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 Today, we made another history, breaking a 32 year jinx, as Students of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, won the World Affairs Challenge 2024! The first in the country.  This victory underscores our commitment to educational reforms in Anambra State. From our merit based recruitment of 5000 teachers, to the free distribution of over 2000 laptops to school teachers in the State, and the totally free basic education we have mainstreamed across all government owned public schools.  Through the implementation of these disruptive initiatives and allocating vital resources to schools, we have redefined  the pathway for Anambra students to achieve global excellence. Kudos to the staff and students of the CKC for this remarkable achievement!  We shall continue to do more.  C. C. Soludo CFR.  More photos below. 

 Texas teacher charged with recruiting students for her son's prostitution ring. 42-year-old, Kedria Grisby, and and her son 22-year-old Roger Magee have been arrested and charged with three counts of trafficking a child and three counts of compelling prostitute on juveniles. Police allege Kedria Grisby who is a cosmetology teacher at Klein ISD school district, recruited troubled juveniles by offering them a place to stay. In return the juveniles were expected to work as prostitutes for her son Roger Magee. The three victims who have come forward with these allegations are 15, 16 and 17-year-old females who were reportedly runaways.  Prosecutors provided text messages between the victims and Grisby/Magee.   In light of these accusations more teens have come forward stating Grisby had attempted to recruit them. The new accusations are being investigated by the Harris County Sheriff's office Trafficking unit. Grisby was released on $75,000 bond and conditions barring h...

 ‘World has moved on, but horrifying for us’; 91 Chibok schoolgirls’ parents write Remi Tinubu The parents of 91 Chibok schoolgirls still in captivity after their abduction in 2014, have written to the wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, seeking her intervention. The parents made the appeal in an open letter. It was entitled: “A Plea for Justice and Remembering the Chibok Girls – A Letter to Her Excellency Mrs. Remi Tinubu”, on Wednesday. In the letter, they lamented that the circumstances had weighed heavily on them in the last decade. The letter was signed by Yana Galang and Mallam Zanna for and on behalf of the Chibok Parents Association and those whose children are yet to return. They noted that while the world might have moved on, “for us, the pain remains raw. And the wounds refuse to heal. “We are haunted by the memories of that night when our girls were taken from us. And every day we pray for their safe return. “We have not lost hope, Your Excellency. We have not g...

 While a passerby was making a phone call at about 11pm, five young men in a tricycle accosted her and robbed her of her expensive phone. She quickly raised the alarm, prompting people around to go after the men. Three escaped while two were apprehended. Officers of Bode Thomas Division got wind of this and raced to the scene. They arrived quickly enough to rescue Kehinde Olayinka ‘m’ aged 22 and Junior Olanrewaju ‘m’ aged 21 from an angry mob. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects. One more photo below. 

 The man on the left is 30-year-old Eyo Wisdom. He specializes in jumping into people’s compounds to steal batteries and armoured cables while the man on the right is 40-year-old Alhaji Kamara Mohammed who buys the stolen items from Eyo. They have both been arrested by MAN Centre Division and investigation is ongoing. One more photo below. 

 Former Kogi Governor’s Son Slumps, Dies After Eid Prayer Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, the son of a former Governor of Kogi state, Ibrahim Idris, is dead. It was gathered that he slump and died after Eid prayer at his residence in Abuja. Details about his death is still sketchy but sources said he will be buried according to Islamic right at Gudu Cementry, Abuja. Friends and family have taken to social media to mourn the deceased.

 Appeal Court’s Justice Belgore dies A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ahmad Olarenwaju Belgore, has been reported dead. The Nation learnt the Justice Belgore, who was the Presiding Justice of the Ilorin division of the Court of Appeal, died on Tuesday night. The deceased retired from the Court of Appeal on April, 18, 2023 on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. Born on April 18, 1953, he  studied Law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he bagged LL.B. (Hons.) with Specialisation in Islamic Law from 1975 to 1978, the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos (Barrister-At-Law (BL) 1978/79 session and was enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July, 1979. The late jurist was appointed as a Notary Public in 1987 and later served in various capacities as a judge of the High Court of Kwara State from August 1990 to 2006, including as a Resident Judge of the Offa Judicial divis...

