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One killed as gunmen invade Ebonyi LG chair’s lodge

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One killed as gunmen invade Ebonyi LG chair’s lodge

Gunmen have reportedly invaded the hotel of the Chairman of the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Ikechukwu Odono, killing one person.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums also burnt no fewer than seven cars parked on the premises of the hotel, which is located in Ezzangbo in the council area.

It was learnt that the assailants invaded the hotel at about 11pm on Sunday, attacked and killed one of its occupants, then shot sporadically for six hours until 5am on Monday.

Images at the scene of the incident, which our correspondent saw online, depicted a pool of blood on the staircase of the hotel.

A community source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “My brother, remember that this area (Ezzangbo) has been under attack by gunmen; but the incident last night was the mother of all the attacks.

“This time around, the hoodlums went straight to the hotel of the Ohaukwu Local Government Area and unleashed their mayhem. Some told me one person was killed, but many said three persons were killed. So, it was devastating.

“Nobody knows what’s going on. Just last week, about five policemen were killed. One is wondering what’s going on in Ebonyi North Zone. It’s getting worrisome—I mean the spate of insecurity here.”

Also, a Vigilante operative from the area, who equally did not want his name in print, said the incident took place around 11pm, adding, “On that night, the hotel and the residence of the Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Hon. Prince Ikechukwu Odono, were attacked by unidentified gunmen.

“One Onwe Chukwuka, (aka Mature), was shot dead; another person, Mr Odono Peter, Cross, was also shot and he sustained a serious bullet wound. Nine vehicles were burnt.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, on Monday, said the gunmen attacked the hotel on Sunday night, which led to the killing of one person.

He added, “Several vehicles were set ablaze in the hotel by the gunmen during the attack.”

Ibadan explosion victims allege neglect, govt says N193m spent on payments

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Ibadan explosion victims allege neglect, govt says N193m spent on payments

Some victims of the recent Bodija explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, alleged abandonment by the state government.

The According reports that five people were confirmed dead, 55 houses were damaged while 78 persons sustained injuries in the explosion that rocked Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Our correspondent, who visited the community, on Saturday, observed that a few landlords whose buildings passed the integrity test conducted by the state government had begun the renovation of their property.

Though security operatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun were still at the various entrances leading to the scene to maintain law and order,  owners and artisans were being allowed movement with vehicles bringing in materials needed for the repair of damaged buildings.

Most of the affected residents were being accommodated by the state government in a hotel in the city.

Some of the victims, who spoke with our correspondent, who visited the hotel, on Monday, lamented alleged abandonment by the government.

One of the affected residents, Ayo Ogunlola, said, “We are victims of the Bodija explosion, with most of us having our houses sited within the corridor of the explosion and our houses and property were destroyed. The Governor, Seyi Makinde, in his character as a responsible leader, decided to house most of us who were homeless in various hotels. We were originally housed at Calton Gate Hotels, a gesture we sincerely appreciate. On February 16, the hotel management decided to forcefully evict us using various tactics.

“They stopped giving us food and went to the extent of harassing us with armed guards in our rooms. We were eventually relocated to Orchard Hotels with a standby instruction of one meal per room, irrespective of the number of occupants. Some of us decided to boycott the food because it was humiliating.

“Unfortunately, the hotel has started maltreating us. The so-called one meal has been stopped and light is gradually being withdrawn. We know we are guests of the state government. We want to make it clear today that most of us are in the hotel today because the result of the integrity test for most of the houses has just been released, and renovation just commenced.

“Also, the restoration of electricity, which is entirely the job of the government and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company is still on hold, by implication, no electricity in our part of the estate. Are they expecting us to move to the estate without basic facilities? We want quick and urgent intervention, we cannot stand this humiliation again.”

Another victim, Ibrahim Adekunle, said, “It is so difficult here, but our main body, I mean the association of landlords, is making moves towards seeing the governor and making a presentation on behalf of everybody. We expect the government to take action. They have written a letter to the governor and are only waiting for a date when they will meet with us.”

Also speaking, Taiwo Adebiyi said, “We thought that after our relocation here after three days, they would come to pay us a visit, but nothing like that happened. The only government official who came, who is the Director of Protocol, was called when the management of the hotel was harassing us with the threat to eject us.

However, a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, on Monday, debunked the insinuation that the government had abandoned the welfare of victims of the Bodija explosion.

