Man Allegedly Kills Brother's Wife in Anambra over Ownership of Property

An Anambra State indigene, Mr. George Okoye, from Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area on Sunday allegedly killed his younger brother's wife over a protracted tussle on ownership of a property. Okoye allegedly led his wife and children into his brother, Mr. Emenike Okoye's compound to beat him and his wife, Mrs. Nkiru Okoye, resulting to the death of Nkiru. Emenike, who, however, survived, sustained a broken hand, a fractured waist, and an injured eye from the beating, and was still recuperating in a hospital. The physically-battered man, who spoke to journalists from his hospital bed, narrated the incident that led to his 40-year old wife's death on July 19 with tears, saying he was only abandoned by his brother and the thugs they brought because they thought he had died. Though the suspect, Mr. George Okoye, has been arrested and currently in the police custody, the whereabouts of his wife, Mrs. Uzonna Okoye; twin daughters and son, Somtochukwu Okoye, who participated in the beating, were still unknown. Emenike, while narrating the story of his wife's death, said: "We did not do anything. I was preparing for work that day, and my wife was preparing the children for school and to also travel home for a meeting in Abba, Njikoka Local Government Area, where she is from, when George and his wife, Uzonna, and their son, Somtochukwu, and twin daughters invaded my house around 7a.m. to 8a.m. "They overpowered us, beat us to stupor, and left. Later when my children had gone to school, they returned with some persons who wielded dangerous weapons, including axe. "They dragged my wife outside the house, beat and killed her with axe and chair. She fell down and died. When I resisted their move to drag me outside too, they broke my hand with an axe, dragged me outside, hitting me with the axe until I passed out. "You can see the cut on my eyes. They left me, thinking that I was also dead. But God helped me, I woke up later. I reported the incident to our local vigilante and they drove me to the hospital." The father of five begged for help and justice against his elder brother, who he said has been at logger heads with the family over property for several years. He said: "George, right from when our mother (Mrs. Adaoba Okoye) was alive, said he is our landlord. He is not our first born, yet he claims ownership of the entire compound and always fights with all of us. "I lived and worked overseas, but when the company where I was working folded, I returned home. We had our first three children overseas, and our last two here (Ogbunike). "My wife had nothing to do with this. Why killing her for nothing? After we returned home, trouble started. The crisis led to the death of our mother and our eldest brother. He reported us to the kindred, and our property was shared, as he took the larger part. I took mine without complaining. Later, he started laying claims to my house. "He reported me to our kindred but it was settled in my favour. He disagreed and kept troubling me. When I laid dwarf perimeter fence, he pulled it down, and even reported me to the kindred again." Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was aware of the incident, stating that investigation on the matter had already commenced, and is still ongoing.

Ajaokuta Attack: Bello Suspends Traditional Ruler, Council Boss over Breach of Security in Kogi

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has suspended the traditional ruler of Eganyi, the Ohi of Eganyi and Chairman, Ajaokuta Traditional Area Council, His Royal Highness Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja, with immediate effect. The governor also ordered the suspension of the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Mustapha Akaaba, following the dastard killing of three policemen and members of the Kogi State Vigilance Service last Saturday in Ajaokuta LGA. This order was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Muhammed Onogwu, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday. The statement read: "In a letter to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kogi State, the governor also directed that the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Hon Mustapha Aka’aba, be queried over the breach and should reply within 24 hours. "The governor’s directive against the affected persons is in connection with the recent security breach in the area which led to the untimely deaths of some security personnel on their legitimate engagements of maintaining law and orders. "The governor strongly warned other traditional rulers across the state who may have connection in one way or another with criminal elements in their domains to desist forthwith, saying his administration will deal ruthlessly with anybody who romances with criminal elements no matter how highly placed they are." In the same vein, Governor Bello also directed that all unofficial movements of the local government council chairmen out of their territory and other journeys without due process are hereby restricted. The governor has warned that no amount of connivance with criminals would deter him from his fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens and residents of the state.

Insecurity: Northern CAN Urges Buhari to Defend Nigerian Sovereignty

...Reaffirms opposition to Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens as well as defend the sovereignty of Nigeria. Addressing a press conference on Sunday in Kaduna, the Secretary-General of Northern CAN, Elder Sunday Oibe, said the regional CAN is deeply concerned about the helpless security situation in the country. According to him, Nigeria is under siege by terrorists who are unleashing mayhem on citizens and crippling economic and social activities across the country. He said the country is on the verge of collapse unless urgent and proactive steps are taken to contain the rampaging terrorists. Oibe said: “Northern CAN, like many other groups, is deeply concerned about the helpless security situation in the country. “Nigeria is under siege by terrorists who are unleashing mayhem on the citizens and crippling economic and social activities across the country, particularly in states like Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto and even Abuja, the seat of power. “The continuous brazen and commando-like style with which these terrorists operate unchallenged, even to the extent of issuing a threat to kidnap the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is worrisome. “Northern CAN hereby calls on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to stop living in denial. “Nigeria is on the verge of collapse if urgent steps are not taken to stem the deadly activities of terrorists and other criminal elements across the country. Nowhere is safe now! “Once again, we call on President Buhari to rise to the occasion by living up to his constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens and defend the sovereignty of Nigeria.” Oibe also congratulated the newly elected President of CAN, Rev. Daniel Okoh, and his vice, Rev. Stephen Panya, and urged them to “stand firm and be the real voice for the Church in Nigeria.” He further restated the opposition of the Northern CAN to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), “in a multi- religious and multi-cultural society like Nigeria. “We congratulate the newly elected National President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Daniel Okoh, and his vice, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya. “We encourage them to stand firm like Joshua in the Bible in these difficult times, to be the real voice for the Church in Nigeria. We pledge our unalloyed support in all areas to help them succeed. “We reaffirm our stand against the idea of a Muslim- Muslim ticket, particularly considering the fact that the country has never been this divided along religion and ethnic lines before.” He called on politicians and political parties to be wary of some people who, according to him, might sneak to meet them secretly in the name of Christian leaders from the North, “with the sole aim of wetting their political appetite and desperation for monetary gains.” Oibe said: “Northern CAN, as a reputable religious organisation, will never engage in any secret dealing with any politician as a matter of policy. However, our doors are open to any Nigerian who desires to share with us ideas on how to move the country forward.” The CAN leader, therefore, called on well-meaning Nigerians to unite and fervently pray for the country, and for the defeat of the enemies of the Nigerian state.

INEC To Nigerians: Your PVC is Your Political Meal Ticket, Handle It with Care

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday explained to Nigerians that their Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) were their voters’ meal tickets and should be handled with care. The National Commissioner of the commission in charge of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States, Maj. Gen Modibo Alkali (rtd), stated this in Bauchi while addressing voters’ registrants in the state. Alkali, however, urged Nigerians to treat their PVCs as if they were part of their lives, adding that: "Ensure that you get your PVC and handle it as if it is part of your life. "Don't sell it to anybody because it is like your voter's meal ticket. You know why it is called a meal ticket? It is because you elect the person who can work for you in your future with it. "So, if you sell it or you throw it away, then you are selling or throwing away food that you are supposed to eat. So, I want all of you to understand the importance of that PVC." The national commissioner, who stated that INEC had been educating electorate to register for their PVCs, wondered why there were still more people on the queue for registration in Bauchi State. He said there was a timeline for INEC for the forthcoming 2023 general election, adding that the registration exercise was not just going over the counter to buy something and put in the pocket. According to him, "No, there are some processes. If you register, they have to print, display it for political parties and local government areas. "Also, there could be litigations along the line. So you have to allow INEC to do its job. If you don't register on time, then you will delay the work of INEC." Alkali also warned the electorate against double or multiple registration, saying whoever is caught in the act would be arrested and prosecuted. The national commissioner was in Bauchi State to monitor the end of the continuous voter registration. Some of the registration units he visited in the state included INEC headquarters in Bauchi; Kofaran, Ilelah street, INEC office in Dass Local Government Area as well as Karfin Madaki in Ganjuwa LGA of the state.

UBEC to Commence Operations of Smart Schools in January 2023

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, has reiterated the commitment of the federal government to commence operations in some of the newly constructed smart schools by January 2023. He gave this assurance when a team of Korean experts lead by Dae Joon Hwang of UBION Consortium paid him a courtesy visit at the end of their four-week stay in Nigeria. Speaking at the occasion, the Country Director of the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), Mr. Son Sungil, stated that the three-man team had been in Nigeria since July 3, 2022, as part of the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between KOICA and UBEC in October 2021. In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. David Apeh, among other items, the objectives of the MOU are to assist Nigeria in the development of the smart schools project; to increase the capacity of teachers in the development and use of ICT content and to improve the access of teachers and pupils to quality teaching and learning materials. The team leader, Prof. Hwang, noted that: "The three pillars of the collaboration revolved around the supply of sophisticated recording and broadcasting studio equipment in some of the smart schools, content development with particular reference to Mathematics and Science, and capacity building for teachers and education managers across the country in the use of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Blended Learning methodology." Also speaking during the occasion, the Coordinator of the Smart Schools Programme, Prof. Bashir Galadanci, stated that during their one month stay, the Korean team of experts had extensive discussions with officials of UBEC, NERDC and NTI on the Smart Schools Programme. They also visited the Smart Schools in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and Tarda in Kano State and had discussions with the SUBEB chairmen and officials of Kano and Nasarawa States respectively. In addition, they participated in two workshops organised by UBEC; one for the critiquing of training course materials for teachers and principals of smart schools and another for the development of blended lesson templates for use by the smart schools. He explained that UBEC had benefitted tremendously from their expertise and wealth of experience.

