Uzodinma: “God has vindicated me again” – Mbaka

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January 20, 2020

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has warned against the use of its office as a tool of victimisation.

The ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye, gave the warning while delivering a speech at the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State.

A statement by Sola Lawal, the Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic on Sunday, said the ICPC chairman represented by Shuaib Baba Alaro, also charged those selected to work in the anti-corruption unit to liaise with the office of the chief executive of the institution to assist in fighting corruption.

He also explained that the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit as an initiative was not intended to subsume the authority of management under its wings.

He added that it would rather complement the management, especially in mainstreaming a positive anti-corruption culture where it might be lacking.

Owasanoye said, “The unit is institutional ethics and an anti-corruption instrument designed to operate as an autonomous outfit with functional linkages with the office of the Chief Executive, to help in fighting corruption and eliminating corruption and eliminating corrupt practices in the workplace.

“Please note that the ACTU initiative is not intended to subsume the authority of management under its wings, rather it is to complement them, especially in mainstreaming a positive anti-corruption culture where it may be lacking.

“Let me sound a note of warning that those who are stepping into this onerous assignment should not use their office as a tool of witch-hunt or use it to victimise other staff, rather you should all work hard to gain the support of both the management and staff of this institution in order to achieve positive results, and to justify the trust bestowed on you.”

In his remarks, Rector of the institution, Dr John Adekolawole, admonished the polytechnic community to cooperate with the Federal Government in making sure that society was rid of corruption and other vices.

He pledged support for the anti-corruption unit of the polytechnic in order for it to achieve its mandate.

Two dead, several houses burnt as pipeline explodes in Lagos

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January 20, 2020

There was panic in the Ekoro area of Abule-Egba of Lagos State on Sunday when a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation exploded.

Two persons were confirmed dead in the inferno, which began around 8.02 pm and was still raging as of the time of filing this report, with sources alleging that it was caused by the activities of vandals, who allegedly ruptured the pipeline in a bid to steal fuel.

An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Ito, said the incident had created tension in the community, adding that many residents abandoned their homes for fear of being burnt.

“The vandals, who ruptured the NNPC pipeline in the area, caused the fire incident. The fire started around 8 pm and many people died, while others ran helter-skelter.”

The Director-General, Lagos State Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, said personnel from three fire service stations had been deployed in the area to curtail the inferno, adding that no casualty had been recorded.

“Yes, a fire incident is ongoing. Personnel from three of our stations are present at the scene of the inferno. The fire is still on, but under control; we deployed personnel from the Agege, Alausa and Abesan fire stations in the area. The cause of the fire is still under investigation; no casualty has been recorded for now.”

Also, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident, said, “A raging fire from the explosion of a vandalised NNPC pipeline has caused panic among residents of Awori, U-turn and Pipeline communities in Abule-Egba. LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Service are responding and on top of the situation.”

He confirmed that two adults died in the inferno, while 11 trucks laden with 40-foot containers as well as seven houses were razed by the fire.

An eyewitness said the fire was coming out from the ruptured point, adding that firefighters could not go near the point, but we’re ensuring that the fire would not spread to neighbouring properties.

The Public Relations Officer of the state fire service, Jamiu Dosumu, said the General Manager, NNPC, Mosimin Depot, Bayo Ojo, confirmed that the pipeline had been shut down to reduce the intensity of the fire.

17 soldiers killed, scores abducted in fresh Boko Haram attack

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January 20, 2020

No fewer than 17 soldiers were killed, while many others were abducted in two confrontations on Friday and Saturday between the military and Boko Haram insurgents on Bama-Gwoza highway

It was, however, gathered that the number of casualties on the Boko Haram side was high, although it could not be ascertained as of press time.

The insurgents were said to have initially attacked Firgi, 20 kilometres north of Pulka along the road from Gwoza to Bama on Friday.

They were said to have killed 13 soldiers in the crossfire that took over two hours.

