By Jessica Dogo

Former President of the Senate, Mr Anyim Pius Anyim, is mourning the late Alhaji Ahmed Gulak and has described his demise as one death too many.

Gulak was a senior aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Anyim said a statement on Monday in Abuja that the news of the gruesome murder of Gulak, his friend and colleague, knocked him down into distress.

He described the deceased as a man of conviction and courage, who was endowed with great intellectual prowess, dedicated nationalist and a faithful friend.

The former Senate President added, May 30, 2021, is no doubt the darkest Sunday of my life.

The news of the gruesome murder of my friend and colleague, Hon. Ahmed Gulak knocked me down into distress and it took me till this morning of 31st May, 2021, to regain my senses from the shock.

Hon. Ahmed Gulak was my colleague in President Goodlucks administration. He was a man of conviction and courage.

He was endowed with great intellectual prowess that enabled him to have unusual clarity of thought and expression; a dedicated nationalist and a faithful friend.

Losing Gulak, like other innocent Nigerians to unknown assailants, is the darkest point in the senseless and mindless violence growing in the country and South-East. This death is one too many.

The security agencies owe humanity the duty to unravel and bring to book those behind this dastardly act. My heart goes to the family of Hon. Gulak.

Anyim prayed God to grant Gulaks soul eternal repose and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The spokesman for the police in Imo, SP Bala Alkana, confirmed the killing of Gulak in Owerri, by suspected bandits on Sunday.

According to Alkana, at about 07.20 hrs on Sunday morning, bandits intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Gulak and two others who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.

He said that Gulak had left his room at Protea Hotel without informing the police or sister security agencies despite the fragile security situation in the South-East and Imo in particular. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it will begin to take stock of all privately owned airplanes in the country to ensure strict compliance with all regulations.

The Public Relations Officer of the customs, Mr Joseph Attah disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

Attah said this was paramount considering security challenges in the country and reluctant of some highly placed individuals to pay taxes.

He stated that this development would ensure strict compliance with all relevant regulations governing importations of such airplanes.

Consequently, Nigeria Customs Service in line with its statutory functions as provided for in part III sections 27, 35, 37, 45, 46, 47, 52, 56, 63 and 64.

Part XI sections 144, 145, 155, 160, 161 and 164 as well as part XII sections 167, 168, 169, 173 and 174 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

We hereby invite all the owners of Private Aircrafts in the country to come forward with their relevant importation clearance documents for verification.

The expected documents are aircrafts certificate of registration, NCAAs Flight Operations Compliance Certificate (FOCC) and NCAAs Maintenance Compliance Certificate.

And NCAAs Permit for Non Commercial Flights and Temporary Import Permit. All such owners or their representatives are to report to room 305, Tariff and Trade Department, Customs headquarters.

The verification will begin on Monday June 7 to Tuesday July 6, 2021 and it will be from 10.00 a.m. and ends 5.00 p.m. daily he explained.

The spokesperson said the owners of private airplanes were respected individuals whereby the service expected them to comply with this directive.

Attah noted that anyone who refused to comply or turned up for this verification would be sanctioned accordingly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has appealed to Enugu and Lagos Governments to deploy resources to assist traders affected by market fire outbreaks in both states.

NANTS President, Dr Ken Ukaoha, who made the appeal in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said while seeking intervention, the government should also quickly reconstruct the burnt markets.

Ukaoha urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of the traders who were currently nursing the wounds inflicted by COVID-19, and many of who had yet to see any means of assistance, including COVID-19 palliatives.

He said that government should not allow law-abiding citizens, especially the vulnerable, to remain under such double affliction.

According to him, it is time for the Ministry and Agencies in charge of disaster management to step in immediately and do the needful.

Ukaoha noted that while such necessary intervention was coming, the association expected that investigation to unravel the causes should be conducted.

The Enugu fire outbreak occurred on May 29, in Ogbete Main Market, while that of Lagos occurred on Sunday in Ladipo Spare Parts Market in Oshodi.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that million of naira worth of goods were lost to both fire incidents in Lagos and Enugu.

NANTS is overwhelmed by these tragedies. We deeply sympathise with all our members in these markets who are the victims of the fire incidents.

We call on all our members to remain calm while we seek ways to invite governments urgent attention to these unbearable disasters, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded another attack on its office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo.

The commission said this in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Sunday in Abuja.

Okoye said that the total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide since 2019 had now risen to 42.

Our Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, has reported that our office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo was set ablaze on May 30.

Although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment and furniture.

Okoye said that the latest incident had been reported to the Police for investigation.

This attack is coming exactly a week after our office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state was vandalized on May 23.

It is also the 8th INEC office to be attacked in Imo since the 2019 General Election.

Okoye said that INEC buildings, infrastructure and equipment were critical national assets that guaranteed the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation.

Attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process, Okoye added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Gov. Yahaya Bello, of Kogi as the chairman of a seven-man committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

This was announced in the letter of appointment signed by the National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

The seven-man committee will meet to reconcile aggrieved members in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the Area Councils elections.

The letter also named Nasarawa State Gov. Abdullahi Sule, as member of the committee while Mr Olaide Akinremi would serve as its secretary.

