PICTURE NEWS
All Posts in "Day: June 21, 2021"
MRA Seeks Arrest,Prosecution Of Killers Of Ibadan Radio Presenter
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the killing in Ibadan of a popular radio presenter, Mr Titus Badejo, by unknown gunmen
The group implored the Federal Government as well as relevant security and law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted.
In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA’s Programme Director, Mr. Ayode Longe, said he killers of Badejo must be apprehended and prosecuted to put an end to the impunity in the killing of journalists, which is becoming a culture in Nigeria.
“We cannot accept as normal the fact that the Government is failing in its constitutional responsibility and international treaty obligation to ensure the safety and security of citizens, especially journalists,” he said
Noting that Badejo is the 18th journalist killed under this civilian government, going by MRA’s records on the killing of journalists, Mr. Longe stressed that “it is scandalous that there is no single instance where those responsible for killing journalists or other media workers have been identified, arrested and prosecuted. The situation evidences a degree of incompetence that is as tragic as the gruesome statistics of attacks on journalists that we are compelled to live with. Obviously, the killers of journalists have become emboldened into believing that they can suffer no consequences for their horrific crimes.”
He observed that in this age of fake news and misinformation, the role and work of journalists is more important now than ever before, adding that by failing to take decisive action to check the constant attacks on journalists, the Government is complicit through its negligence in the silencing of the voices of journalists and independent media.
Mr. Longe said despite assurances by the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Adewale Osifeso, that investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend the assailants, MRA wants to see concrete action taken in the matter in order to put an end to the needless killings of journalists and other media workers in Nigeria.
He urged Nigeria Police to rise up to the occasion and ensure that henceforth all attacks on journalists and other media workers are properly and speedily investigated and that in every such case, the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Group Gives Sanwo-Olu Passmark On Community Development Projects
The Club Seventies Epe in Lagos, has commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for entrenching good governance through the execution of pro-people project in various communities of the state.
The group gave the commendation recently when the governor marked his second year in office with commissioning of series of people’s oriented projects across the state, especially those within Epe Division.
In a statement signed by the President, Club Seventies Epe , Mr Sanuth Ibrahim Adesegun, he said that infrastructural development is key to the growth of a developing country like ours.
It would be recalled that on June 14, 2021 Governor Sanwo-Olu inugurated a 110-bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) in Epe, toward curbing maternal and infant mortality and also commissioned the Regional Safety Arena that houses Fire Services, LASEMA, RRS Police, Neighbours Safety Corps, LASTMA, and a Magistrate Court.
Mr Sanuth said that the unveiling of the four-floor, 110 bed-Maternal Child Centre was another essential facility for safe childbirth and the reduction of maternal and infant mortality in the community
He said that the full-equipped MCC in Epe was a clear demonstration of Sanwo-Olu administration’s seriousness about the war against maternal and child mortality.
The President said the Club also supported and aligned with Governor Sanwo-Olu administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, an acronym for his administration’s six strategic development agenda namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education, Security and Technology,
He added that in the last two years, Sanwo-Olu’s government has shown great commitment to the improvement of maternal and child health indices in the state.
He added:”The over-reaching goal is to eradicate infant and child mortality in communities and state, while our women must no longer die while giving life.Government should remain unwaveringly committed to this goal because there is no better time than now to put an end to preventable maternal and child deaths – with technological advancement, modern equipment and well-trained health workers.The process of bringing life into existence should no longer lead to the loss of another life”
The President implored the state government to consider developing other sectors like education, agriculture infrastructure and youths empowerment opportunity in rural communities.
He urged the local government authority to emulate the state government projects initiative by giving back to the society, noting such gesture would improve infrastructure development in the community and create more values to the people.
He charged local government administrators to ensure development in the community by facilitating development of the rural communities, as a means of supporting the developmental strides of Mr Governor across the state.
He disclosed that passion for rural development should be the utmost concern and development for chairmen in rural communities.
“Some of us, on our individual capacity and as a Club have rendered services as part of our corporate social responsibility, but the elected chairmen have great task of developing our communities. They must have to avoid misplacement of priorities, so as to get it right,”he said.
The President said that the chairmen must demostrates on their part, readiness to embark on developmental projects that will impact meaningfully on their rural dwellers
The President also appealed to Mr Governor to ensure all the on-going projects within Epe Division started by the previous administration were completed expecially that of Awolowo stretch of road.
