By Victor Nwachukwu

The Imo command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed an attack on its facility in Owerri.

The Public Relations Officer of the service in the state, Mr James Madugba, confirmed the incident in Owerri on Monday.

Madugba who said that the event occurred at about 2.00 a.m Monday, also said that many inmates escaped.

He said some operational vehicles of the service were burnt.

He added that the service had yet to confirm the numbers of escaped inmates and damaged vehicles.

We can confirm that the facility was attacked at about 2.00 a.m. Monday with operational vehicles burnt and many inmates at large.

We have yet to confirm definite figures but well make them public as soon as possible , he said.

He, however, called on residents of the state to go about their businesses, as according to him, the situation is under control.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Elusogbon

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has called on the Oodua descendants all over the world to be in solidarity with the Itsekiri people in the choice of the new Olu of Warri.

The Ooni made the call in a statementby Mr Moses Olafare, the Director of Media

By Ismaila Chafe

The Presidency, on Sunday in Abuja, described as ungodly attempt by Bishop Matthew Kukah to politicise the nations security challenges and the hijab saga in Kwara in his 2021 Easter homily.

A statement by the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu noted that Kukah, the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, had said things that were inexplicable in his Easter massage.

According to the presidential aide, it is wrong for Kukah to have stated that the Boko Haram terrorism is worse than it was in 2015.

Shehu expressed the belief that Kukah did not speak like a man of God.

He, therefore, urged well-meaning citizens to continue to support the ongoing efforts by the Buhari administration to secure the country and move it forward.

The statement read in part: But if you profess to being a man of God, as Father Mathew Hassan Kukah does, ideology should not stand in the way of facts and fairness.

Father Kukah has said some things that are inexplicable in his Easter message.

But, in saying that the Boko Haram terrorism is worse than it was in 2015, he did not speak like a man of God.

Kukah should go to Borno or Adamawa to ask the citizens there the difference between 2014 and 2021, Shehu said.

On the hijab controversy in Kwara, which Kukah also touched on, Shehu pointed out that it was a state matter which the courts of the land had adjudicated on.

They are matters that have appeared in several states as far back as the Obasanjo administration. In all of that, when and where did the name of President Buhari feature?

He (Kukah) is playing partisan politics by dragging the President (Buhari) into it.

An administration that has created a whole ministry, for the first time in the countrys history, appropriating enormous resources to it, to deal with issues of internally displaced persons cannot, in all rightfulness be accused of not caring for them.

Some of the comments are no more than a sample of the unrestrained rhetoric Fr. Kukah trades in, which he often does in the guise of a homily, Shehu said.

Source: NAN News

By Sylvester Thompson

The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, has said the coronavirus pandemic is a wake-up call for nations to collaborate effectively on science and technology for wealth creation.

The minister made the call at a lecture he delivered to young entrepreneurs and company executives on Sunday in Lagos at the First Immaculate Heart Comprehensive High School.

A press statement made available in Abuja by Maryam Zakaria, Press Secretary to the Minister, stated that the lecture was entitled Technology, As A Key Driver To Nation Building: Opportunities and Collaborations.

The minister, in the lecture, said synergy among nations was necessary to forge public trust in the area of science and technology through knowledge sharing.

He urged developing countries to prioritise Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in their scheme of things.

Today, countries are classified as developed and developed based on economic index and the application of STI, he said.

Abdullahi said that countries which have strong science and technology were the ones that developed faster.

He said that innovation had also become a key driver of economic, industrial development and technology advancement of any nation.

The success of any nation is achieved through the effectiveness of the National Innovation System (NIS), he said.

According to the minister, Nigeria has adopted the STI Roadmap 2017-2030 which embraces nanotechnology, space technology, engineering, chemical technology, biotechnology, leather technology, among others.

He said that the strides the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology had made as a result of the National Leather Products Policy was helping to boost the countrys economy.

He said through leather and textile, Nigeria would be able to develop more sophisticated technologies.

He hinted that the ministry planned to establish National Science and Technology Museum, where historic scientific, technological, artistic and cultural objects, would be displayed for hands-on exhibition.

Visitors will have the opportunity to touch, dismantle and reassemble items on display.

It would also afford children hands-on experience of different scientific processes, Abdullahi said.

Source: NAN News

By Chukwuemeka Opara

The Federal Government has pledged to ensure justice for victims of the recent attacks on three communities of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi, by unknown gunmen.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo made the pledge on Sunday in Abakaliki while addressing stakeholders of the state after inspecting the affected communities and the Effium/Ezza-Effium intra-communal crisis.

Osibanjo, who commiserated with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident, promised that the assailants would be arrested and duly prosecuted.

I convey the condolences from President Muhammadu Buhari as there is no justification whatsoever for the killings and destruction of property.

The killings must be condemned in its strongest terms as the victims must have lived together for long with those who may have killed them, he said.

The Vice President said that it was the responsibility of federal, state and local governments to ensure that such killings did not occur.

I am, however, pleased that at the Egedegede Community, the political leaders found some facts and evidence which would help security agencies in their investigations.

This would help trace the perpetrators of this terrible act but our duty as political leaders is to maintain absolute peace in areas where we serve as leaders, he said.

He pledged that the Federal Government has beefed security in the affected areas and other parts of the state by deploying additional soldiers and police personnel to the areas.

We need to ensure that relief is sent to the affected areas as the National Emergency Management Agency, among other relevant agencies, would be mobilised to assist the people with relief materials, he said.

Gov. David Umahi thanked the Vice President for accepting to be sent by Buhari to visit the state in its mournful situation.