Buhari Impeachment: Katsina Senator Denies Alleged Plan to Leave APC

The Senator representing Katsina South, Katsina State, in the Senate, Bello Mandiya, has debunked reports that he was planning to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another political party. Mandiya, who reacted to an online media report that he and other APC serving senators were planning to join a speculated coalition against the party, said there was no iota of truth in the publication. A media outlet had claimed that Senator Mandiya was among the 12 senators who have indicated interest to dump the APC in order to join forces with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari over worsening insecurity in the country. But Mandiya, while describing the report in an exclusive interview with journalists as an imagination of the writer, said no amount of intimidation, blackmail and campaign of calumny would make him leave the party he laboured to build for another person. He said: "An online platform called ‘The Whistler’ made a publication that I am among the 12 senators who have served a notice to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, indicating interest to leave our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). "I was never part of any meeting where such was discussed. I have never discussed that with anybody. I remain in the APC and l will continue to support our presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and hopefully we will win our elections in 2023." He, however, said he would not surrender to the whims and caprices of some APC chieftains in Katsina State whom he described as anti-democratic elements to abandon the APC for any opposition party. The senator added that despite efforts by the state APC bigwigs to truncate his political career, he would support the state governorship candidate, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, and other candidates of the party within and outside the state to win the forthcoming general election. According to him, "What happened to me during our primaries was not an atomic secret; people saw it, as it was on YouTube and all over the internet. I was stopped from even entering the venue of the primaries by some thugs hired by my opponent." He reiterated that he had devoted his political life to achieve what had been accomplished, stressing that his heart was more for the people and fixed on establishing a positive historic legacy rather than engage in destructive pettiness. Mandiya, who is seen by many as the best performing senator in Katsina State in terms of democratic dividends, said he would continue to bring more developmental projects to the doorsteps of his constituents.

Alleged Infraction: Niger Government Sacks Two Agency Heads

Two agency heads in Niger State, Alhaji Isah Adamu of the Niger State Universal Basically Education Board (NSUBEB), and Alhaji Abdullahi Arah of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been sacked by the state government for alleged "Infraction." The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, who disclosed this to journalists at the weekend, said the agency heads were also removed because they failed to carry along other members of their agencies in the day-to-day administration of the organisations. Matane said on two occasions, the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, personally intervened in the feud between the agency heads and other board members, but they failed to heed the governor’s advice. According to him, "The suspension letter sent to Alhaji Isah Adamu signed by the SSG also said his removal is as a result of some observed anomalies in the operations of the board.” In the meantime, Alhaji Nafuntua Abubakar Shehu, has been approved as the new chairman of NSUBEB. A letter sacking Arah as the director-general of the state SDGs said: "The removal of the director-general is to facilitate and accelerated implementation of the reforms being initiated by the government towards the attainment of the SDGs in the state" Matane told the media that the sacked director-general had shown incapability to pilot the affairs of his office, even as he said no element of the SDGs programme has been achieved under his watch. The most senior officer in the scheme has been told to take over the running of the affairs of the organisation pending the appointment of a substantive head. THISDAY gathered that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited the NSUBEB headquarters in Minna last Friday but it could not be confirmed if any arrest was made or the motive behind their visit.

Gov Umahi Defeats Brother, Others to Emerge Winner of Ebonyi South Senatorial Primary

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has emerged the winner of Ebonyi South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Umahi got 250 votes to defeat his younger brother, Austin Umahi, who scored 10 votes. However, there was confusion as the governor's brother, Austin, who had earlier withdrawn from the race after emerging as the candidate for the senatorial, made a U-turn and contested against the governor Governor Umahi's emergence was sequel to a judgement of a Federal High Court in Abakaliki that a fresh primary election should be conducted. Umahi also defeats four others to emerge the APC senatorial candidate Others who stood for the senatorial primary election in the district included Princess Ann Ago-Eze, who scored zero votes; Nwakaego Chukwu, who scored five votes, while Mrs. Ibiam Margaret scored three votes. Announcing the result of the election, which took place at the Afikpo North Local Government Area headquarters, the Chairman of the electoral panel, Prof Adebayo Kehinde, declared the Ebonyi State governor winner of the election. Kehinde said: "I do hereby declare that Mr. David Nweze Umahi, having scored the highest votes, is hereby the winner of the primary election for Ebonyi South senatorial zone." In his acceptance, speech, Governor Umahi commended the electoral panel for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the primaries. He also commended the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, and assured them that the APC will emerge victorious at the forthcoming general election in 2023. Also, the state Chairman of the party, Stanley Emegha, said there was nothing bad if the governor's brother has changed his mind after withdrawal to contest for the position.

NDDC: After Presidential Assurance, Group Urges Niger Delta Minister to Inaugurate Board without Delay

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, has been urged to seize the momentum of the assurances given by President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently inaugurate the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The call was made at the weekend by a group under the aegis of Niger Delta United Congress (NDUC) in a statement signed by its President, Ebizomor Brisibe, and Secretary, Edem Archibong, which was made available to journalists. Buhari, while delivering a keynote address during the opening ceremony of top management retreat organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, had last Thursday given his presidential assurance that the NDDC board was underway. Banking on this assurance, the group, NDUC, at the weekend said the minister had no reason whatsoever to allow the present "illegality" of sole administratorship and interim management to linger at the NDDC. The group reasoned that President Buhari has given the green light, hence, it called on the Niger Delta Affairs Minister to “urgently implement the inauguration of the board and management of the commission" without further delay. According to NDUC, inaugurating a board for NDDC would ensure that the nine constituent states of the Niger Delta region "will have fair and equitable representation in the commission. "The preservation of a sole administrator or an interim administration in the management of the commission is not only a breach of the NDDC Act 2000, but a demonstration of impunity and affront on the long-deprived people of the region." It noted that for the past three years, the people of Niger Delta have been made to endure the foremost agency being arbitrarily run in breach of the law-the NDDC Act-and in utter disregard of their need and the region’s development. NDUC noted with delight that Buhari has “restated his commitment to end the ongoing illegal sole administratorship at the NDDC and inaugurate the board of the commission in compliance with the law.” The group recalled that the president had earlier made a commitment to the country on June 24, 2021, when he received the leadership of Ijaw National Congress (INC) at Aso Rock, Abuja. The group said Buhari gave the assurance that "as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted, the NDDC board will be inaugurated" in order to put an end to the "mismanagement that had previously bedeviled the NDDC," which necessitated a forensic audit. The forensic audit report was submitted to Buhari 10 months ago, precisely on September 2, 2021, but NDUC pointed out that since then, the contraption of sole administratorship has been allowed to persist. It, therefore, regretted that the NDDC "which is the foremost Niger Delta regional development agency and which was set up to right the wrongs in the Niger Delta, is still being run by a sole administrator appointed in breach of the NDDC Act.” The group leaders insisted that the continued administration of the NDDC by a sole administrator "is illegal because the NDDC Act has no provision for this illegality as the NDDC Act only provides that the board and management of the NDDC at any point in time should follow the provisions of the law." "In effect, nobody is supposed to administer the NDDC and utilise the huge funds accruing to it on a monthly basis without passing through this legal requirement as stipulated in the NDDC Act.”

Coalition Lauds Bayelsa Govt for Domesticating VAPP Act, Calls for Sexual Offenders’ Register

Even as more rape and violence against women cases continue to be on the increase in Bayelsa State, the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-based Violence (AACSGBV) has commended the state government for the passage and signing into law of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP). The Chairperson of the association, Dr. Eris Ibi, made the commendation at the third National Sexual and Gender Based Violence Conference/Association Against Child Sexual and Gender Based Violence (AACSGBV) annual general meeting held in Yenagoa, the state capital. Ibi, who is also the outgoing national coordinator of association, noted that with the passage of the VAPP Act and publication of same, Bayelsa State was ahead of many states in the country, but, however, pointed out that the state was yet to open a Sexual Offenders’ register, which is one of the provision of the Act. AACSGBV, as an association, she said, is a coalition comprising non-governmental organisations (NGOs) faith-based organisation and Community Based Organisations (CBOs), whose objective is to coordinate what community-based actors are doing towards eliminating sexual and gender-based violence. She said: "Bayelsa State is ahead of others state. The state government has not only passed the law but has also produced the hardcopy. We must commend the state because it is ahead of other states. Some states have passed the VAAP laws but have not produced copies, so it is a plus for Bayelsa State Government. "There should be Sex Offenders register, Delta and other states already have theirs, but Bayelsa State does not have. We are starting the advocacy right away that Bayelsa State needs to have the Sexual Offenders register because it is important to us, as it shames the offender, which is another step the gender movement has taken to curb abuse. "We were among those that came here to advocate for these laws. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) was passed in 2021 in Bayelsa State, I was among those who advocated for it, and I was here in 2019 to advocate that these laws should be passed." Speaking on the theme: ‘Promoting Strategic Social Security and Investment’, the Chairperson, Governing Council of AACSGBV, Professor Josephine Alumanah, said the association has a mission to protect, promote the rights of women and girls, children and other vulnerable persons to provide psychological and emotional care and support, build capacity, rehabilitate victims and survivors of all forms of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) through the co-operation of relevant stakeholders. She noted that recently, there has been increase in cases of rape, defilement, incest, dehumanisation, discrimination and other forms of abuse and violence to mostly children, the female gender and other members of the population, adding that there was an astronomical rise in violence against women and girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alumanah lamented the lack of coordination among key stakeholders and poor implementation of legal frameworks combined with entrenched gender discriminatory norms, which hamper government and civil society efforts to address gender-based violence. She called for social support for victims and survivors of SGBV and access to protection, legal and medical services, adding: "If there are any sort of survivorship provision for the victims/survivors of SGBV, but there seem nothing like survivors’ benefit instituted by the government where poor women and victims/survivors of SGBV may have some opportunity to benefit from the wider social security support."

