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  • ENUGU: State govt, NSIA sign agreement on take over of State Medical Diagnostic Centre; Center renamed Medical Diagnostic and Oncology (Cancer) Treatment Centre

    ENUGU: State govt, NSIA sign agreement on take over of State Medical Diagnostic Centre; Center renamed Medical Diagnostic and Oncology (Cancer) Treatment Centre

    Louis Amoke

    The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) for the federal agency to take over the state-of-the-art Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, Enugu.

    The agreement is to pave the way for the NSIA to provide comprehensive medical, diagnostic and oncology (cancer) treatment services to the people of Enugu State and beyond.

    Recall that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, sequel to the approval of the State Executive Council (EXCO), recently reached an agreement with the NSIA for the upgrade of the Medical Diagnostic Centre in Enugu, built by the state government.

    The agreement to take over the health facility was reached after series of negotiations between the Enugu State Government and the NSIA.

    Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, signed the agreement on behalf of the Enugu State Government while the Managing Director of the NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, signed on behalf of the agency during the ceremony held at the Kano Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    The signing of the agreement between the Enugu State Government and the NSIA was witnessed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Miletus Eze, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Prof. Malachy Okwueze and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi.

    Consequently, the Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, Enugu will now be known as Medical Diagnostic and Oncology (Cancer) Treatment Centre.

    Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of the NSIA, Mr. Orji, disclosed that the agency signed lease and collaboration agreements for the expansion of diagnostic services with three state governments (Enugu, Kwara and Kaduna) and five federal establishments, including oncology (cancer) treatment services with Enugu State.

    Mr. Orji stated that the three state governments that participated in the exercise (Enugu, Kwara and Kaduna) had expedited action on negotiations with the NSIA and reached the stage of signing agreements.

    He revealed that funds will be deployed to build, equip, maintain and operate modern health facilities across the country, adding that “these investments are expected to build new or upgrade institutions to modern medical diagnostic centres and provide access to advanced healthcare services for the benefit of lower income families with limited access to care and significantly enhance Nigeria’s ability to treat life threatening Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).”

    In her remarks, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s representative, Hon. Mrs. Ezeilo, thanked the NSIA for the opportunity given to Enugu State to benefit from the healthcare expansion initiative.

    She pointed out that the initiative is in tandem with the state government’s vision and commitment to quality healthcare service delivery for the people of Enugu State and beyond.

    Hon. Mrs. Ezeilo commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for the landmark achievement as well as his dexterity, foresight and frantic efforts towards providing healthcare facilities for the people of the state, stressing that the governor has done so much in the health sector, likewise in other sectors, in spite of the state’s lean resources and the nation’s economic, security and public health challenges.

  • INSECURITY IN ANAMBRA: Igbo bandits, not Fulanis, responsible for maiming, killing Anambra residents- Gov Soludo

    Governor Charles Soludo says Fulani bandits are not responsible for the maiming and killing Anambra residents, insisting the violent attacks in the state “is 100 per cent Igbos on Igbos.”

    Mr Soludo said it was a “hoax” claiming that bandits were invading the South-East, particularly Anambra.

    “Let me be clear about it: 100 per cent of the people we have caught are Igbos,” Mr Soludo declared in a Channels TV interview on Sunday night. “It is (a) hoax that somebody is invading from somewhere. It is 100 per cent Igbos on Igbos. That is the fact.”

    According to the governor, Igbos from other South-East states are infiltrating Anambra to wreak havoc.

    “Anambra is like a cell. We receive a proportionate share of the influx of people from other South-East states and other parts of Nigeria in the South-East,” Mr Soludo explained. “In fact, the first set of people we caught were 100 per cent Igbos from other South-East states and none from Anambra.”

    The governor also mentioned that his administration would treat the Igbo bandits as criminals.

    “We are dealing with them. For us, there is no distinction whether they are from Anambra or not from Anambra,” he stressed. “Anybody in a camp, anybody in a bush with a gun, we treat as a criminal.”

