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Category: Politics

  • Gunmen Ambush Delta Lawmaker’s Wife, Kill Police Escorts, Driver

    Gunmen Ambush Delta Lawmaker’s Wife, Kill Police Escorts, Driver

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have shot dead two mobile policemen and a driver while kidnapping the wife of a Delta State lawmaker, Mrs. Christy Uroye, along Jakpan road in Uvwie Local Government area of the state.
    It was learnt that the incident occurred on Monday, around 7 p.m.
    Eyewitnesses said the security personnel and the driver were killed on the spot before the kidnappers took Uroye away.
    “Unfortunately for the kidnappers, their getaway car had an accident while escaping, which enabled the woman who is the wife of a Delta State House of Assembly Member, Hon. Augustine Uroye, to escape,” an eyewitness said.
    A distressing video has circulated on social media, showing the aftermath of the attack. The footage depicts the fallen policemen and the commotion around Uroye’s SUV, with passersby seen grieving.
    It was gathered that Uroye is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
    “Her condition remains under medical care as authorities investigate the incident,” a source said.
    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incidents, stating that, “the operation was not successful.”
  • Insecurity: Ondo Government denies Hiring Private Security To Protect Farmers 

    Insecurity: Ondo Government denies Hiring Private Security To Protect Farmers 

    The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, declared on Tuesday that the governor had not hired any private firm to protect farmers in the forest reserves across the state.
    A private security firm, Global Olabod Resources Limited, had earlier claimed that the governor had engaged its services to coordinate all security agencies in the state, in response to the outcry of farmers being threatened by hoodlums on their farmlands.
    The chairman of the company, Mr Eniola Ogunbodede, through one of his managers, Mr Debo Ariyo, stated at a meeting with farmers in Idanre Local Government Area last week, “The state governor (Aiyedatiwa) wants food to be available for all in the state; that is why he has to protect farmers on their farmlands across the state through us, Global Olabod Resources Limited. We are coordinating all security agencies in the state to implement this initiative and achieve great success for the benefit of all.”
    However, the SSA, in a statement on Tuesday, said that the claim made by the company’s chairman was a
    misrepresentation of the facts.
    He clarified that the state government’s engagement with the firm was solely for the identification and enumeration of farmers to provide the government with accurate and reliable data.
    The statement read, “It is important to clarify that the state government currently enjoys a strong and cooperative relationship with all security agencies, including the Armed Forces, Police, Civil Defence Corps, and the state’s homeland security unit, Amotekun. Most notably, these security agencies in the state have been performing admirably in fulfilling their duty to protect the lives and property of the state’s residents.
    “The engagement of Global Olabod Resources Limited by the state government is specifically for the identification and enumeration of farmers in the state, to provide the government with accurate and reliable data. It is inappropriate for a privately-owned firm to claim or assume the role of coordinating all the security agencies in the state— especially in a state where government officials are already tasked with such responsibilities.
    “Under the capable leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state government will continue to collaborate with all relevant federal security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the entire state and its inhabitants. The general public can rest assured that both federal and state security agencies will not shirk their responsibilities in safeguarding the lives and property of the people.
  • Fire Outbreak At Katsina Government House

    Fire Outbreak At Katsina Government House

    An early morning fire has razed the red chamber of Katsina Government House.
    The chamber is attached to the governor’s office, where the governor meets important personalities.
    Details are sketchy regarding the cause of the fire and the level of damage as at the time of this report.
    Daily Trust gathered that Governor Dikko Umaru Radda was in Funtua attending a zonal town hall meeting when the calamity struck.
    He was there to engage with the population on their needs and aspirations.
    Details later….
  • Hacking: Kano Hisbah board unravel breach

    Hacking: Kano Hisbah board unravel breach

    These are not fun times in Kano as Tech buffs work overtime to unravel those behind the hacking into the official Facebook page of Kano Hisbah Board, a religious and moral enforcement agency, to defile it by posting explicit and inappropriate content.
    Evidence of the breach became manifest late last week as visitors to the site were defiled by sordid, explicit images and videos of pornographic nature which sparked widespread condemnation from the public, who have expressed their dismay over the breach.
    The Commander General of the Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, confirmed the hacking incident to reporters on Friday.
    He reassured the public that the board is actively addressing the situation and is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
    Admitting what has been labeled as sacrilegious Sheikh Daurawa said, “Kano State Hisbah Board is aware that its Facebook page has been hacked and inappropriate things are being shared. On behalf of the board, I call on people to help solve this problem.”
    He further explained that the board’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department is currently working to restore the page.
    The board is also in communication with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to resolve the issue and prevent further unauthorized posts.
    The Head of ICT at the Hisbah Board, Sani Zailani, added that the Facebook account had been targeted by hackers in the past.
    He noted that Meta has been contacted regarding the latest breach and has pledged to resolve the issue within 48 hours.
    Zailani expressed gratitude for the support and concern shown by the public during this challenging time. He emphasized that efforts are ongoing to recover the Facebook page and restore its intended use.
    In the meantime, Sheikh Daurawa urged the community to report the hacked page to Meta in English, to help mitigate the spread of inappropriate content and expedite the recovery process.

