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GOC 3 DIVISION ASSURES SECURITY OF NYSC MEMBERS IN PLATEAU STATE The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General AE Abubakar,  has given assurances of the safety and security of National Youth Service Corps (@officialnyscng) members deployed to serve in Plateau State. Speaking to NYSC members at their orientation camp in Jos, the GOC highlighted the measures employed by Operation SAFE HAVEN, under his command, to ensure sustained peace in the state and beyond.  Major General Abubakar emphasized that the safety and well-being of NYSC members are of utmost importance. He recounted the various proactive measures employed by Operation SAFE HAVEN, including both intelligence, kinetic and non-kinetic actions to address criminalities and maintain peace in the region. He further noted that, non-kinetic measures such as continues community engagements and  sensitization programmes have been carried out to promo...

Guber Poll: I’d Have Moved My Mother Out Of Bayelsa If Diri Had Lost – Jonathan Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he would have moved his mother out of Bayelsa State if another candidate had emerged winner of Saturday’s off cycle election. Governor Douye Diri defeated Timipire Sylva, his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, to secure a second term. Speaking when he paid a congratulatory visit to Diri in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Friday, Jonathan said insecurity would have been worse if Diri had lost. “We don’t want to go into unnecessary crisis in the state. Results have been declared and we believe the election was conducted. We believe the governor won the election and we plead that people should accept it and work with the governor. Let all of us support him so that the state will move ahead.” “There should be nothing that will push the state backward. We should think about the development of the state starting from the issue of peace and security in the state which...

NNPP rejects Appeal Court judgement, heads for Supreme Court The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expressed sadness over the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which sacked Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, saying it will explore all legal means to reclaim its mandate. National Auditor of the party, Ladipo Johnson, told The Nation that the party will approach the Supreme Court with the belief that it will be successful in reclaiming the mandate. The Court of Appeal on Friday affirmed the judgement of the Kano Governorship Election Tribunal, which nullified the election of Yusuf, affirming the APC Candidate as the winner of the election. Johnson said the concern of the party is the people who voted for the NNPP saying issues. Of technicalities should not form the basis of denying the people their choice of a givernor. He said the NNPP was confident that the supreme Court will affirm the election of Engr Yusuf and appeal to the party supporters to. Remain calm and allow the party take the ne...

Kano: APC’ll win again at Supreme Court – Ganduje National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and immediate past governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Friday hailed the Appeal Court judgement that sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and declared the governorship candidate of the APC in the March 18 election, Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna as winner. Ganduje said the APC would win again if the NNPP and Governor Yusuf headed to Supreme Court. Ganduje, who was reacting to the judgement during a press conference on Friday in Abuja, said Gawuna’s administration would provide better opportunities for the masses and record more achievements than his eight years as governor of the state. He expressed optimism that even if Abba Kabir Yusuf files an appeal at the Supreme Court, the APC would defeat him to clinch the Kano apex seat. He said, “I thank Allah for this important judgement. We have to thank the judiciary for providing good administration of justice despite all the distracti...

PDP group to Akeredolu: Resume or transmit power in 72 hours A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pressure group, PDP Forever Initiative, has given the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, a 72-hour ultimatum to resume office or transmit power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The National Coordinator of the group, Gideon Obande, issued the ultimatum on Friday, while speaking at a press briefing at the PDP National Secretariat, in Abuja. Obande stated that since the governor has been sick for some time, it is incumbent on him to transit power to his deputy. He threatened that if at the expiration of the ultimatum, Governor Akeredolu fails to resume office or transit power to Aiyedatiwa, the group would occupy the Ondo State Government House to press home its demand. “The All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to provide the kind of leadership expected of it by Nigerians. The worst of it is the political vacuum in Ondo State where the ...

MR HECTOR CHINEM KIDNAPPED BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AHOADA.       The attention of the Concerned Ekpeye Youths for Peace and Development has been drawn to the confirmed abduction/kidnap of Mr. Hector Chinem Ekeakita yesterday evening 16th November, 2023 at De Promise Fast Food Ahoada Town. Ahoada East LGA, Rivers state. Mr Hector was whisked away by Unknown gunmen on Military uniform after it was alleged that he was invited for a meeting for yet to be identify individual yesterday.  Mr Hector Chinem Ekeakita is the Public Relations Officer(PRO) of Igbu Akoh Youths Association and a major crusader in the fight against crimes and criminality in Ekpeye land.       We the Concerned Ekpeye Youths for Peace and Development is calling on those holding him captive to release him unconditionally. We call on the Commissioner of Police  CP Oluntuji Rilwan Disu and the DPO of Ahoada Police Division  as a matter of urgency to investigate the kidnap and e...

