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Nigerian government postpones 2023 national census March 15, 2023 The Nigerian government has announced the postponement of the 2023 population and housing census earlier scheduled for March 29 to May 2023. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed made the announcement when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja. According to the minister, the decision to shift the census was necessitated by the postponement of the gubernatorial and State Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from March 11 to 18. He also disclosed that the council approved N2.8 billion for the National Population Commission (NPC), to procure some software to be used for the conduct of the census. “There was a memo presented by the National Population Commission, seeking some software to allow them to conduct the census in May this year. I believe becau...

President Buhari Swears-in Seven Reappointed Board Members of  ICPC  Pictures 1 & 2 From Left to Right Reappointed members of the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Hon. Abdullahi Maikano(Left); Hon. Grace Chinda; Hon. Olubukola Balogun; the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, OFR; Hon. Hannatu Muhammad; Hon. (Justice) Adamu Bello; Hon. Yahaya Umar Dauda and Hon. Obiora Samuel Igwedibia, in a group photograph after the swearing in of the board members by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, 15th March, 2023  . More photos below. 

This Land called Lagos was owned by the British for 99 years from 1861-1960 - Journalist, Rufai Oseni says; shows British treaty cession document.   " The Treaty of Cession, 6 August 1861 or the Lagos Treaty of Cession was a treaty between the British Empire and Oba Dosunmu of Lagos (spelt 'Docemo' in English documents) This Land called Lagos was owned by the British for 99years, from 1861-1960….Most of the initial development was done by the British. A Colony 1. a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country. Lagos was a British Colony! Up till 1960, Most Lagosians were British Subjects.On Independence most of them opted to Join the Nigeria Federation, they could have got British passports if they wanted". More photos below. 

BENUE FARMER ARRAIGNED FOR BEATING PREGNANT WIFE TO DEATH 15th March, 2023      A farmer in Tse- Agberagba community of  Konshisha LGA of Benue State, Ternenge Igbaade, has been arraigned in court for beating Kpadoo, his two months’ old pregnant wife to death. The police charged Igbaade with culpable homicide. The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. James Ewache told the court that the case was reported by the father of the victim, Tyoapine Sule of Tse-Agberagba Konshisha LGA, Benue on Feb 22, 2023. He alleged that the suspect out of annoyance beat his wife who later bled to death. The police said that the victim, Kpadoo, was two months pregnant. The prosecution said investigation into the matter is still ongoing. He said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 222 of the penal code laws of Benue State 2004. The Magistrate, Mrs Erdoo Ter, did not take the plea of Igbaade for want in jurisdiction. She ordered that he should be remanded in the Makurdi Correctional Cen...

 I Never Promised To Return Abandoned Property To Igbos In Rivers – Rotimi Amaechi The immediate-past Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he never promised to return abandoned property to Igbos residing in Rivers State. Amaechi, who is also former Rivers State Governor, made the declaration in a statement issued by his media office, which was made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt. Amaechi did not and have never said anything about compensation on abandoned properties to the Igbos in Rivers State. He only rehashed his apology to the Igbos when he became governor of Rivers State, that he was sorry on behalf of the State on abandoned properties from the Nigerian civil war. That if he had been in power at that time, he would never have let that happen. Amaechi only mentioned compensation when he spoke about people who are being intimidated, harassed and threatened with violence due to their choice of voting and support for the APC in ...

Atiku Withdraws Motion Against INEC March 15, 20230 The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has withdrawn his application for court’s permission to observe the reconfiguration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Court of Appeal in Abuja, had on March 8, permitted the electoral umpire to go ahead with the reconfiguration of the BVAS used in the conduct of the February 25 presidential election. The appellate court led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh cleared the coast for INEC to reconfigure the BVAS machines to be deployed in the rescheduled March 18 governorship and state House of Assembly elections, following convictions that the BVAS information on the presidential polls can be safely stored in an accredited backend server. The electoral umpire had approached the court to vary its earlier order permitting Atiku and the presidential candidate of the...

March 15, 2023 Press Statement March 18: APC Has No Governorship Candidate in Taraba State - PDP …Charges INEC to Be Guided by Supreme Court Judgment  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no validly nominated candidate for the rescheduled Saturday March 18, 2023 governorship election in Taraba State in line with the Judgement of the Supreme Court delivered on February 1, 2023 in suit No SC/CV/1564/2022. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the good people of Taraba State and the general public are invited to note that the import of the judgement of the Supreme Court is to the effect that the APC cannot validly field a candidate in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Taraba State, having failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 with regards to the conduct of its governorship primary in Taraba State. Specifically, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the provision of Section 84 (13) of...

