By Muhyideen Jimoh

Nigerian long jumper Ese Brume says her aim now is to win a Tokyo Olympics gold medal for Nigeria.

Brume told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) that she has been working hard towards this.

She said she wanted to replicate the feat of Chioma Ajunwa at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, where Ajunwa won Nigerias first-ever Olympic gold medal.

I have been training hard, and I am trusting God to get me a medal, and not just a medal but a gold medal.

Brume however disclosed that she was not the only one working hard.

Inam working towards this with my coaches and hopefully by the grace of God our hard work will not go to waste, she said.

The long jumper however urged the Federal Government to ensure adequate preparations for athletes for Nigeria to do well at the Olympics.

The reigning African women champion who was competing for Team Delta at the NSF said the festival was however a good build-up to the Tokyo Olympics.

She told NAN she has been preparing for the Olympics, even as she believed there was the need for government to intensify preparations for all Olympics-bound Nigerian athletes.

The Federal Government needs to create a better atmosphere for all Olympics-bound athletes. We also need better training facilities.

Apart from facilities we also need financial support so that we can take care of ourselves professionally for the Olympics, because some of us dont have the finance.

The support should not be just for athletes but our coaches as well. With this I can assure you that we will do well (at the Olympics), Brume said.

She said so far she had not gotten any financial support from the government towards her preparations for the Olympics.

Nothing has been given to me to support my preparations for the Olympics. I dont know about others (athletes), but I am hoping they (government) will do something soon, the Rio 2016 Olympics long jump finalist said.

The bronze medallist at the 2019 World Athletics Championships also called on relevant stakeholders to support Nigerian athletes as they intensify preparations for the Olympics.

Brume, a 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, also advised that a closed camp site with weather similar to Japan should be arranged for athletes as the Olympic draws closer.

The Cyprus-based Nigerian athlete remains one of Nigerias best medal hopes at the Tokyo Olympics.

NAN reports that the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympics will now hold from July 23 to Aug. 8.

Source: NAN News

By Olawale Alabi

Defending champions Delta on Tuesday won more gold medals to gain an unassailable lead and put a gap between them and the rest at the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF).

Team Delta took their tally to a total of 298 medals, comprising 124 gold, 91 silver and 83 bronze, to maintain their lead and mathematically emerge champions of the festival.

What this means is that, with just a few events to be decided and on the festivals penultimate day, Team Delta have retained their title again.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is based on the medals table released by the festivals Games Services Unit as at 4:33 p.m. on Tuesday.

Hosts Edo, Deltas nearest challengers, will now need to win 21 gold medals at least to upstage them.

The hosts presently have 103 gold, 97 silver and 85 bronze for a total of 285 medals.

Bayelsa are a distant third with 48 gold, 42 silver and 49 bronze for a total of 139 medals, while Rivers are in fourth place.

They have 27 gold, 27 silver and 47 bronze for a total of 101 medals, ahead of Lagos in fifth place with 22 gold, 27 silver and 43 bronze medals.

Akwa Ibom are in sixth place with 77 medals, made up of 17 gold, 21 silver and 39 bronze, edging Oyo state into seventh place with just a two-medal advantage.

Oyo state are with 17 gold, 19 silver and 28 bronze for a total of 64 medals.

In eighth position are Ogun with 13 gold, 14 silver and 31 bronze for a total of 58 medals, while Kano state are ninth.

They have 11 gold, 16 silver and 29 bronze for a total of 56 medals.

Plateau are 10th with eight gold, nine silver and 15 bronze for a total of 32 medals.

Abia, Imo, Cross River, FCT, Ondo state, Anambra, Kwara, Nasarawa state, Kaduna state and Bauchi state occupy the 11th to 20th positions in that order.

Niger, Ebonyi, Enugu state, Ekiti, Borno, Osun, Gombe state, Zamfara, Yobe, Katsina state, Kebbi, Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto state, Benue and Taraba also occupy the 21st to 36th positions respectively.

Jigawa bring up the rear with no medal won after 10 days of competition.

NAN reports that the festival which got underway with the arrival of athletes and officials on April 2 got into competition mode on April 6.

The festival tagged Edo 2029 will officially end on Wednesday, with all participants scheduled to depart on Thursday.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Kano Pillars Football Club have agreed to sign on Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa for the rest of the season.

Idris Malikawa, the clubs Media Officer, in a statement on Tuesday in Kano disclosed that the clubs chairman, Surajo Shuaibu, announced the deal.

