By Christian Ogbonna

The Police Command in Ebonyi has warned native doctors against providing criminals with charms to perpetrate criminal activities in the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Loveth Odah, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki.

Odah, who said the command was committed to the protection of lives and property, urged native doctors in the state and country at large to steer clear of unlawful businesses.

NAN reports that the police had on April 30 discovered the decomposed bodies of two young men in a shallow grave inside Uduku-Igbudu forest in Agubia, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

The victims were said to have been abducted and buried alive inside the forest by their abductors, including two native doctors, who have been arrested by the police.

According to Odah, the deceased were blindfolded while ropes were tied to their necks when their decomposing bodies were exhumed by the police.

We went to the forest with experts and the bodies have been exhumed and handed over to their relatives for burial and police investigation is at the concluding stage, she said.

The PPRO explained that the two native doctors allegedly abducted the two young men on April 12 to put pressure their relatives to withdraw a case in court involving their boys.

Yes, citizens have the right to belong to any religion but when it involves illegality, that will not be allowed.

Avoid illegal businesses using religion, the police will arrest anyone doing that, even if the person is a native doctor, Odah said.

(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ugonne Uzoma

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo on Thursday hosted the Muslim community in the state to a banquet in the spirit of Eid-el-fitr celebration.

Speaking at the banquet, Uzodimma urged both Christians and Muslims in the state to ensure peaceful coexistence as the state was a peaceful state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Oguwike Nwachukwu.

The governor said that every citizen of Imo must imbibe the spirit of love for one another while thanking God for life in-spite of the challenges of last year.

He explained that the invitation extended to the Muslim community was to reassure them of their safety and stressed that the recent security threats would not happen again.

The governor also urged them to go about their businesses without fear adding that the state belonged to all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike.

According to him, all security agencies are friends of the public and only bandits and criminals are enemies of the security agencies and will not be spared.

He also thanked God for a peaceful 2021 Eid-el-fitr celebrations in Imo State, and wished the Muslim celebrants Eid Mubarak.

Earlier in his address, the Chief Imam of Imo, Alhaji Suleiman Njoku said that the celebration was a time to remember the less privileged and the needy in the society.

Njoku added that it was time for everyone to live a righteous life and seek for forgiveness from the Creator.

The Imam explained that Eid-el-fitr reminded every Muslim about how to worship God and relate with fellow human beings irrespective of religious affiliation.

He also stressed the importance of unity, peace and love for one another and reminded all muslim faithful that Islam was a religion of mercy, kindness and humility.

He thanked the Governor for hosting them and appealed to every Nigerian to pray for those in authority.

In a vote of thanks, the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Tukru Yaro expressed appreciation to the Governor for the invitation.

Yaro described it as the best opportunity of interface with the two major faiths in the state while commending the governors efforts in the area of security of life and property.

He also called for all hands to be on deck torealize the governors efforts in that direction.

Also present at the event were the President of Imo chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Eches Eches and the Anglican Archbishop of Egbu, Rt Rev Geoffrey Okoroafor. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has cautioned States Governors and other elected leaders against joining the agitations for secession or calling for restructuring of the country.

Lawan, who stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said he was not against those calling for restructuring but elected officials must not be among those advocating for such calls.

According to him, state governors must ensure that they restructure their respective states first before calling for restructuring at the federal level.

He said: The call for secession or the call for restructuring, many are genuine calls even though I never believe that someone who is calling for secession means well or is a misguided person.

But I believe that when somebody calls for improving the structure that we have is a genuine call.

But I want to advice here, I believe that as leaders those of us who were elected must not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing because even if you are a governor you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you are calling for at the federal level you have done it in your state as well.

This is because what you may accuse the federal government of whatever it is, you may also be accused of the same thing in your state.

So, we are supposed to ensure that we have a complete and total way of ensuring that our systems at the federal, state and even local government work for the people, and that we allow people to participate in governance so that whoever feels that he has something to offer to make Nigeria better does so freely without any hindrance.

We should avoid partisanship, we should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together. The solution must come from us regardless of what level of government we are whether at the federal, state or even at the local government level, he added.

Lawan also frowned at the way and manner local government system was relegated to the background in the country, saying for the nation to address its security challenges the local government system must be functional and efficient.

I want to take this opportunity also to say that we have diminished the local government system. I think we can attribute some of the security issues to the lack of functional local government system.

For me, I think the time has come for us to take up the challenge to ensure that the local government system functions. This is in keeping with looking for ways, for means, for solutions to the security challenges that we face. We must never neglect the local government system.

