April 2023 ~ Sanmi Alake Blog

Sunday, 30 April 2023

2 die, 12 injured in Kogi lone accident

A road accident in Kogi on Sunday claimed the lives of two persons while 12 others were injured.

The lone crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus conveying 18 persons, including the driver.

The FRSC Commander in the state, Mr. Stephen Dawulung, said that the incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. at Irepeni village along Zariagi-Okene road.

Dawulung explained that the crash was caused by speed and tyre burst that made the vehicle to summersault.

“The injured have already been conveyed to Kekere Hospital, Kabba Junction, Zariagi by our personnel who carried out the rescue operation.

“Already, the corpses of the dead passengers have been claimed by relations for burial,” he said.

The sector commander sympathized with the families of the victims and urged drivers to avoid night journeys, speed, and use of worn-out or expired tyres.

He also charged motorists to always observe 40 minutes rest after every four hours drive, to ward off fatigue and drowsiness.

Dawulung thanked the military for the security cover provided to FRSC personnel that conducted the rescue operation.

He solicited more synergy with all security agencies to save lives and property on highways.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, announced the arrival of the first set of electric buses in the Lagos Mass Transit Master Plan.

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the development was part of his administration’s increased effort to modernize every sector of Lagos.

He thanked Oando PLC for their partnership, adding that Lagosians can expect a cleaner and greener public transportation system.

The governor said: “With the ability to travel 280km at full charge, taking into account our unique travel times in Lagos, our electric buses are a game-changer. With an average daily usage of 200km by existing BRTs, there is no need to fear that the buses can stop while in transit.

“Our new electric buses will not only reduce carbon emissions but will also increase efficiency. This means that Lagosians can say goodbye to high fuel costs and hello to cost-efficient transportation. We shall be running a pilot scheme over the next few months to gather sufficient data required to analyze the operational efficiencies relative to the current BRT buses to further improve our public transport service.

“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Lagos.

“We understand the need for charging stations to power our electric buses, which is why we are partnering with Oando Clean Energy Limited to strategically place Universal Chargers at public places like malls and gas stations. We also plan to establish an Assembly Plant for Electric Buses in the near future.

“This is just the beginning of our efforts to transform Lagos into an even smarter city as we continue to increase our fleet of electric vehicles, further modernizing the Lagos transportation system.

“Join us in embracing the future of mobility in Lagos.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said no plans to phase out the redesigned Naira notes from circulation.

CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isa AbdulMumin, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

The statement was a reaction to viral news on social media that the apex bank was contemplating the withdrawal of the recently redesigned N1,000 N500 and N200 currency banknotes from circulation.

“We wish to emphatically state that such speculation is unfounded and a ploy by some interests to cause panic among members of the public.

“The new and old currency notes have been circulating side by side.

“The CBN has been taking delivery of a good quantity of the redesigned banknotes from the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company Limited,” he said.

Abdulmumin said that the apex bank was committed to supplying the “approved indent” for the smooth running of the economy.

“We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard any report suggesting a phase-out of the redesigned currency.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the redesigned and old notes will continue to be accepted as legal tender.

“They will circulate side-by-side for transactions ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline, when the old N1,000, N500 and N200 banknotes will eventually be phased out,” he said.

The Police Command in Ogun has arrested a member of a ritualist syndicate, who killed and dismembered one Oyindamola Adeyemi at Ijebu-Ode on Jan. 28.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday.

Oyeyemi said that the suspect was arrested on Friday at the Ijade-Iloti area of Ijebu-Ode.

He said that the suspect offered the policemen who arrested him a N1 million bribe which was rejected.

Oyeyemi said that other members of the gang had earlier been arrested.

He further stated that the suspect was apprehended following a painstaking intelligence-based investigation embarked upon by detectives from Obalende Divisional Headquarters, which led them to his hideout.

“The suspect, who had been indicted by the earlier arrested members of the syndicate as the person who bought the two legs of the victim, took to flight immediately after he heard that he had been mentioned by his colleagues.

“Since then, the DPO, Obalende division, Murphy Salami, has detailed his detectives to be on his trail with a view to arresting him and possibly recovering the deceased’s two legs from him and prosecuting him with his colleagues-in-crime.