Shuaibu said the club management has agreed to sign Ahmed Musa for the rest of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

He said the club agreed to sign the player after consultations with him and the League Management Company (LMC) which stands as mediator of the deal, the Media Officer said.

He added that Kano Pillars received a letter in that respect from the LMC, signed by its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salihu Abubakar.

It stated that the club would take on Musa as an Elite Player of the league for the seasons second half.

The Kano Pillars family are welcoming Musa back home because he is our own and we wish him the best of luck, Malikawa states.

He added that the contract allows Musa to leave anytime he gets a new club of his choice.

After necessary documentation, the player will be unveiled by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje before the commencement of the leagues second stanza, the Media Officer said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) on Tuesday in Benin unveiled a new multi-purpose facility at the Iyoba College cricket pitch.

The unveiling was done on the sidelines of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) which ends on Wednesday.

Uyi Akpata, VicePresident of the federation, said the facility was one of the best in the country.

He added that the objective of putting it in place was to ensure that the pitch would be a cricket hub for girls.

Just barely two years ago, we started exploring this ground (Iyoba cricket pitch). Now we have arguably one of the best pitches in Nigeria.

This pitch will be set out as a mark of objective of making it a centre of excellence for girls.

So, when we came here (Benin) three months ago, during the under-17 championship in January, we felt that we needed to have this dressing room facility.

And I must say that other than the Tafawa Balewa Square In Lagos and perhaps the University of Port Harcourt, there is no other facility like this in the country.

We are glad that God has given us the opportunity, but we will continue to do the best for female cricket in Edo.

I assure that next time you come here Iyoba will have turf wicket. So, a few friends are joining PETS Foundation to see this happen, he said.

Akpata also lauded his wife for her dedication to ensuring the Iyoba turf wicket came to light.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PETS Foundation is one of NCFs partners.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

In a bid to scale up availability of medical oxygen in Nigeria and better preserve COVID-19 vaccines, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on Tuesday launched a 2.3 million dollar project in Borno.

The project, which is funded by the government of Japan, implemented by UNOPS and supported by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) was officially launched on Tuesday by Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno.

At the event. which held physically in Abuja and virtually, Gov. Zulum commended the Japanese government for the support to Borno and the North East.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project, which has a delivery period of 12 months will directly benefit nine hospitals and 139 Primary Health Centres in Borno.

Giving insights into the project, the UNOPS office in Nigeria in a presentation, pointed out that the goal of the project was to strengthen healthcare provision and meet acceptable standards of medical care.

It said that the project aligned strongly with Japans diplomatic policies in Nigeria as well as the National Strategy for the scale up of Medical Oxygen in health facilities (2017 to 2022) and contribute to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the presentation, under the project, two medical oxygen plants will be constructed, one each in the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri and the Biu General Hospital.

Also, 23 Primary healthcare centres will be equipped with Solar Direct Drive Vaccine Refrigerators

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Shinozawa Takayuki, who joined virtually declared the commitment of the Japanese government to the project.

In his remark, the United Nations Resident Commission, Edward Kaloon said that the plants were indeed necessary in view of the high demands for oxygen occasioned by COVID-19.

He said that COVID-19 and other respiratory related illnesses exposed systemic weakness in global health systems as health facilities were confronted with high risk of not having adequate supply of oxygen.

Statistics show that every year 4.2 million children suffer from severe pneumonia in lower and mid income countries including Nigeria.

Therefore, this investment is timely and highly needed, especially in Borno and other parts of North East.

The two oxygen plants which will be construction by UNOPS will complement all other interventions to greatly improve COVID-19 severe case management system, build resilience of the health system and improve emergency health delivery in the state.

Thus Borno state will be better equipped to treat children with respiratory illnesses and respond to COVID-19, he said.

He therefor said that the project would support the implementation of the National policy of Medical Oxygen and would contribute to saving the lives of patients in Nigeria including lives of up to 120,000 under-five children annually.

While calling for the protection of all who would be working on the project, Kaloon thanked the government of Japan for the support which they have given.

The UNOPS Director in Nigeria Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, stressed that oxygen was a life-saving medical gas which is used for the treating illnesses and meeting other health system needs.

She said that the project was timely as demand for oxygen was on the increase: There is an increasing demand for medical oxygen, therefore this project will scale up oxygen storage and expand vaccine storage capacity of health centres.

In UNOPS, we believe that we are well positioned to drive an extensive oxygen response and increasing the capacity of health facilities to meet the desperate need of oxygen therapy.

