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SOUTH EAST: PRESIDENT BUHARI VOWS TO PROTECT INNOCENT NIGERIANS, DIRECTS SECURITY AGENCIES TO GO AFTER TERRORISTS President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abakiliki pledged that the Federal Government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East region.   Speaking at a meeting with South East leaders, during his two-day State visit to Ebonyi, the President expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land.   ‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.   ‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were vis...

WIKE HAILS SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT, SAYS RIVERS DEFENDED ITS OIL WELLS     Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says Rivers State was in court with its neighbouring Imo State, not to claim victory, but to defend its ownership rights of oil wells in Akri and Mbede communities.    The Rivers State governor made the clarification in Port Harcourt on Friday in response to the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, when it delivered judgment on the subsisted boundary dispute between the two States over the affected oil well.   "It bears repeating that the quest to defend our ownership rights through the courts over the Akiri and Mbede oil wells was not intended to claim victory over Imo or any other State.   "We also deplore the collusive actions of the NBC, which unfortunately, has become notorious as one of the most corrupt national agency, which has functioned more in causing confusion than resolving boundary disputes."   Governor Wike pointed out that whil...

UPDATE ON SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT Imo govt urges calm as Supreme Court delivers judgment on disputed oil wells with Rivers Imo State Government has urged citizens of the state to remain calm as it is still awaiting the certified copy of the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court over the disputed oil wells with Rivers State. The Attorney general of the state,Barr C.O.C Akaolisa in a statement issued in Owerri noted that the Counsel to the Government,Chief Olusola Oke informed him that the Supreme Court granted a part of the claim of Rivers State while it refused another part. He said since both parts had not been made known to Government,it is premature to speculate on the outcome of the judgment. He expressed surprise at the statement by Gov Nyesom Wike claiming victory and embarking on celebration. Chief Akaolisa said the action of the governor suggested that he might have had a preknowledge of the judgment hence the celebration. He urged imo people to remain calm and law abiding un...

Saudi Arabian Police Arrest 30 Nigerians For Displaying Tinubu's Campaign Poster Thirty Nigerian citizens have been arrested in Saudi Arabia for displaying campaign posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the holy mosque, Kaaba, SaharaReporters learnt. The Nigerians, while on lesser Hajj, Umrah, were reportedly nabbed by the Saudi police at the holy mosque as they walk around the Kaaba with Tinubu's posters lifted up. The incident happened during the month of Ramadan, shortly before the Eid-El-Fitr (Sallah) celebration. An eyewitness, Murtala Adamu Jega, a Nigerian who also performed the lesser Hajj at the time said, "I'm a witness; I saw them lift Bola Tinubu's posters at the holy Kaaba. "This is despicable. Instead of them to devout precious time to pray for peace to return to our country, 30 men made a mockery of our nation by lifting up a politician's posters in the holy place. Thank God, Saudi authorities were swift to have arrested them right there and then,...

Gunmen Set Vehicle Ablaze In Ebonyi To Enforce Sit-At-Home During A Buhari’s Visit  Gunmen suspected to be enforcing a two-day sit-at-home allegedly declared by yet-to-be identified dissident group in the South-East attacked Ebebe Junction in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi. The attackers, who struck around 6:20 a.m on Friday, set a vehicle ablaze while a motorcycle operator escaped death by a whisker. Mr Anayo Chukwuemeka, a resident of the area, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the attackers fired several gunshots that got residents panicking and scampering for safety. “It happened in a flash. But when the gunshots died down and we came out, we saw that a vehicle has been burnt beyond recognition. “The driver of the vehicle, who managed to escape, told us that the gunmen said they are enforcing the sit-at-home declared in protest of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi.  

2023: CBN Governor Emefiele Picks N100m APC Presidential Forms  Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele has reportedly picked up the expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections. The N100 million forms were picked up on behalf of the CBN Governor by a group of supporters from the party’s organising secretary at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, on Friday morning. There had been speculations that the Central Bank Governor was interested in vying for the Presidency in 2023 with campaign banners flooding parts of the country.  

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT  Press Statement Moshood Abiola National Stadium Swimming Pool Shut Down The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has shut down the swimming pool of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja with immediate effect. All activities within the pool area are therefore suspended till further notice. This follows the unfortunate death through drowning of a 13 year old boy, Matthew Godwin on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 during the festive season. The Ministry has ordered a full scale investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident and the activities  that led to it in a bid to forestall future recurrence. A delegation from the Ministry has since paid the family of the deceased a condolence visit. Signed Mohammed Manga  Director (Press & Public Relations) May 5, 2022  

 ARREST OF FAKE SOLDIER The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a fake soldier, Samuel Msughter, aged 28 on the Epe/ljebu Road. The suspect specialized in escorting goods in ful army uniform. Investigation is ongoing to unravel the full extent of his criminality especially with the uniform. Suspect will be charged to court at the end of investigation.  

OPERATION HADIN KAI: DISTRIBUTES RELIEF MATERIALS TO WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. As part of Operation HADIN KAI Corporate Social Responsibility, the Theatre Commander Joint Taskforce (JTF) North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Christopher Musa has on Thursday, 5 May, 2022 distributes relief materials to Widows and Orphans in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State.  The beneficiaries are families of the gallant fallen heroes of the Armed Forces that have paid the supreme price in the ongoing fight against insurgents and insurgency in the North East Theatre of Operation. According to General Musa, the Nigerian Army Will not forget in a hurry the selfless service and sacrifices of your loved ones and will continue to support you all where ever necessary. On behalf of the beneficiaries of the Theatre Commander's kind gesture, Mrs Blessing Edet appreciates and extol the Theatre Commander for always supporting them and therefore used the opportunity to pray for the Theatre Co...

