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Dubai Police receives Singapore General Consul   His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, has recently welcomed H.E Syed Muhammad Raziff Aljunie, Consul General of the Republic of Singapore in Dubai, with the aim to enhance cooperation between both sides.   During the meeting, which was held at the Dubai Police Officers Club, Al Marri discussed with the Singapore's General Consul a number of topics of mutual interest including ways to strengthen cooperation between the two sides in various areas.   Al Marri welcomed the Singapore General Consul and the accompanying delegation, reaffirming the Dubai Police's keenness to enhance communication with various agencies, including diplomatic agencies.   The Singapore General Consul praised the level of safety and security in Dubai in particular and the United Arab Emirates in general. He thanked the Dubai Police for its permanent endeavors to enhance cooperation and joi...

Easter: We shall resist attempt to criminalise right to peaceful protest — NLC As Christians all over the world celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has vowed to resist any attempt to criminalise its hard-earned right to peaceful protest against the ills perpetrated by operators of the Nigerian state. NLC also said that the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross marked by the commemoration of Easter offers humanity a chance for deep reflection on the virtues of the greatest love and sacrifice and of undying hope. The Labour Centre in its Easter message issued by the President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, urged Nigerian workers, and all Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of Easter through the manifestation of the spirit of love through forgiveness, sacrifice, hope and sincerity.  According to Ajaero, “We similarly urge Nigerian leaders at various levels of leadership who brought upon us this level of pain, privation and acrimony to not treat these...

 Soludo Reiterates Commitment to Make Anambra Liveable By Regina Igwebuike The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo has reiterated the State Government's commitment to make our homeland sustainably clean, green and liveable for the betterment of Ndi Anambra. Soludo who stressed the need to dispose refuse properly for a clean Anambra said that it would add to the aesthetics of the state. The governor said this on April 6 at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Awka during the Chrism/Cathedraticum Mass officiated by the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor. He urged commercial drivers to have waste bin in their vehicles where passengers can throw in dirts instead of littering the street with refuse. Soludo who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi explained that cleanliness of the enviroment and opening of drainages are priorities to avoid sickness and outbreak of diseases, saying that government would do the needful to clean the state ...

Peter Obi Won’t Leave Nigeria Because Of Pressure — Labour Party The Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will not leave Nigeria, regardless of the pressure being mounted on him. The Chief Spokesperson, Obi-Datti Campaign Council, Tanko Yunusa disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. According to the PCC, the pressure being mounted on Obi from some quarters was the handiwork of mischief makers who were bent on derailing him from pursuing justice through the court. Recall that Obi had on Wednesday said he was being pressured to leave the country with attacks against his person emanating from different quarters. But, Labour Party PCC maintained that Obi had no intention to leave the country, irrespective of the pressure on him and his family.  

What Happened In Lagos Was War, Not Election – LP’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour The 2023 Labour Party candidate for the just concluded gubernatorial election in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has insisted what happened in the state was a war, not a poll. Speaking on Arise Television’s morning show on Friday, Rhodes-Vivour also said that the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must improve amid the election’s conduction. Rhodes-Vivour said, “What happened in Lagos was a war on Lagosians no matter how they want to colour it or module the waters. “In Ikoyi, there were Yoruba people who were beaten and affected by thugs and hooligans that came into the place. “Look at what happened VCG as well and the complicity of INEC as well in this process need to be taken up so that If they want to try anything next time they would do things differently, give a perception of equity, fairness and justice, not these brazing rip over democracy in Lagos State.”

CBN To Close Millions Of Bank Accounts Without BVN The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced plans to close millions of bank accounts across various financial institutions that are not linked to a Bank Verification Number (BVN). Blaise Ijebor, the CBN director of the Risk Management Department and Chief Risk Officer, who disclosed the plan at the Prembly Compliance Breakfast Dialogue on Thursday April 6, said the objective is to clean up the sector and reduce the growing incidence of fraud. The BVN is a unique identifier that captures the biometric data of bank customers and is used to verify their identities and prevent fraudulent activities. Analysis of the NIBSS website indicated that there were only 57.01 million registered BVN numbers out of the total 191.4 million bank accounts in the country, with 133.5 million active. CBN's Ijebor further detailed the importance of closing bank accounts without BVN and highlighted three areas where cybercriminals are exploiting vulner...

