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Obasanjo’s wife counsels women to exercise patience

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, has urged women to turn to God in difficult times.

The former first lady announced this at the Reverend (Mrs.) Fola Achudume’s 55th birthday celebration, which was held on Wednesday at the Victory Life Bible Church auditorium in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

She urged people to be patient and concentrated no matter where they are by pointing out that when one trusts on God, especially during difficult circumstances, the impossible becomes achievable.

She also urged individuals, particularly women, to avoid envy and instead look for methods to uplift others.

“People can only truly understand the meaning of life and the purpose of human existence when they take the time to learn about the meaning of creation.

“The wife is a reflection of her husband,” she continued, “suggesting that women who marry famous men must always have in the back of their thoughts that the spotlight is always on their spouses.”

She asserts that Reverend (Mrs.) Achudume has made significant contributions to women’s empowerment and activism in addition to carving out a place for herself within the Christian community.

Chief (Mrs.) Obasanjo, who praised the Birthday Girl as her husband’s ideal spouse and a pillar of strength, exhorted women to always be submissive, honor their spouses, and be there for their kids at all times.

After thanking everyone for attending, the celebrant, Reverend Mrs. Achudume, said that she had chosen to utilize the occasion of her 55th birthday to pray and praise God for his mercy and kindness.

Hoodlums terrorize Lagosians, residents seek help

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coic
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The high crime rate in the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State is currently paralyzing the residents of the communities of Akerele and Atobaje.

When our correspondent visited the neighborhood on Wednesday, he discovered that residents were constantly afraid to walk down the street, especially at night, due to the presence of vicious-looking louts who were frequently high on hard drugs or alcohol.

Further information revealed that when suspected hoodlums are high on drugs, they start committing all kinds of crimes, including rape, burglary, and robbery.

A trader going by the name Lekan claimed that drug-using youth posed the biggest threat to community peace.

Lekan warned, “You will see young boys and girls smoking and wasting away. These kids are seen by the parents, who never warn them. It’s extremely risky the way this threat is growing.

“You will see young girls, between the ages of 18 and below, using various illegal substances. Atobaje and Akerele, two important areas, are inaccessible at night.

In order to lower the rate of social menace in the neighborhood, he further urged the government to implement basic public services like street lighting and robust security.

Abiodun, a resident, claimed that it was difficult for people to move around freely at night because of the threat of suspected hoodlums committing various crimes, including robbery and theft.

The rate of hard drug use among young people in this area, according to Abiodun, is extremely concerning. When someone is high on drugs, they can do anything, including rape, fight, and other crimes.

“Once they get drunk, they start robbing and fighting locals with cutlasses and other sharp objects. She emphasized that some of the local youths had the ability to do and undo.

When contacted, Benjamin Hundeyin, the state police public relations officer, stated he was not available for comments because he was in a meeting at the time this report was filed.

Police apprehend 288 robbers, 187 kidnappers, 198 murderers – IG

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coic
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The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that in the last five weeks, it has detained 288 suspects in armed robberies, 187 suspects in kidnappings, 198 suspects in homicides, 59 suspects for possessing illegal firearms, 168 suspects in rape, defilement, and other sexual offense cases, 265 suspected cultists, and 1891 other suspects for various crimes.

Additionally, 127 firearms of various calibers, 612 different types of ammunition, and 89 stolen vehicles were all found by police across the country during the same time frame. Meanwhile, 71 kidnapped victims were freed unharmed and later reunited with their families and loved ones.

A total of 89 stolen vehicles have been found by the police in the past five weeks, while 1,244 vehicles have been registered overall through the Central Motor System, 234 of which have been discovered to have been reported stolen on the platform. The police high command added that 46 stolen vehicles have been recovered so far out of a total of 89 vehicles recovered due to the quick response of the CMR desk officers working with field agents.

At a meeting with strategic police managers, including Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, Assistant Inspector Generals of Police, and Commissioners of Police on Thursday at Force Headquarters in Abuja, Olukayode Egbetokun, the acting Inspector-General of Police, announced the development.

He said that the Nigeria Police had experienced both good and bad times over the previous five weeks, but that overall crime in Nigeria has been steadily declining over that time period, despite pockets of unpleasant incidents that have been reported in some regions.

“The accomplishments would not have been possible without the combined efforts of our officers, government backing, support from state governments, and public assistance. In order to address the various facets of crime and criminality in Nigeria, I must reiterate that the Nigeria Police Force, under my direction, will continue to adopt and embrace modern policing strategies.

