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      The Lagos State Government, through the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, on Friday pardoned 14 inmates of the Maximum Security Prison in Kirikiri who have been imprisoned for over 20 years for various offences, while 20 others on death row had their punishment converted to life imprisonment. Speaking while handing over the order for the release of the inmates signed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to prison authorities, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem (SAN) said the development was pursuant to Constitutional provision which provides for the constitution of an Advisory Council and grants the Governor power to grant clemency to convicted persons on the advice of the Council. “Prerogative of Mercy is a right recognised under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); Section 212(2) of the Constitution provides that the powers conferred on the Governor under Section 212(1) shall be exercised by him a

       The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, today, 26 April 2019, joined other Muslim faithfuls for Juma’at Prayers at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Central Mosque in commemoration of the NAF 55th Anniversary Celebrations.More photos below.

          Faces at the opening ceremony of the African Drum Festival, 2019 at the amphitheatre of the Abeokuta City Centre, on Thursday, April 25, 2019.More details later and more photos below.

       The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has observed with utmost dismay, the circulation of a fictitious document that has gone viral on social media purportedly showing a new upgraded Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) salary structure with effect from May 2019. The DHQ wishes to clarify that the said document does not exist, neither does it reflect the true salary structure of personnel of the Armed For ces of Nigeria. It would be recalled that though the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Muhammadu Buhari, signed a new minimum wage of thirty thousand naira (30,000) on 18 April 2019, it is however, outrightly mischievous for anyone to circulate fake documents detailing salary structure of the AFN. The DHQ therefore wishes to reiterate that the purported new salary scale for members of the AFN being circulated is nothing but a false and malicious publication intended to cause disaffection among members of the AFN, as no such salary scale exists. It is also very pertine

      In his capacity as Chairman, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, Pres Buhari, this morning, directed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to undertake an urgent mission as his Special Envoy to Guinea Bissau, in the company of ECOWAS Commission President,Jean-Claude Brou. President Muhammadu Buhari had in response to an urgent request for assistance by the Government of  Guinea Bissau graciously approved support to the country's election process including 350 units of electoral kits, 10 motorcycles, 5 Hilux vans, 2 light trucks and US$500,000. This vital assistance ensured that legislative elections held in Guinea Bissau, which should help in stabilizing the country. In a separate development, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister will also undertake a mission to Cotonou, Benin, to deliver a personal message to President Patrice Talon from President Buhari. The visit is in the context of the brewing political crisis ahead of April 28, 2019, legislative elections in the c

     Yesterday , the 25th day of April, 2019 the ancient town of Ijebu Ode stood still as the Catholic diocese acquired her 3rd bishop and 1st non-indegenous bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Francis Obafemi Adesina. 34 bishops, 8 archbishops, 2 cardinals, over 200 priests and various religious converged at St. Anthony's Nursery & Primary School for the history making event. Also in attendance were the Governor elect of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Benedict Alabi and other dignitaries. After the Mass, guests were feted in a splendid reception. We rejoice with the people of Ijebu Ode diocese and pray that the new era will be fulfilling and blessed.More photos below.       First picture of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis Obafemi Adesina few moments before he becomes a bishop. Principal consecrator: Most Rev Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins The newly consecrated bishop of Ijebu Ode diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Francis Obafemi Adesina wi

       The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the fact that the valedictory session of the federal cabinet will be held on 22 May 2019 does not mean that the cabinet will be dissolved on the same day. Clarifying his earlier statement to State House correspondents after Thursday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, the Minister said it is the prerogative of the President to dissolve the cabinet anytime he chooses. ''It is therefore inaccurate to extrapolate from my statement - that the FEC valedictory session will hold on 22 May - to say that the President will dissolve the cabinet on the same day. They do not mean the same thing,'' he said. Segun Adeyemi SA To Hon Minister of Information and Culture Abuja 25 April 2019.

      The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Office has arrested a legal practitioner, Akeem Jimoh for getting involved in an alleged scam over plots of land that belong to his client, one Alhaji Saka Kareem Oladele to the tune over N7million (Seven Million Naira). Oladele in his petition to the EFCC alleged that he gave a power of attorney to Jimoh to sell his 35 plots of land, out of which he sold 20 plots to one  Mr Michael Jolaiya. Oladele further alleged that Barrister Jimoh after deducting his commissions on the 20 plots refused to remit the money realised from the sales to him. Jimoh he also alleged, having prepared a sale of land agreement for the 20 plots, still went ahead and fraudulently resold the plots of land to an unsuspecting buyer who have been erecting illegal structures on them, including the 15 plots that are yet to be sold. "Despite all persuasions and attempts to settle this matter amicably with Mr Akeem Jimoh, he had turne

      The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Thursday, April 25, 2019 arrested 32 suspected internet fraudsters, better known as "Yahoo-Yahoo Boys." The suspects were arrested at Liberty Estate, Laderin area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital in an early morning sting operation. Ranging between the ages of 15 and 39 years, the suspects were taken by surprise when EFCC operatives swooped on them at one of their havens in the estate. Fourteen of them claimed to be undergraduates, while 18 others said they are self-employed in various vocations. Their arrest was sequel to a petition detailing their alleged fraudulent activities, including internet fraud through which they obtain illicit funds from unsuspecting victims. Items recovered from them include six exotic cars, laptops, mobile phones, several documents containing false pretences and fetish objects. The suspects are already helping operatives of the Commission with useful

       The Lagos State Government has empowered about 200 Guardians of Orphans and Vulnerable Children with tools to enhance their economic status in fulfilment of the present administration's promise to reduce poverty in the State. Speaking during the presentation of the empowerment tools to representatives of the various beneficiaries at the Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Birrel Avenue, Yaba, the State Commissioner for Youth and Social Developm ent, Mr. Agboola Dabiri said the economic empowerment initiative had been an ongoing programme to assist different vulnerable households across the State. According to the Dabiri, the empowerment exercise is the third phase of a process aimed at reducing families’ vulnerability to social challenges while increasing their economic independence, access to food security as well as the provision of schools and essential health services for their children. "It is the desire of the State Government to ensure that all household

      Gentlemen of the press, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) invites you to alert the nation that the life of our victorious Osun state governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke is in danger. It may interest you to know that certain desperate elements of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are unsettled that they cannot stop Senator Adeleke from retrieving his governorship mandate freely given to him by the people of Osun state, are now viciously plotting to use all means to put him out of circulation. Given the series of unrelenting attacks, threats and the desperation now being exhibited by the APC, our party has become apprehensive that there are plots to silence Senator Adeleke as a way to terminate his efforts to retrieve his governorship mandate in the court. Part of the plot is to frame and arrest the Principal of his school, Ede Muslim High School, Ede, Mr. Kadili Adejare Abass, on trump-up charges that Senator Adeleke’s School testimonia

      Further to the official visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos Wednesday where he commissioned a number of projects executed by the State Government, the President is scheduled to depart for Maiduguri, the Borno State capital for another official visit Thursday. He is expected to commission developmental projects especially in the sectors of education, healthcare and roads. At the end of the visit, President Buhari will be proceeding to the United Kingdom on a private visit. He is expected to return to Nigeria on May 5, 2019. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) April 25, 2019.