We will continue to work with key stakeholders in the implementation of this project and we look for additional engagement with state regulatory bodies, she said.

NAN reports that the project however does not cover distribution infrastructure to transport oxygen to other healthcare facilities and biomedical equipment such as cylinders, masks.

The project also does not cover distribution and installation of the solar refrigerators to the beneficiary healthcare facilities. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

South Korea on Tuesday expressed strong regret over Japans decision to release contaminated water into the sea from its wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Tokyo announced earlier in the day that it plans to start releasing massive amounts of radioactive water, which has been stored in tanks at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, in two years.

Koo Yoon-cheol, head of South Koreas Office for Government Policy Coordination, gathered an emergency vice-ministerial meeting at 10 a.m. at the Seoul government complex to discuss Seouls position and measures on Japans announcement.

The government expresses strong regret over the Japanese governments decision to release contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, Koo said in news.

He added that the government would take every necessary measure in line with the principle of keeping the South Korean people safe from the contaminated water from the Fukushima plant.

Seoul strongly urged Tokyo to ensure the transparent disclosure and verification of information related to the overall treatment process of the contaminated water.

In regard to Tokyos latest decision, we will clearly deliver our peoples protest to the Japanese government. We will demand specific measures from Japan to ensure the safety of our people and prevent damage to the marine environment, Koo added.

Koo also said the government would refer its concerns to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and request the international community to objectively review safety issues related to the Fukushima water release.

Seoul also plans to strengthen radiation checks on imported foods and inspections of origins for food imports, Koo said.

In response to what appears to be Washingtons consent towards Tokyos decision, Koo said he believes that the U.S. State Departments statement leaned more towards emphasising the need for IAEA verification.

We have delivered our concerns to the U.S., but the U.S. may react that way since South Korea is a state neighbour (of Japan) and the U.S. is located for more distant (than South Korea), Koo said.

The U.S. State Department said on a website that Japan has been transparent about its decision on the Fukushima water release and that it appears to have adopted an approach in accordance with globally accepted nuclear safety standards.

Tokyo had been widely expected to announce its plan to gradually release into the Pacific Ocean more than 1.2 million tons of radioactive water stored in tanks since the 2011 meltdowns following an earthquake and tsunami.

Japan argued that it was the most realistic and relatively harmless disposal method, but the plan had sparked strong opposition and worries among the public in both Korea and Japan.

In a virtual press briefing for local media in March, a Japanese government official said Tokyo cannot continue to delay the disposal of contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant due to tank storage limits.

Later in the day, Seouls foreign ministry called in Koichi Aiboshi, Japans top envoy to Seoul, to protest Tokyos decision to release the contaminated water from the wrecked nuclear power plant.

Political parties also unanimously denounced Tokyo and demanded that Japan immediately revoke its controversial decision.

The unilateral decision to release contaminated water into the ocean despite opposition from the international community is a shameless and selfish act, Choi Ji-eun, the ruling Democratic Partys spokesperson for international affairs, said.

Won Hee-ryong, the governor of South Koreas southern island of Jeju, also said he would call in Japans consul general for the island and form a contingency commission to deal with the water release with heads of local governments in the southeastern region.

Civic groups in South Korea also expressed resentment toward the Japanese government and pledged to do everything possible to prevent what they call nuclear terror.

The Japanese government said it will gradually release radioactive water after diluting it to a level that is harmless to the human body.

But diluting will not change the total amount of radioactive materials released into the sea, an alliance of 31 anti-nuclear and environmental civic groups said in a joint statement.

The groups warned that the release of Fukushima water would become an irreparable disaster for humans beyond the marine ecosystem. (Yonhap/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Wife of President of Liberia, Mrs Clar Weah, has urged long-lasting and meaningful solutions with actions to end all forms of violence against women and ensure their empowerment across all sectors.

Weah made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the ECOWAS Parliament delocalize meeting in Monrovia, Liberia with the theme Empowerment of Women in the ECOWAS region.

According to Weah, in spite of the much-improved awareness of womens worth in society, a lot of work remains undone to ensure women across the ECOWAS region are given the proper recognition.

She, however, noted that now was the time when collective efforts needed to be taken to find lasting solutions to issues that affected all women and not just women in politics or business but all women in the region.

The theme of Empowerment of Women in the ECOWAS region, speaks of coming together to agree on a common approach.

For ensuring that no girl or woman in our region feels abandoned or deprived of any opportunity by virtue of her gender.

There are so many issues that require our attention and to which our focus must be clear, determined and dedicated and to which we must collectively begin to findlasting and meaningful solutions.

