By Gabriel Agbeja

The Republic of Cameroon on Wednesday in Abuja sought for support of Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) on investigation of an air crash that occurred in the sister African country.

The accident, involving a Havilland DHC 400 Twin Otter aircraft, occurred on May 11, in Cameroon.

Mrs Essimi Dine, the Director of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation, Cameroon, led a team from Cameroon to AIB-N headquarters on the matter.

She said the support of AIB was necessary due to its advanced infrastructure for accident investigation.

Dine said the AIB-N would help the Cameroon authorities to download and analyse information from the recorder of the aircraft on the accident that occurred in Cameroon.

According to her, the Republic of Cameroon will further collaborate with AIB-N on capacity building in accident investigation.

We have come to see how AIB is doing things. What they can do in terms of equipment and infrastructure they have.

Thank you for your warm welcome here in Nigeria. We appreciate the support of the AIB. We are sure that the cause of the accident will be resolved after our work here.

We will further request for other areas of collaboration. We really appreciate the support of AIB, she said.

Earlier, Mr Akin Olateru, the Commissioner of AIB-N, said the bureau would be part of the accident investigation being carried out by Cameroon, noting that Nigerians were on board.

According to him, two Nigerian pilots and a Cameroonian operator were involved in the accident.

Cameroon has decided to seek assistance of AIB-N in terms of the investigation to help with the download of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), analysis of information and animation of how it happened.

As you are aware, we have one of the best accident investigation laboratories in the world. We have capability of getting information from the damaged recorder which the aircraft came with.

The aircraft came with a highly burned recorder. We will be able to retrieve information from it, he said.

Olateru said the AIB-N had previously helped some African countries including Niger Republic, Gambia and Sierra Leone in a related development.

He said that AIB-N had just received approval from the Ministry of Justice to sign an MOU with Sierra Leone to help the country to set up an Independent Accident Investigation Centre. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The New National Star Newspaper has called for nominations its maiden South-East Achievement Awards and Annual Lecture Series (SEAA).

The Managing Director/Editor- in-Chief of the Newspaper, Martin Ayankola, made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ayankola said the event was part of the newspapers commitment to deepening democracy, good governance, economic development as well as sustaining peace and security in the country.

He said the event was also aimed at recognising deserving individuals and corporate organisations who had distinguished themselves in all spheres of human endeavour.

Ayankola noted that the SEAA would be used as a platform to recognise and celebrate a selected group of distinguished Nigerians from the South -East region of the country.

This, he said, was for their exceptional accomplishments and contributions to society in different fields.

It is an award ceremony that will cut across age, career and other categorisations. The platform will also be used to discuss issues affecting the South- East and to encourage inculcation of the Think Home Philosophy, he added.

Ayankola said all the award recipients would automatically be nominees for the national award ceremony slated for January 2023 in Abuja.

He added that the series would be held in all the geopolitical zones of the country after which a grand finale would take place in Abuja.

According to him, every citizen from the South-East is qualified as a recipient adding that nominees must be distinguished leaders and role models.

They must be contributors to the growth and success of others as well as persons of vision and creativity; and must have verifiable presence of investments in the South -East.

A total of 21 categories have been identified for the awards including: Best Emerging Business Award/Best start-up; Outstanding Employer of Labour; Best Digital Presence; Non-Profit Organization (NGO) of the Year Award and Business Achievement Award (Male/Female Category).

Others are Businesswoman of the Year, Businessman of the Year, Best Governor in Infrastructural Development, Best Governor in Peace and Security, South -East Person of the Year and South- East Outstanding Leadership Award.

They also include Entrepreneur of the Year; Lifetime Achievement Award, Philanthropist of the Year; Best Performing Legislator, Best Youth Mentor of the Year; Dynamic Youth Award; Creative Industry Award; Outstanding Support for Education; Song of the Year Award and Artiste of the Year Award.

Names of nominees can be submitted by the public to the New National Star Newspaper through any of its social media handles; https://m.facebook.com/NewNationalStar/; https://m.facebook.com/newnationalstartv/; https://www.instagram.com/newnationalstar/.

A committee will collate and screen all nominees and select a final list for each award category.

To this end, the general public is therefore enjoined to forward their nominees for the various categories, stating reasons why their candidates should be considered, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Force Commander (FC), Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim has pledged to sustain the cooperation between MNJTF and Operation Barkhane in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.

