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Samuel Ohiri, former chairman of the council of traditional rulers in Imo state, says the police did not rescue him from his abductors.  Recall that the monarch was kidnapped from his residence in Orodo Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State, on Jan. 6 and was released after 13 days in captivity.  The Imo police command said it secured Ohiri’s freedom in collaboration with other security agencies.  Speaking with journalists on Friday, Jan. 26, the monarch said he was released after ransom was paid.  He said: "Contrary to what the police said about my release, there is no hiding the fact that the state police never played any role.  "I actually do not want to speak on this but I am doing it just to set the records straight.  "I am not disputing the fact that the police may have made efforts towards my release but I am talking what I know.  "It was my relationship with God and the help from my family people that made it possible. Although, that was after we paid ransom...

No bail for kid^nappers in Abuja under my watch - Nyesom Wike vows Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has stated that henceforth kidnappers won't be granted bail. Wike told the chairmen of the six Area Councils of the FCT to hold mandatory monthly security meetings to improve the security situation in their respective area councils or be seen as threats to the security of Abuja.. Wike, gave the directive during a security town hall at Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in Abuja on Friday, January 26, asked to be notified if any chairmen failed to hold the monthly security meeting. According to Wike, any council chairman that does not hold monthly council security meetings is a threat to the security of the council. He said: “Gone are the days when kidnappers will be granted bail. I will not allow it again. We will ensure that the kidnapper is punished. How will a kidnapper be granted bail?   “Therefore, I will be calling meetings of all tra...

Shun all enticements from drug traffickers, barons, Marwa charges NDLEA officers Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has charged men and officers of the agency to shun any enticement that conflicts with the ethos of their profession as anti-narcotic operatives. Marwa gave the charge on Saturday 27th January 2024 in Jos Plateau state during the graduation ceremony of members of the Strike Force elite corps in the agency. Here is my appeal to each of you: Shun any enticement that conflicts with the ethos of your profession as an anti-narcotic operative. Anything that would compromise your discipline and dedication to duty should be avoided. As an anti-narcotic officer, you bear a huge obligation to remain incorruptible in the face of any temptation that might be sprung on you by drug traffickers and barons, the NDLEA boss who was represented by the Director, Special Duties/Commander, Strike Force, Deput...

Ibadan: ‘Yahoo Boy’ Stabs Parents Over Failed Black Magic Soap A 20-year-old internet fraudster, identified as Daniel Bamidele, has attacked and stabbed his parents over his mother’s refusal to reveal her real name, necessary for activating a black ritual soap that was supposed to bring him riches. The incident occurred in the Bamideles’ Apabielesin home in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, when Daniel, enraged by his mother’s actions, assaulted both his parents with a machete. His mother, Titilayo, managed to escape and raise an alarm, leading to the intervention of bystanders who subdued Daniel and disarmed him. According to Daniel, his parents were aware of his involvement in cybercrime, from which he claimed to have built a three-bedroom bungalow. He accused his mother and elder brother of cheating him out of N2.5 million, frustration over his mother providing a false name, which rendered his ritual soap, which he said was given to him by a white garment church priest, ineffective. The so...

Ayra Starr apologises for ‘unintentional’ disrespect of KSA Following the backlash received by Ayra Starr, the 21-year-old singer has apologised to King Sunny Ade for disrespecting the legendary musician in a now-viral video. The Nation reports that the artist faced harsh criticism online after shaking hands with the music icon at an event. Social media users had expected that the singer would greet Sunny Ade, who was significantly older in terms of age and accomplishments, by kneeling down in the traditional Yoruba manner. However, the singer was seen shaking hands with the music veteran in the now-viral footage, which infuriated Nigerians, who felt it was disrespectful. But in a post released on her official X account on Saturday morning, Ayra Starr clarified that she is not a disrespectful girl as a proper Yoruba girl. The singer said that she went back to properly meet everyone after letting her nerves get the better of her when she first met the legendary KSA.  She wrote: “I’...

