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President Barrow receives Marwa, commends Nigerias drug war campaign President Adama Barrow of Gambia has commended Nigeria's commitment to the war against illicit drug trafficking and abuse, even as he called for more collaboration among anti-drug law enforcement agencies in Africa and the world at large. He gave the commendation at the State House in Banjul when he received Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) who was in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia, DLEAG, which borders on cooperation in combating illicit production, manufacture, and trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors. Speaking during the courtesy visit on Thursday 5th August 2021, President Barrow applauded the decision by the NDLEA to sign the agreement with DLEAG, saying such will strengthen and intergrate ECOWAS member states especi...

PRESS RELEASE FMST GETS CHANGE OF NAME The Federal Government has approved the change of name of Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The name change is to reposition the Ministry to drive the innovation agenda and catalyse Nigeria’s economic growth. The name change was announced on Friday, by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu at a world press conference in Abuja. According to the minister, “ This change of name will help meet the needs of other sectors of the Nigerian economy and all stakeholders, by supporting the generation and application of knowledge and innovation to solve socio-economic challenges, as well as providing a policy and funding environment that will establish the National System of Innovation (NSI).” On repositioning the Ministry, Dr. Onu stated that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is the engine that will drive Nigeria on the road to success, prosperity, ...

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria remains unwaveringly dedicated to improve children's access to child-friendly justice system. Malami made this known while inaugurating the Justice for Children Coordination Forum at the launch of the EU-UNICEF access to justice programme for children on the move and other vulnerable children held in Abuja on Thursday 5th August, 2021 in Abuja.  The AGF was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Research and Special Duties, office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Professor Muhammad Lawal Ahmadu. Malami said through age and gender-sensitive juvenile justice mechanisms and alternatives to detention for children on the move and vulnerable children, the Nigeria child would benefit from the child-friendly justice sector.  The Minister lamented the pathetic situation of some children saying that “this...

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER   PRESS RELEASE FG TO PARTNER WITH SENEGAL, OTHER WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES ON THE POWER GENERATION   The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR has said that the Federal Government is ready to partner with the Government of Senegal as well as other West African countries on power generation, in order to achieve positivity in the area of power, energy and rural electrification. He stated this recently when the delegation from Senegal, led by the country’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Ms. Aissatou Sophie Gladima payed him a courtesy visit in Abuja Nigeria. The Minister stated that as the world prepared for COP26, it was important for West African countries to discuss and come up with strong position that would represent the interests of the region and continent. Agba, who identified funding as the major challenge affecting the Power sector in Africa, called on the United Nations and the World Bank to support the continent to develop it...

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, NPM, fdc, has approved the posting of CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State, to the Force Public Relations Department, Office of the Inspector-General of Police, Force Headquarters, Garki Abuja while CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu has been posted and taken over as the new PPRO Lagos State Police Command with effect from Friday, 6th August, 2021. CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, before his present posting as the PPRO Lagos, was the Second-in-Command, Area E Festac Area Command, Lagos State. He was one time the PPRO Oyo State Police Command from 2015 to 2019 and PPRO Zone 11, Osogbo from 2019 to 2020.  He has worked in various capacities in the force such as Deputy PPRO,  Ogun State, Personal Assistant to Commissioners of Police in Ogun State Command and Personal Assistant to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Force Headquarters Abuja, DIG Leye Oyebade, mni (rtd) in 2021. CSP Ade...

No fewer than 40,000 farmers across Ogun State will benefit from various agricultural intervention programmes of Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), a World Bank-Assisted programme aimed at increasing private sector participation in boosting the State's economy. Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina dropped the hint during a farmiliarisation and validation exercise at Sode, Obafe and Ayerose in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where two-kilogram bags of maize seeds, cassava stems, cocoa and cashew seedlings, among others were distributed free to farmers. Dr. Odedina, who expressed delight at the communities' readiness for the programme, said the State government is giving free planting materials to farmers, which informed the ongoing sensitisation programmes in different communities of the State. According to him, the OGSTEP intervention programme would include provision of farm infrastructure, such as road network, water and electricity supplies...