KDSG Security Update: Wednesday 15th March 2023:  Deputy Governor leads KDSG delegation to Zangon Kataf LGA, comdemns renewed killings. The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe has led Kaduna State Government’s delegation to Zangon Kataf Local Government, following attacks which led to the loss of several lives, and injury to many others.  The Deputy Governor conveyed the condolences of the Kaduna State Government and condemned the killings in strong terms when she arrived the palace of the Agwatyp, HRH Dominic Gambo Yahaya.  She further stated that the Kaduna State Government had since last week been working with the military and other security agencies on the unfortunate situation. The Deputy Governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to carry out an immediate assessment and provide assistance to the affected citizens.  In his response, HRH Dominic Gambo Yayaha thanked the Deputy Governor and the Government of Kaduna State ...

AKERE MARKET FIRE: SANWO-OLU COMPENSATES TRADERS WITH N100M  •Lays foundation for new market building •As former Ekiti State Governor, woos Lagos airport taxi drivers for Governor Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday donated N100 million to traders in the burnt Akere Motor Parts and Allied Dealers Association (AMPADA) market in the Ajegunle area of the State.  The Governor also laid the foundation for a new market building. Speaking during his visit to the burnt site of the Akere market on Wednesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the efforts by the Lagos State Government were to help alleviate the plight of the traders who lost goods and cash in the fire when the market got burnt last week. He said: “A week or less ago we promised to come back here to give immediate support to the people who were affected by the unfortunate incident. This is not politics, it is just a coincidence that it is a political season. “I am happy to be here to lay the foundation for the...

POLICE ARREST 20-YEAR-OLD NOTORIOUS TRAFFIC ROBBER - Recover Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Officers of Ijora-Badia Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Monday, March 13, 2023 arrested one Damilare Akinwunmi 'm' aged 20, a member of a gang notorious for dispossessing motorists of their belongings around Pallet area of Ijora-Badia, Lagos.  Luck ran out on the suspect when his victim, whom he had just dispossessed of a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, quickly reported the incident at the nearest police station - Ijora Badia. Swiftly, detectives from the division  traced the suspect to his hideout in Monkey Village where he was arrested and the phone recovered.  Damilare, who confessed to having robbed at the same spot several times, is currently assisting the police in an ongoing investigation towards arresting other members of the gang. Suspect(s) will be arraigned at the conclusion of investigations. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has assured residents o...

Zambia. A 15-year-old school boy of Choma is nursing severe burns after his biological father tortured him using a hot pot filled with burning charcoal on allegations that he stole K15 meant to buy mealie meal and relish.  The father, who is now in police custody, tortured the boy with the help of his other 17-year-old son, who is currently on the run.  After burning him, the two locked up the victim to ensure that no outsider got wind of what transpired.  

 Lagos Monarch Fixes Ritual On Election day; Warns Non-indigenes, Women To Respect Tradition In Eti-Osa The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Saheed Ademola (Kusenla III), has declared a three-day Oro rite on non-indigenes and women from midnight to 5:30 a.m., including on Saturday’s governorship and state assembly election day.  In a memo issued to the residents of Ikate-Elegushi, the monarch announced that there would be a restriction of movement to perform the Oro rite in the community from Wednesday to Saturday. Residents of the community alleged there is a political motive for the curfew which will further disenfranchise women and non-indigenes from voting on election day. Others complained that it would paralysed commercial activities in the community.  He added, “Elections are held during the day, and by morning we will open the roads for people to come. It is a traditional rite. But unfortunately, it has come at this time. It is an annual event, and...

PICTURES: GOV SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES REBUILD OF AKERE AUTO SPARE PARTS MARKET AT OLODI-APAPA, AJEROMI IFELODUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ON WEDNESDAY, 15TH MARCH, 2023   PIX 5051/8704: Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle) laying a brick to takeoff the rebuild of Akere Auto Spare Parts Market, assisted by the Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Hon Fatai Ayoola (right) during the launch to rebuild the market at Olodi-Apapa, on Wednesday, 15 March 2023.   PIX 4707/4872 L-R: APC House of Reps-elect, Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency, Hon Paul Kalejaiye; Market EXCO, Mr Nwakeoma Okey; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Hon Fatai Ayoola; Chairman of Akere Auto Spare Part Market, Mr Izuchukwu Uba and the council Vice-Chairman, Hon Lucky Uduikhue, during the presentation of cheque and launching to rebuild Akere Auto Spare Parts Market at Olodi-Apapa, on Wednesday, 15 March 2023.   PIX 8659: Lagos State Governor, M...