He said, “The government has debunked the insinuation that it has abandoned the welfare of victims of the Bodija explosion in Ibadan. The rumour is unfair and unnecessary. Ever since the January 16 explosion, the government has been spending between N15m and N20m weekly on accommodation and feeding for the victims in the past eight weeks.

“As we speak, the government has spent over N160m on accommodation and feeding alone for the victims who were immediately accommodated at the hotels and 38 of them still residing in the various hotels. In the same vein, the government has picked up a medical bill of over N17m while those still in hospitals are being actively catered for.”

Oyelade also said that N2m is spent weekly, amounting to N16m in eight weeks, for security operatives to protect the property left behind by the victims.

On the rumour that some of the victims were ejected from their hotels, the commissioner said nothing could be farther from the truth.

“One of the hotels at Idi-Ape informed their occupants that they would like to fumigate their premises and the government took it upon itself to immediately arrange transportation for the explosion victims to be accommodated in another hotel at Jericho together with members of their families.

“The government does not think making an issue of fumigating a facility is the correct thing to do because such exercise is routine and the prerogative of the hotel owners.

“On the accusation that victims’ meals have been reduced to one, the government sees this as equally spurious because many hotels provide complimentary breakfast, and most of our wards go out in the daytime, hence, the government’s decision to provide dinner.”

How CBN awarded contracts to Emefiele’s spouse, in-law – EFCC

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How CBN awarded contracts to Emefiele’s spouse, in-law – EFCC

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Agboro Omowera,  on Monday, told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama that 10 officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, including the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, minuted on the documents for the award of multi-million contracts to April 1616 and Architekon Nigeria Limited.

The EFCC accused Emefiele of using his position to confer a corrupt advantage on his wife, Margret, and brother-in-law by approving the payment of the total sum of N97.9m in favour of Architekon Nigeria Ltd, where both are directors.

According to the anti-graft agency, the N97.9m contract was for the supply of office furniture to the CBN.

The investigator, who is the seventh prosecution witness, while being cross-examined by the defendant’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa(SAN), stated that 10 persons acted on the documents with which the contracts were awarded.

He added that the buck stopped at Emefiele’s table, being the CBN governor at the time.

He said,  “Ten persons acted on the documents awarding these contracts.

“There are 10 minutes and one approval, so one person takes the responsibility.

“He (Emefiele) is the head of the CBN and the buck stops at his table.”

When Burkaa asked the witness if Emefiele conferred a corrupt advantage on himself, he said, “No. Why I said no is because we limited our investigation to his relatives and associates and not him.”

Earlier,   Omowera while being led in evidence by the counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that the findings of his investigations showed that Emefiele conferred a corrupt and unfair advantage on Architekon Nigeria Limited and April 1616.

According to him, Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile, is listed as a director of Archtekon Nigeria Limited.

He added that Emefiele’s wife used her maiden name to register the company.

Omowera said a staff of the CBN,

Sa`adatu Yaro was also listed as a director of April 1616 Investment Ltd.

According to him,  the company was awarded several contracts for the supply of over 45 Toyota Hilux vehicles, ranging from N854,700,000 to N99,900,000.

He added that his investigative team, comprising different agencies, including the Department of State Services, also found out that Yaro’s husband had other companies but they were not patronised by the CBN except the one in which the wife was a director.

Omowera said, “In the second company, April 1616 Investment Limited, we also discovered that one of the directors of that company by name, Sahadatu Ramalan Yaro, was a director of April 1616 Investment.

“We discovered that the company was incorporated a few days after her employment with the CBN and she was posted to CBN Lagos office.

“In 2018, the company started to enjoy the patronage of the CBN in the procurement of particular vehicles, Toyota branded motors.

“During the period that the defendant was, this company was awarded about 45 different contracts

“My Lord, we were curious as investigators, how it was possible for a company that has no track record to continually win bids against Toyota-accredited bids.

“We tried to confirm whether this company was accredited by Toyota and to our surprise, it was not among the accredited bidders.”

The trial judge, Hamza Muazu subsequently adjourned the matter till April 25 for the continuation of the trial.

The According reports that on February 10, the EFCC declared Emefeile’s wife and three others wanted for allegedly conspiring with the former CBN governor to steal huge sums of money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Tinubu condemns farmer-herder clashes, unveils Niger agric, airport tasks

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Tinubu condemns farmer-herder clashes, unveils Niger agric, airport tasks

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, said that given adequate provision of lands by state governments, his administration was ready to implement a comprehensive programme to end farmer-herders clashes nationwide.