    On September 11, Ifeanyi Ubah (senator representing YPP-Anambra South)’s convoy was attacked by gunmen, killing his personal and security aides.

    Mr Ubah’s convoy was attacked around the Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu Market axis of Njikoka local government area of Anambra on its way to Nnewi, his country home. It was gathered that the gunmen opened fire on the convoy and left many members of the convoy dead, including other persons at the scene of the incident.

    Last Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari described as “barbaric and condemnable” the violent attack on the senator’s convoy.

    “We are deeply concerned about the activities of armed groups in the region and in other parts of the country,” said Mr Buhari.

    (Peoples Gazette)

  • Court sentences Kidnapper Evans, accomplice to 21 years for kidnapping

    Court sentences Kidnapper Evans, accomplice to 21 years for kidnapping

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday sentenced kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping a businessman Slyvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans’ accomplice, Victor Aduba, an ex-soldier, was also sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on a four-count charge bordering on kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

    Delivering judgement, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of kidnap and possession of firearms against the convicts.

    “It has been established by the prosecution witness (PW3, Ahamonu) complainant was kidnapped. The question is ‘who kidnapped him?’

    “PW3 identified the first defendant in court while he was giving his testimony. He also recognized him at the police station nearly two months before the matter was taken to court.

    “He testified that he was blindfolded before being taken to the bus. He said ‘Immediately I saw him, I said this was the person that kidnapped me.’ I also watched the video where the first defendant admitted to having kidnapped PW3.

    “The first defendant sat in a comfortable chair and there was no sign that he made the statement under duress.

    ”He was not threatened or harassed. He signed the statement.

    “He also said how he broke into banks and later graduated to kidnapping. I am satisfied that this court can convict the defendants through his confessional statement,” Mrs Taiwo said.

    The judge also held that there was no proof before the court that three of Evans’ men were killed by the police.

    She also convicted Mr Aduba, based on his confessional statement, and held that he should serve out his term without an option of a fine.

    “I have considered the allocutus of the defence counsel. This sentencing will serve as a deterrent to others.

    “The two are hereby sentenced to a five-year jail term for the first count, second count, 21 years, and third count, five years.

    “The sentencing will, however, run concurrently. They are hereby sentenced to 21 years imprisonment without an option of fine,” Mrs Taiwo said.

    Earlier, the first defendant’s counsel, Amobi Nzelu, in his allocutus, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convict was already serving a life jail term.

    “I pray the court to grant him a lesser jail term,” said the lawyer.

    The second defence counsel, Adeola Folarin, in her allocutus, also prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the convict was a first offender.

    “My lord, he is a young man that has served his country while in the army.

    “He also had a child while he was in custody. He is a father of two young children and they have not enjoyed his fatherly love. We pray the court to temper justice with mercy,” Mrs Folarin said.

    The state counsel, Yusuf Sule, however, urged the court to convict the defendants as charged.

    “My lord, the first defendant had been sentenced to life imprisonment before Justice Hakeem Oshodi. I urge the court to sentence the defendants accordingly,” Mr Sule said.

    NAN reports that Mr Ahamonu and his wife, Chimebere, on 17th December 2021, testified virtually about how Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014, on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

    The couple narrated how they sold properties, borrowed money, and raised funds from family and well-wishers to attempt to raise the initial two million dollars ransom that was demanded by Evans.

    Mr Ahamonu, whose hands and legs were chained throughout his two months in captivity, was only released when the family had given Evans $420,000 ransom and he was at the point of death.

    NAN also reports that Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court had, on 25th February, sentenced Evans to life imprisonment for the kidnap of Donatus Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    (NAN)

  • Strike: Nigerian students block Lagos airport road, frustrate travellers

    Many travellers, local and foreign were stranded today in Lagos as students of various higher institutions blocked the Airport road, protesting the continued Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU)strike.