 AY Makun blasts Blogger SDK for reporting his crashed marriage Renowned comedian AY Makun has strongly criticized gossip blogger Stella Dimoko Korkus, also known as SDK, for divulging details regarding his marital crash. In a direct message conversation on SDK’s Instagram, AY expressed his disappointment with the blogger’s coverage of his failed marriage, labeling her as an evil person. Accompanying her post with a screenshot of AY’s alleged message, SDK titled her update: “COMEDIAN AY SENDS STINKER TO STELLA DIMOKO KORKUS AMIDST MARRIAGE CRISIS ”Stella, I have been ignoring your message on purpose since Saturday. PLEASE, at what point in this life are you going to stay away from me and my family? You already did your worst yesterday. Doing all these eye service still will not land you in my good book. Go back to your sponsors. You are obviously a very wicked person. You may have your monitoring and evil spirits everywhere, but whoever gave you this story should understand that I ...

 Betta Edu threatens BBC with lawsuit, demands $50m compensation Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for alleged defamation. In a letter signed by her counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Edu demanded $50 million compensation from the media organization. The letter, addressed to BBC’s Abuja and London offices, claimed that the BBC had reported false information regarding the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleging that N30 billion was recovered from the suspended minister. The lawyer stated that the concerned publication had caused immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish to Edu. “Our client has suffered immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish as a direct consequence of the publication and dissemination of the article,” the letter read. The letter ...

 Kogi killings masterminds arrested — Ododo The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has announced the arrest of the suspected perpetrators of last week’s crisis that rocked Bagana in the Omala Local Government Area of the state. Last week, gunmen invaded the community, resulting in the death of no fewer than 25 people and the destruction of property worth millions. The governor, while speaking with journalists on Wednesday shortly after the Eid Fitr prayers at the Okene Central praying ground, said that the perpetrators, as well as their sponsors, have been arrested while an investigation is ongoing to ascertain the extent of participation of those arrested. He lashed out at those criticising the government, describing them as “noisemakers and those without stake as far as governance is concerned.” “Reacting to noisemakers and those that do not have a stake as far as governance is concerned is not part of the mandate given to me by the good people of Kogi State and Mr Presi...

 Abuse of social media causing mental illnesses among students – UI Imam warns parents The Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Professor Muftau Abdulrahman Oloyede has said that addiction and abuse of social media is causing mental illnesses among students of tertiary institutions. Oloyede made this declaration in his sermon shortly after he led the Muslim congregation to observe the two Rakah obligatorily Eld-Fitri prayers at the premises of the university on Wednesday. Prominent Muslims who were at the Eld-Fitri prayer included former Governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Barrister Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli and Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin. The Islamic cleric while addressing the gathering lamented that too much time spent on social media among students has resulted in various cases of mental illnesses recorded among students in recent times. He then advised parents and guardians to ...

 Lagos monarch passes away after Eid prayers The Osolo of Isolo in Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, is dead. Chairman of the Isolo Local Council Development Area Olasoju Adebayo confirmed this in a statement.  He said that the King will be buried by 4 pm in accordance with Islamic customs. The statement reads: “I have the instruction of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to formally announce the passing of the paramount ruler of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, Adeola Olushi III, today April 10, 2024. He was 64. “He will be buried today by 4pm at his palace, 3/5 Akinbaye Street, Isolo, according to Islamic rites. May his soul rest in peace.” Olasoju, however, did not disclose the cause of the monarch’s death.

