Abdullahi Shugaba

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) special troops operations for fighting banditry, kidnapping, cattle rusting and other criminalities.

Buhari made the commendation in a message to Operation Hadarin Daji in commemoration Easter in Katsina on Monday.

Represented by the Air Officer Commanding the Special Forces, AVM Charles Ohwo, Buhari thanked the troops for their sacrifices for sustaining peace in the north-western part of the country.

He stated that the celebration was an opportunity not only for bonding with frontline troops but also to promote comradeship and regimentation in the service.

Unfortunately, we are observing this years Easter in a sober mood as we are still searching for two of our colleagues who were involved in an air crash on March 31 and are still missing.

As you might be aware, we also lost some of our colleagues at the Minna axis in the fight against banditry.

This makes the event more significant as we use the occasion to remember our colleagues who have paid the supreme price in the service of our fatherland, he said.

In a remark, the special guest of honour at the iccasion, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, thanked the troops for not relenting in the fight against banditry in the state and the country in general.

Masari pledged that he would continue to assist the troops in their operation to ensure a safe society.

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeseye

The Kogi Government on Monday night took delivery of about 16, 900 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the inoculation exercise will be flagged off in the state on Tuesday, April 6.

Dr Abubakar Yakubu, Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), led a team of officials from the agency and the Kogi Ministry of Health to receive the vaccines at the Central Medical Store, Lokoja.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after taken delivery of the vaccines, Yakubu said the most awaited COVID-19 vaccines arrived the state from Abuja at about 7:40p.m., saying Kogi was well prepared for it.

The first line of recipients of the vaccines are the health workers The vaccine administration will be followed by the first line workers like the police, military, NSCDC, Customs officials, among others, he said.

Yakubu said that the ministry intended to carry out the campaign as efficient as it could because the state was behind scheduled compared to other states which had almost completed their 10- day mandatory campaign for the administration of the vaccines.

The Executive Director noted that the state was initially expecting about 45,000 doses of the vaccine from the NPHCDA, which accounted for one per cent of the states total population.

However, to our surprise we are being supplied with 16,900 doses now. I think there will be further reconciliation to send the balance of the doses as soon as possible, he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Acheku Yusuf, Kogi Health Promotion Officer, said the ministry had solicited the support of all relevant stakeholders and is running jingles to ensure adequate sensitisation of the people about the vaccine.

On her part, Mrs Bilikisu Adagiri, the State Cold Chain Officer, said the state was fully prepared for the administration of the vaccines to people above 18 years.

Mr Olumide Ade-Yeye, the Vaccine Security and Logistic Consultant, UNICEF Kogi, said they were happy as a state to be part of those who would participate in COVID-19 vaccination.

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Acting Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr John Mrabure, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident that occurred at the Owerri Custodial Centre at the early hours of Monday, April 5, 2021.

The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Francis Enobore, disclosed this in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) early Tuesday in Abuja.

Mrabure said that the assignment, which would be carried out in collaboration with other security organisations, has commenced with a Search and Recover Operations to recapture the fleeing inmates.

NAN reports that the Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo had been attacked by unknown gunmen and forcefully released a total of 1,844 inmates in custody.

The attackers, who stormed the facility at about 02:15hrs on Monday 5th April, 2021, gained entrance into the premises by using explosives to blast the administrative block.

They were said to have arrived the centre in their large number in several Hilux Pick-Up vans and Sienna buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle.

The invaders eventually detonated explosives to gain entrance.

Mrabure appealed to the good citizens of Imo and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful information that would facilitate the recapture of the fleeing inmates.

He, however, assured the people that the security of custodial centres across the country remained sacrosanct.

He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying period of the NCoS.

As at the last count, six inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 inmates refused to escape from custody during the attack, he said.

Source: NAN News

Zambian authorities on Tuesday opened an investigation after an Ethiopian Boeing 737 aircraft mistakenly landed at an airport that is still under construction.

To the surprise of construction workers at the Copperbelt Airport in the city of Ndola, the twin-engine cargo jet touched down on the unfinished runway on Sunday.