    The students who barricaded the road chanting war songs, were protesting the eight long strike by ASUU; warning that no one, especially foreign travellers, would leave Lagos, and the country, until the Federal Government resolves their issues with ASUU.

    As early as 6.30 am, the students numbering over 1000, had converged at 7/8 Bus -stop, Airport road, Oshodi, from where they were moving towards the Mutala Muhammad International Airport, before they were stop by Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force.

    A student Chibuike Osuni, who refused to name his school for fear of possible intimidation by the government, said,” we have decided to block the Airport road because that is the only route to the airports, local and International. This is the only route that everyone , including Government officials follow. Some of them follow the route to visit their children in foreign and private Universities in the country. That is why they are not bothered about our plight. We have stayed at home for eight months and no one cares. No one is saying anything about the ASSU strike, but we are very happy today that some of the people travelling today will miss their appointments as we have been missing lectures.

    “Our protest will be a continuous one until the government accedes to ASUU’s demand and reopen our schools. Some of us have died while hustling because of the hopelessness that our government deliberately put us into. Let me be frank with you, if the children of Ministers, Governors, Presidency and management team are schooling in Nigeria, will they allow the strike to happen ,not to talk of lingering more than one week? It won’t happen. We are not going to relent in our protest to attract the entire world. You are here today as a Journalist, so our voices will be heard through your medium”.

    Another student, Nkem Omeogor, said ,” I am tired the way the government is treating the issue between her and ASUU. They are treating us as if it is crime not having money for private Universities. The government is telling us to die without fighting for our rights. They have used the instrumentality of of the police to stop us from going down to Airport, but we have made impact, as we prevented many people from traveling. For now, I am working as a sales girl in a fishery. I earn N25,000 a month. Well, is it what I am supposed to be doing if the school is opened? As it is ,we have wasted one academic year at home while their children in private universities and in abroad have entered another Academic session , and people expect us to keep quiet”.

    However, a senior police officer at Airport Command who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the command was on top of the situation,” we are in control. We are pushing them back. You know that we can’t use force on them because, they are students. We will continue to appeal to them to understand that they have their rights, but they must not infringe on other people’s right. For instance, many travellers have missed their flights”.

    Also a senior police officer from Lagos State Police command , told Daily Sun ,that it won’t be ideal for Policemen from the command to move to Airport road which is not in their jurisdiction,” the police is one, so we are on standby, if the Airport Command is overwhelmed and call for reinforcement, we shall move in and give them backup. But for now ,the command has not contacted us, meaning that the situation is under their control”.

    However, Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Airport Command of the Nigeria Police, DSP Ojelade Olayinka, told Daily Sun that, ” the students blocked the road and pretesting their fundamental human rights, so we don’t need to use maximum force on them, but they should not overdo things. The government and the whole world have heard their complaints, so they should not disturb other people’s rights. We are still appealing to them to give peace a chance and leave the road. We are not using maximum force but making appeals. I know that very soon, they will calm down”.

    As at the time of filling this report, the students were still on the road chanting war songs and warning the police not to shoot anyone.

    (Sun)

     

  • Court Dismisses PDP’s Suit Seeking Tinubu, Obi’s Disqualification

    Court Dismisses PDP’s Suit Seeking Tinubu, Obi’s Disqualification

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party seeking the disqualification of All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi.

    The suit challenging the legality of the substitution of the running mates for Tinubu and Obi was dismissed on Monday on the grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and that the suit was a gross abuse of court process.

    Justice Donatus Okoronkwo also noted that all the reliefs sought by the PDP were not grantable.

    The PDP is claiming that the Electoral Act 2022 did not make provision for a “placeholder” or temporary running mate and that the replacement of running mates is not applicable to Ibrahim Masari and Doyin Okupe.

    PDP is also contending that Tinubu and Obi can only qualify to contest the 2023 presidential election with Masari and Okupe, as their respective running mates.

