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Police confirm five killed in Benue herders’ atta

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Police confirm five killed in Benue herders’ atta

The Police Command in Benue on Monday said suspected herders attacked Egwuma community in Agatu Local Government Area and killed five persons.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi on Monday.

Anene said the Command had deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain peace.

A member, representing Agatu constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr Godwin Edoh, also confirmed the attack, but put the number of victims at 12.

The lawmaker lamented incessant killings of his constituents and called on governments and security agencies to take proactive measures in curtailing the attacks.

“Government has to be decisive about what to do about this area because it is so porous.

“The Ogbumogbo, Ejima and other villages down to Ikpele, have been deserted for close to one year.

“The herders come over to the deserted villages with their cattle for grazing in the morning and leave in the evening.

“They are able to do these, because the villagers had left their communities for fear of attacks and the security agents are not doing enough to address this development,’’ he said.

NAN

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Amotekun Commander: Osun APC describes recent appointments as unjustifiable

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Amotekun Commander: Osun APC describes recent appointments as unjustifiable

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has faulted the choice of retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Adekunle Omoyele as Field Commander of Osun State Security Network Agency known as Amotekun.
Rejecting Omoyele’s appointment, the party in a statement by its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Monday alleged that his past professional record has put a credibility burden on both the appointee and his employer.
TVN recalls that Governor Ademola Adeleke had in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in early July appointed the retired police boss to the job.
The appointment of CSP Omoyele followed the expiration of the tenure of Brigadier General Bashir Adewinmbi, who was the pioneer Field Commander of the security outfit.
Lawal in the statement concluded that “the appointment of Omoyele as the state commandant of the Amotekun Corps is another misnomer and an unpardonable executive heresy which the infamous Governor Ademola Adeleke is known for in the eyes of the right-thinking members of the society.
“One does not need to be a genius to know that the controversial ex-police officer who hails from Oyo State and had one time served as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Governor Adeleke lacks capacity and was recruited to perpetrate evil and electoral fraud as he has been known for over the years.”
He hinted that Omoyele’s appointment by Adeleke despite the outcries by the citizenry and civil societies against it is a pointer to the fact that Governor Adeleke is scheming to replicate his election-rigging plans against the forthcoming 2026 governorship election in the state.
He also stated that the appointment of AIG Wale Abass, rtd, who hails from the same Ede as the governor, as the chairman of the Amotekun Corps in the state is unhealthy and an unflattering classical example of nepotism and desperation institutionalised by the administration of Governor Adeleke to return to government in 2026.
Lawal explained that the Abass appointment is not only irregular but offensive and against the spirit and letter of the federal character codes which stipulate an even spread of political appointments among the components of the nine geo-political zones making up the state.
“Our position as a party is that Governor Adeleke should without further delay strip Omoyele and Abass of the unmerited appointments as their being retained will confirm our concern that Governor Adeleke, fearing that debilitating electoral defeat is awaiting him in the 2026 governorship contest owing to his disastrously poor performance in government, is desperate and resolve to win the election by hook or by crook as he has always done”, the Osun State APC chairman stated.
Amotekun Commander: Osun APC describes recent appointments as unjustifiable

16 opposition parties withdraw from Osun LG poll

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16 opposition parties withdraw from Osun LG poll

Sixteen opposition political parties in Osun State have announced their withdrawal from the forthcoming local government election.

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission had earlier said the next local government election in the state would be held on February 22, 2025.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday on behalf of the opposition parties, the Osun State chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, Mr. Victor Akande, accused the OSSIEC chairman, Mr. Hashim Abioye, of deliberately hoarding information about exercise from the parties.

Akande also alleged that Abioye planned to employ PDP members as electoral officers for the poll, adding that information about the nomination fees for the posts that would be contested for were also not disclosed by Abioye.

He said, “We have reliably gathered that Abioye has perfected plans to use PDP members as Electoral Officers during the election, which we all know what it means. His intention is to trap us into conducting our parties’ primary elections without disclosing the amount each party will pay, which will, of course, lead to efforts in futility after announcing an exorbitant fee.

“We expected up-to-date information from Abioye has been done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the reverse is the case as we always have information about Osun local government election from PDP e-rats. We found it convenient to say that the PDP-led administration in the state is intentionally creating avenues for crisis all over so as to scare our people away from the forthcoming council election, as only a secure mind will have the courage to go out to vote for his/her choice.

“It is on these notes that we resolved, after deliberations with our parties’ members, to BACK OUT of the forthcoming local government election in Osun state. Political parties involved in this include Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Social Democratic Party, African Action Congress, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Allied Peoples Party and the Peoples Redemption Party.