 PRESS RELEASE CYBER SECURITY: NPF NCCC FOILS COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY RING, RECOVERS USD 100,000 IN FAKE NOTES The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC), delivering on its mandate to stamp and decimate the trend of cyber crime in the country, has made a significant breakthrough following the apprehension of one Muhammed Zenabdin "M" for criminal conspiracy and possession of suspected counterfeit currency amounting to one hundred thousand United States Dollars ($100,000.00). While acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the NPF-NCCC conducted a raid on a suspected cybercrime hideout located in Garki II, FCT. Despite the escape of other members of the criminal gang, Muhammed Zenabdin "M" was successfully apprehended. Subsequent execution of a search warrant revealed compelling evidence, including One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars in one-hundred-dollar bills believed to be counterfeits, along with sophisticated counterfeit detection eq...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES ALHAJI ALIKO DANGOTE ON BIRTHDAY   President Bola Tinubu extends his warm congratulations to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of the Dangote Group, on the occasion of his birthday, today, April 10, 2024.    The President joins the family and friends of Alhaji Dangote to celebrate the founder of the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa and one of Africa's business lodestars.   Referencing the many industrial feats of the business colossus, President Tinubu extols Alhaji Dangote's famed dauntless and inventive spirit, as well as his facility for excellence in any venture.   The President commends the Chairman of the Dangote Group for his interventions and support for Nigeria's young entrepreneurs, describing him as one of the industrialists who have kept the country on the global map as a haven for enterprise.   As Alhaji Dangote marks this birthday, the President wishes him many more ...

  Two drown, many injured in Third Mainland auto crash Two passengers have reportedly drowned after they fell into the lagoon from a commercial bus on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State. Other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries from the incident, The Nation learnt. The crash occurred on Eid-el-fitri when Muslims are celebrating the end of Ramadan. The Nation learnt that the driver of the 20-seater bus with number plate FKJ 872 YA was trying to avert plunging the vehicle into lagoon when the passengers fell off.  Southwest Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Ibrahim Farinloye.confirmed the incident.  He said a rescue team has commenced search-and-rescue operations. Passengers thrown into lagoon as bus crashes on Third Mainland Bridge By Ogaga Ariemu A commercial vehicle (Danfo) carrying several passengers crashed on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Wednesday. Confirming the incident, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial C...

 Israel Bombs Gaza On Sallah Day Despite US Rebuke Israeli strikes hit Gaza on Wednesday as Muslims marked the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and after US President Joe Biden labelled Israel’s approach to the war a “mistake”. Palestinians gathered for morning prayers on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday amid the ruins of Gaza, which has been devastated by more than six months of war since Hamas’s October 7 attacks. Tens of thousands also flocked to Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound where one worshipper, nurse Rawan Abd, said: “It’s the saddest Eid ever… you could see the sadness on people’s faces. “Usually we come to Al-Aqsa to celebrate, this year we came just to support each other,” the 32-year-old said at Islam’s third holiest site, which is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount. Low passengers’ turnout at airports despite 3-day Sallah holiday Naira abuse: Sallah holiday stalls Bobrisky’s sentence Israeli forces kept up combat operation...

 TEARS AS BENUE GOV'T CONDUCTS MASS BURIAL FOR VICTIMS OF MBAKYOR MASSACRE The Benue State Government has conducted mass burial for fifteen farmers that were murdered by suspected herdsmen at Mbakyor Community of Gwer East Local Government Area of the state. Remains of the victims who were recently killed by the marauding herdsmen that invaded the community were laid to rest on Tuesday. President General, Masev Development Association, Prof. Vitalis Tarhule at the event lamented that the attack marked the third time that armed herdsmen attacked the community. Tarhule recounted that more than 40 people were murdered by the terror elements in 2014 while the second attack occurred in 2018 with the third happening in 2024. “We are therefore, appealing to the government of the day to establish a security outfit in the community to stop these attacks,” Prof Tarhule explained. He further called on the Benue State Government to give the community the desired protection which according to h...

 Togo sets date for delayed parliamentary elections Tension has been building over a proposed constitutional reform which will allow the National Assembly to directly elect the president. Togo has rescheduled legislative elections for April 29 after delaying the ballot over a highly contested constitutional reform, a government statement said on Tuesday. Elections had been set for April 20, but the government postponed them saying consultations were needed over the reform, which opposition parties called a bid to keep President Faure Gnassingbe in power longer. "Date for the legislative and regional elections: Monday, April 29," a statement from the presidency said after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The constitutional amendment has triggered discussion over the rule of Gnassingbe. He has been in power since 2005 after succeeding his father, who governed for three decades after a military coup.

