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Benue APC faction defies Ganduje, nominates 23 chairmanship candidates

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Benue APC faction defies Ganduje, nominates 23 chairmanship candidates

The crisis rocking the Benue chapter of the All Progressives Congress deepened on Monday after the dissolved Austin Agada-led All Progressives Congress announced that it had nominated 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship candidates ahead of the October 5, local government election in the state.

The primary exercise took place in all the wards across the 23 local government areas of the state on Saturday.

The development comes five days after the aggrieved executive members, who were dissolved by the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, dragged him to court for ignoring the exparte order restraining the National Working Committee from acting.

A Benue High Court sitting had ordered the APC not to remove Agada and the current executives of the party.

A copy of the exparte order granted by Justice Theresa Igoche in motion No MH /1585m/2024 stopped the Ganduje-led NWC from sacking the Austin Agada-led State Working Committee until the expiration of their four-year tenure.

The Benue chapter of the APC had been at loggerheads with Governor Hyacinth Alia over the leadership of the party in the state.

While the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is in support of the Agada-led state working committee, Alia, on the other hand, has thrown his weight behind the Benjamin Omakolo-led faction.

But the ruling APC ignored the court order and announced the dissolution of the Benue exco on Wednesday and immediately inaugurated a seven-man caretaker Committee to take over the affairs of the party at the state level for six months, an action the Agada-led exco vowed not to obey.

A statement released by the Benue APC chairman, Austin Agada, in Abuja on Monday, said the primary election was conducted through consensus and affirmations.

 

In the statement, the APC Chairman of Guma Local Government, Lazarus Asema, also described the process as peaceful and lauded the leadership of the APC in the state for effective leadership and proper organisation.

He said, “I am impressed with the process and commended stakeholders in the Local Governments for the successful primary election.

“I also thank the people, particularly party faithful for conducting themselves and the exercise peacefully.”

 

The primary exercise produced the following chairmanship candidates: Elias Ogbu (Ado), Tarkaa Solomon (Konshisha), Chia Terna (Vandeikya,) Atom Phillip (Kwande), Andrew Ocheme (Ogbadibo), Ogbole Mathew (Obi), Napoleon Otache (Agatu), Elias Ogbu (Ado), Eje Elvis (Apa), Washima Haris (Katsina-Ala), Ajeh Ogah (Ohimini) and Akombo Stephen (Logo).

Others include Terver Agwaza (Ukum), Benjamin Atoza (Gwer), Denise China (Gwer West), Vincent Apera (Guma), James Agudu (Buruku), Tyopaase Benjamin (Ushongo), Mrs Ene Ameh (Okpokwu), Jonathan Shimgbe (Makurdi) and Jackson Udama (Oju).

In Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Simon Aluor, who took part in the primaries said that APC has shown a good example of orderliness and peace.

In Otukpo, the party faithful in the area also trooped out in their numbers and voted in affirmation of their preferred chairmanship aspirant, Oleho Augustine.

Police kill notorious Akwa Ibom kidnap kingpin

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Police kill notorious Akwa Ibom kidnap kingpin

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have neutralised a notorious kidnapping kingpin and leader of the Bling Bling Marine Strike Force, one Ubong Effiong Archibong, alias ‘Condiment.’

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo, the state capital, titled “Notorious Kidnap Kingpin/Sea Pirate Meets Waterloo” on Thursday.

She stated that the suspect was killed in a gun battle with operatives of the Command at his hideout in Uyanga Community, Cross River State, and a G3 rifle with ammunition was recovered from him.

According to the statement, the suspect was responsible for the kidnapping of High Court Judge, Joy Unwana, and the killing of her police orderly, Inspector ThankGod Edet, last year.

Other kidnapping cases linked to the slain suspect include the gruesome murder of the CEO of Emem and Sons Nig. Ltd and the kidnapping of his sales representative and Pharmacist Joemel.

The statement read, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, on Wednesday, 28th August 2024, neutralised a dreaded kidnap kingpin/sea pirate whose stock-in-trade was to kidnap, kill, maim, and cause havoc in society.