Tinubu gave this assurance when he flagged off the Food Security and Agricultural Mechanisation Programme in Niger State, on Monday.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed that Tinubu also pledged his commitment to ensuring food sufficiency and protecting local industries for sustainable economic growth.

The statement was titled ‘President Tinubu inaugurates agricultural machinery in Niger, says Nigeria must feed its people and have enough for export.’

“I know what it means for roaming cows to eat crops and the vegetation of our land. I know it is painful. But when we re-orient the herder and make provision for cattle rearing, we can address that,” the President said.

Tinubu’s comments come nearly two weeks after the Federal Government commenced the Pulaku Initiative, a large-scale resettlement programme, to address the root causes of gory clashes between farmers and herders in various flashpoints nationwide.

Pulaku, also called the “Fulani code of conduct,” is an integral cultural and ethical value system specific to the Fulanis.

The programme, the FG said, would initially focus on seven states disproportionately affected by farmer-herder conflicts.

They are “Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna State,” a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said on February 13, 2024.

Speaking in Minna, the Niger State capital, Tinubu told governors, “You are the governors who are to provide us with land. I, as President, I am committed to providing a comprehensive programme that will solve this problem.”

Tinubu also urged sub-national governments to, as an immediate intervention measure, implement wage awards in their states to complement the efforts of the Federal Government’s efforts to ease the burden of citizens, pending when the minimum wage would be increased.

“I am equally here to partner with you to banish hunger. You are doing the job. And it is necessary for me to support you; it is mandatory as Nigerians.

“When you read newspapers, some of us are confused about whether to abuse the past or the present or to make excuses for the future. But that is not in my dictionary.

“I think action now, re-engineer the finances of our country and steer it on the right path,” the President said.

Doubling down on citizens’ welfare, Tinubu asked states to replicate the wage award initiative paid to federal workers.

He asserted, “We need to relieve our people of hunger. Let all the sub-nationals start paying wage awards, pending when the minimum wage is increased. I am not giving an order; I am only appealing. NEC should adopt this.”

The Food Security and Agricultural Mechanisation Programme is an initiative of the Niger State government.

It is meant to deploy cutting-edge agricultural machinery and technology for large-scale agro-value chain development in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu said, “We have seen the level of commitment here. We have seen leadership. The success of any leader will depend on the ability to do what needs to be done when it ought to be done.

“It is now time for us to address the challenges and make Nigeria an economy of opportunities. We must care for our people; re-orient our people. I do not see why Nigeria cannot feed all students in its schools.”

Appreciating the President for honouring his invitation and inaugurating the facilities, Niger’s Governor Mohammed Bago said four states, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and Lagos had already signed memoranda of understanding on building partnerships for the development of agriculture.

“Mr. President, your presence here today underscores the importance of this occasion for our state in particular and Nigeria as a whole, as we gather to celebrate a good example demonstrated in our modest contribution to infrastructure and agricultural development encapsulated in our New Niger Agenda.

“For us, agriculture is key to addressing the challenges in critical sectors of our economy, and we shall seize every opportunity for the attainment of growth and engender prosperity for the people of our beloved state and by extension our country, Nigeria,” Bago said.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, revealed that the Federal Government had signed an agreement with the Brazilian government and German Deutsch Bank Group as financiers of a facility of €995m for the Green Imperative Programme which will provide mechanisation hubs across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria when implemented.

“A Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the John Deer Group, a subsidiary of Tata Equipment, was signed.

“The manufacturer has signed to deliver 10,000 units of tractors and implement in tranches of 2,000 units per annum for the next five years.

“The Greener Hope Initiative is another veritable platform the Federal Government is deploying to ultimately change the deficit narrative in the Nigerian agricultural mechanization space,’’ Kyari added.

While in Niger State, President Tinubu also visited former Nigerian Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar with whom he had fruitful discussions concerning the advancement of the nation, Ngelale revealed.

EFCC tenders extra proof in opposition to P&ID director

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EFCC tenders extra proof in opposition to P&ID director

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, tendered additional evidence against MICAD Project City Services Limited, and James Nolan, a Director of Process and Industrial Development Limited, before Justice Nora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja.