“Others are the  All Progressives Grand Alliance, Zenith Labour Party, Action Democratic Party, Action Peoples Party, Labour Party, Boot Party, National Rescue Movement and Young Peoples Party. We await the credibility of the poll involving only the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Reacting, Abioye dismissed allegations levelled against him, saying he was still consulting stakeholders before fixing the amount to be paid as nomination fees for the post.

Abioye, “It is unfortunate. I have only announced our intention as part of the preparatory arrangement towards the conduct of the election. We at the verge of appointing electoral officers and assistant electoral officers, we have not even drawn the list.

“We will consult with them, but not that any political party will nominate names for us to appoint as electoral officers and assistant electoral officers. So, I don’t know where the allegation is coming from. We are only in the process of appointing electoral officers and assistant electoral officers as part of preparatory arrangement towards the conduct of local government elections.

“I have not mentioned any amount as nomination fees. We have to consult them (political parties) regarding the appointment of electoral officers. We will also consult them regarding fees for nomination forms. We have not arrived at any figure. So all these allegations are unfounded. I urge the media men to ask the IPAC chairman, to mention at least two names of those already listed as electoral officers.”

We share pains of Nigerians but protest not best option – CSO scribe, Waiya

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We share pains of Nigerians but protest not best option – CSO scribe, Waiya

The Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education, CDE, Ibrahim Waiya on Monday decried the alarming deterioration of the economic fortunes of Nigerians, saying a street protest is not the best option to address the quagmire.
Waiya who spoke in Kano against the backdrop of plans by a yet-to-be-identified group to stage, protests explained that “the low level of civilization and exposure in Nigeria, as well the conflicting sentiments around religion and ethnicity may not allow well-coordinated protests”
He stressed, “Cumulatively, the economic challenges in Nigeria are enough to motivate the citizens to take to the streets, to show their anger, however, the low level of our civilization and exposure, as well the conflicting sentiments around religion and ethnicity may not allow us to have well-coordinated protests that can translate into something positive.”
Waiya who also doubles as the Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks said, “We are in support of the peaceful protest to show our anger, we are, however, sceptical on what could be the outcome, as many greedy and selfish politicians may take advantage of our division to hijack the process through the instrumentality of their paid hoodlums to cause chaos.”
He said, “Peaceful protests are lawful in Nigeria, however, our fear is that the protest has the potential to stagnate the daily businesses of the poor in the country and aggravate their sufferings instead of finding succour for them.”
He cited the ENDSARS protest as one of the most recent scenarios in Nigeria’s history, as he alleged that “many young men and women are still rotting in jail.”
He condemned “the insensitivity of the Federal government, where more than 85% of the citizens struggle to feed while those in government have not in any way shown empathy to the plights of the suffering citizens”
“In 2022, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics disclosed that about 130 million Nigerian citizens are in multidimensional poverty, unfortunately, neither Buhari nor Tinubu government have practically put in place some workable measures to address the matter as a national crisis.”
He stressed that “Some measures adopted by the Federal Government as the post fuel subsidy removal regime interventions were ineffective, temporary and inadequate.”
We share pains of Nigerians but protest not best option – CSO scribe, Waiya

Six contenders for England job as Southgate’s future uncertain

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Six contenders for England job as Southgate’s future uncertain

Following a disappointing exit for England from Euro 2024, speculation is mounting that Gareth Southgate’s nearly eight-year tenure as national team manager may be coming to an end.

The Spanish national team on Sunday night defeated the Three Lions of England 2-1 to lift the Euro 2024 trophy.

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal 86th minute goal secured the trophy for a record fourth time. Nico Williams had earlier in the second half put Spain ahead in Berlin, Germany, before Cole Palmer levelled for England.

While Southgate’s legacy includes making England a formidable tournament team and reconnecting the squad with fans, attention is now turning to potential successors.

Here are six candidates who could potentially take the helm:

Graham Potter

The gaffer emerges as the early bookmakers’ favorite. Having bided his time since his departure from Chelsea, Potter’s tactical acumen and focus on fostering a positive team culture align well with the environment Southgate has cultivated. However, questions remain about his ability to handle media pressure.

Six potential contenders for England job as Southgate's future uncertain

Eddie Howe

Howe currently at Newcastle United, offers a more progressive playing style and has proven adept at fielding difficult questions. Yet, his willingness to leave a promising project at Newcastle remains uncertain.

Eddie Howe

Lee Carsley

Carsley, who is the current Under-21 manager, is highly regarded within the FA. His success with younger players could prove valuable, but the step up to the senior team might be premature at this stage.