We ‘re on trail of Lagos PDP chairman abductors — Ogun CP The Police Command in Ogun, says it is on the trail of abductors of the Lagos State chapter chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Philip Aivoji, who was abducted on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ogun, Mr Abiodun Alamutu, said this while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta on Friday The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Aivoji , was abducted by yet to be identified persons on Thursday evening. He was abducted at Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, alongside nine other party members who were with him. They were said to be returning from the party’s Stakeholders’ Zonal Caucus Meeting held in Ibadan when they were abducted. Alamutu assured that the police would catch up with the abductors of the party chieftain. He said that the police had engaged the gunmen in a gun duel which forced the abductors to release nine of the abducted while the PDP Chairman was taken away. “It is true, ...

 Meet Nigerian socialite Aisha Achimugu who held seven-day 50th birthday party in Grenada The birthday party of Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Adole Achimugu at Caribbean Island of Grenada last week set many tongues wagging. She turned 50 on January 22.  Checks by The Nation shows Aisha is the Managing Director/CEO of Felak Concept Group. Her company is into consultancy services related to health, equipment procurement, training and capacity building.  She’s also a Director in Altex Engineering Oil & Gas Limited and made her mark in maritime and transportation engineering. Aisha is at the forefront of the initiative for the actualisation and development of a Deep Sea Port in South-South, Nigeria.  She is the first female Consultant/Transaction Advisor on the development of a Deep-Sea Port through one of her high profile companies “Felak Concept Limited”. Aisha was born on January 22, 1974 to Capt. J.E. A & Mrs. Adole (Rtd.) and from a very humble beginning,...

Trailer crashes, driver falls off bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway A driver who has yet to be identified fell off a bridge between Berger, Lagos State, and Isheri, Ogun State along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on Saturday morning. The PUNCH which reports it got the information from a policeman, says that the trailer crashed into the bridge, leaving the front part of the trailer hanging off the edge of the bridge. According to the report, the police personnel said that the cause of the accident was unknown but claimed that preliminary investigations revealed that the driver fell off the bridge as a result of the accident. The report quoted the policeman as saying: “We got here about 10 minutes ago (8:00 am) and we heard that the driver fell off the bridge. That is the information we have at hand now. “We are yet to ascertain what caused the accident, we have no information on the whereabouts of the driver, and neither can we ascertain yet if there were casualties”.  

My husband sponsored my university education when we were dating - Actress Jaiye Kuti Actress and filmmaker Jaiye Kuti has revealed her marital experiences, stating that she tried to leave her marriage three times and her husband support. She recently sparked significant interest by sharing that many married women, herself included, have contemplated ending their marriages. However, in an interview with Saturday Beats, she emphasized that the key to overcoming marital challenges lies in understanding and forgiveness. Kuti expressed, “I actually wanted people to know that marriage is not a bed of roses. I want women to know that understanding has 150 per cent to do in the success of every marriage, because love is not enough. Yes, you need to love one another. But, there will be a time when you will look at each other, and wonder how you got married in the first place. That is the point where understanding comes in. Both spouses will have to understand that everybody is human, and are p...

New dawn in Kogi as Ododo takes over from Yahaya Bello …Lokoja agog as Ododo takes over A new dawn in the governance of Kogi will unfold today, Saturday, 27 January, as Alhaji Usman Ododo will take over from Yahaya Bello as the governor of the state. Ododo was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC to replace Bello at the governorship election held in November 11, 2023. Ododo polled 446,237 votes to defeat his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who scored 259,052, according to results from the 21 local government areas (LGAs) of the state as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. However, the victory of Ododo in the governorship election is being challenged by his closest challenger in the election, Ajaka. But this will not stop the former Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi from taking over from Yahaya Bello on Saturday. When he takes over today, Ododo will be the second person from Central senato...

Yemi-Esan orders payment of death benefits to deceased’s beneficiaries Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of Service of the Federation, has ordered desk officers in ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, to ensure strict implementation of the Group Life Assurance Policy and prompt payment of death benefits to beneficiaries of deceased federal civil servants across the country. She made the call in Abuja during a meeting facilitated by the Insurance Administration Department in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, and insurance desk officers in various MDAs, as well as para-military formations on Friday. In a statement issued by Mallam Mohammed Ahmed, the Director of Communications in her office, he explained that Yemi-Esan was represented by the director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare in the OHCSF, Dr Kemi Adeosun, at the event. She appealed to the officers to embrace the culture of continuous improvement for expedit...

