Home Blog Page 1710

Criminals in Lagos are making pistols, AK-47s – CP Owohunwa

coic
-
0
Criminals in Lagos are making pistols, AK-47s – CP Owohunwa

Idowu Owohunwa, the commissioner of police for Lagos State, has claimed that criminal elements in the region are becoming more skilled at manufacturing firearms locally.

At the state command Complaint Response Unit’s unveiling on Wednesday by acting Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, he revealed this.

According to Owohunwa, the weapons include AK47s and other assault rifles, as well as copies of pistols made abroad.

The state’s security is at serious risk as a result of the trend and the uptick in cult activities, the police chief continued.

The thin line between civil and criminal dynamics of land disputes, which are also common in the state, is something we constantly have to analyse and deal with, he continued. Traffic congestion and the sporadic traffic robberies it causes are also regularly concerning, and they are made worse by the state’s ongoing road projects, particularly those on the Lagos-Ibadan highway. The prevalence of illegal firearms, illegal drug use, and traffic robberies further accentuate the state’s crime profile.

“Hardly a day goes by without the command’s ever-vigilant agents discovering weapons and illegal substances of various kinds during stop-and-search operations, raids of hot spots, and other operational engagements; all such discoveries are connected to the completion of crimes across the state. The most concerning aspect of all of this is a discernible pattern that points to growing local proficiency in the production of different types of firearms, including copies of pistols, AK-47s, and other rifles made abroad.

Owohunwa urged all strategically important state actors as well as the populace to support the police in their efforts to stem the dangerous tide. In an effort to start a conversation about containing cultism and violent crimes in the state, he mentioned that the command would arrange a conference in the upcoming weeks.

However, Egbetokun cautioned police officers to abstain from improper behaviour and adhere to professionalism.

He made particular note of how allegations of extortion against police officers have damaged the reputation of the force.

Egbetokun revealed that personnel mobilisation had started in response to the proposed creation of a special intervention squad.

He claimed that this was consistent with ongoing initiatives to purge criminal elements from some troubled regions of the nation.

If you have been following our activities ever since I took over as acting Inspector General of Police, he said, “you will know that we have taken steps to ensure that crime is kept to a minimum and to restore security to troubled areas. To eliminate criminal elements terrorising drivers on the Abuja-Kaduna route, we are taking the necessary action. You’re going to start seeing results very soon.

“We’re starting the process of creating a special intervention squad. To make that a success, we have begun mobilising. And in the states that we have selected as pilot states, the SIS will soon begin to operate. Give us a little more time, and you’ll start to see the fruits of our labour.

“Fortunately, we have a government in place that is concerned about the problems relating to welfare and the well-being of the police officers. Mr. President has assured me that efforts are being made to put smiles on Nigerian police officers’ faces.

Gombe gov mocks FG’s palliatives, implores people to embrace agriculture.

coic
-
0
Gombe gov mocks FG’s palliatives, implores people to embrace agriculture.

Muhammadu Yahaya, the governor of Gombe State, reported that the state had received N2 billion of the N5 billion set aside by the federal government as a subsidy removal palliative.

At the grand finale of the palliatives distribution on the grounds of the Gombe Emir’s palace on Wednesday, Yahaya, who doubles as the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, disclosed this information.

According to our correspondent, since the governor launched the distribution in Yalmatu Deba last week, the committee led by the head of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency has travelled to nine LGAs, dispersing painkillers among households and voting booths.

Five kilogrammes of rice, two bags of fertiliser, two litres of pesticides, and a carton of macaroni or spaghetti are just a few of the supplies distributed.

Yahaya asserts that there won’t be the miracle that people expecting the N5 billion from the Federal Government are expecting, noting that only N2 billion has already reached state coffers.

We have been distributing among the 11 Local Government Areas, he said. This is merely a preliminary step in anticipation of what the Federal Government will offer to provide palliative care in response to the harms caused to people as a result of subsidy removal, as there is dislocation in the nation and a number of issues—the majority of which didn’t even begin now but which we must address now.

“That is why I’m emphasising that those who received these must use them properly, especially if they own a farm. You can use the two fertiliser bags to ensure that your farm is productive.

“For those hoping that the N5 billion that the federal government is giving to the states will bring about miracles, this N2 billion only hit the account of the Gombe State Government, and we have N2 billion worth of rice that we can purchase as soon as the next payment is made to us, according to the palliative committee, as well as grains, especially maize, that we received from the Central Bank that is worth N1 billion.

