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Murtala Muhammed Expressway not renamed after Soyinka – FG

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Murtala Muhammed Expressway not renamed after Soyinka – FG

The Federal Government on Monday dismissed false information that Abuja’s Murtala  Muhammed Expressway had been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.

The FG, in a statement signed by the media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarified that the renaming of the expressway was never considered by the current administration.

The confusion stems from a recent event on June 4, 2024, when President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the Federal Capital Territory and named it after the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

The new road named after Soyinka was designated as Arterial Road N20 and stretches from Katampe to Jahi, connecting the Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala  Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (Ahmadu Bello Way).

During the inauguration, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, proposed that the new road be named after Soyinka, a suggestion that Tinubu approved.

On Monday, the Federal Government said, “We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala  Muhammed Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way. The renaming of the Murtala  Muhammed Expressway Way has never been contemplated by this administration.

“For the record, on June 4, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the FCT codenamed Arterial Road N20 (from Katampe to Jahi), which links the existing Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala  Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (also called Ahmadu Bello Way).

“During the inauguration of the N20 (which is a new road), the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, proposed to the President that the road be named after Prof Wole Soyinka, and the President agreed,” the statement read in part.

The government emphasised that the Murtala  Muhammed Expressway remained unchanged, continuing to honour the legacy of the former Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Ramat  Muhammed.

“Therefore, the Arterial Road N20 is named after Prof Soyinka. The Murtala  Muhammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of our esteemed former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat  Muhammed,” Ibrahim stressed.

Four mourners killed in Malawi’s VP funeral convoy

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Four mourners killed in Malawi’s VP funeral convoy

A vehicle in the convoy of Malawi’s late vice president’s funeral procession rammed into mourners at a village on Sunday night, killing four people and injuring 12, police said.

It was part of a motorcade transporting the body of Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash earlier this week.

The vehicle plunged into a crowd in Ntcheu a village in central Malawi.

The car, along with other military, police, and civilian vehicles, was headed to Nsipe, Chilima’s home village, 180 kilometres (110 miles) south of the capital Lilongwe, ahead of his burial on Monday – which has been declared a public holiday.

“Due to the impact the two female and two male pedestrians sustained severe head injuries and multiple fractures and died whilst receiving treatment” said a police statement.

Police spokesman Peter Kalaya told AFP 12 more people had been injured.

Thousands of people had lined up in the streets to catch a glimpse of the vice president’s coffin.

An eyewitness told AFP that the vehicle plunged into the group as it attempted to manoeuvre away from the volatile crowd.

Felix Njawala, spokesman for Chilima’s party, said there was some tension along the route as mourners demanded the procession stop so they could see the coffin.

“In Dedza, people blocked the road and demanded to see the coffin” he told AFP, “only when the convoy stopped were people pacified and the convoy was able to proceed” adding that in some instances people threw stones at the convoy.

While he acknowledged that party supporters had questions, he called on them to maintain peace.

The party itself on Thursday demanded an investigation into the plane crash.

Chilima died on Monday with eight others when a military aircraft on an internal flight crashed into Malawi’s Chikangawa Forest in dense fog.

The wreckage of the plane was found on Tuesday.

His party, the United Transformation Movement (UTM), allied with President Lazarus Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in the 2020 presidential election, fielding a joint ticket.

During a public viewing of the body at a stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday afternoon, Chakwera called for an independent enquiry into the accident.

“People want to know how the plane carrying the Vice President and the others went missing and crashed. I too want to know what happened,” he said.

The plane, a Malawi Army Air Wing Dornier 228-202K, disappeared after it failed to land in the northern city of Mzuzu due to bad weather and was told to return to the capital.

AFP

COAS celebrates Sallah with frontline soldiers in Borno

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COAS celebrates Sallah with frontline soldiers in Borno

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, celebrated Eid-el-Kabir with troops stationed in the North East for counter-terrorism operations.

During the celebration, the Army Chief urged the troops to sustain the momentum against the terrorists.

A statement on Monday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu stated the COAS also commended the troops for the gains recorded so far in the fight against insurgency.

It partly read, “On Monday, June 17, 2024, while celebrating the Eid-El-Kabir with troops at the front lines, the COAS commended troops of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir celebration for the gains so far made in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East Theatre, urging them to sustain the momentum. ”

Onyema said the COAS acknowledged the sacrifices of those killed in the war against terrorism.

He said, “As an Army, it has been a year of unquantifiable sacrifices in blood and treasure, as we have lost gallant warriors and precious equipment to the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency.”