The issues such as Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) harmful practices, female genital mutilation, child marriages and teenage pregnancy remain high across the region, while access to reproductive health is low.

Sadly, it must be said that even where there has been progress in peace-building and security across the Member States over the last decade, this has not been translated into actions to end violence against women and girls, Weah said.

Weah, however, noted that in Liberia, the George Weah led government had made commitments through several policies in tackling rape and other forms of violence toward women and girls.

She, however, urged participants at the Joint Committee meeting to engage in the meeting with all seriousness in ensuring issues were properly debated upon and come up with salient recommendations

Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Sidie Tunis said that ECOWAS on its part had made a clear commitment to prioritise gender equality and womens empowerment in its framework of the regional integration process.

Tunis said that had become urgent to move from words to actions, stating that the ECOWAS Parliament had also shown several commitments to ensuring women empowerment in the ECOWAS region.

At the just concluded 2021 1Extra-Ordinary Session held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from March 29 to April 2, the ECOWAS Parliament considered and adopted its Strategic Plan for the fifth legislature.

This plan identified the enhancement of gender equality and womens empowerment as a major strategic are under the parliaments participation programme.

This, if pursued vigorously, will make the ECOWAS Parliament gender-responsive and I pledge to do my best to ensure the achievement of that feat within the period of my mandate.

All these reflect a political will clearly affirm by all on the need to improve the status of women in our States and to ensure equal opportunity for women and men, she said.

According to her, it is, however, clear that there isstill a range of institutional,economic,and socio-cultural barriers to womens empowerment.

Politically, women are still not involved in all the decisions that affect the future at all levels: local, national and regional.

This is simply because they are not significantly present in all the elected bodies and assemblies where these decisions are made.

Socially, womens fundamental rights are still being overlooked. In many of our countries, women are still unable to exercise their freedom.

Including the right to live without the fear of violence, the right to education, the right to family planning, the right to own land and the right to choose their destiny, Tunis said.

Tunis, however, urged collective efforts to implement already existing laws to ensure the empowerment of women in the region.

Source: NAN News

Okoye Kingsley

The Senate on Tuesday on resumption from its two weeks recess, adjourned plenary to April 14, over death of two members of the National Assembly.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Senate Leader, Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi (APC- Kebbi) and seconded by Minority Leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia).

The distinguished chamber and our distinguished colleagues, the passing of two members of the National Assembly, Mr Haruna Maitala, who until his demise represented Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency of Plateau and who died on April 2, in a motor accident.

The second loss we suffered was Mr Suleiman Aliyu Lere, representing Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, who died on April 6.

Mr President, distinguished colleagues, I rise in accordance with our tradition, to move two motions:

One for the suspension of all other items scheduled for consideration on the order paper today.

And also another motion for this distinguished chamber to observe one minute silence in honour of the departed, I so move, Yahaya said.

President of Senate, Ahmad Lawan, while putting the motion to a voice vote which was unanimously adopted, described the demise of the two lawmakers as another sad development for the national assembly.

The Senators thereafter, observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased before adjourning plenary to April 14. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government has tasked women accountants on financial transparency, as they carry out their accounting obligations.

Mrs Yemi Ayoola, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Finance, gave the advice while speaking with the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), on courtesy visit to the ministry.

In a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, Ayoola said that the women accountants needed to rise up to the challenges of financial mismanagement, recklessness and waste in public service, to save the nations economy from collapse.

She said that there was the need for women accountants to use their innate talents as mothers and the ethics of their profession to effect positive changes necessary for ethical rebirth and financial discipline in public service.

According to her, women accountants have a vital role to play in bringing back sanity, transparency, due process and financial discipline to public service, to pave way for more sustainable growth of the economy.

As a senior member of SWAN, l want to acknowledge your various contributions to the growth of our society.

Your association, despite being non-profit has done a lot in assisting the less privileged, giving voice to the voiceless, raising the hope of the hopeless and standing against all forms of abuses against women, she said.

Ayoola urged the body not to relent in waging war against domestic and sexual violence, drug abuse, banditry, kidnapping, youth restiveness and other social vices capable of undermining the nations development growth.

She said that the government was prioritising the capacity building of its professionals in the state public service, including members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Ayoola noted that efficient service delivery was hinged on the availability of a competent and well-trained workforce, who should always be there to drive various development initiatives of government.

Earlier, SWAN President, Mrs Felicia Bamigbose, said the visit was aimed at showing solidarity and identifying with the success made by the permanent secretary as one of their members.

