#ENDSARS: Sen. Kalu Thanks IGP For Respecting Opinion Of Nigerians

By

-

October 11, 2020

Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has thanked the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for respecting the wishes of Nigerians on the recent call for the dissolution of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS)

The Inspector-General of Police, on Sunday afternoon, announced the disbandment of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said the operatives will be redeployed to other police formations and commands.

The announcement came after days of online and offline protests against the brutality and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives nationwide.

In a statement issued from Orji Uzor Kalu Media Office, the Senate Chief Whip stated that the Inspector General of police’s action has shown his concern for Nigerians especially the youths who have been accused, oppressed, and subjected to all forms of abuse and brutality by some reckless members of the SARS

Kalu said he has in the past written privately to the IGP for a total reform of the SARS, adding that what Nigeria needs is a trusted police force that is guided by the respect and protection of the rights of Nigerian citizens.

According to the Chief Whip, “Police must ensure that their actions are in accordance with the fundamental principles for the development of a just society. When people live in fear, they will be skeptical of what’s coming next in their lives and that is not right. Some of the SARS act with impunity. Many Nigerians have complained about how tensed they feel in checkpoints even when they have their required papers “ He said

Two Days After Abduction, Police Rescue Abia Woman From Forest

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

Men of Abia State police command have rescued a woman identified as Mrs. Igwe, two days after she was abducted by a gang of four armed men.

This is even as the command has arrested the leader of the kidnap gang, an indigene of Ntighauzor in Obingwa local government area of the state.

The 33-year-old Mrs. Igwe, it was gathered, was kidnapped at a gunpoint near 15c Anyanwu Close, Umuafor village in Obingwa local government area.

A family source, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident, disclosing the gunmen kept her in thick forest for two days before she was finally released.

According to the source, the woman was released after the family paid N510,000:00 ransom.

A police source, who pleaded not to be mentioned, disclosed they were still on manhunt for other fleeing members of the gang.

The gang leader, he said, was arrested in Oyigbo area of Rivers State.

The suspect, who reportedly confessed to the crime, is said to be helping police in their investigation.

According to the source, incriminating items were recovered from the Oyibo hideout of the kidnappers during a raid.

COVID-19: Abia One Of The States With Highest Survival Rate — Ikpeazu

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

-Applauds Concerned Abians for donating isolation facility to FMC

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that the state is leading in terms of COVID-19 testing capacity in the entire South East region.

The Governor in highlighting efforts of his administration in containing the pandemic added that Abia is the only state with 16-Modular GenXpert equipment, making it a leading state in the region.

Dr. Ikpeazu who made this revelation during the commissioning of the Abia Care Center – a 50-Bed Isolation facility with a Molecular Laboratory donated by the Concerned Abia Professionals to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, disclosed that the survival rate at the State-owned isolation facility in Amachara is more than 99% making the State one of those with the highest COVID-19 survival rates in the country.

The Governor represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, further disclosed that the State Government provided a total of 209 fully equipped bed spaces for isolation and treatment of Covid-19 patients in both Amachara, Umuahia, and Aba including a holding facility at Amachara while there is, at least, one sample collection centre in all 17 LGAs of the State with trained surveillance team.

He stated that at the two major testing centers located in both Umuahia and Aba, the Government deployed two units of 4 modular GenXpert and one PCR Machine in Umuahia and 16-modular GenXpert equipment in Aba.

The State Chief Executive also said that with the confirmation of the index cases of Covid-19 at FMC Umuahia, the State Government, apart from mobilizing critical equipment and resources to support the hospital, also put in place a special allowance for the Frontline workers trained by NCDC in conjunction with the State Government that managed the response.

Dr. Ikpeazu used the forum to announce that the government in 2017 established a first-of-its-kind telehealth facility in the State which served as the communication and response center in the fight against Covid-19 and have since expanded available services at the center to include online medical consultation via video between patient and doctor through a special application developed in the State.