Other members of the committee include Sen. Ahmed Yusuf, Dr James Lalu, Mr Cletus Dick and Mr Uche Ogah.

According to the letter, the Yahaya Bello-led committee is expected to reconcile fractions of the party in the FCT in line with the provisions of APC Constitution and template for the reconciliation and mobilisation committee.

Following the processes of nomination of our partys candidates for the forthcoming FCT Area Council Elections.

The National Chairman of the CECPC, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, has approved the constitution of a reconciliation committee, the letter said.

It added that the committee was to take practical steps to reconciliate all aggrieved persons and issues on time for a satisfactory outcome in the forthcoming FCT Area Council Elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT council elections is slated for February 2022.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya
Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has decried the recent attacks by bandits in three local government areas of Rafi, Wushishi and Lavun where innocent people where abducted and killed.

A statement by Bellos Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, said the the bandit shot one person dead and left one seriously injured during the attack in Tegina community in Rafi local government area.

They also kidnapped an unconfirmed number of Islamiyya students and teachers from Salihu Tanko Islamic School alongside some passenger in a vehicle travelling to Minna.

Bello reiterated his emergency call for help to the federal government for a prompt response to the incessant banditry on various communities in the state recently.

The situation has reached crisis level. Infact, its a war situation that we have to confront without further delay, the governor said.

He disclosed that the state government was still searching and conducting a headcount to ascertain the exact number of children abducted.

Reports also have it that the gunmen, on about 70 Motorcycles, attacked 17 communities in Wushishi Local Government Area where they shot several people while some women and children drowned as they tried to escape across River Kaduna.

More than 10 people are reported to be receiving treatment at the Wushishi General Hospital.

Search is still ongoing for missing persons from Babako, Tashan Girgi, Kwakwagi, Fakara, Ndiga, Buzu, Akare, Kala Kala, Agwa, Anguwan Gizo, Tsamiya and other neighbouring villages attacked by the bandits.

The Governor described the serial attacks as unfortunate and assured that the Joint Military Taskforce have been mobilised and are already tracking the criminals for possible isolation and ambush.

He further appealed for calm and restated the strong resolve of the state government to continue to protect the lives and property of the residents.

Meanwhile, 11 children who were too small and could not walk among the kidnapped Islamiyya Students, were released by the gunmen.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Jonah

A Civil Society Organisation, Era for Sustainable Leadership and Accountability Initiative (NESLAI), has threatened to protest at different venues of a scheduled Permanent Secretaries computer based examination, if organisers insist on the test.

The group, in a statement signed by itsExecutive Director, Edwin Olorunfemi,onSunday in Abuja noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the process to select five new permanent secretaries to replace five other retired ones in Ekiti, Katsina, Nasarawa, Enugu and Lagos States.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan in a resent statement said that 47 candidates had been cleared to sit for a written examination to fill the five vacancies.

The candidates were to sit for written and Information Communications Technology (ICT) examinations to select the best five that would fill the vacant posts.

The CSO which commended the head of service for setting up a committee for the process of selection for the accreditation exercise,however, faulted the procedure of sitting for a written and ICT examination as prerequisite for the appointment of permanent secretaries.

The group described the process of subjecting a director to ICT proficiency test in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Application which was expected of the support staff, as laughable.

If anything, it is making a mess of the candidates and the entire civil service.

Our stand still remain that written and ICT examination slated for May 31 and June 3, be dropped.

It is worthy of note that, for a civil servant to rise to the level of director, he/she must have sat for about 10 examinations from Grade level 08 to Grade level 17.

On this backdrop, we are appealing to the Federal Government to drop the idea of written and ICT examination as it is tantamount to waste of time and resources.

However, we request the government to appraise and appoint permanent secretaries on their past contributions as directors to national development.

The written examination and ICT proficiency test of May 31 and June 3, be collapsed into oral interview and interactive session for the 47 successful accredited candidates.

Candidates should be asked on-the-job questions and their achievement so far in their respective positions as directors.

With this, the best three candidates from each state can be recommended to Mr President for the appointment.

Olorunfemi expressed hope that the Federal government would heed to the advice and act accordingly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The FCT Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has bestowed on Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi the Torch bearer of Security award.

The award, according to the union, sees Bello emerging as the best governor in ensuring security among his colleagues in the country.

Representatives of the FCT Council of NUJ led by its Chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, gave Bello the award on Saturday in Abuja.

Ogbeche lauded Bello for securing the state and the lives of residents as well as commutters passing through the state.

He said as the fourth estate of the realm and watchdog of society, the NUJ had recognised all the efforts of the governor and had deemed it right to honour him.

We are here to recognise your outstanding performance in security.

We remember sometime in February 2017, the primary security agency, the Nigerian Police Force, recognised your performance.

They bestowed on you the award of the best governor in security.

Since then, you have not looked back, you have remained consistent, you have remained coherent in your security strategy.

You are fully aware that Section 22 of the Nigerian constitution says that media will hold anyone accountable to the people and by interpretation, it also means that when those in government have performed well, they ought to be given a pat on the back.

