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  • MNJTF eliminates 27 Boko Haram Terrorists

    Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have neutralized 27 Boko Haram terrorists in coordinated operations in the northern parts of Borno state.

    Spokesman of the MNJTF, Colonel Timothy Antigha, said the troops also recovered armed and ammunition from them.

    Colonel Antigha explained in a statement that the operations leading to the onslaught against the terrorists were in tandem with the resolutions and agreements reached by the Heads of State of Countries of the Lake Chad Basin to create a safe and secure environment in areas affected by Boko Haram activities.

    Colonel Antigha said : “You will recall that at the summit of the Heads of State and Government of countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission held in N’Djamena, Chad, last November, multilateral agreements were fine – tuned and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) was repositioned to deliver on its mandate, which is to:

    “Create a safe and secure environment in the areas affected by the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorists groups, in order to significantly reduce violence against civilians and other abuses, including sexual and gender based violence, in full compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law and the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, among others.

    “In pursuance of this mandate, the MNJTF launched Operation YANCIN TAFKI on January 22, 2019.

    Read Also: Troops kill 27 Boko Haram terrorists, recover arms, ammunition

    “Accordingly, varying degrees of successes continues to be recorded since the operation started. Over the weekend troops of the MNJTF again inflicted heavy human and equipment casualties on Boko Haram Terrorists in an engagement along Bukar Mariam, Saada and Tumbum Babba axis in Northern Borno. ”

    Colonel Antigha said 27 terrorists were neutrilized while five AK 47 riffles were recovered from them.

    He listed other weapons recovered as one AR Galil Riffles, Three G3 Riffles, two General Purpose Machine Gun .

    Others are two Anti-Aircraft Gun, four Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG 7) Tubes, one M21 Riffles, RPG 7 Bombs, ,Assorted Ammunition – over 1000 Rounds.

    According to Col. Antigha one Toyota L/C – was destroyed, one Nissan Gun Truck,  one Toyota Gun Truck and a Motor Cycle were also destroyed during the encounter

    He further said: “In the light of the forgoing, MNJTF wishes to emphasize that  Boko Haram represents evil and an existential threat to everyone in the Lake Chad Area, irrespective of religion or creed.

    “Therefore, the general public and the media in particular are enjoined to remain in solidarity with the military, as the ongoing Operation YANCIN TAFKI is intensified.

    “The MNJTF and national forces are fighting a just war and will certainly conquer what is left of Boko Haram establishment.”

     

  • FG to develop framework on Water Security Policy

    The Federal Government is set to finalize framework for the development of National Water Source Protection Policy.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Adamu Suleiman, made this known at the formal inauguration of the technical committee on water source protection policy framework by the Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Represented by the Director of Water Supply and Sanitation of the Ministry, Engr. Benson Ajisegiri, he explained that the purpose of water source protection plan is to provide sustainable security to water source against potential terror or harmful threats resulting from various human activities.

    According to him, “Water source protection is an integral and vital aspect of national water development, if we hope to attain sustainability of our water resources for future generation.

    “Within the water family, there is a saying that “water is life”; therefore, we must do all within our power to protect the very source of life.

    “In this context, Terrorists undertake extreme actions to achieve their political goals. The numbers of terrorist-type groups are growing in Nigeria of recent and their methods are becoming more extreme.

    “Water resources and water systems are viewed as vulnerable to terrorist attack for several reasons.

    “Environmental terrorism refers to the unlawful use of force against environmental resources to destroy public or private property and deprive citizens of their benefits.

    “This type of terrorism targets natural resources for destruction or alteration, as opposed to more traditional human-built targets such as buildings, roads, and vehicles.

    “As with all types of terrorism, one of the underlying goals of environmental terrorism is to impose psychological trauma on the targeted population.”

    Read Also: FG improves framework of Social Investment Programme

    He further added: “To address security issues related to various water infrastructures across the country, a partnership approach is being propose, involving Federal, State, local government, and Communal; private sector owners and operators and representative organizations; academic and professional entities; and certain not-for-profit and private volunteer organizations that share in the responsibility for protecting the Nation’s critical sector assets.”

    The National Water Source Protection Policy Framework is expected to recommend the establishment of the following: To set up special National Security Brigade similar to Security and Civil Defense Corps for the purpose of water source protection task, and also to amend ‘Water Use and Licence Regulations 2016’ and adopt ‘water source protection plan’ a mandatory requirement in the process of issuance of water use licenses or authorizations processes similar to EIA regulations.