Six potential contenders for England job as Southgate's future uncertain

Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel, a proven winner with experience managing top English talent, could be a coup for the FA. However, he may prefer a return to club management before considering an international role.

Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino, who is fresh from his Chelsea tenure, has a track record of nurturing young talent and handling media scrutiny well. Like Tuchel, he may prioritise club opportunities over international management.

Six potential contenders for England job as Southgate's future uncertain

Jurgen Klopp

Klopp represents an ambitious target, with former Germany midfielder Didi Hamann urging the FA to “do everything in their power” to secure the ex-Liverpool manager. However, Klopp’s appointment would be a major surprise.

Plateau building collapse: NANS demands urgent infrastructure review

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Plateau building collapse: NANS demands urgent infrastructure review

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called on the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of students by ensuring that all educational institutions undergo integrity tests.
NANS made this call in a statement issued by its President, Pedro C. Obi, on Monday, in Abuja, in the wake of the school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State.
“This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the negligence and complacency that has plagued our educational system for far too long.
“We cannot continue to risk the lives of our students by ignoring the dilapidated state of our school infrastructure,” he said.
Obi sympathized with the families affected by the tragedy, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“We demand a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of this collapse, and those found responsible must be held accountable,” he said.
He also stressed the need for stringent enforcement of building codes and regular inspection of school facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to strike before we take action. The time to act is now,” he added.
Plateau building collapse: NANS demands urgent infrastructure review

IG advocates for justice, forgiveness, reconciliation

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IG advocates for justice, forgiveness, reconciliation

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged Nigerians to be advocates for justice, facilitators of forgiveness, and champions of reconciliation in addressing the security challenges facing the nation.

Egbetokun said this at the opening of the Forgiveness, Justice, and Reconciliation Course 2, convened by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Development Consult, on Monday in Abuja.

The police boss was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Community Policing, Mohammed Ari, at the event.

The IG said the Nigeria Police Force was very much aware of the fundamental role that law enforcement plays in advocating for justice, facilitating forgiveness, and championing reconciliation.

He said their actions, decisions, and interactions with the public significantly impacted the social fabric of the nation.

According to him, it is the responsibility of the police not only to enforce the law but to do so with a deep sense of fairness, compassion, and respect for human rights and the dignity of persons.

“We must be advocates for justice, facilitators of forgiveness, and champions of reconciliation.

“The country is gradually healing from some tensions that were escalated during the last election cycle.

“There is a need for us as a people to take drastic steps to reconcile our differences and focus on the future by bringing together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from various fields.

“We can share insights, learn from each other, and develop comprehensive strategies to address the complexities of conflict resolution,’’ he said.

Egbetokun said that the journey towards forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation was not a tea party affair, but inevitable, adding that it demanded courage, resilience, unshaken and unwavering commitments to peace.

He said the police were confident that the discussions, insights, and experiences shared during the course would significantly contribute to their understanding and implementation of concepts.

“The overall essence of any government is to guarantee the welfare of its people, justice, and security and of course, shelter to the people.

“As we are gathered here today, we are reminded of the profound challenges that our country and the world at large are faced with that often manifest in the form of conflicts, grievances, and injustices.

“These challenges test our resolve, our humanity, and our commitment to building a better future. It is in such times that the principles of forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation become not only imperative but germane,’’ he added.

NAN reports that the course has key themes such as the history of Violence and Nigerian Security Dynamics, Concept and Methods of Forgiveness and Justice.

Other themes are Forgiveness and Public Policy; World-view Analysis, Cross-Cultural Communication, and Connections; Building a Peace Intervention Process and Truth Recovery, Trust Building, Reparation and Restitution, among others.

NAN

Regionalism: Don’t cede parts of Igbo land to another region – Ogbonnaya to Nigerian govt

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Regionalism: Don’t cede parts of Igbo land to another region – Ogbonnaya to Nigerian govt