A few moments later, another Ethiopian Boeing 737 was preparing its landing there too.

Another Ethiopian Airlines plane, a passenger plane, actually almost landed at the same airport under construction a few hours later but went round after the pilot realised that oh no, this is a wrong airport, Zambias Transport Minister Misheck Lungu told dpa on Tuesday.

The minister added that he had ordered an investigation into the incident.

According to initial findings, pilot error was not ruled out.

Copperbelt Airport is a major airport project by Zambia and China and construction has almost been completed.

Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, which is located nearby, is still operating.

Runways under construction or repair are usually visually marked as closed with a large white X.

However, it remained unclear to what extent this marking was still clearly visible from the air.

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government has condemned the malicious celebration of the disappearance of Nigeria Air Force (NAF) fighter jet in Borno on March 31, by some unpatriotic Nigerians.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja admonished those that were gloating over the incidence and called for support for the military.

I have read, especially on the social media, some dead-enders who are gloating at the disappearance of the NAF aircraft.

This is abhorrent and condemnable, and couldnt have come from true-born Nigerians.

No patriotic citizen will denigrate his or her countrys military for fighting to protect the nations territorial integrity and ensuring peace and security. None, he said.

The minister called on all Nigerians to support the troops and to continue to remember them in their prayers.

He said the incidence of the missing fighter jet was a confirmation of the sacrifices the military were making for the country.

While we await word from the Air Force on the ongoing search and rescue efforts, this development has once again accentuated the huge sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform to keep our country safe and to make sure we sleep well at night

Every day, these valiant men and women put their lives on the line, in the ultimate act of sacrifice and patriotism, for the sake of our nation.

When they leave their homes, there is no guarantee they will return.

Yet, they soldier on! This is one of the reasons why we launched a national campaign to seek support for our military and other security agencies in February 2019, he said.

Mohammed, on behalf of the Government, condoled with the NAF on the disappearance of the fighter jet involved in the war against insurgency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports NAF had reported the fighter jet lost contact in Borno state while on a mission to support ground troops.

The Boko Haram terrorists had released a video purporting they shot down the jet.

The Airforce had, however, refuted the claim by the terrorists contending that the video was doctored

Air Force Spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet had said in a statement that the Alpha-Jet lost contact with radar in Borno while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.

He said the plane which had two crew members might have crashed, adding that search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything regarding the incident. It however remains hopeful that the crew would soon be found and rescued, it said in a statement.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated the Itsekiri nation on the announcement of a new Olu of Warri, as pronounced by the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom.

The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday also condoled with the people of Itsekiri nation on the passage of the immediate-past Olu, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, which had been formally announced.

Buhari prayed that the Olu-designate, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, would have a peaceful reign, signposted by massive development of Itsekiri land.

He stressed the need for love and reconciliation after a pulsating race for the throne, noting that peradventure any dissension exists such should be resolved through due process.

The president further maintained that as the Itsekiri nation mourned their departed Olu for three months, he prayed godly comfort for them and a smooth ascendancy for the incoming traditional ruler.

The new Olu of Warri was born on April 4, 1984. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government says some unpatriotic elements are encouraging insecurity in some parts of the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mohammed, however, assured that government was resolutely tackling the situation and security will improve drastically in the days ahead.

The truth is that the insecurity in some parts of the country is not organic, so to say.

Some unpatriotic and disgruntled elements are definitely catalysing them.

But these people do not constitute the critical mass that can influence the course of our countrys history, and we must not cede the space to them.

Nigerians must be forthcoming with information that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of these anarchists. Security is the business of all, he said.

Mohammed said the security agencies, acting on the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari were taking concrete actions that will significantly reduce the level of insecurity nationwide.

He assured that the citizens will feel the impact of the security agencies actions in the days ahead.

The minister said the attack on the police headquarters and a correction facility, in which hundreds of inmates were freed, in Imo State on Monday is most unfortunate, dastardly, condemnable and unacceptable.

This attack fits into the growing pattern of inexplicable and anarchical acts by some malcontents, who seem bent on triggering chaos across the land, he said.