This was made known in a statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale.

The criminal case stemmed from controversial Gas Supply Processing Agreement between  Process and Industrial Development and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

P&ID had obtained a $11bn award against the Federal Government over the botched contract.

But reprieve came the way of the country last October when a London arbitration court set aside the $11bn award, holding that the contract was fraudulently secured.

MICAD Project City Services Limited and James Nolan facing 20 counts bordering on “obtaining by false pretense, money laundering and criminal conversion of proceeds of crime, to the tune N151,394,328.00.”

In February, the International Criminal Police Organisation said it had arrested Nolan, in Italy after he jumped bail in Nigeria 2022, in the ongoing $9.6bn P&ID scandal.

At Monday’s court session, the prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga, informed the court that the EFCC had filed additional evidence before the court on February 20, 2024, and the defence counsel, Micheal Ajara, confirmed that they had been served the evidence.

Sanga then presented the third prosecution witness,  Nnedimma  Eyisi, a lawyer,   who narrated to the court how James Nolan informed her that he needed to renew himself as the Director of MICAD.

Bandits kill seven, injure scores in Plateau market assault

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Bandits kill seven, injure scores in Plateau market assault

At least seven persons were confirmed dead on Monday after bandits attacked a market in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack, which happened at Zurak Compani Market on Sunday afternoon,  also left several others injured.

A youth leader in the community, Abdullahi Hussaini, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said that the bandits arrived at the market when it was bubbling around 2 pm and opened fire on the people transacting their businesses which led to the death of the victims.

Hussaini said, “The gunmen arrived in the market in their numbers, riding on motorcycles. They started shooting sporadically, killing seven people instantly while many others were injured.

“The gunmen successfully launched the attack and fled without any resistance because people were not expecting any security threat at the moment. They later fled to the bush but police personnel have been deployed in the community to restore law and other.”

He called for more security deployment in the area “because we don’t know what may happen anytime soon.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Alfred Alabo, confirmed the attack but said four and not seven persons were killed.

Alabo said, “We are aware of the Zurak Compani incident, Four persons died and six persons, who were injured, are receiving treatment. Meanwhile, we have deployed our men to the area while investigation continues.”

Our correspondent reports that the Wase LGA situated over 200 kilometres from Jos had suffered several bandit attacks and kidnaps in the past. The community knew a brief reprieve before the Sunday attack.

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Convoys of dying

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Convoys of dying

FOR years, convoys attached to government officials have ridden roughshod on citizens, leading to fatal road accidents and injuries. In a fresh instance of this, a convoy reportedly attached to a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Agbaje, recently hit a commercial motorcycle, killing the rider and passengers. This occurred at Ikpeshi community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. These are needless fatalities. Public officials must learn to behave sensibly, and their reckless impunity must stop.

Worse, after the incident, irate youths in the community attacked the law enforcement agents, leading to the death of two of the police officers attached to the convoy. Two others were also injured. This is unfortunate and wrong. Seriously, two wrongs do not make a right. It is lawlessness to attack state agents. Nigerian youths must curb their resort to barbarism, even in the face of provocation.

Unfortunately, the menace of reckless convoys has lingered without respite. In May and December 2023, two fatal incidents occurred at Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, linked to these convoys. In the one, three persons lost their lives prematurely. The second incident claimed the lives of a 100-level student of the Ebonyi State University and his motorcycle rider.

In December 2022, a Toyota Hilux conveying vigilantes in a convoy attached to the Adamawa State Governor, Adamu Fintiri, who was on a campaign trail, crashed on the way to Mubi from the state capital, Yola. Three officers died in the accident.

In Nigeria, government convoys are notorious for flagrant impunity. Inebriated with power, the security agents in these convoys constitute a terrible nuisance. They bully other road users, drive against the traffic, blast sirens without cause, and knock down other road users. They do not obey the speed limit. When they are on the road, they prevent others from moving by locking down the vicinity. This is a niggling discomfort to taxpayers.

A glaring example was during the visit of Bola Tinubu to Lagos in June 2023 to celebrate his first visit to his home state, Lagos, as President. There were about 120 vehicles in his convoy. At a second visit to the state in December, he downsized it to about 57 vehicles following earlier criticism of ostentation despite the shabby economic state of the country.

Crucially, such heavily guarded convoys are wasteful. In a period of economic misery, they add significantly to the cost of governance. For the President and state governors, it is a sign that they are living a false life as the economy is battered.

