The Bauchi State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore said it is in support of the clamour for bandits to be declared terrorists.
In support of the stance of the Senate, House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly who harmoniously called for such declaration, the association advised the Federal Government to do the needful if it’s committed to curbing banditry.
Its Bauchi State Chairman, Alhaji Sadik Ibrahim Ahmad in a phone chat with The Nation yesterday said: “Who are terrorists? Terrorists are people who try to destroy legitimate activities of society, they are not productive. If the Federal Government is serious, they should do the needful and provide a lasting solution to incessant killings by the so-called bandits,” he said.
On zoning among political parties ahead of the 2023 general elections, he said the masses should be allowed to choose their leaders irrespective of tribe.
“Whether you’re Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo, once you are competent, you should be qualified enough to lead the country. The issue of zoning cannot be and will never be a democratic process. People should go for leaders with integrity if we want to unite ourselves. Our leaders are the ones creating problems, confusion, and regional crises among us,” he said.
Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim has praised more than 5,000 corps members deployed to Anambra for the governorship election to ensure a credible process.
Ibrahim commended the corps members while monitoring the election in nine local government areas of the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi.
Ibrahim described the corps members’ participation in the electoral process as “patriotic”.
He however urged the corps members to remain impartial and perform their duties in line with established rules.
“The corps members have written their names in the annals of history, having contributed towards the entrenchment of a credible electoral process.
“I urge them to remain impartial and perform their duties in line with the established rules.
“In all the polling units I visited, there were security agents on the ground, and the corps members informed me that the conduct of the exercise was peaceful,” Ibrahim said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at least 5,000 corps members were deployed by the scheme to serve as polling officers during the conduct of the elections in the state.
The NYSC director-general visited polling units across the 21 LGAs of the state to monitor and ensure the safety of corps members working in the areas.
In an earlier interview with NAN, the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations said that once corps members are sworn in for the one-year mandatory service, their security remains a top priority for the scheme.
Adeyemi assured that proper arrangements have, therefore, been made to ensure the safety of corps members deployed for the Anambra governorship election.
“The synergy between the NYSC and security agencies is always ongoing and quite effective. This synergy ensures that the security of corps members is maintained during the orientation, during the service year, and also on election duties.
“NYSC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) interface regularly, before, during, and after an election,” Adeyemi said.
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA says it has arrested a notorious drug dealer, Okoli Collins Ikenna, who is the mastermind of recent multiple attempts to export illicit drugs to London in the United Kingdom through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, and some courier companies in Lagos, ABN TV reports.
According to NDLEA, Okoli has been on court bail following his arrest in November 2020 and subsequent arraignment before a Lagos Federal High Court for attempting to export 15.700kgs of Methamphetamine to Australia.
Femi Babafemi, the Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA in a statement obtained by ABN TV on Sunday says series of investigations into recent multiple attempts to export illicit drugs to the UK led to the arrest of the drug dealer on Tuesday 2nd November, when he was caught with 78 parcels of Cannabis, concealed in black soap packs labelled as Dudu Osun, with a total weight of 12.250 kilograms heading to United Kingdom.
Okoli Collins Ikenna
He said, “Further investigation also revealed that Okoli is the one behind the attempt to export 7.350kgs of Cannabis to the UK on Thursday 21st October, a consignment that was intercepted at NAHCO export shed of the MMIA.
“Curiously, a separate investigation by operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, of the Agency, attached to courier companies have equally traced two other attempts to export 47.7kgs of cannabis to the UK through courier firms, to Okoli after his agents arrested in the course of investigation named him as the owner of the consignments.
“In the same vein, desperate bids by traffickers to export over 2 kilograms of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Cannabis hidden inside containers of body cream, tea bags, vehicle oil and air filters to London, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate and New Zealand through two major courier firms in Lagos have been scuttled by narcotic officers of the Agency.”
Similarly, in Kano, NDLEA says a controlled delivery of an illicit consignment on Friday 5th November led to the arrest of two suspects; Ibrahim Sulaiman and Muhammad Sani Alhassan with 23kgs of Diazepam tablets; 2kgs of Codeine syrup and 32kgs of Exol 5 tablets, bringing the total weight to 57kgs.