 Senegal's new president orders 'action plan' to reset economy The West African country is battling rising debt and inflation with unemployment rate is around 20% Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has ordered his prime minister to draw up an urgent "action plan" to strengthen the country's flagging economy and finances, his office said in a statement. The 44-year-old swept to victory in an election last month on a promise of radical reform, becoming the country's youngest president despite never having held elected office. On Tuesday he gave his prime minister and former mentor Ousmane Sonko until the end of the month to draw up an "action plan", said the statement, released after Faye's first cabinet meeting. He ordered Sonko to "carry out a general review of programmes and plans" and report on "the general situation of the public finances", international cooperation and public-private partnerships, it said.

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU TO COMPATRIOTS AT EID PRAYERS: LOVE NIGERIA AND DEFEND ITS INTEGRITY  President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Lagos joined the Muslim faithful to observe Eid-el-Fitr prayers, urging Nigerians to continue to have faith in his government and remain patriotic citizens.  Addressing journalists after the prayers at the Eid Ground at the Dodan Barracks, the President said the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, which is aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians, is being diligently implemented.  Encouraging Muslims celebrating the conclusion of Ramadan to extend the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond the fasting period, President Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigerians to prioritize the exhibition of love for their country. ''The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver. We must love our country more than any other country, because that...

 Police Arrest Six For South African Footballer’s Murder South African police said on Wednesday they have arrested six suspects for the murder of footballer Luke Fleurs, who played for popular Johannesburg club Kaizer Chiefs. The 24-year-old defender was gunned down last week as he refilled his car at a gas station in a northwestern suburb of the city, in the latest incident to shock the crime-ridden nation. “Police have arrested six suspects for the alleged hijacking and murder,” police spokesman Mavela Masondo (SAPS) said. Authorities have said Fleurs was waiting to be served at a petrol station in his Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI when he was confronted by two men, who ordered him out of the vehicle at gunpoint. Once he got out of his car, they shot him before driving away in his vehicle. Masondo said the arrests were made early on Wednesday in Johannesburg southwestern township of Soweto — two days after detectives recovered Fleurs’s car. Investigators believe the suspects are part of ...

 South Sudan voter registration 'to start in June' Voter registration in South Sudan will start in June ahead of December elections, the country's electoral agency has announced. South Sudan plans to start voter registration in June for long-delayed elections due to take place at the end of the year, the head of the National Elections Commission said on Tuesday. Abenego Akok said a "draft timetable" had been drawn up for the first ever poll in the history of the world's youngest nation. However, he did not announce a definitive date for the vote that has been scheduled for December under a new "roadmap" established last year. "We are going to conduct elections," Akok told a press conference in Juba. "Hopefully... the election will take place."

 UK, Rwanda eye first migrant flights within weeks The UK and Rwanda say they expect that the first group of asylum seekers bound for Rwanda under a migrant deal between the two countries will be flown to Rwanda in a few weeks' time. Rwandan President Paul Kagame met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street in London Tuesday. The meeting comes as Britain's Conservative government is pushing ahead with controversial proposals to deter small migrant boats from crossing the Channel by deporting some asylum seekers to the East African nation. Channel arrivals of undocumented migrants on small boats to the UK hit a record in the first quarter of 2024, with a nearly 42 percent rise over last year, the interior ministry said Monday. British officials said they processed 5,373 migrants landing on the shores of southeast England in the first three months of the year.  This compares to 3,793 making the perilous journey from January to March in 2023 — a 41.7 percent r...