He called on all persons of goodwill, especially traditional, religious and political leaders, to speak up against the anarchists before they throw the country into chaos.

Nigerians must fish out those who are acting as agent provocateur for reasons best known to them.

We must not allow them to win, the minister said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has returned N716, 800 found at an auto-crash site at Ozubulu along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, to the family of the deceased.

Mr Bamidele Ayanwale, the Unit Commander in Oraifite, handed over the sum on Tuesday.

He said that the amount was recovered when the FRSC officers were on a rescue mission after the accident.

Ayanwale said that the money belonging to late Mrs Oparaocha was returned to her son, Mr Chibueze Oparaocha, after a written undertaking with full identification by the Units intelligence officer.

According to him, the FRSC contacted the relatives through the mobile phone of the deceased.

The FRSC boss said that the accident involved a Nissan bus with registration number LSH-517YG and a truck with registration number GGU-83XA.

According to him, seven persons:three males and four females were involved in the crash that happened on March 22, at Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra.

He added that the driver and a passenger in the bus later died.

The FRSC boss said that the crash occurred due to speeding.

He, however, urged motorists to always be patient when driving on the highways in order to avert loss of lives and property.

Chibueze Oparaocha, the son of the deceased, thanked the FRSC for the kindness and honesty.

I was surprised when we got the call to come and collect the money found on my late mother. I did not believe that such a gesture can still happen in Nigeria of today.

I thank the FRSC for their efforts and honesty, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Leonard Okachie

Dr Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, has advocated mass mobilisation of the citizenry for the promotion of creative and innovative entrepreneurship.

Maduekwe said this on Monday in a keynote address at the third edition of Isingwu Summit held at Umuda Okorocha Isingwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia.

He spoke on the theme: Harnessing creative and innovative entrepreneurs from grassroots for community development.

He said the country must embrace the concept of creative and innovative entrepreneurship for it to experience rapid development.

Maduekwe described the concept as the low-hanging fruits for economic emancipation and accelerated national development.

He said the country must bridge all existential gaps as well as widen support structures that promote entrepreneurship.

According to him, this must start right from institutional engagements, policy frameworks and implementation, including the provision of appropriate incentives.

He said that the needed attention must be given to training and capacity building to improve the knowledge base and increase the capability ofthe countrys creative and innovative entrepreneurs.

We must consciously provide the enabling policy environment, without necessarily re-inventing the wheel but by deliberately implementing provisions of policies and laws, Maduekwe said.

The Convener of the Isingwu Progressive Forum/Summit, Rev. Chuks Alozie, described it as a platform, where people assemble to harness ideas and exchange views with comparative advantage for community development.

In furtherance to our development drive, we will also be focusing on human capacity building and encouraging emerging entrepreneurs, he said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the President-General of the community, Mr Sam Onyesoanyi, thanked the organisers for bringing the developmental initiative to the community.

Highlight of the event was the commisioning of some prominent Nigerians as national and international chaplains by the Divine Institute of Chaplaincy Corps International/United Chaplains State of New York.

The ceremony was performed by Prof. Chris Nwanne, the Commissioner/President of the corps, African Region.

The event witnessed the conferment of awards on some personalities Nigerians in recognition of their positive contributions to community development.

The list of the awardees included Alozie, who was decorated as the Maj. Gen., and Mr Chris Akachukwu (otherwise called Nwa-Abia), as Brig. Gen. of the corps.

Others were the Traditional Ruler of Avu, Eze Michael Okere, Maduekwe, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko, Chief Kingsley Megwara, Mr Aham Eluwa and Mrs Chidinma Uwajumogu. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

The swimming event of the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020 on Monday produced new records.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that new national records were set by swimmers from Delta, Bayelsa and Edo on Day 1 of competition in the event.

Ifiesegba Gagbe of Bayelsa became the new record-holder in the 100m freestyle women with her time of 1:01.54 minute.

She broke the record of 1:02.66min set by Okpilobo of Ondo State at the Lagos 2012 edition of the festival.

