All Posts in "Day: April 15, 2021"

Police,Local Hunters  Begin Manhunt For Kidnappers In Oyo

Police begin manhunt of kidnappers, storm hideouts in Ibadan
Over one hundred joint security personnel were on Wednesday deployed to Gambari Forest Idi Ayunre Ibadan Oluyole Local Government part of  efforts of Oyo State to secure the release of the  abducted victims in the area
Briefing journalists shortly after the first segments of the exercise, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operation, ACP Gbenga Ojo, said,  the joint operation comprises of the all tactical teams of the Command, including Anti – Kidnapping, Puff Ader, Safer Highway team, the Agbekoyas, and the Vigilante Association.
He said:”We have discovered that some of the victims abducted on the road are whisked away into the nearby bush here, and as part of the measure that we have put in place,  by the Command, we have deployed several patrol vehicles along this road, to check the activities of the hoodlums along the road and the entire area.
“We have so many patrol teams, we have the tactical patrol teams, the AKS, the local hunters, the Vigilante just to comb this forest, and thank God you are part of the operation today, you can see that the forest is so big, though despite we don’t have any arrest for today, we will not relent in our efforts to get them arrest and to chase them out of this forest and the entire Oyo State.
“We have decided not to wait for them and that’s why we have taken the battle to them in the bush here. We have started and we are not going back until we secure those in the captives safely and by the grace of God we will achieve that, our aims and objectives is to get these people arrested once and for all, or chase them out of these place completely, we have started and as we continue, we will continue
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Oduduwa 0
 Yoruba Women In Diaspora  Insist On Secession

Over 1,000 Yoruba Women In Diaspora Visit Ooni, Insist On Yoruba Nation – Independent Newspapers Nigeria
Over 1000 Yoruba Women on Wednesday visited the Ooni of Ile – Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II in his palace to seek royal support for the Yoruba nation.
The women, under the Obinrin Oodua Agbaye, dressed with traditional ritual attires told the royal father  that it is either self-determination or nothing for the Yoruba nation.
Led by their worldwide President, Princess Yeye Simisade Kuku-Onayemi and their Secretary-General, Dr. Owowunmi Babalola-Okocha, the women said the gods in Yoruba land mandated them to commence spiritual measures that will lead to the prompt actualisation of Yoruba nation without bloodshed
Omowumi, a resident of the United States, flanked by other Yoruba women from 37 countries such as Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, United Kingdom, Paupa Guinea, Venezuela,  Spain, France, amongst others, said the gods mandated them to conduct some spiritual measures in the palaces of Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo, Osemawe of Ondo, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Obaro of Kabba, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oloffa of Offa and Awujale of Ijebu land respectively.
They  added that the outcome of the spiritual measures would  unravel many things that will help towards the peaceful and prompt actualisation of Yoruba nation.
“All of us that you are seeing here today are top-notch Professionals. We have Medical Doctors, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, Engineers, Development Experts, Journalists, Academic Dons, top Bankers and Enterpreneurs among us. Majority of us are working at blue-ship public and private organisations”,  Simisade Kuku-Onayemi, the worldwide leader of the women, declared.
She said they are contented with what they have but they are not happy with the situation of things in their fatherland hence their coming out to salvage their land in a Yoruba way.
Corroborating her leader, Omowumi Babalola- Okocha said “upon consultations, we were mandated by gods to visit the palaces of Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo, Osemawe of Ondo, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oloffa of Offa, Obaro of Kabba and Awujale of Ijebu Land to carry our some spiritual measures that we cannot mention details in public hence our visit to the Oduduwa source.
“When we are done with our consultations and prayers, the people of Yoruba Nation shall be surprised at the rate by which the Yoruba nation shall come into reality without any bloodshed. It shall be amazing and the world shall be shocked”, Omowumi, declared.
In his brief remarks, Yoruba Leader and Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, who led the women to Ooni’s palace, described the action of the women as a potent declaration showing the departure of Yoruba land from Nigeria.
He  said: “Our women who gave birth to us have spoken. They have declared and the heaven has heard. What they have started is a powerful declaration showing the departure of Yoruba  nation from Nigeria.
“It will be amazing and shocking by the time the declaration is made. Yoruba Nation shall be birthed and with the support of our women, our freedom day is  nearer”, Akintoye, said.
Welcoming his guests,the Ooni of Ife, emphasized the  import of women in Yoruba agitation for freedom.
“Women are not timid, they are warriors. From the Holy bible, we read how Deborah fought for her people and conquered. Moremi fought and delivered the people of Ancient Ife from the Igbomekun who were our deadly adversaries . Therefore, women are key to our struggle for self-determination and we must carry them along, going forward.
“We will support our women and we are happy they are taking up the battle and picking up the guantlets. Again, I want to say very expressly that If we fail to have the support of our women folks, we are going nowhere. Therefore, I welcome you to the source and I wish you well in your visit to other palaces in Yoruba nation,” he added.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Oduduwa 0
 Crisis: Ebonyi Procures Motorbikes For Security Agencies

