Home Blog Page 1794

NSA, NAFDAC will combat drug abuse

0

In an effort to reduce the use of illegal drugs throughout the nation, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control partnered on Wednesday.

The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, ONSA, Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (retd. ), claimed that the use of illegal drugs was “fueling insecurity” in the nation, according to a statement by the Director, Strategic Communications, ONSA, Ozoya Imohimi.

“Drug is one of those foods fueling insecurity in Nigeria and the need to strengthen collaborations among relevant government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, particularly NAFDAC, to tackle this menace, must be sustained for a safe and resilient society,” the statement said in part.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the director general of NAFDAC, urged all Nigerians to expose drug dealers, saying that drugs had destroyed many young people’s futures.

She pledged that her organization’s continued partnership with the NCTC in the ONSA would result in more advantageous outcomes for Nigeria.

We didn’t devalue Nigerian naira – CBN.

0

Reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria, also known as the CBN, devalued the Naira have been refuted by the CBN.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had devalued the naira from N631 to the dollar to N461.60, which it had sold at the Importers and Exporters (I&E) window the day before.

On the other hand, the CBN stated unequivocally in a tweet that it sent out Thursday morning via its official Twitter handle that “CBN did not devalue the Naira!”

The rumoured currency devaluation comes just under 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu announced the plans of the federal government to unify Nigeria’s exchange rate in an effort to stimulate the economy of the country, which is currently in a state of decline.

Read Also: Tinubu, APC, INEC oppose admitting Atiku’s documents into evidence

You may recall that in his inaugural address, the President stated that “Monetary policy needs a thorough house cleaning.”

In light of the recent events, Tinubu met with Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, on Tuesday at the presidential villa.

It was speculated that the meeting was used to discuss the problem of the fluctuating exchange rate as well as the elimination of the government subsidy for petrol.

From “baby factory” in Rivers, police manage to free six pregnant girls

0

In Aluu, which is located in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state of Rivers, the Rivers State Police Command has uncovered a “baby factory” that was being operated by a child trafficking ring.

Six pregnant women were rescued by the command from the facility that manufactured babies.

The women, who ranged in age from 20 to 23, were being held captive with the intention of trading their newborn children after the women had given birth to them.

Akudo Azoroh, the owner and operator of the child trafficking centre, as well as the pregnant women were all taken into custody on Tuesday, along with Azoroh, who admitted to running the illegal enterprise.

Azoroh explained that she does not give the babies to ritualists but rather to families that are childless due to their inability to have children of their own.

She mentioned that the women were already pregnant when they came to her, and she added that she pays off the girls as much as N800,000 to N900,00 depending on the stage of the pregnancy they were in when they came to her as well as the gender of the child they delivered.

According to her, “I have given out a total of six children throughout the course of my business, which was established three years ago.” They were already pregnant when they came to me; they came to me on their own accord. I do not have boys who are responsible for getting the girls pregnant.

“I give out the babies only to families that do not have children and not to ritualists; I give them out for between N1.4 and N1.5 million, depending on the sex of the baby, while I pay their mothers off depending on the stage of pregnancy at the time they came,” she said. “I give out the babies for between N1.4 and N1.5 million, depending on the sex of the baby.”

Some of the women who were pregnant admitted that they went to the factory while they were pregnant with the intention of giving the children away after they were born because they did not have the financial means to provide for the children after they were born.

Tinubu, APC, INEC oppose admitting Atiku’s documents into evidence

0

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised objections to the admission of certain documents that were intended to be tendered in evidence by Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At the resumption of the hearing of the petition filed by Atiku and the PDP challenging the election of President Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, the counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Chris Uche, SAN, stated that the team had prepared a second schedule of documents to be tendered. The petition is challenging the election of President Tinubu.

Some of the documents that the petitioners submitted as evidence were certified true copies of Form EC8A that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had downloaded from its Result Viewing Portal (IREV). These copies were submitted by the petitioners through Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN.

The Form EC8A was completed for eight local government areas in Bayelsa, 23 local government areas in Kaduna State, 20 local government areas in Ogun State, and 23 local government areas in Kogi State.

According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), the Form EC8As are sheets that are used for the collection of results at the level of the polling units.

In addition, the petitioners submitted Form EC40G for the state of Kaduna.

On Form EC40G, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) records the total number of cancelled polling units and voters who were unable to cast their ballots.

In addition, the true certified copies of Forms EC8E were submitted for a total of eight local government areas in the state of Kaduna as well as some local government areas in the state of Kogi.

Read Also: Release Nnamdi Kanu, MASSOB implores Tinubu on Biafra Day

Form EC8E is the final form that needs to be filled out in order to declare the final results.