    The PDP further claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission lacked the power to accept any withdrawal or substitution of Masari and Okupe without the APC and Labour Party conducting fresh primaries to substitute Tinubu and Obi, amongst others.

    Obi had selected Okupe as his placeholder to beat INEC’s deadline but later replaced him with Datti Baba-Ahmed.

    Similarly, Masari was also the placeholder to Tinubu but the APC candidate later substituted him with ex-governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima.

    Also in the race with Tinubu and Obi is PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, amongst other presidential candidates.

    More to follow…

    (Channels TV)

  • Anambra: Soludo assures peace and security, neutralises over 15 camps of unknown gunmen

    Anambra: Soludo assures peace and security, neutralises over 15 camps of unknown gunmen

    Six months into his Governorship of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo has assured that the State under his watch is comparatively secured and peaceful.

    Even though the Governor agreed that there could be cases of isolated criminalities, he noted that the frequency of such occurrences had reduced to the barest minimum.

    Governor Soludo made the above assertion while fielding questions from Seun Okinbaloye on “Politics Sunday” aired on Channels Television, Sunday night.

    In a brief overview of his administration over the past six months, Prof Soludo said that the months have been focused on core foundational issues of the five key pillars of his administration’s agenda which included security, law and order, economic transformation geared towards having an industrial, technology leisure hub.

    According to the Governor, these also included re-orientation of value system as well as ensuring a clean and green environment.

    On insecurity, Governor Soludo asserted that his government came with the carrots and sticks approach as well as strategic engagements with other stakeholders in the State to tame the rising insecurity.

    He explained that before coming into office, eight local government areas were taken over by the criminals, with more than fifteen camps where they operated from.

    The Governor, however, revealed that the situation has become better now with security and calm being restored. For this feat, Governor Soludo commended the people of Anambra for their massive cooperation and partnership as well as the security agencies.

    Governor Soludo also revealed that marking his six months in office, he flagged off, on the previous day, 60.4 kilometers of strategic roads across the varous senatorial zones in the State. He added that in few months, more roads, totally 220 kms would be flagged off.

    He also said that to end the era of schools without teachers and hospitals without doctors and nurses, his government was recruiting teachers and medical personnel to beef up those institutions for good quality education and better healthcare service delivery in the State.

    The Governor said his administration was adopting fiscal prudence by doing more with less.

    On environment, Governor Soludo maintained that it remained one of the existential threats in the State after insecurity, with the menace of erosion plaguing the State which he said was gradually being controlled with the planting of millions of trees.

    He also revealed that what he described as the Regenerative Agricultural Systems was being adopted with the coconut and palm oil economy coming on stream.

    The Governor added that the philosophy of patronizing made in Anambra products to boost the local economy and good waste management system for a fresher and cleaner environment was also being rigorously pursued.

    On the recent attack on Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Governor Soludo said the security agencies were already on top of the situation to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

    He took a swipe on the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, who he said is his friend and brother and would like to wish him good luck including the APGA presidential candidate, Prof Peter Umeadi, who are both from Anambra State and great sons of the Igbo nation.

    (Sun)

  • FG invites Bill Gates, Zuckerberg, Okonjo-Iweala to speak at Nigeria Investment Forum in New York

    FG invites Bill Gates, Zuckerberg, Okonjo-Iweala to speak at Nigeria Investment Forum in New York

    President Muhammadu Buhari; Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed are among notable personalities expected at the second edition of the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum (NIEPF), a global economic investment platform, in New York, United State of America.

    The Federal Government is hosting the event Thursday, September 22, 2022, on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, in collaboration with the Africa Business Roundtable, in its continued bid to further open up the country’s economy to international capital and attract foreign investment.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement listed other speakers and panelists to include President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Co-Founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates; Chairman Business Council of the United States, Satya Nadella, and Chief Executive Officer Microsoft Corp; Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States; Florie Liser, President of the Corporate Council on Africa and Members of the Business Council of International Understanding.