Similarly, Uwaje Ilayefa of Edo who came second with a time of 1:01.96 also surpassed the former record-holder time.

A new record was also set in the 200m butterfly women by Deltas Timipamere Akiayefa.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa and Delta have started the rush for gold at the ongoing NSF by winning five gold medals apiece on Day 1 of the festival.

NAN reports that seven of the 10 gold medals won by both states came from the swimming competition.

While Team Bayelsa claimed three gold medalsfrom the pool, Delta won four to close the opening day with five gold medals each.

Team Delta started the day with a gold medal in cycling when Ese Ukpeseraye beat 12 other cyclists to the finish line in the 80km road race for women.

NAN reports that in swimming, the 100m breaststroke men event was won by Foresight Osamezu of Delta with Edo and Cross River winning the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Bayelsas Ifiezegbe Gagbe won the womens 100m freestyle, with Edo winning the silver and Deltas Timipamere Akiayefa winning the bronze medal.

Again, Akiayefa of Delta won her first gold medal of the day after the bronze medal she won earlier.

She raced to the finishing line ahead of Kano state and Bayelsa athletes in the womens 200m Butterfly.

It was another gold medal for Deltain the 50m backstroke women event as Akiayefa won her third medal of the day, the second gold.

Edo and Bayelsa athletes finished second and third respectively.

Team Bayelsa also won two gold medals and a bronze medal in judo to cap a memorable opening day of action at the 20th NSF. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Babatunde Ogunrinde

No fewer than 36 players featured in the first real actions at the Organised Basketball Network (OBN) Academy arena located at Plot 8 Ogombo Road, Ajah, Lekki, in Lagos.

The young players had their feel of the state of the art arena to signal the opening of the basketball academy, put together by Obinna Ekezie, a Nigerian former professional Basketball player.

The players, comprising of 18 girls and 18 boys competed in three-pointer actions, basketball dunking competition and a full cut match.

Ekezie, the CEO of the academy, had made his mark in basketball representing great clubs such as Atlanta Hawks, L. A Clippers, Washington Wizards, Vancouver Grizzlies of the U.S. and many other leagues in Europe.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his dream was to use his vast experience to get the right attention and the right platform to nurture youths to stardom.

Nigeria youths are talented in the areas of sports, music, art and entertainments.

If we create that platform for them to excel, indeed the sky is just the beginning for them to soar, Ekezie said.

He said that the OBN Academy would also be delighted to work with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

He said he was ready to work with other stakeholders to discover and groom young talents across the country.

OBN Academy is targeted at improving childrens skills in basketball and education.

The academy is ready to expose young ones to quality basketballfacilities, which is not available anywhere in the country for young players to learn the game.

The players will also gain more experience through basketball lessons from experienced foreign and domestic coaches.

Also speaking to NAN, Tijani Umar, a stakeholder in basketball said he was delighted to be at the venue to see the state of the art basketball arena for youths development.

He said that ever since he knew Ekezie he had always wanted to do something for Nigeria.

I am proud to see that he is finally fulfilling his dreams by doing exactly what he planned to achieve.

It is a wonderful edifice; indeed this is having the right structure for the development of basketball in Nigeria.

The youths are going to benefit immensely from this, Umar said.

Similarly, Fortunate Emechite, a young female player said that she was delighted to be a part of the opening game.

Emechite hopes to continue to play in the arena.

It is a beautiful arena for young players to learn the game and develop.

We need more places like this because it gives us hope that some people care about our future, Emechite said.

Mrs Blessing Nwachukwu, who brought her son to the academy, said that she was delighted to see such an arena for basketball and was confident that her son would be guided well.

It is a good development and I am proud of what Mr Ekezie has achieved.

The basketball academy will definitely develop a lot of young players for the country, Nwachukwu said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Team Edo on Monday evening won the gold medals in the male and female six-a-side cricket event at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo male team won after defeating Kwara while their female team won against Lagos.

Lagos and Akwa Ibom came third in the male and female categories respectively to win the silver medals.

A member of the Edo teams coaching crew, Theophilus Ibodeme, described their success as an act of God and the result of hard work.