In addition, the petitioners submitted a print copy of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation data. This print version included details such as time stamps for 33 states.

Jegede submitted a motion to the court requesting that it apply the provisions of paragraph 46(A) of the first schedule of the Electoral Act to deem the documents as having been read.

Counsel for INEC, Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, raised an objection to the admissibility of all documents relating to Kogi, with the exception of those pertaining to five Local Government Areas: Olamaboro, Ofu, Omala, Okehi, and Ajaokuta. Mr. Pinhero’s objection was upheld.

He stated that the reason for this was due to the fact that the five local governments, whose documents he did not object to, were specifically pleaded in the pleadings of the petitioners.

Pinhero also raised an objection regarding the legitimacy of the documents relating to the BVAS, with the exception of the states of Kogi, Rivers, and Sokoto.

The attorney for Tinubu, Mr. R. Okala, SAN, and the attorney for the APC, Mr. Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, both objected to the admissibility of the documents that the PDP and Atiku wanted to have tendered.

However, as was agreed upon during the pre-hearing stage, the attorneys will not be presenting their reasons for objecting to the admission of the documents in evidence until after they have finished delivering their closing statements.

After raising an objection regarding the admissibility of the documents, the solicitors all declined to give their approval for the documents that were submitted to be considered as read.

Read Also: ‘You are not governor of APC’ – IPAC, LP set agenda for Otu in Cross River State

The documents were however allowed to be presented as evidence, and the Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Tsammani, appropriately labelled each of the documents.

After that, the hearing on the matter wasn’t going to continue until Thursday, so it was adjourned until then.

Napoli striker’s look-alike: Everyone thinks I’m Osimhen

0

Charles Chibuike, a striker for Doma United, expressed his desire to have more goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League’s recently concluded regular season, much like Victor Osimhen, the talisman for Napoli.

At the beginning of the 2022–23 NPFL season, Chibuike garnered attention for his Osimhen resemblance when he scored on his league debut for Doma United and promised to keep on scoring like the Napoli player.

Chibuike was instrumental in the Savannah Tigers’ remarkable run in the NPFL at the conclusion of the regular season, scoring four times as they finished Group B’s top three teams by just one point.

The striker, who was born in Minna, added three more goals during their state FA Cup run and four more in the Federation Cup before Doma lost to Enugu Rangers in the quarterfinals.
“I wanted to score more goals and be one of the contenders for the Golden Boot, but I’ve learned a lot more about playing in the league and I’m trying to get better, especially in terms of goalscoring. I aspire to perform as spectacular goals scored by Osimhen from impossible angles. Next time, I’ll concentrate better, Chibuike said.

Due to his striking resemblance to the forward, Chibuike continued, people still mistake him for Osimhen. Despite this, Chibuike expressed regret that the Napoli talisman is unaware of him.

I’m Osimhen, everyone thinks. People call me Osimhen countless times each day when I go outside. As an illustration, when we checked into a hotel in Abuja for our FA Cup game, a man saw me and began screaming. Chibuike told our correspondent, “He stayed with me until he took pictures with me.

On the other hand, I feel bad because I don’t even believe Osimhen knows me. It’s somehow refreshing.

ANPP governor candidate warns Uzodimma to be prepared for defeat

0

Uche Odunze, a candidate for governor on the New Nigeria People’s Party’s ballot in the Imo State election scheduled for November 11, has boasted that his group will defeat the incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma.

If elected to power, the ANPP would significantly reduce insecurity in the state, according to Odunze, who made his remarks in Owerri during the public introduction of his running mate, Godstime Samuel.

He claims that because of insecurity, poor leadership, and crumbling infrastructure, the state has been mismanaged by the Uzondimma-led All Progressives Congress administration, and many residents are now fleeing the area.

According to Odunze, his administration would use the party platform as a guide to improve the state’s tourism, health, and education sectors.

The APC has clearly mismanaged this state, he continued. The ANPP provides the people of Imo with hope for good governance, infrastructure improvement, security, and robust education and health sectors. With the approval of the people, we will dismiss the APC. With a manifesto to improve the lives of Imo State’s citizens, the ANPP is growing in strength.

Together with his running mate, the ANPP governor candidate pledged: “We will serve the good people of Imo State and bring back adequate security as well as grow our economy in the health, education, tourism, and agricultural sectors.”

“Despite his youth, he has extensive experience in politics and public administration. Youth and student groups are already dismantling buildings alongside him in preparation for our huge party. The ANPP will defeat the APC on November 11 if we keep up this pace, Odunze said.

Tinubu, head of EFCC meet in presidential villa

0

On May 31, PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu met behind closed doors with the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was held in the presence of the President’s Chief of Staff.

