By Thompson Yamput

The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Mr Onogwu Muhammed, says no fewer 134 kidnapped victims have been rescued in Kogi by a vigilance group.

He said this in a statement issued in Lokoja on Monday, noting that the rescued victims were abducted in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State.

Mohammed said that the victims were rescued during a rescue operations launched by the Kogi vigilance group in forests located in the state and some parts of Nasarawa State.

The vigilance group had stormed the hideouts of kidnappers in the Odullo forest of Kogi and Sardauna in Nasarawa State and rescued 134 victims who were abducted from Abaji, Kuje, and Kwali in FCT, as well as Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa.

The vigilance group, comprising 92 members who participated in the operation at the Odullo forest and Sardauna in Nasarawa State, returned and were gladly received by Chairman of the area, Mr Dauda Aliyu, he said.

He also said that Aliyu, who received the rescued victims, commended the vigilantes for their bravery and achievement.

He said that the chairman commended the Yahaya Bellos administrations support to security operatives in the state, adding that the victims had been properly reunited with their families.

The council boss appreciated Bello for supporting the vigilantes that he said had continued to help immensely in the fight against insecurity in the state, the statement said.

The statement also said that the Security Adviser to the state governor, retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, also praised the vigilance group and other security agencies in the state for their efforts in fighting crimes in the state and beyond.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Temitope Ponle

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said 102 evacuees returned home from Sudan aboard a Tarco airliner via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, who gave the update on Monday, said the airline arrive at the airport at about 9:15 a.m.

Earlier, had updated newsmen on a Tarco Airline arriving from Port Sudan International Airport.

Kindly update you on the following:

Aircraft :B737-500 CS- MAB. Company: Tarco Airline.

Left Port Sudan International Airport today, 8th May, 2023, at 12:45a.m. local time, with 124 adult,5 Infants. Total 129 Nigerian nationals (evacuees).

Estimated time of arrivalPort Sudan (PZU) to Juba (JUB) 2 hrs 50 min.

Stop over 1 hrs in Juba.

JUB to ABV = 03:30 min. Total = 7hrs 30min.

The flight is expected to arrive Abuja around 6:30a.m. to 7a.m. Nigerian time. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on Friday gutted by fire

EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement in Abuja, that the inferno affected only one of the buildings of the command.

Uwujaren said that the incident, which occurred at about 12.30 am Friday, was triggered by a power surge.

He said, however, that the ensuing inferno was later put out through the combined efforts of the Enugu State and Federal Fire Service.

He said that no life was lost in the incident.(NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army on Sunday in Abuja condemned the maltreatment of civilians by persons clad in military camouflage at 2 Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Kaduna.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Mwachukwu, stated that the assault was an aberration of the values and ethics of professionalism, courage, selflessness and service to humanity which the Nigerian Army represented.

He stressed that the army was aware of a provocative and unacceptable video footage trending in the social media in which certain persons clad in military uniformwere molesting civilians.

He added that the army as a disciplined and regimented organisation was committed to the supremacy of the Constitution, defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.

Authorities of the Nigerian Army have directed immediate investigation into the audio-visual footage to ascertain its veracity, with a view to identifying the culprits.

Outcome of the investigation and sanctions against the persons clad in military camouflage who perpetrated the dastardly acts, if found to be army personnel, would be treated in accordance with extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.

While appreciating the general public for their continued support, the Nigerian Army urges all law-abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of molestation or intimidation from any quarter.

Members of the pubic are urged to report any untoward conduct by troops to the Nigerian Army Human Rights desks at the headquarters, Nigerian Army or at the divisional headquarters, Mwachukwu stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By George Odok

Rear Adm. Olusola Oluwagbire, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, has warned criminals to steer clear of the Eastern Naval Command area of responsibility.

Oluwagbire gave the warning during a familiarisation visit to the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNSV), Commodore Vincent Gbaranwi, on Monday in Calabar.

He said that the Nigerian Navy was committed to ensuring the protection of the Nigerian maritime sector.

I want to advise criminal elements out there to steer clear of the Eastern Naval Command area of responsibility. If they dont, we will look for them, smoke them out and they will face the penalty.

I am on my maiden tour of units and establishment of Eastern Naval Command area of responsibility.

From what I have seen so far, I am very impressed with the level of work, commitment, infrastructural development and operational state of our boats, he said.

The FOC, who was conducted round the NNSV Base by the commander, lauded Gbaranwi for the level of work done in the command and for the fulfilment of the navy objectives that he is putting in place.

The FOC said that the navy was on track in ensuring that the mandate of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, which centres on securing Nigerian maritime sector as well as ensuring national posterity, are met.

From our end, we will continue to do what is required of us so that we will keep the flag of the Nigerian Navy flying, he said.

He urged officers of the command to continue to support the commander in moving the Nigerian Navy forward.