    Others are Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, and Executive Chairman of BUA Group, who is also the President of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Abdul Samad Rabiu and Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, among others.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari will deliver the keynote address at the event and will also host a High-Level Presidential Session with fellow Presidents and Heads of delegations on ‘Issues That Need Joint Action for African Countries’ on the Development Drive such as the Post COVID-19 recovery and financing priorities; Africa’s Investment Climate and Market as well as De-risking the Continent.

    “The NIEPF will bring together top Nigerian government functionaries as well as renowned and highly respected global public and private sector players rubbing minds on Nigeria’s economic outlook, focusing on Nigeria in the Global Economy; and International Partnership for Nigeria on the development drive.

    “In view of the wide spectrum of personalities attending the forum, there will be cluster thematic sessions on: Growing Nigeria’s agriculture for food security and access to export market with special focus on Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War which presents opportunities for G7/G20-Nigeria Partnerships in Agriculture;

    “Scaling Up International Resources for Financing Education in Africa with emphasis on Making facilities to Link Government, Deal Sponsors and International Pools of Capital in Education; and

    “Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector: Reforms, Results and the Road focusing on Scaling Up Investment into the Gas Market—Plants, Parks, cylinders, reinjection.

    (Sun)

  • Fmr Minister decries FG’s approach to challenges before Ekweremadu

    Fmr Minister decries FG’s approach to challenges before Ekweremadu

    The Former Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Buhari Bala has decried Nigeria’s approach to the challenges before the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in the United Kingdom.

    It is in the considered opinion of the former Minister that it is disgusting that both the government and informed citizens at all levels have not exerted their best in solidarity with the Senator that has hitherto served the nation in different key positions thereby touching positively on the lives of many Nigerians across the length and breadth of the Country.

    The inspired role of the government so far, according to Alhaji Bala, is leaving much to be desired notwithstanding the generally accepted position that the matter is legal and not political; since at diplomatic level almost every issue is political.

    In a statement sent to Vanguard, Alhaji Bala expected more sympathy and positive actions on Ekwemaradu’s issue, because he got involved in the matter fighting to save life of his daughter, an action every proud and responsible parent would do.

    The former foreign Minister said that he expected the Federal Government and Enugu state in particular and the South Eastern states to show more than passing interest in the matter. It says a lot in our reward system to allow somebody who has served this country diligently at various levels both in the state and the federal government to be so humiliated without reasonable interest and cause of action from the public and government.

    He then charged the federal government to exert more pressure on the British government in respect to Senator Ekweremadu’s matter since the incident and even when found guilty, is of the head and not of the heart.

    The fact that Senator Ekweremadu informed the British High Commission in Abuja of his intentions shows that he was not dubious but pushed by the desperate urge to save his daughter which any reasonable and responsible parent would do.

    “If we watch and allow Senator Ekweremadu to go down like this in a foreign land, it would send very dangerous signal about the value we place on patriotism in our country, because prior to this incident the Senator was outstandingly patriotic.

    The former Minister also called on prominent Nigerians and groups to put more pressure on the British government to see reason why the human angle, rather than extreme legality should guide their actions on Senator Ekweremadu.

    “One had also expected the National Assembly particularly the Senate where Sen Ekweremadu had shone like a star to bring to bear more influence on their counterparts in the United Kingdom while the Foreign Affairs Ministry should do likewise at the diplomatic level, at the earliest possible time, emphasizing that Senator Ike is a serving ranking Senator, holder of one of the highest National honors (CFR) and holder of a diplomatic passport and a recipient of Rotary Club’s outstanding Citizen of the World award..

    Finally, Alhaji Bala charged all concerned to rise up and save Senator Ekweremadu, because his offense is not shameful but out of ignorance and the natural urge to save the life of a beloved daughter.

