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A British drugs kingpin has been extradited home from Thailand to serve a lengthy jail term after spending years on the run, UK police said on Saturday. Richard Wakeling, 55, fled Britain in 2018 after he attempted with Dutch accomplices to smuggle $10 million (£8 million) of liquid amphetamine from Belgium in-to the UK in 2016. He was sentenced in absentia to 11 years and placed on the “most wanted” watch list of the British National Crime Agency (NCA). He was escorted back to London by specialist UK extradition officers on Thursday and immediately jailed after a brief court appearance, according to the NCA. “Richard Wakeling thought he could avoid facing justice by leaving the UK,” NCA regional head of investigations Jacque Beer said. “This case highlights the NCA’s global reach, and that we will do everything we can to ensure those who commit serious and organized crime are held accountable for their actions, no matter how long it takes or how far they flee.”  

Tinubu selects Ribadu for NSA The pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has been selected by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as National Security Adviser (NSA), a source privy to the development has revealed. The NSA serves as the principal adviser to the President on security matters, coordinating various security agencies, providing intelligence assessments, and formulating policies to address the nation’s security challenges Ribadu, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police was chosen over two other candidates, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), and the current Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. Tinubu evaluated all three candidates before selecting Ribadu, who is highly regarded for his experience in security and law enforcement. The NSA position requires an individual capable of navigating complex security issues a...

PRESS STATEMENT Let's Put the Interest of the People First, Gov Akeredolu Tells Newly Inaugurated Ondo 10th Assembly Members •Congratulates New Speaker, Other Principal Officers Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi , SAN, CON, has charged members of the newly inaugurated 10th Assembly to prioritise the interests of the people of the state in the discharge of their duties. The Governor urged the lawmakers to see their assignments as a service to the people of the state who elected them as representatives. Governor Akeredolu, who had earlier congratulated the new speaker personally, enjoined the new legislators to be above board and discharge their duties without fear, favor, or interference. The Governor also commended the assembly members for electing their principal officers without rancor or misunderstanding. "Legislation is a crucial assignment and one of the most important instruments of government in organizing, developing, and stabilizing society an...

Akeredolu not dead, ignore rumours – Ondo govt.  Ondo State Government has urged the public to disregard the rumours circulating about the alleged death of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, it was clarified that the governor is alive and has been attending to state matters while also delegating state functions. In the last 48 hours, rumour of the demise of the governor had taken over the social media space, with the situation creating apprehension in the state. Ademola-Olateju emphasised that the clarification was necessary due to the tension the rumours had caused in the state and across the country. The commissioner also noted that the government had been receiving numerous calls and messages regarding the governor’s health, and had initially chosen to ignore the false information until it became apparent that certain individuals were attempting to use it for political gain. “We have been inundated...

Kogi SDP Guber Candidate, Escapes Assassination As Campaign Turns Violent The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka this afternoon luckily escaped assassination when his motorcade was attacked by gunmen personally led by the Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Alhaji Ajaka and some vehicles accompanying him were approaching Lokoja at the vicinity of the ram market at about 300pm when two powerbikes and Toyota Hilux overtook his car and forced it to a stop. This assault was heralded by a Mercrdes Benz Limousine with Bellos official crest accompanied by an open pick- loaded with masked and hooded men bearing AK 47 Assault Rifles. The men jumped down an began shooting at Ajaka's car and all other cars in the motorcade. They shot for over 5 minutes at Ajaka's bullet proof car unprovoked. All this while Bello's car was parked a few meters in front and was used to barricade the road while the gun men had a field day. When they ceased...

*SGF Appointment: Omole Lead Progressives On A Congratulatory Visit To Akume* APC stalwart, Prince Ade Omole led a delegation of Diaspora Progressive members to the Abuja residence of the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume. It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently announced the appointment of Senator Akume whilst receiving the Progressive Governors Forum at the state house, yesterday. In Prince Omole’s entourage were Prof. Ali Alao; Comrade Hafeez Yaw; Dr Mustapha Abdullahi; Barr. Obiageli Nwufor and Rt. Hon Ahmed Mohammed.  Prince Omole extolled the virtues of the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation and charged him to help meet the promises of President Tinubu and his Vice, Sen Kashim Shettima in their “Renewed Hope” mandate. Prince Omole recalled that he made a similar visit in 2019 when Sen. Akume was appointed Minister. He prayed that the SGF will, again, be promoted by the time he visits agai...

