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Category: News

  • Police Confirm Murder Of FUT Minna Lecturer

    Police Confirm Murder Of FUT Minna Lecturer

    The Police command in Niger State has confirmed the killing of Dr Funmilola Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna by suspected assailant.

    This is contained in a statement by the command`s spokesman, DSP Wasiu Abiodun on Monday in Minna.

    Abiodun said the victim was killed in her residence at Gbaiko area of Minna on Sunday.

    “On October 29, at about 1000hrs, some friends of Dr Funmilola Adefolalu, a lecturer at “FUT Minna visited her residence in Gbaiko Area of Minna due to their inability to get her on phone.

    “Unfortunately, on getting to the house, the visitors met her lying in a pool of her own blood with marks of injuries on her body,” he said.

    He said that two knives with blood stains suspected to have been used to stab her by unknown persons were recovered from the scene.

    The spokesman said that the body was taken to the Ibrahim Babangida Specialist Hospital, Minna where she was confirmed dead.

    He said that the police have commenced investigation into the incident. 

  • Police Bust Child-Stealing Syndicate In Enugu, Nab Suspect

    Police Bust Child-Stealing Syndicate In Enugu, Nab Suspect

    The Police Command in Enugu State has smashed a child-stealing syndicate and arrested a suspect at Igogoro village in Enugu-Ezike community of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.

    This is contained in a statement, issued by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe at the weekend in Enugu.

    Ndukwe said that the syndicate was smashed on Oct. 27 at about 1.30 p.m.

    According to him, police operatives serving in the Igbo-Eze North Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, smashed a child stealing syndicate and arrested one Ifeanyi Omeke, 21, at Igogoro village in Enugu-Ezike community.

    “The suspect was nabbed after he sneaked into the complainant’s house in the community and attempted to steal a 15-month-old girl child.

    “The suspect confessed to the crime, as well as revealed that he was contracted by his cohorts at large to steal children for ritual and other criminal purposes,” the police spokesman said.

    He said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a thorough investigation.

    “A thorough investigation would eventual lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal syndicate at large and their prosecution,” he added.

  • NiMet Predicts 3-Day Sunny, Thundery Weather Conditions From Monday

    NiMet Predicts 3-Day Sunny, Thundery Weather Conditions From Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny and thundery weather conditions from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

    NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja predicted sunny skies over the northern region on Monday with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba during the afternoon and evening periods.

    According to it, sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of the FCT, Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states during the afternoon and evening hours.

    “Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

    “Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River,’’ it stated.

    The agency anticipated sunny skies and hazy conditions on Tuesday over the northern region with prospects of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over parts of Taraba.

    According to NiMet, sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Benue, Kwara and Kogi during the afternoon and evening hours.

    “Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom.

    “Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River,’’ it stated.

    NiMet envisaged dust haze conditions on Wednesday over the northern region with prospects of evening thunderstorms over parts of Taraba.

    The agency anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region in the morning hours of Wednesday.

    “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Benue and Kogi.

    “Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the South with isolated thunderstorms over parts of Imo, Ondo, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa lbom and Cross River during the afternoon and evening hours.

    “The public is advised to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension in the atmosphere,’’ it stated.

    The agency urged individuals with respiratory ailments to protect themselves as the current dusty weather condition could have adverse effect on their health.

    According to it, strong winds are likely to precede and accompany the thunderstorms. Citizens are advised to take necessary safety precautions.

    “All airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports and alerts periodically from NiMet for effective planning of their operations,’’ it stressed.

  • We’re Reforming Economic, Business Environment To Promote Efficiency – Tinubu

    We’re Reforming Economic, Business Environment To Promote Efficiency – Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu says his administration is working assiduously to reform the nation’s economic and business environment to promote efficiency.

    Tinubu said this on Sunday during a bilateral meeting with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz and his entourage, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Tinubu and the chancellor engaged in three separate meetings before addressing a joint press briefing.

    According to the Nigerian leader, the country has a very high deposit of gas availability and the investment environment as well as liquid natural gas is improving.

    Tinubu said his administration had improved the nation’s business environment, saying, “we are going through several reforms.”

    He also said that Nigeria was ready to encourage investment in gas pipelines and that the LNG would facilitate the shipment of liquefied gas to Europe.

    According to him, the government will continue to promote the opportunity for the growth of businesses and their partners.

    Tinubu said, “We are reforming our economic and business environment to promote efficiency.

    “You might have read or been aware that we have removed oil subsidy.