The agenda of the meeting could not be determined at the time this report was filed; however, there are indications that it might not be unconnected with the altercation that took place on Tuesday, May 30 between the Department of State Services (DSS) and the EFCC.

On Tuesday, May 30, it was reported that the DSS and the EFCC got into a fight over an office block in Lagos. After agents of the security agency had blocked access to the office of the anti-graft commission, a clash broke out as a result.

During the incident, according to reports, agents of the DSS prevented employees of the EFCC from entering their offices and prevented those employees from leaving.

It has been established that the DSS and the EFCC shared office space in the building located at No. 15A Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

In response to reports on the event that were posted on the DSS’s official Twitter page, the DSS issued a statement that was signed by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, saying that it did not prevent EFCC staff from having access to their offices. The statement was posted on the DSS’s official website.

Instead, the DSS stated that the building in question was one of its properties.

In addition, the DSS emphasized that there is no competition between itself and the EFCC in regard to anything.

However, in its response, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) described the DSS siege on its office in Lagos as shocking.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asserted that the actions of the DSS hampered the nation’s efforts to combat economic and financial crime.

The response of the EFCC was provided in a statement that was signed by Wilson Uwujaren, who serves as the Commission’s Spokesperson.

According to the Commission, it had successfully coexisted with the DSS in the same building for a period of twenty years without causing any conflicts.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) added that the siege does not comport with the synergy that is anticipated from agencies that work for the same government and nation.

Read Also: Akeredolu tells Tinubu to populate his cabinet with individuals who demonstrate their ability to perform their duties effectively

After that, Tinubu issued an order to the DSS telling them to immediately vacate the office.

The information regarding the directive was made public in a statement that was distributed by Tunde Rahman, who is Tinubu’s media aide, later on Tuesday, May 30.

The President stated that any disagreements that may arise between the two government agencies must be settled in a friendly manner.

CSOs are demanding that the chairman of the EFCC be fired.
The meeting between Tinubu and Bawa takes place at a time when some civil society organizations are demanding that the chairman of the EFCC be fired.

The civil society organizations (CSOs), which have been staging protests, allege that the EFCC is corrupt and inefficient under Bawa’s leadership.

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Debo Adeniran, Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), and representing over 150 different organizations, observed that the EFCC has evolved into a mechanism for settling political scores.

They demanded that Bawa step down from his position as district attorney and argued that it is common practice across the globe for public officials who are suspected of engaging in serious misconduct to step down from their positions while investigations are ongoing.

The organization demanded a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the EFCC under Bawa over the past three years, including an analysis of records of arrests, investigations, outcomes, and final closure of each incident and individual suspects, as well as an investigation into how the matters were ultimately resolved.

Bawa has also been engaged in an ongoing conflict with Bello Matawalle, who served as the previous governor of Zamfara State. The conflict centres on allegations of corruption.

Read Also: ‘You are not governor of APC’ – IPAC, LP set agenda for Otu in Cross River State

While Bawa accused Matawalle of being involved in ”monumental corruption,” the governor accused the EFCC chairman of trying to extort $2 million in bribe money from him.

The accusation was brought up by the governor during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

On Obi’s request, tribunal adjourns until Thursday in petition filed against Tinubu

0

On Wednesday, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) agreed to postpone the hearing until Thursday. This was done at the request of Peter Obi, who is running for president as the candidate of the Labour Party.

The petitioner requested a postponement of the proceeding, which was granted by Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, the presiding Justice of the five-Man panel.

Counsel for the petitioner, Awa Kalu, SAN, told the court during the resumption of the hearing on Wednesday that the initial plans of Obi’s legal team were to present documents to the court today (Wednesday), but those plans were challenged by the sudden illness of a key staff member at the secretariat. Kalu told the court that Obi’s legal team had initially planned to present documents to the court today (Wednesday).

Because of this, the senior lawyer stated that “We are forced to pray for an adjournment until tomorrow.”

Read Also: ‘You are not governor of APC’ – IPAC, LP set agenda for Otu in Cross River State

Responding counsel for the first, second, third, and fourth respondents, all of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Abubakar Mahmoud, Wole Olanikpekun, and lateef Fagbemi, did not oppose the application.

On the other hand, they stated that because the petitioner had initiated the request, the time that had been wasted would be added to the petitioner’s total.

The petition was granted, and as a result, Justice Tsammani postponed the hearing until Thursday so that it could be continued.

‘You are not governor of APC’ – IPAC, LP set agenda for Otu in Cross River State

0

Prince Bassey Otu has been advised by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, also known as IPAC, and the opposition Labour Party, also known as LP, to realize that after being sworn into office, he is now the Governor of Cross River State and not that of the All Progressives Congress, also known as APC. This information was given to Prince Bassey Otu.

