The Police in France arrested five women suspected of planning a terror attack, legal sources said on Sunday.

Investigators reportedly focused on one of the five women in particular as the other four, including one juvenile, are members of her family.

The women were arrested on Saturday night in the southern city of Beziers.

The police feared the women were planning to carry out a violent attack in Montpellier, according to Le Point newspaper.

The women are known to hold radical Islamist beliefs, the report said.

This was not confirmed by the public prosecutors office, and no further background information was initially available.

In recent years, more than 250 people have been killed in Islamist attacks in France, which has seen several terrorist incidents during the past year. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Akeem Abas

Rep. Stanley Olajide (PDP-Ibadan South-West/North-West) has trained 100 youths from his constituency in paint making and marketing.

The two-day programme, which ended on Saturday, was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Olajide recently gave working tools worth millions of naira and additional start up capital of N20,000 each to 100 youths trained in the vocation.

Olajide told newsmen that the concerted and deliberate effort was aimed at taking many youths out of crime, while admonishing them to make the best use of the opportunities they had to contribute to the socio-economic advancement of the constituency, the state and Nigeria.

He pledged to always provide adequate representation and ensure benefits accrued to his constituents, as dividends of democracy.

Olajide thanked the Bio-resources Development Centre of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as Dolocon Corporate Services for making the event a reality.

Five litres of already made paint produced by the participants during the practical sessions of the training were distributed as starter packs, while each participant received N10,000.

The event featured the distribution of chemicals that were vital in paint making to the participants.

NAN reports that Olajide had in February, trained widows and aged women in the constituency on animal husbandry, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, where he gave them scores of goats.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Sunday reassured the people of Abia of his dedication to the task of rebuilding the state for sustainable development.

This is contained in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chief Onyebuchi Ememanka, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia.

Ikpeazu said that Abia was on a journey to a destination of rediscovery, adding that the government would not relent in evolving programmes and policies that would boost its development.

He commended the people of Abia for their perseverance and support, saying that the government would remain relentless in its bid to improve the well-being of the citizens.

Ikpeazu urged the people of Abia to brace for better days ahead and draw inspiration from significance of the Easter celebration.

He described Easter celebration as an event that was synonymous with fresh hopes and a brighter tomorrow, noting that it ought to be a period of reflection for the people of Abia.

Easter signifies the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, and of hope over despair.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after three days bears a message that forms the foundation of our Christian faith and for us in Abia State, it is a clear indication that after darkness comes a glorious dawn, he said.

Ikpeazu prayed God to bless the people of Abia and make the Easter celebration to be a season filled with the blessings of God Almighty for everyone. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bukola Adetoye

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested drug trafficker, Goodluck Odeh, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA) in possession of two kg of heroin with a street value of N564 million.

A statement by the Director, Publicity and Advocacy of the agency, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, in Abuja, said the heroin was found concealed in the lining of a false bottom on his suitcase.

NDLEA identified the 40-year-old suspect as hailing from Ikpoba Okha Local Government, Edo.

According to the agency, Odeh was arrested at the departure lounge of the NAIA during an outward clearance of Ethiopian aircraft 911 en route Addis Ababa to Italy.

Under interrogation, Odeh claimed he has been living in Italy since 2015, when he got into the country through Libya.

I work as a labourer on a farm in Italy, with a pay of about 50 Euro a day. I also works as a flyer distributor when the farming season is over and I make as much as 50 Euro/day.

I came to Nigeria over two weeks ago to see my family in Nigeria and also use same opportunity to buy foodstuffs to sell on my return to Italy.

After spending some days between Edo and Delta, where I bought some foodstuffs, I equally travelled to Lagos to buy part of the foodstuffs and bush meat, which is cheaper.

I did not know how the drug found its way into the bag as I bought the suitcase from a second hand material open market in Lagos, not knowing that it contained the drug, Odeh told operatives of the agency.

When further asked of the market address, he said he didnt know the address., the agency said

Odeh also said he was accompanied to the market, where he bought the suitcase, by a man he claimed he met the day he arrived in Lagos from Benin

I came into Abuja from Lagos for onward trip to Italy, the agency quoted Odeh saying .

The Commander, NAIA Airport Command of the NDLEA, Mr Kabir Sani Tsakuwa, said a case had already been filed against the suspect, while investigations were ongoing to explore other leads, on the case.

Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has commended the commander, officers and men of the agency at the airport for their vigilance.

Wherever the criminal elements go to export or import illicit drugs through our borders, they will surely have the new NDLEA to contend with, Marwa said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Libya has received its first shipment of vaccines against COVID-19, with 101,250 doses from Russia, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The Sputnik doses arrived in the capital Tripoli and will be stored in the Health Ministrys warehouses, the ministry added, according to Libyas official news agency LNA.