Despite the threats of political and socioeconomic instability that accompanied the removal of fuel subsidies and post-election tribunals across the country, he also noted that the internal security situation of the country over the past month or so has been relatively calm. He added that, in comparison to the past, the country recorded a lesser number of violent crimes and other major offenses nationwide.

“Over the past five weeks, our dedicated officers have shown unwavering resolve in upholding law and order,” Egbetokun said. The Nigeria Police Force has successfully dismantled numerous notorious criminal syndicates involved in organized crimes through meticulously planned and well-coordinated operations driven by actionable intelligence, leading to the arrest of 288 armed robbery suspects, 187 kidnap suspects, 198 homicide suspects, 59 suspects for possession of prohibited firearms, 168 suspects involved in cases of rape, defilement, and other sexual offenses, 265 suspected cultists, and

“Overall, 127 firearms of various calibers, 612 different rounds of ammunition, and 89 stolen vehicles were found across the country, while 71 kidnapped victims were freed unharmed and later reunited with their families and loved ones during the same five-week period.

“In the interest of public safety and general security, we have established an ad hoc committee tasked with the comprehensive review of firearms licensing and regulations in accordance with the Firearms Act and other existing laws.

“The committee’s mandate will include a comprehensive analysis of the rules and procedures currently in place for firearms licensing, with the goal of enhancing their effectiveness, accountability, and transparency. To ensure a thorough and knowledgeable review, this will be carried out in collaboration with the pertinent stakeholders.

He also urged those who were in possession of firearms illegally to turn the weapons in to the local police station, where they would be safe from punishment.

All people involved in the illegal possession of arms and light weapons are hereby advised to turn them in to the police at the local police stations. There will be no punishment for this.

“By this announcement, all State Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, as well as Tactical Commanders, are required to start an immediate, all-out crackdown on the manufacture, sale, possession, and use of illegal firearms in the nation.

“All Nigerians are hereby requested to report to their neighborhood police stations any suspicious firearms-related activities. For quick response and action, they can also report through the various NPF social media platforms.

Speaking about the Special Intervention Squad, Egbetokun stated that a team of 25 trainers and instructors from various police colleges and training schools have been carefully chosen to travel to another country for specialized training. This is in furtherance of his administration’s resolve to see to it that all forms of violent crimes in Nigeria are adequately prepared for, identified, and dealt with, and in line with his earlier directive for the establishment of a 40,000-strong SIS.

He added that the Central Motor Registry, which was recently automated and implemented, has transformed how police in the nation respond to the problem of stolen vehicles.

The goal, according to Egbetokun, “is to provide them with pertinent training in the Special Intervention Squad program, a project designed to give our staff members cutting-edge skills and techniques for handling complex security challenges across the nation.

“We have made significant investments to upgrade our infrastructure and digital capabilities because we recognize the importance of cutting-edge technology in contemporary law enforcement, and these are showing promising results.

“Police response to the challenge of stolen vehicles in the nation has been revolutionized by the Central Motor Registry, which was recently automated and rolled out. The platform gives Nigerians the chance to register their vehicles online, increasing the likelihood that these vehicles will be found if they are stolen.

“During the review period, 1,244 vehicles were registered on the CMR platform, of which 234 were later discovered to have been reported stolen on the platform. So far, 46 stolen vehicles have been found thanks to the quick action of the CMR desk officers and field agents.

This figure is included in the total of 89 stolen vehicles found over the course of the previous five weeks. In an effort to recover everything, more recovery efforts are still being made. For the best security and safety, we hereby encourage members of the public to access the platform at cmris.npf.gov.ng and register their vehicles.

LP criticizes Soyinka for remarks about Obi, Datti

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coic
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The Labour Party’s leadership rebuked Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka for saying that the party was trying to trick Nigerians into thinking that Peter Obi, its presidential candidate, won the contentious February 25 election.

The protest follows Soyinka’s statement made on Wednesday at a symposium titled “The Lives of Wole Soyinka — A Dialogue,” which took place in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The eminent author had emphasized that although the Labour Party leadership was aware that Obi finished third, they continued to play “gbajue” (to force a lie) on the populace, particularly the young.

However, the Obi camp and senior Labour Party members took issue with his statements.

Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, responded in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, describing Soyinka’s statement as not befitting of a man who is highly regarded as a detribalized statesman.