Zamfara Man Released By Bandits After Three Months. Friends and family have shared before and after photos of one Honourable Saalabata Lawal Maisaje, who was released from captivity after three months. It was gathered that he was abducted in the Dansadau district of Maru local government, Zamfara state. A Facebook user, Abba Gidan Shanu, shared his picture on Friday and wrote,“ All praise is due to Allah. After taking a long time in the hands of kidnappers in God's judgement today our friend Hon Saalabata Lawal Maisaje has escaped from their own hands. “ We are praying that Allah gives you full health, protects your future, may He protect us and protect us and make us a wall of iron and them forever.” Credit: Facebook | M Abba Gidan Shanu  

SANWO - OLU APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES  The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of three new Permanent Secretaries in the Lagos State Public Service. The appointees are: Olushekun Bibilomo Olayide – Director, Establishments, Office of Establishments & Training; Obadina Akinbode – Director, Admin. & Human Resource/ Principal Private Secretary to the HOS; and Akanbi Adenike Ganiat – Director, Finance & Accounts, Office of the Chief of Staff. A statement signed by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, stated that the appointees were drawn mainly from the pool of qualified candidates who had previously been interviewed by Mr. Governor and distinguished themselves exceptionally in the discharge of their duties. Muri-Okunola, therefore, expressed confidence that the new appointees possessed the experience, competence and qualities required to serve in the esteemed and revered rank of Per...

My rift with Wizkid lasted 12 years — Davido 8 April 2023  Nigerian music superstar, David Adeleke, better known by his stage name, Davido, has revealed that his Afrobeats colleague, Ayodeji Balogun popularly called Wizkid spoke to him on the phone every week after the death of his son, Ifeanyi. Davido made this known in an interview on the Morning Show on Hot 97FM, New York, which was shared on Saturday. He stated that he and Wizkid had a 12-year rift and that they only began talking after his son died. Speaking in the video, he said, “With Wiz, over the years we had a rift, for 12 years we had a rift up until recently he chatted up and I am seeing the positivity. “I am seeing the change in the industry a little bit because everybody is calming down, especially with my situation; the tragic situation that happened, he called me every week since it happened,” he added. Recall that Davido and his fiancee, Chioma Rowland, lost their only son, Ifeanyi in November 2022, shortly after h...

✉️ British Empire Medal recipients will be amongst the 2,000 guests at the Coronation in May.  🏅The medals are awarded for achievement or service on a local community level.  Community volunteers and key workers will be part of the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May. British Empire Medals are awarded for achievement or contribution of very ‘hands-on’ service to the community in a local geographic area.  This might take the form of sustained commitment in support of very local charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work that has delivered real impact over a shorter period of time.  Coronation invites sent to 850 community champions Community representatives set to attend the King's coronation have spoken of their joy at being invited. King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, have invited 850 people to the 6 May ceremony in recognition of their charitable contributions. The group includes 450 British Empire Medal recipients and 400 yo...

  MAY 29: I WILL ENSURE A SEAMLESS  TRANSITION IN BENUE - GOV. ORTOM 8th April, 2023      Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has promise to ensure a seamless transition come May 29th, 2023. Governor stated this on Friday, during an interview on AriseTV. The Governor has also offered himself to be probed by the incoming Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia administration saying he has governed the state transparently and he has nothing to hide. He he however explained that at the moment, he is concerned with ensuring a seamless transition and has set up his team as well as extended a hand of fellowship to the Governor- elect to join the team in accomplishing the task. The Governor who said he is already writing his hand over notes added that he has also directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to do the same. The Governor cautioned the incoming Governor to desist from interfering in his affairs until he is sworn-in on May 29, 2023, saying “until then, I remain G...

Plateau: Abductors of paramount ruler demands N18m 8 April 2023  The abductors of the kidnapped paramount ruler of Mhiship Nation in Pankshin Local Council of Plateau State, on Wednesday night, His Royal Highness Sunday Dajep, had contacted the monarch’s family. The abductors, who had not communicated with the family since that day, broke the silence, yesterday, demanding N18m from them for the victim to be released. This was disclosed by the family, while speaking with The Guardian. The family’s spokesman, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they had a family meeting on what they could afford, preparing for the kidnappers’ call again. Family source told journalists earlier that gunshots were heard at the palace around 11.pm where he was abducted. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident. He said investigation into the unfortunate incident was ongoing to ensure that the “traditional ruler is rescued unhurt ...

Two US Federal Judges issue conflicting rulings on abortion pill 8 April 2023    Access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the U.S. plunged into uncertainty Friday following conflicting court rulings over the legality of the abortion medication mifepristone that has been widely available for more than 20 years. For now, the drug the Food and Drug Administration approved in 2000 appeared to remain at least immediately available in the wake of two separate rulings that were issued in quick succession by federal judges in Texas and Washington. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, ordered a hold on federal approval of mifepristone in a decision that overruled decades of scientific approval. But that decision came at nearly the same time that U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice, an Obama appointee, essentially ordered the opposite and directed U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where...