“The kingpin, Ubong Effiong Archibong (M), alias ‘Condiment,’ a gang leader of the Bling Bling Marine Strike Force terrorising the Uruan/Oron waterways, was responsible for the kidnapping of High Court Judge, Joy Unwana, and the killing of her police orderly, Inspector ThankGod Edet, as well as the gruesome murder of the CEO of Emem and Sons Nig. Ltd. and the kidnapping of his sales representative.

“The suspect was also responsible for the kidnapping of Pharmacist Joemel, as well as the kidnapping of Mr Brown, CEO of Mingles Hotel.

“The suspect was neutralised during a gun battle with operatives of the Command at his hideout in Uyanga Community, Cross River State.

“One G3 rifle with four live rounds of ammunition was recovered from the suspect. The corpse of the suspect was recovered and deposited at the morgue. Investigations with the full intent to arrest other members of the gang are ongoing.”

Kano reviews progress on basic education reforms

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Kano reviews progress on basic education reforms

The Kano State Education Sector Joint Steering Committee conducted a two-day meeting in Kaduna on Monday to review progress reports from Technical Working Groups on the implementation of basic education initiatives in Kano State.

All stakeholders in the education sector gathered to brainstorm and assess the progress made so far, addressing the challenges hindering the advancement of the state’s education sector.

Addressing the participants, the State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Doguwa, explained that following the declaration of a state of emergency on education by His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, the Ministry has taken positive steps to ensure that the policy is fully implemented to achieve the desired goals.

According to Doguwa, part of this effort is the conduct of a bi-annual meeting of the Education Sector Joint Steering Committee, with the objective of this year’s meeting being to discuss the progress on the implementation of the 14-point education reform agenda and to deliberate on the recommendations from the Kano Education Recovery Conference and Action Plan.

“I also want to inform you that during this crucial meeting, we are expected to disseminate findings from the 2023 Annual Education Sector Performance Review, receive a brief on the Haske Basic Education for Integrated Qur’anic Schools pilot in Kano, and agree on the next steps,” said Doguwa.

In a press statement released by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Education, Kano State, Balarabe Kiru, the State Commissioner of Education, Umar Doguwa, disclosed that the state Ministry of Education has mapped out the next steps agenda, which will be implemented soon.

These steps include conducting a massive school enrolment drive, distributing instructional materials to schools across the 44 local government areas, and reopening the boarding schools closed down by the previous administration.

Doguwa added that preparations have been completed to provide upkeep allowances to schools to ensure their smooth operation and the provision of quality education. He also mentioned that the Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf-led administration will soon distribute adequate furniture to schools, including uniforms, to create an enabling learning environment.

He further urged the programme participants to honour the commitments made during the meeting as their next course of action, assuring them of the government’s support at all times.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Yusuf Mata, maintained that as major stakeholders, his ministry agreed to upgrade and develop the technical education system in all state tertiary institutions to provide a conducive environment for skills acquisition programmes.

“We arrived here with a developed action plan framework for the education sector, and we have done a lot to ensure the meeting’s success. As you can see, we have already taken the next steps in the form of promoting new policies, including the implementation of well-established existing policies,” he said.

One of the activities carried out during the meeting was an intensive review of the education crisis response plan framework, which includes access to quality education, the almajiri, and alternative education system, promoting girl-child education, teacher development, teaching and learning materials and resources, and curriculum development, among others.

Prominent among those who attended the bi-annual State Education Sector Joint Steering Committee Meeting were all relevant stakeholders, as well as representatives from the Kano State House of Assembly, the Kano Emirate Council, development partners, MDAs, and civil society organisations.

Buttock enlargement doctor declared wanted as client dies during surgery

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Buttock enlargement doctor declared wanted as client dies during surgery

The Lagos State Police Command has declared a doctor, identified as Idara Bassey, wanted in connection with the death of a 36-year-old lady simply identified as Abiola, who passed away during a buttocks enlargement procedure at a clinic in the Lekki Phase 1 area of the state.

The state police command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to our correspondent on Thursday.

According to Metro reported on Wednesday that the deceased had visited the clinic for a buttocks enlargement procedure, which took a fatal turn after a nurse (name withheld), allegedly acting on Bassey’s orders, administered an injection.