Undergraduates Jailed for Cybercrime in Ilorin Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced a 21-year-old student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho, Omotosho Olorunyomi Samuel, and two others over offences bordering on cybercrime.  The two others are Abass Lawal, a student of the Kwara State University, KWASU, Molete and one Olajide Taofeek Adegoke. The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, August 5, 2021, arraigned the trio on separate two counts of charges each, to which they pleaded guilty. Following the guilty plea by the defendants, the prosecution reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered incriminating items recovered from the defendants, which were admitted in evidence by the court.   In his judgment, Justice Oyinloye said the court relied on the evidence of the prosecution, the plea of guilt entered by the defendants and the testimonies of t...

Faced with the obvious reality of defeat and inability to carry out attacks that have hitherto been the strategy to assert relevance in the eyes of the public, Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) have resorted to cheap propaganda in order to seek relevance. This of course, was as a result of the sustained and well coordinated military bombardments from both Land and Air Components of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).  This sustained operation has exerted so much pressure on the terrorists and their sympathizers, whose only available weapon now, is cheap and uncoordinated  propaganda.  In recent times, a good number of these terrorists have surrendered to troops in different locations across the theatre, a trend that indicates that they are loosing the capacity to remain in the fight. Apparently, there are indications that their fighting capability has been severely encumbered by devastating depletion, with their remnants deserting various enclaves, leaving behind a few diehards that wi...

WHO IS THE GOC 3 DIVISION NIGERIAN ARMY??? August 6,2021 Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army notes with concern  a campaign a calumny against the person of Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN. The posts claimed that the GOC is from Miango community hence he is supporting the Fulanis against the Irigwes among other wild and unsubstantiated allegations. Ordinarily, one should not bother responding to such malicious posts by faceless writers because of its manifest twisting of facts for selfish gains. However, as a professional soldier and a detribalised Nigerian who is passionate about the restoration of sustainable peace in Plateau state and beyond, the record would be put straight. Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali  was born in Nasarawa, Kano Municipal Council of Kano State to family of Late Alhaji Sallau Ali and Late Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim (God rest their souls). He attended Lebanon Pri...

PRESS RELEASE   ENUGU, FCT, KADUNA, TEN (10) OTHER STATE COMMANDS GET NEW COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE ·         AS IGP CHARGES THE NEW CPs TO UP-SCALE THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN THE COUNTRY     The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, has ordered the posting of Commissioners of Police to take over the saddle of leadership in thirteen (13) State Commands including the Federal Capital Territory. The posting of the Senior Officers is part of efforts at repositioning the Force for greater efficiency, stabilizing the internal security order and scaling up the fight against crimes and criminality in the country.  The affected State Commands and Commissioner of Police posted are: Niger State Command, CP Monday Bala Kuryas; Kwara State Command, CP Emienbo Tuesday Assayamo; Nasarawa State Command, CP Soyemi Musbau Adesina; Taraba State Command, CP Abimbola Shokoya; Benue State Command, CP Akingbola Olatunji; FCT Poli...

· To Set-Up Joint Committee for Promoting Human Rights and The Rule of Law The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the advancement of the criminal justice processes in Nigeria. The IGP made this known during a courtesy call on the Force Leadership by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Olumide A. Akpata, accompanied by other officials of the Association, on Wednesday, 4th August, 2021, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The IGP, during the meeting, pledged that the Force would work in sync with the NBA in a Joint Committee – soon to be established - aimed at harmonizing functions and developing new framework and protocols for promoting due process and the Rule of Law, dealing with issues of unnecessary antagonism between Police officers and defense attorneys, and promoting respect for the rights and privileges of the citizens during criminal investigations. He furthe...

 We must resolve issues of disaffection for Nigeria to stand...Neliaku  By Ekwi Ajide (ABS Abuja Bureau Chief) The Chairman, National Planning Committee, Citizens’ Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security, Dr. Ike Neliaku, says, outcome of consultations and deliberations since the Committee embarked on robust factfinding tour of the country showed clearly that a greater percentage of Nigerians believe in preserving the integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  He said there is need to ask ourselves some questions, for example, are Nigerians willing to stay together? do Nigerians love Nigeria? Do Nigerians want Nigeria to remain united?  Dr. Neliaku said part of the problem the country is facing is lack of proper engagement and communication with stakeholders.  The planning committee chairman also said they found that agitations are not restricted to a part of the country alone, and their findings revealed that if certain issues that have formed t...

 Rihanna has officially become a billionaire with an estimated worth of $1.7 billion. According to Forbes who shared the good news on their social media wrote ''  Rihanna is now worth $1.7 billion, Forbes estimates—making her the wealthiest female musician in the world and second only to Oprah Winfrey as the richest female entertainer. But it’s not her music that’s made her so wealthy.   #SelfMadeWomen  ''. Congratulations to her. One more photo below.

