participated in the primary election of the party.

    He told the court through his Counsel, Barrister Nuraini Jimoh that AbdulRahman Kawu  Sumaila contested for Kano South Senatorial seat  at primary with Kabiru Gaya and lost the race.

    Read also: Atiku and the tale of the INEC server

    Justice Lewis Allagoa also ordered INEC to recognise Shamsudeen Dambazau as the duly elected House of Representative member representing for Sumaila/Takai federal constituency.

    Sumaila, who was represented by his Counsel, Barrister Muhammad Auwal Tofa declined to comment with journalists.

    However, Kawu popularly called Kawu Sumaila was the SSA to President Buhari on National Assembly House of Representatives Matters from 27 August 2015.

    He later resigned few months to 2019 general elections to contest for the contested federal constituency slot.

  • EFCC appeals verdict on Goje’s no-case submission

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, against the judgment of a Federal High Court in Gombe, which partially upheld a no-case submission by former Governor Danjuma Goje.

    The commission tried Goje on an amended N5billion fraud charge.

    He was charged along with Alhaji Aliyu U. El-Nafaty and S.M. Dokoro Gombe (aka S.M Dokoro).

    EFCC, through its prosecuting counsel Wahab Shittu, said Goje, between September and November 2010, allegedly forged a document titled: Resolution authorising His Excellency the Executive Governor of Gombe State to acquire loan of N5,000,000,000.00 only with Ref. No: GM/HA/RES/VOL. 1/17.

    The commission said the resolution was purportedly signed by Clerk of the Gombe State House of Assembly Shehu Atiku with the intent that it be used or acted upon as genuine by Access Bank Plc.

    The commission said its investigation on the N5 billion facility obtained from Access Bank by the Goje administration for infrastructural projects revealed that the purported House resolution authorising it was forged.

    Ruling on Goje’s no-case submission, Justice O. B. Quadri, on March 22, dismissed 19 of the 21-count charge, retaining only two.

    Goje filed an appeal to challenge the court’s refusal to up-hold his no-case submission in its entirety.

    In its cross-appeal, EFCC said the lower court erred in numerous respects.

    The commission said the lower court embarked on extensive evaluation of evidence, including the credibility of prosecution witnesses in its ruling.

    Read also: EFCC arraigns dismissed judge Ajumogobia for ‘money laundering’

    “The court at the stage of no case submission is not expected to consider credibility of witnesses or evaluate the evidence,” Shittu said.

    Besides, he said the lower court ignored prima facie evidential materials contained in several exhibits tendered before court.

    The EFCC counsel added that the court failed to consider that the N5billion facility did not comply with rules for capital expenditure, and that the purported resolution auhorising the loan was forged.

    After highlighting several other errors by the lower court, Shittu urged the Court of Appeal to set aside aspects of the ruling sustaining Goje’s no case submission.

    EFCC sought an order directing the defendants to enter their defence in respect of the counts for which they were discharged.

  • Train kills truck driver, conductor in Aba

    A yet-to-be-identified articulate truck driver has been reportedly killed in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State by a cargo train.

    The incident, our reporter gathered, occurred at a railway crossing located behind the popular Cemetery market in Aba South Local Government Area of the state.

    Sources at the scene told our reporter that the driver of the articulated truck and his conductor died at the spot.

    According to them, the train was reportedly returning to Aba from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, said that the body of the conductor was evacuated in the night while the body of the driver was evacuated Thursday morning by the Aba Railway authority.

    Narrating the incident, a source at the location who gave his name as Kingsley Okoro said: “The driver of the truck, we learnt brought ice fish to a warehouse located near the railway. We was said to have finished offloading the fish before his truck got stuck at the middle of the rail track.

    “The driver was said to have made frantic attempts to move away the truck from the rail track. Luck was said to have ran out of him when the passenger and cargo train coming back from Port Harcourt to Aba suddenly surfaced.