You must have been reading in newspapers and the social media the amount of insults which South East governors receive for their efforts to ensure the unity of Nigeria.

I thank God that we prevented a serious retaliation when the incident occurred but as the chief security officer of the state, I cannot control the situation if such attack re-occurs, he said.

Chief Martin Elechi, the immediate predecessor of the current governor, urged the Federal Government to immediately stem the spate of killings and destruction across the country as it was becoming embarrassing.

Chief Eni Uduma, Representative of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Ebonyi Chapter, said that the people could longer tolerate the incessant killings and destructions of their property by those suspected to be herders. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Lawal

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and renowned Islamic Cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, have called for special courts to prosecute bandits and kidnappers across the country.

They made the call in a communique issued after a closed-door meeting in Abeokuta on Sunday.

They also called on the Local Government Councils, States and Federal Government to work together to return out-of-schools children to classes, adding that education remains key to tackling insecurity.

They said that the special courts would cut the long bureaucracy in dealing promptly with cases of banditry, kidnapping, ransom demanding and unlawful carrying of weapons.

They advised the Federal government to be proactive, secure necessary and updated intelligence to deal with organised crimes as well as have common policy for the Nation.

The Gumi eight-man delegation include: Prof. Usman Yusuf, Tukur Mamu, Dr Umar Ardo, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi, Suleiman Gumi, Suleiman Yakubu and Buba Mohammed.

Those present on the side of Obasanjo were Agura of Gbagura, Abeokuta, Oba Babajide Bakre and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria in Ogun , Tunde Akin-Akinsanya.

Other were Chief Imam of Egbaland, Saaddallah Bamigbola and Former Chairman of the Police Equipment Fund, Kenny Martins.

Source: NAN News

By Yinusa Ishola

A former Governor of Ekiti, Mr Segun Oni, has admonished the people of the state to reflect on the significance of Easter and imbibe sacrifice, love and togetherness in order to move the state forward.

In an Easter message he personally signed on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, Oni said it was only through sacrifice, building of strength and togetherness that the desired positive cause of the state could be advanced.

Oni, who acknowledged that God has special interest in the affairs of Ekiti, called for deep reflection on the essence of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as it applied to existence and togetherness.

According to the former governor, the time has come for the people of the state to resurrect their profound history and the great glory of their knowledge and use them to turn around the fortunes of the state for their common good.

As a distinct homogenous entity that loves and accommodates all, we must come to a place of apposite understanding, make sacrifices, build on our strength, guide our uniqueness and use our God-given intellect and talents to advance the cause of our dear state.

We must never allow the axis of evil to thrive in our dear state; we have a collective duty to fight, defeat and shame the nest of killers.

As we have desired to live the essence of Easter after our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our resurrection and life, let Ekiti be known and called a house of prayers, a fountain of love and a land of honour and blessing.

It is on these premises that I urge the good people of Ekiti to deeply reflect on the essence of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ as it applies to our existence and togetherness, he added.

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

MIcah Jiba, Member, House of Representative, AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, has appealed to residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to live peacefully to attract much-needed infrastructural development in the area.

Jiba, who made the call in his Easter message, said that the significance of the season was for every Christian to show an exemplary life of Jesus.

He added that divine evidence had shown that when people turn to God in true supplication, in times of distress, agony, sickness and disappointment, the Almighty God in turn answered prayers.

It is only in a peaceful and conducive environment that business, government activities and the desired infrastructural development can be achieved.

I urge you to use this Easter celebration to reflect on the significance of the FCT as the Center of Unity of our great country.

This is the season to show true neighbourliness and reach out to the needy and the less privileged, who have been impacted negatively by COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

He advised residents to follow all the necessary COVID-19 protocols of constant hand washing, use of alcohol based sanitiser, and observing social distancing.

He described Easter as one of the holiest celebrations for Christians that enabled them to reflect on the way of life of Jesus Christ while on earth to save mankind.

This is one time where prevention is most certainly better than cure and you must therefore, be disciplined and maintain personal hygiene by observing all the guidelines.

He wished the residents of FCT a happy Easter celebration and encouraged them to stay safe throughout the festivity.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok

Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has suspended the Chairman of Calabar Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, from office.

Onahs suspension is contained in a release signed on Monday in Calabar by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita.

The governor said that the suspension was with immediate effect.

He however did not state the reason for the suspension of the commissions chairman.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspension is coming two days after the commission held its maiden award night in Calabar. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has donated N40 million to support the hosting of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) holding in Edo.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, disclosed this in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr John Akanji, on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSF, which had suffered numerous postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and paucity of funds by the Edo State Government, finally got underway on April 2.

The minister expressed appreciation to the youth loving Kogi governor and the state for supporting the fiesta, which was on the brink of another postponement.

Dare assured that the fund would go a long way in uplifting the youths who are the larger participants at the festival as the ministry will commit the fund to providing feeding, transportation and ancillary support.

The minister expressed optimism that other state governors would emulate Bello in supporting the NSF as a show of their support for the youth.

Over 65 per cent of the athletes are youths for whom the fiesta, dubbed Nigerias Olympics, is a great opportunity to hone their skills and possibly secure tickets to the Tokyo Olympics, he said.

Dare said he had personally called to thank Bello for coming through quickly in support of the Nigerian youths.

The governors support is timely and useful and I thank him on behalf of the youths participating in the 20th National Sports Festival in Edo, Dare said.

NAN reports that the 20th National Sports Festival, which started on April 2 with the arrival of athletes in Edo, will end on April 14.

Source: NAN News