Commonly known as a Brazilian Butt Lift, the procedure is a form of cosmetic surgery that involves extracting fat from other areas of the body and injecting it into the buttocks to create a fuller, rounder appearance.

Before the incident, medical experts had cautioned about the potential side effects of the procedure. However, numerous videos have emerged online of women, particularly in Lagos, claiming to have successfully undergone the surgery.

According to Metro gathered that the deceased had reportedly departed from her home in the Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, in the Ibeju Lekki area of the state, instructing her driver to take her to the clinic for the procedure on Monday.

After the nurse allegedly administered the injection, following the doctor’s instructions, the driver who had brought the lady to the clinic informed the police that she (Abiola) lost consciousness and began gasping for breath.

While the police informed our correspondent that the nurse who administered the injection had been arrested, Hundeyin revealed that the clinic’s owner was currently on the run.

“The clinic’s owner is on the run,” he stated.

When asked whether the fleeing doctor had been declared wanted by the police, Hundeyin confirmed this, stating that the doctor was still considered a “suspect” in the case.

“She’s on the run. Of course, she’s a suspect,” Hundeyin added.

According to Metro reports that a 31-year-old British woman named Melissa Kerr also died at the private Medicana Kadikoy Hospital in Istanbul in 2019 during a similar surgery.

The British Broadcasting Corporation, citing a coroner, reported in 2023 that the deceased had not been provided with sufficient information to assess the risks associated with the BBL surgery before travelling for the procedure.

Why I didn’t support Atiku’s presidential ambition

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Why I didn’t support Atiku’s presidential ambition

A member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, has denied claims that he did not support the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election because Abubakar is not from his region.

George, who recently declined his appointment to the PDP National Disciplinary Committee, addressed the issue during a TVC political programme on Sunday night.

The former National Vice Chairman of the party refuted the claims made by the Atiku camp, stating that his lack of support was due to Abubakar allegedly dividing the party during the election campaign.

He said, “When Buhari contested against Atiku Abubakar, they came to ask for my support. I was at the forefront because, at that time, he was favoured as a presidential candidate. I know what I did in Lagos, including my efforts for the first lady, his first wife, and what we did here, all in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“Let me tell you, I have no trace of tribalism in my blood. Today, my best friend is a gentleman I met in the military.
He is a fully bona fide Fulani man. He is my brother at every level. I have many such friends across this country. If you cannot speak the truth to power, then you are deceiving yourself.

“When we returned for the second election, the last election, we saw that things were not right. Someone from the North had just spent eight years. How could we now support another person from the North for another eight years? It doesn’t work that way.

“They manipulated the system. We kept warning them not to do this. He divided the party, which led to our votes being divided, and consequently, we lost. So, how do we move forward? We will set up a committee to review the general election and the post-election period to prepare ourselves.”

The PDP chieftain also urged aggrieved party members to set aside their personal ambitions for the sake of the party’s survival ahead of the 2027 elections.

Military officer’s killing of Zamfara DPO ‘senseless’ –Police

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Military officer’s killing of Zamfara DPO ‘senseless’ –Police

The Kebbi State Police Command has condemned as “senseless” the brutal murder of a Divisional Police Officer, Halliru Liman, by a military officer at a checkpoint in Zamfara State on Wednesday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday said Liman was shot in the head by a military personnel identified as Hassan, attached to Operation Dadarin Daji.

The police spokesman said Liman was on his way to attend a conference when he got to the military checkpoint at the Danmarke area in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state.

He was however said to have been shot despite identifying himself as a police officer.

Abubakar described the alleged killing of his colleague as “senseless”.

“SP Liman was brutally murdered by the military personnel led by one Hassan, attached to the OPHD Sector 6, Dan Marke area of Bukkuyum, Zamfara State,” he said.

“The circumstances surrounding this heinous crime are alarming and unacceptable.

“SP Liman, who was on his way to attend a monthly conference in Birnin Kebbi, was stopped by military personnel despite identifying himself as a police officer.”

He said that in a shocking display of aggression, Hassan pointed his gun at Liman and shot him in the head, resulting in his instant death.

The police described the incident as “heinous” and “unacceptable,” and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

They condemned the military’s action as a “clear violation of the rules of engagement and the principles of inter-agency cooperation.”