Ifoh further stated they could not imagine that the playwright could fall victim to the “groupthink syndrome” based on primordial considerations in the release titled “Soyinka: Statesmen are not double-faced, not blind to the truth.”

When a group of people agrees on something without using critical thinking or weighing the pros and cons, it is known as groupthink syndrome.

“Prof. Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian whose literary accomplishments are without a doubt intimidating,” he said. He predicts that our party will perform poorly in the general elections of 2023, and we respectfully disagree. The facts are in front of the courts, so we will hold off on commenting until the Supreme Court issues its ruling out of respect for our legal system.

We recognize that the literary giant was a human being with feelings, and that his statements were likely influenced by information provided to him by people who agree with the ‘Emilokan’ viewpoint.

“It is extremely perplexing and unsettling that a detribalized activist like Soyinka would fall victim to the ‘groupthink syndrome’ that supports state capture by those on the criminal fringe by any means, based on primal considerations.

We are very grateful that he at least acknowledged the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for ending the two other parties’ previous monopoly on power.

The spokesman continued by expressing disappointment that Soyinka chose a side rather than denouncing some irregularities in the lead-up to the most recent general elections and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s appalling performance.

Ifoh came to the conclusion that “Kongi” is a Nigerian and has a similar right to his opinion.

“The 2023 general election was watched by everyone in the world, and there was widespread condemnation of both the outcome and the process, particularly the “glitch” that only happened when transmitting presidential results to IREV. When Kongi urged INEC to keep its word, not even a whisper was heard.

We won’t blame Soyinka’s incorrect prognosis on selective amnesia, but we would have anticipated him to be a statesman, which we believed he was by erring on the side of caution.

He continued, “We want to also let him know that creating a new Nigeria is a dream whose time has come and Nigerian youths will not give up on such a dream until it is realized.

Cement sales drop 30% over naira redesign, says MAN

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coic
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At the height of the naira crisis earlier this year, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria reported a 30% decline in cement sales.

According to the association, sales of consumer goods fell by 20% during this time due to a lack of access to cash.

The devastation caused by the naira redesign policy on the manufacturing sector was described in detail in a “Special Focus” of MAN’s Manufacturing CEOs Confidence Index, according to MAN.

According to the report, because of the significant progress that has been made in this area, the Central Bank of Nigeria does not need to hasten the country’s shift to a cashless economy or engage in overly aggressive policymaking.

 

Approximately 20% and 30% less sales of consumer goods and cement, respectively, were experienced as a result of the protracted crisis, the report claims, nearly bankrupting manufacturing companies.

According to MAN, the crisis had a negative effect on the manufacturers because it directly reduced their working capital, which halted regular business operations.

It was further stated that the devaluation of the naira reduced consumer support for manufacturing companies and as a result increased their volume of inventories, particularly for retail goods.

The economic crisis had negative effects on the manufacturing value chain and logistics costs, according to the report, because it exposed the heavily cash-based distributive trade sector to significant risk.

Part of the report’s summary stated, “The significant decline in money velocity created room for speculation and sparked the emergence of a naira black market, adding to the problems already faced by manufacturers due to a lack of foreign exchange.

In particular, those in the agro-allied industries, which frequently do business with local farmers in outlying towns with no formal banking in sight, were clearly destroyed by the naira shortage because their cash-based transactions were so prevalent. More regrettably, the outrageous POS fees on such cash limited the operations of hardy manufacturing SMEs and increased their cost of doing business.

Tell this story, please:

 

Ministry of Works, Umahi agency of FG, announces that N431b is available for contractors

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coic
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The Ministry of Works, an agency of the Federal Government, has announced that it has N431 billion available for contractors.

This was said by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a meeting with all project managers for road dualization and all zone directors of the Ministry on Thursday at the Ministry’s office in Abuja.

Additionally, the Minister stated the Ministry’s plan to concentrate on the majority of the dualized roads in the nation.

He declared, “We are here today to declare our intention to deal with the majority of the dual-lane roads in the nation.

I want to remind you that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation would fund 50% of the contract’s total amount till 2025.

“We have N431 billion ready for contractors to clear, but there is no certificate for it. If you are doing a job under Phase 1, try to make claims. If your job involves augmentation, go back to your Regional Director for understanding before I sign the certificate. Any certificate I sign now, I have to take account for it even after I have left office.”