No date has been given for when the vaccination will begin.

Libyas Interim Prime Minister, Abdul-Hamid Mohammed Dbeibeh, said that more vaccine shipments would follow.

Dbeibeh called on the public to register in order to receive a jab.

So far, the Libyan health authorities have reported a total of 161,088 virus cases and 2,684 related deaths.

In March, a transitional unity government took office in Libya, a major step towards re-establishing stability in the country that has been roiled by conflict for a decade.

The interim government is tasked with preparing for national elections, scheduled for Dec. 24.

This government has replaced the UN-backed Government of National Accord, which has been in charge of Tripoli and western areas, alongside the competing eastern administration linked with warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Libya has been in turmoil since long-time ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, was toppled in 2011.

The oil-rich country has become a proxy battleground for rival forces and foreign powers. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, has enjoined Nigerians to have hope in God despite the myriad of challenges facing the country.

Onaga made the call in his Easter message titled: Hope in God made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday.

The cleric noted that in spite of all the challenges being witnessed in the country; God is with us, Nigerians.

Easter is the centre of Christianity, our doctrine and faith.

The victory and hope which Jesus Christ brought to us over death and fear of death by His resurrection, is the message of Easter.

With the resurrection which is the central message of Easter, there is hope that everything around us would resurrect and turn out positive, he said.

The bishop noted that every year, the country usually had challenges, but this years challenges seemed more.

At presently, we have security, economy and political challenges and they are made more complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. People and government all over the world are grappling with.

However, in all these, God is with us and there is hope for better days. We must also have hope in God since He is the author of all we do, he said.

Onaga wished all Nigerians especially Christians and people living in Enugu State a happy Easter celebration.

The cleric also prayed for the healing and intervention of God in the nations security, economy and political challenges.

Nigerians should also support government policies and programmes meant for their welfare, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has urged Nigerians to reflect on the significance of Easter, love one another, be religious tolerant with renewed vigor for a better and prosperous Nigeria.

Bello made the call in his Easter messagemade available by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onogwu Mohammed on Sunday.

According to the governor, the lesson of Easter as exemplified by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who laid down his life for the salvation of mankind, should be a template for human existence.

He stressed that the significance of Easter hinged on sacrifice and love, should be modeled by leaders and citizens, urging Nigerians to place premium on national interest as against individual aspirations.

The lesson of Easter as exemplified by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who laid down his life for the salvation of mankind, should be a template for human existence hinged on sacrifice and love.

These godly attributes should be modeled by leaders and citizens.

The important message of Easter is love for mankind and this Christ-like virtue should be converted into citizens drive toward national integration and harmony amongst various religious and ethnic sections in the country.

Kogi, under my watch is more united than ever and we have created an atmosphere of equity, fairness and justice, where every religion is mutually respected and with such in place, any society will thrive in all spheres.

Bello while assuring citizens of a peaceful Easter celebration, reiterated governments continuous efforts toward a secured and peaceful state.

He added that, it had become imperative to ensure residents of the state were safe and his governments relentless commitment to pushing for a more unified confluence state where everyone would see himself first in the spirit of humanity and love.

Bello, however, urged Christians as well as other Nigerians to use the occasion of this blessed period to pray for the peace and progress of Nigeria.

Source: NAN News

Pope Francis hasurged countries to quicken the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly to the worlds poor.

The pontiff described armed conflict and military spending during a pandemic as scandalous.

He gave the advice in his Easter message on Sunday.

I urge the entire international community, in a spirit of global responsibility, to commit to overcoming delays in the distribution of vaccines and to facilitate their distribution, especially to the poorest countries, he said.

Coronavirus has meant this has been the second year in a row that Easter papal services have been attended by small gatherings at a secondary altar of St. Peters Basilica, instead of by crowds in the church or in the square outside.

After saying the Mass, Francis read his Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) message, in which he traditionally reviews world problems and appeals for peace.

The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor.

Nonetheless and this is scandalous, armed conflicts have not ended and military arsenals are being strengthened, he said.

Francis, who would normally have given the address to up to 100,000 people in St. Peters Square, spoke to fewer than 200 in the church while the message was broadcast to tens of millions around the world.

The square was empty, except for a few police officers enforcing a strict three-day national lockdown.

The Pope asked God to comfort the sick, those who have lost their loved ones and the unemployed.

He urged authorities to give families in greatest need a decent sustenance.

He praised the medical workers, sympathised with young people who are unable to attend school and said everyone was called to combat the pandemic.