  • Abuja industrial park: FG targets 40,000 jobs

    Still savouring current surge in economic growth, the Federal Government is targeting about 40,000 jobs to be created from the Abuja Industrial Park with projected impact of catalysing further growth in Nigeria’s economy.
    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, said on Wednesday that the park being developed by Zeberced Group, will create 40,000 jobs and improve Nigeria’s economy when fully operational.
    Wike stated this when he visited the site located at Idu Industrial Zone, Abuja, on Wednesday.
    The minister, excited by the level of development at the ark, promised to brief President Bola Tinubu on what he had seen.
    Quality and Size of the Project
    Describing the project as mind-boggling, Wike expressed optimism that it would grow the nation’s economy and create employment for the teeming youths in FCT.
    “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve never seen this in the entire country. This is the first time I am seeing this,” he said.
    He added that the project, which had been approved to operate as a Free Zone, would attract lots of businesses due to the availability of a stable power supply.
    The minister commended the company for its commitment to completing the project and for its decision to expand the access road to the park.
    He assured all of the continued support of the FCT Administration to ensure that the road project was completed.
    MFCT to Complement with Upgrade of Roads
    He expressed optimism that the road project, when completed, would accelerate the development of the Idu District.
    “From what the Managing Director of the company, Mr Adil Kurt said, the park is going to create not less than 40,000 direct employments and that is huge.
    “There is no government that will not support this kind of investment.
    “Having gone around, we can attest to the fact that this is really what we need to grow our economy. You can imagine how the whole of Idu will be developed.
    “This is what every government craves for, and we must give them the necessary support,” he said.
    Commendable Performance
    Wike further commended the Zeberced Group for maintaining a high standard in the delivery of the project.
    He particularly commended the company for branding all items being produced at the park, including polypropylene pipes, and sandwich insulation roofing sheets among others, as made in Nigeria.
    “For us, it is quality, and we thank God that we have some companies that are committed to making sure that they produce in Nigeria,” Wike said.
    The minister assured residents of adequate security and called for further investments in local production.
    Earlier, Kurt said that the park, which sits on 250 hectares of land, was being developed as a free zone, and currently features 208 workshops.
    He equally said that the park was designed to support small and medium-scale industries, among others.
    “The production of precast concrete, plastic and polypropylene pipes, as well as sandwich insulation roofing sheets among others, were already ongoing at the park.
    “The project will significantly contribute to the growth and development of the nation’s economy,” he added

  • Sanwo-Olu Orders Reopening Of Lagos Discount Market, Ounje Eko

    As part of efforts to ameliorate mass suffering arising from the economic policies of the Tinubu government, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed that the Sunday market Ounjè Eko with 25% cut in prices should return on Sunday.
    According to a post on X by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, his Agric and Food Systems counterpart, Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this to the media in Lagos on Wednesday.
    “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that the Sunday market Ounjè Eko with 25% cut in prices should return on Sunday.
    “Agric and Food Systems Commissioner Abisola Olusanya tells the media – all is set. Lagosians, are you ready?”his post read.
    The markets which first opened in March and ended after some weeks, offer Lagos residents a 25% discount on staple food items like rice, beans, gari, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper.
    The markets were opened at 27 locations in Ikeja; six in Lagos Island; nine in Ikorodu; five in Epe; and 10 in Badagry divisions.
  • JUST IN: Kano gov orders closure of MDAs accounts

    JUST IN: Kano gov orders closure of MDAs accounts

    The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Wednesday directed the Accountant-General of the state to close all Ministry, Department, and Agency accounts with immediate effect.
    The governor gave the directive at the ongoing meeting with the Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service and heads of MDAs at the Government House.
    According to him, the decision was adopted to ensure that all government revenue is properly accounted for and utilised for the development of the state
  • 100 Sacked Staff Sue Nigeria’s Central Bank