    It will also develop strategic partnership framework for implementation of water source protection plan at federal, states, and local government of the federation, and develop National Water Security Policy Framework.

    The Executive Director of the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), Mr. Reuben Haru, in his welcome address explained that the commission is seeking to engage reputable water policy expert to work with the commission to finalize the development of National Water Source Protection Regulations.

    “In line with best global practices, there is a growing concern of recent among stakeholders on the need to provide effective security to water source, and to adopt ‘water source protection’ a mandatory requirement for granting licenses or approval to all planned water resources project in Nigeria.

    “This is due to the fact that water supply systems are increasingly facing major operational problems or challenges in the form of escalating water treatment costs; high costs of maintenance of pumps or treatment equipment due to high rate of wear and tear; and fluctuating water quantities resulting in water shortages or complete drying of water sources.

    “The water source protection guidelines would assist the users to identify associated risk to a water source and to engage the people and organizations responsible for the problem in a positive way that could lead to a mutually beneficial outcome.

    “The guideline is expected to bring stakeholders together to identify feasible solutions and agree on a Water Source Protection Plan strategy to be adopted,” he said.

     

     

  • Only prudently managed states can access foreign loans, says Edo govt

    The Edo State Government has allayed fears that the state’s foreign debt profile was worrisome, arguing that the credits which the state enjoys were accessed as a result of the state’s transparent governance and prudent financial management.

    The Debt Management Office (DMO) recently released Nigeria’s foreign debt profile, in which Lagos, Edo, Kaduna and Cross River states, in that order, topped the list of sub-nationals with high external debts.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the state government prioritises sustainable development and judicious use of state funds, which is what has enabled it to promptly access the low-interest credit from multilateral organisations.

    He argued that it was erroneous to assume that foreign credits are bad, noting that they help to fast-track development at the lowest cost of funds possible.

    According to him, “Foreign credits usually come with single, lower digit interest rates, ranging from one to five per cent. They carry many years of moratorium, that is, a period within the tenure of the loan when the borrower is not required to make repayment. This gives the borrower more time to bring development to the people and therefore increase the capacity to repay the loan.

    He argued, “Contrary to opinion by less informed people that ranking as the second state in the country after Lagos with the highest foreign debts portfolio is a negative feat, it is actually a positive development because this simply indicates that Edo State, like Lagos and Kaduna States, are the few states in the country with the requisite level of transparency in governance to access the huge international pool of development financing to help improve infrastructure and enhance the living standards of the ordinary people.”

    Read Also: NIS issues 6,097 passports in Edo

    He stressed that what is important is that the Governor Obaseki-led Edo State Government is putting every penny sourced from the Federation Account, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and international development financing to judicious use to improve the lives of the people.

    “In less than three years, Obaseki’s government has constructed more roads than previous governments were able to do in 16 years. We have revamped and rebuilt basic education almost to the point of re-invention. There is a primary healthcare revolution currently going on in Edo State, as well as the big-ticket transactions of the Benin River Port, Benin Industrial and Enterprise Park, the Benin Modular Refinery Project and many more, where we are making steady progress,” he said.

    He stressed that many of the states that are ranked low on foreign debts in DMO’s records are not necessarily happy to be in that position, as they would have preferred that they had the requisite governance structure and transparency in financial management to attract these useful funds from international development finance institutions.

  • Fayemi appoints new Head of Service

    Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has approved the appointment of Mr Ayodeji Ajayi as the new Head of Service.

    This followed the recommendation of the Civil Service Transformation Strategy Committee after a rigorous selection process.

    Ajayi, who is Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, is to take over from the Acting Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi.

    Meanwhile, the Acting Head of Service, Mrs Babafemi has been commended by Governor Fayemi for her diligence and professionalism which helped in stabilizing the government in its early days, even as she proceeds on an overseas programme as a Senior Research Fellow at the African Leadership Centre, School of Global Affairs, King’s College, London, United Kingdom.

    Read Also: Fayemi approves renovation of secretariat

    During the programme , Mrs  Babafemi will also undertake study visits to the Royal Institute of Public Administration(RIPA), Royal Institute of International Affairs, (Chatham House), Houses of Parliament, Cabinet Office in Whitehall, Westminster Foundation, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in the UK, among others.

    The Civil Service Transformation Strategy Committee, is an advisory body of experienced technocrats under the chairmanship of Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun. Other members of the committee are Dr. Goke Adegoroye, Prof Modupe Adelabu, Mr Philip Amujo and Alhaji Afolabi Ogunlayi.

    The new Head of Service is to be sworn in on Wednesday.