Owo Attack: Insecurity Stimulating Imminent Civil War, OPC Warns ...Vows to protect Yorubaland

The Oodua People's Congress (OPC) has warned that the activities of bandits and the worsening insecurity in the country are threatening the continued unity of Nigeria. The OPC in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oguntimehin, urged those bent on fomenting trouble in the country to refrain from attacking the South-west region, saying such would be met with stiff resistance. The group, while reacting to the rising spate of insecurity across the country, especially with the repeated attack on Owo town in Ondo State, insisted that South-west region should not be taken for granted by the perpetrators. Oguntimehin decried the various terrorists' attacks on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some parts of the North, stressing that the porous security situation in the country is a pointer to imminent war capable of pushing Nigeria to the precipice. He blamed the federal government for failing to act decisively on the issue of security, as the docile posture of the government is giving the impression that it has been overwhelmed by the protracted security challenges. According to the OPC, "Going with the present situation in the country, it is evident that the federal government has been overwhelmed by the rising spate of insecurity in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to match his words with actions. "For instance, public schools in Abuja, Nasarawa State and some other parts of the North are shutting down as a result of the rising insecurity. "The situation is getting worse by the day with numbers of killings increasing sporadically. "However, there is an urgent need for the South-west governors to rise to the security situation before it is too late. We should not take the terrorists' threats with levity. We must act now." Oguntimehin, while urging all indigenes of Yorubaland to be vigilant, assured the people of the Southwest that the OPC would not relent in its efforts to forestall any security breach. He said: "There are reports that terrorists have relocated from the Middle Belt to the Southwest. So we need to be vigilant because it is evident that the security architecture of the federal government has failed already. "So the OPC will continue to offer the necessary support in terms of surveillance and intelligence gathering in order to bolster the security situation in the region."

Environmentalist Urges IOCs to Conclude Niger Delta Cleanup before Divestment ...Accuses IOCs of dogging responsibilities

A renowned environmentalist and Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Rev Nnimmo Bassey, has urged International Oil Companies (IOCs) looking forward to divest from onshore to offshore in Nigeria, to as a matter of significance, conclude the cleanup of the Niger Delta environment before leaving. The environmentalist insisted that the oil multinationals are not divesting from Nigeria but deceptively running away from their responsibility over the spills and the pollution that they have caused in the region for decades. Bassey made the allegation on Thursday at a community environmental training organised by HOMEF for coastal communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The HOMEF boss who regretted that the Niger Delta environment has been bastardised by the activities of oil corporations, both international and local, said after placing a huge burden on local communities, the IOCs are moving to offshore where they would be less monitored, unless there is serious spills. He noted that around the world, public institutions are pulling their money out of fossil fuel industries because the world has to move to new forms of energy that are not damaging to the environment and to the lives and health of the people. According to him, "But in Nigeria, we are seeing something different. Nigeria has just set up the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Company Limited, and oil companies are making moves to divest. They are not divesting from Nigeria, they are divesting from onshore fields-from fields that are inside the communities. "Now they want to move into deeper waters and move offshore. So this is very important for Nigerians to know, oil companies are not divesting from Nigeria. They want to divest from onshore fields where they can be held account for their misbehaviour. "They want to move into deeper waters. And by Nigerian law, the deeper the water the less royalty they pay to the Nigerian Government. So if they move to water that are deep enough they may end up paying the zero royalties. There will be some payment they will make according to a joint venture ratio, but in terms of royalties, the deeper the water, the less they pay. "So these people are looking for ways to avoid responsibility for the pollution that they afflicted on the land and the people for more than 60 years. They are looking for how they will leave so that they won't clean up the environment, they won't decommission or remove their rotten equipment. The equipment will still be polluting the area because the Nigeria companies buying these are almost as reckless as international companies. "They are going to leave, place the burden on local communities and moved away to deep sea where nobody will see what they are doing, except when oil spills occur and where they will be paying less money to the Nigerian Government." Bassey urged the "government to wake up to its responsibility to protect the people, and demand that unless they cleanup their mess all across the Niger Delta, they should not think of leaving, and if they want to leave they should put money on the ground. They should make a deposit that will be sufficient to carry out an environment audit of the internal Niger Delta in the same way as the Ogoniland was assessed by UNEP, and then also keep money for remediation efforts and restoration to take place." On the coastal environmental monitoring reporting and advocacy training, Bassey said the training was meant to equip the community people, not just to see things and walk away, but take notes when they see things. "They are to become citizen journalists to report what is going on in their communities. "And we are hoping that the community with people, monitoring the environmental reporting on what is going on and making the world aware of their plight, we are going to have the Ogoni environment better protected. And we are going to have to stimulate the rebuilding of their livelihoods in addition to what other agencies are doing already," he added.

2023: No Candidate is as Qualified as Tinubu, Says Wase

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris Wase, has assured the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, of his total support in the build-up to the 2023 general election and beyond. Speaking when he received Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT) Support Group, which was on a courtesy call in his office on Thursday, the deputy Speaker reiterated his earlier stand on the capacity of Tinubu. According to him, there’s no candidate in any political party that can match the quality and candidature of Tinubu. He expressed optimism that the APC would come out victorious with the overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly. According to him, "I want to assure you that we in the House of Representatives, particularly members of the APC, shall collaborate with every organisation to ensure victory for the Tinubu/Shetima ticket. I charge you to go out in full force and campaign for Asiwaju. We have good products to sell, this is somebody that had turned around the economy of Lagos within a short time and has built people across the country, irrespective of region or religion. I charged you all to go out in full force with your head high seeking those votes as you have a good product to sell to Nigerians. I urged you not to relent in ensuring the victory for our candidates." Earlier, the National Coordinator of the organisation, Hon. Oyinkansola Okiwuyi, said they were in the National Assembly to seek the support and cooperation of the deputy Speaker and to also inform him about the strategy they are using to galvanise and solicit for votes. He said the organisation is seeking not only support for Tinubu but the entire APC structure, so that the party would have an overwhelming majority in the states and National Assembly.

FG to Boost Non-oil Sector Earnings with Groundbreaking Export Processing Centres across Five States

As part of the federal government economic expansion programme, the Nigerian Export Processing Council (NEPC) has commenced the building of export processing centres across five states in the country in an effort to reverse the country's trade imbalance. The centres will help reduce product rejection encountered by Nigerian exporters in the international market, in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port-Harcourt and Kano. With NAHCO Aviance recipient of the NEPZ grant, the project, when completed in five months, will boost export potential of the country to about two million metric tons per annum. Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the Lagos State project on Thursday, the Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said the country must continue to embark on projects that would reverse trade imbalance. Yakusak, who noted that the project was in line with the NEPC export survival campaign, said the only way out for Nigeria to survive economically was to export. He maintained that the non-oil sector remains a low hanging fruit for every Nigerians to plug into to gain foreign exchange in order to stabilise the economy. According to him, “We are very delighted that the NEPC grant, which assisted NAHCO, is working and is judiciously being used. I think we need to appreciate them because in some other balance, when these grants are given they will call it government money, and of course the story is a different thing. “I am so happy today that the grant that was given under the export expansion facility programme is working, and I assure you that in the next four to five months this building will be completed. Nigeria may not understand the importance of this, but when you hear the various cases of export rejection due to poor packaging, you will understand that we need this badly. “We do not need these in the regions we need it in every state because that is very key, and you will agree with me that if you know what is happening to the naira today, you would know that the only way out is non-oil export. We have two means of foreign exchange-the first one is diaspora remittances, while the second one of course is the foreign direct investment-and all these are affected by political and other economic issues. “Politically, if there is insecurity in the country, it will affect FDI, but that is not applicable to non-oil exports. Non-oil export is a cash cow and a low-hanging fruit that every Nigerian can plug in there and gain foreign exchange to stabilise our naira." The Chairman of NAHCO Aviance, Dr. Seine Oladapo Fadeni, said they are prepared to help NEPZ achieve its dream of boosting the export processing areas when the project is fully completed across the geopolitical zones. “We realised the fact that we need to boost the process of exporting Nigeria's products, especially agricultural products, so that we can have more FX and our dollar does not depend on petroleum products alone. “But one of the major challenges we have abroad is that our products are not well packed; not up to standard, and that is what we tend to do here. We put in everything possible to make sure that whatever passes through these warehouses is international."