    (Vanguard)

  • World Leaders in London for Queen’s Burial today; Russia, North Korea, Afghanistan, Mynmmar, Iran not invited

    Many World leaders have arrived in London for the state funeral service of the late Queen Elizabeth II which is holding today at Westminster Abbey in London.

    Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, were among hundreds of world leaders paying their respects to the monarch as she lies in state.

    United States President Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden have also arrived and paid homage to the late Queen as she lay in state.

    Ukrainian First Lady, Olena Zelenskyy, would be representing Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has met with the Royal Family as her country’s representative.

    Controversial invites were also extended to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, though it was learnt that they were not expected to be at the ceremony.

    However, not all world leaders made the invite list. Leaders of these countries will not be joining Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral service.

    Russia and Belarus

    Russia and Belarus were both sanctioned earlier this year in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    The U.K. slapped sanctions on Russia as part of efforts by the West to isolate Moscow and hurt the country’s economy. Neighboring Belarus was also targeted because of actions by its leader, President Alexander Lukashenko, to facilitate Russia’s war on Ukraine.

    A spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry called the lack of an invite for Russian President Vladimir Putin ”profoundly immoral,” according to the U.K.’s Sky News.

    Syria and Venezuela

    Syria and Venezuela didn’t receive invites because they don’t have full diplomatic relations with the U.K., according to Reuters.

    The UK closed its embassy in Syria in 2011 and was one of the first countries to recognize its opposition as the legitimate representative of Syria’s people.

    In 2019, the U.K. joined the U.S. in recognizing opposition figure, Juan Guaidó as the leader of Venezuela, refusing to recognize President Nicolás Maduro, who remains in office.

    Afghanistan

    The Taliban has struggled to gain any international recognition since its takeover last year, blaming the U.S. for being the “biggest hurdle” to diplomatic legitimacy.

    The U.K. ambassador to the U.N. said last month that “the situation in Afghanistan remains critical” and that “the human rights situation is stark.”

    Myanmar

    The U.K. announced new sanctions against Myanmar earlier this year, part of a coordinated action with the U.S. and Canada to punish the country’s military regime after it took power in a violent coup last year.

    North Korea, Nicaragua and Iran

    North Korea, Nicaragua and Iran were permitted to send ambassadors, but not their heads of state, according to the Telegraph — meaning North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi are among the uninvited heads of state.

    The U.K. last year joined with other Western powers to condemn North Korea for its human rights violations and weapons of mass destruction programs, calling the country “one of the most repressive and totalitarian regimes in the world.” In June, the U.K. criticized China and Russia for vetoing new United Nations sanctions on North Korea

    (Sun)

  • EFCC arrests 16 persons over cyber crime in Kwara

    EFCC arrests 16 persons over cyber crime in Kwara

    Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 16 persons over an alleged case of cybercrime and possession of fraudulent funds in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The development is coming on the heels of the clampdown on the activities of cybercrime in the state.

    They were arrested following credible intelligence acted upon by the Commission.

    The suspects, including two siblings: Ahmed Ismail and Toheeb Ismail, are Suleiman Abduqudrib Salati, Nurudeen Ibrahim, Boluwasefe Oyinloye, Bashir Azeez, Abduquodri Ibrahim, Raji Roqeeb, Tobiloba Raihan and Busari Mohammed.

    Others are Olaoye Kolade, Bello Muhammed, Onime Bright, Adebayo Bolaji, Abdulqudus Zakariya and Adeleke Hassan.

    Items recovered from them include eight exotic cars, phones and laptops.

    In a statement by the commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

    (Daily Trust)

  • 2023: Shettima charges Nigerian youths to channel #EndSARS energy to make impact

    2023: Shettima charges Nigerian youths to channel #EndSARS energy to make impact

    “That for me is the most important story about End-SARS itself. About its own potential to be a change agent for our country,” he said.

    Nigerian youths should build on the successes of the October 2020 anti-police brutality (#EndSARS) protests to cause positive changes in governance and public service, says Kole Shettima, the country director of the MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria.