The insurgents were said to have forced some of the soldiers to retreat.

Sources added that the insurgents carted away from some arms, ammunition and vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Army.

One of the sources said, “During the crossfire started around 10 pm, 13 soldiers were killed with four of their vehicles taken away.

“On Saturday, the insurgents came back to the same area to continue from where they left.”

They were said to have attacked a military company at Banki junction on Bama-Gwoza Road around 10 pm.

The battle was said to have lasted for about three hours.

Our correspondent gathered that the casualties on the side of the military were four, while that of the insurgents was not known.

The insurgents were also said to have abducted some soldiers and carted away arms and ammunition.

The reaction of the military could not be got as text messages to both Col. Sagir Musa, Army spokesman, and Col. Isa Ado, spokesman for the Military Joint Task Force on Counter-Insurgency in the North-East (Operation Lafiya Dole) were not responded to.

Meanwhile, the head of the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, said Boko Haram had failed in the ongoing war against the country.

Speaking at a party organised for the troops in Maiduguri on Saturday, Adeniyi who led a victory dance, said, “Boko Haram has failed, we are not going to let them get an inch of land in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.”

Adeniyi, who called out officers and soldiers and guests at the get together to be part of the victory dance, said, “We are happy to dance and shame Boko Haram who do not want us to be happy.”

The Army Chief, who was joined in the dance by the Borno Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Kadafur, said, “I have made a covenant to go after Boko Haram, fight Boko Haram and end their menace.”

In his speech, Kadafur said, “We appreciate all the efforts by the military to safeguard our territory. We pray to God for guidance and repose of the souls of those that have paid the supreme price and we asked that God continue to be with their widows and orphans.”

Drama As Native Doctors Vows To Make Prophet Odumeje’s Wife A Widow

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January 20, 2020

The General Overseer Of Mountain Of Holy Ghost Intervention in Onitsha, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere popularly known as Odumeje, few weeks ago threw a purported ‘resurrection challenge’ to all native doctors, to prove that their powers are fake.

In a video message earlier posted on social, Odumeje labeled all native doctors nationwide criminals, who are only after their monetary gains. He further stated that there is only one power and that, that power belongs to Jesus Christ.

In the video, he called on any native doctor, who is willing to accept the challenge to meet him at a stadium, where two corpses will be brought forward while people would watch which one would resurrect, whether, the one given to him or the one given to the native doctor to also do the same.

Odumeje threatened to forsake his pastoral calling if the native doctors win him in the contest.

Meanwhile, the native doctors have since accepted his challenge.

A native Doctor who is based in Delta State have accepted the challenge and volunteered to help other men in his profession make a scapegoat out of prophet Odumeje.

He has since communicated to the said prophet to pick a venue of his choice.

BREAKING: Supreme Court Affirms Election Of Governor Ganduje

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January 20, 2020

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the election of Abdullahi Ganduje as duly elected Governor of Kano State.

The Five-Member panel, dismissed the appeals and cross appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Abba Yusuf.

ABN TV reports on Nov. 22, the court of appeal in Kaduna reaffirmed Ganduje as the duly elected governor of Kano state.

The appellate court panel led by Tijjani Abubakar upheld the ruling of the Kano governorship election tribunal which ruled in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ganduje, its candidate in the March election.

The panel dismissed the petitions filed by the PDP and Yusuf, governorship candidate of the opposition party, on the grounds that the petitions lack merit.

The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) had declared Ganduje winner of the election, saying he polled 1,033,695 votes while Yusuf, his closest rival, garnered 1,024,713 votes.

Dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration, Yusuf and his party headed to the tribunal where they sought annulment of the election “on the grounds that there were irregularities”.

However, judgment was delivered in favour of the governor.

Reacting to the appellate court ruling on Friday, the PDP and its candidate said they will study the judgment and file an appeal before the apex court.

“We will get the full judgment to know the basis of the judgment before proceeding to the supreme court,” he said.

