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