He urged the people of Epe to double their support and encouragement for the administration to do more, adding that “Sanwo-Olu’s administration was determined to take the state to the enviable height of world standard.
NDLEA Uncovers Heroin In Returnee’s Anus At Lagos Airport
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has a Nigerian returning from Pakistan, Ezenyeche Kingsley Ebuka at the Murtala Muhammed International Airpirt, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos with five pellets of heroin weighing 250grams discovered in his anus.
He had arrived the ‘D’ arrival hall of the airport on 14th June on Turkish airline flight from Pakistan with the illicit drug inserted in his anus.
He was arrested by the narcotic officers during inward clearance of passengers on the flight.
Besides, a serving officer of a law enforcement agency, Popoola Abayomi has been arrested for selling assorted illicit drugs to students of a federal university and cultists in Ogun state.
The drug dealer who serves in the Lagos state Command of the security agency was arrested on Wednesday 15th June, 2021 after days of surveillance on his wife’s shop used as his sales point in Camp area of Abeokuta. One of his salesmen, a motorcycle rider known as Ogah was trailed to the location at about 8pm and arrested with six pinches of Colorado weighing 1.17grams.
The agency said Popoola has been on its watch list before the arrest was nabbed with different illicit drugs including codeine -17 bottles; cannabis -22.26grams; tramadol 230 -98grams; 61 tablets of flunitrazepam -23.72grams; 113 tablets of molly -48.16grams and sex drops -43.92grams.
After the arrest of the two suspects, some student union officials of the institution blocked the NDLEA team with their official vehicle. The narcotic agents however restrained themselves and after hours of standoff succeeded in moving the suspects to custody.
Also , one Adelodun Kamaldeen has been arrested by operatives of the Oyo state Command of the Agency at General Area, Ilorin, Kwara State following the interception of a parcel containing cocaine and heroin that weighed 10.5grams and 4.8grams respectively on 13th June.
The following day, two ladies; Mary Peter, 40, and Mercy Oladele, 39, were arrested at Total Garden, Ibadan when NDLEA operatives acting on a tip-off, intercepted their commercial micra car. The two women were arrested with seven bags of cannabis weighing 77.23kg brought in from Ogbese, Ondo State, to supply a man they simply identified as Alhaji. According to them, they had earlier supplied the same Alhaji two bags before coming with the seven bags they were caught with.
On Friday 18th June, operatives of the Oyo state Command acting on intelligence also raided the residence of one Alhaji Faruq at Elebu area, Akala expressway, Oluyole LGA, Ibadan, where they recovered 43 ampoules of methylphenidate.
In Kaduna state, a drug trafficker, Segun Abraham was arrested at Panteka area of the state on 17th June with 211.500kg of skunk heading to Kano state.
Commending the Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna and the MMIA Commands of the Agency for sustaining the offensive action against illicit drug trafficking and the cartels running it, Gen. Marwa warned that the NDLEA will not spare any law enforcement agent hiding under the privilege of his uniform to engage in narcotic criminal business.
“Those who think they can sabotage ongoing efforts to rid Nigeria of the menace of illicit drug trafficking and abuse hiding behind the façade of their uniforms should better think twice because they’ll have NDLEA to contend with. We’ll not only arrest and expose them but we’ll equally prosecute them and seize all assets acquired through the proceeds of their criminal act”, he warned.
[6/21, 10:08 AM] Mohammed Shosanya:
We’ll Bring Killers Of Badejo To Book-Police
The Oyo State Police Command have commenced investigations into the circumstances that led to the death of a popular Ibadan based journalist and radio Disc Jockey (DJ), Titus Badejo otherwise called ‘Eja Nla’
The command made the disclosure in the statement on Sunday by the Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Adewale Osifeso.
The statement said,about 0730hrs, Sunday 20th June 2021, One Damilola Afolabi ‘m’, Manager at Club 407,Oluyole Ibadan reported at Oluyole Divisional Police Headquarters that on Saturday 19th June, 2021 one Titus Badejo ,journalist and freelance disc jockey with the club was shot outside the club premises by unknown assailants.
It added:“However, comprehensive investigations are in top gear to unravel circumstances surrounding the incident and to apprehend the assailants. Verifiable updates would be provided soonest”
Titus Badejo was Saturday night reportedly murdered by unknown gunmen in Oluyoye area of Ibadan.
Badejo who worked with both Space and Naija FM at separate periods in Ibadan died few days after he celebrated his 40th Birthday.