“I don’t think the Federal Government, either through CBN or any of its agencies, has that much money in reserve. For instance, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s grain silos in Gombe have been leased to a private company, which means that the 25,000 tonnes of grain that were supposed to be a strategic reserve are now out of the government’s control and in the hands of the private sector.

“If you give N3b and ask that we go to the market and buy directly from the market, it will add more inflation, the prices will go up again, and the problem will persist,” he continued.

Palliatives, according to Yahaya, are curative rather than preventive maintenance that would end hunger. He expressed his displeasure with them.

“We will carefully consider how to use our own funds and make sure they reach the right group of people. The deputy governor will be in charge of making sure the Federal Government’s palliatives are implemented and reach the appropriate people.

We distributed a palliative package. We shouldn’t be sharing palliatives because we are in a situation we caused ourselves. Instead, the government should teach people to return to farming so they can produce what they eat. I’m not happy about this.

We take a step back, pause, and take the necessary action. Inshallah, Yahaya promised, “I will provide that effective leadership needed so that together we can move forward.”

Release promotion arrears or risk Industrial peace- ASUU tells FG

coic
-
0
Release promotion arrears or risk Industrial peace- ASUU tells FG

In the interest of labour peace and harmony in Nigerian universities, the Academic Staff Union of Universities has requested that the Federal Government, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, release outstanding promotion arrears owed to its members. This request comes in response to a National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Maiduguri.

The Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System was used to commit employment racketeering, according to a statement from the ASUU that was released on Thursday morning.

“NEC noted with serious concern that ASUU members are currently owed several months’ worth of promotion arrears arising from distortions traceable to the coercive enrollment of academics on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information platform,” the statement reads. Despite numerous attempts by the union and university administrations, NEC noted that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has not addressed the problem.

“As a result, in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, ASUU calls on the OAGF to ensure the immediate release of backlog of promotion arrears to our members.

“NEC was troubled by reports of widespread employment racketeering carried out by administrators of the defunct IPPIS, including scandalous revelations at the recent meetings of the House of Representatives’ Probe Panel on IPPIS. NEC noted that the dishonest trend has undermined university employment tradition in violation of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 and each university’s own guidelines for appointments and promotions. All unauthorised appointments sponsored by the IPPIS and its representatives in public universities in Nigeria are rejected by ASUU.

Details to follow

Senator adopts children of aide allegedly killed by rogue soldiers in Lagos, associates raise N55m

coic
-
0
Senator adopts children of aide allegedly killed by rogue soldiers in Lagos, associates raise N55m

Adeniyi Sanni, a staff member for Senator Solomon Adeola who was killed, was buried on Wednesday by his friends, family, and coworkers.

As the remains of the late senator’s assistant, Sanni, were displayed during the church ceremony and interred in the Redeemed Camp vault, Mowe, along the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway, Sanni’s widow, children, relatives, and other sympathisers wept.

In the wee hours of Saturday, August 5, 2023, Sanni was killed in Lagos.

The late Sanni was stopped by security personnel at a checkpoint in Ojodu while en route to his home in Isheri, Lagos, according to a statement from the senator’s media adviser, Kayode Odunaro. He was asked to show the registration for the vehicle he was driving, which he did through his wife, who sent all the documents to his phone via WhatsApp.

Odunaro claimed that shortly after, the wife called his friends to report that she was unable to reach her husband on the phone, requiring the organisation of a search party.

She was allegedly called later by onlookers via the next-of-kin phone number listed on her husband’s driver’s licence after learning that his body had been found discarded with gunshot wounds near the Toyota Bus Stop in Oshodi, Lagos.

In a separate statement on Monday, Senator Adeola claimed that his aide had been murdered by soldiers working for Brigadier General Nsikan Edet, the recently-deployed commander of the 9 Brigade at the Ikeja Cantonment of the Nigerian Army.

After the funeral, Babatunde Raji-Label, the director general of Senator Adeola’s campaign organisation, revealed to our correspondent that the senator had adopted the deceased’s children, Moraraoluwa, Oluwashindara, and Oluwafeyidara.

The deceased’s companions had raised more than N55 million at the senator’s request, he continued, to care for his mother, grandmother, and other close relatives who were all elderly.

He added that Adeola had made the decision to pay the deceased’s mother a monthly salary for the rest of her life.