Governor Soludo Commissions CSR Projects In Two Awka Schools The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has commissioned some corporate social responsibility projects at Capital City Secondary School and Amaenyi Primary School, both in Awka. The projects were executed by Chief Clem Nwogbo, the the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Awka Millennium City. They include a storey building housing a digital library, classrooms and assembly hall for Capital City Secondary School, while Amaenyi Community Primary School got a grassed football field, perimeter fence, security and refurbished classroom block. The governor, in his speech, identified human capital development as a major player in building a greater future for Anambra State. He harped on the need to empower students through quality education and commended Chief Nwogbo for his landmark contributions to the development of the society. Professor Soludo also urged ndi Anambra with the means to emulate Chief N...

WHO Laments Acute Shortage Of Midwives In Africa The 2021 State of the World’s Midwifery report by the World Health Organization, WHO, the International Conference of Midwives, ICM, and the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, say the global shortage of midwives stands at 900, 000, and is particularly acute in Africa with comparative figure for the region standing at just 41%. It is estimated that 75% of essential needs for maternal and reproductive health care are met by midwives. The International Day of the Midwife is celebrated annually on May 5, providing an opportunity to honour the work of midwives, and promote awareness of the crucial care that midwives provide to mothers and their newborns. This year marks 100 years of the establishment of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and there are currently 143 midwives' associations representing 124 countries worldwide, including the Confederation of African Midwives Associations (CONAMA), which was inaugurated in ...

" At Otuokpoti , Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, for the foundation laying ceremony of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Doctors’ Estate. A project undertaken by Doctors Welfare Cooperative Society , FMC , Yenagoa and the Federal Mortgage Bank .   I thank the Association of Resident Doctors, Bayelsa Chapter for naming the estate after me ".   - GEJ. One more photo below.   

Abiodun: Katchey Laboratory will complement ACFCTA The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has hailed a laboratory equipment maker, Katchey Laboratory Complex for building and opening his laboratory station in Ogun. Abiodun also noted that the company would help to complement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement entered into by Nigeria and other African states to allow for free trade across the continent. The governor, who made this known during the ground-breaking event of the proposed Katchey Laboratory Complex expected to house manufacturing of laboratory equipment and consumables, training center for laboratory analysts and bio-engineers, among others, said that the country hasn't been able to tap into the free trade zone because most of the goods expected to be exported were not certified worthy of export. He further noted that with a laboratory such as Katchey cited in the state, goods that are meant for export would now be certified for the international market. He...

38 PERMANENT SECRETARIES GET BRAND NEW OFFICIAL CARS FROM ABIODUN No fewer than 38 Permanent Secretaries appointed by Governor Dapo Abiodun as well as some appointed by the immediate past government in the State have been given brand new official cars by Prince Dapo Abiodun. Abiodun while speaking at the official presentation of the cars to the beneficiaries said the Permanent Secretaries deserved the gesture and more because they have contributed immensely to the successes of his administration and the gesture was to appreciate them for their dedication. Abiodun who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi called on the Permanent Secretaries to continue to imbibe entrepreneurial skills that will make the agencies of government more viable saying “we are on a long journey together. I urge you to deploy entrepreneurial sense in your duties so that the government can make more impact. The Governor said the state had great potentials which his admini...

🏆The Duchess of Cambridge has presented Saul Nash with The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Now in its fifth year, the award aims to provide continuing recognition of the cultural and trade role the British design and fashion industry has played, and continues to play, throughout Her Majesty's reign.  Saul is a British-Guyanese designer who is redefining how we look at luxury menswear and sportswear through his work. The inaugural award was first announced and presented to Richard Quinn in February 2018 when The Queen made her first visit to London Fashion Week. More photos below. 

Grills 13 Suspected Oil Thieves in Port Harcourt Operatives of the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Command of the EFCC have commenced investigation of 13(thirteen) suspected oil thieves handed over to it by the Nigerian Navy. The suspects were handed over to the EFCC on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 by the Nigerian Naval Ship, NNS Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without appropriate licences. The suspects are: Goodnews Wilfred, Gabriel Awadis, Monday Anja, Sylvanus Benson, Timothy Rufus, Appolos Awajis, Tombari Lede, Ebirene Ebirene, Friday Aaron, Ataije Ebirene, Ibrahiim Attah, Shuaibu Magaji and Odeon Emmanuel.  

EFCC Arraigns Company’s Employee for Fraud The EFCC has arraigned one Musa Mohammed before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court on a three count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust.  The defendant, as employee of a company, Halims & Co. Nigeria Limited, allegedly diverted to personal use, over N32million meant to finance a contract awarded to the company.   He however pleaded not guilty to the charges. Consequently, the prosecuting counsel, P.C Onyeneho urged the court to fix a date for commencement of trial. The case was adjourned till July 5, 2022 for trial.   

How 20-year-old girl was promised N50,000 before being murdered in Ebonyi hotel room, vital parts missing One of the female friends of late Ugochi who pleaded anonymity said: “After we partied in the hotel with Ugochi, we decided to go home but Ugochi decided to stay back because some men priced her N50,000 to spend the night with her. “They priced me N100,000 but I refused because I don’t know them. I lied to them that my boyfriend was in town and so, I will not be able to spend the night outside my home. “We warned Ugochi not to follow them but she refused because of the money. So, we left her behind and went home. When we didn’t see her the next day, we went to the police and reported the matter.