“Luck, however, ran against him when he was apprehended at his Ijade-Iloti hideout on April 28,” he said.

Oyeyemi added that the suspect had confessed to being part of the syndicate that killed the victim and that he was the person who severed the two legs of the deceased, which he claimed he used for ritual purposes.

The Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Oladimeji, had directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department in order to prosecute him with other members of his syndicate.

Officers of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested nine members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) responsible for killings in Imo State.

The arrest came barely two weeks after gunmen attacked and killed four policemen in a restaurant in the Ngor Okpala area of the state.

Speaking on Sunday, the spokesman of Imo police command, ASP Henry Okoye confirmed that police officers also recovered arms and ammunition from the criminals’ hideouts.

Okoye said the arrests followed the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Barde’s directive to
commence a detailed investigation and manhunt to unravel the perpetrators of the Ngor Okpala dastardly act.

“Acting on the CP’s directives, a detachment of the Command’s tactical team on April 24 at about 1730hrs after a diligent gathering of credible intelligence, arrested one Mathew Chuwkuma, 48 years, of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, in his hideout at Umuahia, Abia.

“He confessed to being the Sector Commander of the proscribed and dreadful IPOB/Eastern Security Network (ESN) syndicate in Mbaise and assisted the curious operatives in arresting three of his syndicate,” Okoye said.

He listed the names of the suspects as Ojoko Ikechukwu, 53; Chilaka Charles, 44; and Anthony Iwu, 50, who were all arrested in their criminal hideout at Umuokiria, Ahaizu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, while others escaped.

He said on searching the suspects and their hideout, incriminating items were recovered.

Okoye said one cut-to-size AK 47 rifle, 190 rounds of live 7.62 mm ammunition, two AK 47 magazines, two cut-to-size double barrel guns, and one locally fabricated Beretta pistol were recovered from the terrorist hideout.

“In the course of the investigation, the suspects all confessed to being members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN syndicate terrorizing the good people of Imo and had a hand in the recent killing of four Police officers and two civilians at Ngor Okpala.

“They volunteered crucial information that assisted the determined operatives on April 27 at about 1240hrs, in raiding their second hideout/shrine in Itu, Ezinitte Mbaise local government area of Imo which led to the arrest of four other notorious IPOB/ESN suspects famous on the command’s wanted list due to their nefarious activities.

“On sighting the operatives, the notorious criminal syndicate engaged them in a fierce gun duel but were overpowered by the super firepower of the combat-ready tactical squad which forced them to disarray and resulted in the arrest of four other suspects,” he stated.

The police spokesman gave the names of the suspects as Ibe Demian, 50; Iwuala Simon, 31; Nwabueze Ahiwe, 47; and the Chief Priest of the Criminal Syndicate, Obali Paul, 70.

He said some other suspects escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries.

“On searching their second hideout which also serves as shrine where they perform fetish rituals, one AK 47 riffle, three pump action guns, two single barrel locally made guns, one locally made pistol and one cut to size gun were recovered.

“Also recovered were 50 rounds of 7.66mm live ammunition, 38 rounds of live cartridges, two AK 47 magazines, two locally made explosive devices, one iPhone, one H-mobile, walkie-talkie, three cow horns painted with Biafran Insignia, two Biafran Jewish caps, and a Jewish flag.”

He added that a large number of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa and other fetish objects were equally recovered.

“Frantic investigating efforts is on top gear to arrest other syndicate members at large and make them face the full wrath of the law.

“The commissioner of police while commending the operatives for a job well done, stressed the fact that policing is collective responsibility,” he emphasized.

He appealed to Imo people to join hands with the Police and other sister security agencies in the crusade against terrorism and to report any suspicious activity or persons seen with or treating gunshot injury to the nearest Police station.

Okoye further released the command’s phone lines: 08034773700 and 08098880197, for any emergency.

The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested a couple for allegedly planning their kidnap and demanding N5 million ransom.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said that the husband, a 53-year-old technician and wife, a 48-year-old body massager and bone setter, were arrested on Wednesday, April 26, and Thursday, April 27, respectively after a family member of the man reported the purported kidnapping.

He said the couple, who admitted to the crime, claimed they planned the self-kidnap to raise N3 million to buy back their house at Badagry area of Lagos.