     

  • Street trading: Task force dislodges 1500, arrests 15 for prosecution

    Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Taskforce) Unit in collaboration with Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) Tuesday dislodged over 1500 illegal street traders and arrested 15 of them for prosecution during an enforcement operation at Oyingbo.

    The operation which was led by the Task force Chairman, Mr. Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, is in continuation of the clampdown on all illegal street-trading activities across the State by the Lagos State Task Force.

    Egbeyemi, according to a statement from the Agency, said the traders persisted in their illegal trading activities, despite several warnings, displaying and selling wares on main roads, medians, road-setbacks, drainage alignments as well as railway tracks around the entire Oyingbo market area.

    Read Also: Task force seizes 109 motorcycles

    He said the action of the traders impeded the free flow of traffic along the axis, insisting that Lagos State government will not tolerate such illegal activities that violate the environmental laws of the State.

    “Section (1) of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law of 2003 prohibits both buyers and sellers from engaging in business activities at an unauthorised place, while the penalty for engaging in illegal street-trading is a fine of N90,000 or six-month jail term for anyone found guilty of contravening the law”, the chairman said.

    “The enforcement operation was also meant to protect lives of the illegal traders from unforeseen circumstances such as accident from reckless private/commercial drivers and also to decongest traffic gridlock along that axis”, he added.

    While warning those engaged in illegal street-trading to desist from endangering their lives and operate inside the ‘Oyingbo Ultra-Modern Market’ built by the Lagos State Government, Egbeyemi disclosed that all the 15 illegal traders arrested during the exercise will be charged to court for prosecution.

  • Ten interesting facts you didn’t know about Tiger Woods

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

     

    After 11 years of personal and professional setbacks, one of which was a highly-publicised divorce and multiple surgeries, American golfer Tiger Woods on Sunday made a one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, winning the 2019 Golf Masters for the fifth time.

    This victory impressed President Donald Trump of the United States of America, who is set to honour him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

    Trump, who took to his twitter handle said: “Spoke to @TigerWoods to congratulate him on the great victory he had in yesterday’s @TheMasters, & to inform him that because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, life, I will be presenting him with the presidential medal of freedom,”

    It is on record that President Donald Trump, a golfer himself, once played with Woods including in February when the pair joined golf great Jack Nicklaus for a round at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida.

    Read Also: Tiger Woods’ net worth rises to $800m

    Here is a look at ten things you might not know about Tiger Woods.

    1. His real name is Eldrick Tont Woods – Eldrick because it has his father’s initial at the start and his mother’s first initial at the end, and Tont is a traditional Thai name
    2. His father was in the army and named his son Tiger because his fellow solider and friend Col. Vuong Dang Phong was also known as Tiger
    3. He is a Buddhist…. Raised in the religion, he claims that his infidelities and fall from grace can be attributed to his deviation from his Buddhist awareness and practices.
    4. At 24, he became the youngest golfer to win the career grand slam.
    5. He was a stutter as a child and overcame it by taking classes at school and talking to his dog at nights.
    6. He became the first billion dollar sportsman. His net worth in 2018 is currently estimated to be $740m.
    7. He had a glittering amateur career, winning the US Amateur Championship three years in a row from 1994-1996. He is the only man to do that.
    8. His father Earl instilled golf in him from a very young age and Tiger would watch his father hit balls in the garage from his high chair from the age of 6 months.
    9. He first began playing at the Navy Golf Course which his dad had access to. He shot 48 for nine holes aged 3.
    10. He attended Stanford University to study economics for two years. He was nicknamed “Ukrel” by his friends. He did not graduate but instead left early to turn professional.

  • EFCC officials apprehend Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia in court

    There was mild drama at the premises of an Ikeja High Court as officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, a dismissed judge of the Federal High Court after corruption charges against her were struck out.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 10 officials of the EFCC surrounded Ofili-Ajumogobia  as she attempted to leave the courtroom at 10.24 a.m. after the ruling by Justice Hakeem Oshodi.

    Upon sighting the officials, the judge made a hasty retreat and went back upstairs into Justice Oshodi’s courtroom to seek the protection of the court from the EFCC officials.

    Justice Oshodi when notified about the development said there was nothing he could do as “the file had been closed.”

    The embattled former judge and her husband who was with her, were observed frantically making various phonecalls.

    Mr Godwin Obla. SAN, Ofili-Ajumogobia’s codefendant was however allowed to exit the court premises by officials of the EFCC.