Ibrahim stated this during a familiarisation visit by the newly appointed Force Commander of Operation Barkhane, Maj.-Gen. Bruno Baraz to the Headquarters MNJTF in Ndjamena, Chad.

The Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

The MNJTF force commander congratulated the new Op Barkhane commander and appreciated the existing cooperation between them.

He commended Op Barkhane for their stabilising role and fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.

In his remarks, the FC Operation Barkhane, Maj.-Gen. Baraz appreciated MNJTF for their efforts, which he said had to a large extent, brought stability to the MNJTF area of operations.

Baraz expressed desire to work closely with MNJTF and other partners to achieve the collective mission of restoring peace in the region.

Operation Barkhane is a French led anti insurgency operation that started in 2014 against Islamist groups in the Sahel region.

The MNJTF spokesman also disclosed that the outgoing Commander, Sector 1 MNJTF (Cameroon), Brig.-Gen. Bouba Debekreo also presented his successor, Col. Pierre Tiokap, to the MNJTF.

Adogoke said the outgoing Commander thanked the FC for his support and guidance and requested for same cooperation to his successor.

The FC in his remarks praised the outgoing Sector 1 Commander who has been a founding commander of the MNJTF since the inception of the Force in 2015.

He praised his professionalism and wished him well in his new assignment while also urging the new Commander to do same.

The new commander said he is happy to join the team and would work collaboratively to achieve the mission of the MNJTF, he said. (NAN) ()

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Yakubu Uba

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has approved the release of N19.3m for the immediate payment of scholarship allowances to 59 indigent students that gained admission into law schools.

The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, Mallam Bala Isa made this known on Tuesday in Maiduguri while addressing newsmen.

Bala said the scholarship was for the 2021/2022 academic year.

This is part of His Excellencys commitment in assisting the educational sector and in assisting students of Borno at all levels of education.

We are grateful to His Excellency for this support and we believe that the students will put in their best in order to make Borno proud, Isa said. (NAN)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the media in celebrating with Alhaji Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operations of The Nation Newspaper, on his 60th birthday.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Tuesday in Abuja, Buhari extolled the journalist for his dedication to duty, devotion to nation building and determination to promote democratic values.

The president noted contributions of the journalist to political developments in the country, as a reporter and editor, regularly updating the public on germane issues with his hallmark of fairness, balance and clarity, which endear many readers to his reports.

Buhari joined the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and Nigerian Guild of Editors in rejoicing with the prolific reporter and editor, whose interest in humanity recently saw to his investiture as 11th President of Rotary Club of Abuja in Maitama.

The president prayed that the almighty God would guide the celebrator in his service to the nation, and bless his family. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the masterminds of the June 5 massacre in Owo, Ondo State have been captured by security operatives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that no fewer than 40 worshippers were massacred at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, in an incident that jolted Nigeria and the global community.

Speaking at a parley with media executives at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Irabo said that the terrorists were captured at different locations across the country.

He said that the suspects, majority of whom were arrested in various communities in Kogi, would be paraded before the public in due course.

We had wanted to present the suspects to the public immediately but couldnt because certain investigations are still being carried out, he said.

He gave his assurance that in due course, the suspects and others who had been involved in some daring attacks in the past few months would be presented to the public.

Starting with the Owo church attack, it is my pleasure to let you know that we have arrested those behind that dastardly act.

On Aug. 7, one Idris Ojo (37) was apprehended at Aiyetorosi in Ondo State. He was one of the high-profile Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) members that escaped from Kuje Prison.

He was arrested along with one Jimoh Ibrahim, a 39-year-old criminal.

Ojo was not done with all the criminal activities which he undertook in the past, he was also planning other deadly attacks and he was perfecting those plans along with his cronies before he was captured, he said.

Again, on Aug. 4, the military in a combined operation with the Department of State Service (DSS) arrested four terrorists at Eika in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Others are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, otherwise known as Ibn Malik; Momoh Abubakar, Aliyu Itopa and Auwal Onimisi.

Now, Omeiza is one of the masterminds of the June 5 Catholic Church attack in Owo as well as the attack on the police station in Adavi also in Kogi State that led to the killing of a policeman as well as weapons being carried away, the CDS said.

On the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Irabor said that although some victims had been released, the military and other security agencies remained committed to ensuring safe rescue of the remaining victims in captivity.

He said the military had intensified both air and ground operations to deal with criminals in all parts of the country, adding that several successes had been recorded in recent times.

Irabo disclosed that based on military air operations, the military on Aug. 6, killed one Alhaji Abdulkareen, a bandits leader along with his fighters in Nigerias North West.