We dedicate these gold medals to God Almighty and by His grace, we hope for the best, he stated.

NAN reports that six gold medals are available in the cricket competition, with four of them now left to be struggled for.

They are in the T20 event for male and female, as well as the ODI for both male and female.

Competition in the cricket event will continue on Wednesday.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Downpour, on Monday, disrupted some activities at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.

The rain, which started around 4:45 pm forced officials of the sporting fiesta to halt some outdoor games including swimming and tennis among others.

Meanwhile, Edo has won the gold medal of the six-aside cricket event at the festival tagged Edo 2020.

Edo beat Kwara and Lagos to silver and bronze medals respectively.

Also, Rachael Tonjo, the record holder in the swimming event won gold medal for the hosting state.

Tonjo, who is an Olympian told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it had been her dream winning the most prestigious medal.

That was my dream all through preparation and I am happy my dream has come true.

It is not easy training every time. I have been training for long. You know the games suffered several postponements,she said.

The gold medalist, who noted that she had represented the country at various international sport events, said she hoped to win gold medal at world sport event soon.

I have represented Nigeria at international sporting events like All African games.

I have been to Olympic just like they announced. I was in Brazil in 2016; West African competition.

My hope for some years to come is to win gold medal at world sports event, Tonjo said.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

A U.S.-based Mechanical Engineer, Mr Godswill Nwankwo, has declared his intention to contest the seat of the countrys president in the 2023election.

Nwankwo made his intention known on Monday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that his intention was borne out of concerns to build on existing structures and improve the standard of living in the country.

According to the intending presidential aspirant, the country needs to be repositioned economically to retain its status of Africas best economy and Giant of Africa.

Nwankwo, who hails from Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia, also said he would review the countrys constitution and positively review the command structure of the police among others.

When I am elected, my first line of action will be to review the constitution.

Also, the command structure of the police will be reviewed.

There is what we call community policing where you allow people that belong to that community to police or protect the communities that they are serving.

For example, you dont expect an Igbo man to go to Sokoto State and police a community; language will be his or her number one barrier in that kind of structure because he doesnt understand Hausa-Fulani language.

We will want a situation whereby , for instance, people of Sokoto are responsible for their police, Abia communities policed by their people, and in the end you have a state and local government police.

This structure must not be influenced by the Federal Government.

So, my first assignment will be to begin to address the issue of the constitution and come up with recommendations that will work for Nigerians, Nwankwo said.

He said that though he had yet to decide on which political platform to contest, his main obligation would be to the citizenry.

I have been contacted by several political parties. In the end, my sole commitment will be the manifesto, agenda and what I promised Nigerians before the election.

I will not let anything get in the way of my promise when elected and there will be no shackles holding me down from executing my promises.

The 2023 election will be a decision for Nigerians electing a constitutional value that will affect the core values, and the lives of their children and grandchildren.

When I emerge as president, it will be about Nigeria and not PDP, APC, APGA or any political party and so on; I will stop at nothing to see that Nigerians are secured and are prosperous.

I will also ensure that Nigerians are able to access the opportunity we will provide and also able to have access to law enforcement that is supposed to protect them, he added.

Nwankwo added that his manifesto, which can be viewed on Nigeriapresident.com , was crafted to ensure that when he becomes president, Nigerians would be entitled to have equal rights, freedom, liberty, justice and opportunity.

He said that the focal point of his administration would be for every citizen to be happy and safe while going about their lawful duties.

NAN reports that Nwankwo had previously worked for Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes INTEQ and several national and multi-national companies both in Nigeria and overseas.

He has a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering with specialisation in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) from Rivers State University.

He also has a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Computer Science with specialisation in Cognitive Artificial Intelligence from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

The aspiring presidential candidate also acquired a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance with specialisation in Private Equity and Investments from the University of Houston CT Bauer College of Business in Houston, Texas. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Former Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Assembly matters, Abdulrahman Kawu-Sumaila has described the recent attack on the personality of the president in London, United Kingdom as unfortunate and barbaric.

Kawu-Sumaila, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Kano.