Effium Crisis: Ebonyi Procures 100 Motorbikes For Security Agencies – Independent Newspapers Nigeria
Ebonyi State Government has purchased100 motorbikes to assist security agents in accessing hinterlands of the wartorn Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Delivering thirty of the 100 motorbikes to the Nigeria Police, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha,  explained that the bikes would aid the security agents in accessing Effium hinterlands.
He added  that 20 of the motorbikes had been handed over to the Nigerian military for same purpose, while the remaining 50 would be for the State Vigilance group, Neighborhood Watch.
“It’s a fulfilment of the State Government promise to the security agencies. The motorcycles will help the security agents to access the hinterlands of Effium and Ezza-Effium villages of Effium community,” he said.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Ndigbo 0

A group   of Nigerians in Diaspora, ‘African Democratic Congress-Diaspora Network (ADC-DN) has  appealed to Nigerians to join what it called, project “Rescue Nigeria Mission” and to be part of its  transformation journey to salvage Nigeria from bad governance.
The Deputy National Chairman of ADC (Diaspora Network), Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, made the call during a World Press Conference on in Abuja, on the state of the nation
He said the restoration of the glory of Nigeria is a patriotic and sacred duty and a must pledge to undertake.
“This administration has failed Nigerians on too many unkept promises; Naira is not one dollar as promised; and electricity we were told will be fixed in two years by any serious Government; the issue of insecurity, we were promised will be history; Kidnapping has become a regular business in Nigeria today; increase in price of fuel; freedom of expression has been under assault while corruption is almost near legalization today; and youth unemployment is at catastrophic level with the second highest unemployment rate anywhere in the world today.
“We have indeed become the poverty capital of the world in all ramification, while our legislators are enjoying jumbo salaries and opposition have been intimidated into total submission or threatened with state apparatus, unless decamped to clueless party.
“Our glorious standing in the the days of Balewas, the Ziks and Awos has turned into a nightmare and the once Green Passport, the pride of Africa is hunted like the most wanted fugitive World over today”, the group said.
The group maintained  said  that the youths are not alone in the national assault and disgrace, as according to Hon. Gbandi, “the Diasporans were recently informed by the Deputy Speaker, that the Diaspora Nigerians have no right to mess in the issues of Nigeria that is affecting them.”
Hon. Gbandi lamented that the Diaspora have been told that they have no business with voting in Nigerian election.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in News 0
 Ramadan: Reps Minority Urges Peace

Ramadan: Reps minority caucus urges peace, national reawakening | Tribune Online
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has implored  Nigerians to use the Holy month of Ramadan for spiritual demands  to God to intervene in the many challenges facing the nation.
They  also urged Nigerians to use the period “to rekindle the spirit of selflessness, love and tolerance towards one another as enjoined by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.”
The caucus, in a statement by the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) on Wednesday, stressed that “Ramadan points us to a life of piety, humility, self-restrain and recognition of God as the ultimate source”.
“Indeed, we must yield to the divine essence of Ramadan and exert in prayers for our nation and ourselves particularly at this critical moment in our national history.
“We must use the period to pray for national healing, and rekindled the spirit of unity, love tolerance and total dependence in God for direction and solution”, the statement said.
The caucus expressed optimism that “with concerted prayers and determination to rebuild our society, Nigeria will surely pull through her current economic and social predicaments.”
The lawmakers also urged all compatriots to use the period to overcome all primordial sentiments and reach out to one another in love so that collectively the nation can reap the benefits of Ramadan.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in News 0
 US  Boosts  Nigeria’s  Fight Against HIV/AIDS With $,6bn