By the deeds of the surgical air operations that we have conducted, many of the bandits leaders have been killed, he added.

The CDS said the essence of the parley was to solicit understanding and support from the media in the fight against the security challenges bedeviling the nation.

He, however, called for greater cooperation between the military and the media with a view to finding solution to the security challenges and disallow enemies from stoking fears in the minds of the public.

The defence chief also urged Nigerians and political leaders to understand the distinction between military operations and politics, adding that the military remained undaunted in ensuring a safe and secured nation.

Earlier, the Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, said the essence of the parley was to build a sustainable trust between the media and members of the armed forces.

Akpor said the meeting was in line with the leadership focus of Irabor toward fostering professional armed forces capable of meeting constitutional imperatives.

The Chief Executive Officer of The Media Today, Mr Charles Odenigbo, said the military and media must be frank and open to each other in ensuring peace and security in the country.

Odenigbo, the facilitator of the event, said that although military operations could not be discussed in the open, there was need to see how the media could fit into the activities of the military. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged its supporters in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to remain calm over an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the election petition tribunal ruling which gave victory to its candidate.

Alhaji Murtala Usman-Karshi, the APC AMAC Candidate for the Feb. 12 FCT Area Councils election said this on Monday in Abuja when he received some party members led by the AMAC APC Chairman, Alhaji Muktar Abubakar on a solidarity visit.

The FCT election petition tribunal sitting at the Magistrate Court Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, had nullified the election of Zakka Maikalangu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as AMAC Chairman.
Delivering judgement, the three-member panel led by Chief Magistrate Muinat Olashade Oyekan, declared Murtala Usman Karshi of the APC as the authentic winner of the Feb. 12, AMAC poll.

However, Maikalangu has filed an appeal against the tribunal judgement.

Usman- Karshi urged his supporters to remain prayerful while awaiting the outcome of the appeal filed by the PDP candidate.

He expressed optimism that the appeal court judgement would be in his favour.

I will continue to appeal to our people to remain calm and be law abiding with the appeal of the tribunal judgement, maintaining peace is our culture, lets adhere to that and wait for the appeal judgement.
I want to appreciate you for identifying with me over the verdict passed by the tribunal, as we are vindicated at the tribunal so shall we in the appeal judgement.

Because you can not suppress the truth no matter how much you try. it is only the guilty ones that are afraid.

We urge our people to remain calm and be steadfast in prayers. By the Grace of God, the verdict of the Appeal Court will vindicate us.Our people should have faith in God as well as the judiciary as it is the last hope of the common man.

Whatever God has written and ordained, no human can obliterate it, he said.

He commended them for remaining calm and law abiding and assured that God willing, he would be crowned as the winner at the poll at the end of the legal tussle.

Earlier, Abubakar, who led hundreds of APC loyalists to Murtalas house, assured him that the party was solidly behind him in all the struggle.

We are here to re-assure you of our support and we shall continue to remain solidly behind you, he said.

The Chairman also assured him of the partys readiness to mobilise the people of the area for APC. (NAN) (www.nannew.ng)
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

As Russia again accused Ukraine of shelling the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in the south of the beleaguered country, concern grew for the safety of the complex which has seen repeated shelling in recent days.

An accident at the Ukrainian nuclear plant in Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya would be far worse than the Chernobyl or Fukushima disasters, Yevheny Zymbalyuk, the Ukrainian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in Vienna.

He warned of severe consequences not only for Ukraine, but all of Europe.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also warned of the danger of the current situation. Any attack on a nuclear plant is a suicidal thing, Guterres asserted.

What will happen in a radius of 40 or 50 kilometres of the station, that is absolutely not comparable to Chernobyl or Fukushima, Zymbalyuk added.

Analysts however say compared to the plants at Chernobyl and Fukushima, Zaporizhzhya is better protected thanks to a separate cooling circuit and a special protective layer, although it would probably be unable to withstand a targeted military attack.

Zymbalyuk again demanded monitors from the IAEA to be sent to Zaporizhzhya along with unarmed international military observers.

He said IAEA representatives should be on the ground by the end of the month.

The IAEA has long complained that it is waiting to access the plant and said that any deployment would require the support of both Moscow and Kiev.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged the West to put pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Moscow accuses Ukraine of shelling the nuclear plant.

We expect that the countries that have absolute influence over the Ukrainian leadership will use this to prevent further shelling, Peskov said, according to the Interfax agency.