NIGER STATE POLICE COMMAND  2nd June, 2023 CRIME BULLETIN  (1). ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTS FOR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, CULPABLE HOMICIDE AND THEFT  On 23/05/2023 at about 2030hrs, based on a tip-off, Police operatives attached to 'A' Div Suleja arrested the following two suspects; -Sunday Paul aged 22yrs of Timber-shed, Suleja  -Bali Joshua aged 33yrs of Kwamba area, Suleja  The suspects were arrested in connection with the culpable homicide of one Boniface Chinanwa aged 45yrs of Morocco road, Suleja. During interrogation, the suspects confessed that on 17/05/2023 at about 1900hrs, they were invited by one Zingfa Selchak of the same address but presently at large. He briefed them on his intention to snatch a tricycle and that he needed their assistance to perpetrate the act. He took them to somewhere along Kwamba road, opposite Timber-shed, and told them to wait for him, shortly he appeared with a tricycle rider whom he deceitfully contracted to convey some goods for h...

TSC Announces June 6th For Mop Up Test  ***  The Nasarawa State Teachers' Service Commission (TSC) has announced plans to hold a mop-up test on Tuesday June 6th, 2023 for applicants who missed the Computer-Based Test (CBT) held from 15th May 2023 to 1st June 2023. This was contained in a statement issued by its Director of Admin and Supplies, Zaki David Makama.  According to the statement, the mop-up test is to hold from 9am-4pm prompt at the Umaru Tanko Al-Makura CBT Centre, Lafia, the State capital.  The affected applicants are advised to come along with their application print out and means of identification.  

PRESS RELEASE WHERE IS THE LIE? COST AND NUMBER OF OFFICIAL VEHICLES LOOTED BY FORMER GOVERNOR BELLO MATAWALLE The Zamfara State Government has described a statement issued by the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an act of attention-seeking from a political party yet to recover from defeat. The APC statement was a response to the assertion of the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, in which he fingered former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle for looting official vehicles and other valuables from the state Government House in Gusau. The Zamfara State Government in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday, by the spokesperson to the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, noted that the vituperation by the Zamfara APC in a desperate and face-saving defence of the looting orchestrated by former Governor Matawalle was a further confirmation that the party has drifted into the abyss of confusion and failure. The statement read in parts: “Our government is determ...

PRESS RELEASE THE PURPORTED DECLARATION OF N9 TRILLION ASSETS BY THE GOVERNOR OF ZAMFARA STATE IS UNTRUE AND MISLEADING The Zamfara State Government has cleared the air over a purported social media story that the Executive Governor of the state, Dauda Lawal, has declared assets worth Nine Trillion Naira. The Government in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, on Friday in Gusau, described the story as a fabricated lie designed to distract the new government from its Rescue Zamfara path. It further said it is a continuation of the lies perpetrated by those who lost the election, as they had during their dirty campaign.  He added that the new government has started work and is focused on ensuring it brings the needed sanity to governance in the state to deliver on its mandate.  The statement read in parts: “Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous story planted and pushed in the social media claiming that the Executive Governor of Zam...

LAGOS STATE HOLDS POST INAUGURATION CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA •It is celebration of freedom, cultural fusion, shared heritage of Lagosians, says Sanwo-Olu It was a celebration of the rich culture, heritage, and tradition of Lagos State on Saturday, as residents of the State converged on the Agege Stadium for a Cultural Display and Appreciation Carretta 2023.   Lagosians trooped out in large numbers from across the five divisions of Lagos State – Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe, to celebrate the inauguration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat for a second term in office.   The kaleidoscope of colours, sounds, and emotions celebration encapsulates the rich diversity and cultural dynamism that defines Lagos as a metropolis.  During the event tagged “Lagos Cultural Extravaganza,” there were various displays, parades and dances from different masquerades, arts and cultural groups from each of the five divisions in the State.    Am...