An Igbo leader and elder statesman, Charles Ogbonnaya, has warned the Federal Government against ceding parts of Igbo land to other regions ahead of the clamour for a return to regional administration.
Ogbonnaya gave this warning amid rumours that some parts of Igbo land, particularly, the Ohaji/Egbema local government of Imo State would be ceded to the South-South region.
Ogbonnaya, who was a two-term Commissioner in Abia State, also applauded President Bola Tinubu for initiating the court action that led to the Supreme Court’s granting Local Government councils financial autonomy.
Expressing his support for the idea of returning to the regional government, the elder statesman warned against ceding any part of Igboland to another region.
He said if it is not possible to return the country to the original four regions as was obtained before the military intervention in 1966, the best option should be to transform and strengthen the existing six geo-political zones into regional administrations.
He called on the Federal Government to resist any pressure from any quarters to move the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State to the South-South region as being rumoured.
He warned that such action would be very offensive to Ndigbo and would bring bad blood and could be seen as a declaration of “war” against Ndigbo as Ohaji/Egbema is an oil-producing area and an economic life wire for the South East region.
According to him, if Nigeria as a nation wants to right the wrongs of the past, all the Igbo-speaking Local Governments in Delta, Edo, Rivers, and Kogi States should be brought to join the SouthEast region.
“Recall that it was politics of the civil war that made the Mamman Nasir Boundary Adjustment Commission cede some parts of Egbema where former IGP Mike Okiro hails from to Rivers State. All those areas are Igboland”, he explained.
Regionalism: Don’t cede parts of Igbo land to another region – Ogbonnaya to Nigerian govt

Osinbajo celebrates wife’s 57th birthday with adorable photos

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Osinbajo celebrates wife’s 57th birthday with adorable photos

Ex-vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has showered his wife, Dolapo, with lovely words as she celebrates her 57 birthday.

Osinbajo took to his Instagram page on Monday to wish his wife a lovely birthday.

Dolapo Osinbajo
Dolapo Osinbajo

Sharing photos Osinbajo said, “Happy Birthday, my love #dolapoosinbajo. Your love, kindness, and generosity make all our lives so much happier. Love you always.

He continued, saying: “This year I decided to share my favourite photos of Dolly #dolapoosinbajo doing her favourite things .”

Dolapo Osinbajo
Dolapo Osinbajo

In the comment section, Nollywood actress Joke Silva said: “Happy birthday to the Jewel in the Crown. Have an incredible day.”

Yemi and Dolapo Osinbajo
Yemi and Dolapo Osinbajo

Also, Ibukun Awosika, former Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. , wrote, “Happy birthday to a most beautiful person, both inside and outside. You are a true treasure and a worthy example of Christ in us. God bless you richly. Love you lots.”

Dolapo Osinbajo
Dolapo Osinbajo

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Deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians, ALGON tells council chairmen 

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Deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians, ALGON tells council chairmen 

Following a recent judgment of the Supreme Court which granted full autonomy to all local government areas in the country, the National President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Aminu Mu’azu-Maifata, has called on the 774 council chairmen to use the opportunity of the autonomy to positively touch the lives of the people at the grassroots.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, on Monday, the ALGON President explained that the autonomy granted to the LGs would enhance democracy at the grassroots level across the country and empower local authorities to make decisions that would have positive impacts on the lives of their people.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to ensure that local government councils begin to function properly as enshrined in the constitution.

The ALGON president, who is also the incumbent Chairman of Lafia LG, further assured all that henceforth, all council chairmen across the country will do everything within their powers to deliver the dividends of democracy to their people.

Mu’azu-Maifata said, “Before the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, the autonomy has been there, clearly spelt out in the constitution, but the players were not allowing it to see the light of the day.

 

“But with this pronouncement, we know that everybody has keyed into it. Nigerians are now waiting to see that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court becomes a reality.

“So, I want to call on all the council chairmen in the 774 LGs of the country to ensure that you give your people the best of leadership. You need to deploy all the necessary expertise at your disposal to see that you deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

“As council chairmen, we have high expectations from the federal government, the governors and all Nigerians, so we should not disabuse these positive expectations, most especially from  President Bola Tinubu who has a passion to see that local government councils in the country are functioning, as stated in the constitution.”

He urged his colleagues (774 council chairmen) to pay more attention to the issues of payment of salaries; building and rehabilitation of basic healthcare facilities; supporting schools at the grassroots to function properly; and ensuring adequate security at the grassroots; among other basic amenities which would make life more meaning to the people at the grassroots level.

Mu’azu-Maifata further called on all relevant stakeholders, including local government officials and the general public, to support the Supreme Court’s judgment and work together towards harnessing its positive impacts for the benefit of the entire citizens of the country.

On the N62,000 proposed minimum wage by the Federal Government, the ALGON President appealed for an increase in the monthly allocations to the 774 LGs in the country to enable them to pay the new amount when it is finally made a law.

“Once the new minimum wage is enacted by the National Assembly and becomes a law, every council chairman must obey. But how to obey such a law is what we will look into. By sourcing funds to pay salaries; We are also going to find ways to attract and harmonize resources so that we will not default,” he added.

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