The Governor further disclosed that to further cushion the effect of the lockdown on the people, the administration distributed eight rounds of palliatives to citizens including food items, protective equipment, and cash to vulnerable persons through channels like the State geriatric services agency, religious organizations, town unions, women groups, physically challenged groups, student bodies, market unions, road transport unions, and local government authorities.

He commended the initiator of the Abia Care Center project, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, and her team, for the work they have done in establishing the project in the State and assured that Government will do everything in its power to assist FMC Umuahia to ensure that the facility is put into good use. Applauding private and public organizations that have supported the state in the fight against the virus, the Governor also commended the frontline workers who made sacrifices to ensure that the people of the state were protected from the virus.

Earlier in his address, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Dr. Adeleke Mamora, while lauding the synergy between the Federal and State Governments, Abians in the Diaspora, and other professionals for coming together to support government through selfless services, thanked all that contributed to the success of the project along with the CMD of FMC Umuahia, Dr. Onyebuchi Azubuike, for his efforts in making the new center a reality.

In their remarks, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District. Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe and Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo, described the project as a reminder of the need for Abians to be patriotic and put Abia first in whatever they do as well as be passionate about her development. They commended the commitment of members of concerned Abia Professionals in delivering the project.

Also speaking, the Director-General, Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said the successful commissioning of the new Abia Care Center for Covid-19 patients and those of other diseases exemplified the true spirit of Abians rallying around their State irrespective of political differences for the common good of the people.

Earlier, in her address, the initiator of the Abia Care Center, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma said she was led to undertake the project sited in FMC Umuahia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for Abians and all to give back to the society by being patriotic, and lauded all that contributed to the success of the project which will serve as a benchmark for the replication of more of such projects in the State.

Highlight of the occasion included the commissioning and signing of MOU between Concerned Abia Professionals and FMC Umuahia.

After SARS Disbandment, Police Brutalise Arise TV Cameraman

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

Barely five hours after the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), men of the Nigeria Police force assaulted Francis Ogbonna, AriseTV Cameraman.

Disclosing this via a video clip, Ferdinand Duruoha, a reporter with Arise TV condemned the incident, noting that Francis head was broken by the officers who attacked them.

IGP had dissolved the unit of the force, following reports that some elements in the force, use their positions to commit various crimes.

Nigerian youths with Francis inclusive, have expressed happiness over the disbandment of SARS. Some had gone to the micro-blogging sites, (Facebook, Twitter) to appreciate the kind gesture of President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, their happiness was cut short when Police officers attacked and brutalized Francis hours after SARS disbandment.

Narrating the ordeal Duruoha said: “We took the IG’s message live on Twitter banning SARS, and on returning from that particular interview, we saw some youth along the road, protesting.

“While we were trying to speak to them and get their takes on the IG’s message, we were attacked by policemen who have brutally assaulted Francis and broke his camera and Arise news camera.

“This is the result of that brutalisation. I am about taking him to the hospital but then we just need to get this as a sign of evidence of what the police have done.”

Watch the video below:

https://twitter.com/ARISEtv/status/1315309428284035072?s=20

NULGE Gets New President

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has elected former North West Vice President of the union, Comrade Ahmed Labbo as its new national president.

The election took place at Green Desert Palm Hotel, Airport Road, Kano.

Labbo’s election follows the death of the former National President, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel Abdulkadir, on October 7.

It was gathered that the deceased was to complete his tenure in March 2021.

His demise created a vacancy, which according to NULGE, must be filled by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union.

According to the union’s constitution, the national vice president was supposed to have taken over the leadership but he has been incapacitated by health challenge, it was learnt.

Following a motion by one of the members at an emergency meeting, NEC, which is composed of all NULGE States presidents and national officers of the union, unanimously picked Labbo, who is next in hierarchy.

There will be an election before March to throw up new officials, the union said.

Labbo paid glowing tribute to their deceased leader and sought contributions from his subordinates to enable him succeed.