Rema addresses allegations of using ‘satanic’ symbols at his 02 Arena concert Famous Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, aka Rema, has finally addressed allegations that he used “satanic/Illuminati” symbols while performing on stage at his headline concert at London’s 02 Arena, on November 14, 2023.  Rema sold out the 20,000-capacity 02 Arena on Tuesday, joining Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and Asake as the only Africans to sell out the world’s busiest music arena. Some fans, who attended the show accused Rema of satanism on social media, saying he used “Illuminati” symbols. However, reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Edo-born superstar explained that the artificial horse he rode on stage with was a replica of a Benin artifact, and the mask he wore was a replica of the famous Queen Idia mask. The artificial bat he rode on stage during his second appearance was said to be a homage to the bats that dot the Edo night sky. Sharing a clip from his controversial concert, Rema wr...

Why I created AWAY Festival – Davido Famous Afrobeat musician, Davido has disclosed why he created ‘Are We African Yet? (AWAY) Festival. Davido, in a trending interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, stated that he created the festival to provide a platform for upcoming artistes. “Why I want to do this is because when I was going out in America and I hear a song, I am like, ‘this is an African song. “So I was excited and told my friends that this is a young guy that is coming up. I hit the young guy up that I was in the club last night and they played your song. He was like, no way! “So I want to give those types of people the opportunity to come every year, at different times to perform.”  

GOVT AIDS TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH COMPUTER LAPTOPS In an attempt to improve teaching and boost technological compliance among teachers in Public Secondary schools in Ogun State, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu has informed that plans were underway to procure Computer Laptops for teachers across the State. Arigbabu made this known in Abeokuta, during the 10th State Conference of the Computer Teachers Association of Nigeria (CTAN), Ogun State Chapter, tagged: "Enhancing Education Via Sustainable Technology: Engaging Stakeholders for Transformation", saying the step would enhance training and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by learners. The Commissioner pointed out that the Ministry would organise a Local Government-Based Competition for Secondary School students where the five Best from each Local Government would stand the chance of winning 100 Laptops and enrolling for computer proficiency tr...

 ‘I’ve been jobless for years, Nigerians should help me’ – Actor Hanks Anuku cries out Veteran Nollywood actor, Hanks Anuku has said he has been jobless for years. The thespian, who was reacting to the viral video of him working as a fuel attendant at gas station in Delta State, said despite being a legend, he has been feeding from hand to mouth. Speaking in a video message making the rounds on social media, Anuku called on the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his fans to come to his aid. He said, “I have worked for this country. I have attained the height of being a legend. But I’ve had no job for, God knows, how many years. And I expect that Nigerians will also know that I did it all for them. “I just gonna ask Governor Sheriff [Oborevwori] to please send support to me. And my fans who truly love and appreciate the works I’ve done for them, if you think you truly love me, may God help you all to help me.”. Watch video below. 

Mohbad: Naira Marley, Sam Larry regain freedom The Lagos State Police Command on Friday released singer Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley and Balogun Samson known as Sam Larry after the duo met their bail conditions. This was made known by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin on Friday in a terse statement saying, “Naira Marley and Sammy Larry, having met their bail conditions, have been released.” Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police, made this known on Friday afternoon after the artiste and the socialite perfected their bail conditions granted by Justice Adeola Olatunbosun of the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court. The judge on Monday, November 6 granted the duo bail in the sum of N20m with three responsible duties. “As part of the bail conditions, the defendants are to surrender their passports and make weekly appearances at the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Olatunbosun ruled. They were arrested as part of an investigation into Mohbad’s de...

‘When you make money, it’s not yours,’ Mikel Obi reveals pressure on African footballers Former Super Eagles and Chelsea legend, Mikel Obi has revealed the pressure most African footballers face when they have their breakthrough, saying, ‘When you make money, it’s not yours.’ The 36-year-old highlighted that the pressure to demand money often comes from the immediate and sometimes extended family, adding that most African footballers choose not to speak about it. He made this known while appearing on the latest episode of Vibes with 5 podcast with Rio Ferdiannd. His words: “We come from Africa, and this is something that I don’t think we speak a lot about. When you make money, it’s not your money. You have all these relatives, cousins, and others asking for money. “Then your sisters get married to some guy who just wants to get married into John Obi Mikel’s family because then “my life is sorted”. You send money to your sister; the money goes to him, and he does whatever he does with i...