 Zulum orders investigation into collusion between BOGIS task force, EYN church members in Maiduguri  … Speaks with CAN chairman, to meet christian leaders today  … Condemns both parties for shooting, stoning  … Sends Dep. Gov to five injured victims  Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has ordered the Borno police command to immediately investigate a violent collusion between a joint security task force operating with the Borno Geographical Information System and some worshippers at a branch of EYN Church at Maduganari, in Maiduguri. The Governor condemned in strong terms, the firing of gun shots by a member of security task force as well as some persons who hurled stones at the task force during an encounter on Thursday. One person died and five persons are currently hospitalized.  Zulum’s spokesman Isa Gusau, said the Governor commiserates with families of the person who died and those injured.  The Governor also called the chairman of th...

 Nigeria is Indivisible, Drop Your Biafra, Oodua, Let's Dialogue  - Gov Ganduje  Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano state, says the agitation of secessionists is not the solution to the challenges confronting the country. Ganduje spoke on Thursday at a public lecture in Abuja organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Press Corps. There has been clamour for the Biafran Republic by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and an Oduduwa Republic by ‘Yoruba Nation’ groups in the south-west. The governor said the secessionists should have a change of heart and embrace dialogue over their grievances. “Let me repeat here that Nigeria is a united and indivisible country. Our constitution has taken care of that. I don’t see secession as the way out of the current challenges afflicting the nation,” he said. “Instead, advocates of secession should have a change of heart and I recommend dialogue as a crucial option for addressing their problems. “Besides, there is a...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Uyo Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of two bank officials, Daniel Akpan Eno and Mbuk Idongesit before Justice Edem Ita Kufre of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar for conspiracy and theft of funds in the account of a deceased customer of a commercial bank. The duo were convicted on Wednesday August 4, 2021 after pleading guilty  to separate one count charge bordering  on criminal conspiracy and fraudulent transfers. A third defendant, and alleged accomplice, Victor John Okon pleaded “not guilty”. His trial was adjourned till August 10, 2021 for consideration of bail application. Justice Kufre convicted and sentenced Akpan to three months imprisonment  with an option of fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000.00), while Idongesit was sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30, 000.00) fine. The convicts’ journey to prison started on May 23, 2021 when Idongesit (along...

...Relinquish Arms and Ammunition  More Boko Haram (BHT)/ Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists are surrendering as troops of Operations HADIN KAI (OPHK), conducting Counter terrorism and counter Insurgency operations in north east Nigeria escalate ground and air offensive operations against the terrorists. Sustained air and artillery bombardments on the enclaves of the terrorists in Sambisa forest and its environs have continued to yield positive results as 56 terrorists and their families laid   down their arms abandoning the groups and their illicit course. Recently, the terrorists groups have suffered enormous set back and recorded several casualties as a result of ferocious offensives by gallant troops of OPHK. Eighteen male fighters of the terrorists groups on Wednesday 4 August 2021, came out to surrender to own troops with their arms and ammunition, along with their families including 18 adult females and 19 children from Chingori and other surrou...

Lagos Assembly adopts report to stop houses for ex-governors, others - Reduce pension of former governors by 50 percent The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday approved the report of its committee on establishment which recommended the reduction of pensions to former governors and other affected officials by 50 percent. The committee also expunged the provision of houses in Abuja and Lagos for former governors as stipulated in an earlier law operated by the state. The report further showed a reduction in the number of vehicles to be made available to former governors and their deputies. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, suggested that former governors should get two vehicles (a car and a van) instead of three as recommended by the committee. He also suggested that the amended bill should provide that the cars be changed every four years instead of the three years recommended by the report. While some of the lawmakers, at plenary, had suggested for an upward...

A high-powered delegation comprising the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency I, Mr. Desmond Elliot, among other government officials on Tuesday visited the Magodo residence of late Nollywood Actress, Rachael Oniga to condole with the deceased's family. The Commissioner presented a Letter of Condolence to a representative of the family, stating that the visit was at the instance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. According to Mrs. Akinbile-Yusuf, the deceased actress made an impact in the industry that made it impossible for anyone not to pay tribute and acknowledge her contributions to Nollywood. She urged the family to accept the shocking death as an act of God, imploring them to avail the State Government information about the burial details so that the necessary support can be extende...