 Fire Razes Section Of Idumota Market, Lagos The fire was due to a generator explosion.   Several buildings and goods running into millions of Naira were destroyed while the inferno lasted. Traders lamented the colossal losses following the unquantifiable damage to goods and property. However, firefighters were on the ground to put it out. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: Four high-rise buildings collapse, fire razes Lagos market Barely 24 hours after firefighters and other emergency officials put out the fire disaster inside Apongbon market, another trading arena, Dosumu Market, went up in flames, with no fewer than four high-rise buildings collapsed and goods worth millions of Naira destroyed by the inferno in Lagos State. As gathered, the buildings that caved in were due to the intensity of the fire that had continued to rage since it emanated on Tuesday at about 11.10 a.m. inside the market in Lagos Island Local Government Area of the state. It was learnt that the fire disaste...

 PRESS RELEASE - 09/04/2024 To the Editors, COURT CONTEMPT: The National Security Adviser(NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Intercedes for Malam Idriss with emphasis on peaceful coexistence It can be recalled that, on 5th February 2024, the Bauchi State Police Command declared the renowned Islamic cleric, Malam Idriss Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi wanted, gazetted for contempt of court. Such action is hereby suspended. However, today on 8th April, 2024, Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command CP Auwal Musa Mohammad, psc, in his effort and dedication to promoting peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations among the figures in the State, spearheaded a peace pact between Malam Idriss Abdulaziz and the Government of Bauchi State at the Police State headquarters. The peace pact was signed and witnessed by the Director, Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Commandant Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bauchi state. The Comm...

Court sentences parents of US school shooter to 10-15 years The parents of a teenager who carried out a deadly school shooting in the US state of Michigan were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison on Tuesday in an unprecedented and closely watched case. Jennifer Crumbley and her husband James — who bought their son the gun as a Christmas present — were the first parents of a school shooter to be convicted of manslaughter in the United States for the actions of their child. Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews sentenced them to 10 to 15 years in prison each with credit for the 28 months they have already spent behind bars. Their son Ethan, who is now 17, is serving a life sentence for the November 30, 2021 shooting which left four students dead and seven other people injured at Oxford High School, 45 miles (70 kilometres) north of Detroit.

 Kenyan striking doctors laid off as nationwide strike nears a month Lay offs come after President William Ruto said there was no money to pay the striking doctors. A public hospital in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, has laid off 100 doctors who are taking part in a nationwide strike that has been ongoing for almost a month, its management said Tuesday. The Kenyatta University Referral Hospital said new doctors had been hired in place of those striking. Doctors in Kenya went on a nationwide strike in mid-March demanding better pay and working conditions. President William Ruto on Sunday broke his silence over the strike saying there was no money to pay striking doctors.

 BENUE HOSPITAL SET TO BEGIN SCARLESS SURGERIES The Benue State University Teaching Hospital has said that it is set to begin scarless surgeries having fully equipped its theatre with all necessary machines. The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Stephen Hwande, disclosed this to the media at a news briefing on Monday. Hwande said the decision was also based on the improved manpower of the hospital. He said: “We have developed our theatre fully for minimal access surgery or endoscopic surgeries.  “We will also start it in the public sector.  “Minimal access, like the name goes, you don’t cut people open, you just go in like a pin and you will carry out extensive surgery, which is the same as cutting people wide open. “So we have already acquired the equipment for the surgery and it is fully installed in our theatre and we have entered into collaboration with the Association of Endoscopic Gynaecology Surgeons.  “And the first batch of this activity for gynae ...

 ATTACK ON AKU HOUSE: BENUE SPEAKER VOWS TO BRING CULPRITS TO BOOK.  The Honorable speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly Chief Aondona Dajoh has vowed that nothing will stop him until he sees justice served to the family of Benue's first civilian Governor, Late Aper Aku.   The Speaker said violence, and criminality, have no place in Gboko local government area under  the current Government.  He stated this when he paid on the spot assessment of the Burnt House at after Agbile Akaahan Adi Gboko local government area of Benue state.  The speaker expresses shock over what he saw at the place and how the youths intentionally destroyed the house with the motive to render the family homeless and with nothing to fall back on.  He advised the residents of the Agbile community to help the police by providing them with useful information that will lead to the arrest of those miscreants who committed the dastardly act.  The speaker also visited the B ...