Akeredolu, Police Allay Fears over Owo Attack, as Victims Narrate Ordeals

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said on Wednesday shooting at the yard of the Craneburg Construction Company in Owo was aimed at destroying some of their equipment and not to maim or kill anyone. Akeredolu stated this when he visited the construction site in company of heads of security agencies in the state. He said: "I want to allay the fears of our people. Clearly, what happened here on Wednesday night was not an attempt to kidnap anybody because they went away with nobody. And we have in the premises over hundred people living there. "Yes, there were sporadic gunshots at the wall but they never went inside to kill anybody. It is better for everybody to know. They didn't go inside there to kill anybody. The only two people who had some gunshots wounds were security men who they saw outside the premises. "So, it is clear to us that their intention was to attack one or two equipment here, which they did. Their explosives affected the tyres and the windscreen of another vehicle. And we have close to 50 vehicles here. For us, we are looking at it. We are not clear yet about their intention, but this is not one that should send unnecessary panic or fear into the minds of our people. This should not cause panic. "For the contractors, Owo is a relatively safe place for them. So, they didn't have armed people here. Maybe we will have to support them to have armed people here to protect all their equipment, including their vehicles. They have been here for over five years. They had the Ore bridge and other roads. So, they are doing so many things for us and they are doing well, and we are ready to give them necessary protection.” The governor also reassured the people of his administration’s commitment to protect lives and property, stressing that the Wednesday night shooting was not anything near the June 5 attack in the town. “We will protect our people and their property. So, there should be no panic. Yes, there was shooting, but it was not anything near what we had on June 5 attack at St Francis Church. This was not aimed to maim and kill. "I believe our people will understand better to know the difference. So, there is no need for any panic. We have given them all the assurance; we will get this place protected. I will continue to support them," Akeredolu added. Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has called on the residents of the state, particularly those in Owo community, to cooperate with the Command in its bid to arrest the perpetrators of construction site attack. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oyeyemi Oyediran, in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, urged the people to be calm while the command was carrying out its investigation into the incident. The police, in the statement, confirmed that the some explosives devices were used by the attackers, while two workers of the construction company were injured and had been admitted at a hospital. The statement read: "The shooting incident occurred at about 10 p.m. of July 27, 2022, and was promptly responded to by officers covering the jurisdiction. "At the scene, the officers met the duo of one Rifum Lawrence, 50 and Abraham Opara, 45, with bullet wounds. They were immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo where they were admitted and are currently in stable condition. "The state Commissioner of Police equally led investigative operatives and officers of the Explosive Ordinance Department-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield explosives also known as anti-bomb squad, to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment. "The anti-bomb squad confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used to burst a tractor tyre at the scene of the crime. "The Command urged the people of the state to be calm as the affected area has been cordoned and investigation has commenced to unravel the mystery behind the incident." Speaking with THISDAY at the Federal Medical Centre Owo, one of the victims, Lawrence, said he escaped the attack miraculously as he fell into the gutter after being shot by the hoodlums. He narrated that: "It was late in the evening (on Wednesday); I just ate and bathed and came out close to the gate, and I didn't know those people, they shot me and my brother. I didn't know where the gunshots were coming from-my brother and I were shot. When I was hit with the bullet, I fell inside the gutter and I started crawling. So we got to the main road and I saw a commercial bike man who took me to the hospital. "I know they were many, they came with an 18 seater white van. I saw them with guns, but I don't know where they came from." The second victim, Opara, while trying to narrate the incident, shed tears, perhaps, due to the excruciating pains from the injuries sustained.

Gombe Gov Launches COVID-19 Action Recovery, Economic Stimulus

...8.5b budgeted to support 288,700 households, farmers, small scale businesses Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has stated that the newly launched COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (GO-CARES) aligns with his administration human capital development initiative as encapsulated in the 10-year Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM). The governor, who stated this at the commencement of the project in Kuri, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday, added that the emergency recovery programme would support government’s budgeted programme of expenditures and interventions specifically designed to expand access to livelihood support, food security and provide succour to the poor and vulnerable persons in communities whose lives, businesses, jobs and means of livelihood have been distorted by the pandemic. Yahaya observed that "being a domestication of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus Programme (NG-CARES), the programme would help expand access to livelihood support, food security services and the provision of grants to poor and vulnerable households and firms following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic." He explained that the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and livelihood of the people cannot be over emphasised as governments across the world suffered economic recessions with livelihoods disrupted and millions of jobs lost in an unprecedented manner, which makes the CARES programme not only timely but essential. Yahaya remarked that the challenges of COVID-19 and the global economic meltdown have made his administration to be more strategic and focused in its drive to put the state on the path of sustainable economic development. He said: "Today’s ceremony is a major step taken to put the vulnerable groups that were worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on the path of recovery and growth, with the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries who have met the World Bank's stipulated eligibility criteria. These groups and individuals shall receive livelihood grants, social transfers, and soft loans as well as improved access to basic services in order to support economic recovery, boost food production and enhance livelihood of the people." The governor said in order to ensure maximum benefit from the programme, existing state-level delivery platforms with a track record of generating positive human capital development and economic returns for beneficiaries would be used for the implementation of the interventions. These platforms, he explained, would be reinforced with a state level Steering Committee comprising political and technical heads of key sectoral ministries and policy heads of agencies constituted to provide oversight and policy guidance for the programme in order to achieve greater results and the overall programme development objective. "The programme has a budgeted sum of about N8.5 billion which is targeted towards supporting not less than 288,700 beneficiaries in the two-year duration of the programme. From this amount, N3.4 billion will be to support poor and vulnerable households with grants and basic services, another N3.4 billion shall be used to support our farmers with farm inputs in order to increase food production and enhance performance of the food supply value chain. The sum of N1.7 billion shall be disbursed as grants to MSMEs to support their operational activities and help them recover from the huge losses suffered during the pandemic." The Chairman of the state Steering Committee for GO-CARES, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, said the stimulus would benefit the most vulnerable households, farmers, business men and women as well as artisans. Magaji, who is also the state Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, revealed that the project is in collaboration with the World Bank but is fully funded by the Gombe State Government.

Plateau PDP Expresses Concern over Lalong's Alleged Concession of Jos Market to Islamic Bank

Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday expressed concern over the alleged concession of Jos main market by the state Governor, Simon Lalong, to an Islamic bank (JAIZ Bank). The market, which hosted traders from across Nigeria and West Africa in the past, had been in ruin since 2002 after it was gutted by fire. But Plateau citizens would rather leave it that way than to cede it to any Islamic organisation considering the religious sentiments in the state. In a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. John Akans, PDP said it has it on good authority that the state government has reached an advanced stage in signing a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) with JAIZ Bank with the view to handing over the entire market to the said bank to run for 40 years at the cost of N10 billion. He added that: "This is coming just shortly after the governor informed Plateau citizens that over N4 billion has been spent by his government on the same main market without giving account of how it was expended. The party said: "We dare to ask why Lalong is rushing to sign an MOU of N10 billion at the expiration of his tenure, and what happens to the N4 billion already spent on the same project? "Lalong should explain to the Plateau people the logic in mortgaging a market with a fiscal multiplier effect in the state income that will benefit the citizens for N10 billion naira lease for 40 years, while founding flyover bridge costs of N18 billion; what is the ratio?" The state PDP also accused the governor of making moves to convert public property in the state to private ownership and further loot the state finances ahead of the 2023 general election, saying: "It is very disheartening and sad that instead of Lalong to use his remaining few months in office to do something meaningful and people-oriented projects, he has chosen to continue with his reckless and fraudulent posture of looting the state. "Under his watch, unprecedented corruption and betrayal of public trust have continued unabated. His imposed stooge, Nentawe Yilwada, is shamelessly going round campaigning for another chance to continue with the maladministration and looting of Plateau State. "We see this action as a wholesome criminal act by the APC administration in the pilfering and conversion of public assets to private ownership and a deliberate and elaborate plan to leave the state bankrupt before handing over in 2023. No wonder some state civil servants were last paid in April 2022.’’ The party added: “We want to warn, particularly those involved in this criminal endeavour, to desist from this nefarious act of betrayal and lawlessness as we will hold them accountable for their conduct after they leave office. We want to let the governor and his team know that we have the complete records of all inventory of Plateau State assets. We know what was handed over to him in 2015 by his predecessor as well as the true and present financial status of the state.’’