But Ibrahim Mukhtar, attorney general and commissioner for justice in Kano, said the judiciary upheld justice.

“Today’s judgement shows that the judiciary is working and there is justice in our court,” he said.

Details later…..

Lack of foreign investments denying youth employment – Buhari

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January 20, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has observed that the lack of foreign investment is denying employable young persons the opportunity to work in the country.

In an article titled “A new case for a Commonwealth based on trade,” made available to the media in Abuja on Sunday, he said greater United Kingdom engagement with Nigeria will bring jobs in untapped sectors.

He said: “For my country, greater UK engagement in its economy would bring jobs to under-tapped sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing. Millions of highly skilled, English-speaking but underemployed young people, are eager to work but without the opportunities that foreign investment can bring to create jobs and build businesses.”

The president noted that with the United Kingdom certain to exit the European Union, like many other Commonwealth leaders, he is also seeking a new settlement, “not only of closer relations between the UK and my own nation but of unleashing trade within the club in which we together shall remain.”

He observed that even though the relations between Nigeria and the UK are close and longstanding, it has become increasingly defined by Britain’s membership of the European Union.

He added: “A new free trade agreement would reconfigure this, presenting new opportunities for both. As the largest economy in Africa, my country of nearly 200 million people has a great deal to offer: Nigeria’s vast natural energy and mineral resources, unbarred through the ending of customs barriers, could help supply growth for companies in all corners of the UK.

“Greater access would also be forthcoming to one of the world’s fastest expanding groups of consumers – the Nigerian middle classes.”

Bende to honour Orji Kalu’s daughter for graduating with first class in University of Buckingham

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January 20, 2020

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Bende federal constituency has concluded plans to honour Ms Ezinne Kalu, daughter of former Governor of Abia state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

Ezinne Kalu

This is contained in a statement signed by the lawmaker representing Bende federal constituency, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

He hailed Ms Kalu for this uncommon academic feat. “Bende Federal Constituency congratulates Ms. Ezinne Kalu, daughter of His Excellency, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, on her graduation from the prestigious University of Buckingham, UK, with a first-class honours degree in Law.
“The Constituency also felicitates with Ms. Kalu for winning the prize for the Best Performance in Family Law as well as the Roderick Wu Prize for Best Performance in Law of Evidence, noting that her remarkable academic feat follows that of her brother, Michael Kalu, who also graduated with a first class honors degree in Law from Queen Mary University of London in the summer of July 2018″ the statement said.

The honour will take place upon her return to Nigeria to serve as motivation to others.

“Ms. Kalu will be honoured with a recognition and an award to be presented to her upon her return to Nigeria, for distinguishing herself academically and to serve as a motivation for other students from Bende to excel in their studies” he added.

Buhari doing nothing to end killings, persecution of christians by fulani – EU

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January 20, 2020

The EU in a new report released on January 16, 2020, said over 6000 Christians had been murdered by “Fulani militants whereas in Sharia states, Christians face constant discrimination and are often considered second class citizens.”

The European Parliament, the legislative branch of the European Union, has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of overseeing the persecution of Christians in the Northern part of Nigeria where Sharia law is in practice.

The EU in a new report released on January 16, 2020, said over 6000 Christians had been murdered by “Fulani militants whereas in Sharia states, Christians face constant discrimination and are often considered second class citizens.”

The report further adds that “These attacks have continued with total impunity with perpetrators rarely being held to account whereas Amnesty International report has demonstrated wilful negligence by the Nigerian security forces concerning deadly attacks against farming communities.”

The report says Buhari’s poor handling of Nigeria’s deteriorating situation in the North-East has worsened as non-governmental organisations ready to help are denied access by the Nigerian Government for political reasons.

The EU condemned what it described as “extermination of human beings or ethnic cleansing” while calling on the Nigerian Government to find immediate solutions to the conflict now affecting the stability of West Africa.

BREAKING: Tambuwal Wins At Supreme Court

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January 20, 2020