“The man brought the idea and sold it to his wife. He did not deny it before the police. He said he did it through text message for a purpose. He said he did it because he wanted to re-buy his house back with N3 million,” Hundeyin told the News Agency of Nigeria.

“The man claimed he decided to organise self-kidnap because none of his brothers and sisters doing well and some living abroad are willing to assist him financially.

“He claimed that if they hear of his kidnap with his wife, they would negotiate with the kidnappers and pay the money.”

Hundeyin said the husband and wife were still living in their house in Badagry when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations. However, when police visited the house on Tuesday, April 25, they met the wife and three children.

He said the police requested the woman to follow them to the police headquarters, Ikeja, but the woman pleaded with them to allow her to come the next day Wednesday, which was granted.

The image maker said that the woman came to the station as promised and was arrested for self-kidnap, while the husband was arrested the following day Thursday.

“She admitted that she supported her husband in the crime. She also admitted that her husband discussed the matter with her and she gave her approval because they never thought it will turn out negative.

LIB

Nineteen Undergraduates of Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat-Enin, were on Friday, April 28, 2023, arrested by operatives of the Uyo Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for suspected internet- related offences.

They were arrested at their private hostels: Obong Abasi Lodge and Mfon Obong Lodge both located at Ikot Akpadem in Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Their arrest followed several months of surveillance on their suspected involvement in romance scam, fraudulent crypto currency transactions and impersonation.

Items recovered from them include, several laptops and mobile phones.

They will be charged to court as soon as Investigations are concluded.

The African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore said was disappointed that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu did not participate in the 2023 Abuja Marathon.

Sowore stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday.

He also expressed disappointment over the absence of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mohammed Bello, at the race.

The rights activist was one of the participants in the maiden edition of the Abuja International Marathon.

He said:

“This is the first Abuja marathon, I participated and I ran longer than I expected. I expected that the Minister of FCT would be here.
“I was even expecting Tinubu to be here, but apparently, I am the only presidential candidate standing after the election.
“I ran with kids, great kids. I am of the opinion that we are wasting a lot of talents in this country.”

According to Sowore, sports was an important tool towards uniting Nigerians and generating employment for the youths.

A Pastor with the Celestial Church of Christ, Omotayo Valentine Akingbesote, has been accused of killing a 19-year-old girl identified as Loveth, at Igunshin in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the 65-year-old cleric allegedly gave the deceased a drug known as “Largactil” to swallow in order to live a long and prosperous life.

Largactil is a drug used to treat various problems such as severe depression or behavioural disturbance. It can also be used to treat nausea, vomiting, severe pain and unstoppable hiccups.

A source who spoke to newsmen about the incident said the late Loveth reached out to the pastor to give her anything that could make her prosperous and also live long.

“She went to the pastor’s church for the first time to pray for long life and to have a good job, so that she could take care of her siblings because she didn’t want to die young like her mother. As she was praying in the church, the pastor’s wife came to meet her and said daddy was not at home and that she would inform him she visited the church for consultation.
“Fortunately, when the pastor came back, he sent for her. The house is just a pole away from the church and he prayed for her and asked her to come the following day. The next day, she went to the Church to see the pastor and he gave her the drug called ‘Largactil’ to use. He said he had already prayed on it and that it would make her prosper and make it in life,” the source said.

The source, who spoke Dailytrust under the condition of anonymity, said Loveth collected the drug and used it in the Church but later noticed that she did not have any strength to move again.

“Later, the pastor took her to a bed in the church, laid her on it, removed her underwear and slept with her using the advantage that she was weak. A few hours later, he took her to the road leading to her house where she managed to get home. Since then, she only woke up, ate and slept again for four days. By the time she came out of drowsiness on the fourth day, one white thing had covered her eyes and she could not see. She was on the sick bed till she gave up the ghost.”

According to Dailytrust report, the cleric was arrested by the Police, who later transferred the case to the Enu-Owa Station in Ondo for interrogation.

One of the relatives of the deceased was said to have reported the murder case of the teenager to the police.

Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the accused pastor is currently facing interrogation from detectives. She added that the murder case would be transferred to police headquarters in Akure where the investigation would commence fully.