Consul General Claire Pierangelo | U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Nigeria
Claire Pierangelo,the United States Consul General in Nigeria,has disclosed  that American Government has provided not less than $6billion support to Nigeria in fighting HIV/AIDS since 2003
She also said America plans to increase the number of people receiving free HIV/AIDS treatment for life on the bill of the US government above the current 1.2million people enjoying this support in Nigeria.
 Claire Pierangelo disclosed this at the launching of the Oyo State Antiretroviral Surge Response which held at the Emeritus Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, Ibadan.
The event, an initiative of the APIN Public health Initiative in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and the US government is to officially kick off an accelerated testing plan to identity people living with HIV and place them on treatment.
Pierangelo said the US government is collaborating with the Oyo state government to scale up the number of those currently receiving HIV/AIDS treatment to end the epidemic in the state and the country at large.
She said “We are happy to be here in Oyo state for the launch of the ART Surge which is designed to partner with Oyo state government in finding and treating HIV positive patients in the state.
“It is a wonderful initiative with many aspects of cooperation, but the bottomline is that, we need to find and treat HIV patients, so we are very grateful for our friends here in Oyo state for the cooperation that we are getting.
“Since 2003, the US government has provided up to $6billion worth of assistance to Nigeria to fight HIV/AIDS.
“Currently, 1.2million Nigerians are receiving free treatment for life and our goal is to increase that number as much as possible so that we can end the epidemic here in Nigeria and the cooperation between the US government, the Nigeria government and the Oyo state government is the key of doing that.”
Fielding questions, the Lead Prevention and Community Programme, APIN, Mrs Bola Thompson, said the campaign is aimed at scaling up testing activities in the state.
She added that the government is committed to identifying the about 75,000 people living with HIV and ensure they are placed on treatment and ensure that “we continue to follow them up to ensure that they are viraly suppressed.”
Also speaking the Country Director, US Centre for Disease Control, Dr Mary Boyd said the US government is Nigeria and the US government has been partnering on putting people living with HIV on treatment for atleast 18years and “this is another phase in our partnership, where we are now trying to find those remaining individuals who are infected and don’t have access to treatment.”
In his remark, Governor Seyi Makinde who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun noted that the HIV Treatment Surge Light Launch is expected to increase awareness of communities and health care providers on the need for women of reproductive age group, children, adolescents to get tested for HIV.
He added that the effort is aimed at increasing HIV case finding by testing across all 33LGAs in a strategic way and linking those positive to free treatment, adding that it is geared towards achieving HIV epidemic control in Oyo state by year 2030.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Health 0
Senate Summons Finance Minister, Ahmed, AGF Over Withdrawal Of N7.5bn From NAC’s Account 

The Senate has summoned the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning,  Ahmed Zainab and Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris over secret withdrawal of N7.5 billion from the two percent National Automotive Council Levy Account domiciled with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The  Senate Committee on Public Accounts claimed the first N3.8 billion was withdrawn in two installments of N2.8 billion in 2005 and N1 billion in 2006.
The revelation was contained in the report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which is being considered by the Senate committee, chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.
The second N3.7 billion was withdrawn between March- December 2000 in three separate payments of N725 million, N1 billion and N2 billion,the report said
Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council, Jelani Aliyu, told the committee that the money was withdrawn without the knowledge of the agency.
He said the agency has been writing to the Accountant General and Ministry of Finance on the need to refund the money but there was no response.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts resolved to summon the Minister of Finance and Accountant General of the Federation to give explanation on the fund.
The query reads: “A total sum of N3,836,000,000.00 (Three billion, eight hundred and thirty-six million naira) was irregularly withdrawn from the 2% National Automotive Council Levy Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja in two installments of N2,800,000,000 (in 2005) and N1,036,000,000.00 (in 2006) by the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Finance as car loan to be granted for the Security Personnel Car Purchase Scheme Loan.
“The transaction was carried out by the Presidency in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation without the involvement of NAC, the account owner.
“However the principal and the accrued interest from the fictitious loan have not been paid back nor are records available on the beneficiaries, agreement documents, moratorium, duration of the loan, the yearly interest rates accruable and how the fund will be paid back by the beneficiary.
“The Director General has been requested to intensify correspondence with the Honourable Minister of Finance, Accountant-General of the Federation and the Presidency to recover the fund (‘loan’).”
On the 3.7 billion, the report said the sum was “irregularly withdrawn from the 2% National Automotive Council Levy Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria between March-December 2000 in three separate payments of N725,000,000; N1,000,000,000 and N2,000,000,000 as ‘loan’ to NAFCON vide the Accountant General of the Federation internal memo to the Permanent Secretary, Budget Office of the Federation Ref No: DD/(R&F)22.Vol. 1158 of 27/5/2003.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Politics 0
Reps  Sues Enugu Disco Over Poor Power Supply