Although the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 (Section 154) limits the use of sirens to the President, the deputy and 79 others, top public officials, VIPs, and wealthy businesspersons, have continued to abuse the law with the aid of the police.

In contrast, Babatunde Fashola cut a picture of decency as governor of Lagos (2011-2019). He not only travelled without convoys and sirens, but he also banned his commissioners and officials and bullion vans from doing so. This instilled relative calmness on Lagos roads. Others should copy him.

Studies show that countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia have strictly enforced laws guiding the use of sirens. India’s Supreme Court once ruled against the use of sirens and flashlights by VIPs. In these decent climes, sirens and flashlights are a sign of emergencies. It should also be the case in Nigeria.

Nigerians, in collaboration with pressure groups and NGOs, must unite and insist on the implementation of the guardrails against the deployment of sirens and protest the reckless convoys of death until public officials turn over a new leaf.

Be exhausting on terrorists, Afenifere tells Tinubu

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Be exhausting on terrorists, Afenifere tells Tinubu

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Monday, called on President Bola Tinubu to go after the terrorists wreaking havoc in the country, saying that he could not afford to fail in this critical national assignment.

The organisation said it was time for the President to demonstrate the political will and courage to annihilate the terrorists killing and abducting people in their hundreds.

Afenifere also called on Tinubu to commence restructuring the country to operate regional government under the parliamentary system while his recent pronouncement on state police should be allowed to have its foothold.

The socio-political group made the call on Monday in a statement jointly signed by its Publicity Secretary and Assistant, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo and Justice Faloye respectively.

Speaking on the recent killings in Plateau as well as the abduction of over 100 schoolchildren in Kaduna, Afenifere said it was time for Tinubu to crush the criminals.

“It is down to you Mr. President if you would rather go the way of your predecessors, by looking the other way and let innocent blood flow, be disgraced and set for an early exit or find the strength, the will and the courage to face the sponsors of terror, with the resolve to eradicating this Àbíkú scourge from ever again taking root anywhere in our land,” the Afenifere said.

It also decried the hardship in the land, calling on the President to fix the economy.

“The Nigerian naira plunged to its lowest point on record in official trading as a shortage of US dollars persisted despite promises by the government to boost supply.

“Our people are dying due to hunger. Nigeria has become the hunger capital of the world. How are the people, so impoverished be saddled with paying ransom to kidnappers right in the middle of possibly the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world that even Ukraine a country with Russia lasting two years and still counting, is now the one to be sending humanitarian aid to Nigeria!?

“Let the people begin to see a change, Mr. President — A challenge being tackled over the years with the same methods, cannot yield a different result from a certain failure,” the organisation said.

It reiterated its call for the country to return to the parliamentary system of governance.

“Return the country to the parliamentary system of government. Bring back regionalism and watch our countrymen and our hopeless children begin to live again in dignity, right before your very eyes,” it said.

Pray for Nigeria to beat challenges, govs inform Muslims

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Pray for Nigeria to beat challenges, govs inform Muslims

As the Muslim month-long Ramadan fast enters day two today, state governors and other leaders in the country have called for prayers for the nation.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who is the Islamic spiritual leader in Nigeria,  had on Sunday declared (Monday)  March 11, 2024, as the first day of Ramadan.

The Sultan  said the declaration was based on the sighting of the moon in almost every part of the country earlier on Sunday,  “which is the 29th day of the Month of Shaban and thereby signifies tomorrow, 11th of March, as the first day of Ramadan 1445.”

In a statement on Monday by its chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, the Northern States Governors’ Forum, urged the Muslim Ummah and the entire citizenry to use this holy month to offer prayers for peace, development, and prosperity of the country.

Yahaya, who is the Governor of Gombe State, said, “Ramadan, as one of the five pillars of Islam, provides a golden opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and devotion through supplication and worship.”

He urged clerics to emphasise peaceful co-existence, unity and piety, “during their Tafsir sessions and other Ta’alimat throughout the month-long fast and beyond.”

While decrying the alarming rate of abductions of vulnerable citizens in Kaduna, Borno, and Zamfara states, the northern governors’ chairman urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu to solve the country’s problems.

Also, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye,  appealed to Muslims to pray for the country during the Ramadan fast.