The agency further says earlier on Wednesday 3rd November, operatives of the Kano command of the Agency had arrested one Mizambilu Tijjani, with 64kgs of Cannabis sativa and Victor Nsodikwa Chu-chu, with 34 cartons of Pentazocine injection and one carton of Diazepam injection in Sabongari area of the city.
“In Kogi State, operatives also seized a consignment containing 28.251kgs of Exol- 5; 6.6kgs of Barcadin Codeine Syrup; over 38.532kgs of Tramadol, bringing the total drugs seized to 73.808kgs. In a related development, operatives of the Osun state command have seized 130.518kgs of cannabis and 18grams of Cocaine in Modakeke area of Ile-Ife.
“Impressed by the outcome of investigations that led to the dismantling of the drug syndicate led by Okoli in Lagos, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA command, DOGI, and their counterparts in Kano, Kogi, and Osun for sustaining the heat on the cartels across the country. He urged them and their compatriots in other commands to intensify the offensive action against all merchants of death in Nigeria.”
Seven-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams has declared herself fit for next year’s tournament after battling back from a hamstring injury.
The 40-year-old picked up the problem during the first round of Wimbledon against Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich and was forced to pull out of the competition.
Williams subsequently sat out the US Open, but during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the former World Number 1 declared herself ready for the event in Melbourne.
Williams told Kimmel: “Yeah, I’m definitely [ready]. My hamstring is better. It took a long time, it’s like forever, but it’s much better now.”
Williams – who has now dropped to 41st in the world rankings – prepares for January’s tournament seeking her first Australian Open win since 2017, where she defeated her sister Venus Williams in the final.
(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 01, 2019 Sadd's coach Xavi Hernandez reacts after a goal during the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi-finals football match between Qatar's Al Sadd and Saudi' Al Hilal at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in the Qatari capital Doha. - Barcelona are set to announce Xavi Hernandez's dramatic return to the club as coach, after Al Sadd confirmed on November 5, 2021 a deal has been agreed between the clubs. Al Sadd said in a statement Barca have paid the release clause for Xavi, who has been coaching in Qatar since 2019 and now rejoins the club where he enjoyed such incredible success as a player. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Barcelona have named former midfielder and captain Xavi Hernandez as head coach on a contract until 2024, following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
The La Liga club received the green light on Friday to sign the 41-year-old after they paid the release clause in his contract with Qatari side Al-Sadd.
Xavi played for Barcelona for 17 years, making 767 appearances and winning 25 trophies, including four Champions League wins and eight league titles.
“FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Xavi Hernandez for him to become first team coach for the rest of the current season and two more seasons,” the club said in a statement that was headlined “WELCOME BACK HOME, XAVI!”
“Xavi Hernandez, a youth team product at Barca, has left his current club, Al-Sadd of Qatar, after talks held over the last few days with the owners of the club.”
Dutch coach Koeman was sacked after a 1-0 defeat by Rayo Vallecano last month which left Barca, as it is commonly known, ninth in LaLiga.
The club are still in ninth place after Sergi Barjuan was appointed as caretaker coach and sit nine points behind leaders Real Sociedad with a game in hand.
Barjuan is set to remain in charge for their league match at Celta Vigo on Saturday, with Xavi arriving in Barcelona this weekend before his presentation on Monday.
“It wasn’t goodbye, it was ‘see you soon’. The Camp Nou has always been my home,” Xavi said in a video addressed to the fans.
“You’re my fans, my people, the club that I love the most. And now, I’m coming home. See you soon, Culers. Forca Barca!
Xavi’s first game would be a local derby against Espanyol on November 20, after the international break.
Crisis has rocked the Imo State House of Assembly as 19 members on Monday impeached the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem during the House plenary session, ABNTV reports.
His impeachment follows several allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, ABN TV learnt.
The former Speaker was impeached following the unanimous decision of the 19 members out of 27 lawmakers in a signed letter read on the floor of the house which accused the former Speaker of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh who is the member representing Obowo State Constituency has been sworn in immediately as the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly.
Recall that over the past weeks, the former Speaker Paul Emeziem has been called out to resign and several groups in the state calling on his colleagues to suspend him over what they described as unconstitutional and undemocratic activities of the former Speaker in the State Assembly ranging from Anti-party activities, withholding of members allowances, illegal suspension of 6 members, amongst many other things.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s probe panel has cleared the Governing Council and the management of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) of infractions in the appointment of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami, as a Professor of Cybersecurity.