I believe that this is one system that had worked even though in a different name. When it was Native Authority it was very effective, very efficient.

So, we must go back to our local government to ensure that the local government continues to be autonomous, continues to be functional in order to compliment whatever the States and the Federal Government would be doing.

Source: NAN News

By Ahmed Kaigama

Alhaji Yunusa Danyaya, Emir of Ningi, Bauchi state has urged traditional title holders to deliver positive change in their communities.

Danyaya gave the charge when the newly appointed Zannan Ningi, Dr Nuhu Barau paid him a thank you visit in Ningi, Bauchi State.

Do not selfish but help and uplift your communities. You should take the lead role in uniting the people and helping to fight tribalism and regional politics.

Use your influence to foster unity and denounce politicians using tribalism and regional politics to ascend to Power, he said.

The emir charges them also to preserve and protect the emirates cultural heritage and pray for the protection of the emirate.

Responding, Barau, appreciated the Emir for giving him a title in the emirate.

He pledged to put in his best to uplift the Ningi emirate and support the people in the area.

Barau also reiterated his commitment to see the cultural heritage and norms of the emirate is protected and reserved. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

Actress Gloria Young, spokesperson for Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria, Lagos Archdiocese, has called on mothers to train the girl-child to be an asset.

Young spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the World Union of Catholic Women Organisation (WUCWO) Week in Lagos.

WUCWO Week, which started on May 9 will end on May 16.

It is a week-long activities for uniting Catholic women across the globe.

According to Young, the task of raising children is largely placed on the mothers shoulders.

She is that hand that rocks the cradle which rules the world.

Training up a girl-child to develop potential of good leadership is a major responsibility that women shouldnt take lightly; therefore, mothers should train up their children properly.

Mothers should wake up and speak up against injustice and gender inequality, beginning from her families, she said.

The actress added that mothers should speak up against sexual violence, domestic violence and prejudices in workplaces.

They should train their daughters to aspire to be presidents and not just first ladies.

They should allow them to become field engineers, surveyors and ambassadors and occupy key positions in companies and governments offices, she urged.

The veteran Nollywood actress said that mothers should let the girl-child realise that her gender should not determine her ability.

She expressed satisfaction that some Nigerian women had broken the glass ceiling but said that more women would need to improve their performances.

He advised women to insist on their rights. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that Nigeria will assist the Republic of Chad to stabilise and return to constitutional rule.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Buharis spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, said the president made the pledge when he hosted Lt.-Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby, the President, Transitional Military Council of Chad, at the State House, Abuja.

Debytook over the mantle of leadership of Chad after the death of his father, Idriss Itno, on April 19, 2021.

Idriss Itno died in battle, while leading troops to confront insurgents whocame in through Libya.

The country consequently set up the transitional council.

A return to democracy is expected in 18 months.

Buhari told the Chadian leader: We are bound together by culture and geography, and we will help in all ways we can.

Nigerians know and appreciate the role Chad played in helping us to combat terrorism, we will continue the collaboration.

The Nigerian president described the late Marshal Idriss Itno as his personal friend and a friend of Nigeria, noting that Chad had been very steadfast in defending Nigeria.

He said that Chad should, therefore, not hesitate to ask for help in areas it would deem necessary.

Buhari said that Nigeria would help to strengthen the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Multinational Joint Task Force.

We will also help you to ensure a smooth transition in 18 months, as you have promised your people, he added.

The transitional leader had thanked Nigeria for solidarity it showed Chad after the passage of the former president.

He said that the main objective of the Transitional Military Council are security and cohesion of our country.

He expressed commitment to free and fair polls in 18 months.

You were very close to Marshal Itno. Im here to reaffirm that relationship, and for you to support our transition.

We rely on our brother country, Nigeria, as we have shared history, culture and geography.

We are ready to be guided by you in our journey to constitutional rule, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Deby has departed the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Ndjamena. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Olamide George, the Acting President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has assured that Team Nigeria were on course in seeking qualification for the relay races of the Tokyo Olympics.

George, who is in Texas in the U.S. with the team, said on Friday that the team would qualify for not just the mixed relay event.

We will also qualify for the mens and womens 4x100m and 4x400m events, he said.

George expressed his delight with the team following their performance at the PVAMU meet in Texas.

We are happy. But I also believe we can do much better in our next race.

We now know what we need to do to secure one of the four available slots on offer, he said.