You’re suffering in a relationship because you don’t have money, Tochi tells ladies Former Big Brother Naija housemate Tochi has claimed that if a lady is suffering in a relationship, it automatically means that she is also broke.  Taking to his Instagram story, Tochi argued that the major reason why ladies are suffering in relationships is because they don’t have money. He reemphasised that if a lady had money, she wouldn’t suffer because even before the relationship they were suffering. “If you’re suffering in a relationship as a babe! Is simply because you self don’t have money! Because if you have money you won’t suffer! Even before the relationship you were suffering,” he stressed.  Reacting toTochi’s statement, One Sabitalk wrote, “Women in Nigeria date for survival. Nothing anybody will tell me, what their own fathers are brothers couldn’t do for them they will be expecting you to do for them which would never be possible.” One Diane John4luv wrote: “Even women with mon...

  Wike’s security interventions reducing crimes in Abaji – Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, Chairman, Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says security interventions by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, are reducing kidnappings and other criminal activities in the area. Abdullahi stated this during a security town hall organised by the Office of the Minister in collaboration with the Abaji Area Council, in Abaji on Friday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised for the minister to interact with residents of the area to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the federal capital. The council chairman said that before the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, Abaji was experiencing constant kidnappings and other criminal activities. He blamed part of the challenge on the location of the area, sharing boundaries with Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa states. He, however, said that the proactiveness of the current administration an...

My ex-husband still threatening to kill me - Actress Victoria Inyama Nollywood actress Victoria Inyama has shared her harrowing experiences of marital distress with her former spouse, Godwin Okrim. Speaking with Chude Jideonwo, she detailed instances of enduring torment as her ex-husband allegedly brought other women into their home to harass her. She recounted enduring physical, mental, and emotional abuse, grappling with disbelief when the violence first erupted. Despite the ordeal, Victoria expressed no remorse for prioritizing her marriage over her acting career, citing her love for her three children. She reflected on the agony of questioning herself, wondering what she had done to deserve such treatment, yet recognizing the futility of trying to change someone who was fundamentally wrong for her. Victoria said: “I don’t regret abandoning my career for my marriage because I have three beautiful children. My ex-husband was physically, mentally, and psychologically abusing me. When ...

Anambra, FG Set To Partner On Youth Empowerment ….We empowered 5000 Beneficiaries Under The “1 Youth 2 Skills Solution” Programme in 2023 - Youth Commissioner By Ifeoma Aniagbado In a significant stride toward youth empowerment, the Anambra Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba and his team on January 24, engaged in a pivotal meeting with the Minister of State For Youth, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, at the Ministry in FCT Abuja.  The focus of the discussion was the exploration of collaboration with the federal government on the innovative "1 Youth 2 Skills" programme recently launched by Minister Olawande. Already a success under the visionary administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, the commissioner said that the "1 Youth 2 Skill Solution" was inaugurated in Anambra State in October 2022, marking a great step toward an evolutionary youth empowerment system in Nigeria.  According to him, the programme's primary mission is to create 1000 youth milliona...

Anambra Trains Public, Private Health Workers On Use Of Anti-Shock Garments  By Chukwudi Nwauba The Anambra State Government has trained public and private health workers on the use of anti-shock garments in cases of postpartum haemorrhage in women. Postpartum Haemorrhage otherwise known as "bleeding after delivery" was detected as the major cause of maternal mortality in women across the state. The training, which was organized by the Anambra State Ministry of Health in Awka was attended by doctors and nurses from mission and government owned hospitals in the state. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike said that in order to put an end to cases of death during delivery which he said was noticed to be on the high side, especially in hard-to-reach areas, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo approved the first procurement of 120 anti-shock garments for mission and government hospitals across the state in addition to free ante-natal and delivery services in public hospitals in the...