He also appreciated the dedication of the troops, many of whom, he said, ‘still bear the physical and emotional scars of battle’, adding, that they have displayed uncommon courage in the face of daunting challenges and have always emerged victorious.

Onyema noted that before the luncheon, the COAS had commissioned several projects in Maimalari Cantonment, including the newly constructed Headquarters 47 Engineers Brigade Office complex, a newly constructed road named Major General YM Abubakar Drive and another newly rehabilitated connecting road.

In his welcome address, the Theatre Commander, JTF NE OPHK, Major General Waidi Shaibu stated that the presence of the COAS in the theatre was not only to mark the Eid-El-Kabir Celebration but to also witness the modest gains in troops’ offensive operations from January to date across the Theatre.

He catalogued the several recoveries made by the troops, including one each of VBL, MOWAG APC, PHANTOM MRAP, PROFORCE MRAP, CAMEL MRAP, LOW BED, and other vehicles with various degrees of damage by insurgent actions which have been repaired by the Theatre Main Repair Group.

He pointed out that it was expedient to showcase the repaired assets captured and recovered from the insurgents to discourage the practice of adding more to the equipment graveyard in the theatre.

Ogun police intercept trucks with dozens of stolen motorcycles

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Ogun police intercept trucks with dozens of stolen motorcycles

The Ogun State Police Command has said it intercepted on Sunday two trucks on the Ondo Road in the Igbeba area of Ogun State with no fewer than 37 motorcycles believed to have been stolen.

The spokesperson for the state command, Omolola Odutola, said the two suspected drivers of the trucks, Gafaru, 28 years old, and Awalu Idris, 32 years old, believed to be responsible for the crime, had also been detained.

Odutola said the DAF trucks with number plates GYD 44 XB and KTG 56 ZY were intercepted on Sunday while travelling inward Lagos with the stolen motorcycles.

According to Odutola, the recovered motorcycles were concealed below some livestock inside the two trucks, travelling to the northern parts of the country via the motorway.

She said, “Our operatives from the Igbeba Police Division stopped these two trucks on the motorway during a stop and search operation.” During the search, our men discovered that the motorcycles, which were mostly fairly used, were discreetly concealed under the livestock they claimed they were bringing to sell in Lagos.

“They said they were coming from the north to sell the livestock during the festive period. They entered Ijebu through the motorway from the north. There were about 95 motorcycles inside the two trucks.

“They claimed they bought them at Ijebu-Ode. During interrogation, about 58 of them were released to their rightful owners, but 37 motorcycles have been impounded.

“We are currently investigating to unravel the true ownership of the 37 motorcycles. I commend the division for the great work they have been doing in the area. We will not tolerate any criminality in any part of the state.”

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NAF jets kill 80 terrorists in Katsina

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NAF jets kill 80 terrorists in Katsina

The Nigerian Air Force on Monday said that airstrikes by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed over 80 terrorists and destroyed more than 45 motorcycles in Katsina.

The Air Force said the operation which was conducted on June 15 was targeted at a terrorist’s hideout located in Faskare Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by the NAF’s  Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM. Edward Gabkwet said the strikes were carried out after intelligence reports indicated that over 100 terrorists were burning houses in a settlement approximately five kilometres from Gidan Kare Village.

The statement read, “Air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji have continued to record the expected outcome as several terrorists have been eliminated with their motorcycles destroyed. In one such strike carried out on the night of June 15, 2024, over 80 terrorists hibernating at a hideout location at Gidan Kare Village of Ruwan Godiya Ward in Faskare LGA of Katsina State were confirmed eliminated and 45 motorcycles burnt.

“The strikes became necessary following intelligence that terrorists numbering over 100 were reported burning houses at a settlement about 5 km away from Gidan Kare Village. Overhead the Village at about 8.30 pm, several houses were observed to be on fire with the entire Village in pandemonium.

“Moments later, 12 motorcycles were seen departing the Village and trailed along a footpath out of the village to a location near Gidan Kare Village and Kuka Shidda Camp, where they joined up with a large number of their cohorts.”

Gabkwet added that other terrorists were also observed arriving at the location from different directions.

According to him, that was an indication that the location was a convergence for the terrorists planning further attacks on nearby villages.

“Having been presented with such a rare opportunity, authorisation was sought, obtained and the location was immediately struck at exactly 9:40 pm, with over 80 terrorists confirmed eliminated and about 45 motorcycles burnt down, while few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing or limping off.