In the same vein, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, urged the Muslim faithful in the Ilorin Emirate to continue to support the nation and her leaders in order to overcome all the challenges in the society.

He urged Muslim Ummah to use the month of Ramadan to move closer to Almighty Allah by engaging in good deeds, charity, humanitarian services, and supplications as well as seeking forgiveness at all times.

Also, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki,  called on the Muslim faithful to foster good neighbourliness and kindness during the Ramadan season.

“The Ramadan season is coming at a time when many people are faced with dire economic challenges. It is best to show love during this period as we approach the period solemnly.

“Ramadan provides us an opportunity to bond and show love to our friends and acquaintances and the current season calls for such,” Obaseki said.

A former governor of Ekiti State and ex-chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, encouraged Muslims to use the annual fast as an opportunity for self-reflection, and prayer, and to deepen community spirit.

Fayemi, in a statement by the Head, of Fayemi Media Office, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said, “As our Muslim brothers and sisters embark on this spiritual journey, may these virtues strengthen their faith and inspire them to be examples of peace, justice, and service to our country.”

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, urged wealthy individuals and groups to support the needy during and after Ramadan.

Similarly, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Malam Jalal Arabi,  emphasised the significance of perseverance and faith in the face of challenges in the country.

‘‘We encourage all Nigerian Muslims to embrace the spirit of Ramadan wholeheartedly, understanding that challenges are opportunities for growth and spiritual development. May this month be a source of blessings, peace, and renewed determination for everyone,” he said.

Borno adjusts school calendar

The Borno State Ministry of Education has directed primary and secondary schools to adjust their calendar and closing times in view of Ramadan.

“Schools should now close by noon, instead of 1.30 pm,” the education ministry said in a statement on Monday by the  Director of School Services, Alhaji Mustapha Bukar,

He said, “In light of the ongoing fasting period of Ramadan for the year 1445 AH, it is hereby directed that all primary and secondary schools across the state adjust their daily closing time to noon.

“Moreover, all non-essential extra-curricular activities should be discouraged throughout the duration of Ramadan.

“Additionally, we kindly request all primary and secondary schools to ensure completion of academic activities, including examinations, for the 2nd term of the 2023/ 2024 academic session by Friday, March 29, 2024,” the ministry said.

UN begins Lagos, airports safety audit

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UN begins Lagos, airports safety audit

A team of experts from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the United Nations agency that regulates the global aviation industry, has arrived Nigeria to carry out security audits of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The audit will cover critical aviation security areas such as Inflight Security, Passenger and Baggage Security, Acts of Unlawful Interference, Facilitation, Legislation, Training, Quality Control Function, Operations, and Cargo, Mail and Catering.

It is tagged the 2024 ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme through Continuous Monitoring Approach for Lagos and Abuja airports.

The development was disclosed in a statement signed by Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on Monday.

The USAP CMA audit, a nearly two weeks exercise, is expected end on March 22, 2024.

 According to the statement, members of the four-man team are Callum Vine (team lead), James Mabala, Tebogo Mphela and Alagie Jeng.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was quoted as expressing the importance of the audit in upholding the highest standards of security in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

According to Keyamo, the audit represents a concerted effort to uphold the highest standards of security across all facets of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

 Through rigorous assessments, comprehensive evaluations, and collaborative partnerships, Nigeria aims to fortify her defenses against evolving threats and vulnerabilities.

The Acting Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo, welcomed the ICAO auditors and highlighted the objectives of the USAP CMA.

According to him, the audit is to improve global aviation security through auditing and the continuous monitoring of AVSEC performance of member states by assessing the level of effective implementation of critical elements of the states’ AVSEC oversight system which provides an indication of the sustainability of the state’s AVSEC system.

Najomo listed other objectives to include evaluating how well a country complies with ICAO’s Annex 9 and 17 related to Facilitation and AVSEC standards, which are part of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

“As part of the on-site auditing process, both Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja have been selected as airports where verification of the implementation of security measures will be carried out,” the statement partly read.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s improved security measures since the last audit and assured the ICAO audits of maximum cooperation for a seamless exercise.

He, however, expressed optimism that Nigeria would surpass last rating with the progressive transformations that have taken place in the industry since the last exercise and considering the level of commitment of the current administration to ensure secure, safe and efficient air transportation in Nigeria.

Najomo promised to provide support and maximum cooperation towards ensuring a hitch-free exercise.

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