A building located within the premises of Ile Oodua Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has been razed down by fire, destroying valuables.

According to a source at Enuwa, Ile-Ife, where the palace is located, the incident happened around 11:30 pm Friday.

It was also learnt that when the smoke was noticed, the entire premises was thrown into panic, as those within the vicinity rallied efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the palace.

A statement by the monarch’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, obtained in Osogbo on Saturday, said no casualty, no loss of any cultural item or injury was recorded in the inferno and blamed the incident on a power surge.

It further read in parts, “A building apartment within the courtyard of the Palace Of The Ooni Of Ife was at about 11:30 pm yesterday engulfed in flames of fire incident triggered by a power surge which exploded through electrical appliances in the affected apartment.

“The inferno did not spread beyond the affected building located at a section of the palace premises, as it was swiftly put off through the combined efforts of the Government Fire Service, OAU Fire Service & Palace Emergency Control Unit.

“No casualties, no injuries recorded, no cultural items lost,” Olafare said.

A yet-to-be identified self-acclaimed pastor has been paraded for allegedly impregnating his church members in Umuidoko Ogrute In Enugu Ezike, Enugu State.

It is was gathered that the pastor was caught on Friday, April 28, when one of his female members revealed to her family that her pastor was responsible for her pregnancy.

A source report said,

“This man has a church and goes to the mountain with his female church members for prayers. It was revealed that 99% of his church members are women who aren’t from the community. He always gives them visions to help them get married to rich men. The women desperate for a miracle, visit his church for solution and never return home to their families.
We gathered that he takes them to a mountain where he built a small hut and sleeps with them on a rotational basis. When the victims get pregnant, he will order them to terminate it.
Unfortunately for him, one of his victims was accosted by her family members and she explained how she got pregnant. Her revelation made irate youth pay the church a courtesy visit.
They got there and found other victims whom they set free from the pastor’s bondage. They razed down the church and helped him pack his items advising him never to return to the village.”

Prof. Razaq Abubakre, a former Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and former federal commissioner, has expressed optimism that former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola will reclaim his mandate at the Supreme Court.

Prof. Abubakre, a prominent indigene of Iwo, Osun State spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

According to him, those threatening to cause trouble if APC wins at the Supreme Court are making empty threats.

“As for the promise of fire and brimstone by the PDP should APC win at the Supreme Court, it is an empty threat.

“This is because the security apparatus is part of the paraphernalia of the office of a chief executive, which will cease to be effective for the use of the PDP with its reputation of violence.

“Peace will return to the state once again by the grace of God the Almighty,” Abubakre said.

He alleged that the violent posture of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) remained a hallmark of the PDP, especially in Osun State.

“Many lives were lost in the struggle for Rauf Aregbesola to become Governor in Osun state.

“The state normally knows peace only when progressives are in power.

“They kill their members even while conducting their primaries. They killed many members of APC and forced many to abandon their abodes which enabled the PDP and the unscrupulous umpire and security allies to write whatever they chose.

“Still, cast-iron records show that irregularities characterised the Osun governorship election,” Abubakre alleged.

He alleged that the intimidation of the Supreme Court by the spokespersons of PDP was not dissimilar to what Mr Ahmed Datti did, which prompted the Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka to condemn some of the Labour Party members.

Abubakre said that good governance is not impression management and neither is it corruption in the guise of delivering substandard infrastructural projects at inflated costs.

He said the performance of Adeleke is incomparable to the governance credentials of Oyetola, who is a silent performer.

Abubakre said that, for example, Oyetola demonstrated commendable probity and genuinely delivered critical infrastructural projects that will stand the test of time.

According to Abubakre, former governor Oyetola of the APC is still popular in Osun and is the favourite of the people.

“The popularity of APC and the former governor Gboyega Oyetola was tested twice in the just concluded Ramadan.

“The first of the events was held in Iwo, the headquarters of Osun West Senatorial District. It was a Ramadan lecture and prayers for the successful inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of Nigeria and the victory of Oyetola at the Supreme Court.

“This, we organised from our own free volition and financial contribution without any funding from outside Iwoland. It was a mammoth crowd of devotees. May Allah accept the prayers,” he said.

