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At Windsor Castle, The Queen today presented Grace Nichols with the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry 2021. Grace Nichols is a Guyanese poet who moved to Britain at the age of 27. Her first collection of poetry I Is a Long-Memoried Woman (1983) won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize. Established by King George V in 1933, the medal is awarded annually for excellence in poetry. The medal itself was designed by the late Edmund Dulac, with one side bearing the crowned effigy of The Queen, and the other featuring a figure of ‘Truth’ who is ‘emerging from her well and holding in her right hand the divine flame of inspiration – Beauty is Truth and Truth Beauty’.   

Communique Issued at the End of 95th National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Held Today, Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja The National Executive Committee (NEC), after extensive deliberations on issues of urgent national importance as well as preparations for the 2023 general elections resolved as follows: 1. NEC commended the effort of the various organs of our Party, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Caucus, the National Assembly Caucus, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the PDP Governors’ Forum and our structures at various levels in stabilizing our Party for the task ahead. 2. NEC also commended the commitment of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the Chairmanship of Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to further unite and reposition the Party ahead of the 2023 general elections. 3. NEC applauded the NWC for the success of the Party in the Local Government election in the FCT a...

*PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CP ECHENG ECHENG ON 16TH MARCH 2022* Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to this important briefing. Many of you are aware of the menace of cultism in the State particularly in Awka and environs. You will recall that on 14th December, 2021, Cultists attacked the Chairman of Tricycle Owners Association in broad day light near Unizik junction. Two Police Officers who were in the vicinity were killed and their weapons two AK 47 rifles carted away. Again on 26th February, 2022 the same cultist gang attacked a funeral party at Ebenebe in Awka North LGA killing several mourners. These serious incidents motivated the Command in going the extra mile in intelligence gathering and discreet investigation.  In the past two weeks several members of the gang were arrested by Police Operatives working in synergy with important stakeholders in the security sector. On Tuesday 15th March, 2022 information was received that the same cult group had...

EFCC Arrests 13 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu   Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC have arrested thirteen ( 13) suspected internet fraudsters at the Nsukka and Emene axes of Enugu State.     They were arrested on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in a sting operation.     Twelve of the suspects believed to be involved in internet- related offences are: Chinaza Onyekwelu; David Sharon; Igwenagu Chimezie; Nnachi Collins, Noble Nwodo and Okoye Ebuka. Others are: Onaga Divine; Richie Samson; Ugwu Chideru; Victor Sopuluchi, Nwajie Chidubem Eric and Nnamani Chukwuebuka. 

EFCC Arraigns Man for N44m Employment Scam The EFCC, today, March 16, 2022, arraigned one Anthony Uwa along with his companies: Okmar Consultancy limited and Dermo Impex Nigeria limited, before Justice Z. B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and employment scam to the tune of N44, 235,700 (Forty-four Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-five Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira). Uwa was alleged to have, at various times, collected the said sum from fifty two thousand job applicants on the pretext that he will provide employment to them.  

EFCC Arraigns Female Banker for N452m Scam in Onitsha The Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC, today March 16, 2022, arraigned one Judith Nneka Nwagwu, a staff of the United Bank for Africa, before Justice D.A Onyefulu of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha on a seven count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N452,047,000. Judith is alleged to have fraudulently obtained N192,000,000 (One Hundred and Ninety Million Naira) from a complainant whom she was his account officer, on the pretext that the bank had $400,000 for sale at the rate of N480 per Dollar. He employers also petitioned the Commission alleging that the defendant forged two fixed deposit certificates and fraudulently obtained the total sum of N260,047.000 ( Two Hundred and Sixty Million, Forty-Seven Thousand naira)Million from a customer under the guise of fixing the money for him.  

PRESIDENT BUHARI BACKS BUNI-LED CECC; DIRECTS APC GOVERNORS TO STOP FURTHER UTTERANCES THAT LEAD TO DISUNITY President Muhammadu Buhari has once again intervened in the uncertainties currently rocking the All progressives Congress, APC. In a letter personally signed by him, addressed to Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State who is also the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, President Buhari said the multiplicity of cases currently rocking the party has the prospect of invalidating the activities and actions of the Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The letter which was also copied to the Chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), the Acting Chairman of the CECC, Governor Sani Bello, the Director General of the DSS as well as the Inspector General of Police, the President said that since the party could not change the leadership of the CECC without infringing on the time limit set by INEC, and the fact that the current uncertai...