Bamigbose said that it was a thing of joy for the association, seeing one of its members become permanent secretary and also reaching the pinnacle of the profession as well as occupying a position often dominated by men.

We are proud of you. We thank God for your elevation, while we pray for divine wisdom and favour that will make you excel in this new position, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, has called on the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (PTF) to provide befitting accommodation for the increasing number of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

Baba made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, when a delegation from the PTF led by its Executive Secretary, Mr Ahmed Sokoto, paid him a courtesy visit.

The police boss called for urgent steps to renovate and build modern structures in Police barracks by the PTF.

He described PTF as an intervention fund established by the Federal Government to assist the Nigeria Police in the areas of logistics, welfare and training.

Baba said that the force was in dire need of accommodation, noting that the Nigeria Police was growing in strength but not having additional structures to meet the accommodation need of its increasing personnel.

If you go into our barracks, you will understand that the structures are in deplorable state and so, there is an urgent need in terms of renovation.

I want you to look at, not only renovating the existing structures but to build additional ones in view of the spaces available in the barracks.

It is always good to have barracks to enable us mobilise our workforce within the shortest possible time in emergency security situations, he said.

The Police boss, however, said that there were a lot of policies discouraging barrack accommodation, saying that it was something to be given second thought.

Baba said the police would continue to interface with the PTF to present its logistics, training and retraining needs.

In his remark, the Executive Secretary of PTF said the visit was to congratulate the Acting I-G on his recent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that it was no longer news that the Nigeria Police had over the years been faced with numerous challenges, making it difficult for it to perform optimally.

According to him, that is why the PTF was established to provide intervention for the Force to enable it secure the country.

Sokoto pledged the commitment of the PTF to build a well-funded, equipped and motivated Nigeria Police that would be responsive to the security challenges in line with global standards.

I want to assure you that we are at your service and always ready to work with you for the common good of the Nigeria Police and the nation in general.

We have gone far in trying to start making impact and so, we are assuring you that our impact will soon be felt, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has lost one Insp. Ambi John, attached to Operation Puff Adder, during a gun battle with suspected kidnappers.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the FCT, ASP Mariam Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said a joint team of operatives from the Command and Operation Puff Adder in response to a distress call, had engaged the heavily armed hoodlums in a gun battle.

Yusuf said that the late officer, after sustaining gunshot injuries during the operation, was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment.

She said that the operatives had repelled multiple attacks by the suspected kidnappers in the wee hours of Tuesday along Dankusa, Angwan-Zegele-Zuba axis of the territory.

The PPRO said the Command had launched a strategic operation to rescue four persons abducted from Dankusa by the hoodlums who escaped into the forest bordering the FCT and Niger.

According to her, operatives from the Commands Anti-Kidnapping Squad has, however,made some arrests in connection with the abduction.

She said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of FCT, Mr Bala Ciroma had commiserated with the family of the officer who paid the supreme price in the service to the nation.

Yusuf pledged the commitment of the CP to ensure the security of lives and property within the FCT.

She, therefore, implored residents of the FCT to report all suspicious movements, emergency or distress to the command on 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.

She said the conduct of police officers could be reported to the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) on 09022222352.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Aminu Garko

The Police Command in Niger has arrested one Umar Jibril, for allegedly killing a cleric he claimed was his wifes lover.

Jibril, a resident of Enagi village, in Edati Local Government of the state, was arrested on Tuesday, according to Mr Adamu Usman, the Niger Police Commissioner.

Usman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that the suspect was arrested on Monday, April 12, at about 0100 hours, based on credible information.

He added that the suspect allegedly stabbed to death one Alhaji Attahiru Alhassan, the Chief Imam of Edagi, with an iron rod.

During interrogation, the suspect claimed that while relaxing in front of his house, on Monday, the deceased walked past him and went towards his neighbours house.

He said that about the same time, his second wife, Aishatu Umar, also came out of the compound andindicated that she was going to the toilet, just behind the compound.

The suspect told the Police that after waiting for some time for her return, he went round to search for his wife and later heard her voice in the neighbours house.

He claimed that he entered the house and met the deceased with his wife, adding that he immediately left the scene and rushed to a brother, one Abubakar Abdulrahman, to inform him of what he had seen.

The suspect said that not long after, the deceased sent for him so that they could both discuss.

According to the suspect, in the course of the discussion, an argument ensued and he grabbed an iron rod and stabbed the deceased on the neck, leading to his demise.