Nigerias 4x400m mixed relay team got off to a good start at the PVAMU meet on Wednesday, running a new three minutes 18.53 seconds Nigerian record to win the event.

The win has now put Team Nigeria within five places of sealing a spot in the event at the Tokyo Olympics.

The quartet of Imaobong Nse, Patience Okon-George, Nathaniel Samson and Sikiru Adeyemi made history as the first quartet to dorn the countrys colours in the event.

The team, according to the latest World Athletics ranking, are now 21st.

They are behind Germany, who presently occupy the 16th qualifying spot, Kenya, France, Czech Republic and Colombia respectively.

But Team Nigeria will need to better the time ran by Germany (3:16.85) to become one of the 16 finalists for the event in Tokyo.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

An NGO, Caleb Danladi Foundation has distributed food items to widows and less privileged persons in Zaria, Kaduna State in celebration of the Eid-el-Fitr.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the food items include rice, noodles, groundnut oil, pasta, wrappers, among others.

Malam Bala Babayaro, the Zaria Coordinator of the Foundation, while delivering the items, said the efforts would bring succor to the beneficiaries and put smiles on their faces.

This is targeted at putting smiles on faces of the less privileged persons among us, which will go a long way towards relieving them of purchasing food stuff, he said.

On his part, the President of the Foundation, Capt. Caleb Danladi, assured that he would continue to continue support the less privileged in the society.

Danladi also used the opportunity to call on the beneficiaries and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and unity in the country.

He also reiterated his commitment towards supporting women, orphans and less privileged with skills acquisition, finance and educational scholarship to uplift them to a higher position than they were.

Malama Halima Yusuf, speaking on behalf of the recipients, expressed appreciation to the organisation for their continuous humanitarian support to the women in the area.

She also called on other philanthropists and stakeholders to emulate the gesture as it would reduce the hardship in view of the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the people.

I thank this foundation for their continuous support to us and I implore other leaders to emulate this gesture of reaching out to the poor, nothing is too small and nothing is too big, she said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ebere Agozie

The Federal Government will soon resuscitate Special Terrorism Prosecution Courts, theMinister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has said.

Malami made this known in a statement by Dr Umar Gwandu his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations on Thursday in Abuja.

The move, Malami said is geared towards the Federal Governments commitment to end insecurity in the country.

The federal government is committed to ending insecurity in the country, and added that the courts are to bring to book all those found guilty in connection with terrorism so as to serve as deterrence to others.

In addition to the prosecution of 400 suspected Boko Haram financiers, the measures taken by the government will counter the twin trouble of insurgency and insecurity in the country.

Malami also, while felicitating with Muslim faithful all over the world on the occasion of the years Eid Al-Fitr, noted that Ramadan fast comes with numerous lessons.

The lessons include sincerity, honesty, commitment, sacrifice, selflessness, introspection and empathy, among others.

He therefore urged Muslims, as they celebrate, to continue to be law-abiding, have sober reflections and exhibit the imbibed lessons learnt during the period of Ramadan fast.

The Minister saluted the commitment of clerics in enlightening their followers on various issues during the month of fast, urging them to maintain the tempo, even beyond the period of Ramadan. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has advocated for peaceful coexistence as Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-el Fitir marking the end of Ramadan Fast.

A statement by Mary Noel-Berje, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said Sani-Bello disclosed this after prayers with other Muslim faithful at the Kontagora Eid praying Ground.

While congratulating Muslims for their perseverance during the Ramadan period, the governor admonished them to be cautious of their environment.

The governor urged them to report any suspicious and uncomfortable movements within their neighbourhoods.

He reiterated the need for the people to intensify prayers so that peace is restored to Nigeria and Niger.

In recent times we have experienced a lot of security challenges, this calls for fervent prayers, he said.

He added that the security agencies were doing their best believing that peace will soon return to the country.

In his sermon, Chief Imam of the Emirs Palace Kontagora, Malam Shehu Rimaye, expressed gratitude to Allah for guiding them through the Ramadan period amid security challenges.

He commended the efforts of the security agencies in fighting criminal elements in the country.

Rimaye called on Muslims to continue with prayers, admonishing them to desist from criticizing leaders unnecessarily

The Imam cautioned parents to give their children good training to be better citizens and contribute to national development.

The Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, was represented by the Madawaki of Kontagora, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed at the prayers.

The governor later paid a visit to the Emir of Kontagora in his palace after the Eid Prayer.(NAN)

Source: NAN News