According to him, the attack is not only on the personality of the president, but an attempt to diminish the image of the country by some bad elements in the name of politics.

Kawu-Sumaila explained that it was wrong to attack the president with such abusive words.

The verbal attack was far away from politics. It is rather a sign of intolerance.

And this has clearly shown that the woman and her accomplices were only dancing to the tune of some high profile personalities who are desperate in tarnishing not only the good image of President Buhari, but Nigeria as a country.

I want to make it categorically clear that their ill-motive action was against the culture and norms of African people.

And I believe neither Islam nor Christianity will support this kind of barbaric action where people will come out openly abusing their president in the name of politics. This is unfortunate.

He, however, assured that those behind the unfortunate incident would soon be exposed.

Kawu-Sumaila appealed to chieftains of the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to condemn the attack, which was a serious embarrassment to all Nigerians regardless of party affiliation.

He also urged both APC and PDP stakeholders to do everything possible within the ambit of the law, to prevent future occurrence of such unfortunate incident.

According to him, all those occupying positions in the APC-led government should also strive to protect the integrity of the president and the nation as a whole.

All concerned APC members should put their heads together and address this issue.

We should not let this issue go unchecked, otherwise, some other groups can do worse than this and it will not help matters at all. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abubakar Ahmed

Three All Progressives Congress (APC) governors on Monday visited Zamfara to inaugurate some projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit came amidst reports that Gov. Bello Matawalle was set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC.

The governors, Alhaji Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe; Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, each inaugurated houses named after their states.

NAN reports that 18 detached houses were built by Gov. Matawalle to serve as accommodation for state governors and other officials.

Each of the houses was named after the 18 northern states.

While commissioning the Yobe House, Gov. Mai-Mala Buni who is also the National Chairman of the Extraordinary Convention Committee of the APC, commended Matawalle for modernizing the state.

I am particularly impressed by what my brother, Matawalle is doing here in Zamfara in spite of dwindling resources coupled with the security situation faced by the state.

This is the kind of development we need which also translates into the provision of dividends of democracy, Buni noted.

He described Matawalle as a bridge builder, peace maker and dynamic leader who built resilient infrastructure and provided security to the state within a short time.

The governors also commiserated with the government and people of the state over the recent fire disaster which destroyed part of Tudun Wada Gusau market.

Earlier, Gov. Matawalle said the construction of the houses was to provide secure accommodation of international standard to government officials and eminent personalities on official engagements in the state.

He added that the new houses would help in reducing the expenses being incurred by the government in accommodating such visitors in hotels and rented houses.

According to him, the houses were part of the many infrastructural projects provided by his administration to move the state to the next level of development. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State says the review of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution will address mistakes made by the party in previous elections.

Ganduje made the observation at a town hall meeting on the APC constitution review for Northwest region, held on Monday in Kano.

According to him, the APC had paid dearly for its mistakes during the 2019 general election.

APC is a mixture of political parties that merged to form the ruling party, but that lack of strong cohesion is still affecting it, Ganduje noted.

There is no better time for the constitution review than now, because it is time to look back and address the challenges in the party.

There is no better time than now for the review of this constitution, APC as a political party has won many states in the federation since its inception. It has been controlling the Federal Government in the past four years.

Now in the second term, we lost some states during the last election, we gained some too.

Reviewing the partys constitution is the way to rectify past mistakes.

I believe at the end of it, we will come up with a document that will govern the conduct of party members and even the conduct of leaders of the party.

So, we believe this review of the constitution will look into all challenges.

It will remove all those appendages of coming together to form the party, he said.

According to him, the APC has very strong structures in Kano State, with officials at state, local government and ward levels.

He disclosed that the partys caucuses meet monthly to interface on its activities and problems, and take steps to resolve them.

Dr Tahir Mamman, Chairman of the APC Constitution Review Committee, said the exercise was to make the party more solid and stronger.

He said that their task was to produce a constitution that would guide the affairs of the party to make it a model among political parties in the country.

Mamman added that the committee would ensure that the constitution and manifesto were made easier to read by all party members.