We want to commend you that you have kept faith with one of the primary reasons of being in government which is the security of the people as enshrined in Secton 14 of the constitution, Ogbeche said.

Bello, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Abdulkareem Asuku, thanked the NUJ for recognising the governor for his achievements in the security sector.

He said that the priority of Bello was securing the lives of Kogi citizens and other Nigerians, adding that this was the reason Nigerians were calling on him to run for president in 2023.

Security is the number one responsibility of any responsible government. Without security, no matter the infrastructure or economic achievement of any government it will all amount to nothing.

That is why his Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello upon assumption of office in 2016 decided to take the security of the people of Kogi State as his number one priority in his agenda.

That is why the good people of this country who know that for Nigeria to survive beyond 2023, we just have to take it from where we are now in security to where we can raise our heads high and be proud of our nation.

But for us to move from this situation to something better the good citizens of this country have resolved and are calling on his Excellency to present himself to salvage the situation in the country.

I want to specifically appreciate NUJ Abuja chapter for recognising his Excellency to be fit and able in that capacity to serve.

Because it is one thing to achieve and another thing to be recognised. Not just by anybody but the mouth piece of the nation which is the NUJ.

For you to deem in fit to recognise the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello in security is a big one and we appreciate you, Asuku said.

He also urged the NUJ to keep doing its best in upholding the unity of the country through credible reportage. (NANl)

Source: NAN News

By Moji Eniola/ Funmilola Gboteku

Joy, excitement and calmness on Winners Liberation Estate in Ikorodu, Lagos, were on Sunday disrupted as Mrs Tomisin Erogbogbo, a 34-year-old judiciary correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was laid to rest.

Tears flowed, sorrow expressed and regrets made, as Erogbogbos family members, colleagues, friends and neighbours could not come to terms with her death.

She was buried at 4.30p.m. at the Ikorodu North Cemetery, Isiu.

NAN reports that Erogbogbo, a Senior Correspondent of NAN, passed away on Thursday (May 27) in Lagos, during a surgical procedure.

The burial ceremony was organised by the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Adamo, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Erogbogbos family, friends, colleagues and others paid tributes to her, describing her death as heartbreaking.

In a sermon at Erogbogbos funeral service at her residence before the burial, Pastor Dennis Esebagbon of the Living Faith Church said that how long one lived did not matter but how well.

Citing a Bible passage (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), the cleric said: There is a time for everything under the sun.

It is not the number of years on earth that determines who you are but how your life impacts people.

It is better to spend a day on earth and make heaven than spend 200 years on earth and go to hell.

Let us not weep for her, it is time for us to realign and think about the kind of life we are living.

He said that testimonies about the deceased showed that she lived a worthy life.

The owner of her soul has taken her home, none of us has the right to question God, he said.

The cleric prayed God to comfort Erogbogbos husband, Mr Sam Ojonimi, her parents, siblings and other members of her family.

In a tribute, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NAN Chapel, Mr Yunus Yusuf, said that Erogbogbos death was sudden, shocking and devastating.

Yunus described her as a friendly and committed colleague.

He added that she was full of life and respected both her older and younger colleagues.

She will be greatly missed. It is indeed a very sad development.

I pray for repose of her soul. May the Almighty God continue to protect every member of NUJ, NAN Chapel.

Mrs Adeola Ekine, the Chairperson of Lagos Chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, described Erogbogbos death as a huge loss to the association.

Losing one of our female journalists is very touching, my heart goes out to the staff and management of NAN and NUJ.

I pray that this kind of thing will never happen in our midst again; I pray that we increase and not decrease, she said.

The Head of Judiciary Desk of NAN, Lagos Office, Mrs Ijeoma Popoola, described Erogbogbo who covered the Tinubu Magistrates Court, as a dedicated news reporter.

She was warm, pleasant, hardworking, resilient and trustworthy. She will be missed.

May her soul rest in peace, she said

The only sister of the deceased, Mrs Bolajoko Thomas, said that the death was devastating for the family.

I cannot believe that my sister is gone but God knows everything. I will miss her so much, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Hassana Yakubu

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed concern at the number of reported cases of mass killings it has received from Benue of recent.

The National Publicity Secretary (ACF) Mr Emmanuel Yawe, said that the forum was concerned over the most recent gruesome killing that happened last week Thursday morning, in which about forty people were allegedly murdered in one day.

He also decried the dislodgement of another large number of people from their homes at Shikaan village in Mbamena ward, in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that the country home of a retired senior naval Commodore Iyortyer Afeah, who is from the village, was completely burnt down with the four people who were inside.

Other prominent indigenes of the village whose houses were burnt are, the late wife of Justice Katsina Alu, Mrs Victoria Alu, former Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, and a retired Deputy Controller- General of Immigration, Mr Denen Akaa.

Yawe said that apart from those killed during the attack, many were receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.

He said further that from what the victims told the ACF, the attack was organised by some bandits from a neighbouring Shitile/Tiv community.

We at the ACF are worried about the rampant loss of lives in Benue and call on security agents to give accurate accounts of security situation as at when due.

We condemn the incessant killings of innocent people of Benue and urge security agencies to investigate properly and ensure that justice was served. (NAN)

Source: NAN News