Abubakre said the second event was a similar programme at Osogbo, held at the Tinubu-Shettima campaign office, for the same intent and purpose, which also turned out to be an uproaring success.

Abubakre was a Federal Commissioner for the Public Complaints Commission for Osun State between 2012 and 2018, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ilorin from 2001 to 2003.

The Emeritus Professor has been a member of Agba Osun (Elders of Osun) of the APC, from 2021 to date.

The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says he attracted developmental projects to his home town, Oro, because of his strong bond with the community and a common notion shared by the community members.

According to the minister, an average Oro man cannot consider himself successful until he has constructed a personal building in the town and contributed to the town’s development.

Mohammed stated this in an interview with newsmen at the 2023 Oro Day Celebrations, held in the town, near Ilorin, in Kwara, and witnessed by prominent sons and daughters of the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that one of the major events of the celebration was the commissioning of an 80-bed Mother and Child Hospital, facilitated by the minister.

The hospital was built and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Mohammed recalled that he facilitated the rehabilitation of township roads in Oro which was awarded and funded by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

He said besides providing solar-powered street lights in the community, he equally attracted a 60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation to the town.

According to the minister, the project, with 5km turn-in-turn-out Offa-Omu-Aran 132kV double circuit transmission lines, was awarded by the Federal Government through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Super Eagles of Nigeria and Nottingham Forest of England striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has constructed a modern-day dressing room for Sheikh Abdulkadir College, Ilorin, the school at which he was discovered.

The former Liverpool forward also renovated the pavilion of the school in an attempt to give back to the society that made him.

The Chairman of the organizing committee for the striker’s sponsored football tourney, tagged “Never Stop Dreaming Cup 2023”, Coach Mustapha Olokode, told newsmen in Ilorin at the opening ceremony of the tournament that the gesture is one in many to come for the college.

Olokode also hinted at the Super Eagles striker’s plans to lay artificial grass on the pitch later, which is in the next phase of Awoniyi’s support for the college.

The representative from the Kwara Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, who also doubles as the State Coordinator for School Sports, Mr. Joshua Yisa, commended Awoniyi for his intervention and the idea of the tournament.

“This is a welcome development. Awoniyi has put a smile on the faces of many youths by sponsoring this competition,” Yisa said.

He also lauded the Nottingham Forest striker for the construction of modern dressing rooms, toilets, and office at the college where the competition is being held.

Meanwhile, Awoniyi’s Football Academy, Unicorn FA, has defeated Sunshine 2-0 in the opening game of the 26-team format competition.

The 26-team format tournament is expected to pull no fewer than 500 players across the state together.

The eventual winner be smiling home with a cash prize of N1 million, the runners-up will get N700,000, while the third-place winner will scoop N500,000.

Outstanding players at the end of the tournament are also expected to bag home many gifts, including cash prizes and football materials.

Davido, a popular Afrobeat star, has reaffirmed his undying love for his wife Chioma.

Ahead of his wife Chioma Rowland’s birthday, the popular singer took to his Instagram page to reassure his woman.

Davido, via his message, promised Chioma, who turns 28 on May 1, 2023, that his love for her is a ‘forever thing.’

The ‘Assurance’ crooner described Chioma as his “right hand” and “go to”.

He wrote, “Today I just want to celebrate my right hand! My go to! Happy birthday baby @thechefchi! God bless you. Your love is timeless. It’s a forever thing I ASSURE YOU!”

Davido, a few months ago, disclosed that he married Chioma shortly after their son, Ifeanyi downed in a swimming pool accident at his Banana Island mansion last November.

LASTMA General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba (fifth left) with DCP Hassan Shaffa (DC OPs), ACP Oludotun Odubana (AC OPs), CSP Aka Shittu (AO- OPs), CSP Kehinde Oni (OC Special Squad), SP Justine Ajeke (2ic SIB), SP Benjamin Hundeyin (PPRO LAGOS), Hon. Toyin Aremu (SSA on Transportation to Governor), LASTMA Comptrollers, Commanders and Zebras

Operatives from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Police Command agreed to strengthen their collaboration on traffic management in Lagos.

Mr Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager of LASTMA, made the announcement over the weekend during a courtesy visit to Lastma Headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos, by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa.