In London today. President Muhammadu Buhari, flanked by Gov Mai Mala Buni, Chairman APC Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, and Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

PRESIDENT BUHARI REJOICES WITH PASTOR MATTHEW ASHIMOLOWO AT 70 President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Founder/President of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) on his 70th birthday, March 17, 2022, joining congregation and church leaders to celebrate with the clergyman, publisher and philanthropist, on the milestone. President Buhari rejoices with Pastor Ashimolowo and his wife, Yemisi, for their dedication to bringing meaning and value to many lives through preaching and teaching of the gospel, demonstrating the love of Christ by investing in economic empowerment of brethren, and sponsoring some to gain sound education. The President notes the spread of wisdom by the leader of the KICC, evidenced in his speaking and teaching schedules in churches and conferences in Nigeria and various parts of world, and more recently the focus on equipping the youths with direction and tools for success in the Biblical context, which prescribes love, justic...

LAGOS COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE ELECTED INTERIM CHAIRMAN OF 36 STATES’ ATTORNEYS-GENERAL FORUM Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, has been elected interim Chairman of the Executive Committee of Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice of the 36 States in Nigeria at its inaugural meeting held recently in Abuja. Other members of the Committee are the Rivers State AG, Prof. Zac Adangor (SAN); Abia State AG, Uche Ihediwa (SAN); Taraba State AG, Sam Adda, Benue State AG, Micheal Gusa and Nassarawa State AG, Dr. Karim Kana as Interim Secretary. The Committee is saddled with the responsibility of running the affairs of the States’ Attorneys-General, arranging meetings, issuing statements on behalf of all the 36 AGs, taking positions on legal issues, advising the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and taking or reviewing legal actions on previous issues relevant behalf to all the States. Other responsibilities of the executive committ...

ONIKE BUILDING COLLAPSE: LASG SET TO CHARGE DEVELOPER FOR NEGLIGENCE  The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to charge a Developer, identified as Engr. Gboyega Bello, for negligence on the avoidable collapse of a building under construction at 16, Akanbi Street, Onike, Yaba in February 2022. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako made this known during a review meeting in Alausa on Tuesday. According to him, the Developer was culpable for disregarding due process stipulated for building construction in Lagos State, having commenced construction without Planning Permit and Authorisation from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), in addition to non-insurance of the building as required by law and ignoring contravention, stop-work and seal up notices served by the Agency.  In his words: "The owner of the building obtained Planning Permit well after commencing construction while he also failed to submit the structu...

LAGOS SEEKS UNDERSTANDING ON LEKKI-IKOYI TOLLGATE Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, has pleaded with motorists to show some understanding over the planned re-opening of Lekki Ikoyi Toll Gate. Omotoso spoke on Wednesday at Arise News Morning Show, about the plan by Lekki Concession Company(LCC), to open the tolling facility and run it free of charge for two weeks from 1st April, 2022. Collection of toll will begin two weeks after. Expressing the need for Lagosians to be compassionate about the plight of the 500-strong LCC staff who have been out of work for 18 months, Omotoso said the Company had huge debts to pay. LCC is owing local lenders N61.1 million and foreign lenders $31.1 million. His words: "The re-opening will go ahead as recently announced by the Lekki Concession Company and toll will not be collected for the first two weeks to test run the new technology being installed there. This is to ensure people have a better way of paying...

LAWMA ACADEMY TO HOLD ESSAY COMPETITION ON WASTE LAWMA Academy, the educational arm of Lagos Waste Management Authority, is set to hold its second essay competition on Waste tagged: “Impacts of Waste Containerisation on Effective Waste Management". A release issued by the Director, Public Affairs (LAWMA), Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, said the competition is aimed at promoting awareness on the recently launched "Adopt-a-Bin Programme", as well as broadening participants' knowledge in the area of waste management and environmental sustainability. Her words: "Our portal is open for the second edition of the essay competition on Waste with the topic: “Impact of Waste Containerisation of Effective Waste Management”. This is in line with LAWMA's current initiative to promote proper waste containerisation through the Adopt-a-Bin programme launched on 23rd February, 2022. We believe that this will help to know residents’ views on waste containerisation as well as their re...