    Read also: Abia to meet corps members’ needs

    “The driver and the conductor couldn’t escape as the train rammed into the stationary truck while the driver was trying to fix his spoilt car.

    “The body of the conductor, we learnt was taken away in the night from the point where the train dragged the car to while the body of the driver which was trapped under the car was later taken away in ambulance this morning.

    “The identity of the driver and the conductor were yet to be known.

    “The cold room has remained a ghost land as many of its customers who came in the morning, on hearing the news and to possibly avoid police arrest, avoided the cold room.”

    Attempts to speak with the Aba Railway authorities failed as some of the personnel claimed that they were not authorized to speak with the press.

  • Tension rises in Benin Republic over parliamentary election

    The coalition of opposition political parties in Republic of Benin on Thursday raised the alarm over alleged growing political tension in the country.

    The opposition parties claimed persecution of politicians opposed to the ruling government in the country.

    A statement by one of the leaders of the coalition, Mr. Jean Adèkambi, claimed President Patrice Talon has dissolved all political parties and created only two new parties.

    Adekambi said that the move was aimed at preventing opposition parties from participating in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the country.

    He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari “as the chairman of ECOWAS and a big brother in Africa cannot fold his arms and watch Benin Republic throw the sub-region into a possible endless political crisis that might cause the loss of thousands of lives and resources.”

    Adèkambi said: “Let this be clear. Nigeria has over 800 kilometers land border with Benin Republic and principally stands to suffer the consequences of any political instability in Benin Republic.

    “Therefore, on behalf of all opposition parties in Benin Republic, we call on the Government and good people of Nigeria to prevail on President Patrice Talon to revert to status quo by allowing all the political parties to participate in the forthcoming election and if possibly, postpone the election to give room for equal participation.

    “And also, to caution the president against the militarisation on Benin politics by rolling out hundreds of war equipment on the streets and every site in Benin to intimidate the public.”

    Read Also: Oyo, Benin Republic partner on trade

    He added: “The latest development is that President Patrice Talon has dissolved all political parties and single-handedly created two new parties to pave way for his relatives and his loyalist and to prevent the opposition from taking part in the forthcoming parliamentary election.

    “The ECOWAS protocol agreement forbids any government from organising any non-consensual electoral process six months to election date.

    “Benin Republic has commenced full campaign for the Parliamentary Election, scheduled to take place on the 28th April, 2019. That is to say, in two weeks’ time.

    “In view of this development, we fear that Nigeria may recall its citizens from Benin Republic ahead of the election and may close its border to Benin Republic as to avert any possible security breach and inflow of displaced persons. This will then bring hardship to the ordinary man of Benin Republic.”

    The Beninese Foreign Affairs and Cooperation minister, Aurelian Agbenonci, contacted described the claims as fake news.

    Agbenonci said that the accusation is, no doubt, the handiwork of opposition leaders.

    He noted that there are procedures to establish political parties in Benin Republic.

    The international community, he said, to ignore the allegation especially when the country is peaceful.

    Agbenonci said: “The story in question is fake news. It is the handiwork of opposition leaders in the country.

    “As I speak to you, I am just from a rally in my country and I didn’t go with a policeman.

    “The country is peaceful and those saying that they are being persecuted are lying.

    “There is a procedure in establishing political parties in our country and they need to follow the guidelines.”

  • We collected N5m ransom for Lagos Fire Service boss, says suspect

    One of the suspects arrested for kidnapping Lagos Fire Service Director Rasaki Musibau has said the gang collected N5million ransom for his release.

    Blessing Boyo, 29, told reporters the gang leader identified simply as MK who’s still at large, had told them the money brought was N5million and that he would share it when they returned to base.

    Boyo was paraded alongside Smart Alfred on Thursday evening by Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu.

    Narrating how they kidnapped Musibau and six others around 8pm on April 6, Boyo said they used timbers to block the road before ambushing their victims.

    He said the four guns used for the operation were brought by MK who allegedly lured him into kidnapping.