    “We’re going through tax reforms to eliminate double taxation and give you better returns on investments.”

    According to the president, there are principles that will ensure that investment grows well and is protected.

    He added, “We definitely welcome you to the collaboration; we’re happy this is happening to us.

    “I believe that my friend will add more to the value of Nigeria’s environment; we have discussed that.

    “I’ve made a commitment to you that we’ll promote efficiency, ease of doing business and remove all conflict areas that might be possible immediately.”

    On the Federal Government’s alleged refusal to retrieve over 12,000 Nigerians who were unable to make Germany’s asylum provision and were at risk of deportation, Tinubu said that such persons were welcome to return home.

    He, however, disclosed that both countries were working on regularising the stay of those who were economic refugees.”

    The president said there was a very deep discussion in this direction, urging the separation of economic refugees from real refugees.

    “We have a programme, to work in partnership, to really ensure normal migration and deepen the relationship in that area.

    “I’m not making any demands; if they are Nigerian citizens, they are Nigerian citizens and they are welcome back home.

    “Nothing should send them away; we are ready to enter into a partnership to improve the migration situation.

    “Since other young and vibrant people can go through the process according to the immigration law of the country, to accept them as long as they are of good behaviour and good character.

    “We are ready to work together in that direction,” Tinubu said.

    Also responding to the migration question, Scholz said the debate was on and, very soon, the grey areas would be addressed.

    He said, “The first is yes, there is a need, in Germany, for people that have talent and that want to work in our country in a way which is a regular path for migrants.

    “We are working intensely in this field and we want to get (make) more progress and get things agreed in detail.

    “The second part of this is also an agreement that those who do not have the right to stay in my country can go back and should go back.

    “But this is where cooperation is also important; we will do so and it will be an important aspect of our work together.”

    The German chancellor regretted that minerals were ‘just about extraction’ as they ended up in other countries rather than for Nigeria’s development.

    “It is also important that we use the way of developing your economy in the fields of the minerals you have.

    “I think that the investments into this structure must be easy but also beneficial for your country.

    “It is something that bothered me a lot in the past that, sometimes, it is just about extraction which is not enough.

    “There should be one bit more for making it feasible that some parts of the economic development can be used in the countries of origin.

    “This is not the case today in our world but, if we change this a little bit, it will change a lot and work on this field is also important for us.”

    According to Scholz, a lot of investments have to be taken, adding,” looking at infrastructure; it’s not just about roads and railways.

    “It is also about electricity, the infrastructure using the grid, making it feasible that all the produced energy or the power that is already there could go to the people.

    “Finding a way how we can develop the economy in this field will also be important.” 

  • Workers’ Rights Violation: NLC Gears Up For Mass Protests In Imo

    Workers’ Rights Violation: NLC Gears Up For Mass Protests In Imo

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it would begin protest in Imo State from November 1 over alleged violation and abuse of rights and privileges of workers by the State government.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

    Ajaero said that “NLC was deeply concerned about the persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers in Imo State by the State Government.”

    “Despite our repeated efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements, the Imo State Government has become a habitual and serial breaker of these agreements, continuing to trample on the rights of workers in the state.

    “As a result, we are left with no choice but to embark on mass protests and industrial actions beginning on the 1st day of November, 2023.

    “This is to demonstrate our outrage and stop the continuing violation of the rights and privileges of workers in the state,” he said.

    The NLC president said the protest was imperative as the government of the state had refused to implement previous agreements.

    According to him, the government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the Government and Organised Labour.

    “On outstanding salary arrears, shockingly, some workers have been subjected to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers’.

    “Unjust declaration of workers as ghost workers,. Approximately 11,000 hardworking individuals have been unjustly branded as ghost workers, their salaries diverted even while they diligently carried out their duties,”he said.

    On vandalisation of NLC State Secretariat, he noted that the wanton destruction of the NLC State Secretariat was a blatant attacked on the rights of workers and a violation of the sanctity of their representative body.

    The NLC president said others were implementation of discriminatory pay introduction of discriminatory pay, unsettled gratuity arrears, non-compliance with National Minimum Wage, among others.

    “Nigeria Labour Congress calls on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to stand in solidarity with the workers of Imo State in the face of these egregious violations.

    “We implore the Imo State Government to honor its obligations and recommit to respecting the rights and privileges of workers.

    “As long as it refuses, we will continue in this course of action until we see the desired change. We are ready for industrial peace in the state but the choice is entirely in the hands of the government of Imo state,”he said.