“Further intelligence received after the strike also revealed that the terrorists were closely linked with notorious terrorist kingpin Yusuf Yellow and his close associate Rabe Imani. These strikes, along with others before now, have no doubt disrupted terrorist activities in the area,” the statement added.

Euro 2024: France stutter to 1-0 win against Austria

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Euro 2024: France stutter to 1-0 win against Austria

France ground out a 1-0 win over Austria on Monday as an own goal by defender Maximilian Woeber gave Didier Deschamps’ charges an unconvincing victory in their Euro 2024 opener.

France were unable to press their advantage in the second half in Duesseldorf but Austria struggled to threaten at the other end.

Kylian Mbappe burst clear shortly after the break but the France captain fired wide and came off in the 90th minute after a clash of heads left him bleeding from the nose.

Details later

AFP

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Euro ’24: Big upset for Belgium as France pip Austria in thrilling ties

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Euro ’24: Big upset for Belgium as France pip Austria in thrilling ties

Slovakia achieved one of the most significant upsets in European Championship history by defeating Belgium in Group E on Monday.
Belgium, ranked third in the world and the pre-match favorites to lead Group E, are now trailing after a profligate display in Frankfurt, compounded by a controversial refereeing decision.
Chances came and went and Romelu Lukaku squandered several before having two second-half goals ruled out by VAR.
Read Also: 5-star Germany thrash Scotland in Euro 2024 opener
The first of which he was clearly offside, but the second was a more controversial decision with less than three minutes of normal time remaining.
Ivan Schranz helped Slovakia carry the day as he capitalised on a loose pass by Jeremy Doku in the first half to give Slovakia a hard-earned 1-0 win.
Elsewhere in Group D, France held on to secure a 1-0 victory over Austria in a thrilling encounter which saw Kylian Mbappe’s cross headed in by Maximilian Wöber into his own net.
The post Euro ’24: Big upset for Belgium as France pip Austria in thrilling ties appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

APC stakeholders reject Abia nominees

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APC stakeholders reject Abia nominees

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State on Monday petitioned President Bola Tinubu to express disappointment over his choice of nominees for appointments into the governing boards and councils of tertiary institutions.

Among other things, the APC chieftains lamented that apart from a former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, and ex-House of Representatives aspirant, Chijioke Ikpo, other nominees are members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party.

The petition was jointly signed by a former Minority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Chijioke Chukwu; the lawmaker representing Umuahia North State Constituency, Anderson Akaliro; ex-Deputy Minority Leader of the state assembly, Emeka Okoroafor; former Minority Whip, Dr Mike Ukoha and a member representing Umunneochi Constituency, Chief Blessing Adokiye, and a member from Ukwa West Local Government Area, Ejike Chukwu.

In the petition sighted by our correspondent, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; his deputy, Benjamin Kalu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were also copied.

Others are the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Barr. Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Abia APC Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu and the 2023 Abia governorship candidate, Ikechi Emenike.

While saying they believed the inclusion of the ‘strange’ names on the list was a typographic error, the aggrieved APC stakeholders emphasised that failure to address the matter would amount to defeating the essence of party loyalty and the hard work out by committed members.

According to them, many of the nominees were the same people who scorned them by destroying their billboards and other sensitive materials during the 2023 electioneering campaigns and stood against the victory of APC in the state.

The petition partly read, “It is important to draw your revered attention to the fact that the entire list of over 555 persons nominated into the various boards/councils of tertiary Institutions in Nigeria has only two nominees from Abia State who are members of the Abia State Chapter of the APC, Chief Henry Ikoh and Chijioke Ikpo.

“It is equally important to inform your good office that the other nominees are either members of the Labour Party or the Peoples Democratic Party and not our party members. Sir, it may be of interest to note that these nominees were the same people who scorned us during the 2023 electioneering campaigns by removing the billboards of the President and destroying campaign materials across the state.

“Without sounding prolix, it is our position that the publication of the names of these non-party members as board appointees from Abia State in an APC-led government, simply put, is a vent of typographical errors or misprints. While we do not want to believe those names appeared deliberately in the list published, we however regret to apprise Mr. President of the serious apprehension the publication has caused within the circles of the party hierarchy in the State.

“Instructively, Mr. President, please, kindly note, sir, that the present situation if not properly addressed and resolved may stifle the growth of the APC in the state while equipping the opposition to win the 2027 general election. Without sounding disrespectful to you and other distinguished leaders of our great party, the APC, Abia State Chapter hereby rejects the nominees and pleads that in the overall interest of the party in Abia State, these nominees should be withdrawn/removed.”