The Police commissioner said that the suspect took to his heels after the incident and was pursued to Batati village in Lavun Local Government area, where he was arrested.

Investigation has commenced and the suspect will be arraigned, as soon as the investigation is completed, he told (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chimezie Anaso

The Police Command in Anambra says it has arrested six youths aged between the ages of 17 and 25 years suspected to be cult members.

DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said that the suspects were rounded up around Amikwo village in Awka, the state capital.

Ikenga said that the suspects were arrested during a ceremony where some youths were being initiated into a cult group.

He said that two locally made pistols and eight live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

The PPRO said that the suspects had confessed to being members of Black Axe Confraternity and had participated in the shooting incident of April 12, which resulted to the death of an unidentified man in Ukwuoji area of Awka.

He gave the names of the suspects as Ejinaka Chukwujekwu (17) Emeka Nwanna (18) Michael Ozuah (20) Chukwuma Obu (22) Onyemaechi Chijoke (25) and Ifeanyi Ebeze (25).

According to him, following credible intelligence at about 12 pm, police operatives attached to Anti-Cult unit of the command busted the Den of Cultists and Armed robbery gang in Amiwko Village, Awka and arrested six suspects

Exhibits recovered include two locally made pistols and eight live cartridges.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects are actively involved in the recent shooting incident at about 8:am, April 12, that resulted to the death of one yet unidentified young man at Ukwuoji, Awka.

They equally confessed to be members of Black Axe Confraternity and will be charged to court on conclusion of the investigations, he stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

The Northern Governors Forum, has decried the killing of 12 army personnel in Konshisha local Government Area of Benue.

The chairman of the forum and Plateau governor, Simon Lalong, criticised the act in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Tuesday, in Jos.

He cited the act as capable of demoralising security personnel from giving their best in fighting insecurity in the country, especially as the incident occurred when the soldiers were on assignment to ensure the security of lives and property.

The chairman urged the Army not to be discouraged by the killings, but continue to carry out their legitimate duty of defending Nigerias territorial integrity and assisting in maintaining internal security, especially given the current escalation of criminal activities in the country.

He also appealed to the Army to remain professional, while observing caution and restraint in fishing out perpetrators of the dastardly act, saying that the act must not be allowed to happen again.

The chairman pledged the continuous support of northern governors and its collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, in the discharge of their duties.

He urged the public to assist security agencies with useful information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime, as well as to apprehend other criminals tormenting innocent citizens across the country.

He condoled with the Army and families of the soldiers over the loss.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the army on April 9, confirmed the killings of 12 of its personnel on April 9, while on a special operation mission in Benue.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

BUA Cement Plc says it will sustain competitiveness with the N115 billion Series Fixed Rate Senior Unsecured Bond issue under the companys maiden N200 billion bond issuance programme.

The Chief Executive Officer, BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji, made the disclosure at the digital closing gong ceremony to commemorate the bond issue organised by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Ltd., in Lagos on Tuesday.

Binji said the bond issue was part of the companys growth strategies to access the debt capital market with the intent to raise long-term finance.

Today marks another milestone on our journey to becoming the preferred manufacturer of cement in Nigeria and Africa in general.

As part of our growth strategy, we took the deliberate decision to access the debt capital market with the intent to raise N100 billion, being the first tranche of our N200 billion programme.

However, given the overwhelming response to the tune of over N130 billion and in accordance with the exchanges rules and guidelines, we accepted N115 billion as the subscription amount.

This clearly shows our viable business model and continued strong financial performance, he said.

Binji said diversifying and extending the duration of its funding sources with the inclusion of the bond, at a competitive rate, would further enable the company to achieve its strategic objectives and vision.

The BUA Cement boss disclosed that the company would soon increase its production output to 11 million metric tonnes per annum after the completion of four model production lines in Edo and Sokoto states.

Mr Olumide Bolumole, Divisional Head, Listings Business of the Exchange said it was a delight to see listed companies take full advantage of the opportunities on the NGX platform.

Bolumole also said that the NGX would continue to support corporates to raise long-term funds through its various platforms.

Mr Funso Akere, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Capital, the lead issuing house to BUA Cement bond transaction, commended investors for investing in the bond.

Akere said the transaction was a landmark, being the largest corporate bond issuance in the history of Nigerias debt capital market.

Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, the doyen of the market, urged BUA Cement not to disappoint the market, stockbrokers and all investors for the confidence shown to the company.