Road users, particularly motorists, would benefit the most from this collaboration in terms of efficient and effective traffic management and reining in obstinate drivers, particularly commercial bus drivers.

Oreagba confirmed that LASTMA’s operational guidelines include 7 Comptrollers who cover the state’s three senatorial districts, 21 Commanders, and 45 Zebras, including Brt (1&2) with the free trade zone.

He cited Iyana Oworonsoki, Iyana-Ipaja, Ojuelegba Bridge, Ikorodu Round-About, Ikorodu Road, Lekki-Ajah, Obalende, Marine/Eko Bridge, Costain, Igando, Apapa-Oshodi motorway, Egbeda, Ketu as areas where collaboration with Lagos State Police Command is most needed.

In his welcome address, Assistant Comptroller of Lastma, Mr. Jubril Oshodi confirmed that the establishment of the Lagos State School Safety Advocacy Programme (LASTSAP) by Lastma was aimed at developing a better understanding of roads traffic safety and reducing the impact of trauma on our road.

Oshodi further confirmed that the programme is also aimed at protecting the future and ensuring sustainable development by catching them young (students).

During his address, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa commended the Lagos State Government for the establishment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA.

“Yes, the presence of LASTMA Officers at different choke points managing and controlling traffic on roads has made security job easier for Policemen at various divisions in Lagos.

While encouraging LASTMA officials not to be discouraged in the face of provocations, CP promised a structure that would serve as a bridge for both government agencies.

Those present at the meeting include DCP Hassan Shaffa (DC OPs), ACP Oludotun Odubana (AC OPs), CSP Aka Shittu (AO- OPs), CSP Kehinde Oni (OC Special Squad), SP Justine Ajeke (2ic SIB), SP Benjamin Hundeyin (PPRO LAGOS), Hon. Toyin Aremu (SSA on Transportation to Governor), LASTMA Comptrollers, Commanders and Zebras.

The troops of 151 Task Force Battalion Banki, Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised an unspecified number of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued two humanitarian workers in Sambisa Forest.

It was gathered that the insurgents were killed after the troops in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force and Hybrid forces, stormed the Hideouts of terrorists in Gargash in the axis of Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

Intelligence Sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region that the terrorists have been hibernating within the general area to carry out attacks within the Banki general area before they were intercepted and neutralized.

The sources said that in the cause of the engagement, two humanitarian workers abducted from Monguno in 2022 were rescued.

The troops also recovered three Hilux vehicles with one of them mounted with Anti Aircraft guns.

UNILAG set to host Intercollegiate Choral Festival

The Department of Creative Arts of the University of Lagos, Akoka, will on May 16, 2023 hold the 10th edition of its Choral Festival, also known as Africa Sings.

The event which will hold inside the JF Ade Ajayi auditorium of the university, and commence at 3:00pm, is intended to celebrate the choral compositions of the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles, Professor Daniel Olukoya.

The MFM leader, besides preaching, is an acknowledged music composer.

The event will feature choral performances by choirs from eight universities. The said universities include the University of Lagos, the Mountaintop University, Pakuro; the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka; the University of Port-Harcourt; the University of Ibadan; the Lagos State University, Ojo, and the University, Jos.

The Director of Programmes for the event, Professor Albert Oikelome said the choral festival would be holding for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020.

“The Creative Arts Department of the University of Lagos, is notable for organising ‘Africa Sings’ but it was put on hold because of the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. But we are excited to have the event in May of this year,” he said.

Giving more information about the May 16 event, Oikelome said, “The choral festival is meant for showcasing the African culture, art and heritage through music. The event has a message, and it is that Africa is rich musically.

“So, the event participants will have an enriching and enlightening experience facilitated by the dexterous performances of the singers and musicians.

“This edition is particularly unique because we are showcasing the works of Professor Daniel Olukoya, a man who has made indelible contributions to choral music in Africa. Many people know Olukoya the preacher. But more people need to know about Olukoya the music composer. The musical works of such a man are deserving of celebration.”

Contrary to recent reports, the Nigerian government on Friday insisted that it has not suspended plans to remove petroleum subsidy by June, 2023

The Federal Ministry of Finance said this in reaction to reports which emanated from the press briefing of the Minister Zainab Ahmed on Thursday.