Group Demands Apology from Akeredolu over Alleged Threat to Ondo Monarch

A group, Club 66 Idanre, on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), over alleged use of invective words towards the Owa of Idanre Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye, Arubiefin IV. The group alleged that the governor's abusive words came following a peaceful protest by the community over the alleged sales of their farmland to a foreign company by the state government. The Club 66 Idanre in a statement issued by its President, Dr. Anthony Omolola, alleged that the reports of the governor's insult and threat on the 96-year-old monarch during a phone conversation over the issue of Idanre forest reserve forcefully harnessed and allegedly sold to some companies and people by the state government were an affront to all peace-loving people in the community. Omolola said the governor, as a Yoruba son, ought to have been modest and diplomatic while talking to elders and traditional rulers, who are the custodians of the people’s culture, heritage and values. He said: "An insult on the Owa of Idanre Kingdom is an insult on the Idanre people, and we will reject such entirely. "We believe that the ancestral land/forest of the people cannot be shared or allocated to groups or companies without the proper discussion and agreement with the monarch, community leaders and the people who are the custodian of the land/forest, considering the socio-cultural, moral and economic implications. "We, therefore, demand from Akeredolu an unreserved apology to our king." Efforts to get reaction from the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Richard Olatunde, proved abortive as he didn't respond to message sent to him. However, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Agriculture and Agro-business, Mr. Akin Olotu, had said the state government as well as his agency would not succumb to blackmail on the part of the farmers or anybody, emphasising that the action of the state government as regards the farmland was in the interest of the farmers and the state.

Yoruba Won't Back APC on Ethnic Sentiment, Atiku Group Tells Tinubu

A group under the acronym Coalition for Atiku-Okowa, Ekiti State chapter, has declared that the South-west region won't pander to unwarranted sentiments to vote against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 general election. The coalition told the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the fact that he is from the region won't rob Atiku of victory in the zone, saying the former vice president is bonded with Yoruba by marriage. The co-convener of the group and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Yemi Arokodare, stated this in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while formally unveiling the group for operation ahead of the 2023 elections. Addressing the coalition members at the Atiku-Okowa palatial campaign building located in Ado Ekiti, Arokodare said the zone had not been known to play ethnic card in politics as reflected in the trajectory of elections in the country. He added: "The people of the South-west region will never be swayed by sentiments, but with issues because Nigerians voted for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo without looking at the content of their ethnicity. "The Southwest is a sophisticated zone and we shall let the APC reap what it has sown in Nigeria in the last seven years. We do not doubt that Nigerians are ready to vote out APC because our people have been betrayed by the party in which they invested their trust, but failed. Never again! "It has become necessary to remind the purveyors of sentiments in the Southwest that our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is married to our amazon in the region, Mrs. Titi Atiku, and by virtue of marriage, friendship and relationship, Atiku is our son in the region, and he had demonstrated that over the years." Arokodare added that no amount of sentiments can wash away the APC sins, regretting that the party had in the last seven years led Nigeria into extreme poverty, terrorism, deaths, joblessness and hopelessness. "All progressives from all parties, PDP, APC, SDP , LP and others who are desirous to see the end of poverty, killings, joblessness and division in our midst are in this coalition to work for Atiku to win the 2023 presidency and rescue Nigeria from this dangerous state. "APC is our common enemy; it has led many Nigerians into the captivity of terrorists and extreme poverty, and we must get rid of them in 2023." Another Co-convener and former PDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Adaramodu, appealed to the South-west region not to allow sentiment becloud their reasoning in choosing the right president that would lead the country out of the present parlous situation. The former banker posited that the 2023 is not the time for people to start expressing unnecessary emotions that can plunge the country into more chaotic situation, saying people must think of how the country can be rescued from APC misrule. "Posterity will judge us very harshly if we squander this golden opportunity to rescue our people from the present deep and multifaceted disorders. Let us join hands with like minds within and outside our party to win for these eminent Nigerians in 2023. With determination, it is doable," Adaramodu said.

Insecurity: House Wants FG to Adopt AU 'Silencing the Gun' Report

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fully embrace and adopt the report of the 'Silencing the Guns' project aimed at silencing all illegal weapons in Africa, and ensure that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) key into the roadmap. The House also urged the office of the National Security Adviser to fully adopt the report and cascade it down to other relevant security agencies. The campaign is aimed at promoting prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in Africa by targeting ways to silence all illegal weapons on the continent. In December 2020, the African Union decided to extend the initiative until 2030. The resolutions of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Munir at the plenary yesterday. Moving the motion, Munir noted that ‘Silencing the Guns 2030’ is a flagship roadmap project adopted in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2016 by the African Union with the aim of realising a conflict-free Africa by 2030. He also noted that the concept of silencing the guns is borne out of the observation that the African continent is the scene of numerous violent conflicts that make the desired economic and political integration of the continent difficult. According to him, "As part of the AU Agenda 2063, the AU sought to ensure that Africa is characterised by peace, political tolerance and good governance; concerned that initially, the roadmap was to be achieved by 2020 of which the continent fell short and the goal was further extended to 2030; and cognizant that peace and security matters across Africa are interwoven and the continent cannot afford to further miss the 2030 set target." Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on National Security and Intelligence and Foreign Affairs to ensure compliance.

2023: I will not be Part of Re-election Bid of AbdulRazaq in Kwara, Says Senator Oloriegbe

The dust raised during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Kwara State is yet to settle as the Senator representing Kwara Central senatorial district at the National Assembly, Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, has said he will not be part of the re-election bid of the state Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in the 2023 polls. Oloriegbe, who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Health, said: "I will only be part of the national campaigns of the party during the period." The senator lost his bid to return to the Senate in the just concluded APC primaries in the state. The former National Chairman of the party, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, emerged as the Kwara Central senatorial candidate of the party for the 2023 elections. Since then, tongues have continued to wag in the party over the conduct of the party primaries in the state. Senator Oloriegbe had also recently tackled the governor on a national television, where he described the APC in the state under AbdulRazaq’s leadership as a ‘mediocre’, challenging the governor to come out openly and swear by the Holy Quran that he didn’t thwart his victory at the party primaries. However, in a leaked audio recording from a recent political meeting with inner caucus of Senator Oloriegbe's APC supporters in Ilorin, which was obtained by the media in Ilorin, Oloriegbe allegedly said: “God will judge Governor AbdulRazaq for betraying me." While urging his supporters to accept the outcome of the APC primaries as the will of Allah, “even though greatly influenced by the mischief of men,” Oloriegbe said he laughed last the two times he had witnessed such disappointment. According to him, “In 2003, I didn’t get the ticket to return to the state Assembly, and even when late Governor Mohammed Lawal lost that election, God opened door to a big professional opportunity for me, that’s where I got money to build this house you are see-it’s not government money. “2011 was worse, because I lost in a general election. I had nothing doing after the elections. But immediately I returned to Abuja, I got another bigger professional opportunity. “The scenario in 2014 is similar to what just happened in APC. Some hours to the primaries (in 2014), they came to persuade me to step down for AbdulRazaq because they wanted to consider Dele Belgore (SAN) in whose camp I fell in for gubernatorial candidate. "Just like you are crying now, that was how people were crying then, because we were really prepared. However, we told them there would be a repercussion because it was not done in good faith and it really had a repercussion.” Oloriegbe further said: “The scenario in the just concluded APC primaries differs from the 2014 scenario for three reasons-I was the one that rallied the other two senators’ (Kwara South and North) support for the governor when there was division in the party. So, if he feels betrayal is the best way to pay me back, God will judge it.” “I am a leader in this party, and if he (AbdulRazaq) doesn’t want me to go back, we should sit and talk about it. But for him to act deceptively as though he was supporting me, just to make a U-turn three days to the primary election, there is God! “Secondly, I am still a sitting Senator and I have one more year to go. Those they gave tickets doesn’t become Senators automatically, let’s look at the outcome of the elections and see what God will do in 2023.”