Source: NAN News

By Shedrack Frank

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called on members of House of Representatives to expedite action on passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), as it will correct some of the injustices faced by oil-producing states.

Diri made the call on Tuesday when members of the House Committee on Oil Spill Investigation, Cleanup and Remediation in oil producing states visited him at the Government House, Yenagoa.

He said that PIB, when passed into law, would be an avenue to correct some of the wrongs of oil companies in host communities, adding that the bill had been neglected for long by the National Assembly.

The governor said, Let me appeal that as you go, have very serious interest in PIB. The bill has been there from one assembly to the other.

It is another source of ameliorating what we perceive as cheating on the part of oil companies and Nigeria, on the Niger Delta and its people.

Diri saidthat the people of Niger Delta had suffered so much in terms of environmental degradation and pollution of water bodies, leading to increase in cases of cancer and other strange ailments.

He queried the standards applied by oil firms in their operations in the zone compared with other parts of the world.

The governor, while also calling for the cleanup of Niger Delta as a whole, noted that the Ogoni cleanup, which attracted international attention, was a mere fraction of the polluted environment from oil spills.

What happened in Ogoniland is the same in the whole of Niger Delta. That there is a cleanup in Ogoniland is, to say the least, a fraction of the Niger Delta.

So the cleanup should take place in the whole of the Niger Delta, Diri said.

He expressed the optimism that the report of the committee would bring succour to people of the zone, if implemented.

Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Rep. Amiru Tukur, said that they were in the state on a verification mission to some oil spill sites to ascertain the actual cleanup and remediation.

Tukur also said that the outcome of the visit would form the basis of the report which the committee would submit to the House. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger, on Tuesday, presented letter of appointment to the new Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Gunna.

Sani-Bello described the emergence of Gunna as an act of God, noting that he did not, in any way, interfere in the selection process.

He pointed out that he had directed the electoral college of Kagara emirate to be given free hand in the selection process which produced Gunna as the new emir.

The governor, while reminding the emir of his responsibilities, urged him to rule with truthfulness, be accommodating, just to everyone, show understanding and be father to all.

I also expect him to remember that I did not make him the emir, but God did, and that is the more reason he should be just to everyone in the emirate, he said.

Sani-Bello equally drew the attention of the emir to the security challenges, particularly in his domain, imploring him to unite with his subjects, even as measures were being put in place to address the challenges.

He prayed that God, who gave the emir the throne, would equip him with the needed wisdom and protection, and guide his reign to the path of success.

The governor, however, advised bandits in the state and those assisting them in carrying out their nefarious acts, for whatever reason, to change for the better. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olubukola Aiyedogbon

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara says that his administration will begin the upgrading and equipping of Oro General Hospital within the next quarter.

AbdulRazaq made the disclosure in Oro town on Tuesday, whilecommiserating with victims of Mondays inferno at Oro central market, in which no fewer than 30 shops got burnt.

He said that the upgrade of the health facility would build public confidence in the hospital and make healthcare more accessible to the people.

The governor added that government would also supply modern equipment and other required facilities to make it functional, to the satisfaction of people of the area.

I have come to see firsthand; to know what the real issues are, as a follow-up to the visit I had made to this place before. Now, it is time to actualise our plans for the general hospital.

It is going to be expensive but we will start within the next quarter and ensure that people of Oro get more dividends of democracy.

I thank members of staff of the hospital; they have been dedicated despite the challenges.

Going to two years now, we have fixed infrastructure in education, road and health sectors, especially in primary healthcare.

So, we need to move to secondary and tertiary healthcare now. This hospital is one of those serving many communities in the state, he said.

According to the governor, the wards will first of all be renovated and put into a livable condition.

We will also increase the number of staffers and build confidence, so that members of this community can make use of the hospital instead of going to Omu-Aran or Ofa.

We will make things work here by giving the hospital the right equipment.

We will also provide imaging equipment and make sure the pharmacy is working, with right power supply, he said.

Earlier, the governor had inspected Oro central market, where he directed the state emergency agency to get the data of the victims and the extent of damage, to determine governments support.

We have set the state emergency management agency in motion to take enumeration. We will mitigate the loss for the individuals who have lost property.

The incident is quite unfortunate and we stand by the victims at this trying period, the governor said.

AbdulRazaq commended the people of Oro kingdom for always coming together to offer communal support at every stage of their development.

Responding, the Eesa of Oro, High Chief Taye Otunola, who spoke on behalf of the king, said that the community remained grateful for the prompt intervention of the governor, less than 24 hours after the incident.