In addition to paying their school expenses, the senator has also adopted the kids, according to Raji-Label, and he will take care of them.

The senator suggested that we raise money for Sanni because he has children, a mother, and a grandmother the day after Sanni passed away. We reached out to friends and colleagues, and as of right now, we have more than N55 million.

“This is to ensure that the kids won’t have any problems with their education by paying their school expenses from the classes they’re in now through secondary school. Additionally, we kept Chrisland, which is their current school. The wife and mother of the dead are to receive all of the remaining funds, according to the senator’s instructions.

Additionally, he pledged to pay the mother a monthly stipend until God called her home. He’ll take care of his wife in the same way.

Raji-Label expressed hope that the murderers of Sanni will be apprehended and justice done.

“They (the murderers) must not rest; they must glance back because God will pursue them. Since his death was horrible, he will catch them and have them convicted. So they must make a payment. They shouldn’t go to sleep after doing this. They can’t sleep because they have murdered slumber, he alleged.

In a different statement made by Odunaro on Wednesday, Adeola referred to his dead assistant as irreplaceable.

“I can’t possibly find Niyi a replacement, you know. He is my blood and has been a loyal helper for almost 20 years. His senseless passing has left me deeply upset. As a father figure to him, I was required to abstain from attending his funeral as per custom, the statement said.

The pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Rhema Chapel (Young Adult and Youth Church), Gbenga Odunowo, stated the departed had an impression while they were still living during the funeral service.

“Today we gather to rejoice in a life well lived in Christ. Our brother’s contribution is notable. His influence on people’s life is considerable. We ought to honour the contribution he made to life even if the race is over, Odunowo remarked.

Customers protest Discos’ plan to retrieve prepaid meters

coic
-
0
Customers protest Discos’ plan to retrieve prepaid meters

Electricity distribution company customers are protesting the company’s efforts to seize prepayment metres for an update.

Recently, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company notified its clients via Facebook that it will start collecting a set of pre-paid metres for upgrading.

Dear excellent clients, read the flyer from the disco. Please be aware that as part of the ongoing metre upgrade, we will be collecting prepaid metres with metre numbers 62417 and 62418 from our clients.metre no, starting with 6321…This will allow us to modernise.

“To retrieve the metres, our field employees will go to the impacted customers’ properties.”

The company added that old tokens wouldn’t be deleted from the metres and that the metre will be returned once the upgrading was finished.

The information, however, did not sit well with its clients.

A customer of the Disco named Olatinwo Multimedia suggested that codes be offered instead.

“That’s utter rubbish. A link where the metre codes will be posted for updates should be provided. The idea of taking away already-installed prepaid metres is absurd and impossible. He questioned, “Who does that?”

Olaanipekun Henrym, a different client, advised employees of IBEDC “not to approach close” his home.

No one should approach my home since you folks are unreliable. Nobody will update my number, which is 62418, though. I’m confident that any attempt to take it away won’t result in its return in a year, he remarked.

Akinyemi Tayo asserted that it was unwise to put any faith in the Disco.

“Walahi, you folks want to rob us once more by raising the tariff so that it can complete on schedule. This behaviour is nasty. God will put an end to it shortly, he declared.

According to people with direct knowledge of the situation, other Discos might improve problematic metres by taking similar steps.

I said so. IBEDC cannot improve itself. One Oni Kunle asked, “Can you image doing it manually and hope that thieves won’t take it over.

In her additional statement, Muraina Akeem Olatunji said that the Disco was “taking their consumers like idiots, abi?”

Adewusi Ayodele, who claimed to have upgraded his metre using a code provided by the disco, brought a twist to the discussion when he said that following a new recharge, he had received a token that was less valuable.

“Good morning, IBEDC. I recharged for N6,000, but instead I received a token for 43.04 units. These new tariffs/charges are confusing to me. Please explain,” he said.

Rasaq Adebayo voiced concern that if customers permitted the Disco to take the metre away, it might not be restored until six months had passed.

Customers whose metres would be retrieved will be switched to post-paid metres for the duration, according to IBEDC spokesperson Adebusolami Tunwase.

“The details are clear. The afflicted metre series are identified, and the software update is for metres that are rejecting upgrade codes.

“They will be installed with post-paid metres that need payment throughout that time. As the renovation is finished, the metres will be given back. The renovation will last until November, as you are aware,” she added.

In a statement, Sunday Oduntan, a representative for the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, called the planned retrieval “absurd” and denounced it.