UN Says 1.74m Children in Northeast at Risk of Malnutrition

United Nations has decried that worsening food insecurity may push 1.74 million children under the age of five in the North-eastern Nigeria into malnutrition. A statement issued on Tuesday by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, titled: ‘Surviving the Food Crisis in North-east Nigeria’, said today in North-east Nigeria, millions of people are facing the painful consequences of a deteriorating food security and nutrition crisis. Schmale explained that: “Food insecurity means not knowing when or where your next meal will come from. It means, in essence, not being able to meet the basic needs for yourself or your family. As a result, countless families are forced to make alarming sacrifices to survive. Many, particularly children, are at risk of not making it through the lean season.” He noted that according to the latest food security assessments, 4.1 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States-three of the states in North-eastern Nigeria-are at risk of severe food insecurity in this lean season, lamenting that: “People’s resilience and coping mechanisms have been devastated by more than a decade of conflict.” The UN chief said: “As food insecurity worsens, so does the risk of malnutrition. In 2022, 1.74 million children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition across the North-east. Mothers who have lost their children to malnutrition can testify to the danger it poses and the sorrow and despair it brings. While visiting a nutrition stabilisation centre in the region, I saw the haunting sight of a child on the brink of death, and it is a memory that continues to leave me troubled.” Schmale noted that the food security situation is impacted by many factors, such as insecurity due to ongoing conflict, rising food prices and climate change, which is taking place in a region where people are already facing extreme vulnerabilities. North-east Nigeria has struggled through 12 years of conflict and instability due to the violence of non-state armed groups like Boko Haram terrorists. He revealed that this year, 8.4 million people need humanitarian assistance, of which about 80 per cent are women and children, adding that the violence has displaced more than 2.2 million people from their homes. Livelihoods, health services, education and other essential areas have been devastated, depriving millions of people of critical support and the capacity to provide for themselves and their families. Schmale lamented that: “People displaced by violence have few options. Many fled to garrison towns for safety, where going beyond the towns’ protective ditches to practice agriculture or collect firewood puts their lives at risk. Many vulnerable people have little choice but to resort to negative coping mechanisms to obtain food, such as survival sex, child marriages, begging, child labour or recruitment into armed groups.” He gave a story of Hauwa, a mother in Rann, Borno State, with no access to food and must beg on the street to feed herself and her two children, decrying that this was not nearly enough, and hunger has turned her body into something she no longer recognises. Hauwa who was quoted to have said: “This is not my body.” Is one of the countless stories of suffering that have pervaded the area daily, the UN chief added. Schmale said the humanitarian community is gravely concerned about the millions of people facing the risk of hunger this lean season and the sacrifices they will make to survive. “Every effort must be made to ensure that life-saving programmes continue to deliver food security assistance and respond to acute malnutrition,” he said. He stressed that humanitarian and government actors are ready to scale up interventions, but funding is urgently needed. Schmale said as part of the USD$1.1 billion required for the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria, a $351 million multisector response has been developed to save lives and protect the most vulnerable, noting that funds are immediately needed, and every contribution can make a difference. He said: “You can help get life-saving assistance to the people of north-east Nigeria by donating at: https://crisisrelief.un.org/nigeria-crisis. We need your support now, tomorrow may be too late for Hauwa and countless others.”

Eight Councilors Impeach Council Chairman in Niger

Eight out of the 11 councilors in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State have impeached the council Chairman, Mr. Yohanna Yakubu. The impeachment, which took place last Monday, followed what the councilors described as "abuse of office, gross dereliction of duty and abscondment from duty." The Leader of the legislative Assembly, Mrs. Lyatu Yohanna, told journalists that all the eight councilors present at the sitting signed the impeachment notice while the remaining three did not attend the sitting. According to Yohanna, the impeached chairman could not account for several millions of naira Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by the council when asked to do so. In addition, she said the councilors accused the chairman of abandoning his office for almost six months and had remained in incommunicado with only the council accountant and treasurer allegedly able to communicate with him. She said the legislative arm of the local government area asked the impeached chairman to also account for the relief materials either donated to the council or bought by the council to cushion the negative effect of the COVID-19 outbreak, but has failed to do so. Yohana said: "His inability to account for millions of naira accruing to the council as IGR; his deliberate refusal to make public to the legislatures the income and expenditures of the council since inception to date, among other allegations are reasons why we impeached him. "We served him several letters with a view to enable him respond to these allegations but he refused to respond; he also refused to honour our invitations when we served him impeachment notice, so we were left with no other option than to impeach him." She said the attitude of the chairman has retarded the growth of the local government area, insisting that councils with less IGR in the state are performing better than their local government. The Assembly leader said: "With all these, we have no other option than to impeach him so that our local government area can make progress." All efforts to contact the embattled chairman was abortive as he did not respond to calls made to his cell phone. THISDAY, however, learnt that the impeached chairman has rushed to court praying that the councilors’ action be restrained.

Kwara NLC Joins National Body to Protest Continued ASUU Strike

Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday joined the national body of the union to stage a peaceful protest in major streets of Ilorin, the state capital, to press home their demand for the federal government to implement the demands of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). As early as 8 a.m., members of the union, which comprised NLC, ASUU, NASU, SANU and other allied unions, came out in large numbers to stage the peaceful protest that started at the state secretariat of the NLC in Ilorin. The security agencies (police, civil defence corps among others) were on ground to provide security for the protest so as to avoid being hijacked by unscrupulous elements of the society. The protesters were armed with placards with various inscriptions like: ‘There is only one way forward, honour our agreement’; ‘This is a national protest to get our children back to school’, among others. They moved across the major areas of Ilorin to educate the members of the public on the protest. Among the areas they passed through included Post Office, Challenge, A-Division Round About, and Government House, Ilorin, to submit their letter to the state government. Speaking with journalists at the NLC Secretariat in Ilorin, the state Chairman of the union, Aliyu Isa-Ore, said the rally was organised in solidarity with the ASUU members to press home their demand on the need for the federal government to honour their agreement. He said the federal government had signed an agreement with ASUU some year back on university revitalisation and other sundry issues, but without any implementation. Isa-Ore explained that if the federal government refuses to implement their demand after the rally, the union will go on a three-day warning strike. In their separate remarks, the Chairman of ASUU, University of Ilorin, Professor Moyosore Ajao, and the Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists Union, Awolola Femi, commended the NLC for supporting their cause. Prof Ajao noted that university workers’ demands was legitimate, adding that ASUU demands are long overdue and legitimate to deserve government attention. He said: "Let the government tell us which of our demands are not legitimate. We have the right to ask for what we deserve. "Is it our salary that has not been increased since last 13 years or our demand for the government to make infrastructure available? "We are not robots. Treat us like humans and save our children from idleness at home." The ASUU boss also explained that the struggle belongs to the entire country and not ASUU alone, calling on federal government to address the lingering strike to save students from becoming a public nuisance. He added that no nation can grow beyond its intellectual capacity, adding that Nigeria education deserves renaissance. Ajao also called for the enactment of law to ban Nigerians from schooling abroad in order to allow the Nigeria educational system to grow. Also, the Chairman, National Association of Academic Technologist, Unilorin chapter, Femi, said: “We are also affiliate member under NLC, and we are in support of the NLC because the government has shown so much insensitivity to the happenings in the university system.”

House Steps Down Motion to Halt Proposed Nationwide Ban on Commercial Motorcycles

The House of Representatives at the plenary on Tuesday stepped down a motion urging the federal government to halt the proposed nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles and ensure that adequate palliative measures are put in place before such decisions are implemented. The motion sponsored by Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman (APC, Jigawa) also prayed that the federal government should restrict the proposed ban to the local government areas where the mining activities or banditry/terrorist activities are taking place. Yalleman had while moving his motion noted that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government as clearly provided in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). He said the House is aware that the proposed ban of motorcycles is aimed at cutting the supply of logistics to the terrorists in the country. The lawmaker expressed concerns that the activities of bandits and kidnappers across the country have subjected members of victims’ families to serious psychological trauma even as they are forced to part with their hard-earned money. He opined that while banning commercial motorcycle operations across the country as a means of curtailing security challenges, the welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry should be considered foremost, as the federal government has not offered palliatives measures to cushion the expected effects of the ban. While worrying that the proposed ban render millions of Nigerians jobless, Yalleman said putting a sizeable number of the population out of work would only aggravate the security challenges in the country. Shortly after moving the motion, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Idris Wase, who presided over the plenary session, urged him to stepdown the motion, as the parliament is obligated to support the federal government in their efforts to curb the worsening insecurity in the country. Wase said: "We should cooperate with the government, however, we appreciate what our brother has brought, and we appeal to the government that as it implement this policy, the government should look at those areas that are not vulnerable and do not have the potency of having any such insurgency in their community. “In line with our principle to help to curb the incessant insecurity in our country, we have to cooperate with the government. You can’t imagine what’s going on today in Abuja. I went through DSS reports-44 reports were given before the attack of Kuje prison. And they all stated that there’s no community where attack would happen that you don’t have an intel. So we have to cooperate with the government."

Ortom Urges Benue University to End Strike over Plight of Students

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has asked the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benue State University (BSU) chapter, to call off the ongoing sympathy strike with the national body. He noted that the sympathy strike had gone beyond the allowed three days, and appealed to the lecturers to return back to the classroom in the interest of Benue children. The Governor, who made the appeal in Makurdi, the state capital, on Monday while reacting to appeals by parents and students on the striking lectures to call off the sympathy strike, noted that he had ensured the prompt payment of the salaries of the striking lecturers despite their action, lamenting that their action was already taking its toll on the students and parents. The governor said: “I have been paying their salaries; I don’t know why the lecturers are extending their sympathy strike beyond the allowed days. Even at that, I am still paying them. “Ordinarily there shouldn’t be any strike in the Benue State University at least they wouldn’t have gone beyond the days allowed for sympathy strike. “So it is either they come back or I will stop paying them and I will use the resources for something else. What I give to BSU monthly is over N600million and they should appreciate what we are doing in that institution. “I have been doing that monthly, so I am appealing to them to return back to classroom. I have been patient enough and I am allowing them one month to rethink. I also urge stakeholders to talk to them.” When contacted, the ASUU-BSU chapter Chairman, Dr. Tarnongu Kwaghfan, said the state government was yet to pay their June salaries. Kwaghfan said: “We have our own local issues which we have raised and the governor is also aware of these local issues. So, if he says he does not owe salaries, however, June has not been paid.” The ASUU-BSU joined the warning strike that was called on February 14, 2022, by the national body of the union on sympathy ground, but had not called off the action despite repeated appeals by parents and students for an end to the action.