He was reportedly shot by unknown assailants outside 407 Club at Oluyole Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State, at about 11:30 pm on Saturday, June 19, 2021.
Badejo was reported to have been in the club with some of his friends since 9pm and was attacked when he was about leaving around 11:30pm
It was however, gathered that none of his personal items was taken by the assailants after reportedly shooting him multiple times.
His body has been deposited at the Adeoyo Hospital Mortuary, Ring Road, Ibadan.
Police Arrest Undergraduate,Others Over Fake Abduction
Police in Ekiti State have arrested a teenage undergraduate for allegedly arranged her own abduction .
The statement made available to newsmen by the Public Public Relatiohs ,Sunday Abutu said the suspect,Sukuka Abimbola said to be an undergraduate conceived with her boyfriend, one Olwaseun Daniel Olajide,25 and two others.
The suspects would be charged to court for conspiracy and self-kidnapping.
The statement added that the suspect upon her arrest confessed to the crime ,citing family pressure as reason for engaging in the ignoble act.
” Recall that on the 16/06/2021 at about 1140hrs, one Bolaji Femi of Bawa Estate, Ado-Ekiti, came to New Iyin Divisional Police Headquarters and reported that her sister, one Suluka Abimbola left home for School at Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, on 15/06/2021 and did not return home.
“During interrogation, Suluka Abimbola confessed to the commission of the crime as well as Oluwaseun Daniel Olajide and Adefolaju Caleb. Suluka Abimbola said she decided to conspire with the other suspects to do that in order for her to raise money from her family members to enable her relocate from Ekiti State since her mother insisted that she goes through medical field as against her dream of becoming an Actress.”
“She further narrated that when Suluka Abimbola’s GSM number was called, an unknown person picked and confirmed that Suluka Abimbola was in their custody but would not be released until a ransom of five hundred thousand naira(#500,000:00)is paid to a particular Union Bank Account belonging to one Adisa Damilola” ,the statement reads in part .
” The case was immediately transferred to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the State CID where the owner of the account, one Adisa Damilola ‘f’ who is also a friend to Oluwaseun Daniel Olajide, was tracked and arrested. Adisa Damilola led the Operatives of the Anti-kidnapping Unit to Alex Grace Hotel, along Housing, Ado-Ekiti, where Suluka Abimbola and her boyfriend, Oluwaseun Daniel Olajide, alongside one other accomplice, Adefolaju Caleb ‘m’ 23, were lodging and were arrested. ” it added .
Shell Boss Gets Petroleum Varsity Fellowship
Managing Director of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor, has won the 2021 Award for Excellence and Integrity in Corporate Leadership of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun in Delta State.
Presenting the award,the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, said institution recognises Okunbor’s industry leadership and observed personal qualities, values and approach to leadership which is a source of inspiration to all and sundry.
The award, recommended by the university award board, automatically confers on Okunbor the fellowship of the foremost petroleum university in sub-Saharan Africa and puts him in line for first choice of consideration for the honorary doctorate of the university at subsequent convocations.
He expressed his appreciation to Shell companies in Nigeria for the ongoing ICT Centre project in the university sponsored by Shell’s deep-water company, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo). “One impressive feature of the project is the sustained tempo of work without any break since construction started.”
Also speaking at the event, Country Director, African Child Foundation International, Amb. Donaldson Onosakponene, described Okunbor as model whose accomplishments and hard work should be a standard for younger generation of Nigerians.
Onosakponene said, “With your kind, the next generation has hope of a better society built on integrity, hard work and patriotism. We identify with your accomplishments at setting a new agenda for a prosperous Nigeria and Africa.”
Okunbor thanked the university leadership for considering him worthy of a fellowship and the award which he dedicated to the Shell family in Nigeria.
“I have had the privilege of working with some of the best professionals in the oil and gas industry in the world here in Nigeria with the majority of them being Nigerians. Whatever success I record as the country chair of Shell companies in Nigeria is not without them, and, of course, my family. I also recognise the tremendous support of our host communities and partners in making Shell an industry leader,” said Okunbor.
He promised Shell Nigeria’s continued support for education in Nigeria through scholarships and provision of infrastructure to develop local capacity to run the Nigerian economy.
Chevron Nigeria Mobilizes Support Against Oil Oil Theft
Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, has called for more cooperation from stakeholders in Niger Delta to reduce oil theft and vandalism.