In the meantime, enquiries regarding the recovery of some metres were not answered by spokespersons for the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Babatunde Lasaki, the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Bala Sani, or the Corporate Communications division of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

TheNigerian quoted metering specialist Sesan Okunade as saying that the update provided by IBEDC was a result of changes required by the STS compliance metre in the electricity industry.

“This suggests that the TID rollover. By the 24th of November 2024, every one of our smart metres that complies with the STS is anticipated to roll over to zero, meaning that if you do not upgrade, it might no longer be functional.

“So, normally, each Disco would generate a key change token for each customer when they made purchases, but I’m confident that this class of metres with these precise numbers are specific to a particular metre supplier, which is suffering a defect. They could have to do it offline, and they might even need to bring them to their offices.

“Other discos may follow suit if they have also used this supplier, if they have. The Discos themselves were unaware at the time those metres were bought because the market was oversaturated with various kinds of metres. Say, towards the end of last year, they learned about it. Therefore, the metre supplier must have given upgrade codes to be completed offline, he said.

In response to questions from The Nigerian, Chijioke James, president of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, remained mum.

He stated, “I am still outside the nation and can only reply after consulting with colleagues on the ground.

Usman Arabi, the spokeswoman for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, stated that the agency would keep watch over the Discos’ operations to make sure that they benefit both the electricity market and the customers.

Umahi promises to redesign Lokoja-Ajaokuta express road

coic
-
0
Umahi promises to redesign Lokoja-Ajaokuta express road

Since Lokoja-Ajaokuta Express road is the gateway between the North and East, Works Minister Dave Umahi has vowed to revamp it.

Umahi promised during his first working visit to Kogi.

He was reacting to Governor Bello, who had called the route the main North-South connector.

The minister thanked the governor for his warm welcome and dedication to Kogi State.

Umahi commended federal highways and the government’s comprehensive turnaround.

He announced plans for long-lasting, low-maintenance concrete roads and promised fast development on all Kogi State federal road projects.

He revealed that the Federal Government was investigating low-maintenance concrete road building innovation that can last over 50 years.

He added that concrete roads are cheaper to build and guarantee materials.

The minister vowed to redesign Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road and praised the governor’s road maintenance.

The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Onogwu Mohammed, stated Wednesday that Umahi had previously inspected the Gada-biu bridge reconstruction, the Abaji section of Abuja-Lokoja Road, Koto-Karfe Bridge, and Murtala Muhammed Bridge.

According to him, “The minister highlighted the desire of the Federal Government to turn the strategically vital route into a suitable form hence, the necessity to remodel it to fit the contemporary reality.”

Governor Yahaya Bello was optimistic about the Federal Government’s road infrastructure investment.

He commended the minister for reviewing deteriorated federal roads in the state, showing a commitment to fixing infrastructure issues.

He acknowledged commuter problems, trade and economic losses, and transportation system strain.

The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu and the ministry for acknowledging the issues and promising immediate action.

Our administration, the people of Kogi State, and Nigerians in general are concerned about the status of our federal roads since Kogi is the connecting point between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

We’ve noticed commuters’ pain, trade and economic losses, and transport system strain.

“It is with this in mind that we convey our sincere appreciation to the Honourable Minister for not only noting this distress but also for promising quick actions to ameliorate the situation,” the governor stated.

Effective governance involves federal and state governments working together on infrastructure concerns, he said.

Bello also thought that the minister’s immediate initiatives would change the lives of citizens who traverse these routes and that the president’s “Renewed Hope” plan might revolutionise the economy and well-being of the nation.

Corn sellers cause insecurity in Abuja – Wike claims

coic
-
0
Corn sellers cause insecurity in Abuja – Wike claims

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has banned street vendors in Abuja on the grounds that they are a contributing factor to the rise of crime and instability in the city. This includes street vendors who sell maize.

During a meeting with the management staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority, the former governor of Rivers State made this announcement. He urged the management staff to place a higher priority on doing what is ethically sound.

“The most important thing for us to do is to make certain that Abuja is restored to how it should have been. As I explored Abuja, I noticed that most areas are completely dark. I found this to be the case in the majority of the city.

He stated that “what we need to do is to ensure that light comes back as soon as possible.” This is what we need to do.

Wike issued an order for the immediate cleanup of Abuja, adding, “If you are in charge of sanitation, I will call you at any time of the day.”