Be Wary of Political Buccaneers, Wike's Aide Warns Rivers People

The Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Emeka Woke, on Monday advised the people of the state, especially eligible voters to be wary of political buccaneers and fraudsters, whose stock in trade, according to him, is to deceive people for selfish monetary gains during electioneering period. This is as Woke berated Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe for making alleged unsubstantiated claims that Governor Wike's administration has not executed any project in the state. Woke stated these while speaking at the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) sensitisation and mobilisation rally for the continuous Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) registration exercise held at Saint Paul's state School Field, Rumuji in Emohua Local Government Area of the state. The Chief of Staff said: "We are not playing politics, but we will not allow the buccaneers and 419 people to deceive Rivers people. Time has come again, those who have disappeared in the last four years are beginning to reappear again, but we will not give them that space. "People like Anabs Sara-Igbe, who is always coming every four years, will come as a mafia messenger and at some other time, he will come as PANDEF whatever. "He has come again to deceive the Rivers people saying that the present administration has not done any project, even though he contradicted himself by acknowledging that he saw bridges-no projects, but there are bridges. "I've not come here to campaign because this is not a campaign, but am advising Rivers people to be wary of such people, those 419 people and buccaneers, because this is their season. This is the only time they make money. But be rest assured that we will not give them any chance." He also took a swipe at the comments made by the 2015 gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, that it is now time to rebuild the APC in the state following the massive resignation of party faithful. Woke stated that there is no other party in Rivers State other than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to him, “APC no longer exist in the state. There is no other party in Rivers State other than the PDP. I heard Dakuku Peterside during the week saying that now that a lot of people have resigned from APC enmasse, it is time for them to rebuild the party. Rebuild what? When milk is spilt, is there anything you can get from it? APC doesn't have party any more in Rivers State." Speaking on the PVC sensitization and mobilization rally, the Chief of Staff urged those who have registered but yet to collect their cards to do so, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will only accredit voters through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the forthcoming elections.

Fire Destroys Goods Worth Millions of Naira in Kwara

Property worth over N8million were on Monday razed by inferno at the Alanamu market in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. The fire incident, according to eyewitness, was noticed around 4 a.m., and affected more than eight shops. During the incident, according to media checks, loaded goods in the market like clothes, showing machines, refrigerators, soft drinks and other materials were burnt. Sources said the inferno was put under control by men of the state fire service. Confirming the incident yesterday, the Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, said there was no one in the market when the fire started, adding that it was a bike man who saw the inferno and quickly summoned the state fire service to rescue the situation. According to him, “Firemen did everything possible to immediately stop the spread of the fire to other shops, and subsequently extinguished the fire. "Out of the 86 shops in the market place, 11 shops were affected. The cause of the fire outbreak was suspected to be an electric power surge. "The estimated property saved was N865.5million and the estimated property lost was N9.6million." The Director, Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the public, especially the market people to be more safety conscious. He also advised them against unmonitored charging practice that many people in the society are doing at their various shops, offices, and homes as this could endanger their lives and property. Meanwhile the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr. Uthman Atolagbe Abubakar Jos; the Chairman, Kwara State Marketers’ Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Saad, and the people of Alanamu have appealed to the state government to come to their aid over the inferno. Speaking during an interview with THISDAY, who visited the scene yesterday, Balogun Alanamu praised the effort of the fire service operatives for their quick response and also appealed to the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to come to the aids of the victim. Also speaking, the Babaloja of Kwara State, Alhaji Saad, called on the state government, political office holders and other philanthropists to assist the victims of the fire.

NAPTIP Takes Fight against Trafficking, Organ Harvesting to Facebook, Instagram Others

...Tasks Nigerians on devt of technology-based tools to enhance international cooperation The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has taking the fight against trafficking in persons, organ harvesting and others to various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram among others. The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, disclosed this on Monday while interacting with journalists on plans and programmes for the commemoration of the 2022 World Day against Human Trafficking. The DG, while observing that NAPTIP is already partnering major owners of various social media platforms, disclosed that the agency would in a few months’ time unveil the ‘NAPTIP Alert’, which is aimed at sensitising innocent Nigerians of the activities of online traffickers. She lamented that human traffickers have "shifted from physical recruitment to virtual recruitment through virtual assessment of victims and proxy negotiations." According to Waziri-Azi, “NAPTIP have seen an increase in fake job advertorials and fake scholarships via social media, adding that traffickers use it to recruit and cat-fish unsuspecting victims. "Traffickers also use technology to control their victims. For instance, besides oath taking, they make nude videos of their victims and threaten to share the explicit images online. "While technology is frequently misused to facilitate trafficking in persons, its positive use helps combat trafficking and support anti-trafficking work, such as aiding investigations that in turn enhances prosecution, scaling awareness campaigns, development of technology-based tools that support victims and survivors and enhancing international cooperation." Among the lineup of events to make this year's celebration include: short films; inter-university debate on the 2022 theme; anti-human trafficking awareness walk, novelty football match and awareness fitness and jogging as well as a celebration with victims of human trafficking. Also speaking at the media parley, representative of the International Organisation for Migration, Prestage Murima, noted that this year's theme: ‘Use and Abuse of Technology’, is apt because it focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking. Murima said: "Prevention and awareness-raising activities on the safe use of the internet and social media could help mitigate the risk of people falling victim of trafficking online. Hence cooperation with the private sector is important to harness innovation and expertise for the development of sustainable technology-based solutions to support prevention and combating of human trafficking."

Banning Commercial Motorcycle Operators, Miners will Deepen Poverty, Insecurity, iNGO Warns

An international nongovernmental organisation (iNGO), the ActionAid Nigeria, has decried the federal government’s proposed nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles and illegal mining activities in order to stem the rising insecurity across the country, stressing that such action will further deepen the national multi-dimensional poverty index. This was contained in a statement signed by the ActionAid Nigeria's Communication Coordinator, Lola Ayanda, and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday. The group was reacting to the statement by credited to Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, that placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities may cut the supply of logistics and source of funds for the purchase of arms to the terrorists, adding that while this is being contemplated in the national interest to combat insecurity, there must be alternatives to lessen the effects of the attendant loss of livelihoods on the people that will be affected. ActionAid Nigeria, therefore, recommended among other things that Nigeria must put a robust social safety net in place to buffer the impact of the planned ban. According to the group, "In addition, the country must invest in agriculture value-chain, girl-child education, prioritise the health and well-being of its citizenry and enhance economic opportunities while embracing technology to improve economic productivity and opportunities for the citizens. "In essence, the government must encourage investments and job creation to engage those that will lose their livelihoods. AAN and other development partners are available to work with the government at all levels to create a sustainable alternative for this population. "Nigeria may find it hard to contain crimes and tackle poverty if adequate alternatives are not implemented before the planned ban. While it is vital for us to do everything possible to deal with threats to national security or the country’s corporate existence, we urge the federal government to give the options being considered human face as the well-being of Nigerians should be prioritised. This will help to reduce livelihood and monetary poverty that will stem from the planned ban on ‘Okada’ riders and miners. "Regardless of the means being considered for the proposed ban on commercial motorcycle operations’, artisanal and small-scale miners, it must be implemented in a way that will not further worsen the country’s dire economic situation. "A World Bank report has already noted that the number of poor persons in Nigeria will rise to 95.1 million in 2022. The number of poor people was 89.0 million in 2020. This means that over 6.1 million more persons would have fallen into the poverty bracket between 2020 and 2022, a 6.7 percent increase. With the projected 2022 figures, the number of poor persons in Nigeria has had a four-year increase of 14.7 percent from the 2018/19 figure of 82.1 million to the projected 95.1 million in 2022. "In Nigeria, the poverty rate has been aided by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the growing population, the high level of inflation, which stood at 18.6 percent as of June 2022 and the harsh effects of the Ukraine-Russia warfare. "This development is coming after the Nigerian Government said it lifted 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty between 2019 and 2021. Though the president has repeatedly said the Bank of Industry has created nine million jobs in the country since 2015, and different schemes to create jobs and tackle poverty in the country have been launched, these have failed to stem the tide of poverty in the country."