    Read Also: EFCC knows I didn’t spend Kwara election funds –Belgore

    However, when Justice Oshodi’s court rose, she was apprehended at 11.47 a.m. by some EFCC officials who whisked her away in a white hilux van with Abuja plate number

    BWR637AT.

    NAN reports that earlier, Justice Oshodi, in a ruling struck out  the 31-count charge filed by the EFCC against Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit.

    The judge ruled that based on the judicial precedent set by the case of Justice Nganjiwa Vs FRN, the EFCC had “jumped the gun” in filing the first amended charge.

    Justice Oshodi noted that the anti-graft commission had not followed the procedures set by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in disciplining erring judicial officers.

    NAN

     

  • Easter: Oyetola okays free train transport for Osun citizens

    Osun State citizens travelling home for Easter celebration will have the opportunity of free train transportation from Lagos to Osogbo, the state capital.

    Those travelling from towns on the route between Lagos state and Osun state will also benefit from the free trip as approved by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

    It will be at no cost to the travelers.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, said the all- expenses paid round trip, whose objective is to give relief, will stop over at designated Train Stations in Ogun and Oyo states.

    Read Also: SDP pledges support for Oyetola

    According to the schedule of movement, the train will depart from the Iddo Terminus in Lagos by 10am on Friday, April 19, with the expected 6pm arrival time at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park Train Station in Osogbo.

    In the reverse movement on Monday, April 22, the train will depart from the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park Train Station in Osogbo at 10am with the expected 6pm arrival time at Iddo Terminus in Lagos.

    It is the second time the Oyetola Administration will provide free train transport for citizens going home for religious celebration. The first time was in December 2018, for people travelling home for Christmas, barely one month after the governor took office.

    Millions of people have benefitted from the Free Train Movement since it was initiated by the State Government of Osun in 2011. It has continued non-stop.

  • El-Rufai sacks all political appointees

    As he commences selecting the team for his second-term in office, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has directed all political appointees to submit letters of resignation by 30th April 2019.

    The governor will exercise his constitutional prerogative to decide on re-appointments while giving the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance adequate time to compute severance payments and reconcile any liabilities.

    According to the directive, each notice of resignation must be submitted along with a handover note, signed by the political appointee on behalf of the MDA or office to which he or she had been appointed. All resignation letters should be properly addressed to the Principal Private Secretary.

    A statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, stated that Malam Nasir El-Rufai has thanked all political appointees for their contributions and service to the state during his first-term.

    He said: “As he constitutes the team that will assist him in his second-term, the governor said he expects the process to be enriched by the handover notes from the political appointees, and the report of the Transition Committee headed by the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe.

    Read Also: El-Rufai praised for health initiatives

    “The following appointees are expected to comply with the directive: All Commissioners in the State Executive Council, All Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Directors-General, Executive Secretaries, Managing Directors, General Managers and other Heads of Agencies, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Technical Assistants to the Governor, other than the Kashim Ibrahim Fellows.

    “Excluded from compliance with this directive are full-time Commissioners of certain State Executive bodies who retain their tenured appointments in the following agencies: i. Fiscal Responsibility Commission

    1. Civil Service Commission

    iii. Judicial Service Commission

    iiii. Assembly Service Commission

    1. The State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM)
    2. The Peace Commission

    vii. Public Procurement Authority

    viii. Water Regulatory Authority

    “Due to recent adjustments in roles within the government, the occupants of and recent appointees into the following offices are also exempted from the directive to resign: a. Commissioner of Finance

    1. Principal Private Secretary
    2. Accountant-General
    3. Special Adviser, Intergovernmental Relations
    4. Managing Director, Kaduna Markets Development Company
    5. Managing Director, Kaduna Investment and Finance Company, and
    6. Any other political appointee sworn-in or appointed to their current role within the last six months.”

  • Breaking: Train crushes two to death in Kano

    Two yet to be identified persons were on Tuesday crushed to death by a moving train in Kano.

    According to an eyewitness the incident happened at about 8:00 a.m along a rail line behind Kano Club in Nassarawa Local Government area of the city.

    Read Also: Fire razes building in Kano

    The eyewitness further said that the two unidentified persons were said to have laid down on the rail track.

    A statement by the Kano state Police Command Spokesman, DSP, Abdullahi Haruna said, “Tuesday at about 8:00hrs,report received by the Police, that two yet to be identified persons, who were laying on the rail track, were crushed by a moving train behind Kano club.

    “The Police’s visit showed that, one of the victims was cut into two parts. The bodies have been evacuated to the hospital.”