Many newspapers had quoted the Minister as saying that the government had suspended the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The Minister spoke to journalists at the end of the National Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

However, Ahmed in a statement on Friday signed on her behalf by Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, her Special Adviser, Media & Communications, denied saying that the planned removal of petroleum subsidy has been suspended.

Rather, the minister said the government had expanded the subsidy removal committee to include teams from the incoming administration and the state governors to facilitate the process.

The Minister added that it was clearly stated in the 2023 Fiscal Framework and Appropriation Act and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that government should exit fuel subsidy by June 2023.

According to the Minister, the committee is to work out a road map for the removal of the subsidy.

She therefore insisted that there has been no change in the overall policy direction on the plan to end petrol subsidy by June 2023.

“The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zaniab Ahmed, said that NEC deliberated on the issue extensively and came to the conclusion that the subsidy must be removed as it is not sustainable, but there is a need for further consultations, especially the need to involve members of the incoming administration and representatives of the State governments.

“We agreed to form an expanded committee that will be looking at the process for the removal of the subsidy, including determining the exact time as well as the measures that need to be taken to provide support to the poor and the vulnerable.

“There is also the need to agree alternative measures that will be put in place to ensure that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products in the country. The Subsidy Removal Committee currently comprises the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the downstream and upstream regulators, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Chief Economic Adviser to the President.

“The 2023 Fiscal Framework and Appropriation Act as well as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) have made the provision that government should exit fuel subsidy by June 2023. The committee is to work out a road map for the removal of the subsidy. No change in the overall policy direction regarding the petrol subsidy is envisaged by June 2023.”

The Lagos State Government on Friday demolished 13 illegal buildings at I.K. Peter Street, Ajao Estate, cited in close proximity to the Murtala International Airport, Lagos.

Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), backed by taskforce officials stormed the area with bulldozers to begin demolition of the illegal structures after series of notices served the occupants.

The General Manager, LASBCA, Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, giving reasons for the demolition on Friday disclosed that the buildings lacked required approvals and were cited around Airport restricted areas while some were cited on aviation fuel pipelines.

Oki, who feared the havoc that a fire outbreak from the pipeline could cause to lives and properties, said the builders also lacked required documents as approvals for construction in that area.

According to Oki, the buildings were illegally constructed out of clear disregard to the requirements of extant laws.

He added that the buildings had no planning permit and were built around the pipelines, saying that “nobody in his right thinking mind will go and buy a plot on a pipeline and build on the pipeline.”

The LASBCA boss stated that due consultations and communications had been made with enough time of about two years given to the occupants of the affected buildings to evacuate the structures.

Oki lamented that building collapse in Lagos had been a subject of “attitudinal problem,” saying that the buildings were a national risk to the airport being “extremely close,” stressing that no life of a Nigerian is worth being lost to the dangers that the citing of the buildings posed.

The General Manager called on Lagosians to report cases of illegal structures to the government, saying that “turning a blind face to such constructions,” would bear untoward consequences with far reaching losses.

On its part, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the agency was happy that the Lagos State Government was stepping into the issue after several warnings and attempt to stop the constructions of the buildings were not yielded to by those it called “encroachers”, who “stole” from the Airport land.

The General Manager, Business Development, FAAN, Ngwu Hycienth, applauded the partnership with LASBCA to bring normalcy and decency to the Airport environment.

He lamented that the Authorities of the Airport began to notice encroachment on its land in 2015, defying the standard rule that no building must be cited close to the perimeter fence.

“That land belongs to FAAN and was acquired for the purpose of public use, the land was acquired 1944 and was officially gazetted. By 1972, the land was extended and duly acquired by the Federal Government and compensations were paid and in 1975, another piece of land was acquired for official use, this is today known as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

“In 2015, we noticed encroachments on Ajax Estate and Shasha axis. There is a rule that no building shall be built close to the perimeter fence. When you go there today, you will see violations, some of them use our Perimeter fence as fence.

“God forbid, a terrorists can climb those building and with a short gun shoot down an aircraft. If the airport is closed because of our negligence, nobody will be happy, this airport generate 60 percent of the revenue from airports in Nigeria,” he stated.

Sunday, 30 April 2023

He said:

A source report said,

Friday, 28 April 2023

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