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED FOLLOWING THE PDP RETREAT FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN BAUCHI, BAUCHI STATE The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a retreat on Saturday, 3rd June, 2023, in Bauchi, Bauchi State. Notable attendees included Governors and Members of the National Assembly elected under the PDP, the Acting Chairman and members of the PDP National Working Committee, members of the Board of Trustees, and other PDP Stakeholders. *Key points of discussion and resolutions from the retreat are as follows:* *Party Unity:* There was an emphasis on fostering unity both within the party and across the nation. The members agreed on the need for constant engagement and focus on issues concerning the welfare, stability, economy, and security of Nigeria. *Dominant Topics:* The retreat featured discussions around good governance, democratic accountability, the party's role in opposition, the recent removal of Petroleum subsidy, prevalent poverty, the decline in the quality of life of Nigerians, ongoing...

Buhari Submits Assets Declaration Form To CCB, Records Zero Debt The former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has submitted his assets declaration forms to the Code of Conduct Bureau. Buhari recorded in the form that he has zero debts. In line with chapter six of the constitution, the CCB issued an acknowledgement receipt to the president. The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Buhari, Garba Shehu, revealed by sharing the receipt on his Twitter page on Sunday. He said, "The completed declaration shows that his movable assets did not increase, at home in Nigeria or outside the country and did not add new bank accounts outside the only one he had in Union Bank, Kaduna.  "He has taken no loans and has no liability and the number of animals on his farm recorded a little decrease due to the number he gave out as gifts in the last four years." Credit: Twitter | GarShehu  

Your govt is temporary, Atiku tells Tinubu Defeated presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar has expressed confidence that he will reclaim his alleged stolen mandate at the court. He, therefore, referred to the President Bola Tinubu-led APC administration as a “temporary government”. Atiku Abubakar who addressed elected officials of the PDP during a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Bauchi on Saturday, charged members of the National Assembly of the PDP not to be “rubber stamp members of the National Assembly”. He added; “You are there to serve as a formidable opposition to this temporary administration.” According to him, “Based on the results announced by the INEC and pending the determination of electoral challenges in the court, our members elect are not the majority in the National Assembly. “So, for the time being, they have to prepare to work as an effective, constru...

 Crown Prince Hussein, the heir to the throne, married Princess Rajwa of Jordan in Amman on Thursday, June 1 in front of 140 guests.   The couple tied the knot after a nine-month engagement in an Islamic marriage ceremony at Zahran Palace in Jordan. Guests including Prince William and Princess Kate joined royals from around the world at the celebration.     Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, Princess Hisako of Japan and Princess Tsuguko, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, King Philippe and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands were among top dignitaries in attendance. Shortly after the ceremony, the Royal Hashemite Court announced that Rajwa will now be styled as a princess.     “A Royal Decree was issued to bestow the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Rajwa Al Hussein on Miss Rajwa Khalid Alseif, on the occasion of her marri...

Veteran actress, Margaret Olayinka aka Iya Gbonkan, has appealed to Nigerians to help her get a car.   In a video posted on social media, the actress who is popular for acting creepy roles, lamented that she does not own a car despite being in the movie industry for decades.    Speaking in Yoruba language, the actress said;   “I have been acting for decades yet I don’t have a car. I jump on buses every day. If I die now, you will kill a cow. Celebrate me now that I am alive. I need a car from you people. One person can even give me four cars. What is it? Now that I am alive, help me. Whatever that is good for me, please do it now” she said  

Underage pupils have been barred by the federal government from sitting for the National Common Entrance Examination conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO) for admission into unity colleges across the country.  NECO has been directed to put strict measures in place to prevent underage from registering for the examination, including making birth certificates compulsory as registration requirement.  The federal government stated that for a pupil to get into secondary school, he or she should be at least 12 years. The federal government added that one could be eleven plus during the examination, but must be 12 before September.  Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, gave the directive on Saturday, June 3, in Abuja while monitoring the conduct of the 2023 Common Entrance Examination into the 116 Federal Government Colleges across the Federation.  After monitoring the exercise at the Federal Government Girls College, Bwari, and Gov...