Speaking through the Director of Information Press and Public Relations Unit, Blessing Lere-Adams, Umahi further instructed the contractors to stay in one lane if their project had not reached 50% completion. He also mentioned that he had developed a Performance Bond that would ensure all new projects for a 10-year period.

He asked all road builders to contact the Ministry to either cease construction or reconstruct the road such that it would survive ten years if they created roads that were not capable of doing so.

He urged all the contractors to work with him on building roads using concrete technology, as it was done in Singapore and India, and he cautioned contractors that he would not listen to tales of failure on the roads due to overloading.

In addition, Umahi urged the contractors and other interested parties to pay attention to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the current administration is in charge of 18000 kilometers of roads and that it inherited a contract sum of about N14.1 trillion, of which N4 trillion is being paid for all of the projects, some of which have lasted for between 10 and 20 years.

The Minister claimed that certain contractors have intentionally increased the contractor sum by 100%, which is why they are not receiving payment.

“We are returning to the original concept of the projects and the necessity of any further works and also see how we can get a fair deal,” the Minister added. “Expecting an endorsement from the Ministry of what is not acceptable to the Nigerian Society of Engineers is not conceivable.”

I Umahi also stated that “Mr. President knows road infrastructure, and if I come before him with a contract for a value of N44 billion reviewed to N144 billion contract sum, I must be able to present facts of how the cost got about.”

Tribunal’s decision, supporters of Kano governor hold special prayers

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coic
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Supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party held special prayers for Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday before the Election Petition Tribunal decision in order to ensure his victory.

On Thursday, the special prayer was offered along the six crucial primary entrance roads to Kano, including Katsina Road, Gwarzo Road, Madobi Road/Sharada, Zaria Road, Maiduguri Road, and Hadejia Road.

Yusuf’s election victory is being contested by the Kano State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress.

The tribunal has not yet decided when to issue the ruling.

Police invited Sam Larry, Mohbad failed to show up says FCID

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coic
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The late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad filed a petition on June 27 alleging assault, among other things, and the Lagos Annex, Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigerian Police Force, Zone 2, Alagbon, has confirmed that it invited music promoter Samson Balogun, aka Sam Larry and others.

The federal police department further highlighted that after the singer failed to appear to defend his case, a lawyer for Sam Larry and the other suspects also filed a counter-petition against Mohbad, citing defamation of character.

Oluniyi Ogundeyi, the spokeswoman for the Lagos Annex of the FCID, further disclosed that the late singer Mohbad failed to appear at the police station to adopt and defend his petition and also to provide proof of the allegations, to help the police in prosecuting the suspects, if necessary, in an exclusive telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday night.

Following the disclosure of a document, the late singer petitioned the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos State, alleging, among other things, that a music promoter named Samson Balogun, alias Sam Larry, had threatened his life, caused intentional damage, assaulted him, and subjected him to oppression.

 

The dead and another musician, Omoniyi Temidayo alias Zlatan Ibile, were working on a video shoot when Sam Larry and 15 other armed men invaded the location and threatened to cause mayhem, according to Mohbad’s June 27, 2023 plea.

He said, “They eventually assaulted him (Mohbad) and destroyed equipment worth over N5 million at the spot, just before he narrowly escaped with injuries.”

I, a law-abiding citizen with the aforementioned name and residence, as well as a musician, bring to your attention the assault and danger to my life by the aforementioned individuals.

“On June 25, 2023, while I was shooting a video with another artist named Zlatan (Ibile, the aforementioned individuals, numbering around 15, led by Sam Larry Elegushi, entered the location with dangerous weapons like guns and cutlasses, disrupted the entire shooting process, damaged the equipment I was using for the shooting valued at about five million naira, and began threatening my life. As a result, they turned violent and attacked me.

The petition also includes the aforementioned images. Eight Million Naira (N8,000,000) is the total price I paid for the shooting that they destroyed, and it is non-refundable.

“However, during the assault, they boasted that they are employees of Oba Elegushi and that they were asked to deal with me for reasons that are only known to them; to this day, they have continued to make threats to kill me if I am seen. Sir, I beg your good office to protect me from the aforementioned individuals and bring them to justice.

Part of the plea said, “Sir, I call on your good office to preserve my life from the above named persons and bring them to book.” We appreciate your prompt action.

The police could not act on the petition because Mohbad refused to appear and adopt, defend, and also offer evidence to support the claims he made, according to Oluniyi Ogundeyi, Police Public Relations Officer, FCID Annex, Lagos, when contacted by our correspondent on Thursday night regarding the recent development.