“The responsibility is not an easy one but with your cooperation, the job will be easy for me.

“We must focus on providing better livelihood for all our members and staff who shall be there tomorrow.

“Our leader, during his lifetime was known as ‘Mr. Autonomy,’ because he was always on the frontline of mobilising the nation’s workforce at the grassroots to develop this tier of government for greater productivity and efficiency, while also ensuring the protection of workers’ rights and welfare.

“We shall uphold his (Abdulkadir’s) unique contributions to labour movement, governance at all levels and democracy issues, particularly his many years of constant and strong advocacy for Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria.

“Today is a day to look inward and assess ourselves on how well we will love to be remembered after we have exited the union.

“It is a clarion call to all of us to be strong and united, believing that together we will uphold the principles of Abdulkadir, as we know he stood for peace and unity.

“I believe even in death he will be proud he left behind strong and verile foot soldiers, dogged in the attainment of the ideals of the founding fathers of our great union which he pursued till his demise.

“NULGE staff should expect better and improved welfare packages. Issues of minimum wage, staff pension and promotion shall be of great importance to us. This is because we hold our staff in high esteem since we see them as the engine room of our union,” Labbo said.

Buhari Congratulates Akeredolu Over Reelection

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Ondo state Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for securing second term in office.

The President also charged the Governor to prove to residents their trust in him had not been misplaced by performing better than he did in first term.

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also commended Ondo voters for displaying maturity by conducting themselves peacefully during the election, noting that their conduct had positively rubbed off on the nation’s diplomatic image.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for their positive roles in making the election smooth and peaceful.

“President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, on his re-election as Governor of Ondo State for another four-year term.

“The President lauds the resounding victory of the Governor at the election held on Saturday, October 10, 2020, noting that the votes garnered ‘show that one good turn surely deserves another’.

“He thanks the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their Governor, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that ‘the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms’.

“President Buhari appreciates the electorate in Ondo State for comporting themselves decently and in order, and for exhibiting conduct that indicates that the country is making progress in its electoral behavior.

“He also gives kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organizing credible, free and fair election, and to security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.

“The President urges Gov Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term, noting: ‘when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country,” the statement reads.

#EndSARS: Gov. Ganduje Suspends Aide For Criticising Buhari

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has suspended his Special Adviser on Media, Salihu Yakasai, for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari.

ABN TV reports that Yakasai lambasted Buhari for not addressing Nigerians amid national outrage as well as days of online and offline protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

Yakasai, who tweeted through his handle, @dawisu, had said the President has no empathy for Nigerians by his inaction.

The media aide wrote this shortly before the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of SARS in Abuja on Sunday afternoon.

Yakasai had tweeted, “I have never seen a government with zero empathy like that of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“So many times when his people are going through a difficult time and expect some sort of tap on shoulder to reassure them that he is in charge, but he failed to do so.

“The ‘I don’t care attitude’ is on another level.

“To speak to your own people over issues that are bedevilling them has become something like a favour you are doing to them.

“Over and over again, you cannot spare five minutes to address the nation to calm them down, the same people you went to the 36 states to beg for their votes, it is heartbreaking.”

Reacting in a statement, the Kano State Government described Yakasai’s comments as “unguarded utterances”, noting that his suspension was with immediate effect.

The statement was titled ‘Ganduje Suspends Media Aide Over Attack On Buhari’ and signed by the Commissioner for Information, Muhammed Garba.

The statement released on Sunday afternoon partly read, “Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has suspended his Special Adviser on Media, Salihu Tanko Yakasai over some unguarded utterances on the person of President Muhammadu Buhari on the social media platform.

“The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who conveyed the governor’s directive in a statement this afternoon, said the suspension is with immediate effect.

“He said that though the media aide has own up the indiscreet comment as his personal opinion, but that as a public figure, it will be difficult to differentiate between personal opinion and official stand on matters of public concern.