The police also commiserated with Liman’s family and friends, assuring them that they would do everything to ensure justice for the slain officer.

The Nigerian Army had yet to comment on the allegations as of the time this report was filed.

APC national women leader awards scholarships to 3,700 girls

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APC national women leader awards scholarships to 3,700 girls

The National Women Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Mary Idele-Alile, on Monday announced a three-year scholarship for 100 girls from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Idele-Alile stated that awarding the scholarships was her way of giving back to society and supporting the education of underprivileged girls.

She made this announcement in a statement issued in Abuja by her media office on Monday.

According to her, the three-year undergraduate scholarship for the 3,700 recipients is in collaboration with Heart Bible University and Seminary in the United States.

She said, “The focus of these awards is to provide support for applicants who wish to study IT Support, Project Management, Data Analytics, Business Administration, Cyber Security, UX Design, Counselling, and Psychology.

“The Office of the APC National Women Leader, in collaboration with Heart Bible University and Seminary, USA, is offering a three-year undergraduate scholarship opportunity for 100 girls in each of the 36 states and the FCT, totalling 3,700.

“Successful candidates must be between 18 and 30 years old with a minimum of six credits in either GCE O-Level or NECO. However, males within the age bracket may also apply for the limited slots available.”

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Court restrains Uzodimma, others from demolishing Imo market

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Court restrains Uzodimma, others from demolishing Imo market

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and the Central Market Complex Development and Investment Company, Donez Global Services Ltd, Joe Jonny Joyson Enterprises Ltd,  and Nigerian Export-Import Bank have been restrained as defendants either through their agents, servants, assigns, heirs, privies or any other person acting on their behalf from taking any further steps in furtherance of the forceful demolition and ejection of the rightful owners of the land and structures erected on the piece of land known as Central Market Layout, Owerri, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction by the applicants.

Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, Dr. Christian Nwadigo, who spoke on behalf of the plaintiffs’/landowners’ legal team, said the plaintiffs/applicants, who are, Incorporated Board of Trustees of Rhema Life Ministry International, Sunway Global Properties Ltd, Zero-One Global Properties Ltd, Ekpereamaka Jessica Nwankwo and Nwankwo Emmanuel were issued with a certificate of occupancy by the same Imo State Government who was forcefully trying to acquire the land without recourse to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy issued by it through the Ministry of Land, Survey and Urban Planning.

He urged the state government to restrain from further using her agents to demolish the structures at the piece of land known as Central Market Layout Owerri, located at Umuohiadagu, Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area.

He said the rightful holders of the certificate of occupancy are the plaintiffs. “We have written to the governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, and Commissioner of Land among others to notify them of the court order.”

Nwadigo called on the Imo State Government to respect the court order by restraining from taking further steps pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

When According to Metro visited the office of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, a top official met declined to speak, saying as civil servant he was not permitted to speak to the media. All efforts made to speak to the media officer of the ministry proved abortive.

When our correspondent called the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, he said he would get back to According to Metro on the court order but called back later to ask our correspondent to speak to the General Manager, Owerri Capital Development Authority.

But when we called the OCDA GM, he picked up and hung up the phone when he heard the call was from According to Metro. Several calls put to him did not connect as of the time of filing the report.

 

Be magnanimous in victory, ex-Bayelsa LP gov candidate urges Diri

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Be magnanimous in victory, ex-Bayelsa LP gov candidate urges Diri

The former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has called on Governor Douye Diri to be magnanimous in victory following the affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court.

Eradiri, a former President of the Ijaw Youths Congress, congratulated the Bayelsa State Governor and urged him to resist the temptation of sidelining his perceived opponents in the distribution of the dividends of democracy in the state.

In a statement on Monday, Eradiri said that with the affirmation by the apex court on the outcome of the Bayelsa governorship election, all litigation had come to an end. He called on all stakeholders to work with the governor to move the state forward.

Eradiri, who contested Diri’s victory up to the Appeal Court and decided against taking his case to the Supreme Court, assured the people of the state that he would engage the governor and his administration only with constructive criticism.