Rivers People Will Determine Next Governor, Not Wike, Says Abe

Former representative of Rivers South-East senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has stated that it is the Rivers people that will determine who will becomes the next governor of the state, not the incumbent state Governor, Nyesom Wike. He pointed out that the governor had on several occasions said the people of the state would decide his successor, therefore, he should not change his position by imposing a governor on the people in 2023. Abe, who made the assertion at the weekend, insisted that the future of Rivers State is more important to the people of the state than the pleasure of any individual. According to him, "If the president of Nigeria, who is more powerful than the governor, cannot decide who will be the next president to succeed him, then the governor of Rivers State will not decide who will succeed him. "That issue will be decided by the people of Rivers State. And let me also quote the governor himself. He has said on different occasions that he will allow the people of Rivers State to decide his successor, and I know him as a man of his word. "I believe that he will do everything possible to create an atmosphere in which those who are interested in succeeding him regardless of their political party will have a fair chance to contest.” Abe expressed the optimism that he has very bright chances of winning the 2023 governorship election in Rivers State, considering the fact that he has never lost in any election in the state before. On his chances of participating as a candidate at the gubernatorial election, Abe said: "What chances do I have in the state? Very bright chances! I always win elections. I don't lose elections in Rivers State. The contest is always tense because the contest of power is always tense but somebody must win. "The important thing is that we should allow the people of the state to decide. I am ready to abide by whatever the people of Rivers State decide. I am ready to submit myself. I don't even want to lead a people who don’t want me to lead them, because the kind of dreams and visions that I have for my state is such that I need the people to work with me to be able to achieve something. "So if they don't choose me, and I impose myself on them, I know that the plans we are making will not work because I need their support and I need them to work with me. I don't want to be a leader who is going to where the people are not going. So I don't even want to be the governor without the endorsement and strong support of Rivers people. "So, I am presenting myself to them, and I will tell them the plans we have. I will tell them what I think that we can do with the state. I will tell them where I think we can go, and if they are interested in coming with me, then we will go together. If they are not interested, it's not a problem. "But, rather than stay and continue to waste the time of the people with APC that has not shown any capacity in Rivers State to be able to overcome any challenges and deliver on the electoral expectations of its members, I have decided to do what a politician should do, which is to look for a platform that will give me the privilege and the opportunity to fly their flag and present myself, my ideas and our commitment to the people of Rivers State, that's where we are."

Illegal Arrest/Detention: Court Orders DSS, Perm Sect to Pay N3m Damages to Teenage under Trial for Alleged Cyber Stalking

For illegally arresting and detaining in prison for 13 days without trial, a Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa has awarded N3 million in damages to a teenage girl facing trial for allegedly circulating nude video of a retired Permanent Secretary in the state. The girl (name withheld) had through her counsel, Andrew Arthur, sued the retired permanent secretary and the Department of State Security (DSS) for her arrest and detention for 13 days without trial. According to the March 31 judgement sighted on Thursday, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro awarded the damage and additional N3, 000 as costs for breach of her fundamental human rights. The decision of the court stated that the retired Permanent Secretary, Dr. Walto Liverpool, would pay N1 million, while the DSS would pay additional N 2 million to the teenager as damages. Umukoro noted that while Liverpool had submitted a petition against the teenager to the police who arrested her and later granted her bail, the permanent secretary also submitted the same petition to the DSS for the same offence. He, therefore, ruled that using multiple security agencies to detain the teenager amounted to intimidation and high-handedness which breached her fundamental human rights. According to the Judge, "In the final analysis, the applicant (teenager) has made out a case of infringement of her constitutional rights to personal liberty, dignity and freedom of movement between October 5 and 8, 2021, and of October 13, 2021, when she was arrested and detained without charge or a court order by the third respondent (DSS). "The applicant has equally shown that her remand was without probable cause shown by the third respondent, and therefore, it’s irregular, null and void and violation of Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bayelsa 2019." The DSS had on October 18, 2021, arraigned a teenage girl before the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, where she is being tried on a one-count charge of cyber-stalking. According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly engaged in cyber-stalking by circulating the retiree’s nude video on a WhatsApp group after she tried to blackmail him into paying her N15 million. The teenager allegedly shot the video after ‘sexual intercourse’ with the retired permanent secretary in a hotel in Yenagoa in August 2021. The trial of the teenager is currently ongoing, while the DSS has headed to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt to challenge the decision of the Bayelsa State High Court on the fundamental human rights enforcement of the teenager.

I Killed Only Three Persons, Arrested 23-year-old Cultist Confesses

I Killed Only Three Persons, Arrested 23-year-old Cultist Confesses David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka A 23-year-old cultist, Chisom Okafor, allegedly arrested by operatives of Anambra State Police Command, has confessed to have killed only three people since he joined a cult group. In a video currently trending on the internet, the two young cultists, Chisom Okafor and Ikechukwu Chinweze, aged 23 and 19, were being questioned by men suspected to be police officers. Both confessed to being members of Aye confraternity, and have participated in killings in Awka and neighbouring towns in Anambra State. Okafor was seen in the video confessing that he has killed rival cultists, whose names he gave as a certain Savage and Edu Obara. He said: "I was among the cultist who went to ObJ's place (just nickname) and killed some security men. We were seven in number that went for the operation. I dropped out of school, but I'm a tiler, and I do tiling very well." Meanwhile, Savage and Edu Obara have been identified as two youths who were murdered in September 2021-beheaded and their heads used to play football by their murderers. A source told journalists that while Edu Obara was murdered in Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area, while Savage was murdered in Oko, Orumba North LGA of the state. Both were beheaded, and videos of their heads being used to play football had trended on the internet in 2021, with the police promising to arrest the perpetrators. Though the source said the venue of the video interview for the arrested cultists was said to be the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), the state police command denied any knowledge of it. Spokesperson of the state Police Command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, pleaded for time to verify that the boys were actually in the police net, but as at the time of filling this report, he was yet to get back to the reporter.

NDDC Begins Programme to Address Challenges of Niger Delta Youths

In a bid to address the challenges facing the youths in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has launched a new programme called ‘Niger Delta Talent Hunt (NIDETH)’. The programme, according to the NDDC Interim Administrator, Dr. Efiong Akwa, is targeted at harnessing the youths’ creative gifts in the entertainment industry. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Akwa, said the commission would continue to create programmes to address the challenges facing the youths in the region. He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Umana, for supporting activities aimed at elevating the initiatives of the youths in the Niger Delta region. Akwa said: "Our focus in this programme is to identify the talented youths, build them up and expose them to the world. We want to use this as an opportunity to provide a platform to expose the hidden talents in the region. If you build the youths, you build the nation.” Also, in his remarks, the NDDC Director, Youths and Sports, Mr. Offiong Ephraim, noted that the NIDETH is a flagship programme of the NDDC Youths and Sports Directorate, aimed at exposing the inherent talents of youths in the Niger Delta region. He said the talent hunt programme would kick off from Ondo State with the finals taking place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The NIDETH programme, Ephraim stated, covers the nine NDDC mandate states. Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Youths to the Interim Administrator, Udengs Eradiri, said the Niger Delta youths are enterprising, noting that artistes from the region had challenges of getting support and platforms to express themselves. He said: “The creative industry is one area that we can engage a lot of idle young people. We will continue to play our role in supporting institutions to create the platform to push our young people to international community. We must keep the creative sector alive in the Niger Delta to develop young talents to showcase to the world.” One of the leading artistes in the region and consultant for the programme, Mr. Okiri Harrison (aka Harry Song), said the new NDDC youth programme was a dream come true for those in the creative sector, noting that 80 percent of the entertainment industry was rooted in the Niger Deltaregion.

Bayelsa Govt Clears Air on State of Its Airport ...Says Bayelsa airport not downgraded

Bayelsa State Government has made a clarification that the state-owned international airport had not been downgraded as being insinuated in some quarters. It said the absence of scheduled flights to and from the Bayelsa International Airport for a couple of weeks now was not the making or fault of the state government, but has to do with some technical issues with the two airline operators. The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the clarification on Wednesday when the Federated Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, paid him a courtesy call in the Government House, Yenagoa. Ewhrudjakpo explained that two airlines, Ibom Air and United Nigeria Airlines, were carrying out what he called D-Check on their aircraft, which had also affected their flight operations from their primary routes. According to the deputy governor, the D-Check is a major maintenance check to determine the air-worthiness of an aircraft after it had made commercial flights for a period of 10 years. He pointed out that the state government was in touch with the management teams of both airlines, giving the assurance that normal flight operations would resume at the airport before the end of the month. He said: "I can assure you that the Governor Diri-led administration is very much on course. I know that you are going to ask us what is happening to the Bayelsa International Airport. "There are a few issues, but they are not really our issues as a government per se. We are aware some persons are pushing the news that the airport has been downgraded. That is not true. The airport has not been downgraded. "What happened is that the two airlines working with us have gone for D-Check. The D-Check means a plane going for a major maintenance check after it had been put to flight operations for 10 years, to determine its airworthiness. "If you watch very well, even flights in their regular or primary routes, like the Port Harcourt to Abuja route, have now been reduced to only one daily flight." Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that the state government was doing its best to change the general impression of leadership in the state, said the administration had taken proactive steps to checkmate the impact of the forecast impending large flood. He called on the Federated Correspondents Chapel to help push out the good things the government was doing in the state, noting that the ‘Prosperity Administration’ was not resting on its oars in all sectors ranging from agriculture, sports, health to security. He, however, thanked the media for its support for the present administration right from its inception to date, and assured the Chapel that the government would support their annual lecture slated for November this year. The deputy governor, however, observed that the standard of journalistic practice was in a steady decline in Nigeria, and therefore, called on the Correspondents Chapel and its parent body, the NUJ, to raise the bar. Earlier in his remarks, the state Chairman of the Federated Correspondents Chapel, NUJ, Mr. Tife Owolabi, said the visit was meant to formally introduce the newly elected executive members of the Chapel to the deputy governor. Owolabi, who showered encomiums on the deputy governor for being media-friendly, prayed the state government to carry the correspondents chapel along in its programmes and events, even as he appealed for support towards their annual lecture programme.