Peskov spoke of a highly dangerous activity with, in the worst case, catastrophic consequences for all of Europe.

With his call for the West to influence the Ukrainian leadership, he once again made it clear that there is no longer a connection between Moscow and Kiev after peace negotiations were broken off in May.

New negotiations are not in sight.

In Washington, a White House spokeswoman Monday said the U.S. continues to closely monitor the activity as the NPP the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration report that the radiation sensors are continuing to provide data, and thankfully we have seen no indications of increased or abnormal radiation levels.

And we continue to call on Russia to cease all military operations at or near Ukrainian nuclear facilities and return full control to Ukraine, spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre added.

The Pentagon announced further arms sales to Ukraine, with a billion-dollar package including additional ammunition for rocket launcher systems and 1,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles.

It also estimates that up to 80,000 people have been killed for or injured on the Russian side in the Ukraine war.

Meanwhile, the go-ahead has been given for a referendum on accession to Russia in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya region.

The regional governor, Yevhen Balytskyi, said on Monday he was signing a decree ordering the Central Electoral Commission to start to prepare a referendum on the unification of the region with the Russian Federation, according to the Russian state agency Ria Novosti.

Balytskyi spoke at the We are together with Russia forum organised by the occupying forces in Melitopol. Zaporizhzhya, the regional capital, is still under Kievs control.

It is unclear how such a vote, which Ukraine would not recognise, will be organised.

Zelensky has already warned that referendums organised by the occupying forces would end all chances of peace talks with Russia.

Balytskyi did not give a specific date for the planned vote. In the past, the beginning of September was discussed as a possible period.

Meanwhile, a Russian soldier in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of war crimes.

The court considered it proven that the tank soldier fired on a multi-storey apartment building, carrying out an order shortly after the war began at the end of February, Ukrainian public television reported on Monday.

The soldier had pleaded guilty and is to be imprisoned for 10 years, but the sentence will only become final after a possible appeal. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

By Fabian Ekeruche

The Federal Government says that the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACreSAL) project is critical to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, the Honourable Minister for Environment, said this at the ACreSAL technical workshop on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop is organised for the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Water Resources in conjunction with the World Bank.

The ACReSAL Project is one of the central components in President Muhammadu Buharis strategy of ensuring environmental sustainability.

And improving community livelihoods toward lifting 100 million people out of poverty, Abdullahi said.

He said that his passion for the ACReSAL project exposed him to further understand the environment portfolio and its link with the broader society.

I am also very passionate about ACReSAL.

It is the first project that heralds my assumption of duties when Mr President redeployed me to the Federal Ministry of Environment.

I saw the political will and desire of the three ministries in ensuring that targets are meant, Abdullahi said.

According to him, ACReSAL is all about sustainable land management.

He said that the ministry was deliberate in inviting stakeholders from the National Parks Service and the Great Green Wall Agency to engage with the World Bank to ensure the success of the project.

The minister urged the Project Management Units (PMUs) from the different states to be diplomatically independent in their relationship with their state governors.

He added that the ACReSAL project had the mandate to ensure land restoration, wetlands cultivation for the improvement of the land to make them fit for cultivation.

He added that the ACReSAL would
strengthen Nigerias long-term enabling environment for an integrated climate-resilient landscape.

I am here to motivate and energise you.

And also to encourage you to deliberate on the Draft Annual Work plan prepared by the various PMUs and clears same for onward transmission to the steering committee for approval.

This is the much-needed step that will kick start disbursement of funds by the World Bank for implementation activities to begin, Abdullahi said.

He expressed gratitude to Dr Joy Agene and her team from the World Bank on their efforts toward the full implementation of the ACReSAL project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has affirmed that status quo remains in respect to ExxonMobil/Seplat Energy share acquisition.

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive (CCE), NUPRC made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, consented to the acquisition of ExxonMobil shares in the U.S.A by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.

Responding to media enquiries on latest development about the transaction, Komolafe clarified that NUPRC, in line with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 was the sole regulator in dealing with such matters in Nigerian upstream sector.

He said as it were, the issue at stake was purely a regulatory matter and the commission had earlier communicated the decline of Ministerial Assent to ExxonMobil in this regard.

The CCE said as such, the Commission further affirmed that the status quo remained.

That position remains the status quo and to the best of our knowledge as a regulator nothing has changed.

The Commission is committed to ensuring predictable and conducive regulatory environment at all times in the Nigerian upstream sector, he said. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News