"WE ARE SICK" - DINO MELAYE REACTS AFTER SOME NIGERIANS SEEN PRAYING FOR A SPOILT TRANSFORMER Senator Dino Melaye has criticized some Nigerian Christians who were spotted praying for a spoilt transformer. The reported incident occurred in Lagos. Residents of Ikota Housing Estate in Ajah, Lagos State, gathered around the spoilt transformer in their community to enable it to work again. Melaye shared the video on his social media profile and wrote: We are sick in Africa. How can people be praying for a spoilt transformer? However, his post did not sit well with some of his followers who dragged him for also being corrupt and refusing to fix the problems in society. @Iamsam: “You are part of the reason. The money you legally or illegally took from Nigerians can buy thousands or millions of transformers. Pls, go use that money to improve your community and Nigerian’s welfare.” @Ayodele: “The same sickness that’s affecting Africans made you buy a luxury car Rolls-Royce just to put...

China promises Infrastructure development in Nigeria Nigeria and China have expressed the desire to expand trade and economic cooperation, as Nigeria wants increased participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road initiative is a strategy initiated by China that seeks to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks, with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. In a meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tugga, the Director-General of the Department of African Affairs, MFA, China, Mr Wu Peng and , China reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s infrastructure development and economic growth. China lauded its existing involvement in major Nigerian projects, emphasizing its recent loan to the railway project. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar who applauded China’s involvement in Nigeria’s infrastructure development, says is in line with the corners...

MDCN inducts Over 400 foreign-trained doctors, dentists The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has inducted 416 foreign-trained medical and dental graduates (403 doctors and 13 dentists) into the Nigerian medical profession, with a charge to uphold the ethics of the medical and dental profession. The inductees were graduates who passed the written examination and other clinical exercises organized by MDCN to test their capacity and knowledge of medicine. MDCN Registrar, Dr. Tajudeeen Sanusi, administered the necessary oaths to the doctors at an induction ceremony held in Abuja. He informed the new doctors that the next step was posting to different healthcare facilities across the country for their one year mandatory housemanship which will, expectedly, afford them the opportunity to acquire more practical knowledge and experience required for smooth take off of their career  Dr Sanusi therefore warned against unethical conducts detrimental to the image of Nigeria by d...

Kwara: NYSC conducts free Medical services for rural dwellers National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kwara state has conducted free medical outreach for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in Idofian community in Ifelodun local government area of the state. Declaring the programme open, the NYSC state coordinator, Mr. Onifade Joshua, said the programme was designed by the scheme for rural dwellers to have access to free medical care.  According to him the free medical care is part of the scheme's contribution to national development and service to humanity. Mr Joshua enjoined members of the community to take advantage of the programme to advance their medical status.     Also speaking, the Oludofian of Idofian, Oba Muhammad Ademola, represented by , Alhaji Balogun Disu, appreciated the kind gesture extended to their community by the NYSC . He encouraged all residents of the community to cooperate with the corps medical personnel and make use of medications administered as instruc...

NASS To Review NEITI Act National Assembly has pledged to review the Act that established the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, to ensure the optimum performance of the regulatory body in enhancing transparency and accountability in the nation’s extractive industries. The Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources stated this when they received in Abuja the Global Leadership of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, IETI. The delegation interacted with Federal Lawmakers on how transparency and accountability in the extractive industries could be improved for the general wellbeing of the citizens in line with global best practices. The Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources, chaired by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Senator Eteng Williams, maintained that the parliament will proffer adequate legislative instruments to make sure that Nigerians benefit from the nation’s natural resources in line with the Tenth Assembly’s mandate. The Chairman ...

Portable hospitalised days after assault by other artists Singer Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as Portable, is currently hospitalized following injuries he sustained from an altercation with two artists who reportedly paid him to feature on their song. Portable had shared a video that some men came to attack him, asking for a refund after he told them the previous price they paid had gone up. Portable made this known on his Instagram story on Friday, January 26. He wrote: "Feeling so much pain right now, just your prayer I don't want to die young "Why them want make I fall...If you spoil me for who love me you go die young, surrounded by haters no one 2cover me only GOD, sos save our soul 🙏 "Nobody fight for me but I get God truth only always on my right, if GOD is GOD I no go fall ZAZUU "Didn't get my self right since  I was beaten by those guys, from one pain to another, just being strong for my self and lover prayer for me make GOD heal mr totally....