 Court Orders Trial-Within-Trial in Ex-NIMASA DG, Two Others’ Alleged N304.1m Fraud Trial Justice Tijani Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, ordered a trial- within- trial in the alleged N304.1m fraud trial involving a former acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Haruna Baba Jauro, and two others. Jauro alongside Dr. Dauda Bitrus Bawa and a company, Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, is being prosecuted on a 19-count charge bordering on stealing and money laundering to the tune of N304, 118, 500( Three Hundred and Four Million One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Naira). At today’s proceedings, the third prosecution witness, PW3, Orji Chukwuma, an investigator with the EFCC, in his further evidence, told the court that both the first and second defendants were invited to the EFCC office and that the first defendant had interactions with the investigating team in his office....

Ex-Imo Commissioner Jailed Three Years for Diversion of N180m Justice K. A Lewanya of the Imo State High Court, Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday March 14, 2022 convicted and sentenced one Prince Laseberry Okafor Anyanwu, aka Laseberry Okafor, a former commissioner of Transport in the Rochas Okorocha administration of Imo State, to 3 years imprisonment on a four count charge that bordered on abuse of office and fraudulent diversion of N180, 000,000 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira only). He diverted the said sum from the account of the Imo Transport Company to Oma Oil & Industries Ltd, a company in which he has interest through phony contracts. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the four counts, setting the stage for the matter to proceed to trial. In the course of trial, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered several documents which were admitted in evidence as Exhibits. At the close of the prosecution’s case, the defendant opened his defence and testified for h...

🎷🎸🎶 Musicians Brian May and YolanDa Brown congratulate each other after receiving their honours from The King during an Investiture at Buckingham Palace. YolanDa performed in front of His Majesty as part of yesterday’s Commonwealth Day Service in Westminster Abbey. Brian May, lead guitarist of rock band Queen, receives knighthood from King Charles III. Legendary rock guitarist Brian May has received a knighthood from Britain’s King Charles III. May, who was a founding member of the band Queen, will now be known as Sir Brian, following the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The star received the title of Knight Bachelor for his services to music and to charity. He attended the ceremony alongside his wife, Anita Dobson, a former star of long-running British TV soap “EastEnders.” Congratulating him online, a tweet from Queen’s official account said: “Arise Sir Brian May." “Brian’s investiture as a Knight of The Realm took place today at Buckingham Palace. The kn...

Dollar shortage: Banks slash travel allowance, foreign school fees 15 March 2023   Deposit Money Banks have slashed the amount of Personal Travel Allowance and schools fees their customers can apply for amid a worsening foreign exchange crisis. Shortage of FX in the country has forced lenders to take drastic measures to meet their dollar obligations in recent times. In an emailed letter to customers, some DMBs on Tuesday slashed the amount of PTA their customers can apply for from $4,000 to $2,000. Also, lenders cut overseas school fees payment from $15,000 to $7,500 per semester. One of the lenders, First Bank of Nigeria Limited advised its customers to also make their various FX requests several weeks ahead of time. The bulk email by the lender was titled, ‘Important update on FX purchase.’ The bank also stated that the requests could be made only twice in a year. It advised the customers to make their application weeks ahead of their trip. The mail read in part, “At FirstBank, w...

INEC Suspends Abia REC Over Alleged Logistical Failures The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has suspended its Resident Electoral Commissioner REC in Abia State, Ike Uzochukwu from office. Abia State was one of the states where the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections did not commence as scheduled, following a logistical failure. Following the suspension, INEC has consequently directed its Administrative Secretary in the state, Clement Ohia to immediately assume office and ensure the smooth conduct of this Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly election. Recall that the commission had on March 6 suspended its Resident Electoral Commissioner REC in Sokoto State, Dr. Nura Ali, and directed its Administrative Secretary in the state, Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, to take over its affairs. Reacting to the report of appointing a partisan person as head of ICT. INEC in a statement released last night, said that the claim was made by Lagos politician, Chief Olabode...

10 Died In Renewed Attacks On Langson Community, ACDA Group Pass Vote Of No Confidence On Security Following yesterday’s renewed attack that claimed 10 lives and many injured in Langson community, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Atyap Community Development Association, ACDA, has passed a vote of no confidence on a section of the security operatives deployed to the area to protect lives and property. The ACDA National President, Mr. Sam Achie who stated this to Salama News at the scene of attack, lamented the silence of Government to the attacks in the area. He urged the government to match words with action by arresting the perpetrators since the government know them and where they are. The ACDA National President also commended the Mopol in Langson community who where said to have repelled the attackers, even as he called on the people to continue to remain on alert to protect their communities and properties against the oppressors who are bent on taking their a...