We received the petition, followed up on the data in the petition, and invited the suspects, according to Ogundeyi. However, Mohbad declined to appear to defend his lawsuit and offer information that would have helped the police conduct a thorough investigation and, if required, refer the case to the legal department for prosecution.

“Yes, Mohbad did report the incident on June 27, 2023. Today (Thursday), the IPO confirmed this to me and showed me the case file. Sam Larry and other suspects named in the petition were asked for questioning, according to the IPO, and they accepted the invitation and provided statements as well. A lawyer for Sam Larry and the other accused filed a counter-petition accusing Mohbad of defaming them when the deceased declined to appear to adopt and defend his petition.

There was nothing the police could do if a petitioner refused to defend their petition and provide evidence to help the police in investigating the matter and forward the case file to the legal department if the suspect’s are found to be at fault. The police even attempted to contact Mohbad on numerous occasions, but he never showed up.

In an earlier statement titled “Mohbad’s Death: We Will Carry Out Diligent Investigation – FPRO,” the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the police were committed to a thorough investigation into the matter and that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has been tasked with determining the circumstances surrounding his death.

“Our sincere sympathies go out to the family, friends, and supporters of the late Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad, who died away lately,” Adejobi stated. We are aware of the worries surrounding his premature passing.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police has been tasked with determining the circumstances surrounding his death, and the Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to conducting a thorough investigation into this case. We’ll keep you informed as the investigations progress, so don’t worry.

“We urge members of the family or close friends who may have important information to contact the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to help with this procedure. We respectfully ask that people hold off on saying anything or taking any actions that would endanger the ongoing inquiry in the interim. We respect your confidence and assistance greatly.

According to The PUNCH, controversial socialite Sam Larry has experienced backlash on social media as a result of a video that showed him and several other people assaulting late musician Mohbad.

When Larry and a group of boys barged into the set of a music video where Mohbad and Zlatan were working, Mohbad fled in terror. Zlatan, on the other hand, made an effort to salvage the situation by defending Mohbad from Larry and his allies.

Following the release of the video, enraged Nigerians flocked to Larry’s Instagram page to bash him for allegedly threatening and tormenting the late singer. In response to the barrage of cyberattacks he has gotten since the video’s release, Larry, who is rumored to be Naira Marley’s ally, has subsequently disabled his Instagram account.

According to The PUNCH, Mohbad passed away on Tuesday at the age of 27. The management of Mohbad also issued a formal announcement announcing his demise.

“We confirm with deep sorrow that Promise Oladimeji Aloba PK/A Mohbad (Imole) passed away today, September 12, 2023.

The family of Mohbad thanks you for your support and your prayers and begs that you continue to respect their privacy during this trying time. Mohbad was a light to the very end, and we mourn the loss of the brightness he carried. The brief statement, which was published on both his Instagram and X handles, said, “Imole is at Peace at last.

 

Nyesom Wike not just FCT Minister, but my Adviser – Tinubu

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Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, is not only the FCT Minister, according to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but also his adviser.

When he welcomed the influential 62-man delegation from Rivers state to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu made this statement.

 

He informed the stakeholders in Rivers State that he had heard their pleas for infrastructure improvement, particularly on the East West Road’s decaying Elementary junction-Onne axis connecting the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The President was reported as saying: “The Honorable Minister, Wike, is not just the Minister of the FCT, he is also my adviser and an admirer of mine,” in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale. He has made a strong start, and the State should support him.

The President remarked, “I am the Captain and Chief Salesman of the country. I advise the younger generation to be more patient with the procedures of government. We need to quickly change the trend and take advantage of the opportunities. The people of our nation have high hopes for us. I promise to put in a lot of effort, and I ask God to direct me in the correct direction so that I won’t let Nigerians down, the President said in closing.

Tinubu appoints Delu Yakubu national coordinator of Social Investment Programmes

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coic
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In anticipation of Senate confirmation, President Bola Tinubu has given his blessing to Mrs. Delu Bulus Yakubu’s nomination as the first National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA).

The President’s Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement on Thursday.

In his resolve to realize the Renewed Hope objective of his government, Tinubu charged the new appointment with bringing the greatest level of effectiveness, transparency, and high-quality service delivery to NSIPA.

On May 22, 2023, President 2023 signed into law the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (Establishment) Act.

Yakubu holds an agronomy master’s degree from the State University of Bio-Technology in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and has managed social investment programs for more than 15 years.

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