The FOC also inspected the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory jetty as well as the Headquarters, Eastern Fleet. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muftau Adediran/Ismail Abdulaziz

DD/Website

Aren Eggon, paramount ruler of Eggon nation, Retired Justice Ahmed Ubangari

By Awayi Kuje

The new Aren Eggon, paramount ruler of Eggon nation, Retired Justice Ahmed Ubangari, has pledged to rule his subjects with the fear of God to enhance the peace and development of his domain and Nasarawa State.

Ubangari, a former Chief Judge of the State made the pledged while addressing his subjects and other well wishers, who welcomed him into his palace in Nassarawa Eggon on Sunday.

He urged his subjects and other people in the state to always embrace unity and peace for development to thrive.

I want to call on you to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of your affiliations.

Peace is priceless and non negotiable and it is a necessary requirements for the development of any society, he said.

Ubangari solicited the support of all Eggon sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora in order to succeed.

In his remarks, Mr David Abuluya, President, Eggon Cultural and Development Association ( ECDA) worldwide pledged to work with the new traditional ruler to further promote unity and peace among Eggon people and their neighbours.

The President called for the unity of Eggon nation to further engender rapid socio economic development of the people and the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the palace of the Aren Eggon was agog with jubilation as residents of Nassarawa Eggon and people from different parts of the state trooped in to welcome the new Aren Eggon, Ubangeri, following the approval of his appointment by Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Friday, May 5.

Sule gave the approval shortly after being presented with the report of the committee saddled with the responsibility of conducting the selection of the new Aren Eggon, at the Government House.

The governor explained that the selection of the new Aren Eggon was conducted in accordance with Eggon tradition and in line with the strict policy of transparency under his administration.

NAN also report that Ubangari succeeds the late Dr Bala Abaine Angbazo, who died in July 2022. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/ Isaac Ukpoju

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola
The global public will be presented with a book, The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith, authored by Mrs Grace Yussuf, a Deputy Editor-In-Chief with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

A statement issued by the organising committee on Sunday said the event would take place on May 9, at the National Press Centre, Radio House, in Abuja.

The statement described the book as a memoir of a female Nigerian journalist and would precede her retirement from service on May 16.

According to the statement, the presentation will be chaired by Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN), the Founder, Women Aid Collective (WACOL).

Mr Femi Adesina, a veteran journalist and Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, will be the Book Presenter, it said.

The book will be reviewed by Mr Joe Bankole, who is a media consultant, author and former Managing Editor with NAN.

The revered Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, will be the Royal Father of the occasion.

Other special guests expected at the event are Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director of NAN and Amb. Shri Gangandharan Balasubramanta, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Similarly, Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservation General of the National Park Service, and several veteran journalists who have made impact in the journalism profession, will grace the event.

The event is expected to be a major gathering for stakeholders in the media industry as well as friends, associates and well wishers of the author.

On her part, Yussuf said the decision to write the book came out of a desire to document her experiences as a female journalist and a practicing Christian who promised herself that doing so would serve posterity well.

I believe that it will not only be a good reading for many but will also go a long way towards encouraging younger female journalists, who may be finding it difficult to cope, especially if they have had to hold on to their faith and values.

It is my intention, too, that this book will serve as a story of resilience, hard work, moral rectitude, a journey of faith and adherence to Christian virtues even in the practice of an utterly socially-relevant profession as journalism.

I say this because there is this general belief that journalists are unserious and frivolous. This puts women in a precarious position as it makes them more vulnerable than their male counterparts, she said.(NAN (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

DD/Website

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A group of newly elected members of the House of Representatives under the auspices of New Vision, has pledged their support for Hon. Muktar Betara for speakership of the 10th House of Representatives.

Betera is the lawmaker representing Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State,

The group disclosed this in a statement by Peter Akpanke member elect from Obudu/Obaniku/Bekwara federal constituency Cross River, and made available to newsmen on Saturday.

The group had finalised their decision at ameeting of the new members-elect from the South-South in Abuja.

The group is drawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other political parties.

Akpanke, elected on the platform of PDP said that the lawmakers unanimously pledged their support for Betaras aspiration, describing him as the most qualified among the contenders for the Speakership position.

He said members of the group had been moving across the country to garner support for Betara, who is also the present Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation.

He said that the lawmakers had met most the contenders for the Speakership position, and come to the conclusion that only Betara showed sincere commitment to work with the executive arm in solving the mirage of challenges bedevilling the country.

We have had an interface with all the people running for speakership in the 10th assembly. We met with all of them one-on-one but we chose Betara because when we met him, he spoke the minds of the members and how the 10th assembly is going to be independent.

Betara also spoke on how projects are going to get to federal constituencies, how budgets are going to be executed and how he will collaborate with the executive to make sure that projects are funded.

How issues of insecurity and employment are going to be tackled, all for the benefit of Nigerians. So the new vision group decided to stand behind him, Akpanke said.

He said that members of the group had been going round the geopolitical zones to interface and lobbying members-elect to support the cause.

In the meeting with our colleagues from South-South, all of us resolved that no matter the pressure, we should support Betara based on his antecedents.

He has been chairman, Army committee, and we saw how the committee rose from Grade C to get Grade A. He is currently the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation and since then, there has been nothing like budget padding.