 France's First Lady Brigitte Macron has revealed how she waited for years before marrying Emmanuel to avoid 'wrecking' her children's lives. Speaking in a rare interview with Paris Match magazine, the 70-year-old said she delayed marrying her husband French President Emmanuel Macron, 45, for ten years for the sake of her three children, who are around the same age as her younger partner. Macron was 15 when he fell in love with the then-married Brigitte Auzière, 25 years his senior. The first lady was his drama teacher at the Catholic Providence school in Amiens, in northern France, and her daughter, Laurence, was Macron's classmate. Macron's parents, who weren't in support of their relationship, had to send him to Paris to go to another school, but yet he still desired to be with his teacher.  She said she told herself that, once Emmanuel was in Paris, he would 'fall in love with someone his [own] age', but that didn't happen. Brigitte gave up h...

Facts of the Face-off Between EFCC and NAF Officers in Kaduna   Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November 13, 2023 arrested five suspects at a residential Inn and Disney Chicken Eatery, Barnawa, Kaduna following credible intelligence about their alleged internet- related fraud activities.     The suspected fraudsters: Favour Itung, Rachael Ande, Zuleiman Haruna, Abubakar Ismaila and Solomon Olobatoke, were arrested without incident.   However, after the sting operation, six military personnel who witnessed the operation at Disney Chicken Eatery, stormed the Kaduna Command and attempted to forcibly release the arrested fraud suspects. They were subdued and detained over the security breach.     The intruders are four Air Force personnel : Lawal Abdullahi, Chukwuma Chidi Christian, Alfa Suleiman and Emmanuel Ekwozor, and two students of Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technolo...

Judiciary on path to destroy Nigeria – Aisha Yesufu reacts to sack Kano Gov by Appeal court Aisha Yesufu, a human rights activist, has said the judiciary is on the path of destroying Nigeria’s democracy. Yesufu was reacting to the Appeal Court ruling that sacked Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf. Recall that a three-man panel of judges led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay had nullified the election of Yusuf. The court declared the 165,663 votes of Yusuf invalid. The appellate court said the votes were invalid because they were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Votes garnered by the governor who contested under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, were then reduced to 853,939, while those of Nasir Ganuwa of the All Progressives Congress, APC remained at 890,705.  

“Your husband should grab you quickly’ – Onanuga slams Alisha Yesufu over attack on Tinubu Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information & Strategy, has slammed Aisha Yesufu over her attack on his principal. Yesufu, a supporter of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, recently faulted how President Bola Tinubu is handling the country. She wrote in her X handle on Thursday, “There will always be a difference between Commander-in-Chief and Certificate forger-in-Chief.” But, in reacting to Yesufu’s post, Onanuga said she is becoming uncontrollable. “I really pity this lady for becoming so uncontrollable. The husband should grab her quickly. She needs attention”, Onanuga said in a post on his official X handle on Friday.  

Social media is a rugged place – Yul Edochie advises users Famous Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has advised netizens on how to handle social media trolls. Expressing his view about the use of the internet, the actor stated that there is no room for crying, or drawing pity as the world itself is tough already. Yul in a post on his Instagram page, Yul tagged social media is a rugged place. He wrote: “If someone insults you on social media, you only have two options. You either ignore them or give it back to them ten times more. ” No room for weakness, crying, or drawing pity here. The world is tough. Social media is a rugged place. Go hard or go home”.  

Wives battered 340 husbands to pulp In 1yr —Lagos govt Lagos State Government said it has recorded no fewer than 340 cases of wives beating their husbands to submission, in the last year. Executive Secretary, of Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, made the disclosure in a quarterly report of the agency. She said the incidence of reports of domestic violence from males also increased in the last year. Vivour-Adeniyi disclosed that 340 male reported cases of domestic violence perpetrated against them by their wives between September 2022 and July 2023. She expressed worries over the trend, saying the agency “Is currently handling the cases with the aim to find amicable resolution.” Commences monitoring of safeguarding, child protection implementaton Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government, through the Joint Task Force on Implementation of the Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection has commenced monitoring and assessment across the si...

Chelsea won’t sign Osimhen in Jan Chelsea have reportedly moved away from the idea of making a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in January. Signing a new attacker is top of the Chelsea wishlist currently, given the lack of cover behind Nicolas Jackson with Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku both having suffered serious injuries in the past year. Jackson has had a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge too, after being dropped recently, but he did reclaim his place and scored a hat-trick away to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea’s third in their 4-4 draw with Manchester City in recent weeks. Football London claims that a deal for Osimhen is unlikely to happen during the season, given the fee they would likely need to pay to acquire the player. The club paid a nine-figure fee to bring Enzo Fernandez to the club last January, but appear reluctant to fork out a similar sum this time around. Ivan Toney is also on their shortlist of options, and will demand a lower fee, with the Brentfor...

