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  • PSC promotes four police officers

    PSC promotes four police officers

    The Police Service Commission on Tuesday promoted four police officers currently lecturing at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, who have successfully completed various academic programmes and acquired PhD certificates.

    The officers who appeared before the Commission on Tuesday include CSP Favour Fadawag; Inspector Shide Sunday; Inspector Oparaji Benjamin; Chetachi Ukwu; and Inspector Benjamin Wanger.

    CSP Fadawag was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police, while the three Inspectors were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police for now, until they are confirmed for further proper placement.

    PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), mni, who presided over the extraordinary management meeting of the Commission, stated that other officers with additional professional certificates who have been engaged in such professional duties, such as lawyers, will soon be upgraded in line with public service requirements.

    In a press statement, the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, quoted DIG Argungu as disclosing that the Commission will henceforth encourage merit and personal development as motivation for greater dedication and commitment to duty.

    He promised that the Commission will continue to promote transparency and accountability in the conduct of its constitutional mandate and assured serving police officers that their welfare, including proper placement, will receive the Commission’s attention, Argungu stressed.

    According to the PSC Chairman, all lecturers in the Police Academy who have additional certificates will be considered for promotion.

    While disclosing that the Commission prioritises police welfare, Argungu stated that it will not fail to fight corruption not only in the Commands, Departments, etc. but also in Police Colleges and the Academy.

    Furthermore, Argungu said the Commission’s policy on whistle-blowing will soon be implemented in the Police Academy and all Police Colleges, and anyone found with corrupt tendencies will be sanctioned.

    “We have to expose the enemies of our country; anyone found collecting money for admission into the Academy or recruitment into the Police will be dealt with according to the law of the land,” he remarked.

    He congratulated the newly promoted officers and charged them to contribute their best to the service of their fatherland.

    DIG Taiwo Lakanu commended the Chairman for his remarkable courage in facilitating the promotion of the officers with PhD certificates while continuing to lecture with Inspector ranks.

    DIG Lakanu stated that he will continue to stand by him and ensure that the Commission succeeds in transforming the Nigeria Police Force for the better.

  • 12 Feared Dead After Egyptian Migrants’ Boat Capsizes Near Libyan Coast

    12 Feared Dead After Egyptian Migrants’ Boat Capsizes Near Libyan Coast

    About a dozen Egyptian migrants fleeing from harsh economic situation at home are feared dead after their boat capsized on Monday, off the coast of Tobruk, a town, eastern Libya.

    Two Egyptian security sources disclosed that only one of the 13 men on board survived the shipwreck, and was rescued by Libyan authorities.

    The migrants are from Egypt’s al-Sharkia and al-Gharbia provinces, and had embarked on the dangerous journey to Italy on Sunday night via a people smugglers’ boat.

    The surviving man had also revealed that the group planned to reach Europe amid Egypt’s severe cost of living crisis, including rising inflation and high unemployment rates.

    After the NATO-backed overthrow and killing of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the oil rich North African country itself, has remained unstable, even though a central transit point for most African migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in search of a better life in Europe.

    A U.N. data collected in mid-2024 shows that Libya is now home to over 761,000 migrants from 44 different nationalities, many of whom hope to cross the Mediterranean for a safer and more prosperous future.

    The current incident torchlights the risks many migrants face as they undertake the perilous voyages on the sea to escape difficult conditions at home.

  • APC mourns as party’s deputy director dies at 48

    APC mourns as party’s deputy director dies at 48

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the death of a senior member of staff of its National Secretariat, Mr. Isaiah Edegbo.

    According to a statement by the party’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, Edegbo died on Monday, 28th October 2024, in Abuja.

    “The late Mr. Edegbo, who hails from Dekina LGA of Kogi state, was 48 years old. Until his passing, he was a Deputy Director in the Organization Department of the National Secretariat.

    “He attended CMML Primary School, Anyigba (1981-1986); Kizito Seminary, Idah (1986-1992); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained Diploma in Civil Law (1997), LL.B(Hons) (2003), LL.M (Public Law) (2016), and his PhD (Commercial Law) in view.

    “Although a lawyer by training, the late Isaiah Edegbo was a brilliant, thorough, and dependable staff member who participated and supported the Party in the conduct of many successful congresses, conventions and other electioneering activities.

    “He will be sorely missed,” Morka said in the statement.

  • Police arrest Abia lawmaker over assault on cab driver

    Police arrest Abia lawmaker over assault on cab driver

    The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command on Monday said it has arrested a lawmaker for assaulting a driver in the nation’s capital.

    Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the Abuja Command, confirmed that Alex Mascot Ikwechegh has been arrested.

    She said Ikwechegh is “at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning”.

    The Police spokesperson explained in the statement that the cab driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, reported the matter to the Command.

    “Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery. During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.

    “The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the Inspector General of Police following the incident.

    “After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, ‘You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,’ demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.

    “Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the statement read.

    The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu, has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter.

    “The Command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken.”

  • Tinubu’s Daughter, Folashade Appointed Ambassador For Almajiri, Uneducated Children

    Tinubu’s Daughter, Folashade Appointed Ambassador For Almajiri, Uneducated Children

    Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and first daughter of President Bola Tinubu, has been appointed the Ambassador of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE).

    This announcement was made by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, during his courtesy visit to the Iyaloja-General’s palace in Lagos.

    In a statement released yesterday in Abuja, the commission’s spokesperson, Nura Muhammad, highlighted that Tinubu-Ojo’s dedication to aiding underprivileged communities, including Almajiri and children out of the school system, influenced this significant appointment.

    Dr. Idris praised her for her commitment to promoting trade and commerce and for her efforts to enhance market women’s access to essential resources and opportunities.