While urging the governor not to witch-hunt political opponents, he tasked him with addressing the issues of state development with all seriousness and formulating policies and programmes that would tackle the problems of the state.

He stated, “All involved in the last election have fought a good fight. All the litigations have now been resolved with the final judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the election of Governor Douye Diri. My team and I congratulate the governor of our state on his victory.

“It is now time for all stakeholders in the state to come together and work with the governor to move the state forward. There should be no room for politics of bitterness, and we also urge the governor to be magnanimous in victory.

“We call on Governor Douye Diri to unite the state and avoid the temptation of sidelining perceived enemies in the governance of the state. The governor must approach the issues of governance with the seriousness they require.

“Bayelsa remains grossly underdeveloped despite our vast resources, and we urge the governor to judiciously utilise the enormous Commonwealth to address Bayelsa’s fundamental developmental challenges.”

He added, “We will continue to engage the governor on his policies and programmes, actions and inactions, and constructively criticise issues related to the development, growth, and progress of Bayelsa State. This is the only state we have, and all of us must contribute our quota to develop it.”

Commuters lament as fuel scarcity jacks up fares in Lagos

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Commuters lament as fuel scarcity jacks up fares in Lagos

Residents in Lagos State have lamented the hike in fares following the increase in the fuel price in the country.

According to Metro gathered that the fare hike had left many commuters stranded and frustrated during daily rush hours.

Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, the commuters said the development had affected their cost of living including transport.

Explaining how the hike in transport cost has affected her, Damilola, a Lagos resident, said, “The fuel scarcity has affected everyone in one way or the other. Before the hike, commuting from Ikeja to Yaba was N500, but now it’s N700. Now, when I’m going out, I have to be sure of where I’m going and be sure that who I’m going to meet is around so I won’t waste my time, energy, and money.

“The government should ensure the availability of fuel and diesel. There’s always traffic every day due to fuel scarcity and this affects people’s productivity.

“As a business owner, I now have to add the cost of transport to the cost of goods, and this makes them more expensive. I even heard that some people sleep in their offices during the week and go home on weekends. It’s that bad.”

A 400-level student of the University of Lagos currently doing her internship, identified as Esther, also explained her challenges since the fuel hike started.

“Before I started my IT, I already knew that I’d spend a lot on transport because my house is far from where I’m interning. So, I had saved up some money. But when the hike came, it caused an imbalance in my life because I had to start looking for more money. I had to take up more jobs to get more income and prevent myself from being stranded. Alternative transport would be trekking and that’s out of it.

“Living in Nigeria, you get used to these things, but the government should look into solutions for it. Rather than focusing on unnecessary things, their focus should be on finding lasting solutions to this issue of fuel scarcity because it is something that affects everyone including the government.

Favour, an intern in another organisation, also expressed displeasure with the state of things regarding transport.

“I live in Gbagada and work at the Airport Road side of Lagos. Earlier this year, I spent between N800 and N1000 on transport daily, but since the hike, I now spend about N1,400 and N1,600.

“It is as a result of the fuel scarcity, the government should do something about it”, she added.

When asked about the impact of the hike in transport cost, a commuter who pleaded anonymity said she had no choice but to pay whatever amount it was as she had to get to work. She wished that the government and employers would consider the extra costs and there would be an increment in wages and salaries.

Commuters are not the only ones feeling the brunt, motorists also have their share of challenges.

A motorist at Berger park identified as Mr Bakare, told our correspondent about the impact of the fuel scarcity on his business. According to him, business has been down because people only go out when they need to.

“I’ve been in this park since morning but there are no passengers because everyone is managing what they have, and no one is going out.

“Nigeria has refineries, so why are we suffering from fuel scarcity? The government, the NNPC and marketers should work on a lasting solution to this issue because everyone is suffering,” he said.

A tricycle rider, Joseph, lamented how he had to suffer for extra costs incurred while buying fuel.

“I have to wait for two to three hours to buy fuel and when I do, I have to pay extra to buy in a keg. Fuel is already expensive at N700 – N850 per litre, and I still pay extra to buy in a keg, yet I can’t increase my cost because passengers don’t want to pay extra. They would rather trek further to get it cheaper,” he bemoaned.

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