Photos of Mr. Ibu after amputation surfaces online A video showing ailing actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, has been released by his adopted daughter, Jasmine.  Jasmine shared the video on her Instagram page Thursday, 10 days after it was announced that the actor had undergone seven successful surgeries, including an amputation of one of his legs.  The actress captioned the new video, "As long as you are getting better, nothing else matters. I remain silent until you are back on your feet again! Cheers." More photos below. 

Abba Yusuf Sacked Gawuna Reaffirmed As Governor Elect                  The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, against the judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which declared the All Progressive Congress, APC, flagbearer, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, as the winner of the state’s governorship poll held on March 18. The Independent National Electronic Electoral Commission, INEC, had announced Yusuf as the winner of the March 18, 2023 election, having garnered 1,019,602 votes to defeat Gawuna, who got 890,705 of the votes cast. Not satisfied with the results, the APC approached the Tribunal, citing alleged electoral malpractice. The Tribunal, therefore agreed with the APC, and nullified Yusuf’s election, adding that over 160,000 ballot papers were not signed or stamped by INEC. The three-man panel of the Tribunal led by ...

 Kidnappers kill Kogi pastor after collecting N1m ransom 17th November 2023 A clergyman with the Evangelical Church Winning All, Pastor David Musa, has been killed by his abductors after collecting N1m ransom in Kogi State. It was gathered that the late Pastor Musa who was abducted on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in Obajana, under the Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State was later killed on Tuesday. A member of the church identified as Mary while narrating how the pastor was killed said, “The pastor went to his farm that ugly day. So, his wife was waiting for him to return back home but she didn’t see her husband. When night fell, the wife raised the alarm in which the church members, including residents of the community went to his farm to search for him. “It was then they discovered that the pastor had been kidnapped. The abductors got in touch with the family demanding N20m. Since the church and the family could not raise such amount of money, they pleaded with the kidnappe...

BANDITS SUFFER HEAVY CASUALTY IN BIRNIN GWARI…As Troops Lunch Deadly Offensive Bandits and terrorists operating in the forest of Birnin Gwari today 16 November 2023 suffer heavy casualty in the hands of troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army and operation Whirl Punch.  Acting on credible intelligence, the highly motivated troops carried out an offensive clearance operation to bandits strongholds in Sabon-Birni, Dogon Dawa, Saulawa, Maidaro-Ngede Allah and Kidenda all in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with bandits. In the fire fight that ensued when contact was made, troops  neutralized 6 bandits, recovered two AK 47 rifle, four AK 47 rifle magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 40 pairs of bandits uniforms and 9 Motorcycles. The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander operation WHIRL PUNCH, Major General Valentine Okoro has applauded the troops for their gallantry and charged them not to relent until all terro...

Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera bans himself and his cabinet from all international travel  in a bid to save money for his country The president disclosed this during a televised address on Thursday, November 16.  The measure follows a huge devaluation of the currency as Malawi secures a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to boost its ailing economy. Mr Chakwera has also ordered all ministers currently abroad to return home. Fuel allowances for senior government officials have been cut by 50%. Malawi's economy has been undergoing turbulent times, characterised by an acute shortage of petrol and diesel, as well as high inflation. Mr Chakwera said the measures would remain in place until the end of the financial year in March 2024. As part of moves to ease the cost-of-living crisis, the president has asked the finance minister to make provisions for a reasonable wage increase for all civil servants in the next budget review. He has also ordered a lowering of inc...

AT CHRISTIAN WAKE, LAWMA MOURNS SANITATION WORKERS At a solemn Christian wake ceremony, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has bid farewell to the two sanitation workers (sweepers), Adejoke Adefuye and Afolashade Odufuwa, who lost their lives while sweeping the highway in the Charley Boy area of Gbagada, Lagos. The wake organised for the deceased at Ladi-Lak Primary School Compound, Bariga, Lagos, had in attendance, family, friends, colleagues, and officials of LAWMA, who gathered to pay their respects, in honour of the memory of Adejoke and Afolashade. The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, eulogised the late sanitation workers for their unalloyed commitment to the Authority’s vision of a cleaner and livable environment in the state, for which they paid the ultimate price. He said, “Words cannot adequately convey the grief we feel for the untimely passing of these dedicated sanitation workers. Adejoke and Afolashade were valued members of our close-knit ...