    100 Sacked Staff Sue Nigeria’s Central Bank

    …Claim Damages
    About 100 sacked staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have sued the apex bank at the National Industrial Court seeking payment for damages.
    About 200 staff of the CBN were sacked in May, by the Yemi Cardoso administration as part of the bank’s re-organization strategy.
    The sacked staff are, among other things, seeking full payment of their monthly salaries, allowances and all other financial benefits they should have been entitled to if they were still in the employment of the bank, from the time their employments were terminated to the time they should have retired from the apex bank.
    The former CBN staff’s Lead Counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), on Thursday, made the court documents available to select journalists in Jos, Plateau State.
    Olanipekun stated that the sacked staff approached the court to enforce their right to fair hearing as workers who had been unjustly sacked by CBN.
    According to Arise TV, the sacked staff’s lead counsel said, “the unlawful action of the apex bank has caused monumental damages to his clients running into hundreds of millions of Naira, adding that they are praying the court to ensure that the defendant pay all the claimants their monthly salaries, allowances and other emoluments/entitlements.”
    Olanipekun added that “one of his clients who still has nine years of service left with the Bank would have earned, if his employment had not been unlawfully terminated, a sum of ₦1,621,455.70 monthly as evidenced by his salary payment, and such other monies in that regards as his current or subsequent promotion position/grades would be entitled.
    “He is praying for an order of the court to ensure that the defendant pays forthwith, all monthly salaries and allowances that the claimant would have earned in the course of his service/employment, being the sum of ₦178, 360,127.00 or such other sums in that regard, from the effective date of unlawful termination of his appointment up and until his due date of lawful retirement on 4th August, 2033.
    “The counsel said that the claimant is also praying the court to ensure that the sum of N100,000,000 million is paid to him as General Damages against the defendant, for wrongful termination of his contract of employment.
    “The sum of ₦30,000,000.00 as the cost of litigation/prosecuting the suit is also demanded from the defendant with 21 percent post-judgment interest, per annum, on all judgment sums awarded, from the date of judgment until the entire judgment sum is wholly defrayed/liquidated as well as further orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the case.”
    Olanipekun explained that the Originating Summons dated 22 August 2024, is supported by a 27 paragraphs affidavit deposed to by the Claimant himself.
  • Ondo moves to ratify minimum wage payment

    Ondo moves to ratify minimum wage payment

    Currently at the cusp of a critical governorship election, the Ondo State government is escalating efforts fix a date to commence  payment of the N70,000 minimum wage.

    Towards this end, the State Government and organised labour have commenced further engagement with the aim to find a middle ground.
    Last month, a meeting of the Ondo Joint Negotiation Council presided by Comrade Olapade Ademola Adeniji, constituted a nine-man Technical Committee on Minimum Wage.
    A statement by JNC Secretary, Comrade Esther Foluke Akinleye, said: “The primary mandate of this committee is to work on the pressing issues of New Minimum Wage. Their task will be to carefully review, analyze, and come up with different salary tables after comparison with other States.
    “This committee which comprises representatives from various sectors, is to ensure that every worker’s perspective is taken into consideration.”
    It named Comrade Esther Foluke Akinleye as Chairman while Comrade Adewale Sanusi served as Secretary.
    Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Wale Akinlosotu said talks between labour and the state government were still on.
    Akinlosotu said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has agreed to pay the N70,000 minimum wage.
    He stated that payment would commence have an agreement has been reached with labour.
  • Youths Protest Sokoto Emir’s killing

    Youths Protest Sokoto Emir’s killing

    As President Tinubu and the political elite reduce governance to the pursuit of personal fancies, life in Nigeria has become nasty, brutish and short.
    In Sokoto for instance, a large group of youths from Sabon Birni Gobir Local Government Area has protested against the abduction and brutal killing of Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District.
    The demonstration erupted following Bawa’s death, which occurred on Wednesday after he was kidnapped and violently killed by his captors.
    Footage obtained shows the protesters marching toward the residence of Sokoto’s deputy governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir, setting tires and other objects ablaze along their route.
     Their protest reflects their demand for justice and greater action to address escalating violence in the region.
    The protest comes amid reports that Alhaji Bawa was buried without his body present due to the circumstances of his death.
    A video surfaced showing Bawa pleading for help before his death, which was confirmed after the terrorists’ demand for a ransom of N60 million and five motorcycles for his body.
    The kidnappers initially sought N1 billion for the release of Bawa and his son, who were abducted in July.
     The distressing video of Bawa, captured in captivity, shows his desperate pleas for assistance.
    In response, President Bola Tinubu has condemned the attack, calling it a grave and unforgivable act.
    He has extended condolences to Bawa’s family, the Gobir Emirate, and the Sokoto State government.