Cleric blames govs for over-dependence on federal allocations

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Cleric blames govs for over-dependence on federal allocations

The Vicar of  St James Cathedral Church, Asokoro, Abuja, Benjamin Idume has blamed the increasing hardship currently being experienced in the country on governors’ over-reliance on the monthly federation allocation.

He said the governors could drastically reduce the economic hardship in their various states if they think outside the box and improve on their Internally Generated Revenue.

Idume stated this in his speech at a forum in Abuja on Monday, as part of activities to mark the 2024 Father’s Day celebration.

The theme of the forum was “The roles of Christian fathers in homes.”

Idume said, “The state governors’ dependency on federal government allocation is long overdue.

“The practice must stop to allow them to focus on harnessing the natural resources in their various states.

“What is the percentage of the civil servants in the Labour market? They are just less than 5000 workers while the large numbers of workers are in the private sector.

“So, we are talking about building a country where everybody is happy and it requires everybody to be selfless to ensure there is equality from all sides”

Also speaking, the president of the Christian Men fellowship at the Cathedral, Emmanuel Ohakim, believed that most bad leaders fail to learn from their fathers while some were being brought up by bad fathers.

He noted that the men must not be distracted by financial pursuits and neglect their families, particularly, the children.

Ohakim said, “I am calling on all fathers to spend enough time with their children by holding morning devotion and having discussions with them after the day’s activities to know them more”

Also, Olusola Akomode, a former chief of staff to the erstwhile vice president, Atiku Abubakar, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the current government as there were enormous problems inherited from the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and cannot be solved within a short period.

Akomode said, “You know when a new government comes into power, there’s something we normally call a honeymoon period but by its pronouncement in power the honeymoon is cancelled.’

The chairman of the Father’s Day Organising Committee, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, said the day was to enable all fathers especially political leaders to tow the right path in leading the people and providing good governance for the people.

Chukwunyere said, “We know our leaders are not doing what exactly they are supposed to do but we must not relent in praying for them according to what the Bible says.

“If we have a leader who never plans to be a leader or working on the script of his Godfather, it will be difficult for them to satisfy the yearnings of the people.

“Rather, they will prefer to serve their Godfathers. Nigerians should choose wisely in the next elections come 2027.”

Military rescues 34 hostages as ISWAP terrorists surrender in North-East

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Military rescues 34 hostages as ISWAP terrorists surrender in North-East

The Multinational Joint Task Force has announced that troops of Operation Lake Sanity 2, under the Task Force Wulgo, have rescued 34 women and children from the clutches of Boko Haram terrorists during clearance operations conducted in southern Lake Chad, Nigeria.

The Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He added that during the operations, one terrorist was killed, while three other fighters from the Islamic State’s West Africa Province surrendered to the troops.

The statement read, “In a series of Multinational Joint Task Force operations targeting terrorist activities, the troops of Operation Lake Sanity 2, under the Task Force Wulgo, have successfully rescued 34 women and children from the clutches of Boko Haram terrorists and neutralised one terrorist during clearance operations conducted in the Mazuri, Itsari, Mudu, and Maleri villages on the fringes of southern Lake Chad in Nigeria on June 15, 2024.

“Relatedly, on June 17, 2024, three fighters from the Islamic State’s West Africa Province based in the Jabilaram camp, a secluded islet on Lake Chad, surrendered to the vigilant troops of Task Force Wulgo.

“The fighters, identified as Babakura Abubakar (20 years old), Abacha Kyari (28 years old), and Mohammad Adam (29 years old), are currently undergoing interrogation for further action.”

The MNJTF also revealed that an airstrike operation was conducted on June 9 at Kollaram in Lake Chad.

It added, “This operation destroyed three suicide vehicle-borne IEDs poised for a major terrorist attack.

“This precise strike exemplifies the efficacy and capabilities of Troops Contributing Countries air force units in neutralising high-value terrorist targets and mitigating potential threats.”

“The combined efforts of ground and air operations are significantly degrading the operational strength and morale of terrorist factions in the region,” the statement added.

In the statement, the Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Sallau Ali, commended the troops involved in the operations and reiterated the commitment of the MNJTF to restoring normalcy and peace through continued vigilance and proactive engagements.

According Online reported in April that six Boko Haram terrorists surrendered to the MJTF during different operations in the Lake Chad Basin.

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