He issued a stern warning that he would not think twice about dismissing any official whose personal hygiene did not live up to his expectations. In addition to this, he mentioned that unauthorised areas would be off-limits for the operation of car parks.

He went on to say that it was illegal to engage in street trading. People who are selling maize will throw their waste wherever they want, and things like this are what cause insecurity in the area. Criminals use the opportunity to shoplift while also using the visit as a cover to spy on other criminals and pass on information to them. It is absolutely necessary that we remove the street vendors.

“Development control is a major crisis area that needs to be stopped. Why are there buildings that are illegally constructed and shanties everywhere? We will tear down any structure that violates the law. He reiterated that the structure would collapse regardless of how high up it was.

First womb transplant carried out in UK

coic
-
0
First womb transplant carried out in UK

Surgeons in the United Kingdom have successfully performed the world’s first womb transplant on a female patient.

Living womb donation was performed by the woman’s sister.

The transplant procedure that the unnamed recipient from England, who is 34 years old and married, underwent lasted for nine hours, as reported by The Guardian on Wednesday.

The married woman was born with a rare condition, which meant that her original womb was not fully developed when she was born. She obtained a donor womb from her sister, who was 40 years old at the time and already had two children of her own.

The recipient was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, an extremely uncommon form of congenital reproductive disorder that affects only one in every 5,000 females. People who have this syndrome either do not have a womb or their vagina is not fully developed.

Isabel Quiroga, the co-lead surgeon and a consultant surgeon at the Oxford Transplant Centre, which is a part of the hospitals affiliated with Oxford University, expressed that she was “thrilled” and “extremely proud” that the surgery had been successful.

An operation was performed in February at Churchill hospital in Oxford to give the recipient, who lives in England and asked not to be identified, the uterus that belonged to her sister. She was discharged from the hospital 10 days later after being stable for nine hours and twenty minutes of treatment.

APC chairman, Aliyu Audu proposes for creation of six additional states, provides justifications

coic
-
0
APC chairman, Aliyu Audu proposes for creation of six additional states, provides justifications

APC Chieftain Aliyu Audu has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take into account the development of six additional states from each of the geopolitical zones.

On Wednesday, while appearing on a Channels Television programme, Audu, a member of the APC Presidential Transition Council’s Media Strategy Subcommittee, made the call.

The party leader emphasised that the expanding rural-urban migration would be reduced if more states were created.

The enormous migration of Nigerians to the metropolis in search of “greener pastures” has led to overcrowding in some states, according to Audu, like Lagos.

“If we can create six more states in six geopolitical zones, that will limit rural-urban migration and prevent people from leaving the North, the East, and the West for Lagos,” he stated, attempting to relieve some of the burden on Lagos.

It evens out the states, but to do this, you need more hands, more labourers, and more procedures.

Kwara Assembly approves 18 commissioner candidates

coic
-
0
Kwara Assembly approves 18 commissioner candidates

On Tuesday, the Kwara State House of Assembly approved the governor’s nomination of 18 individuals to serve as commissioners.

This confirmation followed the assembly’s Committee of Whole’s examination and consideration of them during Tuesday’s session.

The action was in accordance with Section 182 Sub-Sections 1 and 2 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.

Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam (Offa), Folashade Opeyemi (Ekiti), Abdulqowiyu Olododo (Ilorin East), Olaitan Buraimah Abosede (Oyun), Senior Ibrahim Sulyman (Ilorin West), and Hawa Nuru (Ilorin West) are among the newly confirmed Commissioner-nominees.

 

In addition, there are Shehu Ndanusa (Edu), Abdul-Azeez Kola (Asa), Saadah Maddibo-Kawu (Ilorin South), Aliyu Kora Sabi (Baruten), Dr. Segun Ogunshola (Ifelodun), Abdullahi Batta (Kaiama), and Abdul-Azeez Kola (Asa).

Bolanle Odukuju (Irepodun), Dr. Mary Arinde (Oke-Ero), and

Toyosi Thomas, John Bello (Moro), Damilola (Isin), and Usman Lade (Pategi).

The House of Assembly also approved Jemilah Adamu Bake, who is from the state’s Baruten Local Government Area, to be a Commissioner for the Kwara State Civil Service Commission.

Yakubu Salihu, the Speaker of the House, gave the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Abdul-Kareem, the order to inform the Governor of the nominees’ confirmation.

1...1,7091,7101,711...2,841Page 1,710 of 2,841
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv