The Federal Government is planning to procure an aircraft in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country to fight wildfires, bushfires, and other large-scale fires, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has said.

Aregbesola said this at the commissioning of the Metropolitan Fire Station, Kubwa, Abuja on Tuesday.

The Minister said: “The prime challenge of the Federal Fire Service FFS is on combating wildfires, bushfires and other largescale fires requiring aerial attacks.

“We have initiated an arrangement with the Nigeria Airforce to use their planes to waterbomb fires of that nature from the air. It is my sincere hope that the Service will see this through.

“Our projection is to have our own aircraft in the six geo-political zones of the country.”

Aregbesola explained that the Metro Fire Station is positioned strategically in the suburban Kubwa District for rapid fire and rescue interventions to the community in a much shorter life-saving time.

He said: “One can almost be sure of a rise in the awareness level of people in the community of fire protection and prevention through fire safety enlightenment campaigns that would be on the steady in and around the axis.

“This beautiful edifice housing the Metropolitan Fire Station is the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria. We have all gathered here today to commission one of the 13 Metropolitan Stations spread across the country and at various stages of completion,” he said.

Aregbesola had earlier in the day while commissioning the Fire House at the National Fire Academy Sheda, Abuja, said it is the heart and soul of the fire academy.

The Minister noted that the Fire House was one of the legacy projects of the current administration, insisting that the Federal Government’s investment in FFS under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was more than what has been invested in the agency since its creation in 1901.

He said: “It will be right to say that attention and resources devoted by the current Administration to the Federal Fire Service since 2015 is more than whatever has been put into it since its establishment in 1901.

“As a matter of fact, some of the milestones achieved in the Federal Fire Service are evidence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s unbending determination to fight insecurity by protecting lives and property from fire and other hazards.”

The United Nations has lamented the decline in number of women elected into political offices in Nigeria during the last general elections, insisting that the country which pride herself as a giant on the continent has not lived up to the appellation in terms of women involvement in politics.

The body also condemned violence during the last elections, stating that it was one of the key obstacles to advancing women’s participation in public life.

Speaking at the Post-election conference in Abuja organised by UNWOMEN, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Government of Canada and European Union (EU), the UN Women Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong said it was so sad that the numbers of women voted into political offices continue to reduce with subsequent electoral season in Nigeria leaving the ratio of women to men political office holders nothing to be pride about.

She said while many countries in Africa are gradually getting to the universal ratio prescribed for women in politics, Nigeria that has been continuously described as giant of Africa continued to drop and is not dictating the pace.

Eyong, who decried that the situation in the country is not soul lifting for women, credited the downturn to violence targeted at women during elections.

She said: “Violent acts committed towards women are gender-based and they intend to discourage women from being politically active. It is often used to intimidate women from practicing their political rights in the first place.

Eyong while stating that it was an honour to welcome participants to the important event convened to assess where Nigeria stands regarding electoral gender-based violence and to agree on a coordinated national summary report on violence against women in 2023 elections of Nigeria, lamented that: “Women have been killed or have had to quit their positions after receiving death threats. Some women have also often withdrawn from public life citing abuse including online abuse and cyberbullying. Women candidates have faced various forms of targeted, gender-based violence.”

She noted that: “The agreed conclusions of the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (2021), emphasized that the promotion of full and equal participation and leadership of women in public life and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls are interconnected. CSW 65 also recognized that all forms of violence and discrimination, including in digital contexts, prevent women from exercising their equal right to participate in all spheres of public life and encouraged member states to take measures to create a safe and enabling environment so that women are protected from all forms of violence and discrimination for engaging in public life, including in digital contexts, and take practical steps to prevent and address violence, including by combating impunity and ensuring that those responsible for violations and abuses are promptly brought to justice.

“The Maputo Protocol also guarantees comprehensive rights to women including the right to take part in the political process, to social and political equality with men. It states clearly in article 9 the Right to Participation in the Political and Decision-Making Process.

“Undertaking firm measures to prevent violence including legal reforms is one of the most effective means to ensure women’s protection, participation and representation in public life including eliminating laws, policies and practices that discriminate against women.”

She however lamented that: “The Lack of data on violence against women in politics (VAWP) negatively affects evidence-based advocacy for influencing changes in laws and policies and for establishing comprehensive protection systems for women in politics.”

Eyong said: “I believe, today this interactive conference constitutes the right space for sharing information and experiences on data collection and how can we all together improve our methods and approaches in a more coordinated manner. We are also looking to a joint summary national report on violence against women in 2023 elections that we will use all together as an advocacy tool for action and protection.”

On her part, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mrs Samuela Isopi, said: “The European Union is delighted that UN Women, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, security services, traditional leaders, civil society, INEC IPAC, and the Canadian government is providing a platform to hold serious conversations on deepening the democratic space for women and addressing root causes for low women’s participation in the elections.”

She added that: “It is a well-known fact that women are underrepresented in Nigeria’s political environment, unfortunately, the 2023 elections show a trend in the wrong direction.

“Women candidates and women voters have faced violence and aggression, including in the online sphere.

“This is the moment for serious reflection about how to break cycles of gender-based violence affecting women, in the electoral process.”

Isopi noted that: “Because the active participation of women at all levels of decision-making and politics is not only a human right, but also essential to the achievement of equality, peace and democracy.

“The full and equitable participation of women in public life is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies.”

She said: “There is strong evidence that as more women are elected to office, there is an increase in policymaking that emphasises quality of life, and reflects the priorities of families, women, and marginalised groups.

“This is why concerted efforts must be made to break the barriers to meaningful participation of women in leadership positions.”

She assured that: “The European Union remains committed to collaborating on this very important cause.”

The Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Muhammadu Idrissa who declared the workshop with theme: “Where do we stand regarding Electoral Gender Based Violence?” opened: “On behalf of Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa COTLA and the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria NCTRN, I welcome you very much. On the dangers of GBV alot has been to address it, we hope that with this conference, we will get solutions to improve the course of Women in Nigeria.”

The traditional ruler added that: “Am happy to say that we in Yobe state, in my Local Government Area, Fatima Talba won the Federal House of Representatives for Nangere/ Potiskum constituency and another Woman Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim won the Damaturu, Gujba, Gulani, Tarmuwa constituency . We’re moving forward and we hope for a remarkable change by next elections with the efforts of our partners especially the UN Women, so I wish you a very successful conference, it is my honour and privilege to declare the conference open.”

-Interview Conducted By Austin Ogwuda:

CHIEF Tony Ezeagwu, Chairman of Labour Party (LP) in Delta State, now elevated to the position of the National Chairman, South South, in this exclusive interview with Blank NEWS Online (www.blanknewsonline.com) expressed regret how he stood firmly behind Chief Great Ogboru for years in the quest to become governor only to betray that trust.
Ezeagwu who spoke to me yesterday at the party’s secretariat shortly after handing over to Comrade Vincent Okwuokei, who succeeded him as the new State Chairman at the party, in view of his promotion to the National also disclosed that some aspirants are already jostling for the next governorship election coming up in 2027.
Reporter: You have been with Chief Great Ogboru for several years in the trenches and today both of you are in different boats. What happened? Who abandoned the other?
Ezeagwu: He (Ogboru) abandoned me.
The issue is: I am a very loyal man. When I am loyal to you, I am loyal to you. I don’t give a damn whether you have money or not or whether you give me money or you don’t give me money.
I had the opportunity. I was the South South Chairman in ACN. I registered Adams Oshiomole in ACN. Remember the amalgamation!
What made me to leave is my loyalty because we won our tribunal case for that rerun and they said we must go back to DPP to do that rerun.
But because of my loyalty too, I have to withdraw as the South South Chairman, came back again to DPP and after that we went into Labour.
When we finished the first election we lost. Then we decided to go into the mainstream of either PDP or APC.
We left from Delta here to Benin City where we met Rev. Obadan, Oyegun’s former deputy.
Then after discussing with Obadan we agreed to move to Abuja to see Chief John Oyegun, the then national chairman of APC.
Rev. Obadan had to put call across to Oyegun who said he was on a two week leave and billed to travel to South Africa.
He asked that we come to Abuja after two weeks time, myself, Ogboru, Omo Agege etc. We agreed that as soon as we get the information that Oyegun was back, we head to Abuja.
Reporter:
Then what happened?

Ezeagwu:
I was shocked one morning I just opened my iPad I saw them in picture with Oyegun; Ogboru, Omo Agege, Richard Odibo and I said so these people have boycotted me. I said is okay let see how is going to work because you can’t be more Catholic than the Pope.
I didn’t talk to them I kept quiet as if didn’t see anything but I was calling Ogboru to find out when we were going to Abuja to see Chief Oyegun and he continued telling me stories; this and that.
One day he called me that it was high time we go to APC that I should call a meeting and announce that we were moving to APC.
I called a meeting then our secretariat was close to the Asagba’s palace.
People gathered, I stood up and told them that at this point those who are loyal to Chief Tony Ezeagwu remain in Labour Party with him and those who are loyal to Chief Ogboru should join him that he is going to APC.
That was how I pulled off because in the real sense of it you cannot go to discuss moving my party into another party without telling me. If you get there what are you going to tell them about the state party chairman.
I can remember Uwaechue from Ogwuashi Uku came to me here in Asaba and confronted me. He asked how come I was very close to Ogboru and we did that.
I told him to ask him. I wished them well but that was how their problem started because they were told that they did not come with the party and they were asked to register one by one until Omo Agege came in and intervened, did his manipulation which everyone knows and that was how they were integrated into the mainstream of the party.

• (watch out for the concluding part)

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Delta State Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government to host the National Youth Games (NYGs) for the next four years. 

At the ceremony at Government House, Asaba, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, signed for the Federal Government while Governor Ifeanyi Okowa signed for the state government. 

In his remarks, Okowa thanked the minister for his contributions to sports development in the country and for building the youths through sports. 

He said that Delta Government had a warm relationship with the Federal Ministry of Sports, and commended Dare for the turnaround sports development had recorded under him. 

According to Okowa, as a state, we want to categorically state that we are glad with what you have done and we are proud of you. 

“You did not sit back in Abuja as the Sports Minister but you went out relating with the states because the nation is made up of the states and without the states, there is no nation. 

“I truly want to believe that whatever achievements we have had, it is because of that stretch out of love to the component parts of the state; to encourage them to develop sports with you. 

“We must learn to build together as a nation and that is the best way to develop this country of ours. I also want to thank you for the partnership you have with Delta. You  realised from the beginning that we played pivotal role,” he said 

The governor assured that the state government would continue to partner Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to discover and grow more talents across the country. 

He recalled that in 2018, the state government opened the Asaba Township Stadium with a national assignment where several countries participated. 

“We have had several relationships with the national level in both football and athletics. Only recently, we hosted the National Sports Festival. 

“We are yet again happy to host the National Youth Games in the next four years. It is a game that has actually become our own. We only hope that other states compete favourably,” he added. 

Okowa noted that Delta State was known for encouraging sports development and urged other states to do same, saying “I truly want all states to realise that you must catch them young, and if you are going to catch them young, you must start early. 

“Sports is a good way to develop the minds of our youths and it helps us to relate with each other across the nation and as we do so, we are helping to build bonds of unity across Nigeria. 

“Here in this state, we do not take it lightly; very soon we will have another youth games. We do it yearly; the football competition and several others. We believe that ‘catching-them-young’ is the best.” 

Earlier, the minister had said that Delta State had become the hub for sports development, and commended Governor Okowa for his contributions to the development of new talents across the state and country. 

“Delta State undoubtedly has become the home of sports in Nigeria and it has contributed immensely to sports development in Nigeria. 

“I am happy to say that in the last four years, Delta State Government has contributed to sports development and in the last NSF, they proved that they are serious in doing that by organizing very robust games. 

“Delta graciously agreed to host the National Youth Games for the next four years. Delta is a talent hub for our sports and it is a beacon for development of sports. 

“You know that unless you nurture them, the talents won’t blossom. This is why we are very proud of Delta. 

“I am happy that in the next four years, our young talents will find succour in Delta State with the signing of this MoU and I have the belief that our sports will be great through this,” he said. 

Delta State Executive Council on Monday approved the construction of residential quarters to accommodate Resident Doctors and House Officers at Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara. 

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on some of the decisions reached at the state’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at Government House, Asaba. 

Aniagwu said that tthe council also approved the furnishing of the new six-storey high court complex in Asaba, adding that the approval was in furtherance of the independence of the Judiciary in the state. 

“In line with the governor’s promise to work till the last day in office, the state Executive Council has approved a number of projects, including the construction of 1.2km Ayo Ben Street at Agbor. 

“The Exco approved the reconstruction of Sokoh Estate Road in Effurun, Uwvie Local Government Area of the state,” he said. 

The commissioner listed other projects approved as construction of Comrade Reuben Izeze Boulevard in Ughelli South Local Government Area and the construction of Phase V of Okerenkoko township roads in Warri South West. 

Also approved, according to him, are the construction of DSC Roundabout with some adjoining streets with Ughelli/Patani Expressway and the construction of Frank Monye Street in Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North East as well as NDDC Road. 

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has revealed that the federal government spends a little over a million Naira annually to maintain each of the inmates kept in custodial facilities across the country.

Speaking at the commissioning a 20-bed COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund Hospital and Equipment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday, Aregbesola lamented that the challenges of running correctional services are enormous, with huge demands for infrastructure, equipment and maintaining the welfare of inmates.

He however assured that the federal government has provided long term solution to the challenge of running the centres, while revealing that the government at the centre spends N1,065,790 on maintaining each inmate per annum, reiterating his earlier announcement that the government will stop feeding inmates who are state offenders by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Minister restated the commitment of the federal government to the welfare of inmates and officers at the custodial facilities nationwide.

On the commissioned project, Aregbesola said it will be an enduring legacy and a testimony of the utmost importance the federal government has taken corrections and the welfare of inmates and the well-being of staff.

Aregbesola stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has addressed the problem of inmates contracting diseases in custodial centres, as the inmates at the custodial centres now have access to excellent medical care beyond the centres.

He said: “The custodial centres were frighteningly centres for contracting diseases like scabies and tuberculosis, among others. Happily, this has been addressed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and is now a thing of the past. We do not only have well-manned clinics and well stocked pharmacies, the inmates at the custodial centres now have access to excellent medical cares beyond the centres.”

He lamented the overcrowding of custodial facilities across the country, he said: “This Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Port Harcourt, with a capacity for 1,800 inmates, presently houses about 3,067 inmates. This is just a reflection of the situation in most urban Custodial Centres where we have congestion at the moment. The facilities and even the personnel are overstretched, but we are coping and providing long term solutions to this challenge.

“One of such solutions is the construction of mega 3,000-capacity custodial villages in six geo-political zones of the country. The one for the South-South is in Bori, not far from here in Rivers State. The ones for the North West in Janguza, Kano and the North Central, in Karshi Abuja are ready. Hopefully, we shall commission the one in Kano in a few days, before our departure, even as work is steadily going on in the others and has reached appreciable level.

“Let me also reiterate that the Federal Government will stop feeding inmates incarcerated for breaching state laws. As you commence your budget process for next year, include feeding of your inmates.”

Ogbeni Aregbesola added that the hospital, like several others, including the one commissioned in Osun last week, was built from the Covid-19 Crisis Special Intervention Fund of the Federal Government, and will go a long way in addressing the medical concerns of inmates and Correctional Service personnel as well.

While commending the management and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for working hard to keep the virus away, he restated that the new hospital is a unique intervention aimed at making robust healthcare for those in custody as well as staff members, a pleasant reality.

“We celebrate how the NCoS, through professional responsiveness and hard work, triumphed over the COVID-19 pandemic, coming out clean without a single case of the virus finding its way into any of our custodial centres. On this, we were able to best even the most advanced countries whose custodial centres were thriving ground for Covid-19 incubation and transmission, with deaths running into thousands.

“Of significant note is the fact that all of these interventions in consonance with other reforms in the NCoS will obviously translate to security, peace and tranquillity in and around our Custodial Centres and ultimately for our country.”

Aregbesola commended the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, for the good work he is doing and the quality leadership he is providing at the Service. He also encouraged him and his management team to sustain the tempo of progress and do more to actualise the noble provisions of the NCoS Act, 2019.

On his part, the Controller General, Haliru Nababa thanked the federal government for its support to the Service, saying the facility will take care of the needs of the inmate, staff and the host community alike.

He said: “As a Service, Inmates’ welfare is not only a matter of priority but a statutory responsibility that is key to the general peace and tranquillity experienced all over our custodial centre.

“This hospital that we are commissioning today will go a long way in helping the service fulfill its statutory responsibility to the inmate, the staff and the host community,” the CG stated.

Speaking on behalf of the host community, Council Chairman of the Bunduama Community, Evangelist Dasika George thanked the Minister for the hospital and the opportunity given to members of the community to benefit from its services, declaring him the ‘best minister’ of the Buhari administration.

He said: “We thank our performing minister, in fact, the best minister in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for citing this project in our community and giving us the privilege to use it as well. We thank you, but please don’t stop here.

“We still need water, electricity transformers, adequate street, adequate drainage system amongst other social amenities.”

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has revealed that the federal government spends a little over a million Naira annually to maintain each of the inmates kept in custodial facilities across the country.

Speaking at the commissioning a 20-bed COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund Hospital and Equipment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday, Aregbesola lamented that the challenges of running correctional services are enormous, with huge demands for infrastructure, equipment and maintaining the welfare of inmates.

He however assured that the federal government has provided long term solution to the challenge of running the centres, while revealing that the government at the centre spends N1,065,790 on maintaining each inmate per annum, reiterating his earlier announcement that the government will stop feeding inmates who are state offenders by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Minister restated the commitment of the federal government to the welfare of inmates and officers at the custodial facilities nationwide.

On the commissioned project, Aregbesola said it will be an enduring legacy and a testimony of the utmost importance the federal government has taken corrections and the welfare of inmates and the well-being of staff.

Aregbesola stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has addressed the problem of inmates contracting diseases in custodial centres, as the inmates at the custodial centres now have access to excellent medical care beyond the centres.

He said: “The custodial centres were frighteningly centres for contracting diseases like scabies and tuberculosis, among others. Happily, this has been addressed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and is now a thing of the past. We do not only have well-manned clinics and well stocked pharmacies, the inmates at the custodial centres now have access to excellent medical cares beyond the centres.”

He lamented the overcrowding of custodial facilities across the country, he said: “This Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Port Harcourt, with a capacity for 1,800 inmates, presently houses about 3,067 inmates. This is just a reflection of the situation in most urban Custodial Centres where we have congestion at the moment. The facilities and even the personnel are overstretched, but we are coping and providing long term solutions to this challenge.

“One of such solutions is the construction of mega 3,000-capacity custodial villages in six geo-political zones of the country. The one for the South-South is in Bori, not far from here in Rivers State. The ones for the North West in Janguza, Kano and the North Central, in Karshi Abuja are ready. Hopefully, we shall commission the one in Kano in a few days, before our departure, even as work is steadily going on in the others and has reached appreciable level.

“Let me also reiterate that the Federal Government will stop feeding inmates incarcerated for breaching state laws. As you commence your budget process for next year, include feeding of your inmates.”

Ogbeni Aregbesola added that the hospital, like several others, including the one commissioned in Osun last week, was built from the Covid-19 Crisis Special Intervention Fund of the Federal Government, and will go a long way in addressing the medical concerns of inmates and Correctional Service personnel as well.

While commending the management and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for working hard to keep the virus away, he restated that the new hospital is a unique intervention aimed at making robust healthcare for those in custody as well as staff members, a pleasant reality.

“We celebrate how the NCoS, through professional responsiveness and hard work, triumphed over the COVID-19 pandemic, coming out clean without a single case of the virus finding its way into any of our custodial centres. On this, we were able to best even the most advanced countries whose custodial centres were thriving ground for Covid-19 incubation and transmission, with deaths running into thousands.

“Of significant note is the fact that all of these interventions in consonance with other reforms in the NCoS will obviously translate to security, peace and tranquillity in and around our Custodial Centres and ultimately for our country.”

Aregbesola commended the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, for the good work he is doing and the quality leadership he is providing at the Service. He also encouraged him and his management team to sustain the tempo of progress and do more to actualise the noble provisions of the NCoS Act, 2019.

On his part, the Controller General, Haliru Nababa thanked the federal government for its support to the Service, saying the facility will take care of the needs of the inmate, staff and the host community alike.

He said: “As a Service, Inmates’ welfare is not only a matter of priority but a statutory responsibility that is key to the general peace and tranquillity experienced all over our custodial centre.

“This hospital that we are commissioning today will go a long way in helping the service fulfill its statutory responsibility to the inmate, the staff and the host community,” the CG stated.

Speaking on behalf of the host community, Council Chairman of the Bunduama Community, Evangelist Dasika George thanked the Minister for the hospital and the opportunity given to members of the community to benefit from its services, declaring him the ‘best minister’ of the Buhari administration.

He said: “We thank our performing minister, in fact, the best minister in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for citing this project in our community and giving us the privilege to use it as well. We thank you, but please don’t stop here.

“We still need water, electricity transformers, adequate street, adequate drainage system amongst other social amenities.”

Governor of Delta state, Sennator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has lauded 05 Initiative, founded by his wife, Dame Edith Okowa, for its contributions to the building of a stronger Delta, especially in touching the lives of the people in various ways, including healthcare.

The governor gave the commendation at an Appreciation Dinner organised by 05 Initiative to honour its supporters on Saturday night at the Event Centre, Asaba.

He expressed joy over the number of lives 05 Initiative had touched in one way or the other over the last eight years and publicly thanked his wife for her vision to help the poor and the vulnerable.

He said, “I truly want to publicly thank my wife for the great job that she has done by partnering the private sector to make this impact on humanity, especially in the healthcare of our people.

“The 05 Initiative opened 23 sickle cell clinics as at today, to help tackle our healthcare challenges.

“If we can all impact on people around us like the 05 Initiative has done, maybe starting with your next door neighbour or anybody you find around to help, I am sure that Delta and Nigeria will be a better place than what we have today.

“So it’s my prayer that we all learn that any assistance you give to the less-privileged, you are giving that assistance to God. God is the great rewarder of whatever we do. I pray that the 05 Foundation will continue to grow.”

The governor disclosed that every amount spent by 05 Initiative was sourced from donors and the private sector, and advised all those posting malicious information on the social media and petitions against the 05 Initiative to desist from such acts.

“I must appreciate all the partners of 05 Initiative, particularly the donors, both the big and the everyday donors.

“I am proud that every single outreach and project they have done has been with the funds from the private sector.

“Unfortunately, there are still persons that do not understand the workings of the 05 Initiative. And rather than appreciate what they do, these persons post all kinds of things in the social media. Such things can be disheartening,” he stated.

Earlier, the wife of the Governor and Founder of 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, had disclosed that the Initiative was birthed and anchored on the bible verse of Matthew 25:35-36, which talks about reaching out to the poor and vulnerable in the society.

She said that the Initiative recently inaugurated a clinic at the Correctional Center in Ogwashi-uku, adding that no fewer than 53,100 persons had received free eyecare services through direct intervention of the Initiative.

The first lady appreciated great donors and partners, including MrJim Ovia of the Zenith Bank group and Mr Gabriel Ogbechie, Chairman of Rainoil, describing them as worthy partners in the fulfilment of the divine mandate.

She announced that the Initiative would after May 29, 2023, become a Foundation that would continue to cater for the needy.

In their goodwill messages, the wives of the Governors of Edo and Bayelsa, Mrs Betsy Obaseki and Mrs Gloria Diri, who also doubled as the representatives of the Forum of Governors’ Wives, extolled the good job done by the 05 Initiative.

In her words, Mrs. Obaseki stated that ‘This is what service to our country men and women is all about; a life of impact to other people. All the governors wives are proud of what our sister has done with her foundation”

Dr. Jane Ibuaku who represented the Medical Director, of the Federal Medical Center, Asaba stated that “Dame Okowa has been paying bills of those who are not able to take care of their bills at the hospital.

“One of such cases was when she came to the rescue of a family who had quintuplets and could not pay the bills.”

Present at the appreciation dinner was the Governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his wife, the deputy governor-elect, Sir Monday Onyeme and the wife, wives of the governors of Edo and Bayelsa states, Mrs Betsy Obaseki and Mrs. Diri, among other dignitaries.

-From SUNNY A. DAVID:

The Urban Girls Secondary School, Fegge, Onitsha was thrown into wild jubilation as the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo announced the payment of third term school fees of 2,500 students of the School.

Prof. Soludo who said he will offset the school fees from his personal money made the promise when he visited the school while on a thorough assessment visit to Onitsha.

He also used the occasion to encourage the students to remain good ambassadors of the State.

The Governor harped on the need to always maintain hygiene both at home and in school.

Governor Soludo called on the teachers to ensure they give the best to the students and assured that quality education will remain a top priority of his government.

The students of the school were immediately after the announcement thrown into wild jubilation, as the students sang the praise of the Governor, referring to him as the Solution to Amambra’s problem.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor has declared as spurious, the
human rights violations allegations levelled against the Nigerian military by news agency, Reuters,

Reuters in a series of reports had alleged the military in it’s counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast over the decade of human rights violations including forcefully abortion of over 10,000 pregnancies of women believed to be linked with the Boko Haram terrorist group and several killings of children who. were fathered by alleged terrorists.

Irabor, who appeared in Abuja on Friday before the National Human Rights Commission investigative panel on rights violation in counter-insurgency operations by the military in the North-East, said the allegation was “not only shocking but also spurious.”

The CDS, who held various posts in the theatre of war in the North-East, including Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole and Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), told the panel that having been involved, there was no time he saw any abortion being carried out on women and girls to prevent regeneration of Boko Haram insurgents.

He said: “I have been involved in the operation. I never saw any of sort (abortions). It was a surprise to me for someone to orchestrate such report (Reuters’ report).

“I am glad that this panel was constituted to investigate the allegations. It was a rude shock that such allegations could be attributed to the armed forces of Nigeria.”

He described the Reuters’ allegation as unfounded, insisting that the report that over 10,000 abortions were enforced by the military in the North-East through a deliberate policy as a strange allusion, declaring that if such policy was in place, it was not the responsibility of the armed forces to execute such.

He said: “These are strange allusion. The Armed Force of Nigeria engages in internal security to defend the people and the country and fight criminal elements.

“On what ground so we want to stop regeneration of Boko Haram criminals? If this so-called principle is in place, it is not the responsibility of the armed forces to be involved.”

He assured that he would give the soldiers Reuters claimed it interviewed in it report immunity with a view to enabling them to come before the panel to testify.

Irabor told the panel that throughout the period he spent in the theatre of war, he never heard of any group of women called wives of Boko Haram to the extent that their freedom was restricted.

He however said what he witnessed were “those rescued who have had one association or the other with Boko Haram”, adding that these people, both male and female were Nigerian citizens who found themselves under criminals’ oppression.

The CDS said among those rescued in the theatre of war were over 100 Chibok girls, some of whom were with children and asserted that should the military have had in place a policy of cleansing women of Boko Haram, they were the perfect set to be use to do so, asking, “who else could have been cleanse than the Chibok girls we rescued with their children?”

He informed the panel that there were always teams from the International Red Cross, Borno State government and both local and international non-governmental organisations and as such the military could not have carried out any “systemic, secret and illegal” abortions as claimed by Reuters.

He added that if it was a programme of the military as alleged, it could not have been in isolation as the hierarchy of the military would have been in the know, asserting that such policy never exists within the armed forces.

Irabor while describing the massacre of children claimed in the report as gory, said that children could not have been massacred by members of the armed forces, adding that military code of conduct prohibits members of the forces from engaging in such.

He said engaging in such act could even lead to death sentence on the perpetrators.

The CDS however appealed that this kind of report should not be given credence to as officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces had made sacrifices and whoever wanted to disparage their image would only be discouraging the gallant men and women.

The federal government on Thursday told state governments to either build and manage their correctional facilities or pay the cost of keeping their inmates at facilities built by the central government.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said even though the justice system clearly segments states and federal offenders, the federal government has been the only one in charge of custodial facilities and has to bear the burden of financing them.

He said the federal government can no longer be responsible for correctional management of state offenders, urging state governments to build and manage their own custodial facilities as empowered in the newly amended Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.

He made this known at a two-day High Level Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Administration in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria presently has 244 custodial centres with the bulk of them being in the state capitals and the centres which have a provision for 52,278 inmates, as at Tuesday 9th May 2023 exceeded their limit by over 23,000.

He said: “These facilities are being run by the federal government but it should be noted that the criminal justice system of Nigeria makes provision for state and federal offences, however until the amendment of the Constitution, only the federal government was in charge of custodial centres.

“With the amendment of the Constitution in this regard, states are now empowered to build correctional centres and facilities to house offenders who are convicted and sentenced for committing state offences. Where states are unable to build custodial centres, it is believed that they can suggest ways to collaborate with the federal government in feeding and housing these state offenders.”

The minister noted that the primary objective of the constitution amendment on Corrections assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, is to correct the overcrowding of our custodial centres resulting from a high number of pre-trial detentions, arbitrary arrests.

He said: “Let me make this clear ab initio. When we talk about congestion, this is a phenomenon of the large urban centres in places like Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Benin, Owerri, Enugu and state capitals in general. The custodial facilities in the not so urban areas are not as overcrowded, with many of them indeed operating below capacity.

“As population grows and society becomes more complex, conflicts in interpersonal relations and challenges of existence will breed more criminal tendencies necessitating incarceration for convicted offenders or those awaiting trial but which the justice system determined are best kept away from society.”

He decried that overcrowding in the custodial centres has led to huge revenue drain for the federal government, being the only party shouldering the responsibility of running and maintaining the custodial centres.

He said: “The amendment of the 1999 Constitution, which has now placed corrections in the concurrent list is therefore a welcomed development.

“This conference is also to bring to the fore applicable laws to aid the reform of the corrections, custodial and non-custodial sentencing. Section 12(4- 12) of the Nigeria Correctional Services Act (NCoS Act) 2019 gives the Nigeria Correctional Service the powers to reject inmates when centres are filled up.

The Minister advised Stakeholders in the criminal justice sector to brainstorm and develop a roadmap for effective management of custodial population and pre-trial detention through the implementation of relevant sections of applicable laws.

In her comment, the Founder and Executive Director of Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, (PRAWA), Dr. Uju Agomoh said for proper reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, the states need to consider taking some form of responsibility like feeding of inmates because there are more state offenders than federal offenders.

“The issue of community corrections is what we must consider because we can correct people also in the society and the overuse of imprisonment is something that we will into especially the putting in place of mechanisms to address it,” she said.
While stressing the importance of the rule of law for peace and tranquillity, Chief Justice of Nigeria, observed that the police is very important in the Administration of justice and must therefore ensure that the process is hitch free.

“The prison system happened to be one of the institutions upon which the rule of law is sounded. I need to make it clear here that as a matter of fact, prosecutors to a very large extent are at the mercy of the police on the success or otherwise of criminal prosecution and this brings to the fore the imperative of cordial,” he said.
He therefore called for better working relationship to fast track justice delivery for pre-trial inmates.

Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Isah Idris on Wednesday advised the United Kingdom (UK) to review its strict visa regime, insisting that it was such action that powers irregular migration.

Idris said this in Abuja at the opening session of the 2023 Nigeria-United Kingdom Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Bilateral Talks.

The Immigration henchman said: “I want to express our gratitude for your magnanimity in the provision of various classes of Visas through which Nigerians can travel to the United Kingdom.

“However, I will like to call on participants at this meeting to discuss issues like the costs of visa fees and the high rate of visa application rejections. On our side, I want to inform that the revised Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP 2020) is robust enough to make Nigeria an attractive investment destination for British citizens and all other Nationals. One of the high points of the new visa policy is the introduction of the Visa on Arrival regime, which is a business visa issued to high net-worth investors upon their arrival in Nigeria.”

He called on all to deliberate upon facilitation of official travels for Government functionaries, adding that: “In my view, such an issue can be easily tackled with the introduction of Visa waiver for holders of Diplomatic and Official passports who are on official assignment.”

He however applauded the United Kingdom for the successes recorded by the project, ‘Collaborating Against Trafficking and Smuggling CATS’ executed by IOM.

Idris noted that the programme has assisted Nigeria in collaborating more effectively with the Republic of Niger to jointly tackle issues of Migrants Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons. The project has provided us with a glossary of terminology which is assisting Border Officials in the Nigeria/ Republic of Niger Borderlines to effectively communicate with Migrants. In addition, the CATS project has also facilitated the drafting of an MoU on data sharing between Nigeria and Niger.

He said CATS is a laudable project and I request that you extend it to the Nigeria/Benin and Nigeria/Cameroun Borders as reports have revealed that facilitators of Irregular Migration are switching to the Nigeria-Benin-Niger and Nigeria-Cameroon -Gabon routes to perpetrate their crimes.

The Sudanese Government has called for the classification of the rebel group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which is currently in battle with the Sudanese Army, a terrorist group.

The government equally said it is yet to close the widow on dialogue and re-admittance of the group back into government and dissolving it into the country’s Army.

The position of the Sudanese government was communicated on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Abdelmannan.

The envoy why decrying the numerous terrorist attack by the group, said the flagrant violation of the truce by the RSF stands condemnable, but reassured that Sudanese Government’s would employ strategic measures to ensure safety and protection of all foreign communities in the troubled country.

He said the country would honour its obligation under the international laws and Vienna conventions to protect all premises and staff of diplomatic missions.

He said: “The government of Sudan strongly condemns these terrorist and criminal attacks, and urges the international community, the UN, AU, Arab League, OIC, and human rights organisations to take similar actions.

“By designating the insurgent RSF as a terrorist organisation and holding them accountable before the national and international justice mechanism, for violation of the international and humanitarian law.

“In this regard, we reiterate the firm commitment of Sudan and its competent authorities to take all measures to guarantee safety and protection of all foreign communities, and diplomatic representation in Sudan.

“In accordance with its obligations and international law, as well as the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations of the year 1961.”

The envoy who lamented the trouble in the country having prolonged for five weeks, however said the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) was in control and had increasingly rounded the mutinied RSF, as outlaw militia.

On the allegation that the warring factions have failed to adhere to policy on truce and ceasefire, the envoy said Sudan government accepted and upheld the agreement, insisting that the RSF never observed the truce.

He described the RSF as para-military forces, adding that the forces was not professional and could be the basis they do not observe truces, but had rather looted unsuspecting civilians.

He said: “A responsible and professional army will observe truce for humanitarian opportunities for people to access help.”

He assured that: “Repair and rehabilitation of the damages will be carried out after ceasefire and after the war has stopped in the country, particularly the capital city of Khartoum needs to be rehabilitated.

“The civilians there need to be provided with medical assistance, because the RSF evacuated all the patients from the hospitals and took the place as a military place for treating their injuries.”

He mentioned that although moves were made to integrate the RSF into the SAF to bring about a unified army, such plans failed because of the refusal by the RSF to support the good cause.

He recalled that on April 15, conflict broke out across Sudan, mainly in the capital, Khartoum and the Darfur region, between rival factions of the country’s military government.

The fighting in the country began with attacks by the RSF on key government sites.

Airstrikes, artillery and heavy gunfire were reported across the country including the capital Khartoum.

As of April 15, both RSF leader Mohamed Dagalo and Sudan de facto leader Abdel Al- Burhan have claimed to be in control of key government sites, including the general military headquarters, the presidential palace, Khartoum International Airport, the Army chief’s official residence as well as the Sudan Tv headquarters.

Meanwhile, the envoy agreed that the continue war in the country may bring problems for the countries bordering Sudan, even as he admitted that intending pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia may have to face some challenges as they may have to take a longer route to the Holy lands of Mecca and Medina.

He however expressed optimism that the war would soon be over and normalcy returned back to Sudan.

The European Union has offered to collaborate with the ECOWAS Commission to address the multiple challenges in West Africa and advance peace and security and economic integration agenda of the sub-region, insisting that democratic, peaceful, strong and prosperous Nigeria is in the interest of Europe and the world.

Speaking at the celebration of the European Day in Abuja, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and West Africa, Samuela Isopi said: “As neighbours, building on the success of the recent EU-ECOWAS High-Level Dialogue, hosted in Brussels in February this year, we will continue to work together to address the multiple challenges of the region and advance ECOWAS peace and security and economic integration agenda.

Isopi while admitting that European Union is far from being perfect, insisted that “It is still work in progress. In the best sense of the term. The European journey has never been easy and it will never be. We will continue to have supporters and detractors, inside and outside the Union. But still, the European Union remains the most successful peace and prosperity project of modern history and the best and most transformative political, geopolitical, economic, social and cultural construct ever designed and concretely realized.”

She said: “Today it is also the day, for us Europeans, to celebrate our Ukrainian friends who are defending their freedom and these same values with their own lives. (I would like to acknowledge the presence here tonight of the Ambassador-designate of Ukraine, Ambassador Ivan Kholostenko. You are most welcome)

“To mark this year’s celebrations, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, travelled to Kiev today, to commemorate Europe Day with President Zelensky and with the brave Ukrainian People.”

Isopi noted that: “Europe Day is also a key moment in the year to celebrate our partnership with Nigeria and with ECOWAS.”

She said: “As neighbours and global leaders, the European Union and Nigeria are natural partners. We both believe and strongly support multilateralism and rules-based order; we are both enriched by “unity in diversity” and bound by shared values and by a common imperative interest to work even more closely together, in the region, in Africa and on the global scene.

@From the fight against violent extremism and insecurity in the North-East of the country, in West Africa and in the Gulf of Guinea, areas where the EU is present through a multi-dimensional engagement; to further boosting our trade, investment, digital and energy cooperation; from supporting the continuous deepening of Nigeria’s growing democracy; to the development of a comprehensive migration and mobility partnership; from addressing climate change to crisis and disaster management and humanitarian assistance, the European Union and its Member States look forward to working with the new Nigerian Administration, under the leadership of President-elect, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on building a win-win partnership to the benefit of the peoples of Nigeria and Europe.

“A democratic, peaceful, strong and prosperous Nigeria is in the interest of Europe and the world.”

Isopi said the EU is already Nigeria’s biggest trading partner accounting for more than 20% of Nigerian trade with the world and a significant trade balance in favour of Nigeria.

She added that the European Union is also Nigeria’s first partner in foreign direct investments, noting that: “With an estimated FDI stock of over 30 billion euros, EU companies contribute to the economic diversification and growth, to job creation and wealth generation. We are keen to do more together!”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama said Nigerian government appreciates the role of EU in Nigeria, stating the region has played prominent roles in the life of the country.

The Minister thanked envoys from EU for their support during his eight years in the saddle at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He admitted that EU is the largest partner to Nigeria and that the country would continue to cherish the relationship and even continue to improve on it.

From SUNNY A. DAVID:

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of National lnland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Dr. George Moghalu has ordered the demolition of all illegal structures built along the waterways in Onitsha, AnambraState.

He gave the order on Monday in Onitsha, while inspecting the proposed site for building of a maritime institute, expressed shock at the rising number of illegal structures along NIWA’s Right of Ways.

Dr. Moghalu said that NIWA was not notified by those who built the structures before going into the agency’s property.

“Since people did not give NIWA any notice to go into its property, NIWA will not give them any notice before it demolishes the structures. Why would I give you notice to quit my property when you did not give me notice to enter the property.

“I have ordered that these illegal ones be demolished before Tuesday. I’m in Onitsha today concerning the Maritime Institute that is coming up here in Onitsha.

“We have looked at the site and identified the area that is required for the project and we have given them consent. What we are saying is that the formal application has to be made, the design of what is going to be done there must be provided for NIWA to do its survey and mark out the area in question for them to pay whatever charges that will be required.

“We give approval for projects that have public and not personal interest before you can use our right of way. Like the Maritime Institute we are talking about, is on our Right of Way, and it is Federal Government project.”

The Managing Director while addressing journalists said his interest was to achieve peace, maintain the law and ensure that the revenue accruing to NIWA was not tampered with.

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, said that one of the greatest legacies he would bequeath to his successor was the presence of God at the Government House.

Okowa stated this in Asaba at the launch of a music album produced by the Choir of Government House Chapel, Asaba.

He attributed the success of his administration to God’s divine providence, and charged the Governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Deputy Governor-elect, Sir Monday Onyeme, to put God first in their administration.

He disclosed that the ministration of Government House Chapel Choir in the last eight years had attracted God’s presence to all parts of the state.

The governor advised Oborevwori and Onyeme to remain divinely connected to God by re-doubling their efforts in the worship of God as they prepared to take over the mantle of political leadership in the state.

He disclosed that through purposeful worshipping of God, challenges would be surmounted and victory enthroned in the lives of those who firmly hold on to God.

He said that music album produced by the Government House Chapel Choir would help significantly in advancing the gospel of God, and urged worshipers to encourage the choristers by purchasing copies of the album.

“This choir needs to be encouraged because I know that through their voices, the praises and worship they render in this place, a lot has happened to this state.

“We may not appreciate it but I and my wife know that we believe in the presence of God in this chapel. We are very mindful of the fact that our God is present in this place and whenever we call Him, He answers us.

“So, I must use this opportunity to thank you for all you have done to praise the name of the Lord and to call His presence in this chapel.

“We thank God that our Governor-elect and his deputy are here. The greatest asset that I would leave for you both is the presence of God in the Government House.

“The greatest desire of my wife and I is to see the fire on this altar glow and burn continually. Pressures will come and all manner of confusing voices will come but resist it and make sure that you reverence God,” Okowa stated.

He advised the incoming governor to create time every morning to worship God, saying it could be difficult sometimes but you should try to do it as much as you can. Do it because you must provide leadership by leading.

“I believe that as long as you go on that path with this wonderful choir, the Lord will guide you.

“What people do not know is that if you start your morning with God, the glory of God, when it hovers continually in government house, will extend to every part of Delta.

“And, if you allow the forces of darkness to come in, it will also extend to every part of Delta; and that we must avoid,” the governor added.

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Festus Agas, who reviewed the album, lauded the Choir for their love for God through their ministration.

Agas said the musical album which has English and local tracks was packaged to bring the glory of God in peoples lives and destinies

“The album has two tracks, track A and track B. Track A talks about thanking God for all that He has done for us, while track B talks about a beautiful home, where we will spend our eternity with God,” he added.

Earlier in a sermon titled “The Value Of Praise And Worship,” the Chaplain of Government House Chapel, Asaba, Ven. Charles Osemenam said the best way to attract God’s presence in one’s life was through praise and worship.

Osemenam, therefore, advised Deltans and Nigerians to go to God in praise when the turbulence of life rears its ugly head up.

The ceremony which was attended by the governor’s wife, Dame Edith Okowa; the Governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; the Deputy Governor-elect, Sir Monday Onyeme; Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah and other top government functionaries featured special ministration by the Choir.

PRESS UNIT,
GOVT.HOUSE, ASABA

Nigerian lawmakers have complained about the nation’s economic situation, insisting that Nigeria’s record of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) has not been stable and was responsible for the ongoing challenging confronting the country.

This was one of the positions of the Nigerian lawmakers at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament during the Presentation of Country Report of Nigeria at the 2023 First Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday.

The lawmaker in the report said: “Nigeria’s record of EoDB is not stable and it is reflective of the ongoing challenges confronting our economy. To improve the situation on 14 February, 2023 the Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, signed into law the Busimrss Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, a legislation that fosters an enabling environment for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.”

They explained that the Act among other things would promote accountability and transparency for government agencies and business operations as well as boost technology use in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDGs). It would also encourage government to have legally binding agreement with the public, essentially detailing processes, documentation, and timeliness while providing amendments to some Acts such as Companies and Allied Matters Act, The Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and miscellaneous provisions) Act, Nigeria Export Promotion Council Act, National Housing Fund Act and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Acts.”

They however said with the implementation of the law and consolidation of the reforms, there would be result in seamless public and private sector partnerships, thereby improving domestic businesses and attracting foreign investments while extensively impacting the economy.

They also said there are presently concerns over the smooth implementation of the 2023 national budget since the budget is largely funded by crude oil benchmarks and loan grants which are momentarily plummeting., lamenting that “this is as a result of inability of the country to find substantial buyers for its crude oil,” insisting that “this deplorable situation could be compounded by strikes in the French refining sector and maintenance at European plants where Nigeria refines her crude oil.”

The lawmakers equally expressed worries over the debt profile and its management by the Nigerian government. They said: “According to the World Bank, Nigeria used 96.3 percent of its revenue generated in 2022 to service debt and the constant fiscal deficit has aggravated the nation’s public debt stock.

“The fiscal deficit was estimated at 5.0 percent of GDP in 2022, breaching the stipulated limit for a federal fiscal deficit of 3 percent. This has kept the public debt stock at over 38 percent of GDP. As a result, the GDP is projected to be negatively impacted by the trade and financial flow repercussions of the anticipated global economic slowdown in 2023.”

They however expressed optimism, insisting that “the federal government of Nigeria is leveraging on the country’s international partnerships to stabilize the economy.

“In this regard, Nigeria and China have deepened bilateral trade relations in agriculture and agro-allied industries, mining, and investments in gas development as well as the digital economy.”

–From Michael Ekokoruwe:

The Akpotu led Isoko Development Union has underscored the need for an alternative energy for the Isoko nation to midwife development in the area through Gas turbine, Independent Power Plants, Benin Electricity Distribution Company and urged Isoko to explore the cheaper alternative of harnessing the gas being flared by the oil exploring companies in Isoko land.

The president general of Isoko Nation, professor Christopher Akpotu who conveyed the meeting at the national secretariat of Isoko Development Union Oleh, Isoko South local government area, bemoaned the epileptic power supply to Isoko Nation, a situation he said has crippled businesses and the economic social life of the people in the area.

Akpotu said, efforts made to ensure steady power supply by Isoko people at home and in diaspora failed over time, adding that series of letters were written to oil companies operating in the area and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company and urged that a committee be constituted to profile immediate solution.

Speaking, the commissioner for energy of Delta state, Chief Fred Obey assured his support for any effort to ensure the achievement of regular power supply in Isoko land by tapping into the expertise of Isoko sons to harness the existing gas flaring in the oil companies by adopting a cheaper option.

Traditional rulers of Isoko Nation berated oil companies operating in the area for insensitivity to the plight of the people and urged the people to be focused on the demand for Isoko Turbine from Agip Nigeria Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company operating in the area.

The traditional rulers condemned the nunshalant attitude of the political gladiators who failed to attend meetings and kept distance from the people they represent.

They urged the president general to write a fresh later of demand and copy all the relevant agencies, stressing that, Isoko need light and the efforts must be sustained.

For his part, a consultant, engr. Michael Ekpo said, one of the challenge of Isoko Nation electricity is the location to the national grid. He noted that the clusters of Isoko Nation are not concentrated, unlike Okpai that has close clusters.

Ekpo said, power is expensive and noted that the request for power from oil companies should tally with the Gmou in various communities.
He however pledged to work with the committee to find possible solution to the epileptic power supply to Isoko Nation.

In attendance was
presidents general of Isoko Nation, clergymen, traditional rulers, high Chief Iduh Amadhe, Rev. Agbauduta and the youth wing of Isoko Development Union, amongst others.

-From Onoriode Etatsemi:

The Effurun High Court I, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State has convicted and sentenced two men, Emmanuel Ruekpe and Peter Okoro to death by hanging on two count charges of conspiracy and armed robbery.

The Court presided over by Honourable Justice E. I Oritsejafor delivered its judgement on April 25, 2023.

The two defendants according to the nominal, complainant Mr Ode Odera Gabriel, boarded his bike on the 24th of September, 2016 at Otu-Jeremi junction that they were going to Owhawa town of which he charged them the sum of ₦400 and they agreed to pay

According to him , in the course of the journey , the 2nd defendant after he came from a compound at Oghoir in Udu Local Government Area where he claimed to see his elder brother, stopped the bikeman claiming that his face cap fell down and wanted to pick it before he broke cocoa cola bottle and in a bid to avoid being stabbed, the nominal complainant ran away.

The normal complainant (bikeman) recognized the first defendant whom he knew as a local dancer and he subsequently reported the matter to the Oghoir vigilante Chairman which eventually led to the arrest of both of them at the Ovwian Police Station.

Delivering his judgement after careful examination of available evidence, Justice E. I Oritsejafor noted that the prosecution presented an overwhelming evidence which he said, was sufficient to discharge the burden of proof on the case .

Reacting to the judgement, the prosecution , Mr. Ezeana Ejiofor who is a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Justice, expressed satisfaction with the judgement and appealed to judicial authorities in the country to consider the abolition of death sentence and replace it with alternative life Imprisonment.

Mr Ejiofor advised young people to shun anything illegal and be patient and as well work hard to achieve success and never to get involve in any form of crime that could possibly cut short their life and take their freedom, dreams and aspirations away from them.

Mr Ejiofor appealed to Government to recognize the honour, dignity and straight forward disposition of the father of the second defendant who on his own admitted to the authorities that he saw his son with a bike which fits the description of the stolen motorbike and subsequently took his son to the police station.

He averred that after the court passed the sentence on the second defendant, the relations and friends of the father will condemn his actions and berate him for taking him to the station which will deter other honourable and good persons in the society from speaking out against criminality.

The State Counsel added further that the father of the second defendant be invited and publicly honoured and presented with an award so as to encourage other people to follow his good example and speak against criminality and evil in the society which will in turn make our society a better place.

He said that the defendants were charged to court on two count charges bothering on conspiracy to commit armed robbery, punishable under section 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act , cap R.II, volume 14 law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have seized a total of 8,852 kilogrammes (8.8 tons) of Canadian Loud, an imported synthetic strain of cannabis after a 30-minute gun fight with armed men who were escorting the consignment loaded in two long trucks.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the operatives acting on credible intelligence laid ambush for the traffickers along the Eleko beach road in Lekki and at about 4:51am last Thursday, two long trucks conveying the illicit consignments were flagged down but rather than stopping, the trucks escorted by armed men sped off, and there was subsequent exchange of gunfire that lasted 30 minutes.

He said the drivers and their armed escorted after they were overpowered by the NDLEA operatives, escaped into the bush abandoning the trucks and the drug consignments.

He said while one of the trucks painted red has 149 jumbo bags weighing 6,548 kilogrammes, the second one with blue colour has 53 big bags with a weight of 2,304 kilogrammes, bringing the total number of bags to 202 and gross weight of both to 8,852 kilogrammes.

He said operatives are already on the trail of the drug lord who shipped the illicit consignment into the country.

Babafemi said on the same day, NDLEA operatives also intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle driven by one Mukaila Idowu, conveying 88.3 kilogrammes skunk at Otedola bridge, Ikeja area of Lagos, while another suspect, Joseph Friday was arrested last Saturday at Iyana Ira, Lagos with 58.7 kilogrammes cannabis sativa concealed inside his Toyota Camry car marked FST 587FH.

In Ogun state, operatives in the early hours of last Wednesday busted a mini factory where a suspect, Bakare Taofeek was producing skucchies around Safari Onikolobo, Abeokuta. He revealed that exhibits recovered from him include: 4 kilogrammes black currant drink (Sobo) mixed with cannabis; 255 litres of skucchies; 1,880 tablets of tramadol; 735 grammes of cannabis; three deep freezers; 2 gas cylinders and two cooking pots among others.

Also operatives in Adamawa arrested a suspect, Sahabi Mohammed, 39, with 8,800 tablets of tramadol and counterfeit N60,000-naira notes, while another suspect, Bala Ali Umar, was arrested last Wednesday with 2.850 kilogrammes cannabis sativa and 825 litres of formalin popularly known as ‘Suck and Die’ at Anguwar Laka, Numan local government area.

In Edo state, a Toyota Previa bus marked NER 460 XA (Bayelsa) conveying 13,000 pills of tramadol and diazepam was intercepted along Ewohimi road, heading to Ekiti state, while the driver of the vehicle, Femi Oluwadare, was taken into custody last Friday.

Babafemi also disclosed that another suspect, Ahmed Rafi’u, 34, was arrested with 84 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 43.2 kilogrammes by operatives in Kogi state, while 381.1 kilogrammes of the same substance was recovered from three suspects travelling in a Sienna bus in Anambra state. They include: Innocent Saturday; Sunday Asuquo and Akpan Asukuma who were arrested by a combined patrol team of security agents comprising NDLEA operatives and other security agencies at Nneobi, Anambra state.

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, attached to courier firms have intercepted blocks of compressed brown methamphetamine packaged as soap bars weighing 1.54 kilogrammes going to Australia.

He said the seizure at a courier house in Lagos last Tuesday was a follow up operation to an earlier interception of 3.39 kilogrammes of the same substance on 23rd February 2023. A suspected drug courier, Paul Adetigbe who delivered the previous parcel was eventually arrested with the latest consignment.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers and men of Lagos, Ogun, Adamawa, Edo, Kogi and Anambra Commands of the agency as well as those of DOGI for their vigilance and professionalism, urged them and their peers across the country to step up in their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has promoted one of its officers for the gallantry he displayed during last year’s Kuje jail attack.

The officer, James Benjamin was promoted from Assistant Superintendent of Corrections II to Assistant Superintendent of Corrections I.

A statement on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer on NCoS, Umar Abubakar, an Assistant Controller of Corrections read: “Sequel to the recommendation of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa FICMC, MFR, mni, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Service Board (CDCFISB) has approved and promoted Assistant Superintendent of Corrections II James Benjamin to Assistant Superintendent of Corrections I for the gallantry displayed during the Kuje jail attack in June 2022

“The Controller General who was represented by the Deputy Controller General, covering duty, in charge of the Directorate of Human Resource, Ahmadu Adamu, said the Service is poised to recognize and reward the commitment of its personnel in the discharge of their duties.”

The statement further read that: “Adamu while imploring officers and men of the Service to be dedicated to duty, charged the newly elevated officer to do more as to whom much is given much is expected.

James Benjamin was recruited into the Service on 6th of August 2012 as Assistant Inspector, and until his present promotion, was an Assistant Superintendent of Corrections II.

-From SUNNY A. DAVID:

It has been confirmed three policemen were killed on Thursday when unknown gunmen attacked a Police checkpoint at Umunze, in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident, which occured around 12 noon was said to have cursed pandemonium in area as the gunmen shot indiscriminately for over an hour.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the gunmen who were operating in unmarked dark Sports Utility Vehicle killed the cops at the Joint security checkpoint at Ihite road.

The witness said, ”It was like war. For over one hour the hoodlums were shooting indiscriminately. I saw three Policemen lying dead on the ground during the attack, while others took cover and shooting back from a distance. I suspect that some of the Policemen also sustained gunshot injuries in the attack”

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, while confirming the incident to our correspondent, vowed that the development would not deter the the command from achieving it objective of sustaining safety in the State.

Said he, ”It is an unfortunate incident and is part of the highest price security officers pay in serving the Nation but the Police Command is not deterred by this development.

“The reinforcements teams are already in the area and the manhunt for the assailants is ongoing while joint security patrols have been intensified in the area.”

The Police Spokesperson added, ‘In the early hours of today, Police operatives attached to Ogbunike Division responding to a distress call along St. Monica College Ogbunike Road, arrested one Mr. Jamui Emiron ‘m’ aged 22years and recovered one already damaged yellow Mitsubishi L300 bus with Anambra reg nos: UKP 729 A.

“The suspect is among a gang of armed robbers that attacked and robbed occupants of a residential house in Ezi-Ogidi, abducted a female victim and was en route to their den before Police were alerted.

“The members of the neighbourhood had already supported the Police by blocking the exit points within the area, intercepting the vehicle and apprehending two of the gang members while others escape.

“Unfortunately, upon the arrival of the Police operatives, one of the suspects had already been set ablaze by the angry mob and the criminal operational vehicle was badly damaged. The Operatives rescued the victim, the second suspect and recover the vehicle.

“The Command while reiterating the campaign against mob action by some members of the public who resort to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of any crime, commended the efforts and courage of community members in the apprehension of suspects but encourage them to take such suspect to the nearest Police station whenever they are apprehended. 

“This would afford the police the opportunity to conduct an appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspects and bring them to justice following extant laws.“

From SUNNY A. DAVID:

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said that it is ready to conduct systems study on ministries, agencies and parastatals in Anambra State, if invited by the State government.

The Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner for Anambra State ICPC office, Mr. Godwin Oche stated this during a visit to the May Congress of the Anambra Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Awka the State capital on Thursday.

Mr. Oche who was represented by the officer in charge of Public Enlightenment and Education, Mr. Inalegwu Shaibu said within months of the establishment of ICPC in Anambra State, the Commission has achieved quite a lot.

Said he: “We have achieved a lot within the few months we have been in Anambra State, and that includes systems visits to major institutions and holding of trainings.

“Systems visit is a duties we undertake to institutions without informing them, to look at their operations and also advice them on what entails corruption and what does not.

“We are more concerned about federal organisations, but we will be happy if the State government approaches us to conduct systems studies on their organisations. We also hold trainings and workshops for staff members, because it is not everyone that knows what and what entails corrupt practices.

“We were operating from Enugu before now, but we just opened our Anambra office, and we are here to partner with you as journalists, to ensure that we fight corruption in Nigeria,” Mr. Shaibu.

He stated that some Federal institutions in Anambra State where they have conducted systems study to include; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Federal Polytechnic, Oko

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that he has a list of 774 persons arrested during the 2023 General Elections for various electoral offences, stating that an arrangement has been concluded with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for their prosecution.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s monthly review forum for the 2023 elections focused on “Accountability for Electoral Crimes and Human Rights Violations in Elections”, the Director, Litigation and Prosecution, INEC, Taminu Inuwa noted that the electoral commission is empowered by the provision of Section 145 of the Electoral Act, 2022 to prosecute electoral offenders.

He said: “It is in recognition of the statutory power of INEC to prosecute electoral offences that the Inspector General of Police recently forwarded 215 case files of electoral crimes to the commission for the prosecutions 774 persons arrested during the 2023 General Elections for various shades of electoral offences including dereliction of duty, criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct at election, being in possession of offensive weapons, destruction of election materials, political thuggery, electoral violence, snatching of ballot box, stealing of sensitive election materials, etc.”

He reveled that INEC is partnering with the Nigerian Bar Association which has offered to provide pro-bono legal services fir the effective prosecution of the electoral offenders arrested in the course of the 2023 General election.

He however said: “It is worthy of note that a number of key challenges including lack of capacity of INEC in terms of power to investigate and arrest electoral offenders have been identified as militating against effective prosecution and the consequent inadequate prosecution of/conviction on electoral offences recorded over the years.”

He noted that: “The challenges necessitated the call for the creation of an independent body to handle prosecution of electoral offences with such powers as conferred on the EFCC and ICPC to arrest, investigate and prosecute electoral offenders.”

He promised that the commission shall continue to Putin its best in the discharge of its statutory power of electoral offences prosecution until the proposed body is established by law, insisting that “this is the assurexway of reducing the spate of brazen impunity with which electoral offences are committed.”

Meanwhile, the NHRC has condemned the spate of violence during the election re-run in some states, a Senior Human Rights Advisor to the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna while presenting the April Edition of NHRC 2023 Elections Human Rights Situation Dashboard said violence is assuming dangerous dimension during Nigeria’s elections.

He lamented that three voters were killed for resisting thugs in Wudil, Kano State, an APC chieftain killed in Ughelli North, Delta State, another APC ward chairman murdered in Dekina LGA Kogi state, and a
member of a proscribed vigilante group killed for ballot snatching in Kebbi State.

He decried that journalists were not spared from attacks during the last election wit 10 journalists intimidated and chased out of polling unit by thugs in Abeokuta North; three-person Arise TV crew covering the governorship and House of Assembly election injured and had their equipment seized.

He said it was disheartening that In the process of vote buying, thugs were unleashed, leading to the attack of a group of journalists in transit, and security
officials excluding a handful of journalist from covering the collation centre in Kano state

He noted that Akam James, correspondent with Daily Post was assaulted in Ebelebiri community ward 05 unit 19 and the Publisher of Upfront Magazine was also beaten up, TVC Crew was chased out of the community.

He said the NHRC was ready to take up the case of violence against any journalists, urging media practitioners to come public with cases of attack against them during the recently concluded elections.

The Adamawa State Government on Wednesday said it was waiting on Borno State Government to evacuate internally displaced persons from camps in the state in order to finally close them down.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at a workshop on “Advancing Durable Solutions Pathway” sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Amin Suleiman, said Borno State indigenes make up 80 percent of inhabitants of IDP camps in Adamawa and for the camps to be close they have to move back to their state.

He said: “I was in Maiduguri last week where we have finalized arrangements with the Borno State government on getting the IDPs from their state evacuated, and immediately this is done we are going to close down the IDP camps in Adamawa State.”

Suleimon said the Adamawa State Governor, Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has given a nod for the closure of the IDP camps and it could be closed any moment from now.

He however expressed appreciation over the contributions of UNHCR on issues concerning accommodation for the IDPs, stating that it well a great collaboration with Adamawa State Government by UNHCR that have brought smiles on the faces of many displaced persons.

Speaking at the event, the UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Chanda Kapaya noted that the propose of the workshop was to address the pressing challenges of internal displacement and support reintegration of self-organized refugee return in Nigeria’s north eastern region, with special focus on Adamawa State.

Kapaya, who was represented by the Assistant Representative, UNHCR Nigeria, Mr. Gilbert Mutai lamented that over the past decade, the number of internally displaced persons worldwide has doubled, reaching a record high of 55 million.

She said: “In 2021 alone, conflict, violence, and disasters triggered a staggering 38 million internal displacements across 141 countries and territories, as reported by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).”

She lamented that: “With no immediate solutions available for the vast majority, displaced communities have been forced to live for generations without the ability to plan for their future or exercise their human rights. The persistence of these crises calls for a reassessment of our approaches to securing durable solutions for the forcibly displaced.”

She said as a result of intertribal clashes and natural disasters, millions of individuals have been displaced in the Northeast with Borno having 1,640,408 individuals and Adamawa and Yobe having 223,910 and 151,366 respectively.

She noted that in Adamawa State, with the establishment of government-led mechanisms, such as the Durable Solutions Steering Committee and the Technical Working Group on Durable Solutions, has created momentum to advance solutions for the displaced and their host communities.

Kapaya said that UNHCR’s pilot project, the Labondo Local Integration Project in Adamawa State, is one of the initiatives that exemplifies a multi-sectoral, area-based approach that prioritizes community empowerment, sustainable housing, socioeconomic development.

She explained that: “As we move forward, ensuring the sustainability and scalability of these initiatives is crucial and will require the expertise and financing of development partners,” stressing that: “Through our combined efforts, we can build upon the progress made so far and ensure that the project continues to improve the lives of those in need.”

Newly commissioned Ambassadors-in-Situ have pledged not to let the federal government down in the discharge of their statutory duties in Nigeria or while on foreign mission, outside the shores of the country.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada on Tuesday commissioned 31 new Ambassadors-in-Situ, among them four women.

One of the new Ambassadors, Naomi Chika Nwachukwu, who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of others, while noting that uneasy lies the head that wears a crown, pledged that the new ambassadors commitment to service their nation assiduously.

She said they would ensure that Nigeria’s foreign policy is implemented to the later.

The incumbent Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and one of her predecessors, were amongst those conferred with the exalted title.

Performing the ceremony of the conferment of the title to the foreign service officers, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, said the Investiture Ceremony for the presentation of Letters of Commission and conferment of the title of Ambassadors-in-Situ on serving and retired Foreign Service Officers is not only eventful but historic.

He applauded them for their elevation, stressing that the honour would have come earlier but for some unavoidable circumstances.

While tasking them to rededicate selves to their duties, the Minister ask the new diplomats to put to good use their wealth of experience, knowledge, and wisdom in the discharge of their duties.