There are still too many wars and too much violence in the world! May the Lord, who is our peace, help us to overcome the mindset of war, Francis, who has often called for disarmament and a total ban on the possession of nuclear weapons, said.

Noting that it was International Awareness Day against anti-personnel landmines, he called such weapons insidious and horrible devices how much better our world would be without these instruments of death!

In mentioning conflict areas, he singled out for praise the young people of Myanmar committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully.

More than 550 protesters have been killed since a Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar, which the Pope visited in 2017.

Francis called for peace in several conflict areas in Africa, including the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia and the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique.

He said the crisis in Yemen has been met with a deafening and scandalous silence.

He appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to rediscover the power of dialogue to reach a two-state solution where both can live side by side in peace and prosperity.

Francis said he realised thatmany Christians were still persecuted and called for all restrictions on freedom of worship and religion worldwide to be lifted. (Reuters/ NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Amen Gajira

As Nigerians celebrate Easter, Mr Peter Averik, Chairman of Jemaa Local Government in Kaduna State, has advised Christians to reflect on the nations challenges and seek Gods intervention.

Averik, while felicitating with Christians, restated the need for Nigerians to live in peace and always forgive one another.

The Chairman, in an Easter message on Sunday in Kafanchan, said that the Easter period provided an opportunity to reflect on the numerous challenges confronting the country and seek divine intervention.

This Easter has again afforded us opportunity to deeply reflect on our twin challenges of insecurity and poverty and honestly beg God for his mercy and healing.

I am happy that this years Easter has come at a time we are seriously working to entrench peace and harmonious coexistence among our diverse communities.

I hereby invite you all lovers of peace and progressive compatriots to join us in this work for peace, he added

He enjoined Christians to imbibe the lessons of love and sacrifice as exemplified by Jesus Christ, and demonstrate same in their lives.

Easter is a glorious climax of Jesus Christs redemption work in which mankind was saved through the death and resurrection of Christ after three days in the tomb.

We should, as people of faith, inculcate the useful lessons of the spiritual season which are love, prayers, forgiveness and charity, especially for the poor.

I pray that we all may be influenced with the grace of the Easter season to embrace one another in love, irrespective of our ethnic and religious differences, he added (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Sunday, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for considering merit above everything in appointing the new Auditor General of the Federation, Mr Adolphus Aghughu.

Obaseki gave the commendation in Ewatto, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state, at the Thanksgiving Mass at St. Anthony Catholic Church on the appointment of Aghughu, as the Auditor General of the Federation.

Dignitaries at the church service included, the Senator representing Edo South, Sen. Matthew Urhoghide, Sen. Clifford Ordia, representing Edo Central, and the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, among others.

Obaseki said he was going to thank the President for considering merit above everything else, explaining that Aghughu had certain values like honesty, hard work and diligence, that earned him the job, and that he would do well to continue to maintain those values.

I am very proud that we have produced the Auditor General of the Federation. This is the doing of the Lord, because he has been applying for this position since 2018 and he is more than qualified, but the Lord, in his own time, has made it possible.

He achieved this position not through any godfather, but through hard work. And I am a witness to it, I am a witness to the setbacks and the frustrations.

You are not in office on your own account, you are not there to represent your community Ewatto, and you are not there to represent Edo, but you are serving the Federal Republic of Nigeria and with that goal you are serving all of us.

Nobody put you there, it is God that put you there, so continue to do only that which is pleasing in the eyes of God, the governor said.

Speaking on the infrastructural development of the state, the governor said that his administration would fulfill all the promises it made during the electioneering campaign.

For my administration, I can always assure you, that we do not say what we cannot do, whatever promises we make by the Grace of God, we will fulfill all those promises to our people before we leave office, he said.

Earlier, the officiating Priest, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, called on all leaders to allow the masses feel their presence during their tenure in office.

So, I speak on behalf of our sons and daughters, lets us feel you, if you are afraid that they will kill you, let them kill you, and you die because you are doing good, its better to die a better death in doing good, than to die doing evil, or not doing anything at all.

He thanked the governor for constructing the road to Ewatto, saying, we may have voted for different parties, during the gubernatorial election, but for rest part of the administration, all of us are on the same boat, its our state, it is our land, let us work together for the success of our dear state.

As for the various security challenges we are experiencing currently, let us not get tired of praying for our government, when you pray for those in government, you are giving them an obligation to be better, he added.

Ogun congratulated the newly appointed Auditor General of the federation and prayed to God to grant him wisdom, just as he urged him to put the people he is representing first.

Responding, the new Auditor General of the Federation, Adolphus Aghughu, assured that he would be transparent and accountable to the people of Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News