Akpanke said that the zoning arrangements of the ruling APC wouldnt be binding on the lawmakers, saying the opposition parties had more members-elect.

He added that the group would reject any form of imposition, adding that the National Assembly is an independent arm of government and members must be allowed to chose their leaders.

Those of us in NASS want to support a speaker who is our own, a speaker who will defend democracy.

Someone who will protect the interests of members and help us deliver the dividends.

Akpanke said that the present speaker had ran for three times and he has always been going against zoning.

He also quoted Hon. Inuwa Garba, a member-elect, Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency, Gomb state, as saying that the argument in some quarters that the Northeast cannot produce both the vice president and speaker at same time is laughable.

Garba recalled that in 1979-1983 the speaker of the House of Representatives was from Anambra State, and the Vice President also was from Anambra state.

We have same thing now. The vice president is from the Southwest, likewise the speaker. So there is a precedent.

However, we are not even thinking along that line. What we are thinking is the credibility of the personality of the person that supposed to be the speaker of the 10th assembly.

We want a credible and purposeful leadership that will work together with the executive with view to make Nigeria better because the country is in problem.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OBE/IAA

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

He pointed out that the HYPPADEC was prepared to intervene in communities with serious ecological and drainage issues, adding that it was, however, hampered by resources at its disposal.

But one commitment I want to make here and now is, we are prepared to partner with any Local Government that has a budget for the control of erosion, flood and drainages.

When we check the design and the bills and we are satisfied, we are prepared to finance such projects by 60 per cent but they must contribute their 40 per cent down.

Once they are able to do that we are prepared to pay 60 per cent on behalf of the commission so that our communities will feel the impact of our presence and we also feel the impact of the partnership between the Local Government and HYPPADEC, the MD said.

DD/Website

Dignitaries at the Dare Adeboye Foundations Change and Development Forum, at the Redemption City, Mowe, Ogun State

By Ekeoma Ogwo and Augusta Uchediunor

A former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has charged the incoming administration on unity and managing diversity for a fair, just, and better nation.

Mimiko made the call at the Change and Development Forum powered by the Dare Adeboye Foundation on Thursday.

It had the theme: Good Governance and Accountability: Setting the Agenda for Nigerias Incoming Administration.

In his address, Mimiko emphasised steps to help the nation become better developed.

We must manage and confront our diversity. The ultimate management of diversity is to be fair and just to everybody. You must see this as your number one priority.

He also strongly recommended that different efforts must be made to make the public space more inclusive.

According to the former governor, the new administration must be creative, innovative, and deliberate.

He added that we must plan and target, must protect our local and adire industry as well as begin patronising made-in-Nigeria products.

On how to be more accountable, Mimiko reiterated the need to improve the quality of law enforcement agents and secure the nation.

Without security, we are talking about nothing. There is a consensus that a centralised policing system cannot secure Nigeria.

Since all the major presidential candidates have ascribed the evolution of policing to the sub-sectional, the government should quickly ensure that they place state police among other measures in securing Nigeria, he added.

On measures to develop the nation, he charged the electorate to hold the leaders accountable.

You must know the mechanisms available to you. That is where freedom of information comes in. It gives access to everybody to demand any information from any government agency.

As the keynote speaker, Mimiko underscored the need for Nigerians to know what to expect from the leaders.

We must be aware. If the leaders dont know their responsibility, we must hold them accountable.

On his part, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Olatokunbo Talabi, said the state government has been accountable in its approach.

He said: As an administration, what we have done is that for any project, we call all stakeholders to give us a priority on the reparation of the road that is most important to them.

Talabi, however, commended the Dare Adeboye Foundation for the timely gathering on governance and development of the nation.

Pastor Leke Adeboye, who is the CEO of the Dare Adeboye Foundation, described the foundation as kingdom advancement that focuses on youth empowerment, education, leadership and government, sanitation, and clean water initiatives.

He highlighted that the foundation, In the last year, recorded many successes, including the donation of a block of eight bathrooms and toilets in Iwo and a community in Akwa-Ibom.

There was also a donation of a borehole with 10 water tanks in the exact location.

The foundation has also constructed a 3,000-seater hall/youth church in Ifewa called the Living Seed Church.

We have organised free training for more than 100 youth in web 3.0 skills blockchain and then NFT and cyber security, and trained about 100 youths in data science among others, he outlined.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that The Dare Adeboye Foundation is a legacy and impact organisation created to immortalise Pastor Oluwadamilare Adeboye and to further his vision and deep commitment to impacting lives and communities all around Africa.

Adeboye, 42, died in his sleep on Wednesday, May 4, 2021 in Eket, Akwa Ibom, where he was based with his family as an assistant pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35.

He was the third child of Pastor Enoch Adeboye., General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

He is survived by his wife and three children.

The foundation is poised to continue the good works of Pastor Dare Adeboye in perpetuating effective change within Africa.

This is in its quest to change the world and become a force for positive impact and sustainable development by leveraging partnerships and collaborations to deliver individual, community and nation-based impact. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News