Rep sues EEDC for poor power supply, demand N100m - Flying Eze
Hon. Iduma Igariwey,a member representing Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Iduma Igariwey has sued Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over poor power supply  to his constituency.
He is demanding N100m damages from the power company for the deprivations he had suffered.
The lawmaker  said he had compiled  and would tender as exhibits, all the receipts of diesel he has been buying since the blackout.
Igariwe,who disclosed this in Ukpa, Afikpo, Afikpo North local government of the state while briefing his constituents on his achievements,regretted that the suit had suffered setback because the presiding judge  was on election duty, but vowed that he would pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
He explained that he has provided electricity transformer to some communities in the constituency and implored EEDC to be alive to its responsibilities.
He described the power company as incompetent and wondered why the Federal Government had refused to revoke its license.
Igariwey said, “as I speak now, I and EEDC are in court. The case has suffered setback because the judge was on election duty in Port-Harcourt. Because at a time, I even had to sue them for N100milion for certain deprivations I have suffered from them. I want our people to know that electricity is  privatized, it was privatized in 2005. So, the issue of power in Nigeria has been privatized.
“The first people to hold responsible for power problems are the Distribution Companies(DISCO), they are the distribution agencies. In this our case, the company we must ask questions about this power of a thing is the EEDC. I took up their issue at the floor of Parliament through a petition that was written against them and they have been invited for more than ten times, I have sponsored those trips privately for them to come and explain a whole lot of things.
“It is now very clear to everybody that EEDC which was given the mandate to be supplying power to Afikpo people and entire south east are not up to their job. The commonest example is three days ago when heavy windstorm occurred. In that windstorm, many electricity poles fell down; you will see a lot of them when you are going to Mgbom, Uwnanna.
“Many poles are lying on the ground as we speak and nothing has been done by EEDC to carry them up. No responsible organization or even individual will allow its things scattered on the ground without putting them in order. That thing is a fundamental testimonial of the capacity or lack of it of the power service providers in the South-east, they are very inefficient. We blame them, we also blame the Federal Government because it is allowing them to hold the licenses”.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0
Senate Orders  NEMA To  Supply  Relief Materials To Benue Communities 

Senate wants NEMA to provide urgent relief to Benue windstorm victims - P.M. News
The Senate has mandated the National Emergency management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to persons and communities affected by heavy rainstorm in Benue State.
The lawmakers also urged the Cederal government to mobilize relief materials and rehabilitation materials to communities of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue affected by windstorm.
They  urged relevant government agencies to quickly support the rebuilding of the affected communities including Ogbadibo Local Government Area which was also affected by the storm.
The positions  were sequel to a motion by Sen. Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) during plenary on “Urgent Need to mitigate the effect of Windstorm on Communities of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue”.
Senator Moro,who sponsored the motion, Senator Moro recalled that on April 8, over ten communities in Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas of Benue South Senatorial District were badly hit by a natural disaster.
Moro said :“The said windstorm brought down all the blocks of classrooms of the LGEA primary school, Epeilo, the roofs of LGEA primary school Obu 1, three church Buildings and all the blocks of classrooms of LGEA primary school Odoba-Ehaje.
Senator Michael Nnachi (PDP-Ebonyi) supported the motion calling for relief materials to to be sent urgently to the affected communities.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted by all senators following a voice vote by the President of the Senate.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Environment 0
NAFDAC Intercepts Truck Conveying Fake  Medicines, Vaccines

Prof.Mojisola Adeyeye,the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has
impounded a Mercedes Truck laden with banned and unregistered medicinal products in Asaba, Delta State .
Adeyeye disclosed this in  Abuja while reiterating the agency’s resolve to ensure that only wholesome medicinal products and other regulated products are available in the markets for public use and consumption.
According to her,a Mercedes Truck suspected to be carrying substandard and falsified medicinal products was intercepted along Asaba –Benin road by officers of the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) Directorate, following an intelligence report.
She said after a thorough screening, the truck was found to contain, among other products, improperly stored Tetanus Diphtheria vaccine, and various unregistered, banned and controlled medicinal products, including Analgin Injection, CSP with Codeine cough syrup, Mepacrine HCL Tablets, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate Tablets, Dano Tetanus Vaccine, Artestunate Injection, and many others.
She added that the products were evacuated, and inventory taken while the suspects with cartons containing the products made police statements and were released on administrative bail.
She said  further investigations revealed that the Truck intercepted was conveying medicinal products purchased from Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head market in Onitsha, Anambra State for supply to retailers in Warri, Delta State.
The retailer outlets are: Pendrix Pharmacy, Warri, Samtex Pharmacy, Warri, Onos Pharmacy, Warri, Chima Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Imoson Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Sam-C Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Sunshine Patent Medicine Store, Warri and Hyunus Patent Medicine Store, Warri.
Others are Chuks Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Solomon Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Friday Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Madam Faithmax Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Omas Pharmacy, Warri, Evans Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Chiyere Patent Medicine Store, Warri and Philo Patent Medicine Store, Bridge Head Market, Onitsha.
Online Editor by — April 15, 2021 in Health 0