“The governor, therefore, warned political appointees and public servants to guard against making statements capable of drawing unnecessary controversy and heating up the polity.”

IGP Adamu Disbands SARS Nationwide

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has announced the disbandment of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said the operatives will be redeployed to other police formations and commands.

Adamu announced this in a live broadcast on Sunday afternoon.

The announcement came after days of online and offline protests against the brutality and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives nationwide.

At the briefing, the IGP said, “The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory.”

The briefing was immediately followed by a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba.

The statement titled, ‘IGP Dissolves The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)’, partly read, “The IGP, while noting that the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people, observes that by this dissolution, all officers and men of the now-defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect.

“The IGP notes that the Force is not oblivious of the ever-present need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad.”

BREAKING: APC Akeredolu Wins Ondo Governor Election

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 11, 2020

0

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Ondo State governorship election, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, has been declared winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He defeated his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede, in 12 of the 18 Local Government Areas where the election held.

Akeredolu polled 292,830 votes as against Jegede’s 195,791 votes.

INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, who declared Akeredolu winner, said he had met all conditions required to be returned as governor-elect for the state.

Though Jegede won the first LG (Ifedore) result to be announced, Akeredolu maintained a comfortable lead after 16 of the 18 LGAs’ results were announced.

Jegede won in Akure South, Akure North, and Ifedore LGAs while the Deputy Governor and Zenith Labour Party candidate, Agboola Ajayi, won none.

Group Decries Low Women Representation In Governance

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

October 10, 2020

0

A non-governmental organisation, Women4Women has expressed dissatisfaction with what it called perennial marginalisation of women in the country’s power equation.

This is even as the group says Nigeria has not made significant effort in reaching the 35 percent affirmative action 25 years after the Beijing Declaration of 1995.

At a meeting in Abuja on Saturday, the group emphasised that despite the visible presence of women in the country’s political environment, they have not been given adequate opportunity to take part in representing the people at various levels of governance.

The National Coordinator Women4Women, Chief Monic Ogom highlighted the need for the women to synergise and support each other even as the 2023 general election fast approaches.

“We have converged to speak in unison for our inclusion in politics and further devising means of being each other’s keeper as well as the women working for themselves. That is the core objective of Women4Women community.

“If you look around the government cycle, we don’t have adequate representation of women in appointive positions. We are acting as a pressure group to pressure the government to ensure that women are included in everything that has to do with governance.

“We are not happy that when elections come, women are used to secure victories but when time for appointment comes, they are relegated to the background.

“Basically we are not asking to be shoulder to shoulder with men. We want to be given a minimum of 40 percent representation while the men can have 60 percent. I think that is a fair deal.

“The Beijing 35 percent affirmative action has not taken full effect in Nigeria. Only few states, particularly Cross River is giving women a relatively fair representation” she said.

Chief Ogom while underlining the readiness of Women4Women to take the campaign of inclusion to the grassroot insisted that the women have the leadership and managerial skill to take the country out of administrative quagmire.

The former House of Representatives candidate expressed dissatisfaction that the male factor in the administration of political parties has further dwarfed adequate representation of women in the country’s political equation, maintaining that a level playing field within various political platforms is key to women virile participation.

In her comment, the FCT coordinator Women4Women, Hajia Binta Ibrahim described women as partners in progress, dispelling insinuations that they are enemies of themselves.

“The man may not know where it pinches. We as home and economic managers, we understand the problems and the solutions. We know how to forge ahead to get it right and we are committed to it.

“We are telling the world that behind every successful woman, there are women. The issue of finding is what we are pushing within the political parties and we understand that in some cases, women enjoy a reduction in cost of purchasing these forms and we will take it beyond that.

“Women4Women is willing to support any woman with good intentions to vie for any position. We are obviously not satisfied with the percentage of women in government at all levels” she stated.

Hajia Ibrahim called on women across the country to do away with their differences and lend support to each other to further advance their well-being in the society.