Man embarks on 100 days hunger strike to pressure British govt to add Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to list of terrorist organizations 8 April 2023  A British Iranian man who has been on a hunger strike outside the British Foreign Ministry building in London for 44 days says he is ready to continue his protest for 100 days. Vahid Beheshti told Forbes that he is preparing to more than double the length of his strike, despite not knowing “how long my physical body can cooperate with me.” Beheshti is on a hunger strike to pressure the British government to add the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the country's list of terrorist organizations. He met with British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat on March 27 but told Forbes he has yet to hear anything from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Beheshti, who began his strike in February, has lost more than 13 kilograms (29 pounds). The Guardian newspaper reported that Beheshti, 44, had been a friend of the journalist and activist Ruhollah Z...

IGP ORDERS POSTING/REDEPLOYMENT OF AIGs TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, COMMANDS, FORMATIONS  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, has ordered the posting/redeployment of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to Departments, Commands, and Formations in line with his manpower development policy of fitting the right persons into appropriate roles.  This is in line with the IGP’s mandate and strategies to strengthen the operational structures of commands, departments, and formations. The following AIGs have been posted/redeployed to the duty posts indicated against their names; i.AIG Zone 14 Katsina-AIG Ahmed Abdulrahman, mni ii.AIG Police Mobile Force-AIG Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, mni iii.AIG Special Protection Unit -AIG Matthew Akinyosola, mni iv.AIG Zone 12 Bauchi-AIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, fdc v.AIG Maritime Lagos-AIG Yekini Adio Ayoku, psc(+), mni vi.AIG Zone 13 Ukpo Dunukofia – AIG Olofu Tony Adejoh vii.AIG Zone 7 Abuja-AIG Aliyu Garba vii...

Over 43 Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack IDP Camp April 8, 2023 Not less than 43 persons have been reported dead after gunmen attacked an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Guma LGA of Benue state. According to TheCable, Sewuese Anene, the Benue police spokesperson, said the incident happened on Friday night but the casualty figure is yet to be determined as “our team is on the way to the scene as we speak”. The incident is the latest in the spate of killings happening in the state. On Wednesday, an unconfirmed number of persons were killed in an attack by gunmen on Umogidi village of Entekpa-Adoka district of Otukpo LGA. In March, it was reported that no fewer than 50 persons were allegedly killed by suspected herders who invaded communities in Kwande LGA of the state. In February, some gunmen were also said to have attacked the Ikobi community in Apa LGA, killing three persons. TheCable had reported how three kinsmen of Samuel Ortom, the state governor, were killed by the gunmen....

President Joe Biden to overturn ruling against abortion pill April 8, 2023 US President Joe Biden has called a federal judge’s decision to suspend approval of an abortion pill as an “unprecedented step in taking away basic freedoms from women.” “My administration will fight this ruling,” Biden said in a statement issued by the White House on Friday, April 8. The ruling, if it were to stand, makes every regulated drug vulnerable to “these kinds of political, ideological attacks,” Biden said. “The lawsuit, and this ruling, is another unprecedented step in taking away basic freedoms from women and putting their health at risk,” he said in a statement. But, in an illustration of how deep the fracture on abortion runs in US society, a judge in Washington state moments later ruled in a separate case that access to the drug must b preserved in more than a dozen states. The duelling of legal opinions, along with the appeals, means the issue is almost certain to end up before the Supreme Court....

Report of kidnapping on Abuja-Kaduna road false, misleading — KDSG 8 April 2023  The Kaduna State Government says stories of kidnapping on the Abuja-Kaduna road are false and misleading. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, debunked the story in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna. Aruwan said a report published today by a newspaper, alleging that bandits kidnapped scores of citizens on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway is false and misleading, as no such incident occurred on the highway which straddles five Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Kaduna and Niger states. “An excerpt from the inaccurate report with the headline ‘Bandits Abduct Travellers on Abuja-Kaduna Highway’ reads: “Scores of travelers were abducted after bandits opened fire on motorists in Iche community, some few kilometres away from Kagarko town, along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.” He said contrary to the story, reports received from security agencies and the Kagarko Local Governme...

Investigation: Inside Maiduguri Juvenile Sex Trade 8 April 2023 Early in the morning, categories of women from different parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, are lured to the Shagari Low-cost area in droves for various businesses. First are grasshopper vendors who go very early to buy the insects from young men that hunt them from bushes around Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. In the evening, the atmosphere changes as young girls, mostly teenagers, and different kinds of men take over the busy area for sex trade. Investigation by Daily Trust Saturday revealed how these night visitors – uniform men and even the elderly – troop to the place to take advantage of underage girls and other young prostitutes. Brothels, beer parlours and suya spots are spread across every nook and cranny of the streets, while prostitutes and drug dealers abound. Intoxicated girls looking for sex partners and their clients are mostly seen at dark corners of the area while others walk around to attr...