This information was included in the congratulatory message that IPAC sent, and it was signed by the organization’s chairman, Anthony Bissong Attah.

It brought to his mind the fact that he had competed for the governorship of the state alongside other native sons of the state who were just as qualified as he was.

Read Also: Shehu Sani slams El-Rufai by saying, ‘You left huge debt, supported Amaechi against Tinubu’

“Your election to the position of governor ought to be regarded as a chance to steer the ship of state with a sense of reverence for God and a healthy measure of self-control,”

“It is important to point out that after being sworn in, you are now the Governor of Cross River State, and not just of the APC. This is an important distinction.

“Your campaign slogan of putting the People First is one that encapsulates the whole yearnings of the masses, and we expect that you will hit the ground running as you face this daunting task of restoring the lost glory of our dear state. We look forward to seeing what you have in store for us.”

“We have elected to immediately commence our constitutional role of advising you on sensitive matters regarding statecraft and good governance,” he said. “As very critical stakeholders who are doggedly committed to the welfare and overall good of Cross Riverians, we have elected to immediately commence our constitutional role.”

IPAC urged Otu to run an open, transparent, and accountable administration, charging him to follow due process and respect human rights and justice. They also urged him to run an administration that is respectful of justice and human rights.

They emphasized how important it was to form a cabinet with a few “eggheads” who were equipped with the right character, competence, and capacity to pull the state out of its rut and get it moving forward again.

Additionally, in a statement that was signed by its chairman as well as a former candidate for the governorship, Ogar Osim, the LP expressed its joy at Otu’s success in receiving the mandate of the people.

The party reminded him that it came in second place in the governorship election, and it assured him that he will have the support of the people of the state, both within the state and outside of it, as he begins a new chapter of development for the state.

LP assured Otu of their spiritual support in prayers, citing the scriptures that instruct people to pray for those in leadership positions.

Read Also:HURIWA asks Tinubu release Kanu, Revise security architecture

He said, “We pray the Sovereign Lord, who gave you power now, to equip you with the wisdom necessary to lead our people in fairness and justice.” “We pray to the Sovereign Lord, who gave you power now.”

In addition, they gave Otu their word that they would be by his side throughout the entire process of changing the state.

Having Adamu as Chairman of APC and Omisore as Secretary is double tragedy – Lukman

0

Having Senator Abdullahi Adamu serve as National Chairman of the party and Senator Iyiola Omisore serve as National Secretary has been referred to as a double tragedy that has befallen the ruling party by Dr. Salihu Lukman, who is the National Vice Chairman, North West, of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Lukman is speaking on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement that was released on Wednesday, Lukman claimed that Adamu, with the assistance of Omisore, had ensured that all of the other higher organs of the party had been deactivated, with the exception of the National Working Committee (NWC).

He emphasized that the case of the NWC, was more a case of spoon-feeding members with information that was convenient for them, and he added that where challenged, such as was the case with the court case aimed at restoring constitutional order in the party, the National Legal Adviser, Barr. Ahmed El-Marzuq, became handy with spurious legal interpretations, which are anything but legal and devoid of any logic.

According to him, “It is already a tragedy that two people who are undeniably committed to conservatism will be given the task of leading the APC as National Chairman and National Secretary.” How is it possible for a party that has a reputation for being progressive to experience such a setback?

Read Also: Oyebanji, Osun APC support Tinubu to perform

Lukman made the accusation that Adamu and Omisore were spreading extreme ethnic Northern arguments in opposition to the zoning decisions that had been approved by the NWC of the party.

He pointed out that a part of the test would be whether President Bola Tinubu, having agreed together with the APC NWC on the zoning formula for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, would just sit and watch conservative right-wing elements within the APC use Northern ethnic arguments to mobilize for the defeat of endorsed APC candidates for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly. Having agreed together with the APC NWC on the zoning formula for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, he

Lukman continued by saying, “The same conservative bloc is now spewing up hardcore ethnic Northern arguments against the zoning decisions approved by the NWC following the outcome of consultations between Sen. Abdullahi Adamu’s team leading the NWC team and President Tinubu.” As if those consultations were not intended to result in agreements, once the NWC approved the recommendation for zoning the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, instead of acting as the National Chairman and facilitating the implementation of decisions made by organs of the party, is acting as a factional leader opposing the decision made by the NWC.

He made the observation that rather than working towards the success of the decision of the NWC by activating meetings of higher organs of the party to confer more legitimacy to the decision of the NWC, Adamu seems to be more interested in ensuring that the 2015 model of rebellious leadership emerges in the 10th National Assembly. He said this was evidenced by the fact that Adamu did not activate meetings of higher organs of the party to confer more legitimacy to the decision of the NWC.