It said the university followed due process and subjected Pantami’s publications to evaluation by external assessors and also established a prima facie case for him to be appointed a Professor of Cybersecurity.
A copy of the report signed by the Chairman of the committee, Prof M. S. Nwakaudu, and four other members said: “From our findings and evidence before the panel, members are of the opinion that the appointment of Dr Isa Ibrahim as a Professor of Cybersecurity by the FUTO Governing Council followed due process.
“The panel strongly recommends that the University management should as a matter of urgency take appropriate actions, including legal action, against those who deliberately try to drag the image and reputation of FUTO to the mud,” it added.
The report noted that following some misgivings over the appointment of Pantami as a Professor in the School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT), the ASUU FUTO’s Congress on September 22nd, 2021 set up the investigation committee.
According to the document, the panel was mandated within seven days to “ascertain whether or not” due process was applied in the appointment of Pantami as a Professor of Cybersecurity by the Governing Council of FUTO.
It said the Dean of SICT assessed the publications and productive works using the FUTO Guidelines for Appointment and Promotion and established a prima facie case for him to be appointed a Professor of Cybersecurity.
It added that the prima facie case was presented to the Academic Staff Appraisal and Promotion Committee- Professorial (ASAPC-Professorial) and the committee discussed the issue and recommended the same for approval by the FUTO Council.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has fixed a Supplementary Election in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Tuesday this week.
As a result, the Commission declared the election inconclusive, until the supplementary election is conducted.
Ihiala was the only Local Government Area, where Saturday’s gubernatorial polls in the State did not hold.
The Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, announced the decision after the collation of results of the 20 Local Government Areas, where the election took place.
Professor Obi said this was in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act before any declaration could be made.
She observed that the election in Ihiala could not hold last Saturday due to security threats.
The result of Orumba North Local Government Area was collated after it was subjected to scrutiny by a conference of Collation Officers.
The Collation Officer for the Local Government, Doctor Michael Otu, had while collating the results, alleged that he signed the document under duress and that the election did not take place in polling units.
This was, however, debunked by the Electoral Officer for Orumba North, Mrs. Comfort Omoruyi, who claimed that the election was transparent.
Reacting to the Supplementary Election, the APGA Agent, Senator Victor Umeh described it as a welcome development to conclude the process.
The APC Agent, Mr Chibuzor Obiakor said the decision to suspend the exercise until the election is conducted in Ihiala, was in the right direction.
Mr Obiakor, however, rejected the results announced for Orumba North, saying the BVAS machine should have been checked before accepting the alleged outcome.
The APC and PDP Agents refused to sign the results of the 20 Local Government Areas already collated.
The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is currently leading in the keenly contested elections and is on the path to becoming the next state governor.
The results from 19 LGAs announced so far by INEC show that the former CBN boss is leading in 17.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Anambra State, Mr. Basil Ejidike, has called for the cancelation of the yet-to-be-concluded governorship election in the state.
Ejidike, in a statement Sunday night in Awka, accused the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), of rigging the election, in connivance with “corrupt-minded INEC officials”.
He said: “What is happening in Anambra is never an election but big-time electoral fraud and malpractice.
“We want the whole world to hear our voice that we will never accept the outcome of the Anambra gubernatorial election. The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the sitting Governor, Willie Obiano, manipulated the whole electoral system and we will stand to resist it.
“Ndi Anambra wants an APC Governor and there’s nothing anyone can do to deny them that opportunity.
“We virtually won in all the local government, but Willie Obiano and Charles Soludo, through the instrumentality, corrupt-minded INEC officers, subverted the whole process in favour of APGA.
“We want INEC to cancel the election and fix a date for a fresh election devoid of manipulations and malpractices.”
The Anambra APC Chairman vowed to head to the court, should INEC insist on declaring the APGA candidate winner of the governorship election.
According to him, “But if INEC goes ahead to announce the results, we will definitely challenge the election process at the court of law, up-to Supreme Court. Nobody can intimidate us.”
Responding to the allegation, the chairman of APGA in the state, Nobert Obi, who spoke on phone, described the APC accusation as uncalled for, noting that everyone witnessed a free and fair election.
He said: “I don’t want to talk about the accusation. The accusation is uncalled for as everyone witnessed a free and fair election. I don’t know where they got such information from.”