We are happy to receive you here today. This visit again shows how committed you are to the plight of the masses and the entire people of the state.

Oro community is solidly behind your administration. We will continue to support you, he said.

The Iyaloja of Oro, Mulikat Jimoh, also commended the governor for his prompt visit and sought more support to market men and women in the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also inspected Kwara State College of Education and Iludun-Oro Waterworks.

NAN also reports that AbdulRazaq was accompanied by a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr Felix Awodiji, Chairman, Irepodun Local Government Transition Committee, Jide Oyinloye and Chairman, Government Task Force on Environment, AbdulRazaq Jiddah, amongst others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Shedrack Frank

The Bayelsa Government has intervened and peacefully resolved the land dispute between some claimants and the Nigerian Navy in Agudama-Epie community of the state.

The committee set up to look into the issue submitted the report to Gov. Douye Diri in Yenagoa on Monday.

Receiving the report, the governor stated that available facts showed that the navy was the rightful owner of the land in dispute.

Diri stated that the land in question was sold to the Nigerian navy by Rear Adm. Porbeni and that the security agency was the rightful occupier of the land.

Clearly, the Nigerian Navy had no other contender to the land.

Maybe the only person who would have had issues with the navy would have been retired Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni who sold it. So, the Nigerian navy did not commit any offence.

Going forward, before you purchase land, visit the Ministry of Lands and Housing. Lawyers say that ignorance of offence is no excuse under the law.

What you did was to buy a land that had already been bought by the navy and in the process you slowed down their pace of development, the governor told the claimants.

Diri commended the committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Konbowei Benson, for carrying out the assignment and described it as a good job.

He said the government intervention had prevented a bloodbath.

The governor added: We would have had a bloodbath but the work of the committee averted that.

We are here not just receiving the report. Actually the report is that there was no dispute between the navy and those who bought the land without first ascertaining if it was encumbered.

He further commended the navy for its patience during the period of the committees work and said government was committed to peaceful co-existence of residents of the state.

The governor lauded the presumed landlords for not taking the law into their hands, but reporting the issue to government for necessary action.

On the former claimants appeal for compensation, Diri said it would be looked into administratively and a decision communicated to them through the ministry of lands.

In his remarks, the secretary to the state government said the committee found out that the land belonged to the navy.

Benson however said that the committee, as part of its recommendations, appealed to the governor to support the former claimants to relocate.

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has reunited five children allegedly abducted at different times by a suspected trafficker, with their parents.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Stella Nezan, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the agency, in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the 32-year-old suspect allegedly abducted and sold the children, ages between four to seven, to unsuspecting women in different parts of the country under the guise of adoption.

The statement quoted the agencys Director-General (D-G), Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, while handing over the children, as calling on parents to ensure adequate protection of their children.

According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, parents must guard their children to avoid incidences of kidnapping, abduction, trafficking and other crimes against humanity.

She cautioned the parents on the need to watch their children closely and to avoid exposing them to the risk of being easily accessible to traffickers and other criminal minds.

Recounting how the children were rescued, the D-G explained that operatives of the agency had mounted surveillance on the suspect, a native of Nkonni Enagi, Edati, Niger state, for a while now.

The surveillance, she said, followed an intelligence that the suspect, a graduate of Economics from the University of Maiduguri, kidnaps children from Niger state and sells them to families across the country.

According to the D-G, the suspect who claimed to be a staff in charge child adoption matters in the Niger State Ministry of Social Development, had been into the illicit business since 2016.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that the suspect usually issue would-be parents with adoption papers purportedly from the Niger State Government.

She said the suspect, however, ran out of luck when a sting operation by the agency led to catching him red-handed while helping some clients fill their adoption application forms and other papers.

The suspect, she said, confessed to have kidnapped and sold six children under the guise of adoption, claiming all his victims were from Niger state.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the suspect also confessed to have forged some adoption documents he issued to the people he sold the kidnapped children to.

According to her, the suspect further confessed that he collected the sum of N100,000 for each of the children.

She, however, said that the suspect had been arraigned in court in accordance with the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA), 2015.

While promising a diligent prosecution of the suspect, the D-G called on the general public to continue to assist the agency with useful information that could lead to the arrest of child traffickers in the country.

She also appealed to couples and other members of the public, challenged and in need of children, to endeavour to follow the due process of adoption to avoid any ensuing problem.

According to the statement, all the parents, promised to take more adequate care of their children, thanked the Federal Government and the management of NAPTIP for rescuing their wards. (NAN)

Source: NAN News