Its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Esimaje Brikinn,who spoke during the 9th Annual General Meeting of KEFFES Rural Development Foundation, KRDF, emphasized the need to work together to checkmate the activities of oil thieves and vandals who are responsible for most of the pollution in the waters.
“At CNL, we support global efforts to reduce flaring and carbon emissions and in furtherance of this, we continue to invest in our operations to improve environmental performance while working with industry to develop new innovations and best practices,” he said.
Brikinn, who was represented by Sam Daibo, Area Manager, PGPA Field Operations, reiterates that CNL is committed to the terms of the Global Memorandum of Understandings, GMoU, between it and KRDF noting that the benefits of the GMoU could only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace that is conducive for business activities.
He enjoined the people to embrace dialogue in resolving issues, promising that on his company’s part, “CNL will continue to provide support to ensure that we achieved sustainable development for the people.”
He thanked the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri for creating the enabling environment for the GMoU to succeed. He also thanked the various traditional rulers, community leaders and members of KRDF for their hard work, dedication and support toward actualising the objectives of the GMoU.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Mineral resources, Ebieri Jones, commended CNL for supporting the GMoU, the communities for their peaceful disposition and the KRDF for their achievements. “I see KRDF as a change agent and wish to see an integration of KRDF projects and government projects,” he declared. Dr Jones urged the people to build capacity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM, areas so as to have more people from Bayelsa state operating in the oil and gas value chain in Nigeria.
Also, Matthew Sele-epri, chairman, KRDF, said that despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation was able to make remarkable progress in the period under review. He commended CNL for its commitment to the development of the KEFFES communities and emphasized the need for peace in the communities to support CNL operations and provide enabling environment for development. “We must all be wholly committed to genuine peace and provide a business friendly environment for our partners on whose success our development strongly depends,” he advised.
Besides, J.T.C. Leghemo, the Amanaowei of Koluama 1 and chairman, Board of Trustees of the KRDF charged community stakeholders and the government to keep on supporting the Foundation.
“The KRDF is our own baby that must be nurtured and weaned to further dizzying heights as a complementary body to governance in our region” He also lauded Chevron for supporting the Foundation. “The CNL deserves commendation for meeting its obligations under the GMoU despite the daunting challenges,” he added
NDPHC To Commission 330/132/33KV Lafia Sub-Station Soon
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited says construction work on the 330/132/33KV sub-station project in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has been completed and would be commissioned soon.
The Executive Director Networks, NDPHC, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele, who disclosed this when he inspected the project,said works as designed originally has been completed 100 percent with all pre-commissioning tests fully carried out.
He said the substation is now being connected to the National Grid through the line-in, line-out which is in progress”.
The Executive Director Networks who expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of works at the sub-station noted that the project was one of the legacy projects of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
He explained that the original
completion date was delayed as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, “By September, the company would be ready to hook up the sub-station to the national grid and the inauguration will take place as soon as the President approves a date”.
Oyedele said all stakeholders in the power sector had worked together to see the completion of the project, adding that the distribution companies (Abuja Electricity Distribution Company – AEDC) has already completed the lines required to connect consumers to the 33kV Bays in the Substation to ensure that electricity consumers in Nasarawa State and environs can begin to enjoy the facility immediately.
He stated that the project would facilitate rapid growth in socio-economic activities in the State and this will attract investors to create jobs that would eventually change the standard of living of residents of the State and boost the economy.
FG To Auction N150 billion Bonds This Week
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has disclosed that it will auction N150 billion federal government bonds to investors on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.
The agency said the auction comprises three bonds valued at N50 billion each.
It includes a 10-year reopening bond to be offered at the rate of 16.2884 percent with maturity date of March 2027, a 15- year reopening bond to be offered at 12.5 percent with maturity date of March 2035, and a 30-year reopening bond to be offered at 12.98 per cent and mature in March 2050.
The settlement date of the bond auction is June 25, 2021, the DMO said,adding that the unit of sale is N1,000 per unit, subject to a minimum subscription of N50,001,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.
It added that interest is payable semi-annually, with the redemption expected to be in bullet payment on the maturity date.
For re-openings of previously issued bonds (where the coupon is already set), the agency specified that successful bidders are required to pay a price corresponding to the yield-to-maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned, plus any accrued interest on the instrument.
The DMO said that all federal government bonds qualified as liquid assets using liquidity ratio for banks as calculation.
It further assured investors that FGN Bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government of Nigeria and are charged upon the general assets of Nigeria.