NDLEA Assisted Drug Barons To Ship Cocaine To Nigeria, They Set Me Up – Abba Kyari Defends Self Embattled Police Chief, Abba Kyari has claimed that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has been assisting drug dealers to bring in Cocaine into Nigeria. The disgraced police officer accused the anti-drug agency of assisting drug peddlers to ship in Cocaine into the country. He also stated that he was ‘framed’ by a disgruntled officer of the agency after he went to demand compensation for the whistleblower that gave information that led to the arrest of a suspect. An affidavit filed by Kyari’s brother, One Mamman Nur, rehashed the claim stating that drugs were being shipped in from Ethiopia with the ‘knowledge of NDLEA officers’. Narrating the entire situation in the suit, Kyari stated; “That on that fateful day, the suspect as usual shipped drugs (cocaine) from Ethiopia to Enugu Airport. The officer of NDLEA cleared him within the airport, then officer of FIB-IRT arrested the su...

NDDC: Akpabio Told To Explain How He Used ₦800bn Ijaw communities under the auspices of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) have urged the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, to account for the N800billion that accrued to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), between 2020 and 2021. The group said the Federal Government should take responsibility for the increasing oil bunkering in the region because it reneged on its promise to liberalise the award of modular refineries, to encourage local participation and youth employment. Also the group through its President, Kennedy Tonjo West, called on the federal government to scrape the ministry. He made the call while speaking on a radio programme monitored in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. He also accused the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, of playing politics with the development of the region, through the ministry. He said: "...

Power Generation Companies (Gencos) under the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) on Sunday, said that the power supply situation in the country was worsening because they were owed over N1.6 trillion since 2013. APGC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Joy Ogaji, in a briefing in Abuja, argued that a situation where the energy dispatched by the power generators was used as an index for power generation capacity was detrimental to their survival. In the past couple of weeks, the already bad power supply situation in the country had worsened as players in the sector continued to trade blames as to whose table the buck stops. “We are currently owed N1.644 trillion. One of the reasons that the power plants are down is due to inefficient management of the grid,” Ogaji said. According to her, the Gencos have exhausted all their borrowing sources, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had reportedly warned the banks to desist from lending money to them. She stated, “If you give us gas, pr...

Members of staff of Anambra State Ministry of Justice have showered encomiums on the outgoing Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Mrs. Uju Nworgu for her tremendous contributions to the ministry since inception of office. Barrister Nworgu accompanied by her husband, Professor Ken Nworgu was applauded and commended at the send-off party organized by the staff and stakeholders of the ministry at the Head of Service Conference Hall, Jerome Udorji Secretariat, Awka. Dr Nworgu in her remarks, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love shown to her, thanking members of the ministry for their support and encouragement throughout her tenure.  She encouraged the members of the ministry to continue their good work and to support her successor. In an opening remark, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Anambra state, Barrister Ngozi Iwunor, said that the Attorney General, a pragmatic and friendly leader, took care of the member...

Governor Obiano And Wife Ebelechukwu Join Valedictory Holy Mass In Aguleri Hours after making his final public address to Ndi Anambra, Governor Willie Obiano, and wife, Ebelechukwu have joined a valedictory holy mass, the last activity on the family's schedule before the official end of term of his administration. The holy mass is presided over by present and past Catholic bishops from all the dioceses in Anambra State, while clergymen from both the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion from within and outside Anambra State, are taking part in the Eucharistic celebration. Together, the clergymen prayed for the governor and his family, for giving him the right health, energy and vision to sail through his eight-year mandated period, noting that history would always remember Governor Obiano's charisma and pattern of leadership. They wished him well in his future endeavors, and prayed God to grant him a peaceful and serene life. Some government officials, family members and frien...

WE HAVE SUSPENDED EDO PCRC CHAIRMAN FOR WEARING POLICE UNIFORM, ACCOUTREMENTS  … Ag. FPRO • As IGP Decries indiscriminate use, sales of Police uniform The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Chairperson for the Edo State Police Command, Mrs. Helen Atekha Odemwingie. The Force equally decried the illegal use of police uniforms, kits and accoutrements by non-police individuals and groups. The suspension is coming on the heels of a trending picture of the PCRC chairperson and other members at a function held at the Edo State Police Command wherein the PCRC members were seen wearing black uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Police Force, with accompanying insignias and various inscriptions. It has been noted that the act contravenes the provisions of section 214{1} of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and section 101 of the Police Act, 2020. In line with...