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  Landlords and property owners in Umuahia, Abia State's capital, have been given an ultimatum by the state government to remove all projections from their buildings by February 13. Failure to comply will result in the government taking down the structures. The General Manager of Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, issued the warning on Saturday, emphasizing that the government aims to restore the aesthetic appeal of Umuahia by removing projections that deface the city. Additionally, landlords who converted their residential properties into commercial buildings have been directed to revert to the original building purpose and obtain government approvals. This move is part of the government's efforts to maintain order and ensure that buildings are used for their intended purposes. Traders currently operating at Isi Gate, a central location in Umuahia, will be relocated to Afara once the market construction is completed. Agomuo explained that this r...

 Governor Zulum Supports Family of Senior Military Officer Killed In Damboa This evening, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, received the Theater Commander and Commander of Sector 2 who  presented the family of a senior military officer killed in Damboa last week. Governor Zulum expressed his deepest condolences to the family, saying the loss of their loved one is irreparable and that, the late officer died a hero, having dedicated his life to protecting the people of Damboa. The Governor also stated that, the government and the people of Borno State are indebted to the officer’s patriotism. On behalf of the government and the good people of Borno, Governor Zulum presented a cheque of 30 million Naira to the officer’s family. He also assured them of the government’s continued support during this difficult time. Borno community watch (BCW) More photos below. 

 Anambra Joint Task Force Demolishes Illegal Structures on Government Land By.Okechukwu Okolonji/Alufo Bonaventure The Anambra State Joint Task Force team on recovery of government land has demolished illegal structures built on government land at Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area. The team Led by the Anambra State Physical Planning Board enforcement team noted  that the exercise aimed to recover government land that had been encroached upon. According to Mr. Kenechukwu Mbanefo, a representative of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board at Ekwusigo Local Government Planning Authority, some individuals had parcelled out and sold the land without government approval to innocent buyers who had erected perimeter fences, despite receiving stop-work notices.   A resident of the area, Mr.Tochukwu, praised the government for the demolition exercise, but expressed concern over the alarming recklessness of some builders in the area. He urged the state government to su...

 Sudan war: At least 56 killed as Khartoum clashes escalate Artillery shelling and air strikes killed at least 56 people across greater Khartoum on Saturday, according to a medical source and Sudanese activists, AFP reported. Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in a battle for power since April 2023 that has intensified this month as the army fights to take all of the capital Khartoum and its sister cities of Omdurman and Khartoum North. RSF shelling killed 54 people at a busy market in Omdurman on Saturday, overwhelming the city's Al-Nao Hospital, a medical source told AFP. "The shells hit in the middle of the vegetable market, that's why the victims and the wounded are so many," one survivor told AFP. Across the Nile in Khartoum, two civilians were killed and dozens wounded in an air strike on an RSF-controlled area, the local Emergency Response Room (ERR) said. Although the RSF has used drones in attacks includi...

 Sisi invites Trump to Egypt for talks in phone call Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from Donald Trump, during which he invited the US leader to visit Egypt to discuss ongoing crises in the Middle East, his office said on Saturday, Anadolu Agency reported. "President Sisi congratulated Trump once again on assuming office for a second term as president of the US, reflecting the great confidence he enjoys among the American people and recognition of his capabilities," Egyptian presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy said in a statement. Sisi extended an invitation to Trump to visit Egypt at the earliest opportunity to strengthen the "strategic relations" between the two countries and discuss the "complex issues and crises" in the Middle East, contributing to regional stability, as well as to participate in the inauguration of the new Egyptian museum, the statement added.

 NSCDC COMMANDANT GENERAL SPECIAL INTELLIGENCE SQAUD INTENSIFIES WAR AGAINST VANDALISM OF OIL PIPELINES ARREST 4 IN ABIA STATE. In a continuous and relentless fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products across the oil regions the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General's Special Intelligence Squad has arrested 4 suspects for their alleged involvement in Vandalism, Crude oil theft and economic sabotage. Following sustained Intelligence the arrest took place at Agric Waterside Camp Umuorie, Obuzor/Asa axis of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.  In an interview with the Corps correspondents the CG'S SIS Boss, Commandant Appolos Dandaura hinted that the SIS operatives were massively deployed to comb the entire area where the illegal local refining of petroleum products was ongoing. He said upon arrival at the location, 4 suspects were apprehended and that the preliminary interviews conducted at the crime scene revealed that the suspects hav...