    Boyo said: “MK called me for the operation. He had guys in the bush. He brought out guns and said it was kidnapping work. I have not kidnapped before. I used to carry timber with an operator.

    “We blocked the road with woods, stopped vehicles and kidnapped them. We had four guns and it was MK that brought it. I have not been given any money.

    “He said we should return to base first. It was MK that was with the money. He told us that the money was N5million.

    Read Also: Lagos Fire Service chief, six others abducted

    “My first time in Lagos was on April 5. I am from Arogbo in Ondo State. We did not beat the man. We took the man to the bush. He was fed cooked food. MK’s boys cooked Egusi and Eba and the one was served.”

    Corroborating Boyo’s statement, Alfred, also a native of Arogbo in Ondo State, said they followed MK because he fooled them he was a timbre operator and needed carriers.

    He said it was when they got to the bush that he told them it was kidnapping job and since he was jobless, he joined him.

    “The guy told us to follow him to do carrier work since we were jobless at the time.

    “He approached us because he knows we are into carrier work. I followed him to the bush because i believed it was carrier work.

    “I did not understand what he meant. He showed us guns and said this is the work he is into.

    “I asked if he wanted to kill me and he said he will show me how he does the work.

    “As we got to where we wanted to operate, he cut a wood and blocked the road. MK fled when police arrested us,” he said.

    Muazu told reporters that the suspects were arrested on April 10 at about 5:30am at Ibafun alomg Ikorodu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, a boundary community with Ogun.

    According to the police chief, all kidnapped victims regained their freedom following a sustained and well- coordinated operation by the command’s Tactical Anti-kidnapping unit.

    “They all confessed to the commission of the crime. Two single barrel guns were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing,” Muazu said.

  • Nigeria’s economy outlook positive, says Lai Mohammed

    The Muhammadu Buhari Administration has laid the necessary groundwork for the growth of the nation’s economy, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

    He therefore urged investors to take advantage of the government’s efforts by investing massively in Nigeria.

    The Minister according to a statement by his media aide, Mr. Segue Adeyemi made the call in London on Thursday, at a breakfast meeting with investors, lawyers, the business community and diplomats with ties to Nigeria.

    The minister stated that the country – as the largest economy and a political powerhouse in Africa – represents a highly attractive market and investment partner.

    ”Not only is our administration positive about our economy’s outlook, but the $5 billion in foreign investment that we have secured after the recent elections signals that you, the international community, share our positive outlook and confidence in the administration’s policy,” he said.

    Read Also: APC’s victory in Kwara for Nigerians, says Lai Mohammed

    Alhaji Mohammed said in the past four years, President Muhammadu Buhari has led the nation’s economy from recession to growth through his Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), in addition to diversifying the economy.

    ”While there is no denying that oil remains an important part of the economy, we have diversified, with real GDP growth being driven by the expansion of non-oil activities,” he said, adding that the service sector, for example, is responsible for 54% of GDP and has become the primary driver of growth for the economy.

    The Minister said Nigeria’s successful battle against insecurity and corruption has made the country an advocate for transparency and accountability in Africa, while further strengthening its economy.

    On the recent general elections, he said the re-election of President Buhari is a validation of the fact that Nigerians recognized the change and transformation that the administration has brought to the country.

    He however described as disappointing and deeply irresponsible the attempts by the opposition to discredit the election and undermine the democratic choice of the Nigerian people, saying local and international observers have described the elections as credible.

    ”We will not be distracted from our vision and we hope that the opposition will join us in shaping a better future for Nigeria, for the benefit not only of the people of Nigeria but the region and the continent,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

    The event is part of the ongoing visit of the Minister to the US and the UK to meet with the international media, opinion molders and think tanks.

    The Minister, who was interviewed by the BBC, VOA, SKY TV, Al-Jazeera, Washington Post, Reuters, The Economist, Financial Times and the Africa Report, among others, also met with the Atlantic Council, the Council on Foreign Relations and the international not-for-profit corporation FINCA, all in Washington, DC.