    He also alleged that unfortunately, the government had relied on its powers to deploy the fierce and coercive forces of the state against trade unions.

    Ajaero also warned the government of Imo state that the NLC would hold the Governor accountable if anything happens to any worker or trade union leader in the course of the lawful protests.

    “Alll the threats we have received of violence against our persons are noted but we will not be deterred.

    “On the 1 day of November, we begin this march to save workers of Imo state from the grievous harm the government has subjected them to these past years, ”he said.

  • NDLEA Seizes 6 Tons Of Skunk In 5 States

    NDLEA Seizes 6 Tons Of Skunk In 5 States

    NDLEA has intercepted more than six tons of skunk in Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Edo and Gombe states.

    Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated in Abuja on Sunday that 2,197kg of skunk were recovered in four interdictions in parts of Ondo State within four days.

    He explained that 1,165.5kg of skunk were seized in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday, while 691kgs of the drugs were recovered at Ukugu Forest in Ipele, in the state on Tuesday.

    “A suspect, Ifeanyi Abuguja, 32, was arrested with 87kg of same substance on Monday, October 23 at Agula Road, Ogbese, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

    “At Ogbese Market in the same local government area of Ondo State, 253.5kg of the substance were recovered on Thursday, October 26,’’ he stated.

    Babafemi added that, two suspects, Ayo Dele, 19, and Olaitan Ahmed, 23, were arrested with 160gm of Indian hemp at a drug joint at Inalende area of Ibadan on Sunday, October 22.

    A follow-up operation at a warehouse in the area led to the recovery of 332kg of Indian hemp, he stated.

    The spokesman also stated that NDLEA operatives of the Lagos Command recovered a vehicle loaded with 209kg of “Loud’’ at Okun Ajah area of the state on Monday, October 23.

    Babafemi added that NDLEA operatives in Gombe State recovered an abandoned consignment of 401 blocks of Indian hemp on Saturday.

    The consignment weighed 392kg, he stated, adding that 21,000 capsules of tramadol were also recovered at Tumfure area of Gombe.

    “In the early hours of Sunday, October 29, NDLEA operatives in Edo stormed the Utese Forest in Ovia North East Local Government Area.

    “The operatives evacuated 2,931.3kg of Indian hemp from a warehouse in the forest,’’ Babafemi stated. 

     
  • NDLEA Nabs Cocaine, Heroin Ingesting Businessmen Bound For Hong Kong, France

    NDLEA Nabs Cocaine, Heroin Ingesting Businessmen Bound For Hong Kong, France

    NDLEA operatives arrested one Chimamkpa Emenike (38) on October 20 and one Agbo Chidike (41) on October 21 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for ingesting hard drugs.

    Emenike was jetting out to France with his ingested heroin while Chidike was on his way to Hong Kong with cocaine in his belly when they were arrested.

    Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja, that Emenike was arrested at the boarding gate of the airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris.

    He added that Chidike was taken into custody on October 21 while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Hong Kong via Addis Ababa.

    “After days in custody, Emenike excreted 72 wraps of heroin weighing 1.171kg, while Chidike discharged 49 pellets of cocaine weighing 998.53gm.

    “In his statement, Chidike claimed he is a businessman dealing in spare parts at the Alaba International market in Ojo area of Lagos.

    “Chidike was to be paid N3.5 million which he intended to use to import goods from Hong Kong,’’ Babafemi stated.

    He added that NDLEA operatives intercepted a Qatar Airways passenger, Agbo Tochukwu, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Wednesday, October 25 while on his way to Oman.

    The suspect had 58 parcels of skunk weighing 29.10kg on him while undergoing processes of boarding his flight.

    “In his statement, Tochukwu claimed he migrated to Oman on May 6 and had been working as hotel attendant there before venturing into drug trafficking,’’ Babafemi stated.

  • ASUU Donates Food Items To 320 IDPs In Katsina

    ASUU Donates Food Items To 320 IDPs In Katsina

    The Academic Staff of Universities Union (ASUU) has donated food items to about 320 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Katsina State on Sunday.

    Dr Lawalli Alkali, the association’s national resource person represented its National President, Prof. Victor Emmanuel, at the distribution of the relief materials.

    He said the gesture was not the first of its kind by the association as it had been a long-standing programme.

    He said also that the foodstuffs included rice, cooking oil, spaghetti, noodles and seasoning cubes.

    “ASUU has always identified with vulnerable groups and the most seriously vulnerable Nigerians like the Internally Displaced Persons IDPs.