He disclosed that the committee had gone round the six geopolitical zones of the country and held meetings with the party stakeholders.

The chairman also said that the committee would organise a retreat where the presentations from across the country would be reviewed before the final document. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the deadly insurgent attack that took place on the Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Facility in Owerri, Imo.

In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday, Buhari described the onslaught as an act of terrorism, saying the anarchists must be brought to justice.

Reacting to the incident, the president praised the initial response by security guards and security forces for preventing greater loss of life and the destruction of public property.

He directed security and intelligence agencies in the state and the geo-political zone to fully mobilise and go after the terrorists, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.

Buhari also called for the best efforts to be made to rearrest fleeing prison detainees, many of whom were believed to be deadly criminals.

He, therefore, appealed to members of the public to assist the law enforcement agencies with any relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of these criminals who perpetrated this despicable act.

The president also urged members of the public to be vigilant as all of us have a stake in preserving our way of life from disruption by terrorists and anarchists.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to use every available tool at its disposal to confront and terminate this bare-faced anarchy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Peter Okolie

The Police Command in Anambra says it has arrested six suspected criminals for alleged stealing, cultism and possession of fire arm.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Awka.

Ikenga said the command recovered one locally-made pistol, two live cartridges, one Lexus 330 Jeep SUV and two tricycles from the suspected criminals.

Acting on credible information while on surveillance duty, operatives of the command attached to Ihiala Police Division, on April 4, at about 1820hrs, arrested one Chike Obi, 28 and Okosis Udeagu, 23.

One locally-made pistol with two live cartridges was recovered from them and they both confessed to being members of a deadly cult group, he said.

Similarly, Ikenga said the Inland Police Division on March 22, received a complaint that a Lexus 330 SUV got missing at a car wash, on Heritage Road.

He said all efforts made to locate the vehicle and the car washer proved abortive.

However, he said Police operatives attached to the Division later arrested two suspects, one Pius Aidam and one Effiong Udeme in connection to the car theft.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the car was stolen and taken to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, he noted.

In another development, he said the command received series of complaints of tricycles being removed from where they were parked along Boromeo Roundabout in Onitsha North Local Government Area.

The police spokesman said operatives attached to Inland Police Station on March 30, arrested one Isienyi Joshua, 22 and Chinemere Emenike, 19, and recovered two tricycles.

They both confessed to being members of a criminal syndicate specialised in stealing tricycles within Onitsha and its environs.

Discreet investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of the gang at large and recover other incriminating items, he added.

According to him, all the suspects would be charged to court on conclusion of investigations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Yinusa Ishola

The Police command in Ekiti on Monday rescued two-year old twin babies after they were locked up in a room by their mother for three days.

A statement in Ado-Ekiti by Mr Sunday Abutu, the commands Public Relations Officer, said the incident happened in Igbara-odo, Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Abutu said the command acted on a distress call by a good Samaritan at about 9:45 hours and rescued the babies who were without food for three days.

He said a lady, who was later identified as Joy Fatoba of Igbara-odo, locked up her twin babies in her room and even threatened to kill them should anyone compel her to open the door.

According to him, the Commands Rapid Response Squad (RRS), upon the receipt of the information, swung into action, rushed to the scene and tactically rescued the two kids.

He said upon interrogation Fatoba narrated that the father of her kids left her for Calabar during pregnancy and had refused to return to take care of her and the kids till date.

She told her interrogator that she could no longer fend for herself and her two kids recently because her hair dressing work started failing, Abutu added.

The Police image maker said the two-year old kids appeared unhealthy when they were rescued and could neither walk nor stand on their own due to dehydration and undernutrition.

He said the twins upon their rescue were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical examination and treatment.

Abutu said the command would ensure the safety of the kids and their mother and that investigation to unravel the circumstances of the incident had already commenced.

He used the opportunity to extend the commands appreciation to the good Samaritan for volunteering the useful and timely information that led to the rescuing of the babies.

Abutu enjoined the residents to always and quickly draw the attention of the nearest Police Station to any suspicious happenings in their locality or call 08062335577.

Source: NAN News