 INSURANCE: POLICE DOES NOT ISSUE 3RD PARTY INSURANCE.FORCE CAUTIONS SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, ACTIVISTS AGAINST MISLEADING NIGERIANS. The attention of the police has been drawn to misinformation and misleading comments credited to some social media influencers and activists antagonising the police on the issuance and enforcement of the 3rd party insurance policy, where the NPF has been alleged of using the policy to rake in money.  The Nigeria Police Force wishes to emphasize that it does not issue third-party insurance as it has been misconstrued by some individuals. The responsibility for obtaining this mandatory insurance lies with vehicle owners through their respective insurance companies. The Force has commenced the enforcement operations of the insurance policy with effect from today, February 1, 2025, aiming to enhance road safety and protect the rights of accident victims. In light of this enforcement, the Force therefore cautions social media influencers and activis...

  COZA founder, Fatoyinbo remarries wife to mark 25th wedding anniversary COZA founder Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo ‘remarries’ wife to celebrate 25th wedding anniversary in Abuja, on Friday. The colourful event was attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo; KIIC founder Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo; Dunamis founder Pastor Paul Enenche and wife Dr. Rebecca Enenche, among other dignitaries. Watch video and more photos below. 

  Hostages released today: American-Israeli Keith Siegel among 3 freed from Gaza Three men held hostage in the Gaza Strip for more than 15 months were freed Saturday, bringing to 18 the number of captives released by militants since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began Jan. 19. Among those freed was Yarden Bibas, 35, the father of the two youngest hostages in Gaza, whose plight has become a rallying cry for Israelis. The Bibas sons — 4 years old and 9 months old at the time of their abduction — and their mother, Shiri, are still in captivity, and feared dead. Shiri Bibas and the two children are the last woman and children held in captivity in Gaza who have not been confirmed dead by Israel. The other hostages released Saturday were American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65, and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, 54, also household names in Israel after highly visible campaigns to free them. In the ceasefire’s first phase, a total of 33 hostages in Gaza will be released in exchange for ...

 LAGOS DEPUTY GOVERNOR ENGAGES LJLA FELLOWS ON LEADERSHIP In a bid to deepen their understanding of governance and policy-making, Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) participated in a thought-provoking Fireside Chat with the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat. The interactive session, which took place at the Academy, provided a rare opportunity for emerging leaders to gain first-hand insights from seasoned leaders. Drawing from his vast experience, Dr. Hamzat underscored the essence of fact-based governance, national identity and bold decision-making. He illustrated how data-driven leadership has played a pivotal role in reforming policies within Lagos State, urging the Fellows to adopt a similar approach in their leadership journey. “True leadership takes more than knowledge; it requires clarity, data, and the ability to unite people towards a common goal”, Dr. Hamzat emphasised. Commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary lea...

 LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD TRAFFICKING The Lagos State Government has once again emphasised its firm stance against any form of child trafficking and, in particular, the buying and selling of children within the State. Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, made this declaration at a press briefing aimed at sensitising the public on the prohibition of child trafficking. The event also saw the handover of several children, rescued by the Nigeria Police Force, to the Ministry. The briefing was held on Friday at the Zone II Police Command Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos. Mr. Ogunlende praised the Police for rescuing five children - Marvelous Obi (M, One-Year-Old), Promise Ifekwuna (M, Three-Year-Old), Somtochukwu Onyemaechi (M, One-Year-Old), Chibuzornma Onyemaechi (F, Three-Year-Old), and Praise Chukwu Ibezim (M, Six-Year-Old) - from a notorious child trafficking syndicate led by Sunday Okputu. He stated, "Today's...