    “ASUU regards IDPs as manifestation of a serious problem.

    “When you see IDPs across the country, it shows that we still have a lot to do on security matters,’’ he said.

    Alkali appealed to President Bola Tinubu to adopt necessary measures to tackle security challenges in the country to enable IDPs to return to their homes.

    According to him, ASUU has been monitoring events in Katsina State, and appreciates the commitment of Gov. Dikko Radda on security issues.

    “We pray that he remains focused to do the needful to ensure that IDPs returned to their homes. And resume their farming and other business activities,’’ he said.

    Some of the IDPs, mostly women, expressed appreciation of ASUU’s gesture and appealed to the state government and wealthy individuals to also assist.

    Those who spoke said they were in need of serious assistance, adding that staying in uncompleted buildings was not their desire.

    They also called on governments at all levels to redouble efforts at tackling security challenges in their communities. 

  • Kaduna Refinery Ready By Q4 2024, Lokpobiri Assures

    Kaduna Refinery Ready By Q4 2024, Lokpobiri Assures

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has revealed that the ongoing quick-fix project at the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited, KRPC, will be back on stream by the end of 2024.

    The Minister disclosed this during an inspection tour of Kaduna Refinery & Petrochemicals while assessing the progress of work on the ongoing quick-fix project of the Refinery in Kaduna on Saturday.

    A statement signed by the NNPC Limited management on its official X handle, formerly Twitter, Lokpobiri said he is confident that the refinery will be restreamed by the end of 2024, considering the “significant level of progress” he has witnessed on the tour.

    The Minister, who observed that he would continue to hold key players involved in the rehabilitation process of the nation’s refineries accountable, also pledged Federal Government support in ensuring the timely delivery of the project.

    According to the Minister, there is an urgent need to get the refinery back on stream for the nation’s economic prosperity and energy security, which are both paths to sustainable development. 

    Speaking earlier, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mele Kyari, reassured the minister that the fuel plant at the refinery will be delivered by the end of 2024.

    Kyari said that all hands are on deck to bring the refinery back on stream, stressing that the contractor has since mobilized to the site and the needed equipment for the quick-fix activities is already in place.

    “We are very confident that we will get the appropriate financing to get to the end of it, and ultimately, we will start to deliver value to Nigerians again. We plan the quick fix for 60,000 barrels per day so that we can start making money from this plant and we can continue the other part of the refinery to bring it up to its full-fledged capacity. This will also tally with the completion of the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) on the pipeline so as to have a reliable pipeline delivery infrastructure,” the GCEO stated.

    The inspection tour, which was preceded by the 14th refineries rehabilitation steering committee meeting, also had in attendance NNPC Limited’s Executive Vice President, Downstream, Adedapo Segun; Executive Vice President, Upstream, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan; Managing Directors of the three refineries; and a host of other members of the Committee.

  • FG Backs ‘Naija Design Hub’ Reality Show 

    FG Backs ‘Naija Design Hub’ Reality Show 

    *Sets To Provide Technical, Logistic Support

    The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to support first of its kind, the ‘Naija Design Hub’ Reality TV Show by providing logistics for the organization of the event in different parts of country.

    This was contained in a letter directed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Cipriani Limited, Mr Segun Makun, organisers of the show.

    The Federal Ministry of Works, through the Director for FG workshop, assured the organisers of making the Workshops in Ijora, Lagos and Kuje, Abuja available for use.

    A statement made available NIGERIAN ANCHOR at the weekend, reads:

    “I am directed to inform you that we have gotten approval Cipriani Limited to use ijora workshop Lagos for the training of government officials and participants interested in the 3D house printing technology while we are working on Kuje Zonal workshop approval and your other partnership requests’

    “e understand that the work will largely be around converting traditional building to 3D printable buildings, so it will focus on the required changes and how to overcome them.”

    The ‘Naija Design Hub’ Reality TV Show brings together the most talented and visionary designers from across the country. With an intense competition format, this show is all about pushing creative boundaries, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary works of art, and redefining the way we perceive architecture and design.

    The Show is a groundbreaking building design reality TV competition that brings together the brightest design talents from across the nation. The show is designed to challenge contestants to think outside the box and redefine the limits of architectural innovation.

    With world-class judges and stunning transformations, the show is set to revolutionize the way we experience architecture and design on television.

    It is organized by Cipriani Limited, a leading real estate and entertainment outfit committed to delivering cutting-edge ideas that inspire innovation.