    The new role as Ambassador is expected to leverage Tinubu-Ojo’s influential position in commerce to advance educational initiatives for some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

    The statement reads in part, “Chief Tinubu-Ojo expressed excitement and gratitude for the honour, pledging to alleviate the plight of these vulnerable Nigerians.

    “She emphasised her father’s commitment to education as a lasting legacy for Nigerian children, evident in his own children’s lives.

    “She commended the Executive Secretary for his service to Nigeria, and prayed for him to succeed in the task ahead.”

  • 19 Northern Governors Meet With CDS Musa Over Insecurity

    19 Northern Governors Meet With CDS Musa Over Insecurity

    The Governors of the 19 Northern States and traditional rulers from the region, convened on Monday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna to deliberate on pressing issues affecting Northern Nigeria.

    The Northern States Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, and hosted by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna, organized this strategic meeting to address the critical challenges of insecurity, poverty, and the high number of out-of-school children among other socio-economic concerns.

    The meeting saw the participation of governors from Kaduna, Gombe, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Borno, Bauchi, Kwara, and Adamawa states, with deputy governors representing other states.

    High-profile traditional leaders such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad; Shehu of Borno, Umar El-Kanemi; Emir of Zazzau, Nuhu Bamali; and the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, among others, also attended.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, briefed the attendees on the military’s current strategies and successes in combating banditry, terrorism, and other security threats plaguing the region.

    The traditional rulers provided insights into the socio-cultural dimensions of these challenges, emphasizing the role of community leadership in fostering peace and stability.

    Governors Yahaya and Sani, in their opening remarks, stressed the urgency of joint action to mitigate the adverse effects of insecurity on the economic vitality of the region.

  • Tinubu Congratulates Shirley Botchwey, Incoming Commonwealth Sec-Gen

    Tinubu Congratulates Shirley Botchwey, Incoming Commonwealth Sec-Gen

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

    On Friday, leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations meeting in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey, a 61-year-old former lawmaker who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for the last seven years, as the 7th Secretary-General.

    She is expected to assume office on April 1, 2025.Botchwey is the second African to be elected secretary-general of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that position from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000.

    She had the backing of Nigeria for the top commonwealth job.

    The Nigerian leader believes that Botchey’s extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs and regional development makes her a perfect fit for the job.

    He trusts that Botchey’s leadership experience will bring renewed energy to the Commonwealth’s efforts to advance meaningful economic and political partnerships that drive development and amplify the bloc’s voice in global affairs.

    President Tinubu said he looks forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General to advance the Commonwealth’s vision of fostering peace, equity and prosperity for all member nations.

    The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to championing a Commonwealth that prioritises strengthening intra-commonwealth trade, African exports, and a unified presence at the United Nations that supports an African bid for a permanent representation at the Security Council.

    The President thanked the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her years of leadership and wishes her the best in her future endeavours.

  • NNPCL Releases Names Of Six Victims Of Crashed Helicopter

    NNPCL Releases Names Of Six Victims Of Crashed Helicopter

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has released the identities of six employees who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Thursday.

    According to the flight’s electronic manifest, the deceased NNPC staff members are: “Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo.” 

    The pilot, Captain Yakubu Dukas, was also among the victims, while one additional passenger remains yet to identified.  

    Recall that on Thursday, the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, was en route to the FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN facility when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

    The Nigerian Air Management Agency (NAMA) had enlisted neighbouring countries such as Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in the search for the missing crashed helicopter and four other passengers.

    As of the time of the crash on Thursday, eight persons were onboard but three lifeless bodies were retrieved from the Atlantic Ocean where the chopper ditched. Two others were later recovered on Friday, putting the tally of recovered bodies at five.

  • N70,000 Minimum Wage: Katsina Sets Up 13-Member Committee

    N70,000 Minimum Wage: Katsina Sets Up 13-Member Committee

    The Katsina State Government has empaneled a whopping 13 member committee to implement the N70,000 minimum wage increase.

    The committee is to also address the financial challenges faced by its workforce.

     Led by the Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal, the committee includes 13 members, representing labor unions, government officials, and civil society organizations.

    This initiative encompasses state and local government employees, along with other categories of workers, as Katsina joins other states such as Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, and Lagos in adopting or discussing similar wage adjustments. 

    Katsina’s move follows earlier investments in the state’s health sector, where nearly N3.78 billion was allocated for improvements from June 2023 to April 2024, including the establishment of a sickle cell center and free drug distributions at Katsina General Hospital.

  • Niger gov approves N80,000 minimum wage

    Niger gov approves N80,000 minimum wage

    The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has announced a new minimum wage of N80,000 to commence in November 2024.

    The governor revealed this after an extensive meeting between the state government and the leadership of the state labour union, assuring that he would continue to review the minimum wage for the state workforce.

    Speaking with journalists on Friday, Bago affirmed that the new minimum wage would be sustainable, given the government’s strides in agriculture.

    “This is very sustainable. ₦80,000 is sustainable. With our advances in agriculture, I am confident we can afford it. We are creating a civil service farm so that civil servants can be productive. With that, I am certain we could eventually pay as much as ₦1 million as minimum wage,” Bago said.

    The governor stated that the new minimum wage would apply to both state and local government civil servants, adding, “We have already paid this month’s salary, so it will take effect in November.”

    The Niger State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Idrees Lafene, who also spoke with journalists after the announcement, expressed his satisfaction with the development, stating that the governor had exceeded their expectations.

    “I feel delighted, and at least Niger State is now among the top-ranking states to implement a higher minimum wage,” Lafene said.

    The chairman acknowledged that while the new minimum wage does not match the current cost of living, it represents progress.

    “It is not enough to buy a bag of rice, but at least it is a step forward,” he added.