    “The youths were able to mobilise a lot of resources, resources in terms of networks, people who came out and demonstrated,”e Shettima said. “They have shown that they can actually organise themselves.”

    Mr Shettima said the challenge now should be that beyond the EndSARS protest. How could youths engage in civic, public service, using the same network and energies that were established.

    “How do we use those networks in order to channel it towards public service, towards civil engagement? And what difference can that actually have on the country and other things?

    “That for me is the most important story about End-SARS itself. About its own potential to be a change agent for our country,” he said.

    The MacArthur Foundation boss advised Nigerian youths to be actively engaged in the 2023 general elections.

    Mr Shettima was delivering his keynote address at the opening of a two-day Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) LEAD ON conference 2022, in Abuja when he gave the advice.

    He said that the EndSARS protest was really a reflection of the energy, the creativity and the passion young people have for the country, which could be channeled not just as protest but developmental causes.

    Mr Shettima, who said that the foundation since 1989 had invested not less than $200 million dollars in Nigeria, added that the foundation was committed to working in partnership with the country towards the success of the 2023 general elections.

    He listed some of the areas the foundation was working on to achieve that to include working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the elections credible, engaging young people to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and come out and vote on the day of election.

    Mr Shettima advised government, philanthropists and developmental organisations to invest more in education, healthcare systems to slow down the country’s fertility rate as well as create economic opportunities for the youth.

    He said that the measures were important to make Nigerian youths, who constituted over 70 per cent of the country’s population, a demographic dividend, and not a burden or disaster.

    “We are a youthful country in the sense that about 70 per cent of our population, the median age is 18.1. So, this is a youthful country.

    “This youthful age can be a dividend, which means it can be of benefit and profitable for people or it can be a disaster for itself.

    “The line between benefit and disaster is in terms of do you invest in their education? Do you invest in their health? Do you slow down population growth and do you give them economic opportunities?

    “If you don’t do those four things, that potential benefit then can become a disaster.”

    Mr Shettima called on everyone, including the government and philanthropists and groups, to invest in areas that would impact the youth.

    “Those are the things that we need to do as people, otherwise our youthful population then becomes a disaster and everyone is going to suffer for it,” he said.

    He commended the rate at which Nigerian youths across the world were making impact and progress in the area of sports, entertainment, technology development, innovations, civil and public space and services.

    Mr Shettima, however, advised Nigerian youths to develop passion for something developmental, get soft skills, get prepared for opportunities, take the risk, and get involved in what would have a positive impact on other people’s lives.

    He said these factors were critical for them to continue to make impacts on the country and the globe.

    The president of the MWFAAN, Ahmed Kazeem, said that the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF), established by former President Barack Obama in 2014, has the potential to impact on the unity and development of Nigeria.

    Mr Kazeem said that the fellowship provides outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.

    “The youths were able to mobilise a lot of resources, resources in terms of networks, people who came out and demonstrated. They have shown that they can actually organise themselves.”

    (NAN)

  • Enugu PDP Governorship candidate, Peter Mbah, to speak at the 2022 MEDRHUS Annual Leadership Forum

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    The Medical Research and Humanitarian Society (MEDRHUS) of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, has named the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, as the Guest Speaker at the 2022 MEDRHUS Annual Leadership Forum.

    This was contained in a message signed by Stephen Anigbo, President, Medical Research and Humanitarian Society (MEDRHUS).

    The leadership forum which has “Leadership in Modern Times: Youths Bridging the Gap” as the theme of the lecture, is scheduled to hold on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, by 10am at the Moot Court, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC).

    Anigbo, noting that the membership of MEDRHUS comprised of medical and dental students of UNEC, urged the general public and youths to be in attendance. He charged the public to “come expectant”.

    Mbah is expected to be accompanied by his running mate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, and other dignitaries.

    …More details later